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Draft:Party Dream

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Party Dream is a 2022 movie documentary, directed by Aaron Hagele and Tim Slowikowski. This documentary explores the ups and downs of two brothers looking for rock-and-roll salvation, only to find in the end that the party dream may be over.

This fantastic film took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Feature Documentary at the 2022 Sherman Oaks Film Festival.[1] Party Dream, which debuted 2022 at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in California, the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival and the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival, where it won the Best Feature audience award.[2]

Synopsis

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Party Dream opens with Ultimate Donny and Gil Mantera—unlikely step-brothers from hard-scrabble Youngstown, Ohio—forming one of the wildest, most unpredictable live bands you've never seen.[3] The early scenes capture their rise, filled with music, chaotic tours, bizarre fashion, and a relentless pursuit of fun. The film dives into their live performances, which defy description—each one a chaotic, visceral experience that makes the phrase "you had to be there" ring true.

As they ascend, we see the band’s peak during the *Bloodsongs* era, their most successful album, financed by Patrick Carney of The Black Keys. Carney's candid reflections on the band's hilarity and genius offer insight into the frenetic energy of their shows. Yet, as with many fast-rising stars, cracks begin to show. The relentless grind of low-paying tours and scarce recognition begins to wear them down. We watch as two brothers, once united by music, start to drift apart under the strain of the industry’s harsh realities.

In its final phase, Party Dream portrays the band’s inevitable burnout. The release of their last album marks the end of an era, as financial and familial tensions bring the dream crashing down. Ultimate Donny and Gil, now separated by their diverging paths, leave us wondering whether their brotherhood—and their shared musical legacy—could ever be mended.[3]

Critical reception

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Party Dream received general acclaim. IMDb rating of 8.4 out of 10 on 60 ratings. Amazon: 5 out of 5 on 39 global ratings. There is no Rotten Tomatoes score as of yet.

References

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  1. ^ "332. Aaron Hagele & Tim Slowikowski "Party Dream" – DISCOVER INDIE FILM". Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  2. ^ D'Astolfo, Guy. "'Party Dream' Documents a Most Unusual Band". Business Journal Daily | The Youngstown Publishing Company. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  3. ^ a b "Party Dream (2022)". CineDump. 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
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