• Slamdance to Release the Wrestling Doc THE RESURRECTION OF JAKE THE SNAKE | TRAILER

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     The Resurrection of Jake the Snake Slamdance will partner with the filmmakers of The Resurrection of Jake the Snake for the multi-city theatrical release of the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival favorite documentary beginning in Portland, Oregon on September 2nd. The Portland Film Festival will host the film’s release with a special event screening of the documentary and a Q&A session moderated by UFC superstar Chael Sonnen with Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Diamond Dallas Page and director Steve Yu. The event format is a key element of the film’s continuing theatrical release with personal appearances by Jake “The Snake” Roberts, filmmakers and special guests. The theatrical release marks the initiation of Slamdance Presents, a new distribution moniker for Slamdance’s world premier programs dedicated to creating theatrical and other innovative commercial opportunities for independent filmmakers. The inspiring documentary feature opened the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival and went on to win critical acclaim as well as this unique theatrical distribution partnership with Slamdance Presents. When The Resurrection of Jake the Snake screens at Portland Film Festival, it may very well be the first time two festivals have come together to support a nationwide release of an independent film. Directed by Steve Yu, The Resurrection of Jake the Snake documents one of the most famous professional wrestlers in the world, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, as he battles his personal demons in a struggle to reclaim his life and the family that had given up on him. The feature-length documentary is also features Diamond Dallas Page and Scott Hall (aka Razor Ramon). Diamond Dallas Page is the film’s producer. We’re thrilled that Slamdance believes enough in our documentary to pursue this innovative theatrical strategy,” said the film’s director Steve Yu, “As filmmakers we were fortunate to be at the right place at the right time, and capturing Jake’s incredible story was as compelling as any fictional narrative – except this was 100% real.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iwntL5wVWk Find Tickets Now Portland Film Festival. Portland, OR. Wednesday September 2, 2015. 8:15pm. Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan Portland, OR 97219 Tickets Here Living Room Theater. Portland, OR. September 6-11, 2015. 341 SW Tenth Avenue Portland, OR 97205 Tickets Here Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. Atlanta, GA. September 18-24, 2015. 931 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 Tickets Here  

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  • Hip Hop Fashion Doc FRESH DRESSED to Premiere on CNN | TRAILER

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    FRESH DRESSED, director Sacha Jenkins FRESH DRESSED, director Sacha Jenkins’ exuberant chronicle of hip hop and urban fashion – and their global influence on pop culture – will premiere as a CNN Films broadcast with limited commercial interruptions on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 9:00pm Eastern on CNN/U.S., the network announced today. Produced by Peter Bittenbender, Nasir Jones, and Marcus Clarke for Mass Appeal, FRESH DRESSED traces how fat-laced sneakers, Kangol hats, Cazal sunglasses, and graffiti jackets inspired the style and vibe of rap artists and high fashion designers, through its expression of aspirational swagger that gave voice – and visage – to a culture whose passionate originality and artistry took the world by storm.  The music-drenched, fun-to-watch history features interviews with music and fashion entrepreneurs from the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and today, including Dapper Dan, Pharrell Williams, April Walker, Karl Kani, Daymond John, Carl Jones, Jeff Tweedy, Russell Simmons, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Damon Dash, Riccardo Tisci, Guy Wood, and many more. Deconstructing the evolution of the industry are VOGUE editor-at-large André Leon Talley, Kanye West, designer Marc Eck?, professor Elena Romero of City College of New York, professor Todd Boyd of the University of Southern California, and more.  As the industry blossomed from independent, small companies to corporate mass market producers, it spawned a generation of innovative creators with successful brands such as FUBU, Rocawear, Cross Colours, Phat Farm, Karl Kani, and Sean Jean. The film follows how the most successful brands often leveraged music and acting talent endorsements to generate brand awareness that commanded dedicated floor space inside America’s top department stores, Europe and New York fashion week runway shows, fashion awards, and hundreds of millions of dollars in apparel and accessory sales.  Later, market saturation, fickle consumer tastes, and merchandiser resistance changed again in ways that challenged and eventually consolidated “urban market” apparel manufacturers. FRESH DRESSED premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival where it was acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films and StyleHaul for domestic theatrical distribution and, shortly thereafter, by Dogwoof for international theatrical distribution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLCAh_qqrqE FRESH DRESSED will also be available on Apple TV and will simulcast via CNNgo.  The film will encore on CNN on Sept. 3 at 10:45pm, and on Saturday,  Sept. 5, at 8:00pm and 10:00pm.  All times Eastern.

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  • Takashi Miike’s Comedic Vampire Action Thriller YAKUZA APOCALYPSE Headed to US Theaters | TRAILER

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    YAKUZA APOCALYPSE Samuel Goldwyn Films will release legendary Japanese director Takashi Miike’s comedic vampire action thriller YAKUZA APOCALYPSE in the US.  The martial arts extravaganza and end-of-the-world spectacle premiered as part of the Directors’ Fortnight program at the 2015 Cannes International Film Festival.  The film will screen in the Midnight Madness program at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival running September 10–20, 2015. Samuel Goldwyn Films is planning an October 9, 2015 release. In YAKUZA APOCALYPSE, fearsome Yakuza boss Kamiura is also a bloodsucking vampire. One day, men arrive from a competing clan and deliver him an ultimatum: Play nice or die. Kamiura refuses and, during a fierce battle, is torn limb from limb. With his dying breath, he passes on his vampire powers to his loyal lieutenant, Kageyama. His first order of business is to avenge his mentor, setting him on a collision course with the seemingly unstoppable foreign syndicate, and take his place as the new Yakuza boss. One of Japan’s most prolific, adventurous and successful filmmakers, Takashi Miike has directed nearly 100 films. He has been thrilling audiences worldwide with movies such as “Audition” (1999), “Ichi the Killer” (2001) and “13 Assassins” (2010). Now, Miike returns to the hard-driven style of his early filmmaking career with YAKUZA APOCALYPSE. According to Peter Goldwyn of Samuel Goldwyn Films: “Taskashi Miike is a master of this genre and we are excited to bring his latest film, a sort of return to his origins, out to North American audiences.  The film is an exciting mix of gangster-vampire action that only Miike can deliver.” Filmmaker Takashi Miike stated: “I wonder if it’s really okay to let this film loose outside of Japan. As it’s not anything anyone can deal with on their own, it’s best to watch with friends.” YAKUZA APOCALYPSE is directed by Takashi Miike from a screenplay by Yoshitaka Yamaguchi.  Film stars Hayato Ichihara, Yayan Ruhian (“The Raid” and “The Raid 2”) and Lily Franky. Film is produced by Yoshinori Chiba, Shinichiro Masuda, Shinjiro Nishimura and Misako Saka. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn1fNww2XG8

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  • CAROL Starring Cate Blanchett to UK Premiere at 59th BFI London Film Festival Gala | TRAILER

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    CAROL Starring Cate Blanchett The 59th BFI London Film Festival has selected CAROL, Todd Haynes’ beautiful 1950s set drama, as the Festival’s American Express Gala. The film will receive its UK Premiere on Wednesday October 14 at the Odeon Leicester Square, attended by Academy Award® nominated director Todd Haynes and his stars Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett and Academy Award® nominee Rooney Mara. A young woman in her 20s, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) is a clerk working in a Manhattan department store and dreaming of a more fulfilling life when she meets Carol (Cate Blanchett), an alluring woman trapped in a loveless, convenient marriage. As an immediate connection sparks between them, the innocence of their first encounter dims and their connection deepens. While Carol breaks free from the confines of marriage, her husband (Kyle Chandler) threatens her competence as a mother when Carol’s involvement with Therese and close relationship with her best friend Abby (Sarah Paulson) comes to light. As Carol leaves the comfort of home to travel with Therese, an internal journey of self-discovery coincides with her new sense of space. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s seminal novel, The Price of Salt, adapted by Emmy nominated screenwriter Phyllis Nagy, directed by Todd Haynes, CAROL stars Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler, Jake Lacy and Sarah Paulson. The 59th BFI London Film Festival runs from Wednesday October 7 to Sunday October 18, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt-WC9xa7qs

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  • GRAVY Starring Gabourey Sidibe, Sarah Silverman to Hit Theaters on October 6 | TRAILER

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    GRAVY,  James Roday The dark comedy film GRAVY, the feature film directorial debut of James Roday, will open in select cities on October 2nd, including NY and LA, and on-demand October 6th.  Gravy features an all-star ensemble cast that includes:Michael Weston (State of Play, Garden State), Jimmi Simpson (House of Cards, White House Down),Sutton Foster (Younger, Bunheads),Lily Cole (Snow White and the Huntsman), Molly Ephraim (Last Man Standing),Paul Rodriguez (Ali),Gabriel Luna (True Detective,Wicked City), Lothaire Bluteau (Vikings, The Tudor), Ethan Sandler (The Bourne Supremacy, Crossing Jordan), Duke Hill (Ballers, Psych), with Gabourey Sidibe (Empire, Precious) and Sarah Silverman (Wreck-It Ralph).
    It’s Halloween night.  A trio of costumed misfits with very special dietary requirements seizes a Mexican cantina and forces the staff to engage in a late night of gluttony. The only caveat is what’s on the menu…and who will survive ‘til morning!  This deliriously demented horror-comedy is a true feast for genre fans.  Stuffed with an outstanding ensemble cast and perfectly seasoned with laughs and scares, you’ll be sure to ask for seconds on Gravy.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAIPyXadmog

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  • Rory Culkin and Lin Shaye Set to Star in Indie Film JACK GOES HOME

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    Rory Culkin

    Rory Culkin (Gabriel, Scream 4) (pictured above) and Lin Shaye (Insidious franchise, There’s Something About Mary) will star in writer/director Thomas Dekker’s upcoming feature film Jack Goes Home.  The announcement was made today by writer/director Thomas Dekker and producers Jordan Yale Levine and Scott Levenson.  Jack Goes Home will commence production this week in Kingston, New York.  The film is produced by Jordan Yale Levine/Yale Productions, Scott Levenson, and Thomas Dekker. Co-Producers are Nikki Reed and Jon Keeyes, and Executive Producers include Shaun S. Sanghani/ SSS Entertainment, Jason Rose and Jessica Chang.

    Previously confirmed cast members include Britt Robertson (Tomorrowland) and Nikki Reed (Twilight Saga). Rory Culkin will play the title character, with Lin Shaye starring as his mother Teresa.  Britt Robertson plays Jack’s pregnant fiancé Cleo, Daveigh Chase plays Jack’s loyal best friend Shanda, Nikki Reed play’s Shanda’s girlfriend Crystal, and Louis Hunter plays Jack’s seductive neighbor Duncan. “Lin Shaye and Rory Culkin are both exceptionally talented actors who are perfectly suited to lead the cast of Jack Goes Home,” commented writer and director Thomas Dekker.  “We could not be more thrilled to watch them bring our script to life as the film’s key mother/son duo.” Blending elements of family drama and horror films, JACK GOES HOME follows Jack, an educated and well versed magazine editor living in Los Angeles. He is mid 20s, engaged and expecting his first child.  Grappling with the natural release of his childhood and the promise of his forthcoming adulthood, he is hit hard by the news of his father’s death.  In a violent and horrific car crash, his father has perished while his mother has survived.  He returns to his hometown of Denver, Colorado to nurse his mother through her physical and emotional injuries.  During his stay at home, he uncovers long buried secrets and lies within his family history, his parents, his friends and his very identity.  Jack’s journey to the truth is fueled by madness, sexuality, hauntings and violence.  For Jack, there truly is NO PLACE LIKE HOME. Dekker’s acting credits include TV series Backstrom and The Secret Circle. On the film side, he appeared in 2009’s My Sister’s Keeper and 2010’s A Nightmare on Elm Street and directed the 2008 indie Whore. He’s repped by MGMT Entertainment and Sloane, Offer.

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  • BELGIAN RHAPSODY by Vincent Bal will close the 39th Montreal World Film Festival | TRAILER

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    Belgian Rhapsody by Vincent Bal The North American premiere of the comedy film Belgian Rhapsody directed by Vincent Bal will close the 39th Montreal World Film Festival in Out of Competition.  Produced by Peter Bouckaert for Eyeworks (Ben X, The Verdict, Marina presented and awarded at the MWFF) this comedy stars Amaryllis Ouitterlinden, Arthur Dupont, Jos Verbist, Marc Weiss, Koen Van Impe, Philippe Résimont. Two Belgian brass bands, the Flemish “Sint Cecilia” and the Walloon “En Avant”, have both been selected for the great European final. The Walloons are blown into the final by Hugues, their exceptionally talented and handsome trumpet player. When Sint Cecilia’s soloist drops dead on stage, Elke, daughter of the band’s conductor Joseph, has the solution: let’s buy that Walloon super talent out. BELGIAN RHAPSODY is a musical comedy about Belgium where anything goes when the two dominant communities compete: double-crossing, schmaltzy songs and even love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zoUYll9Ft8 Born in Ghent, Belgium in 1971, Vincent Bal began his career at the age of six appearing in musicals, films and television series. However, he quickly realized that he was far more comfortable behind the camera and enrolled at the LUCA School of Art in Brussels, after which he directed a number of film shorts and TV commercials, notably The Bloody Olive (1996), adapted from a graphic novel by Lewis Trondheim. His best known feature, THE ZIGZAG KID (2012), based on David Grossman’s novel, won the European Film Academy’s Young Audience Award. Together with Colette Bothof, he wrote and directed 26 episodes of the animated series Kika & Bob. The MWFF will take place from August 27th to September 7th

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  • A WALK IN THE WOODS + Films by Notable Filmmakers on World Greats Program of 2015 Montreal World Film Festival

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    A Walk in the Woods starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson Twenty-four feature films from a score of countries are being shown in the World Greats (out of competition) section of the 2015 Montreal World Film Festival (MWFF).  Notable among the filmmakers included are Majid Majidi whose Muhammad will be getting its world premiere, Jean-Jacques Annaud, who will be showing the North-American premiere of his latest film, Wolf Totem, Cristina Commencini (Latin Lover), Ventura Pons (The Virus of Fear), Ermanno Olmi (Greenery Will Bloom Again), Vincent Bal (Belgian Rhapsody), Ken Kwapis (A Walk in the Woods, with Robert Redford) and Sergio Castellitto (You Can`t Save Yourself Alone), among others. MWFF will take place from August 27th to September 7th. A WALK IN THE WOODS by Ken Kwapis. 2015 / Color / 98 min USA (pictured above) After spending two decades in England, Bill Bryson returns to the US, where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends. AN ITALIAN NAME (IL NOME DEL FIGLIO) by Francesca Archibugi. 2015 / Color / 94 min, Italy Paolo and Simona are expecting. At a dinner with guests one question will lead to an argument that will disturb the entire evening: the name of Paolo and Simonaís son. BEFORE SPRING (ABL AL RABIE) by Ahmed Atef. 2015 / Color / 92 min, Egypt A young blogger who lost both eyes during the Egyptian Revolution recounts in flashback the events of the Spring that eventually came to his country. BELGIAN RHAPSODY (LA BRABANÇONNE) by Vincent Bal. 2014 / Color / 100 min, Belgium – Luxembourg Two Belgian brass bands, the Flemish ‘St. Cecilia’ and Walloon ‘En Avant’, have both been selected for the great European final. It is a competition with no holds barred. BLOOD BEAD (AKAI TAMA) by Banmei Takahashi. 2015 / Color / 108 min, Japan Tokita would rather be making movies than teaching about them in film school. But it pays the bills and thereís always Yui, the pretty school secretary. Then Ritsuko enters his life… CHRIEG by Simon Jacquemet. 2014 / Color / 106 min, Switzerland Matteo, a rebellious 15-year old is sent to a remote farm for rehabilitation. But the farm is run by the inmates. Matteo must quickly learn to run with the pack. CORPSE COLLECTOR (SUBIRACH NA TRUPOVE) by Dimitar Dimitrov. 2015 / Color / 116 min, Bulgaria Itzo, who drives a morgue wagon, is loved by young, innocent Mimmy, but prefers tough, experienced Katya who mistreats him. Itzo’s assistant, Buddy, tells him he’s got things all wrong. EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO by Peter Greenaway. 2015 / Color / 105 min, Netherlands – Mexico – Finland – Belgium In 1931, at the height of his artistic powers, Soviet filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein travels to Mexico to shoot a new film to be titled Que Viva Mexico! GITEL by Robert Mullan. 2014 / Color / 115 min, United Kingdom – Lithuania September, 5 1969, and Gitel Bargman is about to attend a party to celebrate her 33rd birthday. Racked by guilt simply for being alive, for her it is hardly cause for celebration. GREENERY WILL BLOOM AGAIN (TORNERANNO I PRATI) by Ermanno Olmi. 2014 / Color / 95 min, ItalyDedicated to his father who told him stories of the Great War, Ermanno Olmiís film is a touching slice of life in the First World War trenches on the Italian front. IT’S REALLY KIND OF YOU by So Jae-ick. 2015 / Color / 92 min, South Korea It is late night and raining hard when a strange woman clad only in underwear rushes up to a man who is fishing at the lake, asking for help. Help to do what ? LATIN LOVER by Cristina Comencini. 2014 / Color / 104 min, Italy On the 10th anniversary of the death of Saverio Crispo, Italy’s most famous actor, his 5 daughters, born from different mothers and in different countries, are brought together and get to know each other. MUHAMMAD (Opening Film) by Majid Majidi. 2015 / Color / 171 min, Iran The film does not depict Muhammad himself but his world, the pagan age with all its tyranny and oppression as seen through the eyes of young Muhammad from birth to the age of 13. MY SISTER, THE PIG LADY (DWAEJI GATEUN YEOJA) by Jan Moon-il. 2015 / Color / 104 min, South Korea In a small seaside village where all the young men left for the city, three young women scheme to catch the eye of the only bachelor left in town. NECKAN by Gonzalo Tapia. 2015 / Color / 92 min, Spain In 1956, a young Spaniard arrives in Morocco, soon to be independent, to find out what happened years ago to his family. If he discovers the truth, will it be worth the effort ? SILVER SKIES by Rosemary Rodriguez. 2015 / Color / 96 min, USA A group of eccentric retirees’ lives are turned upside down when their beloved apartment complex is suddenly sold out from under them. But you can never be too old for new beginnings. SIMON by Éric Martin, Emmanuel Causse. 2015 / Color / 96 min, France Simon, a seventeen-year-old boy is diagnosed with cancer — Ewing’s sarcoma. But he’s not about to bow out without leaving his mark on the world. SISKA DELUXE by Ian Cvitkovic. 2015 / Color / 108 min, Slovenia – Czech Republic – Macedonia Longtime friends and losers, Mile, Fedr and Zekir need to rescue their calamitous professional and personal lives. An innovative pizzeria comes to the rescue. THE NEXT GENERATION PATLABOR – TOKYO WAR Mamoru Oshii. 2015 / Color / 93 min Japan / Japan In a world where giant robots are built and used for labour, a special police force of robots is created to handle crimes relating to these machines. THE SECRET OF ITALIA (IL SEGRETO DI ITALIA) by Antonello Belluco. 2014 / Color / 98 min, Italy Italy, May 1945. The war is over. But for a 15-year-old girl called Italia in a small town in the region of Venice, the tragedy has just begun. VIRUS OF FEAR (EL VIRUS DE LA POR) by Ventura Pons. 2015 / Color / 76 min, Spain A small boy is being taught to swim at a Barcelona municipal pool. He he terrified of the water and the swimming instructor tries to calm him with a kiss. He is immediately accused of abuse. WINTER by Heidi Greensmith. 2015 / Color / 95 min, United Kingdom Devastated by the death of his beloved wife, Woods, a successful artist can no longer connect with his two sons. Motherless, will they have to take of him as well ? WOLF TOTEM by Jean-Jacques Annaud. 2015 / Color / 98 min, France – China The story of young Beijing intellectual’s fascination with the wolves he encounters when he’s sent to teach Mandarin to minority nomadic herders in the majestic, scenic grasslands of Inner Mongolia. YOU CAN’T SAVE YOURSELF ALONE (NESSUNO SI SALVA DA SOLO) Sergio Castellitto. 2015 / Color / 103 min, Italy When a separated couple meet to discuss the terms of their children’s holidays, the meal immediately becomes a wide reflection on their past ten years.

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  • MI AMERICA Film Explores Violence Against Migrant Workers Sets Release Date

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    MI AMERICA As the immigration debate takes center stage in  a presidential campaign marked by increasingly divisive and racially charged rhetoric, a new film MI AMERICA offers an on-the-ground look at some of the reality of this conflict. The film is inspired by true stories from around the country and delivers a harrowing narrative on the conflict between disenfranchised Americans and immigrant workers. MI AMERICA opens in theaters on October 16th and is directed by Robert Fontaine who also stars in the film.  The cast also includes Michael Brainard, Brad Lee Wind, Grant Boyd, Michael Derek, Stephen Booth and Annemarie Lawless. The story explores the circumstances surrounding a brutal hate crime targeting five Hispanic migrant laborers.    Rolando Ramirez (Robert Fontaine) has been assigned to this case by chance.   This journey will force him to question his own identity, and beliefs, on what it means to be an American, and in turn, attempt to bring those who committed this crime to justice. A hate-crime has been committed, that has upset the delicate balance of a small, ethnically diverse waterfront city Braxton in upstate New York.   The film explores the circumstances around the kidnapping and disappearance of Five Hispanic migrant labors. Rolando Ramirez (a Hispanic-American Detective, and a longtime resident of the community), has been assigned to this case by chance.   Or was it fate?   His journey will force him to question his own identity, and beliefs, on what it means to be a North American, and in turn, attempt to bring those who committed this crime to justice…some of whom were close friends from childhood. Violence against Latinos and the story told in MI AMERICA is not unfamiliar to cities and towns across the U.S. where the conflict of disenfranchised Americans and immigrant workers have resulted in tragedy.  The immigration dilemma and debate continues to rage on as we enter the politically charged battlefield of the 2016 election and Latinos continue to be targets. This gripping murder mystery offers a potent opportunity to take a closer look at this dire issue in the media. [via release]

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  • RIGHT NOW, WRONG THEN Wins Top Award at 68th Locarno Film Festival | TRAILER

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    RIGHT NOW, WRONG THEN by the South Korean director HONG Sangsoo RIGHT NOW, WRONG THEN by the South Korean director HONG Sangsoo is the winner of the Pardo d’oro, the top award, of the 68th Locarno Film Festival, along with award for Best Actor.  In RIGHT NOW, WRONG THEN, film director Ham Chun-su arrives in Suwon a day early by mistake, and has time to kill before his screening with a debate the next day. He stops by a restored, old palace and meets an artist named Yoon Hee-jung who introduces him to her paintings. They spend time together visiting her studio, having sushi and soju for dinner, spending time drinking with Hee-jung’s friends and they end up growing close to each other. But when Chun-su is asked if he is married, he has no choice but to reveal that he is, deeply disappointing Hee-jung. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBjQP6FbQEM THITHI by Indian director Raam Reddy THITHI by Indian director Raam Reddy won two top awards, Pardo d’oro Cineasti Del Presente Premio Nescens and Swatch First Feature Award.  THITHI tells the story of how three generations of sons react to the death of Century Gowda, their grandfather, a 101-year-old man, in a remote village in South India. The 69th Festival del film Locarno will take August 3 –13, 2016 Concorso internazionale Pardo d’oro JIGEUMEUN MATGO GEUTTAENEUN TEULLIDA (Right Now, Wrong Then) by HONG Sangsoo, South Korea Premio speciale della giuria (Special Jury Prize) TIKKUN by Avishai Sivan, Israel Pardo per la miglior regia (Best direction) ANDRZEJ ZULAWSKI for COSMOS, France/Portugal Pardo per la miglior interpretazione femminile (Best actress) TANAKA SACHIE, KIKUCHI HAZUKI, MIHARA MAIKO, KAWAMURA RIRA for HAPPY HOUR by HAMAGUCHI Ryusuke, Japan Pardo per la miglior interpretazione maschile (Best actor) JUNG JAE-YOUNG for JIGEUMEUN MATGO GEUTTAENEUN TEULLIDA (Right Now, Wrong Then) by HONG Sangsoo, South Korea Special Mention For the script of HAPPY HOUR by HAMAGUCHI Ryusuke, Japan For the cinematography by Shai Goldman for TIKKUN by Avishai Sivan, Israel Concorso Cineasti del presente Pardo d’oro Cineasti del presente – Premio Nescens THITHI by Raam Reddy, India/USA/Canada Premio speciale della giuria Ciné+ Cineasti del presente (Special Jury prize) DEAD SLOW AHEAD by Mauro Herce, Spain/France Premio per il miglior regista emergente (Prize for the best emerging director) LU BIAN YE CAN (Kaili Blues) by BI Gan, China First Feature Swatch First Feature Award (Prize for Best First Feature) THITHI by Raam Reddy, India/USA/Canada Swatch Art Peace Hotel Award SINA ATAEIAN DENA for MA DAR BEHESHT (Paradise), Iran/Gemany Special Mentions LU BIAN YE CAN (Kaili Blues) by BI Gan, China KIEV/MOSCOW. PART 1 by Elena Khoreva, Russia/Estonia/Ukraine Pardi di domani Concorso internazionale Pardino d’oro per il miglior cortometraggio internazionale – Premio SRG SSR MAMA by Davit Pirtskhalava, Georgia Pardino d’argento SRG SSR per il Concorso internazionale LA IMPRESIÓN DE UNA GUERRA by Camilo Restrepo, France/Colombia Locarno Nomination for the European Film Awards – Premio Pianifica FILS DU LOUP by Lola Quivoron, France Premio Film und Video Untertitelung MAMA by Davit Pirtskhalava, Georgia Special Mention NUEVA VIDA by Kiro Russo, Argentina/Bolivia Concorso nazionale Pardino d’oro per il miglior cortometraggio svizzero – Premio Swiss Life LE BARRAGE by Samuel Grandchamp, Switzerland/USA Pardino d’argento Swiss Life per il Concorso nazionale D’OMBRES ET D’AILES by Eleonora Marinoni, Elice Meng, Switzerland/France Best Swiss Newcomer Award LES MONTS S’EMBRASENT by Laura Morales, Switzerland Prix du Public UBS DER STAAT GEGEN FRITZ BAUER by Lars Kraume, Germany Variety Piazza Grande Award LA BELLE SAISON by Catherine Corsini, France

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  • 14 Latin American Films on Horizontes Latinos Program at 63rd San Sebastian Festival

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    EL CLUB (THE CLUB) PABLO LARRAÍN The Horizontes Latinos program of the 63rd San Sebastian Festival will include fourteen films from Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Cuba, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. Films that have competed or premiered at important international festivals, but which have not yet been screened at a Spanish festival or had their commercial release in Spain. The Horizontes Latinos program will open with Pablo Larraín’s El club, Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the last Berlin Festival. The film tells the tale of four men who share a secluded house in a small beach town, sent there to purge the sins they have committed in the past. The selected films compete for the Horizontes Award, decided by a specific jury and coming with €35,000, of which €10,000 will go to the director of the winning film, and the remaining €25,000 to its distributor in Spain. EL CLUB (THE CLUB) (pictured in main image above) PABLO LARRAÍN (CHILE) Opening Night Film Pablo Larraín won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the last Berlin Festival with this film. Four men share a secluded house in a small beach town, sent there to purge the sins they have committed in the past. 600 MILLAS (600 MILES) GABRIEL RIPSTEIN (MEXICO) Arnulfo Rubio, a young gun trafficker between the United States and Mexico, is being followed by ATF agent Hank Harris. After a risky mistake by Harris, Rubio makes a desperate decision: he smuggles the agent to Mexico. Best First Feature Award in the Panorama section of the Berlin Festival. EL ABRAZO DE LA SERPIENTE (EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT) CIRO GUERRA (COLOMBIA – ARGENTINA – VENEZUELA) Premiered at the Cannes Festival Directors’ Fortnight, the latest film from Ciro Guerra tells the epic story of the first contact, encounter, approach, betrayal and, eventually, life-transcending friendship, between an Amazonian shaman and two Western explorers. EL BOTÓN DE NÁCAR (THE PEARL BUTTON) PATRICIO GUZMÁN (FRANCE – CHILE – SPAIN ) Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzmán talks to us in his latest documentary about water, the cosmos and ourselves, human beings. It all begins with the discovery of two mysterious buttons in the depths of the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Chile. CHRONIC MICHEL FRANCO (MEXICO – FRANCE) David is a nurse who works with terminally ill patients. Efficient and dedicated to his profession, he develops strong and even intimate relationships with each person he cares for. But outside of his work David is ineffectual, awkward, and reserved. Best Screenplay Award-winner at the Cannes Festival. DESDE ALLÁ (FROM AFAR) LORENZO VIGAS (VENEZUELA) Armando, aged 50, looks for young men in the streets of Caracas and pays them to come back to his house with him. He also regularly spies on an older man with whom he seems to have ties from the past. One day he meets Elder, aged 17, leader of a small band of thugs. Competitor in the Official Selection of the Venice Festival. LAS ELEGIDAS (THE CHOSEN ONES) DAVID PABLOS (MEXICO – FRANCE) LAS ELEGIDAS (THE CHOSEN ONES) DAVID PABLOS David Pablos’s second film took part at the San Sebastian Co-production Forum in 2014 and premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of Cannes Festival. Sofia, 14 years old, is in love with Ulises. Because of him, in spite of him, she is forced into a prostitution ring in Mexico. To set her free, Ulises will have to find another girl to replace her. IXCANUL JAYRO BUSTAMANTE (GUATEMALA – FRANCE) María, a 17 year-old Mayan girl, lives and works with her family in a plantation on the Guatemalan plateau. Her days go by uneventfully until her parents arrange her marriage to the estate foreman, Ignacio. A film that landed a special mention at the last edition of Films in Progress and competed at the Berlin Festival, where it won the Alfred Bauer Award. MAGALLANES SALVADOR DEL SOLAR (PERU – ARGENTINA – COLOMBIA – SPAIN) Winner of Films in Progress at last year’s Festival. Magallanes recognises a woman getting into a taxi. It’s Celina, the young peasant girl he randomly arrested more than twenty years ago, when he was a soldier. They both have unfinished business. And for Magallanes, this is an opportunity to redeem himself. Damián Alcázar, Magaly Solier and Federico Luppi play the leading parts. LA OBRA DEL SIGLO (THE PROJECT OF THE CENTURY) CARLOS M. QUINTELA (CUBA – ARGENTINA – GERMANY -SWITZERLAND) Amidst a mosquito plague, Leonardo, struggling with the breakdown of his relationship, moves back to live with a grandfather who fights with everyone and everything, and a father living with the melancholy of the unfinished. Tiger Award-winner at the last Rotterdam Festival. PAULINA SANTIAGO MITRE (ARGENTINA – BRAZIL – FRANCE) Paulina decides to leave her brilliant law career to teach in a downtrodden Argentinian region. In a hostile atmosphere, she will set about her pedagogical mission, even if it means losing her boyfriend and confrontation with her father. Fipresci Prize-winner at the last Cannes Festival Critics’ Week. PARA MINHA AMADA MORTA (TO MY BELOVED) ALY MURITIBA (BRAZIL) Fernando is a good man who takes care of his only child, Daniel, a shy and sensitive boy. Following the death of his wife Ana, every night Fernando recalls their love as he sorts out his beloved dead spouse’s belongings. One day he finds a VHS tape that will change everything. This movie participated in the Films in Progress section at the last Festival. The film took part at the Co-Production Forum in 2014. TE PROMETO ANARQUÍA (I PROMISE YOU ANARCHY) JULIO HERNÁNDEZ CORDÓN (MEXICO – GERMANY) Julio Hernández Cordón’s new film was selected for the Locarno Festival Competition. Miguel and Johnny have known each other since childhood. They spend their time skateboarding and having fun. To make easy money and continue skateboarding, they sell their own blood clandestinely. They turn the ploy into a business, until a major transaction doesn’t turn out as they’d expected. LA TIERRA Y LA SOMBRA / LAND AND SHADE CÉSAR AUGUSTO ACEVEDO (COLOMBIA – CHILE – BRAZIL – NETHERLANDS – FRANCE) LA TIERRA Y LA SOMBRA / LAND AND SHADE CÉSAR AUGUSTO ACEVEDO Winner of the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Festival, after having participated at the San Sebastian Co-Production Forum in 2013, this film portrays a family as they try to repair the fragile ties that bind them in the face of their imminent disappearance, brought about by the overwhelming power of progress.

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  • PICNIC and THE HOUSE IS INNOCENT Are Grand Prize Winners of 2015 Rhode Island International Film Festival

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    “Picnic,“ directed by Jure Pavlovic

    The FLICKERS: .  The 2015 Grand Prize winners are “Picnic,“ directed by Jure Pavlovic from Croatia (pictured above) that takes place in Sarajevo during rush hour.

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