YHMF makes Indiwire list for top 10 unistributed films

Eric Kohn
Senior Editor / Chief Film Critic, Indiewire

Off the top off my head, I can think of two movies I neglected to put on my top 10 list for 2011, and they couldn't be more dissimilar. Federico Veiroj's paean to cinephilia, "A Useful Life," and the vibrant homage to '80's blockbusters and the power of the green screen, "Manborg." But these omissions are neither here nor there. I was lucky enough to sing the praises of both films at different times of the year. So: Let's get to the movies that made the cut.

My top 10 list provided an opportunity consider the movies I kept thinking about throughout the year, and that spoke to me at the precise moment when I chose to narrow down the candidates. "Melancholia" took the top spot partly because it allowed me to experience emotions as narrative in a way I had never encountered before (which is part of driving engine for the constant "Tree of Life" love), but I'll admit it also had something to do the climate surrounding the movie that routinely gave it a starring role in various conversations I've had with people since I saw the movie at Cannes in May. Maybe I've fallen for the marketplace pressures Karen Durbin touched on during last week's Critical Consensus column when she confessed to dropping "Punch-Drunk Love" from her list 10 years ago in favor of "Adaptation."

But if "Melancholia" is overrated, so are top 10 lists. Here are a two of mine: My conventional top 10 and a list of undistributed films.

Best Films of 2011

1. "Melancholia"
2. "Meek's Cutoff"
3. "Le Havre"
4. "Take Shelter"
5. "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives"
6. "Beginners"
7. "A Separation"
8. "Cold Weather"
9. "Le Quattro Volte"
10. "Nostalgia for the Light"

Best Undistributed Films

1. "Hanaan"
2. "You Hurt My Feelings"
3. "The Color Wheel"
4. "Without"
5. "Policeman"
6. "Oslo, August 31st"
7. "Seeking the Monkey King"
8. "How to Cheat"
9. "Best Intentions"
10. "Dark Horse"

Next YHMF Screening in Wilmington, NC 11/12/11

YHMF is showing Saturday, November 12th at the Cucalorus film festival.  Their site has more info here.

Review in from Viennale

 This was quickly translated from German by the reviewer.  Translation bumps and all,  I thought it captured the film nicely.  

 Review from Pia Reiser of FM4 in Austria
He is more than happy to see so many people at  the 11'o'clock screening of "You hurt my feelings" at the Uraniakino in Vienna, says director Steve Collins and continues to describe it as a heartwarming experience, especially when considering that it is very hard to get people in the United States to an early film screening.

I love going to the movies before midday, head and mind are still fresh and the film is free from the burden to be some kind of evening entertainment.
John ( (John Merriman)  is in his thirties, looking into the world with soft yet sad eyes. He stumps through the snow, walking a dog while carrying a baby (or the other way round). "You're hurting my feelings", says Lily, who walks in front of him. And keeps repeating it. Lily is about three years old and the most eloquent one in this film, where people don't really talk much. John who slightly resembles Zach Galifianakis when wearing a beard and reminds me of Rainn Wilson, when shaved, works as a Nanny for a working single Mum of two girls. He is caring, but lethargic. With his work as nanny he wants to prove to his ex-girlfriend Courtney (Courtney Davis), that he is capable of taking responsibilitiy. Things get slighty akward, when Courtney's new boyfriend Macon (Macon Blair) believes to have found "a real buddy" in sceptic looking John.


People in their thirties who seem to be lost, who drift through the day, the night and life and have slight propblems of coping with the challenges of everyday life can be found in countless (american) films. Collins' film stands out, because instead of wisecracking indie-yackety-yak, there's silence. Or only snippets of dialogue. The scenes never aim at a punch line or a climax. We fall into scenes and out o them. Sometimes dramatic things are left out and we are confronted with the outcome right away.

While the seasons change and the camera from Jeremy Saulnier clings to blossoming magnolia trees or a frozen sea, there are hardly any changes in John's life. He does not have control over his life, most of the time, he does not even have control over the two girls, he's supposed to take care of.
With the repetition of motifs or even scenes, Collins weaves humour into his floating, melancholic film.
"You hurt my feelings" is a film that demands your attention and your patience and that unfolds beautifully on the big screen. Being moved and impressed by the tender story that develops so much impact on the big screen, "You hurt my feelings" becomes a a reminder of the power of cinema. And the fifth day of the Viennale has only just begun.

Austin 360 Review

Very nice review of YHMF here

John Merriman interview

Slackerwood interviews YHMF star John Merriman.  Check it out here.

SLACKERWOOD INTERVIEW

Here's an interview with the very supportive folks at Slackerwood.

YHMF Selling Out in Vienna - not sure why

Viennese fans - we are sold out for the first show of the Viennale.
Tickets for the second show available here

23.10.2011	20:30	Stadtkino	Sold out
24.10.2011	11:00	Urania	Ticket

YHMF AT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING TIMES

10/20/11 Thursday 9:30pm at the Texas Spirit Theater
10/25/11 Tuesday 10:15pm at the Texas Spirit Theater
 Tickets for non-badge holders available at box office 15 minutes before showtime.

SMELLS LIKE SCREEN SPIRIT REVIEW OF YHMF

Another nice review of the film here.

Wesleyan Argus on YHMF

Here's a nice article on the film by a young whipper-snapper reporter from Wesleyan University

Steve Collins' muse John Merriman does stand up.

This is  brilliant and I plan to write this character into something.

Two More Festivals

YHMF will be playing at the Viennale in Austria and in the Austin Film festival in October.  Stay tuned for more details.

"You Hurt my Feelings" plays Cucalorus

If you're going to be in Wilmington, North Carolina, be sure to catch You Hurt My Feelings playing at the Cucalorus film festival from November 12th-13th.  More info here.

SLEEP STUDY IS FUNNY

YOU HURT MY FEELINGS star John Merriman along with Kerri Lendo in SLEEP STUDY on Huffington Post!

Click here.

Indiewire profile

There's a short interview and profile of the film here.

ScriptLab Review of YHMF

Another nice review here

Great Variety review for YHMF

Read the variety review here.

First Review out on You Hurt my Feelings Premiere

Great Review at Hammer to Nail.

Sundance Channel is Screening Gretchen in June

Here are your upcomming chances to see Steve Collins' Gretchen

New Collins short - J.P.B.F. on Funny or Die

 This is a short that features butt humor.  Watch here.

New Steve Collins short at Rooftop films in NYC

On Thursday, May 26th. Rooftop will be playing "J.P.B.F" a short comedy by Steve Collins featuring"You Hurt my Feelings" stars John Merriman and Courtney Davis.  Info and Tickets here

Collins Short featured on Film Independent

"Ballad of Courtney and James" is about love and Abraham Lincoln - see it at Film Independent here.

Non-sequitur image - Gretchen, Herb and their stand-ins.

"You Hurt My Feelings" in competion at LA film festival!

Courtney Davis and Violet Collins in "You Hurt my Feelings"

You hurt my feelings in competition at the LA Film Festival.