The Art of Pain: An Artist Learns A Brutal Lesson

This was the official website for the 2008 indie film, Art of Pain
Content is from the site's 2008 archived pages as well as from other outside sources.

INSPIRE AN ARTIST, RUIN HIS LIFE -- Jack works an easy job at the movie theater with his pal Nick, a sci-fi geek, and his aspiring actress girlfriend, Sharon. He used to be a pretty good painter, but there isn’t much inspiration in this zombie-like existence. All of that is about to change. Enter Marcus, a pissed off ninja-in-training with something to prove. Fueled by disgust for Jack’s apathy and a cruel sensei, Marcus takes it upon himself to teach a brutal lesson: Great art comes from great pain. What follows is a bloody trail of seduction, murder and maiming that only a ninja can inflict. Now, painting in a frenzy, Jack must fight not only for his art, but his life.

 

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Crew

Matt Brookens: Writer/Director/Producer/Editor

Matt Brookens hails from the land of Lincoln and corn dogs, Springfield, Illinois. It was here that Brookens and younger brother, Greg, began cooking up movie ideas to kill the boredom of living in perhaps the most normal city in the country. Even as "tweens" the Brookens brothers were writing, directing, shooting and editing their comically twisted movies about murder, drugs and monkeys.

Unsatisfied with the fine art degree he was pursuing in Springfield, Matt moved to Chicago to attend Columbia College, where he earned his BA in film in 1999. Together, the Brookens brothers have completed scads of short films and won heaps of awards. Films like Roni vs. Lincoln, Of Bass and Men, and perhaps most noticeably Skunk Ape!? have all garnered awards and praise on the festival circuit. Skunk Ape!? achieved distribution through Troma Entertainment in 2004 after winning "Best of Tromadance." Most recently, Matt has completed principle photography of his first feature, The Art of Pain: a dark comedy/action HD project. Matt also recently illustrated a kid's book called I Have Five Senses, and works as a graphic artist to pay the rent.Matt enjoys pad thai and watching the Discover Channel. The Brookens brothers have several new films in the works.

 

Matthew M. Jones: Producer/Editor

Matthew was born and raised in the southern suburbs of Detroit. Woodhaven, Michigan to be exact. He spent his days drawing comic book characters, creating haunted house tours through his friends basements and acting in the Woodhaven High School’s theater program. Matthew moved to East Lansing and graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Advertising. Where he concentrated on graphic design and marketing. After graduation Matthew moved to Chicago, where he worked as a print and web designer.

In 1999, he entered the Film and Video Program at Columbia College, Chicago, where he graduated with honors. Developed and released uPressplay Online Entertainment Network in 2001. Promotiing over a 1,000 filmmakers, artists, musicians and actors; by providing a free online resource to showcase their skills and productions. uPressplay also produced many original titles including, Stay Dead, Two Days in Limbo, Palooka, Roscoe Village, Back to Reality, Soldier, Terrorvision and music videos from Marazene, Lexceone and Court Jester.

uPressplay has been awarded 15 Official Film Festival Selections and winning Best Dramatic Short at the Michigan Independent and NY International Film Festivals. In 2006, Matthew produced his first feature, The Art of Pain, with fellow Chicagoan Matt Brookens. He’s currently in development on his next feature, an action hero, comedy entitled Etiquette Man.

John LaFlamboy: Producer/Marcus

John received his B.A. at Southern Illinois University and finished his advanced acting studies at the Hague School of the Arts In Holland.

Recently, John has been performing improv and sketch comedy in Chicago. Also, he is a co-host on "The Odds Squad", a sports television show. Some of his favorite stage roles were; Joe Pitt in Angels in America and Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. In 1998 he created The Foundation Theatre Group, and is presently the Artistic Director. Although acting is his first love, John has taken on the roles of producer, designer, and director of Chicago's #1 Haunted House, Statesville Haunted Prison. www.statesville.org

Daniel Kenji Levin: Cinematographer

Born and raised in downtown Chicago, Daniel K. Levin started his college career studying studio art. After two years of experimental painting and photography, he moved onto filmmaking by studying at NYU and USC. He recently graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a concentration in cinematography. He now works as a freelance DP and steadicam operator on independent films and corporate videos. http://www.simpleseed.net

 

Amber Blasco, Lead Makeup

Amber Blasco currently works as a regional trainer for Smashbox Cosmetics. She travels nationally doing PR work for the biggest studio make-up line in the US. Amber has worked at Mercedes-Benz LA Fashion week (at Smashbox Studios, 2006) doing make-up for runway shows and VIP lounges. Amber also works as a studio make-up artist for Nightengale Photography, working with models from Elite, BMG, and John Robert Powers. HYPERLINK "http://www.amberblasco.com" www.amberblasco.com

 

Jacob Elihjah Hallinen: Comic Book Art

Co-founder of Shadow Tactics, a Chicago based illustration and art company, Jacob recently released his first comic book series, Ghost Spy: Toxin. The comic achieved world wide distribution through image comics. See Jacob’s art at www.shadowtactics.com

 

Steve Kiefer: Composer

Steve has worked on many projects with the Brookens Brothers. Including the award winning shorts Roni vs. Lincoln, Skunk Ape and Son of Roni.

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Cast

Anders Erickson: Jack

Born in Wisconsin, improv training brought Anders to Chicago. After taking classes at The Second City, IO (formerly Improv Olympic), and most recently the Annoyance Theatre, he's put his primary focus on film. The Art of Pain is his fourth feature length filmed in town. Past film credits include Stand Alone, Umlaut: Around the Sound, and Lost Along the Way. Anders loved his time with the Art of Pain cast and crew, and looks forward to working with all of them somewhere down the line.

 

Lauren Bishop: Sharon

Lauren Ashley Bishop is an actress, writer, and standup comedian and who currently resides in Chicago, IL. She is originally from Little Rock, AR, and a graduate of Northwestern University where she earned a Bachelor of Speech in Theatre. She also trained at Improv Olympic and the Annoyance, and then went on to perform with ComedySportz Chicago for 4 years, on the mainstage and as part of the national touring company. She was then cast in the 1st National Tour of Scrooge the Musical, which starred Richard Chamberlain. Since then she has pursued work on the stage, screen, and in the studio, appearing in productions such as Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues and Second City’s Romeo and Juliet Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

As a comedian, she is regularly seen at The Chicago Improv and Zanies, and has performed at Gotham Comedy Club in New York as well as numerous other clubs across the Midwest. She is the host of Chicago NBC”s Prepchannel.com, and guest contributor for the comedy site Blerds.com, and has appeared in national campaigns for KFC and Quaker Oats. She is also a professional voice over actress, heard on TV and radio commercials for countless clients over the years.

Greg Brookens: Nick

Greg Brookens is the brother of the director and the other half of Zabba Zabba Productions. When not working out Greg likes to...ummm...actually he's always working out. Perhaps you've noticed his rippling six pack, and firm muscular buttocks. He's got this, like, charisma that I totally can't describe. His natural musk smells like steak mixed with onions, but in a sexy way. When he's on top of you he's powerful yet gentle. If I were a beautiful woman I'd definitely want to date Greg Brookens.

He also plays Nick. He helped punch up the script, and did a bit of assistant editing. In the past he's co-written and co-directed such masterpieces of cinema as Skunk Ape!?, Of Bass and Men, and Roni vs. Lincoln. His new movie Son of Roni is, um, new. Oh, and he plays accordion in the band Dr. Killbot.

 

Jake Hames: Charlie

Midwest native, Jake Hames first stepped into acting at the University of Wisconsin, Stout. There he appeared in several plays including Woody Allen’s “God” as Diabetes and Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins” as Charles Guiteau.

Jake then transferred schools to the University of Minnesota, Duluth in order to focus strictly on acting. His first play at UMD was an original piece that chronicled the events of the Holocaust called “Dear Finder” which was selected at the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) in 1999.

Soon after, Jake moved to Chicago, where he continues to enjoy acting in original material including Thomas Doyle Piwnicki and Joe Elsey’s Zombie comedy, “Stay Dead” as Russell and Dan Pico’s World War II Drama, “Two Days in Limbo” as Al. Jake will next be seen in Boathouse Studios and Compost Productions feature length horror film, “Stump the Band”.

Arvin Jalandoon: Nobu

Arvin has been acting for over 2 years in the Chicago area. Training at Act One Studios under John Green and Grant Stokes and with Jan Radcliff and John Lorden. He has been in theater production as Kent in "King Lear", Hermocrates in "Triumph of Love", Thomas Putnam in"The Crucible" and Lefty in "The Advetures of Nac Martinez."

Being cast in independent films as Calvin Hobbes in "Pivot Point" and the Neurotic Director in "Between Takes" has given him the impetus to perform in this production. He is also active in commercials and print ads for regional and national campaigns. Much thanks to the 2 Matts, John, and Wesley, cast and crew for the learning experience.

 

Leena Kurishingal: Stacey

Leena grew up in the Chicagoland area of Illinois and attended Columbia College, where she received her Bachelor of the Arts in Film/Video. After a year or so of giving crew work a go, she decided to make the transition to where her heart has always lain; in acting. Roles portrayed range from the classic girl-next-door, to the harlot down the street, to the badass detective who does the eventual crackdown. All of this occurs in a variety of shorts and festival pieces, as well as the occasional commercial or print ad. Sprinkled in has also been a theatre project or two along the way. Currently Ms. Kurishingal is focusing on honing her craft through more formal training and auditioning, when not working for the Man, every night and day...

 

Elliot Fredland: Rex

Elliott has been seen in independent films (The Thirsting with Mickey Rooney; Get a Life) and stage productions in Chicago. Recent roles include Lane in The Importance of Being Earnest, Baron Van Swieten in Amadeus, Carr Gomm in The Elephant Man, and Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap. He has appeared in several commercials, and in a previous century in a distant land he also worked as a radio and television newscaster.

Lloyd Kaufman: George Romano

Stanley Lloyd Kaufman never really wanted to make movies, but wanted to work in Broadway musicals. During his years in Yale, though, he got introduced to "B" pictures and the works of Roger Corman. Lloyd later got the opportunity to executive-produce a short movie made by a fellow student. The film, called "Rappacini", got him even more interested in movies. He bought his own camera and took it with him to Chad, Africa, were he spent his summer. There he shot a 15-minute film of a pig being slaughtered. That was his first movie, and was the birth of what was later to become known as Troma Films.

Lloyd Kaufman and Troma have become icons in the cult-movie world, and Troma has distributed over 1000 films. Lloyd has continued his career as a director in addition to producing, and Troma has turned out such films as Monster in the Closet (1987), Class of Nuke 'Em High (1986), Combat Shock (1986), Troma's War (1988), and Fortress of Amerikkka (1989). Lloyd himself is working on Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006), which follows an army of undead chickens as they seek revenge on a fast food palace.

Wesley Chu: Fight Choreography

 

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More Background on "The Art of Pain": A Cult Indie Film

"The Art of Pain," a 2008 indie film directed by Matt Brookens, is an intriguing exploration of the connection between suffering and creativity, packaged in a unique blend of genres. The film, though not widely known in the mainstream, has garnered a cult following among those who appreciate its offbeat narrative, dark humor, and commentary on the artist’s struggle.

Overview and Plot

At its core, "The Art of Pain" follows Jack, an uninspired artist stuck in a mundane job at a movie theater, whose life is turned upside down by Marcus, a ninja-in-training with a twisted sense of mentorship. Marcus believes that true artistic inspiration comes from great pain and takes it upon himself to bring this theory to life by systematically ruining Jack’s existence. The result is a darkly comedic tale that explores the often romanticized idea that great art is born from suffering.

Production and Creative Team

"The Art of Pain" was a passion project for Matt Brookens, who took on multiple roles including director, writer, producer, and editor. Brookens, originally from Springfield, Illinois, collaborated with his brother Greg Brookens and other Chicago-based talent to bring the film to life. The production was supported by Zabba Zabba Productions, Upressplay, and Big Tree Productions, companies known for their work in genre films and indie projects. The decision to shoot in Chicago, utilizing local actors and crew, contributed to the film’s authentic indie feel.

Critical Reception and Reviews

Upon its release, "The Art of Pain" received a mix of reviews. The film was lauded by some for its originality and daring narrative, while others found its low-budget production and unconventional plot challenging. However, it was precisely these elements that appealed to a niche audience.

Film Threat, a respected site in the indie film community, gave the film a glowing five-star review, highlighting its clever blend of action, comedy, and horror elements. The reviewer praised the film's ability to surprise and entertain, particularly noting its appeal to genre film enthusiasts. This kind of endorsement significantly bolstered the film's reputation on the festival circuit.

In contrast, other reviews were less favorable. For example, a user review on IMDb criticized the film for its perceived lack of coherence and amateurish execution, describing it as a “B-Ninja-Zombie-Trash-Film.” Despite this harsh critique, the review acknowledged that the film might appeal to a specific audience that enjoys campy, genre-blending narratives.

"The Art of Pain" premiered at the Sunscreen Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award, further cementing its status as a cult favorite among indie film lovers. The festival is known for showcasing films that push the boundaries of conventional storytelling, and "The Art of Pain" fit this mold perfectly. Its success at the festival underscored the film’s ability to resonate with an audience that appreciates unconventional cinema.

Press and Media Coverage

"The Art of Pain" received coverage from various media outlets that cater to indie film audiences. Horror Society, a website dedicated to horror and genre films, featured the film prominently, discussing its unique blend of genre elements and its appeal to film geeks who enjoy movies with action, comic book influences, and a touch of Kevin Smith-style dialogue. The article highlighted the film's creative approach and Brookens' commitment to exploring the relationship between pain and creativity.

Another review on AllMovie focused on the film's narrative and thematic content, noting its exploration of the dark side of artistic inspiration. The reviewer commended Brookens for his ambitious storytelling and the film's ability to merge various genres into a cohesive, albeit unconventional, narrative.

Cultural and Social Significance

"The Art of Pain" taps into a broader cultural fascination with the idea that suffering and creativity are intrinsically linked. This theme has been explored in various forms throughout art history, from the tortured genius of Vincent van Gogh to the melancholy poetry of Sylvia Plath. Brookens' film presents this concept in a modern, humorous, and somewhat disturbing light, making it both a commentary on and a product of the indie film movement.

The film's connection to Chicago's indie film scene is also significant. Chicago has long been known as a hub for independent filmmakers who push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. "The Art of Pain" is a product of this environment, showcasing the talent and creativity that exists outside of Hollywood. The film's success on the festival circuit and its ongoing relevance within certain circles highlight its role as a cultural artifact within the indie film world.

Audience and Legacy

Over the years, "The Art of Pain" has maintained a small but dedicated fan base. Its appeal lies in its ability to surprise and challenge viewers, offering a narrative that is both absurd and thought-provoking. The film is particularly popular among fans of genre films who appreciate its references to comic books, ninja culture, and the Kevin Smith-style dialogue that permeates the script.

In terms of legacy, "The Art of Pain" stands as a testament to the power of independent filmmaking. It demonstrates that even with limited resources, filmmakers can create something memorable and impactful. The film's ongoing relevance within certain circles highlights its role as a cultural artifact within the indie film world, representing the DIY spirit that continues to drive many filmmakers today.

 

"The Art of Pain" is not a film for everyone, but for those who appreciate its quirky blend of genres, dark humor, and exploration of the artist's struggle, it offers a unique and rewarding experience. Its journey from a low-budget indie project to a cult classic is a testament to the passion and creativity of its creators. Whether you're a fan of indie films, a student of cinema, or simply someone looking for something different, "The Art of Pain" is a film that invites you to explore the darker, more painful side of artistic inspiration.