Meet Snake Oil Sam

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Mon, 03/14/2016 - 13:59 -- Nick Dager

Arlene Bogna's The Battle of Snake Oil Sam will screen March 19 in LA.Director Arlene Bogna's independent film The Ballad of Snake Oil Sam will be screened at the New Filmmakers Los Angeles Festival on Match 19. New Filmmakers Los Angeles is a non-profit organization designed to showcase innovative works by emerging global filmmakers. “Part of the Alliance of Women Directors initiative with NFMLA, The Ballad of Snake Oil Sam is an off beat ride into the creative areas we seldom explore with captivating photography and production design along with committed performances,” said NFMLA creative director/co-founder, Susie Kim. “This curious short film will engage you till the end.”

Bogna is part of the Support Women Filmmakers movement and is in the Alliance of Women Directors, the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to education, support and advocacy for women directors in the entertainment industry.

The Ballad of Snake Oil Sam made its debut screening last May to an enthusiastic reception at the Cannes Film Festival, Short Film Corner in Cannes, France. The film was an official selection at the Badalona Festival and Madrid International Film Festival, Spain. Its U.S. premiere was also last May at the Dances With Films Festival at the Chinese Theater, Hollywood. 

The Ballad of Snake Oil Sam tells the story of an alchemist and magical elixir salesman in pursuit of redemption told in sweeping epic vistas, mind-blowing moments, and colorful dynamic shots. The film pays tribute to Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns through the film’s moments-in-between-moments and frontier cinematography. The film also is an ode to famous director, Michelangelo Antonioni, with its remote scenery of the desert wilderness reflecting Snake Oil Sam’s inner struggles. 

It features the music of Los Angeles psychedelic rock band, West Indian Girl, from their latest album Shangri-La. The film’s original score is by Acclaimed film composer, Vivek Maddala.

The Ballad of Snake Oil Sam stars Zane Byrdy, Gladys Nyoth, Gabriel Voss, Cristina Balmores, and Eva Zeva.

The Ballad of Snake Oil Sam has won numerous awards worldwide, including the 2015 IndieFest Award of Merit for Women Filmmakers, the 2015 Diamond Award at International Film & Photography Festival (Jakarta), Best Experimental Film and Best Actor in a Short Film at Lady Filmmakers Festival, and Featured Film Director in Cinewomen Cahiers 2015. 

New Filmmakers Los Angeles http://www.newfilmmakersla.com

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