This is an unusual look at a fiercely independent style of filmmaking that arose from Austin, Texas in the 80s/90's and how Linklater's films sparked a low budget movement in the US and around the world.
Highlighting one of the most innovative American directors, this film reveals the path traveled by the auteur from his small-town Texas roots to his warm reception on the awards circuit. Long before he directed Boyhood, Richard Linklater’s intense desire to create fueled his work outside the Hollywood system. Rather than leave Texas, he chose to collaborate with like-minded artists crafting modest, low-budget films in a DIY style. His ability to showcase realistic characters and tell honest stories was evident from his films, and others soon took notice of his raw talent. Directors Louis Black and Karen Bernstein weave illuminating discussions with Linklater amongst testimonies from faithful actors, longtime crew members, and industry professionals who weigh in on his upward trajectory from Slackerto the Sunrise trilogy. Throughout his career, Linklater has worked with a core group of artists, raising the profile of both actors and the burgeoning independent film scene in Austin. This thoughtful examination of a groundbreaking filmmaker serves as a celebration of a rare talent.
Louis Black received a MFA from the University of Texas in Austin with a concentration in Film in 1980. The next year he co-founded The Austin Chronicle, which he edits and where he has published close to one thousand pieces. In 1987, he helped launch South by Southwest Music, Interactive and Film Festivals and Conferences where he is Senior Director. An original board member of the Austin Film Society (founded by the current artistic director: Richard Linklater), he was also the board’s first President. He helped initiate the Austin Film Society Grant program and negotiate with the City to create Austin Studios. Black produced several documentaries which include Margaret Brown’s Be Here To Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt and the Peabody award-winning The Order of Myths , which premiered at Sundance in 2008. Black was the Executive Producer on the first ever DVD release of Tobe Hooper’s first film Eggshells and Eagle Pennell’s 1978 indie classic The Whole Shootin’ Match, the film that Robert Redford always cites as inspiring him to start the Sundance Institute. Black is currently producing several narrative and documentary films from Texas.
A mid-life documentary director, Karen Bernstein's recent credits include Producing Light and Are The Kids Alright both of which have won Emmy Awards and transFIGURATION . As Producer for PBS' American Masters in the 1990s, Bernstein received an Emmy award for a film on Ella Fitzgerald and a Grammy award for Lou Reed – Rock and Roll Heart which premiered at Sundance in 1998 . Other award winning credits include Troop 1500 , Body of War , and Children of Giant . Body of War was produced with Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, toured multiple film festivals around the world, and was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2008. Troop 1500 , also with Ellen Spiro, premiered at SXSW in 2005 and was broadcast on PBS on Independent Lens in 2006. With Galan Inc., Karen Bernstein produced Children of Giant , which explored the remarkable intersection between art and life in Marfa, Texas where George Stevens filmed his epic work, Giant , in 1954. I’m Going To Make You Love Me is her documentary feature in progress, in association with Picturebox, and edited by Nevie Owens.
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