DAMMIT

Here it is, the promised post, mere hours after the original, and even this several hours after actually receiving the stuff. Let it be known throughout the land that Alex sent me his FAQ (which will go on bleachfilm.com tomorrow afternoon, since I'm tired as hell), while Aneta has yet to send me the promotion pics (EDIT: I feel bad now, apparently Aneta's computer was KIA). Ha, only kidding, there's obviously a reason (despite the fact that you have no classes yet =P), so I ain't judging (especially since my cast essay should've been done weeks ago); I'm not trying to be an ass, I swear. Anyway, this here document is what you really wanted anyway, right? Brain-food, not eye-candy?

...DAMMIT!

Anyway, here, have some facts. Enjoy.

THE TOP TEN MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF ALEX YAN ABOUT “DON’T DRINK THE BLEACH”

1. THE AGE OF THE ACTORS YOU USED HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF SOME CONTROVERSY. HOW HAS THIS AFFECTED YOUR WORK ON THE MOVIE?
Well, it’s pretty obvious that this film was made by a bunch of angry teenagers, and with angry teenagers comes the societal belief that teenagers shouldn’t be involved in anything dangerous or explicit. While this is true to an extent, people don’t seem to understand that this movie only simulates dangerous/explicit situations, and posed no threat at all to the safety of the actors. Still, whenever you have a movie with uncomfortable situations involving teenagers, people will always have problems with you.

2. DO YOU HAVE ANY FEARS PENDING THIS FILM'S RELEASE?
It’s a major fear of mine that some people will try to stop me from releasing it. Due to the somewhat graphic nature of the film (or at least the perceived graphic nature), we’ve had some issues with release forms as well as numerous debates over what footage I can and cannot use. I’m not talking about any issues with the actors, however; they were all very understanding. Some other people, however, have gotten themselves involved and are posing some troubling questions. While I think the movie is telling an important story, some people in the production can’t seem to look past the surface.

3. I'VE HEARD RUMORS THAT ACTUAL DRUGS WERE USED BY THE CAST DURING THE SCENES WHERE MARIJUANA AND HEROIN ARE TAKEN BY THE MAIN CHARACTERS. IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THIS?
I love these rumors. Of course they’re untrue! Where would I get heroin? Again, this goes back to the concerns over the age of the actors. These rumors are sensationalist, and possess little substance or basis in fact.

4. WHAT ABOUT SEXUAL EXPLICITNESS? HOW FAR HAVE YOU PUSHED IT DUE TO THE UNDERAGE ACTRESSES?
There has been a lot of talk over this as well, and it is important that we all be objective and mature about this content. While I personally think the sexual explicitness is rather tame by today’s standards, the age issue has again come into question. However, while a lot of footage was shot, only the takes that were legally usable appear in the film.

5. IF THE MPAA WERE TO RATE THIS FILM, WHAT WOULD THEY RATE IT AND WHY?
I have neither the respect nor the money to have this film rated by the MPAA, but if they were to evaluate it, I’m sure it would obtain at least an R-Rating, due to the smoking, profanity, violence, sexuality and disturbing content. However, it is my intention, at least for the moment, to keep this film unrated, with a noticeable warning to inform any sensitive viewers of the content.

6. JUST WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES THIS MOVIE THE HEAD-TRIP YOU CLAIM IT TO BE?
Well, head-trip may be the wrong word, but watching this movie will definitely be a strange experience. The story line includes, among other things, a rape, an abortion, the dismembering of a person’s tongue with a pair of scissors, multiple occasions of drug use, a montage of various sexual encounters, and a profanity-laden rant delivered by a would-be religious activist. You know. The usual stuff.

7. YOU'VE CLAIMED THERE'S BEEN AN ISSUE OF CREDIT ON THIS FILM. WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT?
Well, I’ve been credited as the director due to my handling of the technical aspect, but Aneta Klusak, the writer and lead actress, was heavily involved with the production as well. In fact, it was about a fifty-fifty effort between the two of us, so much so that you never see just one of our names in the credits at any time; we are always credited together. Even though there was a definite division of labor (she handled the creative aspect while I handled the technical), it really was a mutual effort, and we hope that people will understand that.

8. WHAT IS IT YOU FEEL SETS BLEACH APART FROM OTHER INDIE FILMS MAKING THE FESTIVAL TOUR?
Well, the age of the creators, for one. As I’ve said, almost no one involved in the production of this film was over the age of nineteen. However, I hope this doesn’t hurt us by denoting a sense of non-professionalism. Also, the fact that the entire movie was shot on low-grade Digital Video is something that will also make it stand out, for better or for worse. Not very many narrative filmmakers do this, and it is more or less unthinkable in today’s movie industry.

9. DO YOU BELIEVE LOW-QUALITY DIGITAL VIDEO TO BE A LEGITIMATE STORYTELLING MEDIUM?
Absolutely, as long as you understand what digital video can and cannot do. It’s an inherently rough, edgy medium, and the quality is nowhere near high-definition. However, as long as the movie-maker understands the limitations, DV can absolutely be used to tell a story, and, with some stories, may be the only medium that should be used.

10. THE NARRATIVE STYLE OF THIS MOVIE IS VERY UNUSUAL, AND IS SOMETHING THAT HASN'T REALLY BEEN SEEN BEFORE. DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THE STORY?
It’s difficult to say. We try to respect our audience’s intelligence, but the film is knowingly confusing. It’s not blatantly weird for the sake of weird, but it is rather cyclical and even paradoxical at times. So, my statement on the movie is this: The first time you watch it, it will seem like chaos on film; a mass of unintelligible images and sounds. The second time you watch it, it will still seem that way. On a third viewing, however, it should all click for you, and make perfect sense. At least, it will if you’ve been paying attention. However, unlike other films of this nature, there is an answer to the puzzle. I guarantee you that.

-AY

There you have it, the man, the myth, the Chinaman in all his glory. Interesting tidbit: final (and this time we really mean FINAL, no if's, and's or but's) cut is happening RIGHT NOW. History is being made in a hotel in Massachusetts as you sit and stare at your computer screen. How does that make you feel?