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'TOASTMASTER' BRINGS TRADITION TO LIFE
ARTS | OCTOBER 8, 2013 5:20 PM
By Gabriella Gage
Mirror-Spectator Staff
LOS ANGELES - When Spanish filmmaker, Eric Boadella, experienced the
ancient Armenian tradition of the tamada or toastmaster, "It was love
at first sight," he said.
>From this initial reaction, Boadella found the inspiration to create
the family-centered comedy-drama, "Toastmaster," which recently
premiered during the 27th Wine Country Film Festival, in Sonoma,
Calif. The film tells the story of Uncle Kapriel who decides to
teach his adult nephew, Alek, the family tradition of toastmaster,
just in time for his mother's wedding. But Kapriel does not expect
Alek to uncover his uncle's secret past.
Boadella was attending a social gathering when he encountered his first
Armenian toastmaster. The tamada not only offers the traditional toast
at a wedding or celebration, but serves as the master of ceremonies,
directing other speakers and adding his (or her) personal flavor along
the way. It could be the respected family elder, or the uncle who has
a knack for storytelling, along with a sense of humor to entertain
an entire family, or anyone up to the challenge.
Boadella explained, "I immediately admired this poet and master of
improvisation. Almost magically, with each lyrical and clever toast,
he eternalized the moment and shared the joy with his loved ones."
Inspired by the art form, Boadella said, "That night I realized the
toastmaster and I shared the same vision. Although I use different
tools than he does, cinematography and actors instead of poetry and
vodka, the ultimate goal is the same: to immortalize a story. My
admiration for the toastmaster was my catalyst for writing this
humanistic story between two characters from two very different
generations: Uncle Kapriel, the toastmaster and his nephew, the
collector of stories."
Boadella, a native of Barcelona, had no previous involvement with the
Armenian community, but discovered a new-found respect for the rich
Armenian cultural history and made friends in the community along
the way.
His own relationship with film began at a young age. He noted, "I was
amazed and intrigued by film since the first time I saw a movie in
a theater: 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.' I'll never forget
the evil man removing hearts using his hands... I was just a kid!"
>From a childhood appreciation for "Dr. Jones," to a discovery of a
passion for producing art, Boadella began creating music videos for
songs The Bags, Serge Le Bonobo and Dancin' like Robots and received
awards at several festivals. He also experimented with narrative
and cinematography, creating a number of short films. "'Toastmaster'
was my first attempt to tell a story as best as I can in a classic
narrative form," he said.
"Toastmaster" was shot entirely in the Los Angeles area. While
Boadella was new to the Armenian community, he made sure to include
actors who truly understood and embraced the tradition and culture.
The protagonists, David Hovan and Sevag Mahserejian are Armenian,
as well as, producer Martin Yernazian, producer manager Nanor
Abkarian, production designer Houri Mahserejian, musical composer
Ara Dabandjian and several other members of the cast and crew. "I was
looking for three talented actors that didn't need a transformation
or a big effort to become the characters. In other words: that they
had a lot in common with the characters. So I could get a natural
and spontaneous chemistry between the characters and a great sense
of realism in the performances," he explained. "I think this was one
of the keys of making 'Toastmaster' something special."
Crowd-sourcing, via Indiegogo, supplied the funding for "Toastmaster."
"We had more than 200 contributors that made this film possible,"
noted Boadella. "Toastmaster" is in English and Armenian with English
subtitles, but with Armenian subtitles forthcoming.
The film will be making the rounds of the international film festival
circuit through next spring. Boadella and producers are currently
planning a film premiere in Los Angeles and looking for a sponsor
to aid in organizing the event. "It will be a great event, with the
cast and crew and the Los Angeles Armenian community is expecting to
see the film," said Boadella.
As for Boadella, he is waiting for that next inspirational moment
and has several possible upcoming projects to choose from, with
another independent film likely on the horizon. "The experience with
'Toastmaster; was very positive, and I can't wait to repeat the
experience with another feature-length film."
For more information on "Toastmaster," screening announcements or to
donate to the film, visit the film's website, www.toastmastermovie.com
or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/toastmastermovie.
- See more at:
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/10/08/toastmaster-brings-tradition-to-life/#sthash.owsckyEY.dpuf
ARTS | OCTOBER 8, 2013 5:20 PM
By Gabriella Gage
Mirror-Spectator Staff
LOS ANGELES - When Spanish filmmaker, Eric Boadella, experienced the
ancient Armenian tradition of the tamada or toastmaster, "It was love
at first sight," he said.
>From this initial reaction, Boadella found the inspiration to create
the family-centered comedy-drama, "Toastmaster," which recently
premiered during the 27th Wine Country Film Festival, in Sonoma,
Calif. The film tells the story of Uncle Kapriel who decides to
teach his adult nephew, Alek, the family tradition of toastmaster,
just in time for his mother's wedding. But Kapriel does not expect
Alek to uncover his uncle's secret past.
Boadella was attending a social gathering when he encountered his first
Armenian toastmaster. The tamada not only offers the traditional toast
at a wedding or celebration, but serves as the master of ceremonies,
directing other speakers and adding his (or her) personal flavor along
the way. It could be the respected family elder, or the uncle who has
a knack for storytelling, along with a sense of humor to entertain
an entire family, or anyone up to the challenge.
Boadella explained, "I immediately admired this poet and master of
improvisation. Almost magically, with each lyrical and clever toast,
he eternalized the moment and shared the joy with his loved ones."
Inspired by the art form, Boadella said, "That night I realized the
toastmaster and I shared the same vision. Although I use different
tools than he does, cinematography and actors instead of poetry and
vodka, the ultimate goal is the same: to immortalize a story. My
admiration for the toastmaster was my catalyst for writing this
humanistic story between two characters from two very different
generations: Uncle Kapriel, the toastmaster and his nephew, the
collector of stories."
Boadella, a native of Barcelona, had no previous involvement with the
Armenian community, but discovered a new-found respect for the rich
Armenian cultural history and made friends in the community along
the way.
His own relationship with film began at a young age. He noted, "I was
amazed and intrigued by film since the first time I saw a movie in
a theater: 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.' I'll never forget
the evil man removing hearts using his hands... I was just a kid!"
>From a childhood appreciation for "Dr. Jones," to a discovery of a
passion for producing art, Boadella began creating music videos for
songs The Bags, Serge Le Bonobo and Dancin' like Robots and received
awards at several festivals. He also experimented with narrative
and cinematography, creating a number of short films. "'Toastmaster'
was my first attempt to tell a story as best as I can in a classic
narrative form," he said.
"Toastmaster" was shot entirely in the Los Angeles area. While
Boadella was new to the Armenian community, he made sure to include
actors who truly understood and embraced the tradition and culture.
The protagonists, David Hovan and Sevag Mahserejian are Armenian,
as well as, producer Martin Yernazian, producer manager Nanor
Abkarian, production designer Houri Mahserejian, musical composer
Ara Dabandjian and several other members of the cast and crew. "I was
looking for three talented actors that didn't need a transformation
or a big effort to become the characters. In other words: that they
had a lot in common with the characters. So I could get a natural
and spontaneous chemistry between the characters and a great sense
of realism in the performances," he explained. "I think this was one
of the keys of making 'Toastmaster' something special."
Crowd-sourcing, via Indiegogo, supplied the funding for "Toastmaster."
"We had more than 200 contributors that made this film possible,"
noted Boadella. "Toastmaster" is in English and Armenian with English
subtitles, but with Armenian subtitles forthcoming.
The film will be making the rounds of the international film festival
circuit through next spring. Boadella and producers are currently
planning a film premiere in Los Angeles and looking for a sponsor
to aid in organizing the event. "It will be a great event, with the
cast and crew and the Los Angeles Armenian community is expecting to
see the film," said Boadella.
As for Boadella, he is waiting for that next inspirational moment
and has several possible upcoming projects to choose from, with
another independent film likely on the horizon. "The experience with
'Toastmaster; was very positive, and I can't wait to repeat the
experience with another feature-length film."
For more information on "Toastmaster," screening announcements or to
donate to the film, visit the film's website, www.toastmastermovie.com
or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/toastmastermovie.
- See more at:
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/10/08/toastmaster-brings-tradition-to-life/#sthash.owsckyEY.dpuf