The Rooftop Films 2008 Summer Series

Rooftop Films, KY & New York magazine present All is Fair: Romance Shorts
Lonely souls break all the rules as they search for love in strange ways and illogical places.

Venue: on the roof of the Open Road Rooftop
Address: 350 Grand Street @ Essex (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
Directions: F/J/M/Z to Essex / Delancey
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Sound Fix presents live music by Deer Tick
9:00PM: Films
11:30PM - 1:00AM: Open Bar After Party at Fontana’s (105 Eldridge St @ Grand) Courtesy of Radeberger beer
Tickets: $9 at going.com

Preview: See short films from this and other programs at www.IFC.com
Presented in partnership with: KY,New York magazine, IFC.com, Open Road New York & New Design High School

PROGRAM NOTES:
Lonely souls break all the rules as they search for love in strange ways and illogical places.

Lonely people in love do desperate things. This impulsive behavior can lead to thrilling moments—sometimes even wonderful, long-term, loving relationships. But if we are honest with ourselves we realize that more often than not the root emotions that drive us to pursue a new romance, to consummate it, and even to continue it, are rarely those emotions that we would generally classify as noble. With our back against the wall the butterflies in our stomach become far more insidious creatures, undermining our judgment and often driving us toward radical decisions—not all of them sound.

Ignoble drives are on full display in this program of short films, and seeing all of these works together we realize that raw emotions and questionable choices are the very elements that make a sensual moment truly romantic—and that make a romantic film genuinely riveting to watch. Romantic urges lead some into questionable or dangerous situations (Man), while others end up falling for the wrong people (Baby Cakes Diary #4). Emotions drive some to confusion and a reluctant detached isolation (Mr. P), and some feel so powerless that they choose to end their relationship--even before it has reached its nadir (The Pull). But when we overcome our insecurities we can experience the blissful sensations of a nascent, mutual love (Two Cars, One Night). And even when things do go wrong, we can at least derive some humor and wisdom from the lessons that we have learned along the way (Teat Beat of Sex).

Caught in the grip of desperate, romantic love, the only thing we can do is ride the wave, forget about the rules, and hope that in the end we make the right decisions. Speaking of his father’s Amazonian girlfriend, Brad Neely’s Baby Cakes says, “When I was around her, I felt like a goblin made entirely out of wicked genitals. I am a horrible person.” Baby Cakes is not a horrible person, he is just human and in love.

Click on the films below to read descriptions, rate them, add them to your calendar, and more.