Ballroom Marfa presented a month of independent film with three special screenings in December, 2006. The screenings included You’re Gonna Miss Me, directed by Keven McAlester, Mexiphobia, directed by Nevie Owens and Buckner Cooke, and Room, directed by Kyle Henry.

You’re Gonna Miss Me
Directed by Keven McAlester

“Texan band THE 13th FLOOR ELEVATORS coined the term psychedelic rock and were responsible for some of the garage era’s most precious nuggets, their 1966 Billboard hit “You’re Gonna Miss Me” a fine example. With his visionary lyrics, yelping tenor voice and distinctive stage presence, their charismatic singer Roky Erickson was poised to be a huge star, but as his fame grew, so did his notoriety, and his drug intake and public declarations about the benefits of marijuana and LSD bought him to the attention of the local police. Arrested for the possession of a single joint in 1969, Erickson pleaded insanity to avoid a prison term, and spent the next three and a half years in the State institute for the criminally insane, diagnosed as schizophrenic and subjected to electro-shock treatment. Though he would go on to release dark, influential albums up until the mid-90s, he never fully recovered. The film sees Roky, surrounded by televisions and hi-fi equipment, cloaking himself with sound, while being looked after by his doting, overprotective mother, whose well intentioned refusal to allow Roky prescribed medication and psychiatric advice is questioned by his younger brother Sumner, who takes his mother to court to challenge her guardianship. Keven McAlester’s stirring documentary is not only a great rock ‘n’ roll story, but a challenging portrait of mental illness and an affecting family drama.”
-Michael Hayden

Mexiphobia
Directed by Nevie Owens and Buckner Cooke

In today’s society, we are inundated with images of illegal immigrants, drugs and violence along the Mexico border. Mexiphobia chronicles a different struggle in the Big Bend of West Texas. Nine months after 9/11, in the name of national security, the historic crossings of Boquillas, Santa Elena, and Paso Lajitas, Mexico were closed devastating the communal bonds, which had existed on both sides of the Rio Grande for generations.

Mexiphobia gives the innocent a voice. The locals along this forgotten stretch of the Texas/Mexico border and their experiences speak to the world and add to the discussion of how to effectively protect our borders. The Big Bend area, in which cultural boundaries have been blurred even when borders are clear, shows us how to build bonds instead of barriers between two neighbors.

Room
Directed by Kyle Henry

Room is a psychological drama about an over-worked woman from Houston, Texas, who is haunted by psychic visions, driving her to extreme acts, which land her on the streets of New York City during the Christmas season. Texas actress Cyndi Williams was nominated for a Best Female Lead Independent Spirit Award for her riveting performance.

The film was executive produced by Jim McKay and Michael Stipe of C-Hundred Film Corp. C-Hundred was created by musician and producer Michael Stipe of R.E.M., and Jim McKay, the director/producer of Girls Town, Our Song, and Everyday People. Room was produced by NYC-based The 7th Floor.

“Superbly directed and acted … Cyndi Williams is brilliant!”
— Filmmaker Magazine

“One of those rare indies that confidently propose their own logic…”
— Village Voice