Jan
14
10

Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way you expect

Sometimes life does not turn out the way you expect. When I look back, I realize that releasing my film wasn’t “supposed to be” like this. When I started making this film, I was told by those who have been through this process before to do the following:

  • Finish film
  • Go to big film festival, Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, Berlin
  • Get a big check from a distributor who will get your film out there
  • Make your next film

Well, what I actually found is that a lot has changed since September 2005 when, on a lark, I took a crew of 7 to Las Vegas to film the annual beer industry convention.

Sam Calagione, one of the “stars” of my film told a small crowd when he was in LA a recently: “Anat is like a craft brewer, she wants to get her film just right.”

True enough. I wanted to make the best possible film. But by taking my time, I also seemed to miss the “window” when documentary films were big news and were getting rich distribution deals.

But now that I’ve given up on that fantasy, the reality is actually more exciting. I get to make the decisions and shepherd my film without having “suits” make decisions for me.

This new world of bypassing the middleman is very exciting. I get to have real conversations with the audience, respond to your needs and make this whole process a lot more fun.

That’s why instead of putting up a static brochure site, I decided to launch a blog. Sure you can get lots of information on the film but I’m going to keep you in the loop so you can be part of the launch and rollout of the film. And the best part is that you can participate in the dialogue by providing your comments here and also on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

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10 Responses to “Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way you expect”

  1. Sarah says:
    February 23, 2009 at 3:06 PM

    It is very exciting Anat! Good luck in your adventure.

  2. josh says:
    February 27, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    without a distributor, how are you planning on releasing your movie? just interested in the process, as I am also a beer documentarian.

    thanks,
    josh

  3. Chris Bushman says:
    February 27, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    I just retired from the movie business after it being the family business for the last hundred years. Why didn’t I get to work on films as fun as this one seems to be?

    I don’t go to movies, but in the case of this one, I’ll make an exception!

    Very best of luck on your project.

  4. Anat says:
    February 28, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    Josh: I’m acting as my own distributor and releasing it as a special event on April 16th. This will allow people to see it in theatres across America on that one night.
    Check out: fathomevents.com for Beer Wars Live.

    Sarah and Chris: Thanks for the support. Please tell your friends.

  5. BOB PACYGA says:
    March 2, 2009 at 3:15 AM

    I love it! Looking forward to more.

  6. Michael Reinhardt says:
    March 2, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    By the way, I’m so glad that Sam is one of the stars of the movie. I can’t say enough about DogFish Head as a brewery. They are the most innovative and creative brewery right now. Hands down, one of the best breweries in the world.

  7. Michael says:
    March 24, 2009 at 7:21 AM

    I represent a craft beer distributor in Cleveland Ohio. Wew are looking to do a before and after event at a local brew pub. I want to know what beers/breweries will be represented in the movie so we can promote the beers we represent. For example we represent Brooklyn Brewery and Garrett Oliver spent 3 days in cleveland in February, so that would be a beer we would promote.
    Thanks
    Mike

  8. Dan says:
    March 26, 2009 at 10:55 AM

    Ben Stein? Ben Stein? Expelled Ben Stein? I would camp out overnite to see this if he wasn’t in it. The guys a dishonest hack. What a joke.

  9. How to Get Six Pack Fast says:
    April 15, 2009 at 8:04 AM

    This is very up-to-date info. I think I’ll share it on Delicious.

  10. Jane Goody says:
    April 22, 2009 at 12:10 AM

    This is quite a hot information. I think I’ll share it on Twitter.

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Oenophiles have SIDEWAYS and BOTTLE SHOCK; now their beer-loving counterparts can claim a film as their own.
- Rotten Tomatoes
A David and Goliath story pitting the country's smallest brewers against the largest.
- CNN
Beer Wars: Brewed in America, is an eye-opening, funny and righteosly infuriating documentary by first-time filmaker Anat Baron. Her film (think of it as Suds: A Love Story) is also a pretty damning idictment of not just the beer industry but contemporary unfettered unregulated capitalism's disturbing excesses.
- Box Office Magazine
In Beer Wars, entrepreneurialism and opportunity go awry when tainted by greed and a thirst for power.
- Los Angeles Times
Beer Wars certainly raises some interesting questions, the most potent of which is, is this what capitalism is meant to be?
- New Times
For those who are keeping the American dream alive, this spirited documentary raises a toast.
- St Louis Post-Dispatch
A trenchant analysis unapologetic in its rebuke of Big Beer, Beer Wars is heartily recommended for patrons already inclined to opt for the local brew at every tap. It will also appeal to patrons interested in craft foods as well as homebrewed beer and wine and others particular about quality.
- Library Journal