Two New Films by Nick Zedd & Brooklyn Fire Proof
Legendary underground filmmaker Nick Zedd and creative complex Brooklyn Fire Proof are proud to announce the release of two new short films, “The Death of Muffinhead” and “Attack of the Particle Disruptors”, produced by Brooklyn Fire Proof Films and shot in Brooklyn Fire Proof’s Bushwick soundstages. Both films were directed by Nick Zedd, produced by Kenneth Filmer, and feature effects and animation by Nouri Zander. Brooklyn Fire Proof’s founder Thomas Burr Dodd served as executive producer.
“The Death of Muffinhead” was inspired by the elaborate costumes designed and fabricated by New York-based artist Muffinhead. The film stars Muffinhead and artist Anaïs Djin performing all of the roles. The film also includes cinematography by Kyle Parsons and the song “Lost Illusions” by Exploded View. “Attack of the Particle Disruptors” animates three of Mr. Zedd’s original paintings. It features dialogue written and voiced by the band Sisyphus Autopsy, and by Jonathan Mittiga with voice acting by Nick Zedd. Michael Slatky provided the music.
Both films are currently available to interested film festivals, galleries, and other screening events. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
This collaboration was initiated by Brooklyn Fire Proof producer, programmer, and stage manager Kenneth Filmer, who wanted the new films by Nick Zedd to premiere as the finale of the 2016 Brooklyn Fire Proof Summer Screening Series. The free series, which was conceived of, programmed, and hosted by Mr. Filmer in Brooklyn Fire Proof’s sizable outdoor alley, featured new and original programs curated by a variety of Brooklyn Fire Proof’s collaborators. “Bringing Nick Zedd to New York from his home in Mexico City to create and premiere two new shorts—as part of a ‘Nick Zedd career retrospective’—seemed like a perfect way to end a series that was about celebrating the outer limits of film in New York. The abbreviated timeline made it an ambitious, possibly insane, project, but we pulled it off,” says Mr. Filmer. The team Filmer assembled had six days to make both films, and screened them on the seventh day.
Mr. Zedd says:
“Working with Muffinhead and the Brooklyn Fire Proof team, especially Kenneth, Nouri and Thomas, was the best filmmaking experience of my life. In a limited time frame we got together, came up with great ideas and finished two films that broke creative barriers and made history. Muffinhead is a genius. His creative vision, along with the efficient support of Brooklyn Fire Proof films inspired me to make my best film ever, “The Death of Muffinhead.”
I'm grateful to Brooklyn Fire Proof for providing the resources, financing and creative support that enabled me to create “Attack of the Particle Disruptors” and “The Death of Muffinhead” with such speed, resulting in two new movies that have literally stunned audiences whenever I've shown them publicly.”
Nick Zedd is an American filmmaker and author from New York City. In 1985, he coined the term Cinema of Transgression to describe a loose-knit group of like-minded New York filmmakers and artists using shock value and black humor in their work. These filmmakers and artistic collaborators included Richard Kern, Tessa Hughes Freeland, Lung Leg, Annie Sprinkle and Lydia Lunch. Under numerous pen names, Zedd wrote and edited The Underground Film Bulletin (1984–90) which publicized the work of these filmmakers. Mr. Zedd’s autobiography Totem of the Depraved was published by Henry Rollins’ 2.13.61 publications in 1996. From 2004 to 2008, Zedd produced and directed a TV series, “The Adventures of Electra Elf”. Since moving to Mexico in 2011, Zedd has edited three issues of the magazine Hatred of Capitalism, in which his “Extremist Manifesto” was published, sending shock waves through the art world. Recent films shot in Mexico City include “Dr Shinto: Frustration”, “Cockfight”, “Demonica”, “Demonic Sweaters: Love Always Love” and a series of music videos for reggaeton singer Natalia Ibenez Lorio aka #laBAE.
