DANIELSON: A FAMILY MOVIE {OR, MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE HERE}

DC Premiere

Onstage in tight nurse uniforms meant to represent the healing power of the "Good News," a group of young men and women perform a hand-clapped chorus of "I love my Lord." Vocalist Daniel Smith possesses the whiny and unnatural voice of a noise rocker-but there is something heartfelt there. This faith-based, art rock band, called Danielson, is the unabashed subject of JL Aronson's film, DANIELSON: A FAMILY MOVIE.

Not just the story of a Christian band trying to make it in the indie music scene, this is the story of a rare creative talent. Daniel is fueled by the urge to make something beautiful and meaningful, and his struggles and passions are poignantly palpable. Told through diary-like vignettes from each of Daniel's siblings in the band, DANIELSON captures the groups mutations through the eyes of family.

Achieving significant critical success but still largely unknown, Danielson struggles with being labeled a quirky novelty act or written off as merely a Christian rock band. As the band members diverge, Daniel must find his way as a solo artist. Becoming a salesman/folk singer and peddling his crafty artwork, he tours sporadically and builds a recording studio in his home, trying to maintain his creative flow while also raising a family. The rising career of Sufjan Stevens, Daniel's protegee and the first artist on Daniel's "Sounds Familyre" record label, stands in stark contrast to that of Danielson's uneasy acceptance by the music world.

A FAMILY MOVIE is about faith and the creative process and how the two give strength to each other. Aronson's film eloquently captures the difficulty of the creative process and introduces a genuine talent to new audiences.

-Rose Vincelli

DIRECTOR BIO
JL Aronson is a filmmaker, television producer and adjunct film professor at New York University. His own work includes SENIOR PICTURE and the feature documentary, PUNK ROCK/HEAVY METAL KARAOKE (2001). He is also the founder of Creative Arson Productions, creating TV commercials, marketing videos and full-length programs for the Village Voice, Siren Music Festival, Central Park Summerstage, and Wired magazine, among many others. A feature documentary about pigeon fanciers in a changing Brooklyn landscape will be released in 2006.

Print Source:
Creative Arson Productions
285 Cumberland Street
Brooklyn, NY 11238
718.243.9499
contact@creativearson.com

6/17 at 5:00 PM

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