The Circuit

by Winter Miller
The Provincetown Int'l film fest kicked off Wednesday with Madonna-helmed "Filth and Wisdom" as the opener. Pic goes out via IFC.

Films ranging from Sundance fave "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" (which HBO snapped up at Sundance and ThinkFilm nabbed domestic theatrical), to helmer Amy Redford's "The Guitar" to Sony Pictures Classics pickups Josh Levine's "The Wackness" and the Duplass brothers horror indie spoof "Baghead" among others.

I missed kickoff, but arrived Friday night off the ferry from Boston and after dropping off my bag--fine bags--grabbed a clam chowder from tourist trap The Lobster Pot and headed out to catch "Baghead." Screening was surprisingly not well attended but those who were there seemed to dig it. The pic begins with a scene at a film fest so it certainly resonated with filmmakers on the circuit (and those who support them).

Up early for a 9:15am panel with helmer Alan Ball (Oscar winner for "American Beauty" and TVs "Six Feet Under") and producer Ted Hope (50-plus films including "The Savages" and "In The Bedroom") moderated by Required Viewing's Stephen Raphael.

Ball and Hope were on tap to discuss "Towelhead" which comes out via Warner's (it was a WIP (R.I.P.) Pic) on Sept. 12. Shot for about $8 million in Pomona -- which was a stand-in for Houston, Texas -- drama stars Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Toni Colette and newcomer Summer Bishil.

Based on a novel of the same title, about a young Middle Eastern girl coming-of-age, the pic presented controversial elements like abuse and sexuality. Hope and Ball went to the MPAA with the script to get a verbal agreement for an R because they knew the subject matter would turn heads and would come into play for the completion bond.

They got and held onto their R.

Although the specialized shingles expressed interest, ultimately, "there was no way to make this film within the studio system" and have Alan maintain control," Hope said. "If we'd gone with one of the specialized studios the only thing we would have had is a better payday."

This is Ball's feature directing foray, he said his first draft was 180 pages that he clipped down to 120. Ball did some rehearsal with the actors because Bishil was inexperienced and the subject matter was tough, but mostly to talk through stuff and keep it pretty organic for the shoot. Ball said Bishil amazed him, she was able to go deep in scenes where she was molested and hit but emerge and quickly bounce back to her giddy teenager self.

There's been some scuffling over the title; at one point there was concern it sounded too similar to "Baghead" but neither film backed down (nor should they, if we can't tell our insults from our goofy names, we should probably stick to the obvious: Iron Man and Incredible Hulk). As for having an ethnic slur as a title, I guess we'll see how that plays out. Ball is an astute and culturally sensitive filmmaker, I'd give him the benefit of the doubt in weighing his decisions.

Ball is up for a busy fall, "Towelhead" bows Sept 12 and his HBO vampire series "True Blood" begins Sept 7.