Aaron Katz: Dance Party, USA

Dance Party, USA, a film on typical American teenagers, whose world revolves around sex, alcohol and… sex, was screened in Kinodvor on Thursday evening. Young American director Aaron Katz wrote the script already during his student days at the North Carolina School of the Arts and shot the film on locations in Portland, Oregon, where he used to live. The female lead was portrayed by Katz’s high school coed, while the producer and members of the technical team were cast in some supporting roles. Some of the takes were shot at his grandfather’s house, and the Independence Day party was thrown at the Katz’ science professor’s house. He more or less successfully endeavoured to create authentic, real-life setting where the actors could spontaneously interact with each other. For a meagre 3000 dollars Katz made an utterly realistic, straightforward and candid film, little short of documentary, lacking any kind of anesthetising, and sporting exceptional non-verbal dialogues.  

The film received a favourable response. Katz also mentioned his film-in-the-making, The Quiet City, to be released in January next year in the USA, while the Slovenian film buffs will most probably have to wait for it until the next Liffe. 

Those of you who have not yet seen Dance Party, USA are kindly invited to do so on 16 or 18 November.

Barbara Spreiz