“Cavedigger,” directed and produced by Jeffrey Karoff, about artist Ra Paulette wins Best Non-European Documentary at ÉCU The European Independent Film Festival.nnCompeting against films from around the world, Jeffrey Karoff’s 39 minute documentary, “Cavedigger,” took top honors in its category last week at ÉCU The European Independent Film Festival in Paris. The film depicts the struggles of a singular land artist, Ra Paulette, who digs art caves into the soft sandstone of Northern New Mexico, entirely by hand. The film describes Ra’s work and process – but very quickly moves to his struggles with patrons, money and artistic integrity. nn”I was interested in making a film that examines the struggles of creative expression,” says Karoff. “It’s a story many of us in the creative realm can relate to. There’s always an elephant in the room, and that is money, or lack thereof. Someone else always seems to be controlling that aspect so untrammeled self-expression is rarely possible. Even when you’re digging caves in remote mountains, it turns out.”nnThe film ends with Ra beginning a 10 year project, and Karoff plans to supply ongoing updates to the project on Cavedigger‘s website as well as on the film’s Facebook page.nnKaroff finished the film in January and ÉCU The European Independent Film Festival was its first festival and its world premiere. The film’s US premiere will happen later this month, at The Newport Beach Film Festival on April 30th.nn
nnCreditsnDIRECTOR / PRODUCER Jeffrey KaroffnDIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Anghel DeccanEDITOR Erin NordstromnCOMPOSER Pete Min
"Cavedigger" Documentary www.cavediggerdocumentary.com Jeffrey Karoff Contact Jeffrey via email
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Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
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