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