Austin360 blogs > Austin Movie Blog > Archives > 2009 > March > 15 > Entry
‘Artois’ got our goat at SXSW
Yes, it’s called “Artois the Goat,” this pleasantly weird, ineffably odd bucolic farce that’s snazzily disguised as a profound reflection on love, the indomitable creative force, wild passion, dream-juiced vision and the pursuit of cultivating meaning in our flyspeck lives.
It’s also about dairy products. Dilate those holes and sniff in the deep, sybaritic ecstasy of luscious, creamy, fragrant … goat cheese. We are so totally lactose tolerant.
The Alamo serves a special goat cheese plate in honor of “Artois the Goat.” Background, the cast and crew bask in the ovation at Sunday’s premiere.
An accomplished, beautifully shot, directed and musically scored art comedy, “Artois the Goat” got its world premiere Sunday at the Alamo Ritz. It’s an Austin affair, written and directed by UT film alums Cliff Bogart and Kyle Bogart and filled with familiar local talent. (See the recent stage production of “An Ideal Husband”? Much of its sharp cast appears here.)
The Bogarts are young newbies, but they know how to make a movie. Unlike, say, Joe Swanberg, they understand that time and care and thought (and talent!) are required to create a full-bodied film that doesn’t reek of juvenile navel-gazing. They understand cinema, that it’s a visual medium. They can write, even if some of the jokes fall flat. They can direct actors. Art direction — they have that down. Music — completely.
“Artois” follows one man’s erupting passion to create a wonderful new goat cheese. He has a girlfriend, always a distraction in the aim of art. Much more bubbles and bounces about the movie. Some things don’t work — the comedy can be awfully broad — but a lot does work — genuine ideas exist here.
During the post-show Q&A, the brothers cited the Coen brothers, Douglas Sirk’s “All That Heaven Allows” and Indiana Jones as influences. That’s a party as richly complex as a tangy camembert.
More on “Artois” and its upcoming screenings HERE
The Bogart bros
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: SXSW 2009
Comments
Click here to report comment abuse.
By Eugene
March 21, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
Three sell-outs - obviously everyone hated this movie.
I saw the movie and found it to be excellent. It was very well writen, directed, scored and acted. It has true ‘cult potential’.
I look forward to seeing the movie again.
By sa
March 17, 2009 7:23 AM | Link to this
What!!!!???? This was arguably one of the worst of the 10 movies I’ve seen so far, and I’ve seen some clunkers. Don’t know if it’s been the luck of the draw or if the film schedule has so few quality films to see but this film fest has proved to be quite disappointing, to say the least. I will continue to go to screenings but I tell ya, I have little confidence that the next film will be up to snuff, if I even get in, that is, being a lowly pass(not badge) holder. I understand there’s a new person at the helm this year. Maybe that’s the problem. And I am not alone in my assessment. Several sxsw film line buddies that I see year to year have also expressed the same frustration and disappointment this time around.