It is undeniable that we live in uncertain and troubled times, a period of which this pandemic we’re struggling through is but the latest and perhaps most evident aspect. Life is increasingly complicated and burdens seem to get harder and harder to carry with each passing year, so the need to seek solace and to take refuge in things that you know you can count on becomes more and more urgent. Well, dear friend, put down those burdens for a little while, because Monolord have got your back. Ever since 2013, when the dormant power of the Monolord became too much for a simple boogie rock band called Marulk – featuring a certain Thomas V Jäger and Esben Willems respectively on guitars/vocals and drums already – to contain, that this Swedish trio’s almost endearingly relentless dedication to The Riff has been something you can count on, almost as sure as the sun that rises every morning above your head. Thomas and Esben joined bassist Mika Häkki, and ever since then they have been compelled by the power of the riff, with no time for any frills like line-up changes or inane experimentations just for the sake of it. Theirs is a higher calling, a purer statement of intentions. After all, their bandname is “a paraphrase of an unspeakable name of an unspeakable entity that not even we dare to mention,” as Esben explains. And if you don’t like that description, Thomas has another suggestion: “make one up, and it is true!"

YOUNG AND THE RECKLESS chronicles the lives of a group of teenage runaways in Auckland City, New Zealand. Shot from 2014 to 2021, the film documents their uncertain journeys as they try to find their feet in the world.

Film distribution in the 21st century is constantly changing. Join a panel of film distribution company representatives for a discussion on the evolving media landscape. Topics will include: video on demand, streaming services, self-distribution, and how to develop a multi-pronged distribution strategy. This panel is moderated by Joe Brown, filmmaker and professor of film at the University of Denver. The panel includes Marc Mauceri from First Run Features, Jeffrey Winter from The Film Collaborative, and Kym Stanton from Films for Change.