The War Days shines on the big screen - by N.L. Belardes
(images coming later today)
Local amateur filmmaker Landen Belardes paced the floor like Johnny Depp in Finding Neverland as his movie The War Days played to a crowded house in downtown Bakersfield. I saw him wander up the movie house stairs and even disappear from the theatre once. “I couldn’t help it!” Landen said. It was his nerves.
There was a heavy round of cheers and applause as the credits rolled and Kenny Mount rounded out the movie on a cameo blooper reel with take after take of him with his one big line, “Stay out of trouble, boy!” The movie had begun with a Broken Record Gospel song being played to Kenny Mount’s character giving actor Landen Belardes a ride to the park on his vintage Moto Gussi motorcycle.
Talk about vroom vroom…
The movie was a big success as the crowd hollered and whistled to a young filmmaker’s war movie dream come true on the big screen. The movie itself brought laughs and sadness to the audience as it depicts kids amid the uncertainty of war during the Vietnam conflict. “It’s a movie about friends,” said director Landen Belardes. “Friends have to learn how to bond in different ways whether it’s here in America or away at war.” The movie depicts several friends, two of which are at odds with each other, who then go off to fight in the same unit in the Vietnam countryside. The film’s violence and mild use of adult language would have easily placed this movie in the PG category. Although the creepiest scene to me was the one with the big spider. You could see it crawling on the end of a machine gun as a soldier peered through large clumps of grass to search for an unseen enemy. “Gooks were like boogeymen…they haunted us,” the narrator says in one dark scene.
“It really is a triumph for young people in the city of Bakersfield,” said local novelist N.L. Belardes, and father of The War Day’s director. “It’s a proud moment to be a parent. You know, to see creative energy unfold from any kid like this is a triumph. But when it comes from your own, it’s even better.”
Both director/editer/actor Landen Belardes and film actor Shaun Alaniz appeared on KGET to promote the film, with highlights from the film showing throughout the night.
“It’s a Belardes family day,” said N.L. “Landen had this great film on the news, we had Star Wars chalk drawings in the news, and a Star Wars blog on the homepage of Bakersfield.com. What else can a family ask for? We can’t help being so creative and fun in one day!”
There were however some gliches on the evening. Typical Bakersfield band problems affected the venue’s turnout after the film. Attendance for local music is always an issue and after the movie a lot of folks simply skeedaddled. Seven to the Right and Broken Record Gospel, two great local bands sadly were cut for the evening, while Liars and Thieves and The Filthies both played and were as exciting as ever! The Filthies had an incredible light show and an old black-and-white Flash Gordon movie played in the background for an artsy punk atmosphere. Kids flocked the stage for their autographs after the show.
More controversy? Another gliche is a criticism of local academics who were all a ‘no show’. These kinds of artistic and cultural events are rare, so Bakersfield should academically support such filmmakers. Isn’t it in the Vision 2020 plan to be culturally responsible by supporting youth in all the arts? Such kids are destined for college, not truck driving. With that said, Curran Middle School sent no staff representatives to the film. “With all the great press they received it’s just shameful that not one person from the Curran staff attended,” said one parent. I heartily agree. There was no teacher or principal at the show. That included earlier in the day when no school representative greeted the news at Curran when KGET arrived. That’s called a missed PR opportunity. “These inner city schools with revolving door principals; how can they really care about kids?” said another parent. “Don’t they realize The War Days isn’t your typical student film?” I agree. Such projects are artistic triumphs to pull off both on location filming and in the editing room; and it was kids that did it. The media recognized the value of The War Days… Maybe it is just a show for schools to put on such a front and act like they support kids, but then don’t. I plan on getting to the bottom of why Curran failed miserably in supporting such an artistic venture… they certainly owe the actors and director an apology... Maybe they can make it up by having a screening at the school one evening? Charge students 2 bucks and use the money for their PTA.
A big hearty thank you goes out to the local media who truly recognized Landen’s filmmaking prowess and the value of this community-building cultural and artistic event. It’s not everyday that such triumphs occur for kids.
As for the next movie? Perhaps a horror film. Maybe something darker. We did just recently watch Anakin’s transformation to the dark side… maybe a haunted Halloween movie festival with a guest appearance from Arthur Chilling? Stay tuned...
Local amateur filmmaker Landen Belardes paced the floor like Johnny Depp in Finding Neverland as his movie The War Days played to a crowded house in downtown Bakersfield. I saw him wander up the movie house stairs and even disappear from the theatre once. “I couldn’t help it!” Landen said. It was his nerves.
There was a heavy round of cheers and applause as the credits rolled and Kenny Mount rounded out the movie on a cameo blooper reel with take after take of him with his one big line, “Stay out of trouble, boy!” The movie had begun with a Broken Record Gospel song being played to Kenny Mount’s character giving actor Landen Belardes a ride to the park on his vintage Moto Gussi motorcycle.
Talk about vroom vroom…
The movie was a big success as the crowd hollered and whistled to a young filmmaker’s war movie dream come true on the big screen. The movie itself brought laughs and sadness to the audience as it depicts kids amid the uncertainty of war during the Vietnam conflict. “It’s a movie about friends,” said director Landen Belardes. “Friends have to learn how to bond in different ways whether it’s here in America or away at war.” The movie depicts several friends, two of which are at odds with each other, who then go off to fight in the same unit in the Vietnam countryside. The film’s violence and mild use of adult language would have easily placed this movie in the PG category. Although the creepiest scene to me was the one with the big spider. You could see it crawling on the end of a machine gun as a soldier peered through large clumps of grass to search for an unseen enemy. “Gooks were like boogeymen…they haunted us,” the narrator says in one dark scene.
“It really is a triumph for young people in the city of Bakersfield,” said local novelist N.L. Belardes, and father of The War Day’s director. “It’s a proud moment to be a parent. You know, to see creative energy unfold from any kid like this is a triumph. But when it comes from your own, it’s even better.”
Both director/editer/actor Landen Belardes and film actor Shaun Alaniz appeared on KGET to promote the film, with highlights from the film showing throughout the night.
“It’s a Belardes family day,” said N.L. “Landen had this great film on the news, we had Star Wars chalk drawings in the news, and a Star Wars blog on the homepage of Bakersfield.com. What else can a family ask for? We can’t help being so creative and fun in one day!”
There were however some gliches on the evening. Typical Bakersfield band problems affected the venue’s turnout after the film. Attendance for local music is always an issue and after the movie a lot of folks simply skeedaddled. Seven to the Right and Broken Record Gospel, two great local bands sadly were cut for the evening, while Liars and Thieves and The Filthies both played and were as exciting as ever! The Filthies had an incredible light show and an old black-and-white Flash Gordon movie played in the background for an artsy punk atmosphere. Kids flocked the stage for their autographs after the show.
More controversy? Another gliche is a criticism of local academics who were all a ‘no show’. These kinds of artistic and cultural events are rare, so Bakersfield should academically support such filmmakers. Isn’t it in the Vision 2020 plan to be culturally responsible by supporting youth in all the arts? Such kids are destined for college, not truck driving. With that said, Curran Middle School sent no staff representatives to the film. “With all the great press they received it’s just shameful that not one person from the Curran staff attended,” said one parent. I heartily agree. There was no teacher or principal at the show. That included earlier in the day when no school representative greeted the news at Curran when KGET arrived. That’s called a missed PR opportunity. “These inner city schools with revolving door principals; how can they really care about kids?” said another parent. “Don’t they realize The War Days isn’t your typical student film?” I agree. Such projects are artistic triumphs to pull off both on location filming and in the editing room; and it was kids that did it. The media recognized the value of The War Days… Maybe it is just a show for schools to put on such a front and act like they support kids, but then don’t. I plan on getting to the bottom of why Curran failed miserably in supporting such an artistic venture… they certainly owe the actors and director an apology... Maybe they can make it up by having a screening at the school one evening? Charge students 2 bucks and use the money for their PTA.
A big hearty thank you goes out to the local media who truly recognized Landen’s filmmaking prowess and the value of this community-building cultural and artistic event. It’s not everyday that such triumphs occur for kids.
As for the next movie? Perhaps a horror film. Maybe something darker. We did just recently watch Anakin’s transformation to the dark side… maybe a haunted Halloween movie festival with a guest appearance from Arthur Chilling? Stay tuned...
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Friday, May 20, 2005.
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Oh goodness. Yep. Schools missed the boat on this one. Shame on them.
But then, what do you expect from a government-run institution whose only goal is to make our children molded clones and socialist ingrained "sheeple"? God forbid a kid actually use his brain, think for himself, and indeed, create for himself.
I can't believe that the schools didn't show up to support their kids who were using intelligence and creativity in a positive manner to create such a great film that depicts what it was like for young soldiers in wartime,instead of
hanging out with the wrong kids and getting in
trouble and ditching classes and stuff like that.
They need to hear how they are failing the kids they teach and their parents...
I was at the premiere and I saw a killer show with kids who care about art and film. It's awesome to see such leadership from kids from the inner city. It's not all about fancy orchestra and ballet performances. Haven't people checked that filmmaking is one of America's #1 grossing businesses of all time? I not only support this kid, I want him to get me a job when he's famous!
-Jim Grentwein
I agree, it's as bad as a principle censoring creative expression mentioned here. It's flat out unsupportive...I am ashamed that schools don't support creative expression by blocking articles, or not attending events at all...
just wonderin, was the entire staff of curran informed of the event? were they to be charged the cover? what about the pta? were they informed? given a discount?
i understand the need and the importance of having a representative be at the showing. But, in all honesty, who has the time or money to show up to every single event that every child in school is doin? And pay the hefty door charge? And why so hefty? Where did the money go? Should the arts not be accessable, especially to the poorer (who are more at risk of slippin through the cracks)?
"just wonderin, was the entire staff of curran informed of the event? were they to be charged the cover? what about the pta? were they informed? given a discount?
i understand the need and the importance of having a representative be at the showing. But, in all honesty, who has the time or money to show up to every single event that every child in school is doin? And pay the hefty door charge? And why so hefty? Where did the money go? Should the arts not be accessable, especially to the poorer (who are more at risk of slippin through the cracks)?"
um, let's see...where did the money go...I can think of just a few places...
COSTS OF: Costumes. Props. Gasoline to get kids places to shoot film. AV equipment. Computer hardware upgrades. Computer software for digital editing. Blank DVD's, jackets, labels. Inkjet cartridges. Blank CD's. Advertising. Theatre rental...
And FYI, A student discount was offered.
The school was notified of the event. The PTA was not notified, unless staff notified them; but had they asked for a discount, sure, why not? Maybe the staff should have brought it up. The money made, minus rental costs was to all go back to the bands. That was posted here days ago. So, you're clearly not a regular reader. 10-12 dollars is not hefty at all. People spend 15-25 bucks a pop to watch amateur theatre all the time. Poorer kids could access. There were volunteers for such kids set up to be honorary band roadies... and, the school could have asked. Of course staff can't go to every event, but then, name another Curran event that got as much media attention as The War Days...
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