SFFS Documentary Film Fund Winner: Narco Cultura
dir Shaul Schwarz
prod Lars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy
$20,000 for postproduction, 2012
THE FILM
Narco Cultura explores the phenomenon of narco culture in North America through the personal stories of those entangled in the drug wars - from cartel-sponsored musicians and filmmakers, to a head crime scene investigator collecting bodies on the murderous streets of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
THE FILMMAKERS
Producing partners Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy met in 2000 while working for Oscar-winning producer Scott Rudin. In 2004, they established Parts & Labor, an independent production company dedicated to director-driven, collaborative filmmaking. They have since gone on to produce over 15 films, including Mike Mills' Beginners (for which Christopher Plummer recently won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), Ira Sachs' Keep the Lights On, Julia Loktev's The Loneliest Planet, Braden King's Here, Cam Archer's Shit Year, Aaron Katz's Cold Weather, David Barker's Daylight, Nik Fackler's Lovely Still, Kelly Reichardt's Old Joy and many more.
Parts & Labor is currently in post-production on photojournalist Shaul Schwarz’s documentary Narco Cultura and Andrew Dosunmu's second feature Ma' George. Robinson Devor's You Can't Win starring Michael Pitt is currently filming in Washington State, and David Lowery's film Ain't Them Bodies Saints is slated to begin production later this summer.
Director Shaul Schwarz has been working in Juarez for several years as a photojournalist covering the drug wars, and began developing his work into a documentary in 2009/2010. Producers Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen of Parts & Labor (see above bio) came onto the project in the fall of 2010. Shaul has been traveling and shooting with only one other person - Juan Bertran. Juan is technically the sound recordist, but has also become Shaul's right hand during production. Editors Bryan Chang and Jay Sterrenberg of Meerkat Media have also been involved in the film since 2010, creating a trailer and rough assemblies of scenes as Shaul continues to shoot. They recently finished a first rough assembly of the entire film.
prod Lars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy
$20,000 for postproduction, 2012
THE FILM
Narco Cultura explores the phenomenon of narco culture in North America through the personal stories of those entangled in the drug wars - from cartel-sponsored musicians and filmmakers, to a head crime scene investigator collecting bodies on the murderous streets of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
THE FILMMAKERS
Producing partners Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy met in 2000 while working for Oscar-winning producer Scott Rudin. In 2004, they established Parts & Labor, an independent production company dedicated to director-driven, collaborative filmmaking. They have since gone on to produce over 15 films, including Mike Mills' Beginners (for which Christopher Plummer recently won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), Ira Sachs' Keep the Lights On, Julia Loktev's The Loneliest Planet, Braden King's Here, Cam Archer's Shit Year, Aaron Katz's Cold Weather, David Barker's Daylight, Nik Fackler's Lovely Still, Kelly Reichardt's Old Joy and many more.
Parts & Labor is currently in post-production on photojournalist Shaul Schwarz’s documentary Narco Cultura and Andrew Dosunmu's second feature Ma' George. Robinson Devor's You Can't Win starring Michael Pitt is currently filming in Washington State, and David Lowery's film Ain't Them Bodies Saints is slated to begin production later this summer.
Director Shaul Schwarz has been working in Juarez for several years as a photojournalist covering the drug wars, and began developing his work into a documentary in 2009/2010. Producers Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen of Parts & Labor (see above bio) came onto the project in the fall of 2010. Shaul has been traveling and shooting with only one other person - Juan Bertran. Juan is technically the sound recordist, but has also become Shaul's right hand during production. Editors Bryan Chang and Jay Sterrenberg of Meerkat Media have also been involved in the film since 2010, creating a trailer and rough assemblies of scenes as Shaul continues to shoot. They recently finished a first rough assembly of the entire film.