Friend of Rowthree, Documentary film writer and co-podcaster, Jay Cheel has been entertaining the blogosphere for years with the FilmJunk podcast as well as short films starring the eccentric Reed Farrington, Video Game faux-docs, and Mario Bava inspired horror shorts. He has stepped up to the territory of feature documentary filmmaking with Beauty Day.
Before Johnny Knoxville and the Jackass crew were were risking their lives, and common decency for the sake of your entertainment, before Tom Green made an ass of himself in public for shits and giggles, there was Ralph Zavadil, a resident of St. Catherines, Ontario (Canada) that used to broadcast his dangerous and highly amusing stunts and general mayhem on the local community access channel, in the guise of his alter-ego, Cap’n Video. Cheel has turned the trials and tribulations of Zavadil into a feature documentary that captures Cap’n Video 15 years later against the backdrop of his famous shows, including a ‘neck-breaking’ pool jump, skiing off his roof and lighting his face on fire amongst other things. Beauty Day will be screening at the Museum of Modern Art on Sunday March 20th (and a follow-up screening on the 21st) before hitting the festival circuit, and a Canadian Theatrical release this spring. But for now, enjoy Ralph doing what he does best, lighting stuff on fire, casually dropping F-Bombs, and delightfully wrecking stuff! Cheel has an eye for wide-screen cinematography, and a love for John Carpenter, Errol Morris and Werner Herzog , so there is no doubt that this will be gorgeous on the big screen.
After a serious on-camera accident and a controversial Easter episode, the Cap’n was pulled from the airwaves and eventually faded away into community cable obscurity. Now, fifteen years later, Ralph has decided to revisit the Cap’n in celebration of the 20th birthday of the creation of the character. With the help of his best friend Robert, he’ll attempt to get back on the air one last time and give the Cap’n the send off he deserves. In the process, we revisit all of the ups and downs in Ralph’s life and learn that those who are truly passionate about their art always manage to find an outlet and surround themselves with like minded, creative people.
The trailer is tucked under the seat.
This is some documentary quality, I’d say this is not in the level of Discovery channel nor History channel. This is propper BBC “Horizon”, but better.
Wish I could go to NYC to see this in March. Cant wait til it plays in Chicago. Definitely my most-anticipated release of 2011 now
I’m sure Xan will be working hard to get this to Chicago ASAP. Worst case scenario, you can always come watch it at the Flyway Film Festival later this year.
Thanks Kurt!!
Looks awesome Jay – nice job! Make sure you bring it to the UK. There’s a prestigious doc festival in Sheffield every year that you should go for – http://sheffdocfest.com/ – submissions are closed for 2011 now though.
This just goes to prove that old saying ‘the original is always the best!’ I always thought the JackAss crew were the originators of this type of entertainment, obviously not. Looks like a brilliant doco! Great to see this guy back on his feet after such a horrific accident.
Gorgeous.
This looks incredible!
I have seen a rough cut and can attest that to at least what I have seen the documentary is great, and while comparable thematically to Winnebago Man it is a far superior film.
Ive gone back to rewatch this a couple times and every time I end up watching it 2-3 times instead of just once. it also made me get this Dan Deacon album and finally check the lyrics.
Big Carrot Throne, huh. What does it mean? DEAR LORD WHAT DOES IT MEAN!
I’ve seen a few screeners from Hot Docs so far, but nothing comes close to Beauty Day yet. It’s not just the crazy goofy stuff or how much you end up liking the people on screen and wanting to spend more time with them, but there’s a very high level of filmmaking going on here – terrific cinematography and attention to little details. I’ve said it elsewhere, but I don’t think I’ll see anything better at Hot Docs the entire festival.
Somebody should be reviewing BD. I guess the local Toronto folks are Embargoed by VKPR until the fest starts on April 28…
There is not a doubt in my mind that Beauty Day is the best film at the fest this year. Although I was deeply engaged with Resurrect Dead.
Well, I’m certainly going to review it…I wasn’t notified of any particular embargoes, so I’m actually hoping to get something up about it before the fest starts. Unless Jay chimes in to tell me otherwise that is…
It’s certainly great to hear people I respect saying such great things about the film! Bob, I don’t know anything about the embargoes so I don’t see any problems with writing a review. Look forward to reading it!
I really hope when the TO alt weeklies send their people around to review it, NOW doesn’t send Susan G Cole. Worst reviewer in the city, possibly Canada. She is the type that will upon the chocolate syrup scene just decide the film is promoting such behavior and give it 0 stars. This is the dumb shit she does.