One Austin musician, 10 Austin filmmakers, 11 short films. A musical innovator and chronic reinventor, one must wonder what Troy Dillinger has up his sleeve to once again turn the Austin "scene" on its ear. The Troy Dillinger Dirty & Hairy Film Festival, part album release, part film festival and all Austin talent, is the answer to such a tantalizing quandry.
Not many musicians, even ones that have been on the scene for 20 years, have the gumption, panache and out-and-out balls to collect the artistic capital required to pull off such a Herculean effort. The driven Dillinger obviously didn't hear that before he started on this ambitious project. He has managed to get 35 local businesses and 10 Austin filmmakers to donate time, effort, energy, products and money to this largely independent project.
Here's how it works: Take one eyeliner-happy musician with a penchant for blues, alt-rock and emotive lyrics and have him cut an album. Then, gather 10 of Austin's finest independent filmmakers, and assign each of them a song. Let the music work its magic, and undoubtedly, the result will be some startling imagery. Get a slew of local business to donate locations and products, and fund the whole thing through blatant product placement. Lastly, convince the Alamo Drafthouse to host the festival, and throw a huge party afterward.
Alas, nothing is free, and independent is only a word these days. The jarring product placement is one huge drawback to this whole affair, but at least Dillinger and his merry band of filmmakers are shilling for cool local businesses instead of whoring for huge corporate goliaths. That said, all of the shorts are quirky, fun little pieces of Dillinger's Austin that are not lessened by such minor inadequacies.
SXSW Film Festival Jury Award for Best Music Video Winner Tracie Laymon directed her tongue-in-cheek version of "Another Song About Love" using a style of animation that gives still photos life. The end result is photo album that charts the deterioration of four couples. But who hasn't made that all important decision never to love again after the heartbreak of a failed relationship?
Director David Ventura's short for "I've Got to Love You" is the odd mix of complete strangers holding flowers with Austin landmarks as the backdrop. It works largely because Ventura has an eye for sharp lighting and powerful contrast. All of the videos have something for the hard-core Dillinger fan, not the least of which is plenty of Troy himself.
The premiere, on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 4 p.m, will undoubtedly be the place to hob knob with the Austin music royalty, as Dillinger has played with everyone from Ian Moore to Jimmy Dale Gilmore to Bob Schneider. In addition, the festival is benefiting the Austin Music Network, so who knows what kind of madness is in store. Get there early, and be prepared for a taste of Austin's finest.
The Troy Dillinger Dirty and Hairy Film Festival WHEN: Saturday, 4 p.m. - Premiere at Alamo Drafthouse Saturday, 7 p.m. - Premiere party at Whiskey Bar Sunday, 9 p.m. - Broadcast premiere on the Austin Music Network
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