Little Athens

As I wait for tonight's new episode of LOST to begin I'm already worried about what to do after next week's episode and the 5 week hiatus before any new episodes. Lucky for you I have a great suggestion. I recommend you watch the 2005 film LITTLE ATHENS featuring Jorge Garcia. The film was an official selection at Cinevegas and AFI FEST. Here is what I said about it back then:

Athens, Arizona, is not exactly the cradle of civilization. Instead, it’s a town populated by young men and women struggling in an environment with limited options. They are pool cleaners, EMTs, tow truck drivers and pizza delivery boys. Writer/director Tom Zuber turns a deliberate eye on this world and illuminates beauties and horrors that lurk under contemporary society’s shadow.

Life in the Midwest is generally understood to be not the most exciting thing in the world. And sex and drugs are the two most common solutions to this problem. However, this is far from a drug-fueled teen sex comedy. Instead, the filmmakers approach this subject matter with a much more artful eye, reminiscent of the best American independent filmmakers.

Zuber’s languorous sun-soaked tale follows half a dozen kids as they navigate through a day in Athens. It is a town that has little bits of violence and disease, little signs of human decay. In other words, it’s incredibly similar to the world you live in right now.

Put it on your Netflix queue now and it will be here in time for the hiatus!