Culture watch

Totally, Actually, Really Going To Be Completed — For Real

According to director Chusy (Jardine), the much-anticipated local flick Asheville, The Movie is still in production. The film has been made in a series of fits and starts — most notably a multi-month hiatus caused by a need for a high-definition camera — but Chusy says that more than half of the film is in the can. He also says that principal photography should be completed this summer, and he expects the film to be released this fall. “Ultimately, our dream is to premiere it at larger festivals like Cannes,” says Chusy. “That’s where we want to be.” For absolutely useful information about the film other than an amusing picture made of sausages, visit ashevillethemovie.com.

Not-So-Great Expectations

While we’re on the topic, here’s a great movie pitch: “A 110-minute flick about political corruption, black-market child trade, stripping and, ultimately, redemption. Only, instead of making it a thought-provoking-yet-steamy thriller like Basic Instinct 2 should have been, let’s make it a preachy, overlong message movie geared for a PG rating. We’ll call it something vague, like A Dance for Bethany, and we’ll get Bo Svenson, the guy who played Sheriff Buford Pusser in that Walking Tall TV series that got canceled after the first season, to direct.” Well, thanks to local filmmakers Raise The Bar Productions, this strange concoction will be filming this summer in Asheville. It may seem like I’m being a little harsh here, but after doing a little digging, the production seems … well … dubious. Local screenwriter Yvonne G. Williams and her Executive Producer husband Marion Williams are both first-timers in the film game, and don’t exactly have a bankable track record. We’ll see. Curiosity seekers, check out the film company’s Web site at rtbp.net.

Knock On Wood

But not all things coming together this summer in Asheville are so iffy. For instance, rumor has it that Bacchanalian rockers The Sexpatriates may just be reuniting. According to a few characteristically none-too-subtle hints dropped by front man Joey “Dirty” Martini, the group has plans for at least one show this summer, possibly with an expanded lineup of as many as 15 performers. Then again, given the … um … less-than-reliable nature of the group’s relationship with the local media, this could also be a put-on, wishful thinking, or even an out-and-out lie.