BendFilm, in Bend, Oregon, announced the first of the films selected for the fest’s ten year celebration. The 10th annual Festival will open with THE TRUTH ABOUT EMANUEL (previously known as EMANUEL AND THE TRUTH ABOUT FISHES). Written and directed by Francesca Gregorini, the character-driven, psychological, drama/thriller follows Emanuel (Kaya Scoledario) who becomes obsessed with her new, mysterious neighbor Linda (Jessica Biel). Emanuel offers to babysit Linda’s new baby and unwittingly enters her fragile world. But Emanuel will have to go to a place that she herself has never dared to enter to truly save Linda. Also stars Frances O’Connor and Alfred Molina. The short narrative A HOUSE, A HOME will precede EMANUEL on opening night. In Daniel Fickle’s film, a love, a death, and another death are reconciled in a subterranean world.
The festival released the name of three other narrative films selected, including the west coast premiere of THE COLD LANDS, written and directed by Tom Gilroy. When young Atticus (Silas Yelich)’s mother (Lili Taylor) dies unexpectedly, he flees into New York’s Catskill Mountains. Wandering the dense woods in shock, Atticus’ grasp on reality wears thin. When he meets Carter (Peter Scanavino), a scruffy drifter, they form a wary alliance, but both are unsure that depending on the other is the right decision.
BendFilm will feature the west coast premiere of Neil LaBute’s tense two-person drama SOME VELVET MORNING, starring Alice Eve and Stanley Tucci. Ex-lover Fred, whom Velvet has not seen in four years, unexpectedly surprises her at her apartment. With suitcase in tow, he enters with great expectation. As Fred unloads the reason for his resurfacing, the history and nature of their relationship is revealed. The weight of their reconnection becomes clear as tension mounts and their chemistry reaches its climax.
The three feature documentaries announced include BENDING STEEL, making its west coast premiere at BendFilm. Dave Carroll’s intimate documentary exploring the lost art of the old-time strongman and one man’s struggle to overcome limitations of body and mind follows the endearing and unassuming Chris Schoeck. While preparing to perform amazing and unique feats of strength publicly, Chris also struggles to overcome crippling fears and inhibitions. What unfolds is one man’s remarkable journey to find his place in the world.
Nicholas D. Wrathall writes and directs GORE VIDAL: THE UNITED STATES OF AMNESIA in its west coast premiere. It showcases Vidal’s rapier wit, keen intellect and well-known and eloquently expressed opinions, namely, his position that the radical right has triumphed over “traditional” humanist liberal values. In excerpts from Vidal’s many interviews made and clips acquired over half a century in the public eye, Vidal issues a chilling, cautionary warning to the America we’ve idealized and the other America we are becoming.
Inspired by a visit to the “World’s Oldest Man” Walter Breuning (who died in 2011 at 115 years of age), director Hunter Weeks and his wife, producer Sarah Elizabeth Hall, set out to meet the world’s oldest people–some of the last people born in the 1800s—in WALTER. Capturing the extraordinary lives of people 110 years or older, WALTER sheds light on what’s truly important in life. The film explores the stories of several living supercentenarians and connects with the inspiring lives of our elders and their lessons for living life right. WALTER is making its world premiere at BendFilm. Weeks says of his inclusion in the Festival: “Bend is the perfect place to launch WALTER for its world premiere. The people of Bend seem to have the right idea for living life well.” Weeks and Hall will appear in person at the premiere.
BendFilm has also announced its 2013 jury. “We’re continuing a traditional of excellence and breadth in our jury,” Schwartz says. “We’re ten times lucky in having had such terrific students, teachers, professionals and connoisseurs of film honor the best in BendFilm’s.” Selecting award-winning films this year will be: Neal Block; Miriam Cutler; Franklin Leonard; Darryl MacDonald; Maggie Mackay and Lisa Schwartzbaum.
