On October 23 Film Independent’s Project: Involve hosted a special screening of writer-director Eric Nazarian’s first film, "The Blue Hour" to a packed house at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens.
The screening was attended by community members and councilman Ed Reyes who acknowledged Nazarian’s efforts to "humanize" the river. After the screening, a Q & A with the filmmaker was followed by a reception in the courtyard. Film Independent’s Project: Involve that hosted the screening sponsored by Kodak and HBO were very pleased with the turn out and responses to the film.
"Sharing a film with members of the community in which I made the film is a very special experience. I was very moved by the spectators commen’s and genuine openness to a film that is structured like a book of short stories and not a straightforward story. After speaking to audiences at film festivals here and abroad, I’m realizing that the common thread is that audiences are really responsive to new kinds of storytelling structures in film. I am very proud of The Blue Hour and always moved by peoples genuine responses," said Nazarian who is working on his second feature now. He has plans to make a film in Armenia and is working on the final stages of the DVD release of The Blue Hour.
"As a filmmaker I work hands-on and oversee every aspect of the film from conception of the idea, the writing, photography, editing all the way to the design of the DVD menu. I’m very excited for the DVD that we are just about finished with and look forward to sharing it with the audiences. My hope is that The Blue Hour will contribute to an awareness of the Los Angeles River, but more importantly about our common humanity as immigran’s and neighbors in Los Angeles."
