Chicago – Using Chicago as a backdrop has rarely been as kinetic and exciting as under the direction of Marie Ullrich. Expanding upon a short film she produced in 2010 called “Faster,” about a bike messenger in the Windy City, Ullrich went for a grittier and more emotional look at that world in “The Alley Cat” in 2014. The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD on August 16th, 2016.
“The Alley Cat” evolves the story of Jasper (Jenny Strubin), the protagonist in the previous short film “Faster.” In “The Alley Cat,” Jasper is participating in a nighttime bike race/rally through Chicago, with her bike messenger colleagues. At the same time she is having family issues, including a relationship confrontation with her sister. Everything is coming to a resolution on race night, as fast as a lightweight bike on flat pavement. The film uses the available light of the streets, and is told...
“The Alley Cat” evolves the story of Jasper (Jenny Strubin), the protagonist in the previous short film “Faster.” In “The Alley Cat,” Jasper is participating in a nighttime bike race/rally through Chicago, with her bike messenger colleagues. At the same time she is having family issues, including a relationship confrontation with her sister. Everything is coming to a resolution on race night, as fast as a lightweight bike on flat pavement. The film uses the available light of the streets, and is told...
- 8/18/2016
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The Alley Cat
Directed by Marie Ullrich
Written by Marie Ullrich
USA, 2014
The bicycle is by far the most existential vehicular choice when making a road film about a character in a state of mental cross roads. Unlike the car, the bike is solely powered by the human and it’s capabilities are dictated by the rider’s. Anyone can press a pedal and go 100 mph, but with a bicycle the wheels are only an extension of the human drive to move forward. In Marie Ullrich’s The Alley Cat, this sense of propulsion collides with the main character’s struggle to move forward mentally. Jasper was a mother but gave her child up to her sister, with the deal that her little girl can never know who her real mom is. It’s during a wild, late-night bike race through Chicago’s south loop that she reassesses her priorities...
Directed by Marie Ullrich
Written by Marie Ullrich
USA, 2014
The bicycle is by far the most existential vehicular choice when making a road film about a character in a state of mental cross roads. Unlike the car, the bike is solely powered by the human and it’s capabilities are dictated by the rider’s. Anyone can press a pedal and go 100 mph, but with a bicycle the wheels are only an extension of the human drive to move forward. In Marie Ullrich’s The Alley Cat, this sense of propulsion collides with the main character’s struggle to move forward mentally. Jasper was a mother but gave her child up to her sister, with the deal that her little girl can never know who her real mom is. It’s during a wild, late-night bike race through Chicago’s south loop that she reassesses her priorities...
- 10/25/2014
- by Jae K. Renfrow
- SoundOnSight
Chicago – The Midwest Independent Film Festival, which convenes every first Tuesday of the month, is fast becoming an institution in Chicago and an influential barometer for the local and Midwestern film scene. On Tuesday, December 4th, 2012, their annual “Best of the Midwest” Awards will be handed out. Hosting the event is the co-founder of the Midwest Indie, Mike McNamara. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com serves on the Awards Committee.
The ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards, December 4th, 2012
Photo Credit: www.MidwestFilm.com
The following films and performances are nominated for the “Best of the Midwest” Awards…
Best Music Video
“Moonbeams,” directed by Sam Macon
“Everything Will Be Fine,” directed by Nate DuFort
“War Again,” directed by Paul Griswold
“Are You Gonna Break My Heart,” directed by Will Meyers
“Villain,” directed by Logan Hall
Best Short Film
“The Promise,” directed by Bill Roach and Joel Edwards
“Advantage: Weinberg,” directed by David Singer
“Wednesday’s Child,...
The ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards, December 4th, 2012
Photo Credit: www.MidwestFilm.com
The following films and performances are nominated for the “Best of the Midwest” Awards…
Best Music Video
“Moonbeams,” directed by Sam Macon
“Everything Will Be Fine,” directed by Nate DuFort
“War Again,” directed by Paul Griswold
“Are You Gonna Break My Heart,” directed by Will Meyers
“Villain,” directed by Logan Hall
Best Short Film
“The Promise,” directed by Bill Roach and Joel Edwards
“Advantage: Weinberg,” directed by David Singer
“Wednesday’s Child,...
- 12/3/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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