By Ryan Smith

BRAVO!

EDINBORO — A colony of Earthlings finds itself doomed to suffocation in deep space.

Their Santa takes a suicidal turn — and he’s not the only one.

But against the tug of sheer madness, hope is born.

It’s “Christmas on Mars” — psychedelic sci-fi from the minds’ eyes of the Flaming Lips and their longtime associate, director Bradley Beesley.

And tonight, Beesley’s bringing “Christmas” to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

It’s all part of the Edinboro Film Series, which, in cooperation with Arts Erie, Edinboro University Student Government Association and Eerie Horror Film Fest, is hosting Beesley’s visit and presenting a screening of the feature film tonight at 8:30 at Louis C. Cole Memorial Auditorium.

“We decided to showcase this project because it has a real indie vibe and the fact that it’s a sci-fi, self-proclaimed B-movie starring the Flaming Lips screams instant cult classic,” said Film Series director John C. Lyons.

“Our guest has been with the band from the beginning and the chance to pick his brain should be a real treat for fans. We hope they come out in mass and in costume!,” he said.

“Seriously, come in costume.”

The Flaming Lips — three-time Grammy Award-winners — are the indie psychedelic rock legends perhaps best known for their complex, spacey arrangements; live shows that include copious amounts of confetti, man-sized plastic bubbles and general good cheer; the 1993 hit “She Don’t Use Jelly”; and acclaimed albums including 1999’s “The Soft Bulletin” and 2002’s “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.”

Beesley co-directed “Christmas on Mars” with the Lips’ Wayne Coyne and George Salisbury. His longtime collaboration with the group includes co-directing 10 of their music videos and the critically acclaimed documentary “The Fearless Freaks.”

His other works include “Summercamp!,” a documentary he co-directed with Sarah Price which premiered at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival and was picked up for theatrical distribution; and “Okie Noodling,” an award-winning documentary that captures the art of barehanded fishing and continues to have encore PBS broadcasts.

The Edinboro Film Series, according to Lyons and other organizers, was created to foster an environment that attracts, stimulates and educates future filmmakers, actors, artists and the general public. It also provides a comprehensive film-going experience, showcasing independent films and filmmakers while giving its audiences opportunities to ask questions and meet the artists.

Past Film Series have included the East Coast premiere of “Danny Roane: First Time Director,” with director/actor Andy Dick and producer/director/actor Marshall Cook; “Wristcutters: A Love Story,” with director Goran Dukic and actor Shea Whigham; and “The Ruins” and “Bugcrush,” with director Carter Smith.



Ryan Smith can be reached at 724-6370 ext. 283 or by e-mail at rsmith@meadvilletribune.com



You can go



The Edinboro Film Series is presenting a screening of “Christmas on Mars,” starring the Flaming Lips, with film and music video director Bradley Beesley tonight at 8:30 at Louis C. Cole Memorial Auditorium.

General admission is $5 in advance, $7 at the door and free for EUP students.

- Tickets: Visit www.edinborotickets.com or call 732-2177.



A Q and A with the filmmaker



Bravo! recently caught up with filmmaker Bradley Beesley, a longtime collaborator with the Flaming Lips and co-director of “Christmas on Mars,” the feature film being presented tonight as the latest installment of the Edinboro Film Series.

Here’s some of what Beesley had to say on a number of topics, ranging from what it’s like on set with the Lips to the prospect of meeting up with ‘Ol Man Winter in northwestern Pennsylvania:

Q: Would you give us a little idea of what “Christmas on Mars” is like?

A: “Visually speaking, it’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’ meets ‘Eraserhead.’ (Flaming Lips frontman) Wayne has always had a deep fascination with the innocence of Christmas and the magic that it brings. He always spends a lot of time thinking about deep space,” and the film is those two themes “colliding.”

The message: “Things can be dire. Things can be sad. We can have death. But at the end of the day, sadness — and happiness — are part of life. It’s OK to embrace deep sorrow.”

Q: A day on the set with the Flaming Lips: What are some images that spring to mind?

A: Pig intestines under hot lights, freaked-out kids, lines of portable toilets: in short, “some really twisted (expletive deleted).”

Q: How has your work with the Flaming Lips (a group, it seems, patently devoted to keeping it weird) shaped your career?

A: “It’s really sort of defined and shaped my career as a filmmaker. I’m not really sure what I’d be doing if I hadn’t met Wayne.”

Q: What are your thoughts on heading to Edinboro during what’s been one of the hardest winters in a good long while, even by local standards?

A: “As I’m standing here in Austin (Texas), it’s sunny and 68 degrees. I’m hoping the students up there can manufacture some sort of heat machine. Us Okies aren’t used to it.”