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Apr
12
20

The End of the Beginning

I’m on a plane to New York to promote the event (which is only 4 days away) on television. I’ve waited a long time for this moment and I’m trying to take it all in.

This adventure began in September 2005 and will culminate on April 16th, 2009. It’s been a long journey on so many levels. Personally, I’m celebrating completing and releasing a feature length independent film. Not a small feat in today’s crowded market. Professionally, I’m hoping that audiences show up to see it. As a filmmaker, that’s the holy grail. We make films because we have something to say, a story that must be told. And after the filming and editing and endless rough cut screenings, we want to share it with the world. Read the rest of this entry »

FILED UNDER: General
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Apr
9
10

The good, the bad and the ugly

I’ve been getting lots of emails and press clips. And people have a lot of opinions. Some pretty negative. Which is especially surprising since no one has seen the film. I mean, not even my mother. I’ve developed fairly thick skin but it’s always nice to hear something positive. Especially when it’s unsolicited. So it was great to get the following email today from someone named Brandon:

Now why would I want to pay $15 to go sit in a movie theater to watch a film about people brewing and drinking beer??? Why? Because I LOVE BEER!!!! Site looks excellent, can’t wait to see this next Thursday!!

FILED UNDER: General
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Feb
28
1

Humbled and thrilled

I am humbled and thrilled by the response to the launch of the website. We have not formally announced (that’s coming next week) and we’re already being blogged about. You have to love the power of the web. And the passion of craft beer drinkers. What’s most exciting is the enthusiasm coming through emails and tweets of people offering to spread the word. So please, if you watch the trailer and know people who may be interested in the film and the event, get the word out.

FILED UNDER: General
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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.

FILED UNDER: General
Comment
Next
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 righteously infuriating documentary by first-time filmmaker Anat Baron. Her film (think of it as Suds: A Love Story) is also a pretty damning indictment 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