The Story of KFilms
The ethereal ability of film to capture stories housed deep in our collective consciousness is the foundation of all great storytelling. From this well of intuitive experience pours forth tales of life, love, passion, and regret; of hardships overcome, and joys experienced. Stories that challenge our preconceived ideas, that explore socio-economic impacts, that delve deep into the trends of technology and into the politics of our day. Stories that utilize the lens of “visionary” to open our eyes to viewpoints not otherwise explored. With an intent to provoke conversation, and evoke emotional response, we encourage empowerment of the individual and collective voice.
Koncept Films is your story brought to life!
LIFE’S BLOOD
Tschetan Esser “On the Set”
LIFE’S BLOOD
Nominated, for "Best Social Commentary" Award (DIR: Karen Criswell) at AOF Festival in Pasadena, and granted an "Honorary Mention" Award for Cinematography (DP: Michael Dwyer), this film explores the tragic circumstances where art intersects life, and gets mangled by drugs and the decisions that we make. Some, too late.
LIFE’S BLOOD is a lyrical exploration into the difficulties that our youth face in traversing their way through the maze of drugs, peer pressure, and feelings of being "different". We all need to support one another, and support each other's creativity.
“Artistic individuality is truly a dangerous thing to waste!”
Nominee: Best Social Commentary Award - Action On Film Festival
SEEDS OF A GENERATION
Margert Anderle / Hannah McCandless
A short pilot documentary, SEEDS OF A GENERATION, explores the courageous and hopeful dreams of millennials as they graduate from high school and move forward with their lives. The doc explores themes of personal, generational, and political impact from this group of young global idealists!
"Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest”. - Maya Angelou
Winner: Best Short Documentary, LAIUFF
Award of Merit: Best Shorts Competition
2013 Official Selection: 1st CA Women's Film Festival
ONLY THE BRAVE
21 Medals of Honor, 9,486 Purple Hearts, 588 Silver Stars, 5,200 Bronze Stars. This is their story!
(Producer / Writer / Director - Lane Nishikawa) In collaboration with Mission From Buddha Productions, Karen Criswell worked as the key Producer on a series of films on the Japanese-American experience during WWII, that culminated in the award-winning feature, ONLY THE BRAVE. The projects were educational in nature; funded by Civil Liberties of California and supported by local non-profit organizations, as well as, receiving financing from entrepreneurs within the Japanese-American community.
REVIEW: A searing portrait of war and prejudice, 'Only the Brave' takes you on a haunting journey into the hearts and minds of the forgotten heroes of WWII - the Japanese-American 100th/442nd. In 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, overnight Japanese Americans were put into internment camps for the duration of the war. Determined to prove their loyalty, 1400 Japanese Americans successfully petitioned the government to serve becoming the 100th Infantry Battalion. They were sent to North Africa, Italy and finally France were they performed an impossibly-dangerous rescue of the Texas 36th Division. During their two years of combat these men received an unparalleled 21 Medals of Honor, 9,486 Purple Hearts, 8 Presidential Citations, 53 Distinguished Service Crosses, 588 Silver Stars and 5,200 Bronze stars - making them the most decorated unit of their size in American military history. This is their story.
“Karen was a Producer on four of my films. She has a tremendous amount of experience, understands all areas of production, and is very detail oriented. I continue to include her on my upcoming projects and I highly recommend her for film projects of any scale”.
- Lane Nishikawa, Owner West River Productions/Mission From Buddha Productions
ZEITLOS
“Timeless” - sound visualized on vinyl.
An album for the ages…
Guitarist: Michael Jost