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kennyhotz
Reviews
The Papal Chase (2004)
www.kennyhotz.com
The Papal Chase is a feature-length guerrilla documentary that captures one man's obsession to meet the Pope in order to win a bet. The Pope is visiting Canada and Kenny Hotz's friend has bet him $1,000 that he can't meet 'his holiness'. Kenny is a maniac, a non-believer, totally lacking any form of spirituality, he is overly determined to win the cash, but he has only six days to redeem himself. In his attempt to meet 'the most heavily guarded man in the world' Kenny becomes a Pope-arazzi, fighting his way through millions of pilgrims and onlookers, thousands of cops, security guards, Vatican Special Forces, precision snipers, the media and 2 million religious zealots.
Over the 6-day period, Kenny becomes slightly catholicised, beginning to search not only for the Pope, but an understanding of God. His religious quest is a fascinating glimpse into contemporary global faith and Papal celebrity. Hotz's irreverent, often confrontational style explores the limits of personal freedom and expression at the highly secure, international festival.
Armed with a fake press card, Kenny has undertaken a task of biblical proportions. Is it possible for some obsessed non-believer to meet the Pope?
It Don't Cost Nothin' to Say Good Morning (1995)
It Don't Cost Nothing' To Say Goodmorning-1994
Kenny Hotz - Director, cinematographer, editor. 18 min./16mm, B&W) "It Don't Cost Nothing' To Say Goodmorning" is an internationally-acclaimed documentary that captures the life and death of Toronto's most famous homeless man. 'Shorty' Gordy was a foul-mouthed, drunken, dwarf panhandler, loved and hated in Canada's wealthiest neighborhood where he was born, and where he would die a destitute tramp. Filmed over several years, the film captures Gordy's derelict life and ends with his death. Beautifully shot, bleak, but also funny, the film premiered in the Palm Springs Film Festival, Cinéfest, The Worldwide Short Film Festival. Nominated for best short at "Hot Docs Film Festival." The film's print resides in the Ontario Provincial Archives.
The Comeback Trail (1982)
The best and worst comedy ever made
My favorite comedy feature of all time. Harry Hurwitz's greatest film. This film has a following of three people. Unfortunately I'm one of them. See this movie
don't worry you can trust me, I'm a Werner Herzog fan!
Ken Hotz -director of "PITCH"
Pitch (1997)
The ultimate Hollywood Nightmare
Credited by Variety to be one of the greatest documentaries to ever come out of Canada. Al Pacino, Roger Ebert, Neil Simon, Matt Dillon as well as a constant slew of celebs make this film a Canadian classic. The film is really best described as "Roger & Me" meets "The Player". Watch as Kenny Hotz and Spenny PITCH their script to the big boys of Hollywood. Called the only American film to ever come out of Canada, This film opened the Toronto Film Festival in 1997, Winner of the 'Best Indie Film Award Toronto'. Europe premier was at the prestigious HOF film fest in Germany. U.S.A. premier U.S. Comedy Festival Aspen 1999. More information available at www.kennyhotz.com