Back to the Future

If Dr. Who was a steampunk epic done in the style of German expressionism, it would be Quest for the Indie Tube, filmmaker John Hartman's high-concept sci-fi series created for the Internet. In it, a hundred-year-old inventor has to seek out new arthouse creations to stay young. He uses the...

By Cory Casciato

April 15, 2010

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

If Dr. Who was a steampunk epic done in the style of German expressionism, it would be Quest for the Indie Tube, filmmaker John Hartman's high-concept sci-fi series created for the Internet. In it, a hundred-year-old inventor has to seek out new arthouse creations to stay young. He uses the Indie Tube to tune into cosmic transmissions of creativity while fighting a dark nemesis in an effort to save the universe from mediocre television.

"Standard-fare filmmaking is not something I care for very much, and I would love to see more independent shows, programs and what have you," says Hartman. "This is my attempt at inspiring the audience and taking them outside the ordinary significance of standardized programming."

Featuring goth robots, a protagonist inspired by Drs. Who and Frankenstein and "the most playful torture scene you'll ever see in your life," Quest is a unique take on science fiction, art and serial entertainment.

See the first episode online at www.questfortheindietube.com, then catch the Denver premiere of episode two, "Pink Belly Torture," tonight at the Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo Street, as part of the Emerging Filmmaker's Project. Tickets are $5; films start at 8 p.m. For more info, visit www.bugtheatre.org or call 303-477-5977.
Thu., April 15, 8 p.m., 2010

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.