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Fling - Movie Premiere and Afterparty

Local Director Shows Off Kansas City

Add Fling to the longstanding relationship that Kansas City has had with the movies. The city has been home to film stars (Paul Rudd, Don Cheadle) and film directors (Robert Altman, Walt Disney) as well as the location for numerous film productions––Rigged, Ride With the Devil, Mr. & Mrs. Bridge, and Kansas City. Director John Stewart Muller, a Kansas City native, and producer Laura Boersma filmed Fling (internationally titled Lie to Me), around Kansas City in 2007. The film is scheduled for release on DVD in May of 2009 from Peace Arch Entertainment.

Director John Stewart Muller in Crossroads Arts District

“This film showcases art, music, and great locations of KC on film,” says Boersma. “We shot parts of the film on 18th Street, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Hyatt, Crown Center fountain, The Elms Hotel, Town Topic, The Peanut on Main, The Plaza, and galleries in the Crossroads.”

The film stars a young ensemble cast headed by Brandon Routh in his first film role since Superman Returns. Steve Sandvoss (Rumor Has It), Courtney Ford (Monk, Ugly Betty), Nick Wechsler (Roswell), Deborah Rush (Strangers With Candy, Half Nelson), and local film actress and musician Erin McGrane also appear. Fling is a film about relationships and what happens when those involved do not lie about their infidelities, attractions, and the edgy complexities of love.

Brandon Routh, Courtney Ford

Robert Moore

Last weekend, Muller and Boersma hosted a premiere film screening at The Screenland Theater in the Crossroads followed by an afterparty at Czar Bar to celebrate their accomplishment. Republic Tigers, a local band gaining national attention, is featured in the soundtrack as well as Lawrence-based singer Dri and Peweps In the Formats. The soundtrack includes songs from bands such as Mellowdrone, Asobi Seksu, El-P (featuring Trent Reznor), Devics, The Pink Mountaintops, Okkervil River, MaxxFemm, Layton, Leadbelly, and Dylan Trees. The Republic Tigers and Dylan Trees performed live at Czar Bar on Friday night before a packed crowd with Dri headlining the following night. DJ Robert Moore warmed up the crowd with his ever tasteful selection of sonic candy.

Adding further chops to the film’s score, DeVotchKa frontman Nick Urata served as the film's composer and wrote a number of original songs featured exclusively in the movie. “This is the first film score Nick has done independently since he worked on the film Little Miss Sunshine," says Boersma.

Choosing to film the production in Kansas City rather than Los Angeles afforded Boersma and Muller the opportunity to work with local resources. For instance, a number of area fashion designers and boutiques aided with the stylish look of the cast. Local representation included Peregrine Honig of Birdies, Joscelyn Himes, Bon Bon Atelier, Ashlee Broome, Annie Kennedy and Hemline.

In addition to the assembly of attractive young actors in the film, the city itself plays a silent but distinct background role that separates the film’s visual style from L.A.. Boersma states, “The film was shot on super 35mm film and really shows how stylish and sexy Kansas City can be!”

www.screenland.com - Check the website for show times and dates.
www.flingmovie.com

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I thought this movie had a few predictable twists, but was definitely stylish and certainly a more interesting movie than a lot of things get big releases like The Ugly Truth. It really blows my mind that this didn't get a wider theatrical release.

I loved the almost documentary-style handheld camera cinematography, which really made the film seem more intimate, but the highlight of the whole movie for me was the soundtrack! Every song fit the scene perfectly, and they had some great picks. Such great variety, yet they all fit - from the pounding hip-hop of El-P's "Flyentology," (my new fave dance track), to more somber tunes like Layton's "That Time,"all the songs have me hooked! Best soundtrack since Garden State, that's for sure.

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