Mar 11, 2011 5:30 PM

Gallery: Nerd-Fi, Spooky Art Flicks, Eccentric Docs: SXSW Film Fest's Great Unknowns

01
andante
Plenty of movie stars will converge on Texas over the next few days to do the red-carpet thing on behalf of their films, but the South by Southwest film festival shows no signs of succumbing to a full-blown case of Hollywooditis. [![](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/wp-content/gallery/bugs/sxsw_2011_bug.gif)](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/sxsw-2011)Less mainstream than its Sundance or Toronto counterparts but more celeb-friendly than Austin's annual genre roundup Fantastic Fest, this year's [SXSW Film Conference and Festival](http://sxsw.com/film) welcomes big names like Jake Gyllenhaal (to promote [Duncan Jones' *Source Code*](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/2011/03/duncan-jones-source-code/)) and Jodie Foster (for *The Beaver*), but still manages to serve up heaping platters of weirdly promising works by totally obscure talents. Nonfamous filmmakers from the United States, Europe, South America and Asia put fresh spins on familiar formulas and explore exotic subjects. British ghetto kids fight off extraterrestrials, a molecular gastronomist falls victim to hubris, a brain tumor wages guerrilla warfare against its own host, a man living in a Portuguese monastery turns bird skulls into robotic sculptures — and that's just for starters. Want more of the films that help keep Austin weird? Check out clips and film info in Wired.com's gallery saluting SXSW 2011's potentially great unknowns, most of which will wind up in your local movie theater eventually. __Above:__ Andante ------- __Concept:__ Rapid eye movement never looked so creepy: A futuristic "dream factory" that markets REM fantasies to sleep-deprived civilians gets disrupted by Sarah, the world's last organic dreamer. Will she replace the old man who until now has provided the masses with their nighttime fantasies? __Filmmakers:__ Israeli child prodigy Assaf Tager studied music at London's Royal Academy before he made [*Andante*](http://www.andantefilm.com/). __At SXSW:__ [Adante screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11142)
02
attack-the-block
Attack the Block ---------------- __Concept:__ In this action-comedy, a gang of misfit teens appear to be woefully outmatched when their gritty South London neighborhood is invaded by monstrous aliens. __Filmmakers:__ Brit Joe Cornish, who co-wrote the upcoming *Ant-Man* movie and contributed to Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson's *The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn* (due later this year), makes his directing debut with backing from executive producer [Edgar Wright](http://www.edgarwrighthere.com/2011/03/04/attack-the-block-trailer-debut/) (*Shaun of the Dead*). [*Attack the Block*](http://attacktheblock.com/) cast includes Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega and Alex Esmail. __At SXSW:__ [Attack the Block screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11176)

03
convento
Convento -------- __Concept:__ Dutch kinetic artist Christiaan Zwanikken resurrects bird skulls with servomotors and lives in a 400-year-old monastery in the hills of a Portuguese village. Local citizens and family members round out this documentary about the offbeat allure of off-the-grid lifestyles. __Filmmakers:__ Director [Jarred Alterman](http://www.jarredalterman.com/), a New York photographer and filmmaker, previously shot *Motts Music*, about a Bronx piano factory. __At SXSW:__ [Convento screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11097)
04
phase-7
Phase 7 ------- __Concept:__ Inhabitants of a quarantined apartment building stockpile supplies, don gas masks and try to act tough when a sinister population-reduction program threatens the well-being of a pregnant woman and her refrigerator full of food. __Filmmakers:__ Argentine writer-director Nicolas Goldbart makes his move from editing films like *The Paranoids* to shoot his own funny-scary thriller. Daniel Hendler stars. __At SXSW:__ [Phase 7 screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11221)

05
sound-of-my-voice
Sound of My Voice ----------------- __Concept:__ A pair of Los Angeles hipsters infiltrate a suburban cult and film its leader's brainwashed minions with hidden cameras. __Filmmakers:__ Filmed on digital SLR cameras, [*Sound of My Voice*](http://soundofmyvoice.com/) stars [Brit Marling](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brit_Marling), who co-wrote the film with director Zal Batmanglij. Georgetown University graduate Marling also co-wrote and starred in Sundance hit *Another Earth*. __At SXSW:__ [Sound of My Voice screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11152)
06
presspauseplay
PressPausePlay -------------- __Concept:__ Documentary [*PressPausePlay*](http://www.presspauseplay.com) weighs the pros and cons of an internet-empowered creative groundswell. Does the net uncover reams of raw talent or unleash a gusher of mediocrity? Musician Moby, Swedish dance diva Robyn and author Seth Godin share screen time with catchy visuals. __Filmmakers:__ [House of Radon](http://www.houseofradon.com/)'s self-taught directors Victor Köhler and David Dworsky started working together three years ago. __At SXSW:__ [PressPausePlay screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11146)

07
the-beaver
The Beaver ---------- __Concept:__ A depressed toy company executive uses a beaver-shaped hand puppet to express his dark feelings. __Filmmakers:__ [Kyle Killen](http://twitter.com/#!/killen8), a 28-year-old University of Southern California grad, came out of nowhere to produce The Beaver, which became one of Hollywood's hottest scripts when it topped the annual "Black List" of most impressive unproduced screenplays two years ago. Mel Gibson stars. Jodie Foster directs. __At SXSW:__ [The Beaver screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11045)
08
my-sucky-teen-romance
My Sucky Teen Romance --------------------- __Concept:__ That's "sucky" as in blood-sucking vampires. When 17-year-old Kate and four geeky pals go to a sci-fi convention, they meet a teenage vampire. Kate's pal notices: "There's kind of like a giant bite on your neck." *True Blood* meets Comic-Con? __Filmmakers:__ Writer-director [Emily Hagins](http://vimeo.com/emilyhagins) steers a young cast headed by Elaine Hurt and Patrick Delgado. __At SXSW:__ [My Sucky Teen Romance screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11121)

09
a-matter-of-taste
A Matter of Taste ----------------- __Concept:__ *The New York Times'* restaurant critic gave 24-year-old chef Paul Liebrandt three stars in 2000, and it all went downhill from there. Part mad scientist, part genius cook, the arrogant chef specialized in wild concoctions like eel, violets and chocolate — the sort of over-the-top cuisine that fell from favor after 9/11. This documentary, formerly titled A Mouthful, traces Liebrandt's rise, fall and comeback amid Manhattan's ruthless haute cuisine scene. __Filmmakers:__ New Zealand-born [Sally Rowe](http://vimeo.com/user5842723) edited Comedy Central's *Chappelle's Show* before picking up the camera to follow Liebrandt. __At SXSW:__ [A Matter of Taste screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11055)
10
taken-by-storm
Taken by Storm: The Art of Storm Thorgerson and Hipgnosis --------------------------------------------------------- __Concept:__ Surrealist graphic designer Storm Thorgerson created some of the 20th century's most mind-warped album covers for Pink Floyd — and did it all without use of computers. Thorgerson gets his 16mm film close-up with this documentary that examines his numerology-inspired creative process. __Filmmakers:__ In between directing gigs, former punk rocker [Roddy Bogawa](http://roddybogawa.com/) creates art installations exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum. __At SXSW:__ [Taken by Storm: The Art of Storm Thorgerson and Hipgnosis screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11112)

11
warm-ghost
Warm Ghost ---------- __Concept:__ Edgy electronica underscores this abstract music video devoted to concepts of birth, love and life. __Filmmakers:__ New York-based John Carlucci and [Brandon LaGanke](http://brandonlaganke.com/) take a break from music videos and TV commercials to make their SXSW debut. __At SXSW:__ [Warm Ghost screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11270)
12
yukiko
Yukiko ------ __Concept:__ *Memento* meets grisly surgeries in this thriller, in which a mortally wounded man hallucinates about past and present predicaments in an effort to solve the mystery of his own impending murder. __Filmmakers:__ Director Eric Dinkian writes about horror for [DeVilDead](http://www.devildead.com). __At SXSW:__ [Yukiko screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11327)

13
neal
Neal ---- __Concept:__ 2011 is shaping up as the year of the psychotic inanimate objects. In April, *Rubber* follows a crazed spare tire that kills people in the desert. Borrowing a page from *Jaws*, short comedy-thriller *Neal* explores what happens when an automated pool cleaner flips into predator mode. __Filmmakers:__ Texan Geoff McGee starting making films at the age of 4. Teresa Valenza and Ryan Harper Gray co-star with the water vac. __At SXSW:__ [Neal screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11358)
14
attack
Attack ------ __Concept:__ A sick man is surprised to learn that his brain tumor inhabits a world of its own. Turns out the tumor is fighting just as hard as its host to survive. __Filmmakers:__ Australian director Adam White previously made shorts for HBO. __At SXSW:__ [Attack screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11347)

15
the-history-of-nikola-tesla
The History of Nikola Tesla: A Short Story ------------------------------------------ __Concept:__ Made in 24 hours to honor the 154th anniversary of scientist Nikola Tesla's birth, this cute biopic recaps the eccentric genius' wild path of experimental trials, errors and triumphs. __Filmmakers:__ Jeremiah Warren works as a videographer in Dallas. __At SXSW:__ [The History of Nikola Tesla: A Short Story screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11385)
16
surrogate-valentine
Surrogate Valentine ------------------- __Concept:__ An unlikely pop star in the making hits the road and deals with complicated relationship issues. __Filmmakers:__ Real-life San Francisco musician Nakamura plays himself for director Dave Boyle (*White on Rice*). __At SXSW:__ [Surrogate Valentine screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11053)

17
the-wonder-hospital
The Wonder Hospital ------------------- __Concept:__ Defiantly *non*-Pixar animated film follows the plight of a girl who chases promises of enhanced beauty only to face grave disappointment. __Filmmakers:__ Korean-American filmmaker [Beomsik Shimbe Shim](http://www.shimbe.com/) wears multiple hats as puppeteer, animator and film director. __At SXSW:__ [The Wonder Hospital screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11285)
18
fuck-my-life
Fuck My Life ------------ __Concept:__ In the social network age, breaking up is really hard to do. This romantic comedy follows "Javier" as he tries to forget his ex-girlfriend. The problem: She keeps popping up online. __Filmmakers:__ Chilean auteur Nicolás López made his first box office smash at age 21 when his *Promedio Rojo* was regaled by Quentin Tarantino as 2005's funniest movie. __At SXSW:__ [Fuck My Life screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11080)

19
bellflower
Bellflower ---------- __Concept:__ Two friends build flamethrowers as they await a global apocalypse. Hyperviolent soap opera complications ensue after a beautiful woman appears on the scene. __Filmmakers:__ The movie, by [*Coatwolf*](http://coatwolf.com/) writer-director-star [Evan Glodell](http://www.youtube.com/user/evanglodell), has already been acquired by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch's film distribution company, Oscilliscope. __At SXSW:__ [Bellflower screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11118)
20
the-divide
The Divide ---------- __Concept:__ Post-apocalyptic psychodrama focuses on eight basement-dwellers who become dangerously cranky as they ride out the aftermath of a toxic New York bomb scare. __Filmmakers:__ Milo Ventimiglia of TV's *Heroes* stars for Canadian director Xavier Gens (*Hitman*). Michael Biehn, Lauren German, Rosanna Arquette and Courtney B. Vance co-star in the ensemble drama written by Karl Mueller and Eron Sheean. __At SXSW:__ [The Divide screening(s)](http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_FS11222)