September 5, 2014
by Motorcycle Film Festival | Sep 5, 2014 | Uncategorized |
“It’s a free road.”
In the 1992 film Roadside Prophets Joe Mosely (X man John Doe) road trips to El Dorado on a ‘57 Harley-Davidson FL Hydra Glide with the ashes of his new found friend in a ’65 Electra Glide tank. Along the way he picks up Sam (Beastie Boy Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz) riding a mysterious Triumph. As he tells Joe, “I wasn’t too sure about this bike. You know? I mean, it looks kind of fucked up, not all cherry like yours, but it’s tight man. It’s tight! Man, it’s great. Power. Freedom. First bike I’ve ever owned. It’s perfect.” We also get appearances from Timothy Leary, Arlo Guthrie, John Cusack, and Don Cheadle. Though, one of the biggest debates on the interwebs is: What kind of Bonne is that? In the film it’s called a ’68 Bonneville, but as many point out it has a rear disc brake of the T140, which appeared in ’75, but before the air cover change in ’78. Writer goof, forgotten line, ad lib? Regardless it has some great bikes and an epic road trip. Director and writer by Abbe Wool (co-wrote Sid & Nancy) delivers one of the best two-line exchanges ever: Caspar (John Cusack) asks, “So what do you guys do?” Sam’s answer, “We ride.”
September 4, 2014
by Motorcycle Film Festival | Sep 4, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Lorenzo photo by Laure Fourcade
The 2014 Motorcycle Film Festival poster is brought to us by Lorenzo H-E Eroticolor Pictures. Based in Paris, the international artist has quite an eye for color and line. The extremely prolific artist took a break from his frantic schedule to speak with us.
Hi Lorenzo. Motorcycles are seen as powerful machines as well as beautiful art. When did you get excited by the art of motorcycles?
A long time ago, in a place far from civilization, lost in the confines of the North. It was at a weird family funeral, when suddenly the thunder of a flat twin appeared in a dirty cloud of smoke. The smell of burnt oil filled the air and a raven flying overhead darkened the heavens. A mysterious ghost-like figure, in black leather, appeared riding a used up R69S: a man of no age, covered in dust, his face sharp like a knife … a stateless, nameless man. I have the blood of this man inside me – we come from the darkest forests, and we ride in loneliness… For the rest of the story you’ll have to read my book Aristocratic Motorcyclist.
In fact, you have two themes in your work: Motorcycles and Erotica. Why those two subjects?
That’s not entirely the case: I actually have more. But erotica is the way I see and desire my world and motorcycles are what I need to stay among humans.
Your art combines image, illustration, typography… tell us about your influences.
I’m a solitary man, an old-fashioned character with this impossible hope of being the worthy heir of those who went before me. I have this secret fantasy of being the last of these men – the Lords of the Land of Phantoms… I believe in the Spirit’s power. I have never stopped following the road they travelled before me. (It would be rude to give you a list of names; they deserve so much more.)
Actually, inspiration can just as easily come from books – and movies. Or that perfect ray of light, cutting through the lost world. Whatever works!
Do you start with an idea or develop it by drawing? Tell us about your process.
Perhaps you have noticed that I always have a story to tell? In fact, I just draw my reality. I don’t try to concoct something fashionable or spectacular: I just try and invite people into my world.
I aim to build a work of art, something that will always remain. This work is not aimed at anyone or any particular moment in time. I don’t draw just for drawing sake – I’m done with that. I follow my desire and in turn tell you to follow me.
I’m just at the beginning, even if it’s the result of 30 years of work.
Posters are so simple and effective. In the past, manufacturers (and auto racing) only used poster art. Not so much today. Do you think the art of posters will make a comeback?
Unfortunately, my magical powers don’t extend to me being a diviner of what drives marketing’s sharks, but I work hard towards it, believe me. Maybe the art of the poster has metamorphosed into just art? Perhaps the marketing world is ruled by people without memories – do you think we can build anything without looking at the past? I don’t.
We’ve spotted several cafe racers and vintage racing motorcycles in your art. What do you ride and what is your favorite motorcycle?
I’ve had the pleasure of working for several magazines and doing some wonderful road trips on all kinds of motorcycles. My favorite is mine – a 1968 Bitza 900 R/5 BMW. But I confess that my most erotic souvenir is my Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000, turned into an evil cafe racer.
How did you get involved with the Motorcycle Film Festival?
The organizers of the festival discovered my work at the Oil & Ink poster expo in Brooklyn and presented me with the great honor of designing the 2014 MFF poster.
What is your favorite motorcycle film?
The one that hasn’t been made yet.
Check out Lorenzo’s work at: www.lorenzo-eroticolor.com and www.aristocraticmotorcyclist.tumblr.com.
August 29, 2014
by Motorcycle Film Festival | Aug 29, 2014 | Uncategorized |
“…than some people live in a lifetime.” – Burt Munro. Photo: Anthony Hopkins as Burt Munro in “The World’s Fastest Indian”
In honor of Motorcycle Speed Trials (sadly cancelled this year due to flooding) at Bonneville, lids off to this 9-year old classic. Full of great writing, Sir Anthony Hopkins delivers an unbeatable performance in this biopic. New Zealander Burt Munro spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle and took it to the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967 to set the land-speed world record. That’s the thread that holds together a series of great encounters and characters. Thank you Roger Donaldson for bringing this story from the salt flats to the silver screen.
August 22, 2014
by Motorcycle Film Festival | Aug 22, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Goose’s Kwaku has inspired countless imitations of the KZ1000.
Though it had its US premier in Seguin, Texas two months before it’s native Australia, Mad Max, a MFF favorite, grew to become a worldwide phenomenon. The film was shot in 12 weeks, on a meager $350,000 budget, in and around Melbourne. After the shooting was completed, many of the film’s bikers kept the 14 donated bikes that appear in the movie. The Kawasaki KZ1000s were modified by long-gone Melbourne builder La Parisienne – one as Goose’s MFP bike and the rest for the Toecutter’s gang…and yes Hugh Keays-Byrne, the Toecutter, is a classically-trained Shakespearean stage actor. Hard to believe Mad Max debuted 35 years ago.
August 20, 2014
by Motorcycle Film Festival | Aug 20, 2014 | Uncategorized |
On July 28 in 1971, director Bruce Brown’s motorcycle classic On Any Sunday made its premier. The film follows the racers who built bikes in their garages, hauled them in their vans to the weekend races, then returned to their day jobs Monday morning. A slice of true ’70s dirt racing. Hope your weekend had some good riding, and here’s to looking forward to next weekend. To get you through, here is some excellent reading at Motorcyclist on the film’s fortieth anniversary. Cine Meccanica will be screening On Any Sunday tonight, August 20.
August 7, 2014
by Motorcycle Film Festival | Aug 7, 2014 | Uncategorized |
“… but has a chin strap”
So says Angie, played by Christine Forrest, the head mechanic for the troupe in Knightriders (1981). Better known for his zombie Dead series, George Romero brought us this instant classic of medieval mechanical times. Ed Harris stars as Billy, the king leader of a rag tag group of renaissance faire carnies. Dressed in tights and armor, their faithful steeds are…yes, motorcycles. King Billy rides a Honda CBX1000 and the Morgan the Black Knight played by the multi-talented Tom Savini, and his cadre mount nimbler Honda XL500 on the joust field. ‘Tis the season for Ren Faires, but I’ll doubt you’ll find one quite like this.
