Earlier this year Ace Hotel asked us to curate an evening at their Liberty Hall Screenings. We happily obliged. So this coming Sunday, March 13th we’ll be screening our craftsmanship trilogy along with several exciting films from our friends at Rapha as well as shorts from directors Travis Senger, and Tati Barrantes. If you’ve always wonder who the team was behind the series or what camera we used to shoot them on then come meet myself and director Brennan Stasiewicz. Doors at 7pm, RSVP at rsvpliberty@thebreslin.com

The Scout
Billykirk (8 mins, Brennan Stasiewicz)
Brothers Chris and Kirk Bray have been producing leather goods for the last ten years. They launched Billykirk from Los Angeles in 1999, learning their craft from a third generation leather-maker. A simple leather strap kick started the business—a decade later their collection has flourished into other offerings that consists of bags, belts, shoes, wallets, hats and other accessories. Since expanding and moving their operation to the East, they’ve employed a group of Amish leather-makers to produce much of their line, while wrapping up production in their studio. We visited the brothers over the summer to observe their operation first hand and to discover the beauty behind the process.

Roman & Williams (10 mins, Brennan Stasiewicz)
“It’s a shame to only have dreams at night. You should have a few opportunities during the day.” This wistful quote from Stephen Alesch speaks volumes about the spaces he and Robin Standefer create as architects and designers. Their firm Roman & Williams, is named for their grandparents, paying homage to another era. Together, they draw on the evocative moods, textures, and meaningful objects that linger somewhere between past and present. Their work is infused with memory and allows participants to connect with a more romantic and important time.

The Mast Brothers (8 mins, Brennan Stasiewicz)
The life of a mariner is one given over to wanderlust—the quest for adventure, crossing unseen horizons to secure precious goods—only to bring them back to their home port. This same love of adventure and curiosity defines the brotherhood of Rick and Michael Mast. The Mast Brothers share a fiercely independent spirit, leaping into the unknown and trusting that they’ll find the answer through endurance and dedication to their craft.

Rapha
2010 NW Gentlemen’s Race (10 minutes)
Director: Droptree Productions
The Gentlemen’s Race is an unsanctioned and unmarshalled race that takes place over +/- 125 miles. Competitive as it may be, it is also a civilized gathering of cyclists. This film documents the West Coast edition of the race in 2010, starting from Forrest Grove and ending in Porland, Oregon crossing pavement and gravel roads. Elements were tested on that day as temperatures reached 101 degrees.

A Throw of the Dice (14 minutes)
Director: Nick Livesey
Historically, ‘The Hell of the North’ was not referring to the sheer pain and torment the cyclists of the Paris-Roubaix must endure to complete the 275km race. It was a newspaper caption describing the landscape when the race was resumed after WW1 – charred forests, open sewers – a completely decimated and blackened horizon.Run your fingers through the topsoil in that region of Northern France and you are likely to find shrapnel and splintered bones. The race has been shaped by history, and as I discovered so too was Johan Museeuw’s brush with fate in the Forest of Arenberg. The only way to define Museeuw’s true ‘North’ was to meet him in the ancient forest. From there the trajectory of the back story was formed, and thus began the filming process.
- Nick Livesey

D’Acciaio (Of Steel) (14 minutes)
Director: Ben Ingham
Of Steel is an intimate portrait of a man obsessed with his craft. Dario Pegoretti exudes passion for the racing frame’s form and the material he builds them from. The film captures Pegoretti and company in his workshop in Caldonazzo in the Dolomites, showing us the passion, character and art of the man and his world.

White Lines and The Fever: The Death of DJ Junebug
Director:  Travis Senger
Recalling the Bronx in the early 1980’s, this award-winning documentary explores the old-school days of hip-hop and the dangerous underworld at the legendary Disco Fever. Never-before-seen footage and interviews with Kurtis Blow, DJ Hollywood and Sal Abbatiello tell the tragic story of one of the greatest DJ’s ever.  Winner of top prizes at SXSW and Tribeca for Best Documentary Short.

Tati Barrantes
Tiempo al Tiempo (12 minutes)
Director: Tati Barrantes
Starring Jaime Tirelli and Arturo Castro
Jesus and Cisco work together as cooks in a New York City restaurant, each with a dream of some day owning their own business. Suddenly caught between personal success and family obligation, Jesus must choose: will he lead the life he’s always imagined or return to his awaiting family?

Adirake (6 minutes)
Director: Andinh Ha and Tati Barrantes
Eleven year old orphan Adirake wonders about the white elephant his mother spoke of before the tsunami.