The Special People film screening, followed by a Q+A with director: Erica Schreiner
CCBC Creative Writing Forum presents:
The Special People film screening, followed by a Q+A with director: Erica Schreiner
Wed, March 15, 2023, 7-10 PM EDT
CCBC Essex– Arts and Humanities Building, Room 130
7201 Rossville Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21237
FREE – $5 (sliding scale, donation at the door)
Film Trailer: https://youtu.be/gDUWZdd1Fv8
The Special People, directed by: Erica Schreiner
Running time: 2 hours, silent with English subtitles
Film synopsis:
In a dark humor vein, the sci-fi experimental art film, The Special People asks you to consider the hypnotic state induced by smart technology and human desire for freedom and authenticity. The audience goes through a hero’s journey while bathing in sparkling storybook sets, an eerie combination of VHS nostalgia and foreboding dilemmas. The Special People will play at CCBC for one night only, followed by a Q&A with the director.
The citizens of a pink forest stare into iridescent cubes and cannot look away. Apple, Bird and Violet manage to break their trance, and indulge in philosophical conversation. They question why they are free while the others are not. They had their voices removed when they were babies so they learn to communicate telepathically. They experience the sensuality of fruit and each other in The Forest, but soon feel it is not enough. The Special People decide to embark on a journey to bring the other citizens of The Forest back to consciousness by attempting to destroy the master cube, guarded by The Overlords. On this journey, the three get separated and Apple must continue the journey alone. She encounters many of The Obstacles along the way and learns if she is to free the citizens of The Forest, she’ll have to sacrifice her life.
Erica Schreiner wrote, directed, and stars in The Special People. She single handedly built elaborate, colorful and sparkling sets in her apartment where she filmed the feature on her VHS camera. This avant garde art film is reminiscent of 1960s experimental cinema like that of Kenneth Anger or Jack Smith. The other actors in this film are her friends. The Special People was produced by Alex Norelli and is a silent film with a musical score by Johnny Dydo of The Johns.
Quotes:
“The Special People is a modern metaphorical battle. Will you wake up or sleep for the rest of your life? Shot in a nostalgic 70s video style, it’s a treat for the eyes!” — Matthew Silver (performance artist, filmmaker)
“The many playful elements that comprise Erica Schriener’s The Special People coalesce to provide lucky audiences with beautiful and humorous up-close portraits of a society buckling under tech-induced hypnosis. Through a sugary glaze of VHS fuzz, a lush low-fi score that adds a stimulating dimension of whimsy, and a surplus of homemade heart to eclipse the Kuchar brothers’, the writer/director/lead actor Erica’s glitter-and-sequin-drenched Brooklyn apartment serves as the sprawling social tundra that the film’s heroes traverse. Telepathy and empathy both drive the narrative and serve as the character’s interpersonal currency as they meander but never waver from their fact-finding mission. I was left smiling, and would recommend this film to lovers of experiments and Marvel movie enthusiasts alike.” –Toby Goodshank (musician, The Moldy Peaches)
“Apple (Erica herself) encounters distractions and obstacles of all kinds— people who are more idioms than people. Their interactions comprise densely layered metaphors. In spite of its allegory, The Special People is not a trick or riddle to be solved, but a poem whose images are meant to conjure associations in our minds and enlighten us. Additionally, the simple quest at the heart of the film and arts/crafts quality of the clever sets and character types gives it a universal feeling that even a child would enjoy. I found myself thinking of The Phantom Tollbooth by way of Pink Narcissus. Erica’s universe of expression is not only so profound, but also so specific— that to engage with it is to become aware you’ve been invited deep into her psyche, to share her passions, fears and joys, anima and animus made living in every richly textured video frame.” –Joe Wakeman (filmmaker and executive director of Millennium Film workshop)
“The Special People is a true labor of love. An earnest exploration about the search for meaning and connection in the digital age. A film that feels like a hug from an old friend, a reminder that even in the confusion and loneliness of modern living, warmth and love can be found when you least expect it. Truly inspiring DIY set design, and a beautiful musical score that you’ll find yourself humming long after the film has ended.” -–Bailey Hart (filmmaker)
Erica Schreiner is a New York based video and performance artist. The Special People is her second feature film. Erica has presented her work extensively throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to video, she works in the mediums of writing and performance. For more about Erica, visit: https://www.ericaschreiner.com and https://instagram.com/erica.schreiner
