What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out.

Happy 4Qs Thursday, Folks!

Did everybody listen to my interview with the extraordinary Alina Krasnianska on Tuesday? I truly hope so.
Like I said before, Alina’s documentary “Culture vs war. Liberov” is easily one of the most important films we’ve had the privilege of showing at either Film Invasion or The Sherman Oaks Film Festival.
It took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Featurette, Documentary at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2024 and is one documentary of six in the “Culture vs. War” series with a feature length adaptation of the series is on the way.
Alina generously included the links to watch the entire series, so check out Tuesday’s interview post for those links.

Facebook page of Alina Krasnianska – https://www.facebook.com/alina.krasnianska
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Welcome back, Everybody! I hope 2025 is treating you well so far.

My guest on today’s podcast is Alina Krasnianska, the Executive Producer of “Culture vs war. Liberov,” a documentary that took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Featurette, Documentary at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2024.
In this case “home” is Kyiv, Ukraine.
The logline for the film is, “A deeply touching story of the war by the eyes of the couple of photographers Kostyantyn and Vlada Liberov.”
I sincerely do not have words for how powerful and important this film is. In fact, I wish that every person in the USA would watch it right now. No, I want everyone in the world to see it.

And you can… right now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgVN6HHIW3k

This film is one documentary of six in the “Culture vs. War” series and a feature length adaptation of the series is on the way.
I do not feel that I am exaggerating when I say that this film is one of the most important films that has ever played at either Film Invasion Los Angeles or Sherman Oaks film festival.
Honestly, I cannot believe how lucky I am that I had the opportunity to talk to Alina for two hours about this film, about the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and about life in the country that my great grandparents fled in the 1890’s.
But even if you have no tie to Ukraine surely any person who believes in human rights, freedom, democracy, and the right to not be murdered in your home by a fascist neighbor will appreciate Alina’s films and hopefully this podcast interview with her.
What is truly inspiring is that Alina and her creative partners reacted to the invasion by highlighting the power of Culture to overcome War.
There is so much I want to say about this film and Alina, but I will instead just ask you to listen to the interview and WATCH THE FILMS.
Alina has shared links with us for the films as well as other important videos, news sources, and Facebook pages.

Here come the links for the documentaries Culture vs war:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YALSyd3ohuU&t=32s Antytila band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ewnkyz1uxw&t=16s cinematographer Serhii Mykhalchuk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR3Q2LiRTXg&t=1100s film director Akhtem Seitablaiev
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGKVyHliwsk&t=82s poet Serhiy Zhadan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYn7r-Be7kc&t=9s kobzar Taras Kompanichenko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgVN6HHIW3k&t=43s photographers Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov

To check the videos of the Association Watch Ukrainian
https://www.youtube.com/@watchukrainian

To check the news of the Association Watch
Ukrainian https://www.facebook.com/dyvysukrainske

Facebook page of Alina Krasnianska – executive producer Culture vs war project

https://www.facebook.com/alina.krasnianska

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What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out.

Happy 2025 My Dear Discover Indie Film Listeners!

Our first podcast release of the year is a follow up to Tuesday’s very special talk with filmmaker Peter Menchini.
Peter Menchini directed the animated short, “When Mama and Me Lived Outside,” that took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film – Animation at Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2023.
I am delighted to launch this new year/new chapter with Peter’s 4Qs.

Anyone who wants to buy Tiny’s book, and you SHOULD, can do so here: https://www.poorpress.net/

You can learn more if you visit Poor Magazine’s website: https://www.poormagazine.org/

And, finally, Peter shared this fun video with us: https://vimeo.com/270538513.
In his words, “A scene from Barton Fink for a directing class. Charlie, carrying a shotgun, sets the hotel on fire, then goes upstairs where 2 cops have Barton handcuffed to his bed.
Each shot becomes more orange, and then we also had to simulate flames with no budget. I just think that’s so fun.”
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A Very Happy New Year’s Eve to You All!

I hope everyone is feeling healthy, rested and peacefully reflective on this past year. One thing that certainly filled my 2024 cup to the brim is all the amazing chats with talented, interesting filmmakers. I’m thrilled to end the last day of this year with one more, and I think it’s a great one.

Peter Menchini directed the animated short, “When Mama and Me Lived Outside,” that took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film – Animation at Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2023.
I referred to this film as an “animated documentary” and Peter agreed.
This unique, compelling and meaningful film tells the story of Tiny Gray-Garcia’s children’s book of the same name, utilizing the artwork in creative and original ways to support the story.

We had a wonderful screening of “When Mama and Me Lived Outside” at FILA 2023 that included a great Q&A with Peter and Tiny.
I knew that it would be a wonderful and rewarding interview if or when Peter had time to do the podcast.
Much to my delight we were able to record a Zoom interview and Peter did not disappoint, as the conversation is fantastic and, to me, particularly meaningful.

Peter shared the following links:

Anyone who wants to buy Tiny’s book, and you SHOULD, can do so here: https://www.poorpress.net/

You can learn more if you visit Poor Magazine’s website: https://www.poormagazine.org/

And, finally, Peter shared this fun video with us: https://vimeo.com/270538513.
In his words, “A scene from Barton Fink for a directing class. Charlie, carrying a shotgun, sets the hotel on fire, then goes upstairs where 2 cops have Barton handcuffed to his bed.
Each shot becomes more orange, and then we also had to simulate flames with no budget. I just think that’s so fun.”

I think it’s fun, too!
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Discover Indie Film

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The INDIE Channel

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Source: Discover Film

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out.

Before listening to today’s 4 Questions, I certainly hope you had the chance to listen to Tuesday’s chat with Chicago-based filmmaker Jim Vendiola. It’s a good one!
Jim brought his brilliant short film “Pretty Pickle” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2023 and took home the award for Outstanding Screenplay – Horror.
As we discuss, it’s impossible to narrow your favorite films just to three, but check out out some of Jim’s inspirations here!

Learn more about Jim and their work at https://www.jimvendiola.com

as well as at @jimvendiola at https://letterboxd.com/
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Discover Indie Film

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The INDIE Channel

The INDIE Channel Website – Instagram – Facebook – X/Twitter – TikTok

Source: Discover Film