The Lonely Lights. The Color of Lemons.

The Lonely Lights. The Color of Lemons.

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Directed by:	Benjamin M Piety
Written by:	Benjamin M Piety
Starring:	Alex Perez, Joey Monasterios, Garrett Boyle
Country:	U S A
Created:	2006
Runtime:	17 min.
Also Listed In:	AFI FEST - Converted Rome International Film Festival
Member:	bmpiety
	bmpiety's Other Films & Listings Film: Nine Poems or How I Said Good Bye Film: The Domestication of the Incredible LMNO Robot Film: The Approaching Film: Sunlit Shadows

Average rating: 4.7 by 10 users

Film Description:

Summary
Filmmaker Blog
Gallery
Video
Ratings

Synopsis

A visual study of a young jogger who is shown a series of inkblot paintings that propel him into a collection of stories and memories centered on childhood, questions of sexuality and an enigmatic girl. The film is structured around eight of these painting each paired with a single word. It is based on a similar structure in which filmmaker Su Friedrich built her film 'Sink or Swim' around. In this, she took words starting with the backwards alphabet, (Z)ygote, (Y)Chromosome, (X)Chromosome, (W)itness, etc. This lead the film into a relationship with her father that after viewing was completely real and understandable, but indescribable. 'The Lonely Lights...' is the study of a character that has no discernable arch or event in which changes him dramatically, but rather a series of experiences that has created a person from nothing. The form of cinema is false, but this character is real. It works with the theme, 'who we are is who we were.'

Forms: Experimental, Narrative Fiction, Short
Genres: Alternative, Coming of Age , Independent, Dramedy, Art
Niches: Gay/Lesbian, Student, Youth/Teen

Screenings & Events

Reeling: Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival
Film Festival
Chicago, U S A
November 2006

AFI Film Festival
Film Festival
Los Angeles, U S A
November 2006

South by Southwest
Film Festival
Awards: Special Jury Prize for Experimental Film
Austin, U S A
March 2007

Cast & Crew

Production

Benjamin M Piety (Executive Producer, Director), Constantin Preda (Producer), Jon Jones (Associate Producer), Scott Uhlfelder (Executive Producer)

Writing

Benjamin M Piety (Writer)

Performance

Alex Perez (Lead Actor), Garrett Boyle (Lead Actor), Hayle Boyle (Supporting Actor), Heather Ignacio (Supporting Actor), Joey Monasterios (Lead Actor), Kevin James O'Neill (Supporting Actor)

Camera

Matt Cook (Sound Mixer), Scott Uhlfelder (Cinematographer/DP)

Art Department

Nikki Sorenson (Art Director), Phil Chernyak (Art Director)

Post Production

Benjamin M Piety (Picture Editor)

Representation

Benjamin M Piety (Publicist)

Academic

Rich Grula (School Administrator), Rich Grula (Academic Advisor)

TRAILER May 17, 2006 01:27PM

Lonely Lights (in my words) May 17, 2006 01:16PM

It took me 15 years to make this film. When I first approached the idea to retell some of my experiences as a kid, I found that most of my memories came to me in segments. I remembered only little pieces, flickers of memory and light. I found it strange how life repeated itself and how pieces were connected. I then started to arrange these stories together in the same manner as filmmaker Su Friedrich in her incredible work "Sink or Swim," a film about her father. Using her structure, my film become more and more of a self-exploration. I drew further from hiding things behind my dialogue and characters and just started being more honest with myself. I started to understand some of the consequences of the events in my life. Why were my parents this influencial to me? Why was this experience with my cousin that profound? It took a long while to discover who I am - and to be ok with not being 100% accurate in that assesment. I've come to terms with the present accepting the past. This has been a journey that despite any festivals I may or may not play was worth the time and effort. This has been the most important film I've made. I thank my cast and crew for their amazing work. This film was more then just a thesis project for an undergraduate degree, it was my therapy. I'm happier now and more at peace. It is amazing how friends can do that for you.

Rehearsing

Light Show

The Lonely Lights. The Color of Lemons.

Trailer for the new film The Lonely Lights. The Color of Lemons.

Ratings

Cold_Water_Films

5 Stars

Conundrum

4 Stars

I saw this at AFI - a visual treat

EHarrell

4 Stars

yay ben!

lizd99

4 Stars

moonmole

5 Stars

Sheer non-narrative brilliance. I wish I made this film.

brbonowicz

5 Stars

brbonowicz

5 Stars

drewblatman

5 Stars

Ryan

5 Stars

JasonKupfer

5 Stars

13 Comments about The Lonely Lights. The Color of Lemons.

piff2008
Dec 02, 2007 10:14PM

Your film review sounds very impressive. We would like to invite you to submit your film for free for our upcoming international film festival 'Pumelo 2008' which has been ranked amongst the best film festivals in Asia. For free sumission details and further guidelines please visit Pumelo.com. Thank you and keep up the good work.

fisheye
Dec 06, 2006 10:13PM

stunning inspiration!

Scotch_Hill
Nov 28, 2006 07:16AM

This looks great.

If you ever want some extra exposure, drop us a line at www.filmmakerspod.com NOT spam! just done out of the love of indie cinema. Sounds like you have some great tales to tell and I would love to know more about your production and subsequent festival experiences.

Congrats on the screenings and I look forward to viewing the entire short!

seansymons
Nov 22, 2006 10:24PM

Wow, if the trailer looks anything like your movie, it should be great! Would love to see it.

tiny_cloud
Nov 19, 2006 10:48AM

truely astonishing. where can i see it?

BillZorr
Nov 16, 2006 02:59PM

Phenominal trailer. Where can I see your film?

It looks like you have a great career ahead of you - good luck!

paulette
Nov 10, 2006 10:42AM

Beautifully shot.

TimeFissure_Studios
Nov 08, 2006 09:39PM

Benjamin... I have to say you are extremely talented. There are many films and trailers out there which are good... even great. However, you have a style that pulls the viewer in like that of a child who is fascinated and hypnotized with curiosity...as if experiencing something for the first time.