| 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 |
| recovering from exhaustion. The Sixth Annual Bicycle | | | | the Internet, and the visionary filmmaker's exploits on |
| Film Festival just concluded in New York City, where | | | | the Great Wall of China draw cheers from the |
| the energetic Barbur rallied moviegoers into a frenzy | | | | audience. The evening's highlight is a short version of |
| from Wednesday through Sunday. Literally. The | | | | the yet to be completed film M.A.S.H.. Billed as a |
| Bicycle Film Festival is not about sitting quietly in a | | | | skateboard influenced film about fixed gear riding in |
| theater and contemplating the relative merits of | | | | San Francisco, 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 |
| and cheering the bike messengers on screen are not | | | | New Yorkers really are as I make one new friend |
| frowned upon - they're encouraged. | | | | after another. Of course, handing out "ride a f___ing |
| The Anthology Film Archives building is nestled in | | | | bike" and "one less car" stickers at a cycling event is |
| Manhattan's East Village, which happens to be the | | | | a good ace in the hole. |
| perfect setting for a film festival that repeatedly | | | | Though the theater remains relatively empty for the |
| casts its spotlight on the best of urban cycling. From | | | | 5:00 Mountain Bike Video Bash, the small group of |
| May 10th through 14th the building remains decorated | | | | mountain bikers (and open minded roadies, I suppose) |
| by 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 | | | | repeat of Friday's best short films, as well as Kim |
| screening) begins with a slide show appropriately | | | | Jensen's powerful Ride On and Peter Sutherland's |
| titled A Girl's Bike by Jason Oliver Goodman. When | | | | acclaimed Pedal. Though Pedal was originally released |
| the small theater fills to absolute capacity Barbur | | | | in 2001, the film is as fresh today as it was five |
| sprints from the back of the room and leaps to the | | | | years ago. Documenting the lives and personalities of |
| stage. After a few short words (and some good | | | | New York City bike messengers, Pedal delivers a |
| natured heckling) the Festival Director turns the lively | | | | candid look into the extremely different lives various |
| crowd's attention to the festival's opening credits-a | | | | bike messengers lead. |
| fine piece of film making in its own right. | | | | Quite possibly the best thing about the bicycle film |
| Amidst the sound of cans opening and bottles | | | | festival is that it leaves you inspired to ride your bike. |
| clanking, the festival begins with several shorts | | | | And while taking to the streets of Manhattan after |
| sponsored by the likes of Trackstar and Puma. | | | | drinking and watching Lucas Brunelle videos might not |
| Joshua Frankel's short film Bicycle Messengers incites | | | | be the safest thing in the world... Well, it sure is fun. |
| the crowd when the animated protagonist gets | | | | My hat's off to Barbur for putting on one of the |
| "doored" and chooses to walk away rather than | | | | coolest bike events I've ever attended. The festival |
| confront the careless motorist. The film Gasoline VS | | | | is set to hit eight more cities around the world, and if |
| Yogurt features a race between a 1976 Schwinn and | | | | you eat, breathe and sleep bicycles, you need to go. |
| a Ducati Monster through the streets of Manhattan. | | | | You'll make friends, you'll ride bikes, and you'll broaden |
| Can you guess who wins? | | | | your cycling horizons. |