• After Dark Program Returns for 2014 Portland International Film Festival

    NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPENNOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN

    After taking a break during last year’s Festival, the popular After Dark program will return for this year’s Portland International Film Festival with SIX midnight movies.  Among the film  selections are new cult director Ti West’s (THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL) THE SACRAMENT, the “bold, metaphysical sci-fi satire” THE CONGRESS from animator Ari Folman (WALTZ WITH BASHIR), Zack Parker’s harrowing thriller PROXY, James Ward Byrkit’s “mind-bending sci-fi thriller” COHERENCE, Katrin Gebbe’s “intense and gripping first feature” NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN, and Alex van Warmerdam’s “dark, mischievous, and unsettling fable” BORGMAN.

    Complete PIFF After Dark listings:

    Friday, February 7th at 11:45p.m.

    BORGMAN (Dir. Alex van Warmerdam)

    A dark, mischievous, and unsettling fable about a strange vagabond, Borgman takes the concept of home invasion to captivating new levels. Driven by the authorities from his underground hideout, the enigmatic Camiel Borgman is on the run. Covered in dirt, he arrives at Marina and Richard’s large suburban home asking to use their shower, thus beginning a game of sly calculation as he insinuates himself into their lives. He soon starts to manipulate the family with almost preternatural charisma as his more sinister plans make themselves known in chilling fashion. Filled with nasty humor and demonic imagination, van Warmerdam’s film shows that “evil comes in everyday form, embodied within ordinary, normal, polite men and women…enacted not just on cold winter nights but in the optimistic summer, beneath a warm and comforting sun.”—Alex van Warmerdam. (113 mins.)

    Saturday, February 8th at 11:45p.m.

    THE SACRAMENT (Dir. Ti West)

    A shocking tale of devotion gone horribly wrong, The Sacrament offers a disturbing vision of the power of groupthink. Patrick is a photographer whose once drug-addicted sister Caroline is a member of an isolated sober-living community in Mississippi. Patrick discovers that the program is closer to a communal-living collective and that there is a strange and charismatic leader of the group, known only as “Father.” When his sister leaves the country to start a new utopian society in the jungle, he enlists two co-workers to shoot a documentary on their whereabouts. Based on detailed research of the infamous Jonestown massacre, The Sacrament provides a terrifying examination of modern religion, charismatic influence, and the exploitation of power as West explores the horrific idea of a man who can talk people into killing themselves. (95 mins.)

    >Director Ti West in attendance. 

     

    Friday, February 14th at 11:45p.m.

    THE CONGRESS (Dir. Ari Folman)

    “Folman’s follow-up to his strikingly rotoscoped Waltz with Bashir is a bold, metaphysical sci-fi satire: a live-action set-up that goes down the rabbit hole of loony animation partway through. Based on a novel by Solarisauthor Stanislaw Lem, The Congress sees Robin Wright playing Robin Wright, an actress with diminishing options in a savage and surreal movie business. When her agent (Harvey Keitel) delivers an ultimatum, Wright’s only choice is to sell her very identity. Plunged into a lurid Orwellian future, she must rediscover herself with the help of her personal animator (Jon Hamm) and human doctor (Paul Giamatti).”—London Film Festival. “[A] visionary work…it’s lyrical and mysterious, contemplating age-old sci-fi questions (of artificial intelligence, of perception versus reality) while grafting them onto a commentary about the changing nature of movies.”— RogerEbert.com. (120 mins.)
     

    Saturday, February 15th at 11:45p.m.

    NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN (Dir. Katrin Gebbe)

    Young Tore belongs to the fervent Jesus Freaks, a fundamentalist Christian punk movement rebelling against established religion whilst at the same time following Jesus’s precepts of love. One day, in what appears to be a miracle, Tore manages to repair a car that has broken down and gets to know the driver, Benno. Before long, Tore moves into a tent in Benno’s garden and gradually becomes part of his family. But Benno can’t resist playing a cruel game, designed to test Tore’s faith. As the violence become more and more extreme, Tore’s capacity for love is pushed to its limits. “Intense and gripping…a robust and compelling first feature…deserving of a special Palme d’Horreur.”—Variety. (110 mins.)
     

    Friday, February 21th at 11:45p.m.

    PROXY (Dir. Zack Parker)

    “As a pregnant Esther (Alexia Rasmussen) walks home, she is viciously attacked by a hooded assailant. In the wake of this traumatic event, she finds some consolation and normalcy in the kindly Melanie (Alexa Havins), whom she meets at a support group. But a chance encounter makes it clear that nothing—and no one—in Esther’s life is as it appears. Setting off a chain reaction of increasingly shocking revelations, Proxytwists and turns its way through loss, grief, and death. The surprise standout is auteur Joe Swanberg in a supporting role as Melanie’s husband. Be warned: Proxy begins with some deeply disturbing content, but this immensely challenging thriller will reward audiences who stick with it as it delves into very dark territory and confronts our every assumption and belief about what we have seen.”—Toronto International Film Festival.(120 mins.)

    Director Zack Parker in attendance.

     

    Saturday, February 22nd at 11:45p.m.

    COHERENCE (Dir. James Ward Byrkit)

    A group of friends and ex-lovers learn why you should not throw a dinner party the night a mysterious comet is passing close to Earth in this mind-bending science fiction thriller. The first glasses of wine have barely been poured when tensions start to rise. None of that matters, however, when the lights go off throughout the neighborhood, all except for one house a few blocks over, lit up like a beacon in the darkness. “Coherence is a cerebral low-budget sci-fi that dives headfirst into a pool of quantum mechanics and theoretical physics. It’s a tightly focused, intimately shot film that quickly ratchets up the tension and mystery.Coherence is relationship drama turned on its head, giving you plenty to think about without spoon-feeding you any answers.”—Fantastic Fest. (89 mins.)

    Director James Ward Byrkit in attendance.

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  • SXSW Unveils Midnighter Features & Short Films Lineup

    Adam Wingard's THE GUEST Adam Wingard’s THE GUEST

    The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival taking place March 7 to15, 2014, in Austin, Texas, unveiled the films in the Midnighters section, and the short film lineup.This year’s Midnighters sections includes eight world premieres, and one U.S. premiere including  STAGE FRIGHT, the feature film debut of writer/director Jerome Sable, and Adam Wingard’s THE GUEST which premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.

    SXSW 2014 Midnighters:

    13 Sins
    Director/Screenwriter: Daniel Stamm, Screenwriter: David Birke

    A cryptic phone call sets off a dangerous game of risks for Elliot, a down-on-his luck salesman. The game promises increasing rewards for completing 13 tasks, each more sinister than the last.
    Cast: Mark Webber, Rutina Wesley, Devon Graye, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Richard Burgi, Tom Bower, Ron Perlman (World Premiere)

    Among The Living (France)
    Director/Screenwriter: Julien Maury, Alexandre Bustillo

    After horror favorites Inside and Livid, Maury and Bustillo pair up again for a horror-thriller at the cross roads between Stand by Me and Friday the13th.
    Cast: Anne Marivin, Béatrice Dalle, Francis Renaud, Fabien Jegoudez, Nicolas Giraud (World Premiere)

    Exists
    Director: Eduardo Sánchez, Screenwriter: Jamie Nash

    Five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary beast that is stronger, smarter and more terrifying than they would have ever believed exists.
    Cast: Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Denise Williamson, Samuel Davis (World Premiere)

    The Guest
    Director: Adam Wingard, Screenwriter: Simon Barrett

    A soldier on leave befriends the family of a fallen comrade, only to become a threat to all around him when it’s revealed he’s hiding dangerous secrets from his past.
    Cast: Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Leland Orser, Lance Reddick, Sheila Kelley

    Home
    Director/Screenwriter: Nicholas McCarthy

    When a realtor is asked to sell a vacant home, she and her sister cross paths with its previous tenant: a teenage girl who sold her soul to the devil.
    Cast: Naya Rivera, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Ashley Rickards, Wyatt Russell, Ava Acres (World Premiere)

    Honeymoon
    Director/Screenwriter: Leigh Janiak, Screenwriter: Phil Graziadei

    Young newlyweds find their honeymoon spiraling mysteriously into chaos.
    Cast: Rose Leslie, Harry Treadaway, Ben Huber, Hanna Brown (World Premiere)

    Late Phases
    Director: Adrián García Bogliano, Screenwriter: Eric Stolze

    When deadly attacks from the forests beset a secluded retirement community, it is up to a grizzled veteran to figure what the residents are hiding.
    Cast: Nick Damici, Ethan Embry, Erin Cummings, Tom Noonan, Lance Guest (World Premiere)

    Oculus
    Director/Screenwriter: Mike Flanagan, Screenwriter: Jeff Howard

    As children, two siblings witnessed their parents’ harrowing descent into madness and death. Now, as adults, they reunite to expose and destroy the supernatural entity responsible: the Lasser Glass – a legendary mirror their parents owned.
    Cast: Karen Gillan, Brenton Thwaites, Rory Cochrane, James Lafferty, Katee Sackhoff (U.S. Premiere)

    Stage Fright
    Director: Jerome Sable

    Stage Fright tells the story of a snobby musical theater camp terrorized by a bloodthirsty masked killer who despises musical theatre. “Scream” meets “Glee” in this genre-bending R-rated horror-musical.
    Cast: Allie MacDonald, Douglas Smith, Brandon Uranowitz, Kent Nolan, Melanie Leishman (World Premiere)

    Starry Eyes
    Directors/Screenwriters: Dennis Widmyer, Kevin Kolsch

    In the city of dreams, a desperate actress will do whatever it takes for the role of a lifetime… no matter what the cost.
    Cast: Alexandra Essoe, Amanda Fuller, Fabianne Therese, Noah Segan, Shane Coffey (World Premiere)

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  • Horror Film STAGE FRIGHT Set to Premiere at SXSW, Gets a U.S. Release Date

    STAGE FRIGHT is the feature film debut of writer/director Jerome Sable

    STAGE FRIGHT, described as a horror/comedy/musical about “bloodthirsty gorehounds and musical theatre geeks,” which world premieres in the Midnighters section at March’s SXSW Film Festival, will be released in the U.S. by Magnet Releasing, the genre division of Magnolia Pictures. STAGE FRIGHT is the feature film debut of writer/director Jerome Sable, director of the award-winning, festival favorite short, “The Legend of Beaver Dam” and stars Allie MacDonald and Douglas Smith, with Minnie Driver and Meat Loaf.  Magnet is releasing the film in its Ultra VOD program, launching it on iTunes and On Demand on April 3rd, followed by a theatrical release on May 9th.

    “Scream” meets “Glee” in this dark comedy musical about a starry-eyed teenager Camilla Swanson who aspires to follow in the footsteps of her Broadway diva mother. Instead she’s stuck working in the kitchen of a snobby performing arts camp. Determined to change her destiny, she sneaks in to audition for the summer showcase and lands a lead role in the play, but just as rehearsals begin, blood starts to spill, and Camilla soon finds herself terrified by the horror of musical theater.

    “As a fan of Magnet and the movies they release, I cannot tell you how excited I am that our film is on their roster,” said Sable. “I am honored that they’re helping me with my lifelong dream of bringing bloodthirsty gorehounds and musical theatre geeks a little bit closer together.”

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  • Magnolia Pictures to Release Roger Ebert Documentary LIFE ITSELF from Sundance Film Festival

    LIFE ITSELF, a documentary about the life of Roger Ebert directed by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Steve James

    Magnolia Pictures announced today that they have acquired LIFE ITSELF, a documentary about the life of Roger Ebert directed by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Steve James (Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters) which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Magnolia is eyeing a summer release, followed by an exclusive broadcast on CNN later this year, reprising a successful collaboration with CNN Films on the hit documentary Blackfish.

    Roger Ebert was a beloved national figure and arguably our best-known and most influential movie critic, and his passing in 2013 was deeply felt across the country. Based on his memoir of the same name, LIFE ITSELF recounts his fascinating and flawed journey—from politicized school newspaperman, to Chicago Sun-Times movie critic, to Pulitzer Prize winner, to television household name, to the miracle of finding love at 50, and finally his “third act” as a major voice on the Internet when he could no longer physically speak.

    “Magnolia is the perfect partner for bringing this film on such a seminal figure in film to the big screen,” said Steve James. “Roger’s story deserves it.”

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  • Rooftop Films Host NY Premiere of Roger Ebert Documentary LIFE ITSELF

    Director Steve James with Chaz Ebert Director Steve James with Chaz Ebert

    One week after its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, close to 200 people braved the inclement weather to attend the Rooftop Films and Piper-Heidsieck hosted  sneak preview of the new Roger Ebert documentary, “LIFE ITSELF” at The Paley Center for Media in New York City. On hand to see the screening were the late critic’s wife Chaz Ebert, Director Steve James, Actress Yael Stone (Orange Is The New Black), Director Alex Ross Perry, and indie actress Kate Lyn Shiel along with noted film critic A.O. Scott (The New York Times) who conducted a Q&A with Chaz, Steve and filmmaker Rahmin Bahrani.

    Roger Ebert documentary LIFE ITSELFRoger Ebert documentary LIFE ITSELF

    In 2013, we lost Roger Ebert—arguably the nation’s best-known and most influential movie critic. Based on his memoir of the same name, Life Itself recounts Ebert’s fascinating and flawed journey—from politicized school newspaperman, to Chicago Sun-Times movie critic, to Pulitzer Prize winner, to television household name, to the miracle of finding love at 50, and finally his “third act” as a major voice on the Internet when he could no longer physically speak. 

    Filmmaker Steve James masterfully uncovers the snags and strains hidden under Ebert’s prominence, including his battle with alcohol; his ongoing, sometimes ruthless, conflict with fellow critic Gene Siskel; and scorching debates among film critics about whether their television show reduced criticism to “consumer advice.” Ebert bridged high and low culture, defending film as a populist medium even as he championed films that challenged mainstream aesthetics and expectations. Insisting on bare honesty, Life Itself is as much a love letter to Ebert as it is an expression of Ebert’s own love—for his family, humanity in general, and, of course, the movies.  [ Sundance Film Festival ]

    Rooftop Films and Piper-Heidsieck-sponsored NYC premiere of LIFE ITSELF

    At the Q&A conducted after the Rooftop Films and Piper-Heidsieck-sponsored NYC premiere of LIFE ITSELF, Steve James shared that he originally thought “he’d just rip off the memoir,“ but that ultimately, the film isn’t really an adaption of the memoir – it’s more of a companion piece. While James leaned very heavily on Roger’s book, he also wanted to be sure to get things that weren’t focused on in the book, particularly his relationship to Gene Siskel which, as the film shows, was often competitive, contentious and challenging.

    Chaz EbertChaz Ebert

    When asked if she hesitated about allowing the cameras into this very intimate time in her life, Chaz explained, “I think that Steve did a beautiful job with the movie. I’m really glad it exists as a maintenance of Roger’s legacy…We are not reality TV people and didn’t want someone following us around all day every day but we trusted Steve.”

    indie actress Kate Lyn Shiel indie actress Kate Lyn Shiel

     

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  • Michael Tully’s PING PONG SUMMER from Sundance Film Festival to Get a Summer 2014 Release

    Michael Tully’s PING PONG SUMMER

    Michael Tully’s PING PONG SUMMER, considered one of the Sundance Film Festival’s biggest crowd-pleasers,has landed a deal with Gravitas Ventures. Gravitas plans to release PING PONG SUMMER theatrically and digitally early this summer, with a home video release later in 2014.

    Michael Tully’s PING PONG SUMMER

    Set during the summer of 1985 in Ocean City, Maryland, PING PONG SUMMER follows awkward 13-year-old Rad Miracle as he attempts to live up to that name by becoming a master breakdancer, ping pong player and ladies man all before the end of summer break. Based on his own childhood experiences (poor guy), writer-director Michael Tully’s (SEPTIEN, SILVER JEW) meticulous recreation of the characters, fashions and emotions that populate our teenage years proves that remembering perfectly is the best (and most hilarious) revenge.

    Michael Tully’s PING PONG SUMMER

    PING PONG SUMMER features what is described as a gut-busting and heart-tugging breakthrough performance from Marcello Conte as Rad Miracle, as well as hysterical supporting turns from Amy Sedaris (STRANGERS WITH CANDY), Judah Friedlander (30 ROCK) and Lea Thompson (summer of ’85s own BACK TO THE FUTURE). Rounding out the note-perfect cast is Academy Award winner (and co-owner of the SPiN ping-pong club empire) Susan Sarandon as Randi Jammer, the table tennis Miyagi to Rad’s Daniel-son.

    “I’ve been a fan of Gravitas Ventures since its inception, so when I heard the recent news about their venturing into the theatrical sphere I became quite excited,” said Tully. “In this tricky 21st century market, Gravitas has the intelligence, creativity, and enthusiasm to help make sure our 20th century movie gets seen. Not to mention their funky fresh addition of Dusty Smith to the Gravitas team, which further sealed the deal.”

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  • THE LUNCHBOX Sets Release Date; Opens February 28 in NY and LA

    the lunchbox collage2

    THE LUNCHBOX, winner of the Viewer’s Choice Award, Grand Rail d’Or, winner at the 2013 Critics’ Week at Cannes Film Festival will open February 28, 2014 in at the Lincon Plaza and Angelika Cinemas in New York, and also in Los Angeles.  Written and directed by Ritesh Batra, the film stars Irrfan Khan (“Life of Pi”), Nimrat Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

    Ila (Nimrat Kaur) is a young middle class Mumbai housewife trying once again to add some spice to her marriage, this time through her cooking. She desperately hopes that this new recipe will finally arouse some kind of reaction from her neglectful husband. She prepares a special lunchbox to be delivered to him at work, but, it is mistakenly delivered to another office worker, Saajan (Irrfan Khan), a lonely man on the verge of retirement. Curious about the lack of reaction from her husband, Ila puts a little note in the following day’s lunchbox, in the hopes of getting to the bottom of the mystery.

    the lunchbox

    This begins a series of lunchbox notes between Saajan and Ila, and the mere comfort of communicating with a stranger anonymously soon evolves into an unexpected friendship. Gradually, their notes become little confessions about their loneliness, memories, regrets, fears, and even small joys. They each discover a new sense of self and find an anchor to hold on to in the big city of Mumbai that so often crushes hopes and dreams. Still strangers physically, Ila and Saajan become lost in a virtual relationship that could jeopardize both their realities.

    http://youtu.be/Qdn6nVJHyfM

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  • PALO ALTO Starring James Franco Sets Release Day

    Palo Alto

    PALO ALTO, the debut feature from writer/director Gia Coppola will open exclusively in theaters on Friday, May 9th in New York and Los Angeles.  A national release will follow.  PALO ALTO screened last year in the Venice, Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals.  The film is based on several linked stories in James Franco’s book of the same name, chronicling the complicated ties and heightened emotions among a group of high school students. It stars James Franco, Emma Roberts, Jack Kilmer, Nat Wolff, Zoe Levin, Chris Messina, and Val Kilmer.  The film features music from Devonté Hynes of the band Blood Orange and Robert Coppola Schwartzman.

    Shy, sensitive April (Emma Roberts) is the class virgin —a popular soccer player and frequent babysitter for her single-dad coach, Mr. B. (James Franco). Teddy (Jack Kilmer) is an introspective artist whose best friend and sidekick Fred (Nat Wolff) is an unpredictable live wire with few filters or boundaries. While April negotiates a dangerous affair with Mr. B., and Teddy performs community service for a DUI — secretly carrying a torch for April, who may or may not share his affection — Fred seduces Emily (Zoe Levin), a promiscuous loner who seeks validation through sexual encounters. One high school party bleeds into another as April and Teddy finally acknowledge their mutual affection, and Fred’s escalating recklessness spirals into chaos.

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  • “Untitled New York Review Of Books Documentary” directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi Added to Berlin International Film Festival

    Untitled New York Review Of Books Documentary directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi

    “Untitled New York Review Of Books Documentary” directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi has been added to the 64th Berlin International Film Festival Berlinale Special, where it will be shown as a work in progress, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and key contributors.

    From the outset, the publication has been ahead of the mainstream thinking on political and social currents and upheavals. NYREV has been a source for intelligent and controversial thinking about the issues of our time: human rights, racial discrimination, the wars in Vietnam and Iraq, the woman’s movement, and revolution in Eastern Europe and elsewhere. Making use of rare footage and photographs to provide historical context, the film includes writers like James Baldwin, Susan Sontag, Noam Chomsky and Norman Mailer; along with new footage of Joan Didion, Michael Chabon, Mary Beard, and Timothy Garton Ash; giving us a portrait of a magazine that has been on the vanguard of provocative ideas and commentary for over 50 years.

    “For over 50 years, ‘The New York Review of Books’ has been one of the most interesting and sophisticated magazines on culture and politics, with content by outstanding writers and thinkers. In their wonderful documentary, Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi reveal the inner workings of the publication and its legendary editor, from its birth during the 1963 New York Times’ newspaper strike, through its continued relevance in today’s digital universe. We’re very pleased that we’ll be closing this year’s Berlinale Special with this highlight,” says Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick.

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  • Final Documentary Films Selected for 2014 Berlin International Film Festival

    CONCERNING VIOLENCECONCERNING VIOLENCE

    The Panorama Dokumente section of the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival will present 16 films, including ten world premieres. Panorama Dokumente will open on February 7 with the world premiere of the Dutch co-production LAST HIJACK by Tommy Pallotta and Femke Wolting. The film depicts what motivates piracy in Somalia. 

    Other films on the lineup with an African focus include the Ethiopian fictional feature DIFRET, and Swedish filmmaker Göran Hugo Olsson CONCERNING VIOLENCE which World Premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. CONCERNING VIOLENCE is described by the festival as a strong commentary on Africa’s decolonization, cites Frantz Fanon’s “The Wretched of the Earth” – and with narration by singer Lauryn Hill. Olsson presented THE BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1967-1975 about the Afro-American civil rights movement in Panorama in 2011. In Thomas Allen Harris’ THROUGH A LENS DARKLY: BLACK PHOTOGRAPHERS AND THE EMERGENCE OF A PEOPLE, the history of photography is shown from an Afro-American perspective.

    In IS THE MAN WHO IS TALL HAPPY?, Michel Gondry conveys what the festival describes as terrific ingenuity and loving humor his impressions from a series of talks with American linguist Noam Chomsky.

    Panorama also has a tradition of music films, and continues with the British entry 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, a densely poetic portrait of Australian musician, author and actor Nick Cave, whose more than 30-year career still displays a fascinating degree of artistic integrity and authenticity.

    Besides Tamara Trampe and Johann Feindt’s MEINE MUTTER, EIN KRIEG UND ICH (MY MOTHER, A WAR AND ME), which traces the Second World War in the Ukraine, Annekatrin Hendel’s ANDERSON takes a look at Germany’s past by focusing on one of the most dubious figures of not-too-distant history. Sascha Anderson, charismatic pop star of the alternative literature scene in East Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg during the 1980s, was a zealous informant for the Stasi: even after more than twenty years, the wounds he inflicted on his former friends and colleagues run deep.

    “Unfuck the world!” the slogan from ANOTHER WORLD by US-American filmmakers Rebecca Chaiklin and Fisher Stevens resonates in a number of Panorama fictional features, and captures an attitude towards life related to the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011. This documentary gives an overview of events and how they led to many new initiatives.

    With NATURAL RESISTANCE, Jonathan Nossiter takes a different approach to the same purpose: ten years after Mondovino, he provides insights into ecological vineyards, as well as developments in the other direction, the destruction of land caused by industrial wineries in Italy. Nossiter unites film history and wine production into an intelligent analysis. 

    Several works revolve around emancipation: for instance, Gianni Amelio’s FELICE CHI È DIVERSO (HAPPY TO BE DIFFERENT) delivers a detailed account of queer history in Italy; or Claudia Richarz and Ulrike Zimmermann’s VULVA 3.0 gives a calm analysis and assessment of the current perception of the vulva – from education and censorship, to genital mutilation and intimate surgery.

    Panorama Dokumente

    20,000 Days on Earth – Great Britain
    By Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard
    With Nick Cave
    EP

    Anderson – Germany
    By Annekatrin Hendel
    WP

    Another World – USA
    By Rebecca Chaiklin, Fisher Stevens
    WP

    Concerning Violence – Sweden / USA / Denmark
    By Göran Hugo Olsson
    EP

    Der Anständige (The Decent One) – Israel / Austria / Germany
    By Vanessa Lapa
    WP

    Der Kreis (The Circle) – Switzerland
    By Stefan Haupt
    With Marianne Sägebrecht, Anatole Taubman, Matthias Hungerbühler, Sven Schelker
    WP

    Felice chi è diverso (Happy to Be Different) – Italy
    By Gianni Amelio
    WP

    Finding Vivian Maier – USA
    By John Maloof, Charlie Siskel
    EP

    Fucking different XXY – Germany
    By Mor Vital, KAy Garnellen, Felix Endara & Sasha Wortzel, J.Jackie Baier, Buck Angel, Jasco Viefhues, Gwen Haworth
    WP

    Last Hijack – Netherlands / Germany / Ireland / Belgium
    By Tommy Pallotta, Femke Wolting
    WP

    Meine Mutter, ein Krieg und ich (My Mother, a War and Me) – Germany
    By Tamara Trampe, Johann Feindt
    WP

    Natural Resistance – Italy
    By Jonathan Nossiter
    WP

    The Dog – USA
    By Frank Keraudren, Allison Berg
    EP

    Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People – USA
    By Thomas Allen Harris
    IP

    Vulva 3.0 – Germany
    By Claudia Richarz, Ulrike Zimmermann
    WP

    Panorama supporting films

    Mario Wirz – Germany
    By Rosa von Praunheim
    WP

    Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy? – France
    By Michel Gondry
    EP

    (WP = World Premiere, IP = International Premiere, EP = European Premiere)

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  • THE SELFISH GIANT, THE ACT OF KILLING, BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR Win London Critics’ Circle Film Awards

    THE SELFISH GIANTTHE SELFISH GIANT

    The 33rd London Critics’ Circle Film Section held its annual awards on Sunday night and THE SELFISH GIANT was one of the big winners, taking home two awards – British Film and Young British Performer for Conner Chapman – giving filmmakers Clio Barnard and Tracy O’Riordan and actors Chapman, Shaun Thomas and Lorraine Ashbourne a chance to celebrate on stage. Other winners present include Andre Singer, producer of Documentary of the Year THE ACT OF KILLING. The ceremony opened on a solemn note with the announcement of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death, which was confirmed just as the event was starting. Hoffman won Supporting Actor at last year’s CC Film Awards for his role in THE MASTER.

    Full list of winners:

    Film of the Year 
    12 YEARS A SLAVE

    Foreign-language Film of the Year
    BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR

    Documentary of the Year
    THE ACT OF KILLING

    British Film of the Year
    THE SELFISH GIANT

    Director of the Year
    Alfonso Cuarón – GRAVITY

    Screenwriter of the Year
    Ethan Coen & Joel Coen – INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS

    Actor of the Year
    Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 YEARS A SLAVE

    Actress of the Year
    Cate Blanchett – BLUE JASMINE

    Supporting Actor of the Year
    Barkhad Abdi – CAPTAIN PHILLIPS

    Supporting Actress of the Year
    Lupita Nyong’o – 12 YEARS A SLAVE

    British Actor of the Year
    James McAvoy – FILTH / TRANCE / WELCOME TO THE PUNCH

    British Actress of the Year
    Judi Dench – PHILOMENA

    Young British Performer of the Year
    Conner Chapman – THE SELFISH GIANT

    Breakthrough British Filmmaker
    Jon S Baird – FILTH

    Technical Achievement Award
    GRAVITY – Tim Webber, special effects

    Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film
    Gary Oldman

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  • NEBRASKA by Alexander Payne Wins Audience Award of 2014 International Film Festival Rotterdam

    NEBRASKA by Alexander PayneNEBRASKA by Alexander Payne

    The UPC Audience Award of the 43rd International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) was won by NEBRASKA by Alexander Payne, and the Dioraphte Award went to the official opening film, QISSA, by Anup Singh. NEBRASKA tells the tragicomic story of a father and son who travel through economically blighted Nebraska on their way to find a million dollars. 

    Hans Blom, VP Marketing of UPC the Netherlands, stressed the importance of recognising independent cinema. ”Beautiful, engaging and exceptional films deserve a large audience and, in the case of the Audience Award winner Nebraska, this is most certainly the case”, Blom said. 

    QISSA by Anup SinghQISSA by Anup Singh

    Eleven festival films were realised thanks to support from the festival’s Hubert Bals Fund, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Director Anup Singh and three of the actresses from the award winner QISSA stressed the importance of the Fund’s support while attending the festival. 

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