BLOG: Cleanflix distro update

Joshua Ligairi » 4.21.11 »

I'm getting really good at big announcements with no specifics. Often, as with Knights of Mayhem, that has to do with the odd secrecy of the entertainment business more than anything else. In this instance, however, it is because I literally don't know the specifics. Despite months of deliberation and negotiation, details surrounding the distribution of Cleanflix are still a little hazy.

One thing I do know...we have signed a distribution contract with an awesome start-up indie distributor called United FIlms. Jason Connell, the man behind United Films, has distributed a few great documentaries in the past (including nostalgic favorite, The Rockafire Explosion) under the banner of his own production company, Connell Creations. Now, Jason, whose primary focus is the impressive network of six international film festivals that he runs in New York, Los Angeles, London, Chicago, San Francisco, and Tulsa (his hometown), is ready to get serious about indie distribution and has chosen Cleanflix to launch his new distro company (along with a pretty/mumbly fictional narrative called Gabi on the Roof In July that Cleanflix screened with at Cinequest and Sidewalk Film Festivals in 2010).

We really like Jason, we're excited by the huge network of exhibition and distribution contacts that he has cultivated through his film festival work, and we think his hybrid approach to distro is the right choice for this specific film in this specific market. So what will that include? Not totally sure at this point. We've discussed a myriad of options and tactics from the most traditional to the most radical. It seems that DVD, TV, VOD will all happen in one way or another and a semi-theatrical run of the film is still looking like a very reasonable option. I, for one, would be very happy about the possibility of a grassroots tour in my future, but the reality may look a little more limited and digital and hybrid. We'll see.

All that I can say for now is: Details forthcoming.

PRESS: Flick Sided Cleanflix review

A brief review of Cleanflix, and three other Cinequest films, by FlickSided Lead Critic and an Associate Editor, Mike Smith. Direct link to the original post at the Flick Sided site here.


Mike Smith » 03.15.10 »

Let’s say you want to watch a popular movie, but your religious beliefs prevent you from watching any films that feature foul language or any sexual content…bummer, right? Wrong! You can order edited DVDs of any movie…same great film, but with all the naughty bits cut out. This documentary explores the edited film industry, which is rooted in Salt Lake City, Utah and is heavily influenced by the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latte-day Saints. At first focusing on both the legal aspects of editing and reselling home video (pesky copyright laws) as well as the people involved, the film takes an unexpected but rewarding turn in the third act, shifting from a straight delivery of fact to a scathing indictment of the hypocrisy behind religious fundamentalism.Direct link to the review at FlickSided.com. Mike Smith can be contacted at Mike@According2Mike.com.

BLOG: Getting all Mavericky

Joshua Ligairi » 3.06.10 »

Anyone who is interested in seeing me crack under pressure is in luck. There is actual video footage of me falling apart on camera from the Cinequest Film Festival and I am going to share it with you, but not before setting the scene.


CLEANFLIX just had three wonderful screenings at the 20th Cinequest Film Festival (with a special encore screening on the way). Cinequest is a cool, quaint, well-organized fest in San Jose, California. The audiences there have been our best so far. The fest organizes nightly soirees for the filmmakers. All of the venues are close to each other and high quality. But there is one thing about Cinequest that I could do without: the word "Maverick" is closely associated with the festival.

While that may have been cool, indie, and empowering just a few short years ago, the word has since been tainted (at least for me) by the 2008 Presidential election. The first--and only--thing that comes to mind for me now is Tina Fey's impression of Sarah Palin. If you don't know what I am referring to, you can check out this video. On the other hand, you may want to just avoid watching the video altogether as there is a good chance the word will be permanently ruined for you as well.

A couple of Mavericks.

So, how does this affect me? Really, it doesn't. If Cinequest wants to stick with their nifty catch word, more power to them. So I don't buy a festival t-shirt with MAVERICKS plastered across it--big deal. Sure, I'll think of the fest as that geeky co-worker in Mike Judge's Office Space who refuses to change his name even though he is constantly berated because his given name is Michael Bolton, but what do they care what I think. Actually, Bolton has a point when he exclaims, "Why should I change? He's the one that sucks!" So, I can't fault Cinequest for sticking to their guns in the face of Sarah Palin comparisons. Hell, it is the Mavericky thing to do.

Not much of a Maverick.

Then, all of the sudden and without warning, their little buzz word went from a peripheral annoyance to something that was actually affecting me personally. I was walking through the Camera 12 theater after our second screening of CLEANFLIX when a festival employee grabbed me and put me in front of what appeared to be a web cam. "Do you mind answering a few questions for our site?" he asked. "Not at all," I replied. Then it happened: he hit me with a barrage of lame Maverick-related questions including "How have Maverick innovations played a role in your life and work?" Uhhh... Before you continue reading, just think about how the hell any normal person could answer that question on the spot. "Maverick innovations? What exactly are we talking about here?" I asked. "Whatever you want," he said. The high I was on from our amazing festival Q&As had stalled out and I was in a tail spin.

Don't get me wrong, I like Cinequest and all, but there was no way that any answer to this question could be more than total BS. My mind raced, but before it got anywhere, my mouth opened. In a state of sheer panic, I searched for the words to say, and words that wouldn't bring to mind Tiny Fey's "I just think about what a Maverick would do and I do that." I cracked under the pressure, I fumbled through a stupid answer, I made a fool of myself, and I am posting it here for your judgment. Watch the video here.

Hopefully our next festival won't have such an abstruse theme. Let's see, Florida Film Festival theme: "Film Sweet Film." Huh. Stay tuned for more embarrassingly incomprehensible videos!

PRESS: Metro News Cleanflix review

A review of our film, Cleanflix, by Metro News film critic Michael S. Grant (warning, some spoilers). Direct link to the original post at the Metro News site here.
Michael S. Gant » 02.24.10 »

At first, Andrew James and Joshua Ligiri's fascinating documentary Cleanflix seems to be about a no-brainer issue. Uncomfortable with sex, nudity and (to a lesser extent) violence, Mormon consumers want to watch cleaned-up DVD versions of mainstream Hollywood fare. Some canny entrepreneurs fill the need by creating Clean Flicks, an operation that uses digital editing software to cut out the swear words and stray boobs from hit movies and then rents the sanitized versions out of franchise stores in and around Salt Lake City.

Of course that business plan rankles advocates of artistic freedom—not to mention copyright-conscious directors and movie studios. But wait. Directors have long stood still for bowdlerized versions of their films on TV and airplanes; many DVDs are recut to have more sex and violence than the theatrical version—so much for the integrity of the original release. If there is such a lucrative market for these DVDs, why doesn't Hollywood just step in and rake off the profits?

As the film progresses, motives and methods grow murky. The founder of Clean Flicks ends up in competition with some of his own franchisees; two store owners start a running feud. The legal arguments used to skirt obvious copyright violations soon succumb to a concentrated assault of big-firm suits. But a guerrilla market flourishes as the most dedicated and weirdly charismatic of the censored DVD sellers, Daniel Thompson, keeps finding ways around injunctions and other sanctions. By turns creepy, theatrical and even sympathetic, Thompson proclaims his mission to keep Mormons entertained but unoffended, even acting something of a cult leader to the grateful members of his DVD club.

From there, Cleanflix cruises to a twist ending that no screenwriter would have dared propose. The film features many fascinating interviews, with an appearance by director Neil LaBute, who turns out to have a Mormon background. It's a terrific tale, even if the film never does answer the essential question, why would Mormons even want to see Kill Bill or The Big Lebowski in any form?

Direct link to the review at MetroActive.com. Follow Michael S. Gant on Twitter @Michael_Gant.

NEWS: Best of fest

Joshua Ligairi » 1.14.10 »

After a hugely successful World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Cleanflix is launching into the New Year. We'll be playing film festivals all over the world from Sweden to San Jose. Stay tuned for more info to see when we will be coming to a town near you. The first three festivals we are announcing are Gothenberg, Big Sky, and Cinequest. These are all well-respected venues. Göteborg International Film Festival is in a corner of the world that I haven't made it to yet, so I am thrilled to be sending the film there. Big Sky has a special emphasis on documentary and Cinequest focuses on ground-breaking films outside the norm. That makes both fests very appealing to us. There are a lot of festivals out there and it takes awhile to separate the wheat from the chaff, but we are really excited about our selections so far. All good things. More to come! Visit the blog often (or just follow us on Twitter) for updates.