ari

Cease

& Desist

a.k.a.

Ari can’t

talk about it.

a short film

by John Carluccio

DESCRIPTION:

Branding, addiction, sneaker culture and legal infringement are explored when artist/designer Ari Saal Forman mash-ups the lively Newport cigarette brand into a cool Nike-like sneaker. An “alive with pleasure” moment that “legally never happened”, is presented with before and after accounts.

[ USA, Documentary Short, 2009 - TRT 17 minutes ]

WAR STORY:

This film “doesn’t exist”… sort of. Designer Ari was legally prevented from talking about his colorful experiment soon into the production. Thus a story from a person who “can’t talk about” created a challenge and a ripe opportunity to structure a clever story.

BIO:

John Carluccio is a Brooklyn based filmmaker whose work documents unique pockets of urban society. He has had over 20 films appear nationally on CURRENT TV. He has shoot for MSG, MTV, BET and TLC. Presently, Carluccio documents unexplored news topics as a Producer at Brooklyn Independent Television.

INTERESTING FACTS

The “Ari Menthol 10” sneaker ( as it came to be known) has sold for over $1000 on Ebay. It still charts on “sneaker heads” top ten lists. Ari made a limited 255 pairs of the sneaker.

Ari Saal Forman, co-founded On The Go magazine with famed graffitti Artist Stephen “ESPO” Powers. The magazine’s most famous cover was a fake Newport advertisement featuring hip-hop artists De La Soul in late 90’s.

Ari designed the “Do You Want More?!!!??!” album art for for the famed Hip-hop band The Roots.

In 2006, Nike filled an order to “cease and desist,” asking that Ari no longer produce the sneaker. Newport filled a larger suit requesting that Ari destroy the newport-like products. As part of the Newport agreement Ari can not promote, profit and discuss his sneaker project.

The trailer for “Cease & Desist” has close to 10,000 views on Youtube and has been posted on over 50 art and fashion blogs internationally.

Director John Carluccio is best know in the hip -hop DJ world for work on films such as Battle Sounds(1997) and Scratch (Sundance 2001).

CONTACT INFO:

John Carluccio: arifilm@cinqua.com

Press/blog inquiries: press@cinqua.com

Press site - www.cinqua.com/aripress.html