Which brings me to my first film this week (finally). “Chasing Kevin”. This is a fun little short Mockumentary about an independent filmmaker obsessed with Kevin Smith, so obsessed in fact that he raises money and shoots his own feature entitled “Employees” about the trials and tribulations of Foot Locker clerks. Then he stalks Kevin Smith. This film sports appearances by Kev-bo himself as well as Jason Mewes. And its just damned funny.

The great thing about “Chasing Kevin” though, is that its not just a parody of Kevin Smith and Clerks; it also makes a great statement about indie filmmakers and their want to emulate those who have come before them. Rather than emulating them, however, sometimes they end up merely imitating them. Remember the glut of indie Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction clones that came out in the mid 90’s? All those gritty, noir Hitman movies that now line the video store shelves of the action section. Well, this mocks that whole phenomenon as the lead ends up in an asylum, placed in a special filmmaker ward for those indie filmmakers who have gone too far. Alongside Quentin, Spike and P.T. Anderson wannabes, the protagonist finds what it really means to be independent.

This film showed at Vulgarthon 2000 (Kevin Smiths Film fest) and really deserves screentime at almost every film fest out there. It has a great deal to say about indie film and does so in a fall down funny manner that shorts programs often need. It’s never preachy, just funny and inventive.

Check out the production company’s website and see a five minute clip of “Chasing Kevin” HERE .

“Part of me wants as many people as possible to see my film,” said “Vulgar” director Bryan Johnson. “But I didn’t think it worth compromising the integrity of the film. It’s not like this is something that could open on 2,500 screens.”