FILMMAKER INTERVIEW: Kadshah Nagibe

January 30, 2014

Filmmaker: Kadshah Nagibe

Film: I Ride A Triumph, 1st annual MFF Short Film Official Selection, 2013

 

Q: What’s the film about, and what inspired you to make it?

A: Andy Shaw’s love of riding and his custom 2009 Triumph Thruxton motorcycle. Er…I don’t remember (what inspired me), but I’ve been shooting people on two wheeler’s for a long time I just enjoy doing it.

 

Q: Have you made any other films, and If so, is there a common theme throughout your films?

A: I’m an independent filmmaker living in NYC. I’ve made one other motorcycle short called “The Emblem” which can be viewed HERE and I also made a few short scooter videos which can be viewed on my Youtube page.

Q: Do you ride a motorcycle? 

A: Yes all year unless it snows. The two times I went down on my bike was while riding in the snow. I’ve had two Triumph Bonneville bikes, a 2003 and a 2007. The crank shaft on the first bike went kaput and I replaced it with the 07 which runs great. I’ve always wanted to own a Triumph. I would love to have a vintage bike but I don’t have a garage to store it and I wouldn’t want to leave it out on the street. I also love the look of the old the Norton, Victory and Indian bikes.

 

Q: As a filmmaker, what about The MFF and motorcycle films in general speaks to you? 

A: I love what you guys are doing. It’s about time someone stepped forward to do this.

 Q:  Have you had a chance to attend the MFF yet? 

A: Yes my film was in the 2013 MFF line-up thank you for screening it.

    

Q: What’s next for you as a filmmaker? 

A: Well I have an ambitious idea for a motorcycle film in 2014 but that will depend on if I can get a crew together to help me out I’ll see.

isit Kadshah Nagibe’s website: sweetproductionmedia.com


Filmmaker Interview: Mark Macinnis

January 23, 2014

Filmmaker: Mark Macinnis

Film: Black Kat, 1st annual MFF Short Film Official Selection, 2013

“Rick Monahan has dedicated his life to vintage BMW motorcycles. He didn’t watch Easy Rider, he lived it. Rick’s passion for these bikes sustained him from bad ass teen shooting down Route 66 to opening his own indie garage in order to “pollinate Western L.A. with as many BMW’s as possible.”

Q: What inspired you to make this movie?

A: Rick Monahan was the inspiration behind making this film. Vintage bike owners know that finding a good mechanic is like finding gold. Anyone who’s met Rick will tell you what an honest and great guy he is. I wanted to do something special to honor him.

Rick gave up his day job at 50 because of his obsession with old Beamers. He’s really more of an artist with these vintage bikes; he lives in his shop with a hundred or so on hand to keep him going. As he says, he’s busy “pollinating the streets of LA as many vintage BMW’s as he can”.

Q: How did you find the MFF?

A: I was looking for an interesting festival online and I came across the MFF.  I could tell from the MFF website that it was a festival fueled by a passion for the motorcycle culture. I was also excited to be a part of something new and respected the crew that was making this up and just going for it.

Q: Have you made any other films, and if so, is there a common theme throughout your films?

A: In 2011 I made a film called URBAN ROOTS. It’s a documentary about the urban farmers in Detroit. Like Urban Roots, Black Kat was made out of my connection to the people and the subject. Because films are so hard to make, I’m only going to do something that I believe in. So far the common theme throughout my films are people in unique situations doing what they love at any cost.

Q: Do you ride a motorcycle, and If so, tell us a little about what you ride, and why?

A: Yes, I do ride. I have a 1975 BMW R90 and a 1969 BSA Star Fire

The reason I ride has evolved over the years. About 10 years ago I bought the BSA because I was broke, so I started riding because of my financial situation. Once I got into it the feeling and memories of riding dirt bikes on the trails with my brother would come back constantly. And the smell of gasoline would remind me of my dad. It was a means of transportation but also a mental time warp that brought back some amazing memories.

Now the bikes are pure joy. They give me my Zen when I’m riding and when I’m wrenching on them. Motorcycles also open me up to meeting amazing friends and having experiences that I would never have had otherwise.

Q: As a filmmaker, what about the MFF and motorcycle films in general speaks to you?

A: The MFF reminds me of the Sex Pistols…  they’re just doing whatever they want and that really resonates with me. They’re doing it the right way and with the right people.

Q: Possibly impossible question: Favorite bike movie?    

A: My favorite motorcycle movie is Motorcycle Diaries by Walter Salles. I saw this film just as I was getting back into riding. Anyone who has spent some serious time on a bike can appreciate that desire to take off in search of something.  It has everything, an amazing Norton, adventure, great cinema photography, beautiful soundtrack and social justice tied to the film, a great combination.

 

Q: What’s next for you as a filmmaker?

A: I just produced a multimedia iBook based on Rick that’s available on iTunes. The iBook features my film Black Kat, old photos and advice from Rick. See the book HERE



MFF at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show

December 16, 2013

This past weekend MFF was able to attend the Progressive International Motorcycle Show at the Javits Center in New York City. As a supporter of the 1st MFF, we were stoked to be able to get a crew together and return the good vibes.

1948 Velocette KTT MK VIII

We volunteered this year, as we do every year, at the NYCVinMoto booth. VinMoto is a free email list serve for vintage riders that we are members of and whole heartedly support. It’s a beacon of vintage iron amid a sea of cutting edge technology and it’s well worth stopping by to see the amazing bikes and meet the fantastic group of riders and volunteers that make up the community. This years line up was a collection of amazing singles, all owned and ridden by NYCVinMoto members, including a 1948 Velocette KTT MK VIII (pictured above). It is one of only 2 imported to the United States in ’48, was raced at Daytona in ’49, and is still flogged on the track today. Yowsa! Just to make sure we got the point across, we surrounded that amazing machine with a perfect Vincent Grey Flash replica, a plated and inspected 62 BMW R27, and an mostly restored but still mudded up ’66 Bultaco Matador.

Once our booth work was done, it was off to check out the current lines of a dozen or so motorcycle manufacturers. As always, it was great to see the manufacturers out in force with all their new toys. Strangely, somewhere in Jack’s film addled, North Brooklyn dwelling brain there is a craving for simple, reliable, fun transport with things like buttonstarts and flyscreens. Is sensibility the new black? 

While watching Corinna’s first attempt ever at getting on a modern sport bike might have been the best moment of the entire weekend. Ducati should change the name from Panigale to Gattino in honor of the cat-in-a-sweater uncomfortable wiggle manuever she used to get on this thing. Definitely a natural fit.

Corinna digging on the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer.

Back in her comfort zone on a Moto Guzzi V7 Special. Everyone at the VinMoto booth agreed that the V7 is a modern bike that even an avid vintage rider can get behind aesthetically. It features slim lines, spoked wheels, and a 70′s inspired tank. The Racer edition (pictured above) retains the spoked wheels, and general design, but incorporates a vintage inspired fairing, chrome tank, rear sets and upgraded suspension.

Strangely, the other bike that it seemed like everyone at the entire show agreed on was the Honda Grom. Seriously, this face is the standard issue for every single person who got on this bike. A 125cc hooligan machine with BMX wheels that you can pick up? Yes please.

Our friends at Union Garage had their first booth at Javits this year in collaboration with Bell Powersports and it was gorgeous.  Featuring several vintage italian bikes, fully restored by Moto Borgotaro. Union Garage is a gear supplier in Brooklyn dedicated to performance with style, and are currently taking orders on their fantastic  jacket made in collaboration with Vanson.

Friends and huge supporters of all motorcyclists, Indian Larry & Genuine Motorworks were there as well, with as always, an amazing line up of custom steel. New bikes still crafted in Brooklyn, as well as historic bikes on display, built by the one and only Indian Larry.

MFF at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show

Our friends at Zero Motorcycles were showing off some great new hardware. We were lucky enough to get a go on some of their machines at the festival and if you’ve never been on an electric bike you are seriously missing out. The acceleration on these things is addictive and charging around in stealth ninja mode gives serious doubts about the whole loud pipes things.

2013 MFF best feature documentary winner ‘Why We Ride‘ directed by Bryan H. Carroll, was representing strong all over the festival. If you have a chance to see this movie absolutely go, it’s a incredible exploration of all the things that make motorcycling so incredible.

Kevin Dunworth, of Loaded Gun Customs with his Bucephalus bike at the Triumph booth. This bike is the subject of the 2013 MFF official selection film ‘Loaded Gun Customs: Bucephalus Build‘, directed by Kyle Pahlow. And yes, Kevin is that tall in person, and yes,  the bike is actually that small.

One of the things that really blew us away about Triumph’s booth this year, and their whole attitude in general, was a consuming need to constantly innovate while remaining firmly grounded in previous achievements of the company. With the exception of 33 days, Triumph held the motorcycle land speed record from 1956-1970. The Gyronaut held that honor from 1966 to 1970, and the Castrol Rocket will be on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2014 attempting to break the 400mph barrier.

This insane machine piloted by Jason DiSalvo, leaves me no doubt that the 400mph mark is on it’s way and coming fast. Just to hammer the point home even harder, they brought the incredible Double Vision. A 1370cc twin pre-unit built by Tyler Malinky of Lowbrow Customs to race the flats as well. Tyler and Lowbrow are also the subject of the MFF 2013 Official Selection film ‘Salt Ghost: Return Of The Nitro Express‘.

See you next year IMS,

Corinna


Big News For Friends; Posters Now In Stock!

October 11, 2013

Last thursday, MFF 2013 Best Feature Documentary winner, ‘Why We Ride’ had it’s premier in California. Keep an eye on this film as it hits theaters this November. We’ll be there Nov 1st (opening night) at the Empire 25 in New York. See you there. Follow the film HERE

Once a week Adobe presents The Cutting Edge award to the project that best highlights the newest capabilities of the modern web. The Build won the Adobe contest the week of May 20th, 2013. Vote HERE for it to be Project Of The Year. Good luck guys!

Hand silk screened 22″ x 14″ 100cc French Paper prints of this years poster designed by artist Adam Nickel are now available for sale on the website. These are limited edition and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Get yours today! MFF STORE

Read all about Adam and the poster design HERE


MFF Final Day Recap

October 1, 2013

After a whirlwind of a week and a day to breathe, we’re finally down to the 3rd day recap. Saturday was by far our “most ambitious” day of the festival with 3 screenings, awards, and a party at 2 venues over the course of 13 hours.

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The day started with a breakfast screening of “I Ride a Triumph” and “The Salt Ghost: Return of the Nitro Express” at Over the Eight. Our weary, possibly slightly hungover attendees trickled in one by one to eventually pack the room and partake in some nutritious concoctions. We were super lucky to have filmmaker Kadshah Nagibe from “I Ride A Triumph” in attendance to answer a few questions about his film and making bike movies in general.

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After the screening our host Paul, knowing no limits to his boundless energy, absolutely gushed over our pal Greaser Mike‘s incredible Triumph.  I’d try to list all the insanity Mike’s packed into this bike but it’d take me 3 whole posts.  Let’s just sum it up as the world’s sickest pre-unit, 5 speed, 750 Triumph.  Just go to Greaser Mike’s Triumph, 5speed, 750, pre-unit build thread on ChopCult for the details

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Of course, at a motorcycle film festival there’s always gotta be one bike needing a bit of help to get on its way to the next screening… a few minutes later she was up and running again with some help from a few friends

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Then we threw filmmaker Eric Tretbar in the Ural and headed over to Saint Vitus for the 2 final screeenings, including his feature narrative, ‘Girl Meets Bike‘.

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Eric was joined by “Loaded Gun Customs: Bucephalus Build” filmmaker Kyle Pahlow for the screening and the post-show Q&A was fascinating.  Hearing both filmmakers rap about their very different experiences and reasons for making their films really added some perspective on just how varied and passionate the motorcycle filmmaking community is.

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(photo by JP, The Selvedge Yard)

After the packed final screening of “The Build” and “White Knuckle: The Story Of The Motorcycle Cannonball“, we had another great Q&A with White Knuckle filmmaker Brian Darwas and then it was on to the awards.

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We had the pleasure of handing out amazing trophies for our film categories provided by Biltwell and upholstered by our very own Corinna and Via Meccanica, the people’s choice and best in festival trophies made by 2nd Stroke Mopeds, and an extra special prize provided by Revzilla to some very deserving filmmakers.  Stay tuned for a post announcing all the winners!

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Then it was on to the party with MFF Award winning filmmaker Brian Darwas, and Scrapers.

And the ‘best damn punk rock band in Brooklyn,” Foster Care rocking a double drum assault for the first time ever.  With our friend Harry of Almost Ready Records spinning solid jams for the rest of the night, the 1st MFF closed out in style.