Bond on Cinema

Virginia Root's short DEAD WEIGHT: Surviving the End of the World Comes with an Unexpected Guest

My guest today is writer/director Virginia Root. 
In 2024, she won the George R.R. Martin Screenwriting Competition with her sci-fi pilot Deserters, received a grant from the non-profit New Mexico Writers, and became a Stowe Story Lab fellow in the New Mexico New Voices program. 
Virginia’s original pilot scripts, The Sisters Morrigan and Deserters, were second-round finalists at the Austin Film Festival in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
Virginia is a Telly Award-winning commercial director; the spot she wrote and directed for the New Mexico Summer Food Program was awarded a Silver Telly in 2025.
Her short film, DEAD WEIGHT, premieres at Dances with Films: this month in LA. And DEAD WEIGHT is our topic for discussion today and what a topic it is. 
Ladies and gentlemen, Grace (ALEXANDRA RENZO), a solo female backpacker, unwittingly survives an apocalyptic event while in the wilderness. She resolves to live out the rest of her days in peace until she encounters Aaron (GRIFFIN NEWMAN), a fellow survivor with a very different take on the end of the world.
DEAD WEIGHT is one of those few films in which it places the audience in the shoes of the characters. Yes, you will be thinking from the start, “What Would I Do?” - And that’s a great question to ask yourself. 
I hope the world doesn’t end with a nuclear blast or a plaque without a cure, but you should view DEAD WEIGHT with a positive mindset and even a bit of inspiration to toughen up. Learn how to stand on your own two feet. 
I know I view film much differently than my fellow critics, but films bring different outlooks and messages for the audience to ponder and DEAD WEIGHT does that. 
Virginia Root has brought us a bit of learning experience, but it also opens up more conversations about life and death, and what would you do to survive. 
Be on the lookout for DEAD WEIGHT on the film festival circuit and make sure you are seated in the theater to watch this film. Believe me, it’ll leave a lasting impression on you, just as it did me. 
#shortfilm #shortfilms #film #cinema #endoftheworld #apocalypse #survival #thriller #suspensethriller #cinematography #storytelling #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector  

Actress Arielle Bodenhausen Goes from Dancer to Actor in Hollywood

Actress and dancer Arielle Bodenhausen's Hollywood journey began through the art of dance. Originally from the Midwest, her passion for movement inspired a bold move to California, where she transitioned from dancer to actor.
Arielle began her acting career in a series of short films, which ultimately led to her breakout role as Wendy, a lead character in the feature film Roswell Delirium. She can also be seen in the latest season of Physical on Apple TV, and starred as Daniela in Disappearing Boy in 2024.
When she's not in front of the camera, Arielle continues to channel her creativity behind the scenes—producing and choreographing for TV, film, and music videos.
ROSWELL DELIRIUM is being relaunched and you can watch it now on Apple TV+ and Prime Video. ROSWELL DELIRIUM is based in the 1980s. The US is hit by a wave of nuclear attacks, and after the fallout those who remain pretend like everything is normal even though they are all experiencing radiation poisoning.
A young girl named Mayday tries to make contact on a series of ham radios with her father who is in space on a shuttle mission. Instead of making contact she receives a inter-galactic distress call from space that leads her on a journey to Spacerock, the land where Area 51 once was. For the rest of the story, watch the film.
#actor #actress #actorlife #acting #audition #selftapes #selftapeaudition #film #featurefilm #shortfilm #dancer #dance #choreographer #cinema #cinephile #roswell #area51 #roswelldelirium

Director Deborah Correa & Writer Ron Yungul discuss their new feature film THE WAR BETWEEN

THE WAR BETWEEN  is set in the Arizona Territory during the early days of the Civil War, THE WAR BETWEEN is a survival Western, that follows a Union soldier with no memory, a paroled Confederate private, and an exiled Chiricahua Apache as they navigate the unforgiving desert and confront the beliefs that divide them.
Many of you know that I love period films and heavily character-driven films and with THE WAR BETWEEN, we get both. 
Watching two men with opposing views, backgrounds is a tug-o-war happening in real time on screen. As each scene moves by, there are little subtle secrets that you have to find or they will be revealed to you later. This is the beauty of Ron Yungul’s storytelling and Deborah Correa’s directing. 
You can’t beat the backdrop of the beauty of the desert, a wide open space that becomes very small when we are solely focused on two characters who don’t like each, but deep down they need each other. 
Add the Chiricahua Apache Indian and you see the element of wisdom show up in flesh and blood. Amazing what one can learn from a passing stranger. 
When THE WAR BETWEEN becomes available to the public, you need to see it. Again, you can’t beat great storytelling and as I always say, we need more character-driven films and THE WAR BETWEEN checks off all the boxes.
#western #westernfilm #civilwarfilm #unionsoldier #confederatesoldier #apacheindians #film #cinema #bondoncinema #featurefilm #newfilm #filmfestival #filmmaking #screenwriter #filmmaker #filmdirector #filmproducer 

Filmmaker Aaron Lemle's Short BAT BOY: A Neuro-Divergent Teen Changes Hearts and a City

Ladies and gentlemen, Aaron Lemle’s BAT BOY is about Andre, a young man on the autism spectrum, is passionate about the bats that live in the highway underpass next to his house in East LA. When one day the bats go missing, he enlists the help of a jaded biologist to find out what happened.
I just fell in love with this film that I watched more than once. The emotion this film evokes is captured perfectly on film. You are taken for a literally walk in Andre’s shoes and you feel everything he is going through.
Actor Domonique Brown just draws you into his sense of wonder, his own battle, but he becomes a savior of sorts to not just the bats, but to those around him. Andre, brings understanding to Dr. Lee, to his grandmother and yes, one person can change a city.
BAT BOY clicks off all the boxes for me as a wonderful film. I can see this story being expanded to a feature film. Remember the film October Sky in 1999? BAT BOY brings that vibe to us in a short film.
Now a bit of education. Bats are often intentionally removed due to fear of disease transmission that has no scientific support. In the United States alone, state and local governments remove thousands of bats each year.
This misguided fear contributes to the unprecedented decline in bat species across the planet. For more information visit BatCon for Org. #shortfilm #shortfilms #bats #filmmaker #film #filmdirector #filmmaking #cinephile #cinema #bondoncinema #filmfestival

Queens of the Stone Age's Troy Van Leeuwen Talks Composing the Score for ROSWELL DELIRIUM Feature Film

Troy Van Leeuwen, a guitarist whose name is known by musicians across the globe.
He has appeared on the albums of many different bands, including Korn, Coal Chamber, Deadsy, and Crazy Town, when he was approached by Maynard James Keenan to join A Perfect Circle. 
Troy stayed with A Perfect Circle for an album and a half, Mer de Noms and Thirteenth Step, before taking the second guitarist position with Queens of the Stone Age on the Songs for the Deaf tour.
Troy is also a writer and film music composer. He composed the music for the feature sci-fi film ROSWELL DELIRIUM. He was a musician on A MINECRAFT MOVIE and has writer credits on ENTOURAGE, SAW II as well as CALIFORNICATION, ANTHONY BOURDAIN: PARTS UNKNOWN, PEAKY BLINDERS, BILLIONS AND THE GRAND TOUR to name a few. 
Ladies and gentlemen, ROSWELL DELIRIUM is being relaunched and you can watch it now on Apple TV+ and Prime Video. 
ROSWELL DELIRIUM is based in the 1980s. The US is hit by a wave of nuclear attacks, and after the fallout those who remain pretend like everything is normal even though they are all experiencing radiation poisoning. 
A young girl named Mayday tries to make contact on a series of ham radios with her father who is in space on a shuttle mission. Instead of making contact she receives a inter-galactic distress call from space that leads her on a journey to Spacerock, the land where Area 51 once was. 
For the rest of the story, watch the film now available on streaming! 
#queensofthestoneage #filmcomposer #filmscore #musicscore #film #rockmusic #scififilm #scifi #closeencounters #ET #roswell #area51 #nuclearblast #endoftheworld 

Director Brit Hensel's Short THIN PLACES: Exploring the Space Between Life and Death

Ladies and gentlemen, THIN PLACES is about Birdie’s sister Tama’s untimely passing. Birdie learns that the bond between them is stronger than life and death. In between states of memory and heartbreak, Tama and Birdie show how we can continue on in a different way if we are willing to listen.
I’ve done many interviews on the subject of grief. Talking with experts, but also many filmmakers. Brit Hensel’s THIN PLACES is one of the few films that captures loss, grief and love with a deep emotional and spiritual tone rarely captured on film. 
The perfect casting of Shelby Factor and Quannah Chasinghorse makes your believe they are truly sisters. 
The cinematography and the color palette play a vital role in this film and I wish more and more filmmakers will take some tips from this film. Sometimes a story is better told, when elements like camera movement, color and editing are elevated and treated like an invisible actor. 
THIN PLACES is a beautiful film that will reach into the audience’s heart and for some, it will bring understanding and healing. Knowing that the distance between life and death is closer than you think.
GUEST
Award-winning film director Brit Hensel  whose work has been featured at Sundance, imagineNATIVE, Hot Docs, and Full Frame. 
A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, she is the first female enrolled member of the tribe to direct a film selected by the Sundance Film Festival.
In 2021, Brit received four regional Emmy Awards for her work as a producer and director on the documentary series Osiyo: Voices of the Cherokee People. She also served as 2nd AC on the Emmy-nominated FX series Reservation Dogs. 
In 2022, her short film (What They’ve Been Taught) premiered at Sundance, was nominated for Best Short Documentary at the 38th IDA Documentary Awards.
#shortfilm #shortfilmes #film #cinema #native #imaginenative #filmfestival #grief #griefawareness #cinematography #cinephile #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #screenwriter #storytelling #emmyaward

Actor Mark Feuerstein Talks about his Role as Rabbi Mo in Guns & Moses

Actor Mark Feuerstein has had roles in What Women Want with Mel Gibson, Rules of Engagement with Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson as well as numerous television appearances. 
We are here to talk about his newest role as Rabbi Mo in the suspense thriller GUNS & MOSES, he’s carrying a Glock and lighting up more villains than the number of candles on a menorah.
Ladies and gentlemen, GUNS & MOSES is a suspense thriller with many twists and turns. There is plenty of firepower, but there is a much deeper meaning than Rabbi Mo with a Glock in his hand. This is a very human story of epic portions that every one needs to see.
GUNS & MOSES is a thrilling ride inspired by real events, and a powerful reminder that courage, faith, and unity can light the way forward.
GUNS & MOSES debuts in theaters nationwide on July 18th so buy your tickets now and grab your popcorn, candy and soda. Director Salvador Litvak is one who is making movies great again! 
So may I leave you with a line from GUNS & MOSES, “May God and Your Glock Protect You.”
#film #cinema #filmmaker #filmmaking #acting #actor #actorlife #melgibson #rabbi #bondoncinema

Pierre Rehov's Film Documentary POGROM(S): The Shocking Truth About Media Narratives on the Middle East

Join us for an insightful interview with Pierre Rehov, where we discuss his experiences as a journalist and filmmaker. He shares his thoughts on the Middle East and the challenges of journalism today. Rehov also shares behind-the-scenes stories from his career covering events such as islamic terrorism. My guest today is filmmaker Pierre Rehov. With more than 10 documentaries to his credit, Pierre made serious waves with his politically incorrect stance. Even though his work is sometimes accused of being one sided, it has been proven that all his films, are based on actual facts.Pierre experienced terrorism when he was seven years old. He and his family became a part of as many as one million French fleeing Algeria. He studied law in Paris, before becoming a journalist, mainly in the film industry. In January 2008, Pierre was embedded in the 4/1 US cavalry in Durah, where he filmed hours of dailies, showing the situation in Iraq from the field. Those images are part of his documentary The Path to Darkness.He recently directed the film Pogrom(s), a hard-hitting documentary on the atrocities of October 7 and their global aftermath. The film, now streaming on Apple TV and Tubi TV, has become a reference point for understanding the brutal reality behind the attacks.Ladies and gentlemen, Pierre Rehov’s documentary film POGROM(S) covers the atrocities of the October 7th massacre in Israel with real video and photos. This film comes with a warning due to those who lost their lives unnecessarily. The images are haunting. The level of hate is very hard for many people to understand and those supporting this level of hate are brainwashed and ignorant. Pierre Rehov brings something we don’t often see, historical facts and destroys the false narratives we are seeing in today’s media. PORGROM(S) is available now on AppleTV+ and TUBI TV.Join us for an insightful interview with Pierre Rehov, where we discuss his experiences as a journalist and filmmaker. He shares his thoughts on the Middle East and the challenges of journalism today. Rehov also shares behind-the-scenes stories from his career covering events such as islamic terrorism.
#filmdocumentary #film #filmmaking #cinema #investigation #investigativereporter #investigativereporting #israel #israelhamaswar #israelgazawar #hamas #fatah #middleast #propaganda #auschwitz #palestine #palestinians 

Director Paul Syrstad discusses the New Mini-series TESTAMENT: The Book of Acts in Modern Day

Ladies and gentlemen, Paul Syrstad’s TESTAMENT is the Book of Acts explosively reimagined in an alternate-modern era.
A resurrection sparks a movement that turns the world upside down, spreading hope amid chaos. As the followers risk everything to preach the Good News, the Temple races to silence them before the oppressive Imperium regime retaliates. But public miracles, unburied secrets, and fractured loyalties force both sides to confront the true cost of their choices.
As I said before, this streaming series left me speechless. Bible stories are usually told the same old way and I’ve always dreamed of either creating a series or someone creating a series of the Bible in modern day. We now live in a world of great diversity of cultures, races and beliefs.
What if the power of Holy Spirit touch a new multitude in a new upper room. What would happen today? Paul Syrstad brings forth a vision, again I thought I would never see, but actually done correctly and Biblically. Everyone needs to see TESTAMENT.
If you aren’t a believer that’s ok, watch anyway. Regardless if you believe or not believe you won’t be able stop watching, because TESTAMENT is incredible. The story, the acting, the spirit is so amazingly authentic.
#film #cinema #filmmaking #filmmaker #faith #inspiration #angelstudios #bookofacts #jesuschrist #faith #holyspirit #cinema #bondoncinema #cinephile #filmdirector #showrunner 

Filmmaker Brendan Devane's Horror Suspense Thriller THE SOUND: Film Discussion

His newest feature film, the terrifying horror thriller THE SOUND, where a group of top climbers are granted access to the Forbidden Wall, a mysterious rock wall previously closed for decades. What happens on that mountain, needs to stay on that mountain.
So let’s welcome filmmaker Brendan Devane and his new film THE SOUND to the show.
Ladies and gentlemen, THE SOUND is a suspense thriller doesn’t give you a moment of rest. A group of climbers embark on a dangerous climb that has been off-limits for over 60 years.
What initially begins as an audacious expedition transforms into a battle for survival against a force that toys with them, both physically and mentally. Brendan Devane’s film THE SOUND creates a perfect balance between the characters and the mountain.
The audience will be focused on the characters far more than the mountain, but the unknown force on the mountain is a constantly lurking. And you’ll be asking yourself, is it coming for the climbers or is it coming for me, and that’s what psychological thrillers are all about. THE SOUND is available video on demand on June 27th, so add this one to your list. You will not be disappointed.
#film #filmmaker #filmmaking #horrorfilm #suspensethriller #suspense #mountain #mountainclimber #mountainclimbing #cinema #bondoncinema #cinephile #filmproduction #skywalkerranch