• Camden International Film Festival Announces 2018 Award Winners – THE FEELING OF BEING WATCHED Wins Audience Award

    [caption id="attachment_23721" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Feeling of Being Watched The Feeling of Being Watched[/caption] The Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) handed out the awards to the winners of the 2018 Festival, with the Audience Award going out to Assia Boundaoui’s The Feeling of Being Watched.   CIFF hosted their annual Awards Ceremony, presenting four awards for documentary features and one for a documentary short, in addition to its Points North Pitch Award. In the Pitch, the six teams of Points North Fellows who worked with industry members in a year-long mentorship, presented their feature documentary works-in-progress to a top-level panel of funders, producers and broadcasters — all before a live audience at the Camden Opera House. For the 2nd year, Showtime Documentary Films was the Presenting Sponsor of the Fellowship. This year’s Points North Pitch Award, which included in-kind post-production services from Boston-based Modulus Studios, went to director Sierra Urich’s work-in-progress feature documentary, Joonam. An Academy-qualifying festival for short films, the winner of the Camden Cartel Award for Best Short is eligible to enter the Documentary Short Subject competition for the Academy.This year’s winner is Circle by Jayisha Patel. The runner-up was David Freid’s Guns Found Here. For the fourth year, CIFF collaborated with long-time partner, Documentary Educational Resources, to present the John Marshall Award for Contemporary Ethnographic Media. The Jury of Alice Apley (Documentary Educational Resources), Alijah Case (Documentary Educational Resources), Ilisa Barbash (Producer/Director), Ernst Karel (Sound Artist), Irina Leimbacher (Critic, Educator), and Maple Razsa (Anthropologist, Filmmaker) awarded this year’s John Marshall Award to Ramell Ross’s Hale County This Morning. Jurors Enat Sidi (editor), Meghan Monsour (Creative Director, Ambulante Film Festival) and Sean Farnel (producer) awarded the 2018 Cinematic Vision Award to Vadym Ilkov’s My Father Is My Mother’s Brother, with Special Jury Mention going to Exit Music, directed Cameron Mullenneaux. The Jury noted: “Surprising, tender and quietly profound, My Father Is My Mother’s Brother is non-fiction filmmaking at its finest. A raw, creative, and unconventional family portrait.” This year’s jury of Andrea Meditch (producer), Justine Nagan (POV), Talal Derki (Filmmaker, OF FATHERS AND SONS) awarded the 2018 Harrell Award for Best Documentary Feature to On Her Shoulders, directed by Alexandria Bombach: “For using an intimate but respectful gaze to convey suffering through subtle gestures and the use of silence. The film captures the weight of bearing witness by allowing the protagonist to speak for herself. On Her Shoulders transforms a traumatic personal experience into a realization of horrifying and memorable collective responsibility.” The Harrell Jury awarded two Special Mentions: one each to Vitaly Mansky’s Putin’s Witnesses and James Longley’s Angels Are Made of Light. The 2018 Camden International Film Festival Audience Award went to Assia Boundaoui’s The Feeling of Being Watched. The 15th edition of the Camden International Film Festival will take place September 12 to 15, 2019. Submissions will open in January 2019.

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  • IFC Midnight to Release Emma Tammi’s American Frontier Set Horror THE WIND from TIFF2018 [Trailer]

    Emma Tammi’s narrative feature film The Wind which made its World Premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival to an enthusiastic Midnight Madness crowd has been acquired by IFC Midnight for release in the US.   The Wind will next screen this weekend at Fantastic Fest. With The Wind, director Emma Tammi and writer Teresa Sutherland have embarked on a nightmarish yet empathetic exploration of domestic solitude, skillfully conjuring — in bone-chilling visual and sonic strokes — an indescribable spectre that seems to emanate from the abyss of the night itself. Hailed by critics as a femme-centric western and supernatural horror, the film stars Caitlin Gerard, Julia Goldani Telles, Ashley Zukerman, Dylan McTee, and Miles Anderson. The Wind not only features an array of talented female creatives at the helm and in front of the camera, it also showcases the work from production designers Hillary and Courtney Andujar, set decorator Elsbeth Mumm along with film editor Alexandra Amick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DPKc8j0ekM “Emma Tammi’s impressive debut into narrative filmmaking starring a break out performance from Caitlin Gerard packs the kind of fierce ingenuity we are continually searching for when we distribute films. We’re thrilled to bring such an intelligently crafted and distinct vision in the horror genre to audiences around the country,” said Jonathan Sehring and Lisa Schwartz, co-presidents of IFC Films/Sundance Selects. “IFC’s history of cultivating large audiences for smart, genre-bending films makes them the ideal partner to bring this beautiful, thought-provoking, and ultimately horrifying film to market. It is an important time to champion storytelling that takes risks, and IFC emboldens those narratives that challenge and move us, while entertaining. We are very excited to be part of the family and look forward to working with their talented team to bring The Wind to the U.S. audience,” said in a statement from director Emma Tammi with producers Christopher Alender and David Viste.

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  • Yen Tan’s Powerful AIDS Drama “1985” to Open 30th Anniversary of NewFest [Trailer]

    1985 Yen Tan’s powerful AIDS drama “1985” will open this year’s 30th anniversary of NewFest, one of the world’s most respected LGBT film festivals.  “1985” joins a history of notable NewFest Opening Night Films, including “Go Fish” (1994), “High Art” (1998), “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (2001), “But I’m a Cheerleader” (2000), and “We Were Here” (2011). The film is a return to NewFest for Tan, whose previous films “Ciao” (2008) and “Pit Stop” (2013) have screened at the fest in the past. Written and directed by Yen Tan, “1985” follows Adrian (Cory Michael Smith, “Gotham”), a closeted advertising executive who, after having been gone for three years, returns to his Texas hometown for the holidays during the first wave of the AIDS crisis. Burdened with an unspeakable tragedy in New York City, Adrian looks to reconnect with his preteen brother Andrew (Aidan Langford) while navigating his relationship with religious parents Eileen (Academy Award Nominee Virginia Madsen) and Dale (Golden Globe Award Winner Michael Chiklis). When he reaches out to his estranged childhood friend Carly (Jamie Chung, “The Gifted”), their unresolved issues force Adrian to confront an uncertain future that will significantly alter the lives of those around him. Shot on black-and-white super 16mm film, “1985” takes a unique look at a pivotal moment in American history through the prism of empathy, love and family. “New York’s LGBT Film Festival was born out of the height of the AIDS crisis–when there was a vital need for visibility and positive representation of the LGBTQ community,” said Executive Director Robert Kushner. “So to begin the festival’s 30th Anniversary with Yen Tan’s poignant vision of 1980s life makes our Opening Night all the more resonant.” Speaking on the selection, NewFest’s Programming & Operations Manager Nick McCarthy said, “Yen Tan’s delicate, reflective, and humanistic portrait ties beautifully into the fibers of NewFest and will make for a powerful and noteworthy celebration. “1985” is a new queer classic, addressing the AIDS crisis in a sensitive, textured and, most importantly, modern light.” “It’s an extreme honor to have “1985” be the Opening Night selection at NewFest this year, a festival that’s been screening my works since 2008. It’s especially meaningful that our lead character Adrian visits his Texas hometown in the film, but New York is where he could live his most authentic life. “1985” is a story that honors the significance of queer outsiders who moved to bigger cities to find themselves, even at dire times.” said Yen Tan. “1985” world premiered at SXSW. Wolfe Releasing will release “1985” theatrically in New York City and Los Angeles on October 26th. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARcTHTYQyjc

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  • 2018 Toronto International Film Festival Awards – GREEN BOOK Wins People’s Choice Award

    [caption id="attachment_31408" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Green Book Green Book[/caption] The Toronto International Film Festival announced its award winners at the closing ceremony with the People’s Choice Award and $15,000 cash prize going to Peter Farrelly for Green Book.​ The first runner-up is Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk, and the second runner-up is Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA.

    2018 Toronto International Film Festival Award Winners

    IWC​ ​SHORT​ ​CUTS​ ​AWARD​ ​FOR​ ​BEST​ ​SHORT​ ​FILM

    The IWC Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Short Film goes to Meryam Joobeur’s Brotherhood.​ The jury remarked, “The film was masterfully executed, layered with bold ideas, rich textures, and nuanced character observations played by an unforgettable cast.” “The film successfully explored complex personal and political themes with compassion for its characters. By employing the intimate prism of a Tunisian family, the film was evidently made with a sense of maturity that points to a bright future from Meryam Joobeur.” The award offers a $10,000 cash prize, made possible by IWC Schaffhausen. The jury awarded an honorable mention to Jérémy Comte’s Fauve for its confident visual storytelling and moving performances from the child actors. The short-film awards were selected by a jury comprised of Claire Diao, Molly McGlynn, and Michael Pearce.

    IWC​ ​SHORT​ ​CUTS​ ​AWARD​ ​FOR​ ​BEST​ ​SHORT​ ​FILM

    The IWC Short Cuts Award for Best Short Film goes to Sandhya Suri’s The Field​. The jury noted, “The film is striking for its aesthetic lyricism, tender performances, and powerful emotional impact.” “It’s a unique and refreshing glimpse into female desire set in rural India that demonstrated a scope greater than its short format.” The award offers a $10,000 cash prize, made possible by IWC Schaffhausen. The jury gave honorable mentions to Anette Sidor’s Fuck You, for its acutely observed study of teenage sexuality, and to Emma de Swaef and Marc James Roels’s This Magnificent Cake!, for the spectacular level of animation and the surreal humour it uses to explore its complex colonial subject matter. The short-film awards were selected by a jury comprised of Claire Diao, Molly McGlynn, and Michael Pearce.

    CITY​ ​OF​ ​TORONTO​ ​AWARD​ ​FOR​ ​BEST​ ​CANADIAN​ ​FIRST​ ​FEATURE​ ​FILM

    The City of Toronto Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film goes to Katherine Jerkovic’s Roads in February (Les routes en février). The jury remarked it was selected, “For its warm portrayal of a young woman trying to reconnect with her distant heritage after her father’s untimely death, and for the way the film demonstrates how genuine human connections best develop between two individuals when they stand on common ground.” This award carries a cash prize of $15,000, made possible by the City of Toronto. The Canadian awards were selected by a jury comprised of Mathieu Denis, Ali Özgentürk, and Michelle Shephard.

    CANADA​ ​GOOSE®​ ​AWARD​ ​FOR​ ​BEST​ ​CANADIAN​ ​FEATURE​ ​FILM

    The Canada Goose® Award for Best Canadian Feature Film goes to Sébastien Pilote’s The Fireflies Are Gone (La disparition des lucioles). The jury said it was chosen, “For its true-to-life depiction of a young woman’s quest to find meaning and hope in a world that has constantly disappointed her.” This award carries a cash prize of $30,000 and a custom award, sponsored by Canada Goose®. The Canadian awards were selected by a jury comprised of Mathieu Denis, Ali Özgentürk, and Michelle Shephard.

    THE​ ​PRIZES​ ​OF​ ​THE​ ​INTERNATIONAL​ ​FEDERATION​ ​OF​ ​FILM​ ​CRITICS​ ​(FIPRESCI​ ​PRIZES)

    The Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) for the Discovery programme is awarded to Carmel Winters for Float Like a Butterfly​, which the jury called “a pastoral and traditional bucolic film, capturing the familiar angst and anxiety a young adult woman undergoes in order to have her say in the scheme of things in a predominately male-driven patriarchal society.” “Through her spectacular and deft narrative, nuanced understanding of the dilemmas women face, and a pitch-perfect performance by Hazel Doupe, this film is a triumph of free spirit.” Honorable mention goes to Laura Luchetti’s Twin Flower. The Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) for Special Presentations is awarded to Guy Nattiv for Skin, which the jury called “a gripping study of a group of extremists and the choices available to them. It’s raw yet intelligently paced, with stunning performances, especially by a near-unrecognizable Vera Farmiga.” honorable mention goes to Louis Garrel’s A Faithful Man.

    NETPAC​ ​AWARD

    As selected by a jury from the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema for the seventh consecutive year, the NETPAC Award for World or International Asian Film Premiere in the Discovery and Contemporary World Cinema sections goes to Ash Mayfair’s The Third Wife. The jury remarked, ”Ash Mayfair’s debut feature The Third Wife signaled the emergence of a young female director-writer whose aesthetic sensibilities, cinematic language, and extraordinary ability to illuminate the past for contemporary audiences augur well for the future of Vietnamese and world cinema.” The jury gave honorable mention to Bai Xue’s The Crossing. The jury said, “Bai Xue’s storytelling in her debut film The Crossing shattered cinematic boundaries to create an original visual language that propelled her protagonist’s emotional crossing into adulthood as she crossed the physical boundaries of Hong Kong into mainland China.” EURIMAGES’ AUDENTIA AWARD The Festival and the Council of Europe’s Eurimages Fund present the third Audentia Award for Best Female Director to Aäläm-Wärqe Davidian’s Fig Tree. “Fig Tree is a stunning and illuminating debut,” the jury remarked. “Based on her own experiences, Ethiopian-Israeli writer-director Aäläm-Wärqe Davidian takes us on an unsentimental journey and shows us the tragic effects of civil war on ordinary people. Confidently directed with grit and compassion, Fig Tree is a beautifully rendered, big-hearted story about a Jewish teenage girl’s attempt to save those she loves, but it’s also an intimate coming-of-age story of self-discovery and female empowerment.” This award carries a €30,000 cash prize. Awarding an honorable mention to Camilla Strøm Henriksen’s Phoenix, the jury said: “Phoenix is a courageous debut from Norwegian director Camilla Strøm Henriksen. A visually arresting and emotionally nuanced film, Phoenix focuses on a young teen who assumes an enormous burden of responsibility in the face of her mother’s mental illness and her father’s absence. With a seamless blend of stark realism and cinematic magic realism, Henriksen’s story subtly, yet powerfully, unfolds from the perspective of her mature young protagonist.”

    TORONTO​ ​PLATFORM​ ​PRIZE​ ​PRESENTED​ ​BY​ ​AIR​ ​FRANCE

    This is the fourth year for Platform, the Festival’s juried program that champions directors’ cinema from around the world. The Festival welcomed an international jury comprised of award-winning filmmakers Mira Nair, Béla Tarr, and Lee Chang-dong, who unanimously awarded the Toronto Platform Prize Presented by Air France to Wi Ding Ho’s Cities of Last Things. The jury said, “This is a deeply moving drama from a director who shows great skill in his ability to weave together multiple genres with social and political critique, while telling a story that remains intimately human at its core. For us, this film has a spirit that always feels beautifully close to real life.” “Over the course of the Festival, we’ve had the privilege of watching 12 films that left us excited with the feeling that the future of directors’ cinema is in such capable hands. The great joy of being on the Platform Jury has been participating in a competition celebrating emerging visions that are bold, daring, innovative, and sometimes even challenging. The great difficulty, however, has been selecting only one director to win the Toronto Platform Prize. After much contemplation and thorough discussion, we all agreed together upon one prize winner and one honorable mention.” Awarding an honorable mention to Emir Baigazin’s The River, the jury said: “We were completely absorbed by the singular world this film creates through precise and meticulous craft, breathtaking visuals, and a boldly patient yet engrossing observational style.” The Toronto Platform Prize offers a custom award and a $25,000 cash prize, made possible by Air France.

    GROLSCH​ ​PEOPLE’S​ ​CHOICE​ ​AWARDS

    This year marked the 41st year that Toronto audiences were able to cast a ballot for their favorite Festival film for the Grolsch People’s Choice Award. This year’s award goes to Peter Farrelly for Green Book.​ The award offers a $15,000 cash prize and custom award, sponsored by Grolsch. The first runner-up is Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk. The second runner-up is Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA. The Grolsch People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award goes to Vasan Bala’s The Man Who Feels No Pain​.​ The first runner-up is David Gordon Green’s Halloween. The second runner-up is Sam Levinson’s Assassination Nation. The Grolsch People’s Choice Documentary Award goes to Free Solo, directed by E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. The first runner-up is Tom Donahue’s This Changes Everything. The second runner-up is John Chester’s The Biggest Little Farm.

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  • 13th Rome Film Fest Unveils Official Poster Featuring Comic Genius Peter Sellers

    Rome Film Fest today unveiled the official poster of the upcoming thirteenth edition of the festival featuring comic genius Peter Sellers. Peter Sellers will be featured throughout the Rome Film Fest and will also be the focus of a retrospective curated by Mario Sesti and organized in collaboration with the British Embassy and the British Council. The 2018 Rome Film Fest will be held from October 18 to 28, 2018. Beloved by extremely diverse audiences, who have admired his extraordinary comic talent, the brilliant unpredictability of his performances and his excellent portrayal of dramatic roles, Peter Sellers is pictured as his most famous character, Inspector Jacques Clouseau, lead character of The Pink Panther series. The shot was taken by British photographer Terry O’Neill, renowned internationally for his portraits of countless figures from the worlds of music and film, from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, from the British Royal Family to Hollywood stars. In the official poster of the 2018 Rome Film Fest, Peter Sellers is caught red-handed by O’Neill, who captures the full range of his irony and astonishment: Inspector Clouseau faces the audience squarely and makes it the star of the event. “Ever since the first year, I have wanted to distinguish my artistic direction with posters that conveyed elegance, grace and lightness – explained Antonio Monda, artistic director of the Rome Film Fest. – This year I am pleased to add irony to the list, and Peter Sellers was a great master in this sense. Not only was he a comic genius, but a terrific and versatile actor, as demonstrated by his amazing acting performances for masters as different as Stanley Kubrick, Vittorio De Sica, Hal Ashby, Blake Edwards, Alexander Mackendrick and many more”. Poster credits: Peter Sellers ™ Used with permission from The Lynne Unger Children’s Trust. Photo by Terry O’Neill/Iconic Images/Getty Images

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  • Mutant Frogs Invade in STRANGE NATURE Trailer Starring John Hennigan

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    Strange Nature Movie Poster Based on true unsolved outbreaks of wildlife mutations, fall fright-fest Strange Nature marks the directorial debut of fx maestro James Ojala (Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Thor, Tron: Legacy) and stars Lisa Sheridan, Stephen Tobolowsky, wrestling superstar John Hennigan, Tiffany Shepis, and Carlos Alazraqui. The film follows Kim (Lisa Sheridan) and son Brody who find themselves in the middle of a horrendous phenomenon where deadly offspring mutations spread from animals to humans, after moving in with her estranged hermit father in the backwoods of a small town Strange Nature leaps into theaters from Sep 22 (Los Angeles with other cities to follow). A children’s hiking group in rural Minnesota discover several live, mutated frogs along a pond. In the same area, a single mother, Kim, and her 11-year-old son, Brody, have just moved in with her estranged father, Chuck. It’s not long before they too start witnessing strange occurrences including a disemboweled deer and the family dog’s deformed puppies. As the fear rises the rumors begin to fly. Some blame the intimidating disfigured hermit father and daughter who live on a surrounding lake. Environmental science points to the water sources. Possibly causes are pesticides, parasites or both. As the chaos spreads it becomes clear that Chuck’s cabin is a hotspot ground zero for these mutations. Trent, a grade school science teacher investigating the cases begins to fall for Kim while trying to protect her and Brody from whatever is coming next. Suddenly, a couple of teenagers go missing. Their mutilated bodies are found only a mile away. The attacks are so brutal it doesn’t seem humanly possible. Then another. Could it be a man or a beast? Finally, the unthinkable: the first human baby is born with similar horrid birth defects as the animals. Ultrasounds show an increasing number of abnormal fetuses with similar defects on the way. Upon delivery, the mothers start getting sick. Extremely sick. Fearful for her unborn child and family, Kim searches for answers and a safe escape… if there is anywhere safe. Strange Nature builds to an uncompromising climax of the terrors affecting a nice, quiet town and possibly future generations everywhere.

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  • Watch Susan Sarandon Struggle to Rescue her Son from Terrorists in VIPER CLUB Trailer

    [caption id="attachment_31775" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Susan Sarandon and Edie Falco in VIPER CLUB. Susan Sarandon and Edie Falco in VIPER CLUB. Courtesy of YouTube Premium and Roadside Attractions[/caption] YouTube and Roadside Attractions today dropped the trailer for Viper Club starring Susan Sarandon as ER nurse Helen Sterling who struggles to free her grown son, a journalist captured by terrorists in the Middle East. After hitting walls with the FBI and State agencies, she discovers a clandestine community of journalists, advocates, and philanthropists who might be able to help. The film directed by Maryam Keshavarz also stars Matt Bomer and Edie Falco, and will be released in theaters on October 26, 2018. At her job, veteran emergency room nurse Helen Sterling (Susan Sarandon) is unflappable: she can navigate crises at her hospital with strength and grace. On the inside, though, she’s starting to fall apart. Her son, a freelance journalist named Andy (Julian Morris), has vanished while covering a war zone in the Middle East, and she’s just gotten word from the kidnappers making demands she doesn’t even begin to know how to meet. Helen first seeks help from the FBI, who demands she tell no one, and warns her it’s illegal to pay terrorist organizations. The State Department is even less help. When she is contacted with a ransom demand for twenty million dollars, her government handlers tell her to stall the terrorists with negotiations, even though they seem to have no plan to rescue Andy. Unable to share any of her ordeal with her colleagues at work, Helen finds herself connecting with a young patient critically injured in a mass shooting, and the hesitant new resident, Dr. Rahimi (Amir Malaklou), a recent immigrant from Iran. She’s plagued by memories of her lifelong connection to her son, a relationship fraught with Andy’s perpetual need for independence and adventure far away from the sheltered life his mother built for him. Andy’s ex-girlfriend, Iraqi-American reporter Sheila (Sheila Vand) brings Helen a morsel of hope: a secret fraternity of international journalists called the Viper Club might be able to help. Sheila puts Helen in contact with photojournalist Sam (Matt Bomer) and with Charlotte Spencer (Edie Falco), a wealthy New Yorker whose son also was kidnapped by terrorists. Helen grows close to Andy’s network of friends and colleagues and starts to understand the man her son has become. Desperate, determined, and disenchanted with bureaucracy, Helen must decide whether to follow the rules of ineffective government officials or to join with her newfound community to get Andy back at all costs.

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  • 7th Ithaca Fantastik Announces First Wave of FIlms – BIRDS OF PASSAGE, BLACK MOTHER, DIAMANTINO and More

    [caption id="attachment_31771" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Birds of Passage (Pájaros de verano) Birds of Passage (Pájaros de verano)[/caption] Ithaca Fantastik today announced the first wave of films for the 7th edition of 10-day festival of genre films, electrifying music and dynamic art, taking place October 26th to November 4th, 2018. Films include Quentin Dupieux’s newest work KEEP AN EYE OUT! (Au Poste!), an uproariously absurd piece of cinema as only the maker of the fondly remembered tire-on-a-rampage comedy RUBBER could deliver, and the Cannes critics week winner DIAMANTINO, directed by Abrantes and Schmidt, with its layers of magical realism and social commentary seen through the eyes of the titular character—a star footballer who sees giant fluffy puppies surrounded by a pink mist… but only when he’s ready to score! Aaron Schimberg’s NYC indie festival fav CHAINED FOR LIFE challenges the perception of the viewer by creating a cinematic meta-reality where the notion of image and personality is blurred against the backdrop of a horror movie set. Kalik Allah’s BLACK MOTHER will takes you on an anthropological journey into Jamaica to reveal a tale that is truly larger than life. Following their academy award winning film EMBRACE THE SERPENT Gallego and Guerra are back with BIRDS OF PASSAGE (Pájaros de Verano), which depicts tribal life and the destruction of the social fabric of 1970s la Guaija, Colombia as the drug trade begins in South America. A pitch perfect statement on our narcissistic Western society Alexandros Avranas’s LOVE ME NOT, on par with the best work from Lanthimos, but without the fluff, and we promise it will punch you in the guts with it’s foreboding and uncompromising premise. Incorporating similar visual language, Nicolas Pesce’s sophomore film PIERCING offers a colorful descent into the deranged mind that excites the senses while shocking the heart with its unflinching bleakness. Yann Gonzales continues to awe and impress audiences with his formidable second feature KNIFE+HEART (shot on 35mm) is the ultimate modern-day Giallo with the alluring setting of the 70s Paris pornography scene. Similarly, Japanese ‘geki-mation’ pioneer Ujicha delivers more of his unique animation blend of child-like innocence and ultra-violence in his own highly stylized second film, VIOLENCE VOYAGER! IF will also present three delightfully demented BobbyPills productions starting with the vibrant and utterly off-the-wall CRISIS JUNG, that takes audiences on an epic journey and feast of visual extravaganzas à la Fist of the North Star with a dash of smutty humour. BobbyPills scores again with VERMIN, an anthropomorphized buddy cop film with a stench of Peter jackson’s skin crawling musical freak fest MEET THE FEEBLES… What can go wrong? To add a charmingly irreverent cherry on top, viewers can revel in unrestrained positive sexuality with an exclusive look at Bobbypills’ new series, PEEPOODO AND THE SUPER FUCK FRIENDS—come to learn, and you won’t be disappointed! René Manzor’s glorious new transfer of GAME OVER (3615 Père Noël) rounds out our curation of crazy French cinema —an earlier, darker, take on the genius-child-defending-his-home holiday thriller that (adult) fans of Christmas classic Home Alone will devore with love! Keep an Eye Out! (Au Poste!) East Coast Premiere Quentin Dupieux / 2018 / France / 73min When Fugain trips over a dead body in front of his condo, his first impulse is to report it to the police—as any good, logical citizen would. He quickly realizes his mistake when he learns that the obsessive Captain Buron will gleefully grill him until he cracks. Black Mother Regional Premiere Khalik Allah / 2018 / USA / 77min The history of Jamaica retold through the framework of a woman’s pregnancy, Black Mother is a heartfelt look at Jamaican identity that transcends its documentary form to offer an unusual and unique exploration of humanity. Birds of Passage (Pájaros de verano) Regional Premiere Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra / 2018 / Colombia / 125min In La Guija, Colombia in the 1970s, an indigenous Wayuu family gets swept up in the newly-booming marijuana trade. When greed and passion overtake their tribe’s honor, their lives and ancestral traditions are forever fractured. Chained for Life Regional Premiere Aaron Schimberg / 2018 / USA / 91min Freda is an actress cast as the lead in a schlocky horror film. Her co-star and much of the supporting cast are played by actors with disabilities. As she connects with her peers off-screen, she begins to consider if their treatment on set is exploitational and whether our current standards of representation in modern film are really as equal as we would like to believe. Crisis Jung US Premiere Baptiste Gaubert and Jérémie Hoarau / 2018 / France / 70min Jung and Maria are sweethearts enjoying their blossoming love in an innocent world. But their starry-eyed love is imperiled when the malignant Little Jesus kidnaps Maria’s body to build his nefarious temple of pain! Diamantino Regional Premiere Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt / 2018 / Portugal / 92min After missing the penalty shot at the world cup final, footballer Diamantino’s career is over. Floundering, he falls prey to sinister forces offering him a job as a political mascot—shilling the promise to “make Portugal great again”. Hoping for a second chance, he is instead transported on a surreal and satirical journey through a dysfunctional modern landscape. Game Over (3615 Code Père Noël) East Coast Premiere René Manzor / 1989 / France / 87min Thomas, a French kid obsessed with American action films, believes he will be the first kid to catch Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. When a thief dressed as Santa shows up instead of the real deal, Thomas’s vengeance for broken childhood dreams takes on epic proportions in this cornerstone film. Knife + Heart (Un Couteau Dans Le Coeur) Regional Premiere Yann Gonzales / 2018 / France / 110min After producer Anne breaks up with her editor girlfriend, the late 70s low-budget gay French porno they were shooting begins to take an… artistic turn. The sensual film becomes a real-life erotic thriller when one of her adult film stars is brutally murdered. Anne and her sidekick, Archibald, can’t seem to out-maneuver the chaos that ensues. Love Me Not East Coast Premiere Alexandros Avranas / 2018 / Greece, France / 99min An infertile, upper-middle-class couple hires a young woman as a surrogate and all three move into a remote villa. The ladies start to bond, the husband becomes envious, and an unfortunate chain of events turns the table on the already dysfunctional new family dynamic. Violence Voyager Regional Premiere Ujicha / 2018 / Japan / 83min Bobby and Akkun set out for an end-of-school celebration in the mountains where they discover an abandoned amusement park. Surprise! The owner greets them and conveniently offers them free tickets. Against their better judgement, they take him up on his offer. Piercing Regional Premiere Nicolas Pesce / 2018 / USA / 81min Reed takes off from his idyllic life with his wife and baby for a very important business trip. But the business he has in mind is murder! All set with his plan to commit the perfect crime, Reed finds his victim in mysterious call girl Jackie…but Reed may have called the wrong person. Vermin Alexis Beaumont / 2018 / France / 81min A young praying mantis follows in his father’s many footsteps and moves to the big city to become a police officer. A greenhorn kid from the country, young Reggie is totally unequipped for the dangers and temptations of city life. But when Reggie is assigned a partner with a history of drinking and bad police work, the sparks fly and both characters get more than they bargained for.

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  • Judi Dench to Receive Golden Icon Award + Premiere RED JOAN at Zurich Film Festival [Trailer]

    [caption id="attachment_31766" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Judi Dench in Red Joan Judi Dench in Red Joan[/caption] Judi Dench will be honored with the Golden Icon Award at this year’s Zurich Film Festival and present her latest film, RED JOAN, a drama inspired by the life of Melita Norwood, in which she plays a woman whose tranquil life is suddenly disrupted when she’s arrested by MI5 and accused of providing intelligence to Communist Russia. Dench will present the film alongside co-star Sophie Cookson, who plays Young Joan. The Golden Icon Award is the Festival’s most prestigious symbol of recognition, given in appreciation of the lifetime achievements of an actor or actress RED JOAN is directed by legendary director Trevor Nunn (original London production of ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Twelth Night or What You Will’). Judi Dench (SKYFALL, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE) co-stars alongside Sophie Cookson (GYPSY, KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE) and both are joined in the film by Stephen Campbell Moore (THE CHILD IN TIME, GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN), Tom Hughes (VICTORIA, LONDON TOWN), Ben Miles (THE CROWN, WOMAN IN GOLD) and Tereza Srbova (EASTERN PROMISES, INKHEART). The year is 2000 and Joan Stanley is living in contented retirement in suburbia at the turn of the millennium. Her tranquil life is suddenly disrupted when she’s arrested by MI5 and accused of providing intelligence to Communist Russia. Cut to 1938 where Joan is a Cambridge physics student who falls for young communist Leo Galich and through him, begins to see the world in a new light. Working at a top-secret nuclear research facility during WWII, Joan comes to the realization that the world is on the brink of mutually assured destruction. Confronted with an impossible question – what price would you pay for peace? – Joan must choose between betraying her country and loved ones or saving them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pblqRd6GfZ0 Since playing Ophelia in HAMLET at The Old Vic Theatre almost 60 years ago, Judi Dench has garnered wide popular and critical admiration for a career marked by outstanding performances in both classical and contemporary roles. She has won numerous major awards – including an Academy Award, ten BAFTA Awards and a record eight Laurence Olivier Awards – for work on both stage and screen, and in recognition of her many achievements she received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1970, became a DBE (Dame of the British Empire) in 1988, and in 2005 was awarded a Companion of Honor. She has also received the Japan Arts Association’s prestigious Praemium Imperiale Laureate Award for Film and Theatre. Judi Dench recently wrapped on Disney’s ARTEMIS FOWL, directed by Kenneth Branagh. Last year she appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, for Twentieth Century Fox and starred in VICTORIA & ABDUL, directed by Stephen Frears for Working Title and Focus Features. This latter performance was nominated for a Golden Globe, SAG and AACTA International Award. This is the second time in her career she has played Queen Victoria. For her first such performance, directed by John Madden in MRS BROWN, she won BAFTA and Golden Globe awards and was nominated for an Academy Award. Judi Dench received an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award, both for Best Supporting Actress, for another magisterial performance as Queen Elizabeth I in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, and she has received Academy Award nominations for performances in a further five films: Lasse Hallstrom’s CHOCOLAT, for which she was also nominated for a Golden Globe; IRIS, directed by Richard Eyre, for which she also won a BAFTA Award; MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS, directed by Stephen Frears, for which she was further nominated at the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes; NOTES ON A SCANDAL, again directed by Richard Eyre, which also brought her BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations; and PHILOMENA, directed by Stephen Frears and co-starring Steve Coogan, for which she also received BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG award nominations. Judi Dench is recognised globally for her legendary role as M in seven JAMES BOND films, from GOLDENEYE to SKYFALL.  

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  • Netflix Releases Quincy Jones Documentary Trailer Featuring Mary J. Blige, Tony Bennett, Bono, Will Smith,

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    Quincy Netflix released the trailer for the documentary Quincy, described as an intimate look into the life of icon Quincy Jones, ahead of its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival on September 9. The film directed by Quincy’s daughter Rashida Jones along with Alan Hicks, seamlessly threads personal vérité moments with private archival footage to reveal a legendary life like no other. A unique force in music and popular culture for 70 years, Jones has transcended racial and cultural boundaries; his story is inextricably woven into the fabric of America. Beyond his own acclaim as a trumpeter, producer, conductor, composer and arranger, Jones’s inimitable gift to discover the biggest talents of the past half of the century is unprecedented. He has mentored and cultivated the careers of young talents, from Lesley Gore and Michael Jackson to Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith. Quincy features Quincy Jones, Mary J. Blige, Tony Bennett, Bono, Will Smith, Jay Z, Peggy Lipton, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey and many others. The film will launch globally and in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on September 21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT7gn6nhsAc

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  • 2018 Venice Film Festival Awards – Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA Wins Golden Lion for Best Film

    [caption id="attachment_30917" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]ROMA ROMA[/caption] The Jury of the 2018 Venice Film Festival chaired by Guillermo del Toro awarded the top prize, Golden Lion for Best Film to ROMA by Alfonso Cuarón. The Favourite by Yorgos Lanthimos was awarded the Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize, along with the award for Best Actress to Olivia Colman.

    VENEZIA 75

    GOLDEN LION for Best Film to: ROMA by Alfonso Cuarón (Mexico) SILVER LION – GRAND JURY PRIZE to: THE FAVOURITE by Yorgos Lanthimos (UK, Ireland, USA) SILVER LION – AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR to: Jacques Audiard for the film THE SISTERS BROTHERS (France, Belgium, Romania, Spain) COPPA VOLPI for Best Actress: Olivia Colman in the film THE FAVOURITE by Yorgos Lanthimos (UK, Ireland, USA) COPPA VOLPI for Best Actor: Willem Dafoe in the film AT ETERNITY’S GATE by Julian Schnabel (USA, France) AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY to: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for the film THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (USA) SPECIAL JURY PRIZE to: THE NIGHTINGALE by Jennifer Kent (Australia) MARCELLO MASTROIANNI AWARD for Best Young Actor or Actress to: Baykali Ganambarr in the film THE NIGHTINGALE by Jennifer Kent (Australia)

    VENICE AWARD FOR A DEBUT FILM

    LION OF THE FUTURE “LUIGI DE LAURENTIIS” VENICE AWARD FOR A DEBUT FILM to: YOM ADAATOU ZOULI (THE DAY I LOST MY SHADOW)  by Soudade Kaadan (Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanon, France, Qatar) ORIZZONTI

    ORIZZONTI

    ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST FILM to: KRABEN RAHU (MANTA RAY) by Phuttiphong Aroonpheng (Thailand, France, China) ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR to: Emir Baigazin for the film OZEN (THE RIVER) (Kazakhstan, Poland, Norway) SPECIAL ORIZZONTI JURY PRIZE to: ANONS (THE ANNOUNCEMENT) by Mahmut Fazıl Coşkun (Turkey, Bulgaria) ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS to: Natalya Kudryashova in TCHELOVEK KOTORIJ UDIVIL VSEH (THE MAN WHO SURPRISED EVERYONE) by Natasha Merkulova e Aleksey Chupov  (Russia, Estonia, France) ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR to: Kais Nashif in TEL AVIV ON FIRE by Sameh Zoabi (Luxembourg, France, Israel, Belgium) ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY to: Pema Tseden   for JINPA by Pema Tseden (China) ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM to: KADO  by Aditya Ahmad (Indonesia) VENICE SHORT FILM NOMINATION FOR THE EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS 2018 to: GLI ANNI by Sara Fgaier (Italy, France)

    VENICE CLASSICS

    VENICE CLASSICS AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY ON CINEMA to: THE GREAT BUSTER: A CELEBRATION by Peter Bogdanovich (USA) VENICE CLASSICS AWARD FOR BEST RESTORED FILM to: LA NOTTE DI SAN LORENZO by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani (Italy, 1982)

    VENICE VIRTUAL REALITY

    BEST VR AWARD (IMMERSIVE STORY) to: SPHERES  di Eliza McNitt (USA, France) BEST VR EXPERIENCE AWARD (FOR INTERACTIVE CONTENT) to: BUDDY VR  by Chuck Chae (South Korea) BEST VR STORY AWARD (FOR LINEAR CONTENT) to: L’ÎLE DES MORTS by Benjamin Nuel (France)

    COLLATERAL AWARDS

    HFPA Award – HFPA (Hollywood Foreign Press Association) Presented to three filmmakers (director, producer) from the Orizzonti category awarded for Best Film, Best Director and Special Jury Prize

    Casa Wabi – Mantarraya Award (Fundación Casa Wabi – Mantarraya Group) To the director winner of the Award for a Debut Film of the 75th Venice Film Festival

    FIPRESCI Award (International Federation of Film Critics) Napszállta (Sunset) by László Nemes Best Film from Orizzonti and from the parallel sections: Lissa Ammetsajjel (Still Recording) by Saeed Al Batal and Ghiath Ayoub

    SIGNIS Award (International World Catholic Association for Communication) ROMA by Alfonso Cuarón Special Mention: 22 JULY by Paul Greengrass

    Leoncino d’Oro Award (Agiscuola) WERK OHNE AUTOR by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck Cinema for UNICEF: What you gonna do when the world’s on fire? by Roberto Minervini Francesco Pasinetti Award (Sindacato Nazionale Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani) CAPRI-REVOLUTION by Mario Martone Special Pasinetti Award: SULLA MIA PELLE by Alessio Cremonini ALESSANDRO BORGHI and JASMINE TRINCA Brian Award (UAAR, Unione degli Atei e degli Agnostici Razionalisti) SULLA MIA PELLE by Alessio Cremonini

    Queer Lion Award (Associazione di Promozione Sociale Queer Lion) JOSÉ by Li Cheng

    ARCA Cinemagiovani Award Best Italian Film in Venice: CAPRI-REVOLUTION by Mario Martone Best Film of Venezia 75: WERK OHNE AUTOR by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

    CICT – UNESCO “Enrico Fulchignoni” Award (Conseil International du Cinema et de la Télévision) EL PEPE, UNA VIDA SUPREMA by Emir Kusturica

    FEDIC Award (Federazione Italiana dei Cineclub) SULLA MIA PELLE by Alessio Cremonini Special Mention FEDIC: RICORDI? by Valerio Mieli Mention FEDIC Il Giornale del Cibo: I VILLANI by Daniele De Michele

    Fondazione Mimmo Rotella Award JULIAN SCHNABEL and WILLEM DAFOE

    Lanterna Magica Award (Associazione Nazionale C.G.S.) AMANDA by Mikhael Hers

    Gillo Pontecorvo Award (Istituto Internazionale per il cinema e l’audiovisivo dei paesi latini) Best co-production for a debut film: THE ROAD NOT TAKEN by Tang Gaopeng

    Smithers Foundation Award (International Council of Film and Television at UNESCO and the Observatory on Cultural Communication at U.N.) A STAR IS BORN by Bradley Cooper Special Mention: THE MOUNTAIN by Rick Alverson

    Interfilm Award for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue (International Interchurch Film Organisation) TEL AVIV ON FIRE by Sameh Zoabi

    Green Drop Award (Green Cross Italia) AT ETERNITY’S GATE by Julian Schnabel WILLEM DAFOE

    Premio Soundtrack Stars (Free Event and SNGCI) Best Soundtrack: CAPRI-REVOLUTION by Mario Martone, music by Sacha Ring and Philipp Thimm Best original song: A SUSPIRIUM by Thom Yorke for the film Suspiria by Luca Guadagnino Special Mention: JUDY HILL for the film What You Gonna Do When the World’s on Fire by Roberto Minervini

    Sun Film Group Audience Award (Settimana Internazionale della Critica) LISSA AMMETSAJJEL (STILL RECORDING) by Saeed Al Batal and Ghiath Ayoub

    Circolo del Cinema di Verona Award (Settimana Internazionale della Critica) BETES BLONDES (BLONDE ANIMALS) by Maxime Matray and Alexia Walther

    Mario Serandrei – Hotel Saturnia & International Award for the Best Technical Contribution (Settimana Internazionale della Critica) LISSA AMMETSAJJEL (STILL RECORDING) by Saeed Al Batal and Ghiath Ayoub

    Award for Best Short Film SIC@SIC 2018 (Settimana Internazionale della Critica) MALO TEMPO by Tommaso Perfetti

    Award for Best Director SIC@SIC 2018 (Settimana Internazionale della Critica) GAGARIN, MI MANCHERAI by Domenico De Orsi

    Award for Best Technical Contribution SIC@SIC 2018 (Settimana Internazionale della Critica) QUELLE BRUTTE COSE by Loris Giuseppe Nese

    Label Europa Cinemas Award (Giornate degli Autori) JOY by Sudabeh Mortezai

    BNL People’s Choice Award (Giornate degli Autori) RICORDI? by Valerio Mieli

    GdA Director’s Award (Giornate degli Autori) C’EST ÇA L’AMOUR by Claire Burge

    HRNs Award (Human Rights Nights Association) A Letter to a Friend in Gaza by Amos Gitai Special Mention: PETERLOO by Mike Leigh Special Mention: 1938 DIVERSI by Giorgio Treves

    Sorriso diverso Award (Ass. studentesca “L’università cerca lavoro”, UCL) Best Film: UN GIORNO ALL’IMPROVVISO by Cirio D’Emilio

    NuovoImaie Award (Artists’ Rights in collaboration with SNGCI and SNCCI) Linda Caridi and Giampiero De Concilio

    Sfera 1932 Award (Consorzio Venezia e il suo Lido with Seguso Vetri d’Arte – Murano dal 1397) CAPRI-REVOLUTION by Mario Martone

    UNIMED Award (Mediterranean Universities Union) A TRAMWAY IN JERUSALEM by Amos Gitai

    La Pellicola d’Oro Award (Association “Articolo 9 Cultura & Spettacolo” and “S.A.S. Cinema”) FRANCO RAGUSA Special effects for the film Suspiria KATIA SCHWEIGGL Best tailor for the film Capri-Revolution SARTORIA ATELIER NICOLAO DI STEFANO NICOLAO Lifetime Achievement

    Lizzani Award – ANAC (Associazione Nazionale Autori Cinematografici) CAPRI-REVOLUTION by Mario Martone

    Premio Vivere da Sportivi, Fair play al cinema (Vivere da sportivi: a scuola di fair play Assoc.) What you gonna do when the world’s on fire? by Roberto Minervini Special Mention: ZEN SUL GHIACCIO SOTTILE by Margherita Ferri Special Mention: Lissa ammetsajjel (Still Recording) by Saeed al Batal and Ghiath Ayoub

    Edipo Re Award (Università degli Studi di Padova e ResInt Rete dell’Economia Sociale Internazionale) LISSA AMMETSAJJEL (STILL RECORDING) by Saeed Al Batal and Ghiath Ayoub

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  • BICYCLE THIEVES (1948) to Open Klasikoa, Restored Classic Program at San Sebastian Film Festival

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    Bicycle Thieves Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di biciclette) (1948), by Vittorio De Sica, an emblematic film of Italian neorrealism and considered one of the best movies in the history of cinema, will open Klasikoa, a yearly rendezvous with a restored classic at the San Sebastian Film Festival. The film, considered one of the best movies in the history of cinema, winner of an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1949, chronicles the misfortunes of a man on his first day at work whose essential element for keeping his job is stolen: his bicycle. André Bazin, in his famous analysis of the film, in his work What is Cinema?, describes it as cinema in its pure state and concludes on the subject of the plot: “in the world in which this workman lives, the poor must steal from each other in order to survive.” The film has been restored by the L’imagine Ritrovata laboratory, part of Italy’s Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna, a global benchmark in film research, conservation and restoration. The restored copy was presented in the Cannes Classics section at the last Cannes Festival, followed shortly afterwards by its screening at Bologna’s Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival, as part of its Ritrovati e Restaurati 2018 / Recovered & Restored 2018 section. BICYCLE THIEVES (LADRI DI BICICLETTE) VITTORIO DE SICA (ITALY) Cast: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell, Elena Altieri, Gino Saltamerenda In post-war Rome, Antonio, an unemployed worker, lands a simple job putting up posters on the condition that he has a bicycle. With great difficulty, he manages to buy one, only to have it stolen on his first day of work. This is the start of an adventure whereby Antonio will try to recover his bicycle, with his son Bruno, while his wife Maria waits at home with their other child. Desperate, Antonio tries to steal a bike, but is arrested by the police.

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