My homey from Desedo Films put me on to this one-day conference being held in New York City where a gang of nerds, tech geeks, economists, philanthropists and general do-gooders would be speaking about the things that were near and dear to them. I decided to attend and kick it to the congregation about the i.C. film ‘Bodega’. The genesis of this film is deeper than some folks might think. We really wanted to highlight the haves and the have-nots in the game of nutrition.

It is fascinating and ultimately sad that our film was shot in the shadow of the Hunts Point Food Market. The healthiest, freshest food in NYC comes through that hub. The folks in Hunts Point may not even have a clue. And on the other hand, they may not even care. After years, ne generations, of consuming foodstuffs at the bodega I believe we have lost all but the youngest of this community. Damn you and your tasty goodness creme-filled chocolate chip cookie!

I signed up to speak on this at the InterestingNY conference. There were a lot more folks than I expected and I even had the chance to feel the hot glare of a spotlight being cast upon me. Speaking in front of crowds is something that I generally don’t shy away from. I am a class clown at heart. I typically perform for Rafi and Cas. If I can make them laugh then I know I am onto something. The audience at InterestingNY didn’t stand a chance against my charm that had been practised first upon my my i.C. brothers. Here’ the clip of my presentation…

Dallas Penn at Interesting New York from David Nottoli on Vimeo.

There were some other speakers who really aced their time at the podium. You can check their vids over here.

Bodega is one of my favorite joints and it has single-handely bolstered the i.C. collective’s filmmaking pedigree on some national shit. I need to find out if there are some American short form doc film fests going down in Argentina. Bodega needs to go to Brazil. But before all of that happens bigscreen Bodega will be coming to an area near you.

At least those of you in Saugerties, NY.

After a successful run in the Newark Black Film Festival we are taking Bodega up to Woodstock for their venerable indie film fest.

Lick a shot Kingston.

Then the videos go and get into some festivals and screenings get scheduled and there I am in the audience, eyes squinting and heart mildly pounding. It’s overreacting of the first degree but at this point, it’s kind of my M.O. when it comes to sitting in an audience and taking in a nice IC flick – big and bold.

So if you’ve ever wanted to see me wince charmingly through unsmooth changes in aural ambience, or even better, want to just see Bodega or Checkmate on the bigscreen, the opportunity is nigh.

Peep bigscreen game:

Friday, September 12
CHECKMATE plays at Rooftop Films
NY Nonfiction Show on the roof of New Design High School
350 Grand Street between Essex and Ludlow in Manhattan
830pm = Music
9pm = Movies
11pm = Open bar at Fontana’s on Eldridge just above Grand St.

Saturday, September 20
BODEGA plays at the Last Supper Festival
At 3rd Ward in Bushwick, Brooklyn
195 Morgan Ave.
6PM – 1AM = Food (!), films and music

October 1 – 5
BODEGA plays at the Woodstock Film Festival
Woodstock, NY about 2 hours north of NYC
Friday, October 3 at 11am – Short Documentary Program
Sunday, October 5 at 11:15am – Short Documentary Program

We are going to hit all these festivals.

If you ask us, we will save you a seat.
If you nod knowingly, we will bring you back some free beers from the bar.
If we don’t see you there, we will give away your drink tickets.

The 27th Black Maria Film Festival kicks off tonight in Jersey City and will include Bodega among its lineup of adventurous short films.

You can check it out tonight, some IC’s will be in attendance. Tomorrow the festival is in Newark then back to Jersey City on Sunday. This festival travels around to other points in Jersey and even makes it out to Pennsylvania and points as far as Georgia and Ohio. Check the film festival’s touring dates.

If it’s coming to your vicinity, please come out for some fun. Bodega is even more suave and delicioso on the big screen.

Bodega

You may also went to check the rest of our junk food trilogy: Ghetto Big Mac and Cereal is Dope.

If you already know Bodega but want the rush of seeing it (a shortened version) on TV then tune into CNN’s Headline News network for their “News To Me” show which runs today at 12:30pm and 5:30pm eastern. A shortened version of Bodega closes out the show. Thanks to CNN who were kind enough to clear the usage of our video!

This past Friday, Internets Celebrities were in full effect at the Rooftop Films screening of Bodega in their New York Non-Fiction night. The response was huge – lots of applause and the biggest laughs we heard all night (okay there weren’t that many comedies in the lineup but we’ll take it). It was gratifying and even thrilling to sit among a crowd of 500 people enjoying our work.

The opening act was young emcee from Yonkers named Loer Velocity. Coincidentally Loer did a song with his very low-key hypeman Donnan Linkz called “The Hood Diet”. The subject matter was perfect with Bodega coming up.

There were a lot of good films that night. Highlights included: The Guarantee by Jesse Epstein, Bongo Barbershop by Charlie Ahearn, A Son’s Sacrifice by Yoni Brook and Toxic Brooklyn by vbs.tv

Afterwards we had a chance to speak to Wild Style director Ahearn who approached us shouting “Bo-De-Ga!”, announcing himself as a fan.

Cue Zoro’s brother “Is this being an Internets Celebrity what you’re gonna do with your life? Stop fucking around and be a man already. There ain’t nothing out here for you.”

Oh yes there is.

By the way you can catch Ahearn and Wild Style for free this coming Friday June 22 as part of the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. And the big concert is Saturday June 23. The IC’s will be representing at both events.

One of our videos was selected by Rooftop Films to be part of their summer series this year.

Bodega will be shown as part of Rooftop’s New York Non-Fiction night this Friday June 15.

The event starts at 8pm
350 Grand Street @ Essex (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
F/J/M/Z to Essex / Delancey
In the event of rain the show is indoors at the same location.
Tickets – $8 at the door or $5 online HERE with code: RFJUNE
Presented in partnership with – IFC.com, New York magazine & Open Road New York.

There’s more info about the event available at the Rooftop Films site.

Come on out to support and holler at an Internets Celebrity!

Was it all so simple then?

Bodega is a playful homage to the kind of corner store that we all grew up next to when we were kids in the city. As you grow older you come to realize that there are choices being made for you on a nutritional level due to your lack of options.

For some people the bodega represents the sole option of fresh foods in some communities. In the tragically impoverished Bronx neighborhood of Hunts Point there are fenced off warehouses and wholesalers that distribute fresh food and fish to the entire city. Meanwhile the residents of Hunts Point are relegated to shopping at bodegas.

For thirty years New York City has started, stumbled, staggered and swaggered its way into the paradigm American metropolis. The Bronx? Not so much. New York City has less respect for the entire Bronx County than it does for Jersey City. Still the Bronx remains. Still the Bronx stands. Still ready 24-7. Just like the bodegas.