| The new issue of Dirt Rag features an interview with | | | | Films pass, and so do flasks. Lucas Brunelle's work is |
| Brendt Barbur, who at the moment is possibly still | | | | even more incredible on the big screen than it is on the |
| recovering from exhaustion. The Sixth Annual Bicycle | | | | Internet, and the visionary filmmaker's exploits on the |
| Film Festival just concluded in New York City, where | | | | Great Wall of China draw cheers from the audience. |
| the energetic Barbur rallied moviegoers into a frenzy | | | | The evening's highlight is a short version of the yet to |
| from Wednesday through Sunday. Literally. The | | | | be completed film M.A.S.H.. Billed as a skateboard |
| Bicycle Film Festival is not about sitting quietly in a | | | | influenced film about fixed gear riding in San Francisco, |
| theater and contemplating the relative merits of | | | | the skid-fest does not disappoint. |
| cinematography though by all means you are | | | | Saturday's activities begin with a block party that |
| welcome to. The Bicycle Film Festival is a literal | | | | draws hundreds of cyclists to watch trackstand and |
| celebration of all things bicycle and so downing a PBR | | | | skid competitions, and I am reminded how friendly New |
| and cheering the bike messengers on screen are not | | | | Yorkers really are as I make one new friend after |
| frowned upon - they're encouraged. | | | | another. Of course, handing out "ride a f___ing bike" |
| The Anthology Film Archives building is nestled in | | | | and "one less car" stickers at a cycling event is a good |
| Manhattan's East Village, which happens to be the | | | | ace in the hole. |
| perfect setting for a film festival that repeatedly casts | | | | Though the theater remains relatively empty for the |
| its spotlight on the best of urban cycling. From May | | | | 5:00 Mountain Bike Video Bash, the small group of |
| 10th through 14th the building remains decorated by | | | | mountain bikers (and open minded roadies, I suppose) |
| dozens, if not hundreds, of city bikes. Geared and | | | | are treated to an excerpt from Match Video Zine |
| single, fixed and free, mountain, road, hybrid, | | | | Issue 8 and a short from Alex Rankin's masterpiece, |
| recumbent--you name it. There's even a pedicab. The | | | | earthed 3. The film's highlights include footage of |
| line reaches around the corner of 2nd and 2nd, and I | | | | Megavalnche, a downhill endurance race on Alpe |
| would be lying if I said I wasn't impressed with the | | | | D'Huez, and the amazing trials antics of Chris Akrigg. |
| number of female cyclists in attendance. | | | | Saturday night's screening features a welcomed |
| Friday night's 11:00 screening (actually, every screening) | | | | repeat of Friday's best short films, as well as Kim |
| begins with a slide show appropriately titled A Girl's | | | | Jensen's powerful Ride On and Peter Sutherland's |
| Bike by Jason Oliver Goodman. When the small | | | | acclaimed Pedal. Though Pedal was originally released |
| theater fills to absolute capacity Barbur sprints from | | | | in 2001, the film is as fresh today as it was five years |
| the back of the room and leaps to the stage. After a | | | | ago. Documenting the lives and personalities of New |
| few short words (and some good natured heckling) | | | | York City bike messengers, Pedal delivers a candid |
| the Festival Director turns the lively crowd's attention | | | | look into the extremely different lives various bike |
| to the festival's opening credits--a fine piece of film | | | | messengers lead. |
| making in its own right. | | | | Quite possibly the best thing about the bicycle film |
| Amidst the sound of cans opening and bottles clanking, | | | | festival is that it leaves you inspired to ride your bike. |
| the festival begins with several shorts sponsored by | | | | And while taking to the streets of Manhattan after |
| the likes of Trackstar and Puma. Joshua Frankel's | | | | drinking and watching Lucas Brunelle videos might not |
| short film Bicycle Messengers incites the crowd when | | | | be the safest thing in the world... Well, it sure is fun. My |
| the animated protagonist gets "doored" and chooses | | | | hat's off to Barbur for putting on one of the coolest |
| to walk away rather than confront the careless | | | | bike events I've ever attended. The festival is set to hit |
| motorist. The film Gasoline VS Yogurt features a race | | | | eight more cities around the world, and if you eat, |
| between a 1976 Schwinn and a Ducati Monster | | | | breathe and sleep bicycles, you need to go. You'll |
| through the streets of Manhattan. Can you guess who | | | | make friends, you'll ride bikes, and you'll broaden your |
| wins? | | | | cycling horizons. |