Austin at SXSW 2012: Ben Steinbauer, 'Brute Force'

Say what? You don't recognize the name Ben Steinbauer? Perhaps you remember the hit documentary Winnebago Man, which wowed crowds at film festivals everywhere it played, including SXSW 2009. In 2010, the Austin Film Critics Association awarded it Best Austin Film. This time around, Steinbauer brings a documentary short about Stephen Friedland called Brute Force to SXSW 2012.

Slackerwood: Describe your film for us in a couple of sentences.
Steinbauer: Brute Force is the story of Apple Records recording artist Stephen Friedland, who in 1969 released the song "King of Fuh" that became the most controversial single Apple ever recorded.

What's one thing about the film that is going to make it impossible for people to resist seeing it?
The relationship between Stephen, aka "Brute Force," who is now in his seventies, and his daughter Lilah, aka "Daughter of Force," is funny, charming and endlessly relatable. It will appeal to anyone who has a complicated relationship to their parents (who doesn't?)

Is there anything the audience should know about the film before seeing it?
The audience should prepare for Brute Force's songs to get stuck in their head. He is an incredible song writer and I'm excited to expose audiences to his catchy and unorthodox tunes.

What are the Austin/Texas connections people might recognize?
No recognizable Austin locations, but some recognizable Austin folks worked on the film. Bradley Beesley, one of Austin most prolific filmmakers, is the executive producer, Louisiana Kreutz -- who is a fine director in her own right -- edited the film, my business partner Berndt Mader shot some of the film, Nick Smith corrected the color, Chris Keyland mixed the sound and Ron Pippin at Shiny Object contributed the graphics.

Who from the film will be in attendance at the screenings?
Both Stephen and his daughter Lilah will be in attendance for the premiere screening. Plus they are playing the after-party at the Longbranch Inn on Sunday night at 5 pm.

Where can people go to learn more about the film?
On Facebook. 

Screenings of Brute Force (in Documentary Shorts 1) on SXSW Schedule:

• Saturday March 10, 11:15 am, at Alamo Drafthouse Lamar B
• Monday March 12, 12:30 pm, at Canon Screening Room (aka Rollins at the Long Center)
• Friday March 16, 11:15 am, at Alamo Lamar C

 [Photo credit: "Ben Steinbauer and Stephen Friedland" from Ben Steinbauer. Used with permission.]