Four Roses
c zoffa.com
QUOTES
"Four Roses is a provocative, black and white drama exploring themes of isolation, love, and being."
Anna J. Takayama from the European Independent Film Festival
"... truly unique and a step forward in the art form"
'writer/director De Meester, had a clear vision"
Eric Shlapack from Tucson Film Industry Examiner
"an early Jim Jarmusch"
Anemoon Soete & Bart Bruneel from Schamper
"one of the most succesfull no-budget films ever"
Kevin Verhoeven from Supo
"Four Roses is a superb example of indie filmmaking. The characters are so engaging that you completely forget about the
lack of budget. Then, when it's over, and you reflect on the budgetary restrictions the director had to work with, your admiration
for the film increases tenfold."
Erich Schultz from the Cannes Independent Film Festival
Original title: FOUR ROSES
Running time: 80 minutes
Original version:
English (+ some Portuese)
Subtitling:
available in French and Dutch
Image:
1.78 aspect ratios, black and white
Sound: Stereo
Director/Writer/Producer:
Kris De Meester
'As if you could kill time without injuring eternity'
Henry David Thoreau
In the outskirts of an industrial city during a night in a hotel, twelve very different people in six rooms share hilarious, intimate and unforgettable moments.
Jack has invited Ivana, a hooker, to his hotel room. He doesnt want sex, only to talk. Ivana doesnt trust him.
Stand-up comedian Ira Levi agreed to an interview by Serge Beaufort, a Belgian reporter. Serges English is terrible, which irritates Ira At one point, Iras convinced Serge doesnt understand a word he's saying.
Two Brazilian lovebirds, Felipe and Lubke are living day by day, from one dive to another. Felipe wants to sleep. Lubke wants to play.
Big John, Tall John, and Naked John were supposed to meet in a hotel room to prepare a crime, but Naked John is late.
Josh and Dré are in love. Back from a romantic dinner they get cozy in their hotel room. Dré thinks Josh is about to propose since, after 2 years being lovers, she feels its the obvious step.
Mabel and Frank just had a fight. Married for over 50 years, Its their second visit to the hotel. The first was on their honeymoon night.
Awards and official selections
'Best no-budget film'
Cannes Independent Film Festival
'Best foreign feature drama'
Atlanta Underground Film Festival
'Indie award of merit'
The Indie Fest (CA, USA)
'Award of merit'
Los Angeles Cinema Festival (CA, USA)
'Official selection'
European Independent Film Festival (Paris, France)
The Stepping Stones Film Festival (Chennai, India)
Ciné Privé Film Festival (Ghent, Belgium)
'Screening'
The Screening Room (Tucson, AZ, USA)
Felipe Mafasoli
Mieke Daneels
Aldevina da Silva
Bruce Geduldig
Hiske De Landtsheer
Brad Moore
John Flanders
John Samaha
Shai Shahar
Axel de Vreese
Jeanne Liegeois
Jos De Wilde
'Four Roses' in theatres from August 4 on (26/07/2010)
'Four Roses' gets his theatrical release in Belgium. Starting from August 4 the film will be programmed at Cartoon's Antwerp and Actor's Studio Brussels. Starting from August 5 the film will also programmed at Studio Skoop Ghent.
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'Four Roses' wins at Cannes (24/05/2010)
'Four Roses' wins 'best film' award in its category 'no-budget films' at the Cannes Independent Film Festival 2010.
Showing over 40 feature films and 100 short films, as well as hosting numerous filmmaker events during the 2010 Festival de Cannes (to which CIFF is not connected or linked to). The Cannes Independent Film Festival (May 12-23, 2010) showcases the best of indie filmmaking during the annual Festival de Cannes. CIFF gives indie filmmakers the opportunity to network with the entire filmmaking industry, screen films at great venues in Cannes, and sell your film to the largest gathering of film buyers in the world, all side-by-side with the year's biggest new releases.
More information on the Cannes Independent Film Festival can be found at www.cannesfest.org.
'Four Roses' selected for the Cannes Independent Film Festival (25/04/2010)
Following the press release of 'Four Roses's selection at the festival the film got national attention with news coverages by De Morgen, De Standaard, Het Laatste Nieuws, 7sur7, VT4, Seniorennet, etc.
'Four Roses' wins Award of Merit at the Los Angeles Cinema Festival 2010 (25/04/2010)
The feature film Four Roses, produced and directed by Kris De Meester, has won an Award of Merit 'narrative feature' at The Los Angeles Cinema Festival.
"Four Roses" tells the story of 12 individuals in a hotel, one hot summer evening. "Four Roses" is a provocative, black and white drama exploring themes of isolation, love, and being.
The LACFH is here to provide independent filmmakers with the opportunity to have their work recognized, judged and awarded by Hollywood producers, directors and financiers. Were a non-traditional international online venue looking for entertaining material from talented independent filmmakers.
Information about the festival and a list of recent winners can be found at http://www.hollywoodcff.com
'Four Roses' wins the prestigious 'Indie' Award of Merit (10/03/2010)
The feature film Four Roses, produced and directed by Kris De Meester, has won a prestigious Award of Merit from The Indie Fest.
The Indie Fest recognizes film professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film industry.
In winning an Indie, Kris De Meester joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award. Thomas Baker, Ph.D., who chairs The Indie Fest, has this to say about the latest winners, The Indie is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world. The Indie helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges were pleased with the exceptional high quality of entries. The goal of The Indie is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.
Information about The Indie Fest and a list of recent winners can be found at www.theindiefest.com
'Four Roses', an early Jarmusch - a review in Schamper (1/03/2010)
Following the recent screening of 'Four Roses' in Ghent, Belgium during the Ciné Privé Film Festival the movie got a nice review from the people at Schamper. They called 'Four Roses' an early Jim Jarmusch. The full article can be found here (in Dutch).
'Four Roses', a step forward in the art form - a review by Examiner (22/02/2010)
Introducing the upcoming screening of 'Four Roses' in Tuscon, Arizona (US) the movie got a nice review from Eric Shlapack from Tucson Film Industry Examiner. He called 'Four Roses' "... truly unique and a step forward in the art form". The author of the article continues with 'writer/director De Meester, had a clear vision".
The full article can be found here.
'Four Roses' selected for the European Independent Film Festival (Paris, France) (21/02/2010)
A total of 67 films from 26 countries are in the line-up for the 5th European Independent Film Festival (ECU), to be held in Paris from March 12-14, 2010. The event headed by Scott Hillier will show documentaries, animated films, shorts, experimental works and titles tackling environmental issues. Narrative features include French director Jean-Claude Janers Sister Welshs Nights, unveiled in the Generation 14plus section at the Berlin Film Festival; Kris De Meesters Four Roses (Belgium); Ventura Duralls The Two Lives of Andrés Rabadán (Spain); and two German productions: Dreaming Mali by Barbara Kowa and Ayla by Su Turhan. "The official selection line-up for ECU 2010 perfectly reflects the passion that drives independent cinema," said Hillier. "All these films are made by directors who are really passionate and totally committed to the production of their work. The films presented will remain imprinted on the audiences memory for a long time due to the creativity and freedom of expression they convey."
Screening of 'Four Roses' in Tucson (US), February 26, 2010 (20/01/2010)
From Examiner.com: One of Tucsons hidden gems, The Screening Room, in conjunction with David Pike and The Arizona Underground Film Festival and Features Selection program, have announced an impressive February slate of films. Remember also to check back as each film will be previewed here prior to its screening. The Screening Room is a wonderful spot to catch a flick in Downtown Tucson and the upcoming selection of films are sure to please a wide variety of film tastes.
The month of screenings wraps up February 26th with Four Roses, which is touted by the films website, a provocative, black and white drama exploring themes of isolation, love, and being. This really looks to be a great film that Tucsonans are fortunate to have screening here in town. Written and directed by Kris De Meester and starring Brad Moore, Aldevina Da Silva, John Samaha, Felipe Mafasoli, and Shai Shahar, Four Roses is certainly a film this space will not miss.
Screening of 'Four Roses' in Ghent on February 11, 2010 (20/01/2010)
Four Roses is an official selection of the Ciné Privé Filmfestival 2010. The film will be screened at the Dr. Guislain Museum in Ghent on February 11, 2010 at 8pm and 10.30pm. Entrance is free of charge.
More information on Ciné Privé (in Dutch only): Ciné Privé 2010
Four Roses selected for the Stepping Stones Film Festival in Chennai, India (13/11/2009)
Shyam Madhavan Sarada, festival director of the Stepping Stones Film Festival informed us that "Four Roses" is now an official selection for the festival. The winners will be declared on 13 December 2009, the day of the final event.
Director Kris De Meester talks to Anna Takayama (9/10/2009)
FOUR ROSES, a recent submission to the ÉCU 2010 European Dramatic Feature category, explores themes of isolation, love, and being. Director Kris De Meester talks to Anna Takayama about the charm of police sirens, the color of black and white, and flying hippos in France.
Read the full article.
Four Roses is provocative (1/10/2009)
Anna J. Takayama from the European Indpendent Film Festival calls Four Roses provocative: "FOUR ROSES is a provocative, black and white drama exploring themes of isolation, love, and being."
Four Roses wins at the Atlanta Underground Film Festival (30/08/2009)
Not only was Four Roses one of the public favourites (according to Eric Panter, Festival Director), it also won an award: Best Foreign Feature Drama.
IMDB listing (15/08/2009)
Because Four Roses was officially selected for a major independent film festival it got an IMDB listing: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454964/.
Four Roses in the official selection of the Atlanta Underground Film Festival (15/08/2009)
We got a first reaction from Eric Panter (festival director) of the Atlanta Underground Film Festival: "I wanted to let you know that we LOVED Four Roses, and would be absolutely honored to screen it during the festival, August 26 - 30, 2009."
The first official selection is a fact.
Four Roses completed (01/08/2009)
We applied for a grant at the Flemish Film Fund for the completion of Four Roses, but didn't get to see a dime. Zoffa decided to fund it.
Kris cut about 20 minutes (sorry guys) of the original version, did an audio post production and a voice dubbing with Hiske and Bruce.
After finishing the film was posted on a film festival related website: Withoutabox.
Q&A: Kris De Meester (director)
By Anna J. Takayama
European Independent Film Festival
A story of 12 individuals in a hotel, one hot summer evening. FOUR ROSES is a provocative, black and white drama exploring themes of isolation, love, and being.
Q: What is your film about?
Four Roses is about everything and nothing, the unbearable lightness of being and the eternal sense of every passing minute. As Henry David Thoreau once wrote, As if you can kill time without injuring eternity, this film is about the fact that every passing moment affects your lifes course. Some of the characters are in seek of love, others are just plain dead and living on auto-pilot. I see Four Roses as a tragic comedy. My goal for making Four Roses was to create a true distraction for people like me, the undistracted.
Q: What was the source of inspiration for your story?
My girl and I love to sleep in hotels. Not just when were abroad, but also in our own country. Staying in a hotel is almost like being in another world, even if it is for just one night. I live in a rather quiet part of the city, but I like hearing and seeing city life, so I go to a hotel. I mean, waking up with the sound of a police siren It doesnt get better than that.
Q: Tell us a little bit about the casting process. How did you choose/meet your actors and actresses?
My day-to-day job is being a casting director, so I already knew most of my actors from earlier castings or shoots. I also love to take chancesthat makes life interesting, right? There was just one character which I found difficult and for which I organized a casting: the part of Lubke, a.k.a. the extremely beautiful naked girl. Her play needed to be very subtle, as real as possible, which is extremely difficult when you combine that with scenes in which the character always is naked or having sex. Mieke Daneels was perfect for the part. Besides being a wonderful actress she also has a killer body. She was 28 at the time and mother to three lovely kids, but she never looked older than 18. Truth is that I fell in love instantly. I had found the most beautiful woman on earth: the girl I always dreamed about, but never thought I would find. I never approached her during the production in any way but professionally. Months later, after the first test screening, we met each other again during an interview about the film. We went to see Inland Empire that same evening and stayed luckily confused ever since. Two years later, were still a couple. Hows that for a story.
Q: Why did you decide to shoot in black and white?
I love black and white. Because of the grey background of a hotel room, shooting in black and white was also the only way to give it all some color.
Q: Where was the location?
The story takes place in the outskirts of an industrial city. Besides using footage of New York, my main location was Antwerp, Belgium.
Q: There is a lot of nudity and open sexuality in the film. Were any of the actors or actresses hesitant? How did you as a director overcome this?
All of them were open to the idea of nudity. I also never made a big deal of the nudity in the script. Although, I must confess that most actors didnt get to see the script up front. I gave them an idea of what we were going to shoot, but handed the lines and all details of the script on the set. It gave it all a certain forced reality the thing I was looking for.
Q: Your film was officially selected at the Atlanta Underground Film Festival. How did this make you feel?
I couldnt believe it. It was the first festival I had entered and not only did I get selected, I even won an award: Best Foreign Feature Drama. (Smiles) Its unreal. I was scheduled to go to Atlanta, but I got cold feet. I was convinced that no-one would show up at the screening or that people would walk out in the middle. I wouldnt have been able to handle that. Looking back Im sorry that I didnt go, because not only did I miss my own world premiere, it turned out that Four Roses was one of the publics favorites.
Q: Tell me about your next project?
Im currently in post-production of my second feature. Its a project which Mieke and I have set up with the three kids, a real family project. We shot it in four days, this time in France. Its going to be a fairy tale about talking rabbits, invincible vampires, flying hippos and a woman getting over the suicide of her husband.
Downloads:
Poster (full resolution)
Poster (low resolution)
Q&A Kris De Meester (English)
Q&A Kris De Meester (Dutch)
Photo director (full resolution)
Photo director (low resolution)
Still 1
Still 2
Still 3
Still 4
Trailer (YouTube)
IMDB file
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a partir de / vanaf 4/08/2010: Cartoon's Antwerpen / Actor's Studio Bruxelles / Studio Skoop Gent (vanaf 5/08/2010)
