I AM NOT A HIPSTER [Movie Review.]

Faux Society had the great pleasure of going to MOPA (Museum of Photographic Arts) in San Diego to attend the film premier of Destin Cretton’s film debut I AM NOT A HIPSTER. The film is about a “mildly successful” San Diego musician Brook, who is a brooding, self centered “A-Hole!” who’s going through some serious internal problems. The brooding comes to a screeching halt, when his three sisters visit to spread their mother’s ashes in the ocean.

Throughout the film, the lead Brook (played by the understated, Dominic Bogart) shows us an extremely depressed, and dramatic character. If it had been just him on the screen, this film would be a true downer. Luckily, we’re given the character of Clarke, Brook’s “sometimes” manager and best friend. Alvarado Orlando’s turn as Clarke, the free-spirited friend/fan of Brook, is truly enjoyable, and his performance helps makes the movie. For the most part he balances Brook’s dejected, and depressing words for the audience.

I caught up with Dominic Bogart to get some words about his performance, and the whole screening film process, and he had this to say of his performance.:

I couldn’t really wait to play such a depressed character, but actually it’s still happening, I’m STILL raging and depressed, because FORTUNATELY we get to come to places [MOPA] and share the film with people.

The film is full of original songs sung by Brook during the film, and the songs totally match the tone of the moment. There’s a subtle moment of brillance after Brook ruins a great night out, the film cuts and he’s riding in the backseat with his sisters laying in his baby sister Mez’ lap. He drunkenly slurs “I f**ked up, didn’t I?” and throughout the whole scene we hear a woman singing melodies, it cuts to his sister on his bed playing the ukulele until he falls asleep. It’s little moments like this, that complexingly layer this simple story of a truly brooding artist.

I also spoke with Joel P. West who wrote all of the music for the film, and he spoke on the collaboration process between he & the director.

Destin wrote, gaps in the script that said “Give you this feeling, or say this about the character.” We went through drafts of songs for the movie. In the end [the film] it was like 6 or 7 songs, and the film eludes that he makes an album. So we just decided to finish them, and that’s the album that accompanies the film CANINES. It’s actually kind of a precursor to the film.

You’ll enjoy this film, the hard work that went into this movie is clear to see, and we at Faux Society endorse it and will be supporting their KICKSTARTER to help them digitally distribute the film.

Trailer/Poster. Below.

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