Victoria & Portland

We had some great opportunities presenting Mars in the Pacific Northwest this past week, with a screening at Movie Monday in Victoria, B.C., a local haunt for all kinds of thought provoking material, with a strong inclination to show mental health films. Quite pleased that the main programmer and proprietor of the weekly night Bruce Saunders (my personal paparazzi photographer), chose our film - that's him in the introduction.

If you can believe it, there was actually a lively Q&A.

The next morning at 8am, Bruce and I screened some clips for some doctors and clinicians for Vancouver Island Health Authority. I did a talk on specific issues I believed were relevant and touched on why I made the film. Couldn't have done the trip without their support.

That very evening included cancelled flights and a sprint to Portland at the beautiful Hollywood Cinema (endless gratitude to Dan Halstead and the rest of the buds at the Hollywood).

We even got a couple of reviews in the Willamette Week & The Portland Mercury.

Hope to see you soon Portland!

Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival

"Jonathan Balazs' documentary is a compelling story about Canadian rapper Khari 'Conspiracy' Stewart and his battle with a condition that has effectively been labelled schizophrenia. The film explores the chaotic and at times destructive existence as Khari attempts to deal with voices – 'extra sensory audio' as he calls them – in his head from two demons from intergalactic planets."

Colin McDougall, Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival

In the UK

Associate producer, researcher & all around super lady Danielle (in the middle) repping the film in the UK.

CAMH

Today we screened for about 60 case workers, clinicians and other front line mental health folks at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Interesting and positive experience, some good things said - looking forward to the next one!

MARS Distribution

In hard copy

MARS PROJECT - DVD Preview

Even though it seems like the DVD market seems to be getting smaller and more geared toward the die-hard film buff and collector, we're still excited to offer up the home video release of Mars Project. DVD includes: director's cut of the film, interview highlights, director's notes, a mini-poster, the original 5-minute short that started it all and 40 mins. of extras that didn't make the final cut, but are no less important to the story of Khari "Conspiracy" Stewart. Everything is Region 0 NTSC (should play anywhere). Got a question? Email us marsprojectmovie(at)gmail(dot)com

MARS on Edmonton's CJSR FM 88.5

Mr. Zyp - host/superstar of CJSR's "Moving Radio" features Mars Project – an interview with the film's director (a.k.a. me). Skip ahead to about 11:07 to get to our little section.

MARS SBU on CHRY 105.5 (aired April 3, 2013)

 

Christian Deo (CHRY 105.5 Independent Arts Report) interviews director of Mars Project Jonathan Balazs, listen here.

Sat down with independent film maker Jon Brando Balazs to talk about his newest documentary film, "Mars Project". The film looks at the battles of Khari 'conspiracy' Stewart with both schizophrenia the Canadian Mental Health System.

Produced at CHRY 105.5
Music credited to Supreme Being Unit

Mars Project on InnerSPACE

WATCH IT HERE