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Split Pillow develops, funds and produces several original films each season that it presents to the public. A breakdown of the works produced each season is below. In addition, Split Pillow provides financial and logistical support to a number of independently-produced films in Chicagoland each year through its SP Support Program. For a complete list of those films, please click here.
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Life as Lincoln
Life as Lincoln follows three Abraham Lincoln presenters who live and impersonate Lincoln in the places that he called home - Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. From each man's costumed presentations to his ordinary at-home routines, the film unveils the ambitions behind the men dedicated to preserving Lincoln's memory and peculiar parallels between Lincoln's history and the presenters lives. Ultimately, the film's three presenters meet together in Washington, D.C. with nearly 100 other Lincoln Presenters for their annual convention, a celebration of Lincoln's life and their presenting pastime. |
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Eye of the Sandman
Split Pillow will open our 8th season in the Fall 2009 with an eye-poppin' horror comedy inspired by a classic tale! Natalie is a sweet, young, one-eyed bride-to-be with the world at her feet. She's just inherited a huge old mansion, her fiance can't wait to marry her, and the bridesmaids are taking care of every detail. Only problem is, Natalie's eye is wandering - and the subject of her affection could destroy not only her marriage, but her remaining eye. Ghosts from the past, hidden desires, and squeaky gears come together in this high-spirited take on ETA Hoffman's 19th century sci-fi story, "Der Sandmann." Eye of the Sandman, directed by MT Cozzola, Dennis Belogorsky and Jeffrey McHale.
"Bearugard's comic delivery is full of surprises"
"Eye of the Sandman is definitely worth the trip to Siskel Film Center. For the eye patch love song alone."
"The "spook" scenes hark back to early horror films"
"A quirky remake of E.T.A Hoffman's horror classic "Der Sandmann"
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The Christians
The CHRISTIANS is a provocative drama set in Chicago during the night following a terrorism scare. Church counselor Brett and husband Darmon host dinner for Brett's sister Stacy and her boyfriend Jim. Devout and impressionable, Stacy and Jim arrive with word of an unbelievable rumor: a handful of world famous evangelists predict that the Rapture will arrive at midnight. Skeptical as they are, Darmon and Brett find the possibility hard ro resist. The two couples barricade themselves inside the apartment and wait for midnight. What actually arrives is unexpected, forcing the couples to confront doubts about their convictions, as well as each other. Part chamber drama and part thriller, THE CHRISTIANS is a rare look at urban believers as complex and conflicted individuals. It is a unique story of the intimacy, faith, and uncertainty that exists in an increasingly chaotic world. Written and Directed by Stephen Cone. Produced by Split Pillow.
Click here to visit The Christians Web site!
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The Disappearance of Daniel Dodger
An award-winning documentarian stumbles onto a dangerous conspiracy while profiling identical twin brothers living very different lives. When one of the brothers becomes the latest victim of a designer street drug called Hoy, a web of intrigue involving a powerful corporation begins to unravel. A suspense-thriller collaboration written and directed by Leo Burnett directors Brian Fox, Thomas Horne and Ben Poster starring Tom Bailey ("soulMaid") and Dan Sanders-Joyce (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre).
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Petersburg
A political drama based on Andrei Bely's classic novel of the same name! The son of a prominent U.S. Senator becomes the not-so-unwitting pawn in a potentially revolutionary plot when a friend gives him a mysterious package for safekeeping. A collaboration written and directed by Dave Belden, Tom Herman, Nick Martin and Jim Vendiola. Featuring performances by Ross Heran, Peter Calandra, Tony DiGanci, Jason Frederick, Nina Fultz, Adam Ruben, Beth Jacoby and Rachel Slavick.
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soulMaid
When Moses's seizures begin manifesting as religious visions, he is compelled to abandon the man of his dreams and prepare for a bizarre second coming. Ridiculously romantic, hopelessly funy and unabashedly politically incorrect, soulMaid is a modern day fairy tale that will both touch and offend your soul. Written and directed by Jeff Maccubbin, Jeffrey McHale, Dan Mohr and Joe Steiff with animation by Justin Winslow. "A politically incorrect modern fairy tale." "Goofy originality... hitting the right blend of sincereity and camp."
"A campy comedy... off-the-wall plot, cute boys and a unique production style."
"Without question... the weirdest film of the festival. Think "I Heart Huckabees" crossed with "Angels in America" with a "South Park" bent."
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Drama
Four lives intersect in Split Pillow's latest feature. Anne is an alpha-woman who comes home to a shocking discovery one evening. Laura is a commitmentphobe, unwilling to compromise. Avery is a wandering alcoholic, searching for his lost daughter. Isaiah is a naively mature teenager, desperate for co-dependency. Through a series of random encounters with each other, the four apprehensively confront the prospect of change. A motion picture written and directed by Maria Gigante, Scott T. Jones, Nick Martin and Ben Poster. Featuring performances by Jennifer Shin, Ryan Driscoll, Errol McLandon and Adam Clapp. Cinematography by Armando Ballesteros.
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Once Upon a Time: The Challenge 5.0
Your favorite fairytales... as you never imagined them! From Hansel and Gretel to Tom Thumb to Rumplestiltskin, 9 different fairytales are retold with a modern Chicago sensibility. The 5th annual Challenge event gives filmmakers just 1 weekend to collaborate on a series of improvised short films.
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COMMON SENSES
The burgeoning friendship between a kleptomaniac and a hustler is strained when a child goes missing in this compelling feature film collaboration by award-winning filmmakers Alexander Rojas, Daniel J. Pico, Mary Filice, MT Cozzola and Dennis Belogorsky. Featuring outstanding performances by Luis A. Perez, Holly Montgomery-Webb and Cheryl Golemo. "Impressive performances. Luis A. Perez is remarkable."
"Gritty... fast and furious. Breathes new life into the exquisite corpse."
"Common Senses shows its smarts."
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HALLOWEEN CLIFFHANGER
Dead bodies, bloody bathtubs, hooligan twinks and a shoebox porthole to hell tie together in unexpected ways in this trilogy of comedic/horror shorts by filmmakers Bryan Walsh, Jeffrey McHale and CJ Dugan. Featuring Lee Kohler, Jeff Alba, Julienne Bilker and a hilarious cameo by Luis A. Perez.
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REALIZATION
The son of a famous physicist attempts to live up to his father's legacy while trying to impress the girl of his dreams. Art and science collide in this bold reality-bending experiment in which each of the seven chapters of the singular story were independently designed an directed by a different filmmaker and feature different actors playing the same roles throughout. Brought to you courtesy of writers Timothy Cooper, Samir Salem, Eric Anderson, Susan Hubbard, Michael Fry, Alexander Rojas, Sean Jourdan and filmmakers Kenneth Yoder, Samir Salem, Chris Tzoubris, Dave Belden, Juan Castaneda, Scott Smith, Michael T. Vollman and Sean Jourdan. "Exhilirating. A beautiful collision of aesthetics."
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THE CHALLENGE 4.0
A talking ring, a vacuum time-machine, an addiction to egg yolk, and an annoying brother-in-law are some of the insanely funny stars of Split Pillow's fourth collection of imrpoved shorts films created over Memorial Day weekend 2006. |
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BRUSHFIRES
When shy girl Cat, secretly in love with her housemate Melissa, meets an unbalanced heiress on the run named Dakota, the lives of the three women and a down-on-his-luck janitor named Lenny are turned upside down in this twisting, moving collaboration by filmmakers Etta Worthington, Ai Lene Chor, Aprill Winney, Amber Mohammad, Laura Lonigro, Maria Gigante and Wendy Jo Carlton. "Conceptually inventive."
"A smart, sensual tale of love and loss"
"Great performancess."
"A turbo charged engine."
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THE MANHATTAN CHALLENGE
A diabolical secret agent, a sexually-confused communist, a lonely city girl and a slimy motivational coach are some of the wild characters in this special collection of 5-short improv films created over a weekend in the Big Apple.
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THE CHALLENGE 3.0
A beanie-baby collecting general, a geriatric hip-hop DJ, a trio of xenophobic Lincoln Park trixies and a bizarre tribute to the French New Wave are just some of the components of the 18 short films created over 72 hours as part of Split Pillow's third annual collaborative Challenge event. |
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THE CLIFFHANGER
The mysterious Iris Peterson arrives at a rundown motel in Chicago, bringing with her mementos of a perverse family secret that pull a vast array of characters into a web of deadly intrigue. Inspired by the Exquisite Corpse, The Cliffhanger was a first-of-its kind collaboration by 11 filmmakers. "Intriguing."
"Propulsive."
"Fun and intense."
"A must-own for any fan of independent film."
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THE CHALLENGE 2.0
A cassanova bunny, a spoof on the American draft, a blind date gone horribly wrong and a plastic surgeon's strange homelife are some of the odd and hilarious results of the 18 films created through Split Pillow's second annual collaborative film event. |
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THE CHALLENGE 1.0
A strange meeting of the minds at a Chicago street corner, a dysfunctional apartment complex, a spoof on illicit drug use and an unusual Chinese adoption are some of the unpredictable results of the 14 films created through Split Pillow's first film collaboration. This is what started it all! |
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Official Trailer!
Friday, February 12th @8:00pm
Saturday, February 13th @8:00pm
Wednesday, February 17th @8:15pm
The Gene Siskel Film Center
164 North State Street
Chicago, IL
Visit The Official "Life as Lincoln" Site
"EYE OF THE SANDMAN" POSTER FOR SALE
With a suggested donation of $12 will recieve an 11x17 full color poster.
With a suggested donation of $35 you will recieve an 11x17 color poster signed by the film's directors and cast.
(c) 2009 Split Pillow • 4001 N. Ravenswood, Ste. 303-B, Chicago IL 60613 • (773) 857-7727 • splitpillow@splitpillow.com : : : :Site built by Plus Orange
