Biography

My Profile

Marlena Rosenthal

Topanga

Experimental, politial, environmental documentarian/musician

Tags: political/social issue documentaries  

Contact Information

You must register or login to view Marlena Rosenthal's contact info.

Supplementary Information

Title/Occupation:  Other 

Gender: Female

Citizenship: United States

Languages Spoken: English, some Spanish, working on Hindi

Brief Message to Members: Awareness, communication, compassion and action make changes in this world. All of this can be done in the art of documentary filmmaking.

Biography: I was born in Venice Beach California and grew up in Topanga Canyon. I've always been constantly surrounded by all sorts of animals which I love dearly. I grew up drawing, painting, acting, singing, dancing and playing guitar and bass in many bands. In high school I made a digital 5 min. short spoof of a Charlie Chaplin film which won an award for best new filmmaker at Pacific Palisades Charter High School. The next year I directed a documentary on the Disappeared of Argentina in which I interviewed Alicia Partnoy. For this I won the Teacher's Choice Award for Best Documentary. In 2008 I graduated with a BA from Loyola Marymount University's Film Production program. While in college I spent 4 months in India. I also directed and edited a 10 minute short narrative in 16mm contrasting the surreality of peace and love to the reality of war and suffering. I also shot, directed and edited a 1 minute short 16mm film of an "underwater" mermaid adventure with a jellyfish I constructed out of various plastics and lights. I also shot, directed and edited a 5 min digital interpretation of a few scenes from "Once Upon a Time in the West." For my thesis I made an avant garde, black and white, anti-torture documentary entitled, "I Have Two Voices." I directed, co-shot and co-edited this film. I interviewed Antonia Leiva about his experience being kidnapped and tortured in Argentina during the late 1970's and early 80's. Alicia Partnoy reads two poems from her book, "The Little School." During this, 16mm black and white surrealist narratives visually represent the poetry. Antonio relates what happened to him, Alicia, and their friends to what is going on today and what we can do about it. Currently I am playing in the band Kate Crash and working on our music videos (mostly editing), designing our flyers, making costumes/sets/props for the videos and stage shows, and working with Nick Launay editing our live footage.