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O Castelo Preto

The digital film event, O Castelo Preto, 50 minutes in length, uses few words, conveying the story through actions and visual symbols. The script is loosely based upon the gothic novel by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1815, called The Black Dwarf and on myths and regional superstitions derived from Portugals district of Castelo Branco (White Castle), thus the name O Castelo Preto (The Black Castle).

  • Jack Shamblin
    Director
  • Project Type:
    Experimental
  • Genres:
    Fantasy, Dance
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2007
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Portugal
  • Language:
    Portuguese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • C.E.N.T.A.
    Castelo Branco
    Portugal
    September 7, 2007
Director Biography - Jack Shamblin

Jack “Mia” Shamblin is a Queer performer, playwright, and filmmaker.

Raised in rural Northeastern Oklahoma, Shamblin is proud to be a Cherokee Nation tribal member. From working-class pioneer stock, the sexually and gender non-conforming Shamblin's awareness of cultural inequality and exclusion provoked them into creating political art. Several critics described Shamblin's art as fierce, punching, stunning, and witty. The camp is like wrapping a feather boa around painful truths.

The artist debuted as a creator and performer with NY-based theatre and visual artist Theodora Skipitares, who describes Shamblin's creations as "heroic." New York legends such as La MaMa ETC, Dixon Place, Mother, and HERE have produced their plays.

In 2015, Shamblin published Queering The Stage, a collection of their LGBTQIA++ scripts. In addition to a NY community, Shamblin lived several years in Portugal where they wrote and performed for choreographer Paulo Henrique and others, taught at Centro Em Movimento, and created the experimental film O Castelo Preto.

Highlights were performing with Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Skriker by Caryl Churchill and with Kate Bornstein in Shamblin’s play Thurma.

Recently,

Shamblin completed their short film THERAPYTHIA, which delves into non-binary evolution. Shamblin made the film this January in Delphi, Greece, with artist Colin Ginks.

Notably, critically acclaimed transgender actor Alexis Arquette, performed their final role as Mommy Myra Breckinridge in Shamblin's short BLATANT.

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Director Statement

Queer evolution is fundamentally a push for societal equality. It pushes respect through acceptance. It turns violence into fetish play and camps binary exaggerations. Of course, I am promoting Queercore culture that began with Punk, but couldn't we use more of that?

Late-stage capitalism is the apocalypse, and Hollywood is its hemorrhoid.

If I have a chance to create and share art through New Queer (R)evolution, perhaps I can help soften the warmongering, guilt the greedy, and help the citizen to say no more.

My problem has never been a lack of vision but that we live in a culture of exceptionalism. It keeps tyrants on top and stalls open democratic societies.

I do not want to manipulate or spin the truth but provide a creative discussion between the artists and the viewers. My approach is that the engagement gives breathing room and reflection. I build shows by doing, playing, and getting messy.

The imperfections are accidents in a laboratory where epiphanies happen—explosions from the New Queer (R)evolution.