Live from Bethlehem

ASF Producer/Director Joe Sousa is hard at work on an ambitious new documentary project: LIVE FROM BETHLEHEM.

Joe spent about three weeks in the Palestinian Territories as part of a team documenting young Palestinian journalist who are revolutionizing the dialog by bringing a new brand of media to the Palestinian Territories. Check out the trailer, production pictures, and more at the official project website: www.livefrombethlehem.com

Here's the extended trailer:

Here's to Great Endings

OPEN SOURCE, a Public Radio Show broadcast on 40 stations around the country recently aired its final show. The farewell episode paid tribute to great endings, the need we have for closure, and what it takes to create that home run ending. This is a great listen for filmmakers, writers, and anyone that loves great art.

Here is a link to the MP3 of the show.

Here is their write-up of the show:

The final episode of The Sopranos managed to either enrage or delight every fan and critic who has been following Tony Soprano and his brood for nearly eight years. In fiction — and in life — bidding farewell is never easy, particularly if the challenge is to do it in an authentic, entertaining, and emotionally gratifying way. And even though all good things come to an end, it’s a remarkable achievement when anything — good or bad — ends spectacularly.

As Open Source approaches its final, live broadcast — in this incarnation — we thought it would be fun to spend our last hour on the air talking about great endings. From the last scene of the Mary Tyler Moore show, to the final moment inThe Grapes of Wrath, a good ending can not only redeem previous stretches of mediocrity — it can keep the narrative and characters alive long after we have moved beyond the screen or the page.

During this hour we’ll be talking about the wonderful windings down in film, literature, and television. What are your criteria for a great ending? Do you like closure? Or is ambivalence more to your liking? Do post-modern ends turn you off or are they an antidote to grand Hollywood finales? What are your most beloved endings?

If you were to write Open Source’s final episode how would you like things to end? Would Mary buy steroids online and play right wing for the Bruins? Would Chris and Camille Paglia be the next dynamic duo on Dancing With the Stars? Or would Bob Newhart awake to the great relief that this two-year radio endeavor was nothing but a dream?

News In The New

Festa will be airing the week of the Feast. Friday August 3rd at 10:30 pm on RIPBS.
Co-producer Duarte continues his Madeiran tour with Festa, and recently showed the film in FUNCHAL. Here he is


Joe is hard at work, back on Conversations with Carlos Watson as a Segment Producer. Carlos has some big interviews lined up, so stay tuned for the broadcast dates. Joe also postponed a trip to the West Bank because of increasing violence in the region.

And finally, as if there isn't enough going on, Josh just shot the first episode of Eat This New England at Pomykala Farm in Grand Isle Vermont. Look for that soon. Here's some photos from the shoot.

Madeiran Premiere, Festa

Festa Co-Producer Duarte Barcelos recently planned and held the premiere of Festa at Estreito da Calheta. Here's what he had to say:

Dear friends,

The premiere of "Festa" at Estreito da Calheta was a complete success.

The room was so crowded and there were not seats enough for everybody and some people had to stand up at the back. The estimated attedance there was about 150 to 180 people.

Before showing the film I did a brief historic retrospective of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament in New Bedford using a powerpoint presentation.

Mr. Goncalo Nuno Santos, director of the Centro das Comunidades Madeirenses attended and I invited him to say a few words in the end. He praised the film, my devotion to the study of the history of the Madeiran immigrants in the US and asked everybody to give me a big round of applause, which was done.

He told me before the projection of the film started that he would inform the President of the Republic about this film for he is interested about the history of the Portuguese in the world. He promised to get back to me with more news about this.

Enclosed are the pictures that I took there. Unfortunately there was no media there to cover this event, and I think that that was because of the fact that at the same time the Flower Feast Parade was taking place in Funchal.

But nonetheless I wrote a chronicle for the Portuguese Times about it and it will be published on the next edition of the newspaper next Wednesday.

...

I am also considering showing the film at Prazeres and at Santa Cruz in July during its feast of the Blessed Sacrament.

I am also considering showing the film at FNAC, a major place in Funchal, and maybe leave a few copies there to be sold. I will tell you more about it soon.

Anyway, yesterday was a very rewarding day for me before lots of people attended and you should also be proud of that.

Kindest regards to you all,

Duarte.

Mayhem Hits Boston!

April 22, 2007, Boston was crippled, brought to it's knees. Mooninites we not to blame this time, though Hollywood was. The Columbia Pictures feature, "21", had the Mass Ave Bridge closed from 8am to 3pm. Oh, and ASF's own Josh Youman was part of the problem.

Mass. Ave. bridge closing this Sunday; chaos expected

We've Got Emmy's!

Allston Street Films, and their respective dates, will be attending this years Regional Emmy Award ceremony on May 12, at the Copley Marriott. ASF is up against some heavy hitters...but are we scared...no! Click on the image for more information, and a list of nominees.

Festa Premiere in Madeira!

EatThisNewEngland.com Teaser

Here is a quick teaser for EatThisNewEngland.com, a new food show that is currently in pre-production. Because food DOES NOT come from factory.

Updates

Joe has been working as a segment producer for a Nationally Syndicated Prime Time Special starring Carlos Watson, aptly name CONVERSATIONS WITH CARLOS WATSON. You can go to www.conversationswithcarlos.com to find when it is airing near you.

Josh is hard at work, try to get his food show off the ground. Stand by for a pilot and a teaser reel.

You can also read his opinion on Casino Gambling in the Letters Section of the current DIG magazine, www.weeklydig.com

And don't forget (how could you) DVD's of FESTA are still available, you can print out an order form at www.allstonstreetfilms.com