Brandt Johnson’s docu-comedy, Rebel with a Clause, follows his wife Ellen Jovin as she takes her pop-up advice stand – the Grammar Table, on a cross-country journey to all 50 states.
The film has screened at multiple festivals and won awards including Best Documentary Feature and Best Director – Documentary Feature, Albuquerque Film + Music Experience; Audience Award – Documentary Feature, Independent Film Festival of Boston; Outstanding Documentary Feature, Ridgfield Independent Film Festival and Best Documentary Feature, Kansas City Film Fest International.
It opened in theaters starting at the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles on October 22nd – see upcoming cities and dates below.
One fall day, author Ellen Jovin set up a folding table on a Manhattan sidewalk with a homemade sign that said “Grammar Table.” Right away, passersby began excitedly asking questions, telling stories, and filing complaints of the highest pedantic order. What happened next is the stuff of grammar legend, with Ellen and her filmmaker husband, Brandt Johnson, taking the Grammar Table on the road, visiting all 50 states as Brandt shot the grammar action. Language becomes a bridge, not a barrier, in this uplifting portrait of connection through grammar.
She eventually wrote a book, which inspired the film’s title, that answers questions she heard while on the road.
Joining Jovin in her journey is her first-time director husband, Brandt Johnson. He spoke about his reasoning for wanting to capture Jovin’s journey. “I’d been an observer from the start, just taking in the majesty of the Grammar Table. What I was seeing was so funny, so connecting, so genuine and loving and beautiful in this divided time – I wanted to share that,” said Johnson in an interview with West Side Rag.
Lois Alter Mark, in a review for the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, said, “Rebel Without a Clause is a joy to watch. Because Jovin and her director husband, Brandt Johnson, are so enthusiastic about their subject, it’s likely to appeal to an audience that goes well beyond grammar geeks.” She continued, “As she dispels grammar myths and corrects misconceptions, Jovin literally makes the world a little bit more understandable.
Watch the official trailer for Rebel With A Clause, above.
see upcoming dates below.
Laemmle Royal (Los Angeles, CA) – October 22
Digital Gym Cinema (San Diego, CA) – Opening October 23
Laemmle Claremont (Claremont, CA) – October 25 – 27
Laemmle Monica Film Center (Santa Monica, CA) – October 25 – 27
Laemmle Newhall (Santa Clarita, CA) – October 25 – 27
Laemmle Town Center (Encino, CA) – October 25 -27
Laemmle Glendale (Glendale, CA) – October 25 – 27
Oct 26 • Laemmle Claremont 5 • Claremont , CA in-person Q&A Book signing
Oct 26 • Laemmle Monica Film Center • Santa Monica , CA
Oct 26 • Laemmle Newhall • Santa Clarita , CA
Oct 26 • Laemmle Town Center 5 • Encino , CA
Oct 26 • Chelsea Theater • Chapel Hill , NC
Oct 26 • Naples International Film Festival • Naples , FL
Oct 26 • Laemmle Glendale • Glendale , CA
Oct 27 • Laemmle Claremont 5 • Claremont , CA
Oct 27 • Laemmle Monica Film Center • Santa Monica , CA in-person Q&A Book signing
Oct 27 • Laemmle Newhall • Santa Clarita , CA
Oct 27 • Laemmle Town Center 5 • Encino , CA
Oct 27 • Laemmle Glendale • Glendale , CA
Oct 28 • The Frida Cinema • Santa Ana , CA in-person Q&A Book signing
Oct 28 • Digital Gym Cinema • San Diego , CA
Oct 29 • Chelsea Theater • Chapel Hill , NC
Oct 30 • Digital Gym Cinema • San Diego , CA
Oct 30 • Chelsea Theater • Chapel Hill , NC
Oct 30 • Windsor International Film Festival • Windsor , ON (Canada)
Nov 3 • Gold Coast International Film Festival • Queens , NY
Nov 8 • Stratford Film Festival • Stratford , ON (Canada)
Nov 9 • St. Louis International Film Festival • St. Louis , MO
Dec 2 • Traverse City Film Festival • Traverse City , MI (2 shows)
Jan 24 • Bryn Mawr Film Institute • Bryn Mawr , PA
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