• Helsinki International Film Festival Love & Anarchy all Set for 2013; Announces Full Program and Guests

    Chan-wook Park’s STOKER, which stars Nicole Kidman and Mia WasikowskaChan-wook Park’s STOKER, which stars Nicole Kidman and Mia Wasikowska

    Finland’s largest film festival, Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy, is scheduled to run for the 26th time from September 19th to 29th, 2013. This year the festival showcases a record number of films – 339 in total. For the first time in its history, HIFF also shows films in Espoo, where the nominees for the Nordic Council Film Prize will be screened in Kino Tapiola.  

    Throughout its history, HIFF has strived to present new trends in the international film arena. The festival focuses on films that have stirred discussion and invites interesting filmmakers, such as Joshua Oppenheimer , who has directed one of the most talked-about documentaries of the year. Mr. Oppenheimer will be present at the screening of his film THE ACT OF KILLING on Friday, September 6th at Maxim. Another highly anticipated guest is Tom Berninger , who has charmed festival audiences around the world with his first documentary MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS. The film, which opened Tribeca Film Festival, shows Berninger following his older brother’s band The National on tour, trying to make a documentary about them. In the end, the film tells more about finding one’s own place in the shadow of a successful family member. The National will give a concert in Helsinki October 31st.  

    Yuri Bykov  from Russia comes to the festival with no less than two movies; THE MAJOR (Maior)  and TO LIVE (Zhit ). The festival is also visited by director Srdan Golubović  and screenwriter Srdjan Koljević , whose film CIRCLES is part of the BALKANIZE! series. Circles , which studies the results of the war in former Yugoslavia, has won awards at the international film festivals in Sundance and Berlin.  

    Another guest at this year’s festival is Dag Johan Haugerud , whose feature debut I BELONG (Som du ser meg ) is Norway’s nominee for the Nordic Council Film Prize. I Belong  was awarded Norway’s most important film price for best director, best film and best female lead. HIFF also welcomes director Erik Skjoldbjærg  and producer Christian Fredrik Martin , whose oil-drilling thriller PIONEER will premiere at Toronto International Film Festival.  

    Surprises at the table and on the programme Warwick Ross , whose wine documentary RED OBSESSION will be released in Finnish theatres in November, comes to Helsinki to take part in a special culinary screening of his film. The special screening culminates in a film dinner with a wine theme at Restaurant Sunn. The themes of the other special screenings of the culinary series Haute Cuisine are mussels (MUSSELS IN LOVE) and Spanish fine dining (TASTING MENU).  

    A new addition to the programme is Chan-wook Park’s STOKER, which stars Nicole Kidman and Mia Wasikowska. Another new addition is Danny Boyle’s TRANCE, a psychological thriller that plays out in the art world. Even though the festival catalogue and the screening schedule are published on September 6th, there will be surprise-fields in the schedule where films are published later.

    Virtual guests discuss their short films at HIFF’s new online festival The festival showcases a large selection of short films, a total of 163 works, which is more than ever before in HIFF’s history. The short film series offers a possibility to get to know new Finnish and Nordic filmmakers in particular. For the first time, a selection of the short films will also be shown at HIFF’s new online festival. Through the online festival Love & Anarchy can provide film experiences to a global audience.

    via press release

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  • REVIEW: My Father and The Man in Black

    MY FATHER AND THE MAN IN BLACK

    With no disrespect intended to any ladies reading this, it’s been said that no story carries the emotional impact of a story about the relationship between a father and his son.  From the days of the Bible and mythology, countless stories have used that relationship as a basis for emotional conflict, from fantasy films like Star Wars and Field of Dreams to biographical films like Walk the Line. Indeed, it is because of that last film that the documentary MY FATHER AND THE MAN IN BLACK exists.

    This documentary is about Saul Holiff, who served as Johnny Cash’s manager from 1960 to 1973.  Saul Holiff, who committed suicide several years ago because he was suffering from a terminal illness, had an estranged relationship with his son Jonathan Holiff – Jonathan confesses, “I knew more about my father from his obituary than from the man himself.”   Shortly before the release of the successful Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line, Jonathan quit his unsatisfying job as a successful Hollywood agent and moved back in with his mother.  While living with her they were bombarded with calls from Cash fans looking for memorabilia in the wake of Cash’s resurgence in popularity.  Jonathan’s mother revealed to him that his father had left a storage locker filled with a treasure trove of information and mementos regarding his time managing Cash.  This documentary chronicles Jonathan’s discovery of who his father really was through what he finds in the locker.

    Jonathan Holiff has a great story to tell about this relationship to his father and his father’s relationship to Johnny Cash.  However — and I know this might sound odd — I don’t think Jonathan Holiff was the right filmmaker to tell this story.  While Jonathan was an extremely successful Hollywood agent and television producer, that doesn’t necessarily translate to filmmaking skill.  Since Jonathan is undergoing a very personal journey with this documentary it makes sense that he serves writer, director, and producer of the film, but several questionable creative decisions really hurt the final product.

    For instance, perhaps my least favorite technique in documentaries is shooting narrative-style recreations of true events.  It not only seems false to me, but it begs the question of why the filmmakers didn’t choose one style or the other.  It appears that Holiff has spent a lot of money shooting narrative recreations of his father’s interactions with Cash with lookalike actors in their places. But why? Saul Holiff’s story is fascinating on its own and is told through incredible archival photos, film clips, and, most of all, audio recordings.  These are historical documents that uncover untold aspects of the life of one of country music’s most iconic figures (or two if you count Cash’s wife June Carter).  I would have liked to have seen more authenticity and less awkward recreations.

    Regardless of that poor choice in technique, Holiff discovers deep emotional connections and parallels with the father he previously wanted nothing to do with, and learns that his father’s chief flaw was trying to manage his family life like he managed Cash.

    Though MY FATHER AND THE MAN IN BLACK has won several awards and generally positive reviews at numerous film festivals, I can’t help but think it would have been a much better documentary if it took a different creative direction.  Cash fans will enjoy it more than most (even if he doesn’t get the most glowing portrayal), but others will probably want to pass.

    http://youtu.be/jtovAxxPo2Q 

    RATING 2 out of 5 : See it … At Your Own Risk

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  • Camden International Film Festival Unveils Lineup for Fifth Annual Points North Documentary Forum

    Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) Points North Documentary Forum

    The Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) has unveiled the lineup for its Points North Documentary Forum. Now in its fifth year, the Forum has quickly become the largest gathering in New England of filmmakers, key decision makers and thought leaders in the documentary field.  The three-day conference program runs concurrently with the festival from September 27 – 29, 2013 at the historic Camden Opera House in Camden, Maine, and Union Hall in Rockport, Maine. This year’s program will feature a wide range of panel discussions, workshops, case studies, networking events and two public pitch sessions. Points North is dedicated to providing independent documentary filmmakers with unique opportunities for both professional development and creative inspiration, helping build a vibrant regional filmmaking community while sustaining a conversation about new directions in nonfiction storytelling. 

    This year, some of the documentary industry’s leading broadcasters, distributors, funding organizations and executive producers will convene at the Points North Pitch, a public pitch session held during the Forum on September 28. Seven filmmakers will be given an opportunity to pitch their works-in-progress and receive critical feedback from industry delegates before a live audience. The event, which will be free and open to the public, is a unique opportunity for filmmakers to secure vital support for their projects and audience members to see how documentaries are developed in their early stages. This year’s panel will include representatives from PBS, Sundance Institute, POV, Al Jazeera America, Cinereach, LEF Foundation, DirecTV, Naked Edge Films, LEF Foundation, Fledgling Fund and Documentary Educational Resources.

    One project will receive the Points North Pitch Award and Modulus Finishing Fund, which comes with a $1000 cash prize from Documentary Educational Resources, a $10,000 post-production package from Boston-based Modulus Studios, a $3000 tuition scholarship to Maine Media Workshops and three consultations with the Tribeca Film Institute. A full list of selected projects and filmmakers is included below. Last year’s winner, IN COUNTRY, has gone on to receive the Garret Scott grant and has been selected by the Hot Docs Forum and IFP Labs, while being recognized by indieWIRE as one of the “50 indie films to look out for in 2013.”

    “We’re honored and excited to have the opportunity to continue to develop a platform for filmmakers to introduce their projects to some of the most influential decision-makers in the documentary industry,” says Ben Fowlie, Founder and Executive Director of the Camden International Film Festival.

    Filmmakers, students and other Points North attendees will have numerous opportunities to connect with industry delegates throughout the festival weekend, both formally during panels, workshops and one-on-one sessions, and informally during CIFF parties and receptions. This year’s Points North Reception – on Friday, September 27 in the Camden Opera House – will be sponsored by the LEF Foundation, also one of the founding sponsors of the Points North Documentary Forum.

    One of the themes running through this year’s program will be the ways that documentary storytelling can be used to strengthen communities and promote public dialogue around important issues, leading to real social impact.

    On September 28, the Forum will host the inaugural Points North Engagement Summit: Aging in Maine, in which approximately 15 Maine-based nonprofit leaders and healthcare professionals in the field of aging will converge in Camden for a daylong closed-door strategic summit meeting with documentary filmmakers focused on aging issues. The purpose of the meeting is to explore how their work can be supported and enhanced through the use of powerful documentary films focused on the experiences of older adults, their loved ones and caretakers. The summit agenda will be designed and facilitated by Working Films, an organization that specializes in connecting storytelling with community engagement and action.

    During the festival, there will also be an Aging in Maine sidebar of film screenings, including a highlighted screening of Banker White and Anna Fitch’s THE GENIUS OF MARIAN. Following the festival, CIFF will work with participating organizations to implement the ideas devloped at the summit and spearhead a screening tour of selected films in 8-10 communities across Maine. The Aging in Maine program is made possible by support from The Fledgling Fund, Camden National Bank, Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation and The Bingham Program, as well as partnerships with the University of Maine Center on Aging, the Portland Press Herald and The Conversation Project.

    Another new addition to the 2013 Forum program will be The New York Times Op-Docs Pitch. Six filmmakers will pitch their ideas for opinionated documentary shorts (running 3 to 10 minutes) that fit the editorial and creative scope of the Op-Docs series. The filmmaker with the winning pitch will have an opportunity to produce an Op-Doc video for The New York Times with a budget of $2,000 (USD). Subject to The New York Times’s approval, the documentary will premiere on NYTimes.com. The panel of judges will include Jason Spingarn-Koff (The New York Times’ Commissioning Editor for Opinion Video), Kathleen Lingo (The New York Times’ Op-Docs Coordinating Producer) and Lindsay Crouse (The New York Times’ Op-Docs Series Researcher), as well as veteran Op-Docs filmmakers Rebecca Richman Cohen (CODE OF THE WEST) and Penny Lane (OUR NIXON). The pitch will take place on the morning of Sunday, September 29, in the beautifully-restored Union Hall overlooking Rockport Harbor.

    Since 2011, the Points North Documentary Forum has been highlighting experiments in documentary storytelling that take advantage of new media technologies. This year, the Forum will debut a speaker series called Doc/Tech, featuring innovators and thought leaders working at the intersections between storytelling, technology and social activism. Confirmed speakers include Alexander Reben (Creator of the BlabDroid documentary filmmaking robots), Elaine McMillion (Director of the groundbreaking interactive documentary Hollow), Sasha Costanza-Chock (MIT Professor and transmedia activist) and Nonny de la Pena (Creator of Gone Gitmoand Hunger in Los Angeles virtual reality journalism projects). The session is made possible by support from the Maine Technology Institute, and will be hosted by the MIT Open Documentary Lab’s William Uricchio.

    The opportunity to meet one-on-one with visiting industry delegates is another important part of the Points North experience. The 2013 program includes a session called Social Media Audit, in which filmmakers have a chance to spend 20 minutes receiving tailored feedback on their film’s online presence from social media and audience engagement gurus Kristin McCracken (former VP of Digital Media at Tribeca Enterprises) and Christie Marchese (Founder/Executive Director, Picture Motion).

    For filmmakers interested in strengthening their storytelling craft, Points North will feature an editing masterclass led by Jonathan Oppenheim, editor of PARIS IS BURNING, THE OATH, and 2013 CIFF selection WILLIAM AND THE WINDMILL. For those who want to delve into the history of documentary film, filmmaker and Harvard professor Robb Moss (THE SAME RIVER TWICE, SECRECY) will lead a masterclass on the evolution of nonfiction storytelling techniques and the ethical and aesthetic issues that have shaped documentary filmmaking since the 1950s.

    “We’re really honored to be bringing in such a diverse, talented and inspiring group of participants to Camden for this year’s Forum,” says Points North Director Sean Flynn. “Whether you’re developing a feature, producing a short for the web, getting into interactive media, using media as a tool for social change, curious about film history or interested in craft of documentary storytelling – there’s something here for everyone.” 

    Access to the full conference program is open to all CIFF passholders. Passes are now on sale on the Camden International Film Festival website. For more information, please visit: http://camdenfilmfest.org/pointsnorth.

    The Points North Documentary Forum is made possible by the generous support of the LEF Foundation, Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation, Maine Arts Commission, The Fledgling Fund, Camden National Bank, the Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation, The Bingham Program, Maine Technology Institute, Modulus Studios, Documentary Educational Resources, Maine Media Workshops and the Tribeca Film Institute.

    A full conference schedule and list of industry delegates is attached to this press release and available online.

    Points North Pitch Selections

    THE BOLIVIAN CASE

    Directed by Violeta Ayala

    Produced by Dan Fallshaw and Vann Alexandra Daly

    MATEO

    Directed by Aaron I. Naar

    Produced by Benjamin Dohrmann and Aaron I. Naar

    THE OCEAN DOESN’T CARE

    Directed and Produced by Chase Whiteside & Erick Stoll

    PROJECT NODAK

    Directed by James Christenson and Lewis Wilcox

    Produced by Mark Steele, Eliot Popko and Jonah Sargent

    RAINBOW FARM

    Directed by J.P. Sniadecki

    Produced by Joe Bender, Blake Ashman-Kipervsaer and J.P. Sniadecki

    THE SENSITIVES

    Directed by Drew Xanthopoulos

    Produced by David Hartstein

    WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS

    Directed by Beth Murphy and Kevin Belli

    Produced by Beth Murphy and Beth Balaban

    New York Times Op-Docs Pitch Selections

    ANCESTRAL SOIL

    Directed by Beth Balaban and Beth Murphy

    Produced by Beth Murphy

    CAPITALIST MASTERPIECES

    Directed and Produced by Lisanne Skyler

    THE HAPPY FILM

    Directed by Stefan Sagmeister

    Produced by Ben Nabors

    HOTLINE

    Directed by Tony Shaff

    Produced by Tony Shaff, Lauren Belfer and Bryce Renninger

    PROJECT NODAK

    Directed by Lewis Wilcox and James Christenson

    Produced by Jonah Sargent, Eliot Popko and Mark Steele

    A WILL FOR THE WOODS

    Directed by Amy Browne, Jeremy Kaplan, Tony Hale and Brian Wilson

    Produced by Amy Browne

    Points North Documentary Forum Program

    September 27 – 29, 2013

    Camden Opera House | Camden, ME

    Union Hall | Rockport, ME

    Friday, September 27

    11:00am – 12:30pm (Tucker Room)

    Docs on Demand

    In this workshop, Danielle DiGiacomo (Manager of Film Distribution, The Orchard) demystifies the brave new world of digital distribution. Drawing on case studies to explore topics such as the lifecycle of a digital release, negotiating contracts, strategizing about windows and platforms, the varieties of VOD, and retail marketing, this session will leave you full of ideas for how to maximize the potential of your film’s digital release. Bring your notebook!

    11:30am – 1:00pm (Washington St. Conference Room)

    From Story to Action

    Since the days of Grierson, documentary filmmakers have been driven by a desire to affect social change through storytelling. Today’s filmmakers have more tools at their disposal than ever before to engage audiences and close the gap between inspiration and action. In this panel, filmmakers, outreach coordinators and funders discuss ideas and strategies for using film to create meaningful social impact.

    ●      Molly Murphy (Working Films)

    ●      Sheila Leddy (Fledgling Fund)

    ●      Christie Marchese (Picture Motion)

    ●      Banker White (THE GENIUS OF MARIAN)

    ●      Rebecca Richman Cohen (CODE OF THE WEST)

    ●      moderator: Sara Archambault (LEF Foundation)

    1:00pm – 2:30pm (Tucker Room)

    Documentary 101 with Robb Moss

    In this special masterclass, award-winning filmmaker and Harvard professor Robb Moss (SECRECY, THE SAME RIVER TWICE) leads participants on a guided tour through the history of documentary film. Using clips from both classic and contemporary films, Moss traces the evolution of nonfiction storytelling techniques and explores both the ethical and aesthetic issues that have shaped documentary filmmaking over the past six decades.

    1:30pm – 3:00pm (Washington St. Conference Room)

    Meet the Broadcasters

    Top programmers from major networks discuss everything you ever wanted to know about documentary broadcast, including programming priorities, marketing, multiplatform distribution and more. Come meet the broadcasters before you see them onstage at the Points North Pitch.

    ●      Brian Newman (Brainstorm Media / direcTV)

    ●      Chris White (POV)

    ●      Kathryn Lo (PBS / Independent Lens)

    ●      moderator: Andrea Meditch (Back Allie Films)

    2:00pm – 4:30pm

    Social Media Audit

    Building an audience online has become an indispensable part of independent filmmaking, but where do you start? Where do you find your audience and what content should you be sharing with them? In these one-on-one sessions, you’ll have a chance to spend 20 minutes getting tailored feedback on your film’s online presence on your project from social media and audience engagement gurus Kristin McCracken (former VP of Digital Media at Tribeca Enterprises) and Christie Marchese (Founder/Exec Director, Picture Motion). Bring a laptop and RSVP to pointsnorth@camdenfilmfest.org by September 20. Space is limited!

    3:00pm – 4:30pm (Tucker Room)

    Courting Your Subject

    Behind every documentary is the story of how the filmmaker first met his/her subject and negotiated that all-important access. Did they start filming right away? Did they fully reveal their intentions for the film? Did they befriend their subjects or maintain a distance? In this panel, three directors from the 2013 CIFF program discuss the complicated relationship between filmmaker and subject.

    ●      Rachel Boynton (BIG MEN)

    ●      AJ Schnack (CAUCUS)

    ●      Banker White (THE GENIUS OF MARIAN)

    ●      moderator: Charlotte Cook (Hot Docs)

    3:30pm – 5:00pm (Washington St. Conference Room)

    Shaping the Nonfiction Narrative – Editing Masterclass

    Documentary editor Jonathan Oppenheim reveals the conceptual strategies he uses to discover and shape a film’s story structure during editing. Drawing on examples from past and present work – including PARIS IS BURNING, THE OATH and WILLIAM AND THE WINDMILL – Oppenheim explores issues such as context, intention and the unique challenges of the documentary form.

    5:30pm – 7:00pm (Third Floor, Camden Opera House)

    Points North Reception (sponsored by LEF Foundation)

    After a busy day of panels and workshops, come unwind over drinks, mingle with filmmakers and industry delegates and make some new friends. Open to all festival passholders. This reception is made possible by LEF Foudation, a Points North founding sponsor and major supporter of the New England filmmaking community.

    Saturday, September 28

    10:00am – 1:00pm

    Points North Pitch

    Seven filmmakers pitch their works-in-progress to an international panel of funders, broadcasters and producers. Each pitch lasts exactly 7 minutes, followed by 12 minutes of critical feedback. This is an invaluable chance to see first-hand how leading industry decision-makers evaluate projects.

    ●      Lyda Kuth (LEF Foundation)

    ●      Alice Apley (Documentary Educational Resources)

    ●      Brian Newman (Brainstorm Media / direcTV)

    ●      Leah Giblin (Cinereach)

    ●      Daniel Chalfen (Naked Edge Films)

    ●      Kristin Feeley (Sundance Documentary Institute)

    ●      Sheila Leddy (Fledgling Fund)

    ●      Chris White (POV)

    ●      Kathryn Lo (PBS)

    ●      Moderator: Andrea Meditch (Back Allie Films)

    2:00pm – 3:30pm

    Doc/Tech (sponsored by Maine Technology Institute)

    Throughout its history, documentary film has been a catalyst for social change and a unique medium for social connection. In this series of short thought-provoking talks, we explore how new media technologies are blurring the lines between producers, subjects and audiences, while expanding the possibilities for documentary storytelling to act as an agent of social change and civic engagement.

    ●      Elaine McMillion

    ●      Alexendar Reben

    ●      Sasha Costanza-Chock

    ●      Nonny de la Pena

    ●      moderator: William Uricchio

     

    Sunday, September 29

    11:00am – 12:30pm

    The New York Times Op-Docs Pitch

    Grab some brunch in Rockport and spend your Sunday morning experiencing The New York Times live. Six filmmakers will pitch their ideas for short, opinionated documentaries that fit the editorial and creative scope of The New York Times’ Op-Docs series. A jury of Op-Docs alumni and The New York Times staff will award one filmmaker with a budget of $2,000 and the chance to produce their film for a potential online audience of millions.

     

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  • “SALINGER” Documentary Added to Lineup for 2013 Toronto International Film Festival | TRAILER

    Salinger

    The Toronto International Film Festival added Shane Salerno’s SALINGER to the lineup of films screening at this year’s festival. The documentary follows elusive author and literary legend J.D. Salinger, one of the most fascinating figures of the twentieth century, who brought the world The Catcher in the Rye. 

    For more than 50 years, J.D. Salinger has been the subject of a relentless stream of newspaper and magazine articles as well as several biographies. Yet all of these attempts have been hampered by lack of access and the recycling of inaccurate information. Thus, Salinger has largely remained an enigma to the public and media alike.

    During the nine years in which Salinger was in production, filmmaker Shane Salerno interviewed hundreds of people the world over, many of whom had previously declined to go on the record about their relationship with the iconic author. Salerno’s documentary offers direct eyewitness accounts from Salinger’s World War II brothers-in-arms, his family members, his close friends, his lovers, his classmates, his neighbours, his editors, his publishers, his New Yorker colleagues, and people with whom he had relationships that were unknown even to his own family. Providing unparalleled access to never-before-published photographs, diaries, letters, legal records, and documents, Salinger paints a definitive portrait.

    http://youtu.be/9_zcPBcXeo4

     

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  • REVIEW: ABIGAIL HARM

    Abigail Harm

    Totally detached from society, as a matter of personal choice Abigail Harm is as anti-social and introverted as they come. Her only human interaction from day to day is that of her commitment to the service of reading to clients whom she sees at their home, as she reads from their favorite novels or other materials of choice. As the famous Korean folktale would have it,  one which tells of love, true love, the ever lasting kind which results from the taming of a deer, who is appears robe-less in need of consolation. One most unexpected evening a gentleman in need of food and temporary shelter appears in Abigail’s home. Over a meal she prepares, the man questions Abigail’s understanding of  love, to which she admits her only experience with it was through her parents, as an infant.  His one wish for Abigail becomes that she truly gets to feel what love is. He enlightens her to the myth of ‘The Woodcutter and the Nymph’ impressing upon her the importance of keeping her eyes open to her true love which is forthcoming.  In a matter of days, Abigails entire existence is revamped via this revelation, and literal appearance of a man in need of her as she is in need of he.

    With her new relationship, and new outlook on life Abigail Harm now allows herself to experience as everyone else in humanity would seem to know it. Watch as the once anti-social becomes a butterfly all at the behest and coercion of love and intimacy.  The two share moments once unforeseen in her world, or expected, for that matter, to the tune of one of a potentially classic love story.

    abigail harm

    Experiencing nothing short of love which is overwhelming at times for her psyche, Abigail quickly learns to embrace the attention of another human being.

    Many live a life which they desire could mirror fairy and folk tale, but quite often it does not happen; Abigail Harm gives us the hope and lesson of how we would might one day be in that small percentage of fruition. A great gem is shared regarding the importance of caring, of loving, and being loved as well as the need to be invaluable to someone whom you hope to keep forever; share in the joy of happiness and live if only vicariously, through Abigail Harm.

    http://youtu.be/_jJfumiMcZo

    “ABIGAIL HARM” Opening August 30th at The QUAD, NYC

    Winner Grand Jury Prize Best Narrative Feature and Outstanding Director  
    2013 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
     
    Directed by Lee Isaac Chung
    Starring Amanda Plumber, Tetsuo Kuramochi, Will Patton and Burt Young
    Written by Samuel Gray Anderson and Lee Isaac Chung
    Produced by Eugene Suen, Samuel Gray Anderson and Pablo Thomas
    TRT: 80 Minutes 

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  • The Complete Lineup For The 17th Edition Of Views From The Avant-Garde At The 51st New York Film Festival

    COSTA DA MORTE by Lois PatiñoCOSTA DA MORTE by Lois Patiño

    The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the complete lineup for the 17th edition of Views from the Avant-Garde (VIEWS), taking place from October 3-7, 2013, during the New York Film Festival (NYFF). The popular yearly touchstone for experimental film returns with curator Mark McElhatten at the helm, and will contain 35+ programs in glorious Super-8, 16 mm and 35mm film and HD formats. Many familiar faces will return, and VIEWS will also feature 45 new artists and several mini-retrospectives of several of these artists including, Aura Satz, Lois Patiño, Sandro Aguilar, and Jean-Paul Kelly. Views will also offer special tributes to the late Stom Sogo and Anne Robertson whose work is a testimony to the power of a Cinema that is fearless, confidential and inextinguishable.

    Curator of Views from the Avant-Garde, Mark McElhatten said, “Cinema existed before Film and will exist long after film’s twilight and digital’s decay. Cinema exists as an innate way of perceiving the world through light, through cadence through juxtaposition and as a way of sensing and organizing reality. VIEWS celebrates Cinema in its material marriage with film, in its honeymoon period with an ideal medium, projecting super-8, 16mm, 35mm, sequential slides. We celebrate the lightning fleetness of digital that is able to translate the cinema of consciousness in a way than is very different than film, giving it a different elasticity and a different body. We are screening work that ranges through the ethnographic, abstract, psychological, documentarian, essayistic, devotional, parotic, scientific-naturalist many different impulses and directions along with the latest archival preservations of rediscovered works from earlier decades. The goal is to offer a festival of works that is evidence of true exploration coming from individual impulse, showing what can happen when exceptional artists absent themselves from the concerns of a consensus commercial aim and authentically pursue the limits of their art.”

    Some highlights this year include, work by Lois Patiño who will showcase multiple programs, group shows, solo and amphitheater cycles. Opening night offers the North American Premiere of Patiño’s first feature COSTA DA MORTE, which just won an award of distinction at the 66th Festival del Film Locarno for Best Emerging Director. Filmed in a region of Galicia, Spain called Coast of Death, derived from the numerous shipwrecks that happened in this region. The film crosses this land observing the people who inhabit it, witnessing the traditional craftsmen who maintain both an intimate relationship and an antagonistic battle with the vastness of this territory. The wind, the stones, the sea, the fire, are characters in this film, and through them, approach the mystery of the landscape, understanding it as a unified ensemble with man, his history and legends.

    Sandro Aguilar is known internationally as the founder of the production company, “O Som e a Fúria,” responsible for acclaimed films by Miguel Gomes, Manoel de Olivera and many other notable directors. His extraordinary films have been receiving nominations and awards from dozens of festivals worldwide over the last decade or so. Aguilar’s latest film Dive: Approach and Exit will be shown in its New York Premiere along with a selection of short films from 2007 to 2013. In addition his film A Serpente will screen once with the New York premiere of Scott Stark’s The REALIST.

    VIEWS will present the World Premiere of Aura Satz’s just completed work Doorway for Nathalie Kalmus, a film centered around the use of color in moving image technology and exploring the disorienting technicolor prismatic effects of the lamp house of a 35mm color film printer. Through minute shifts across an abstract color spectrum, punctuated by a mechanical soundtrack, the film evokes kaleidoscopic perceptual after-images (bringing to mind Paul Sharits, Dario Argento and the Wizard of Oz).

    SUNKEN TREASURE will be part of a special closing day of VIEWS that seeks to dissolve boundaries in the way we categorize and approach cinema of different origins and genre by presenting relative rarities directed by John Stahl and Max Ophuls, along with the works of Stan Brakhage and Nathaniel Dorsky. The evening will conclude with the last presentation in this year’s edition of VIEWS titled Kodachrome Dailies from the Time of Song and Solitude (Reel 2)
by Nathaniel Dorsky, includes screening unreleased materials for the first and only time to a public audience.

    Over 200 individual works will screen this year from all over the world, including: Argentina, Austria, Australia, Brazil, Burma/Myanmar, Canada, Ethiopia, France, Germany. Israel, Italy, India, Japan, Palestinian territories, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

    Director Stephanie Spray and Pacho Velez’s film Manakamana will be co-presented by Views from the Avant-Garde and was previously announced in the Spotlight on Documentary section, Motion Portraits. The film will screen on September 28 and 30 with the filmmakers in attendance. Visit Filmlinc.com for more information.

    The 17-day New York Film Festival highlights the best in world cinema, featuring top films from celebrated filmmakers as well as fresh new talent. The selection committee, chaired by Kent Jones, also includes: Dennis Lim, FSLC Director of Cinematheque Programming; Marian Masone, FSLC Associate Director of Programming; Gavin Smith, Editor-in-Chief, Film Comment; and Amy Taubin, Contributing Editor, Film Comment and Sight & Sound.

    Gain access to the 34 programs in Views from the Avant-Garde with a $99 NYFF Views Badge, which will be available for purchase exclusively online. The badge as well as tickets to individual programs will go on sale September 12th.  More ticket information for the New York Film Festival will be available on Filmlinc.com/NYFF.

     

    VIEWS FROM THE AVANT-GARDE 
    SCHEDULE & DESCRIPTIONS
    October 3 – 7

     
    Venue Key: Francesca Beale Theater (FBT), Howard Gilman Theater (HGT), Amphitheater (AMPH)

     
    Thursday, October 3      
    (Please Note: Thursday, Opening day Views program includes amphitheater events and all other days, the amphitheater events are listed separately at the end of the schedule)                                                                           

    3:00 pm       Program 15a: (FBT)
    voices perish  (coloring the darkening glow)
    Strawberries in the Summertime, Jennifer Reeves U.S., 2013 15min.

    LUNA (Snow), Leslie Thornton, U.S., 2013, 2:21min.

    Onomatopoeic Alphabet, Aura Satz, U.K., 2010, 7min

    Doorway for Nathalie Kalmus, Aura Satz, U.K., 2013, 9min

    Paisaje-Duración Trigal  (Duration Landscape Cornfield), Lois Patiño, Spain, 2010, 2:57min

    Psalm IV: Valley of the Shadow, Phil Solomon, U.S., 2013, 7:31min
                           
    All or Nothing, Fred Worden, U.S., 2013, 8 min

    Half Life, April Simmons, U.S., 2013, 6:04min
                           
    LUNA  (Heaven), Leslie Thornton, 2013, U.S., 9:05min 

    Remanence IV, Josh Bonnetta, U.S., 2013, 54 seconds
    Bedtime Story, Esther Shatavsky, U.S., 35mm, 1981, 5.5 min, *35mm (blown-up from 16mm), Preserved by Anthology Film Archives with support from the National Film Preservation Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
                           
    WEISSFILM, Wilhelm and Birgit Hein, Germany, 1977, 5min                                                                                                                                                                         
    “Splice 181 to Splice 243 of SPLICEFILM, 2013, Homage to Birgit and Wilhelm Hein’s WEISSFILM, 1977,” Florian Zeyfang, Germany, 2013, 5min.

    Creme 21, Eve Heller, Austria, 2013, 11min 

    Ten Notes on A Summer Day, Mike Stoltz, 2012, 4.5min

    The Sea Seeks Its Own Level, Erin Espelie, U.S., 2013, 5:04min 

    *Program repeats on Saturday, October 5 at 11:30 am (FBT) with the addition of Philosphers Walk on the Sublime, Leslie Thornton, U.S.  2013,12min

    6:00 pm      Program 1: (FBT)
    STEPHANIE BARBER:  DAREDEVILS  
    World Premiere!
    Daredevils, Stephanie Barber, U.S., 2013, 1hr 25min with Flora Cokes, Kim Su Theiler and the voice of Susan Howe. 

    6:30 pm      Amphitheater Program A: (AMPH) 
    PATRICIA THORNLEY 
    World Premiere!
    THIS IS US: Don’t Cry For Me, Patricia Thornley, U.S., 2013, 48min., with Janie Geiser, Michael Buscemi, Paul David Young. withKriminalistik, Janie Geiser,U.S., 2013, 3min.

    7:00 pm      Program 2a: (HGT)   
    Travis Wilkerson Los Angeles Red Squad with Miguel Gomes’ Redemption 
    Redemption, Miguel Gomes, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy 2013, 26min.
    Los Angeles Red Squad: The Communist Situation in  
    California, Travis Wilkerson, U.S., 2013, 70min
    *Program repeats on Friday, October 4 at 2:00 (FBT), with the exception of Miguel Gomes’ Redemption.

    8:00 pm      Amphitheater Program B: (AMPH) 
    The Wooster’s Group’s RUMSTICK ROAD  (2010-2013) Ken Kobland and Elizabeth LeCompte, U.S., 2013, 77min. A Video Reconstruction of the 1977 theater piece by Ken Kobland and Elizabeth LeCompte with Spalding Gray.

    9:00 pm      Program 3a: (FBT)  
    Lois Patiño : COSTA DA MORTE 
    Costa da Morte (Coast of Death), Lois Patiño, Spain, 2013, 83 min.
    *Repeats on Friday, October 4 at 1:00 pm (HGT)

    9:15 pm       Program 4: (HGT) 
    Chris Marker DESCRIPTION OF A STRUGGLE with Miguel Gomes’ Redemption 
    Redemption, Miguel Gomes, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy 2013, 26min.
    Description of A Struggle (Description d’un combat) Chris Marker, France 1961 51min 
    *Digital Restoration from the Israel Film Archive –Jerusalem Cinematheque

    10:00 pm    Amphitheater Program C: (AMPH) 
    JIM FINN
    ENCOUNTERS WITH YOUR INNER TROTSKY CHILD, Jim Finn, U.S., 2013, 21.5 min. and Christmas with Chávez, Jim Finn, Argentina, U.S./Venezula, 2013, 2min.

    11:00 pm     Amphitheater Program D: (AMPH)
    LESLIE THORNTON 
    LUNA (Trance), Leslie Thornton, U.S. 2013, 12min
    Binocular: Zebra 2, Leslie Thornton, U.S. 2013, 2:45min
    Binocular: Bees, Leslie Thornton, U.S., 2013, 6min
    Binocular: Mandarin Duck, Leslie Thornton, U.S., 2013, 2min59
    Little Balls of Air, Leslie Thornton, U.S., 2013, 5min

    Friday, October 4 
    12:00 pm     Program 5: (FBT)
    Raúl Ruiz  Life is A Dream 
    Mémoire des apparences (Life is Dream), Raúl Ruiz, France, 1987, 100min

     1:00 pm       Program 3b: (HGT)
    Lois Patiño   Costa da Morte 
    Costa da Morte ( Coast of Death), Lois Patiño, Spain, 2013, 83 min.

    2:00 pm       Program 2b: (FBT)
    Travis Wilkerson: Los Angeles Red Squad
    Los Angeles Red Squad: The Communist Situation in  
    California, Travis Wilkerson, U.S., 2013, 70min

    3:15 pm        Program 6:  (HGT)
    SOLAR RADIOS, FIRE FROM THE SUN
    With Pluses and minuses, Mike Stoltz, U.S., 2013, 5min

    The Starry Messenger, Marika Borgeson, U.S., 2013, 15min
    Palindrome, Hollis Frampton, U.S. 1969, 22 minutes, 2013 *Preservation Print provided by Anthology Film Archives
    Radio Adios, Henry Hills, U.S.,1982, 10.5 minutes
    *Preserved in 2013 by Anthology Film Archives in with support from the National Film Preservation Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

    Neuron, Robert Russett, U.S., 1972, 7min
    Primary Stimulus, Robert Russett, U.S., 8min, 1977/1980
    *2013 Restored prints of the Robert Russet films courtesy of the Academy Film Archive 
    Tessitura Calda, Paolo Gioli, Italy, 2013, 7:30min
    Screen Tone, Richard Touhy, Australia, 2012, 16min

    4:00 pm       Program 7a: (FBT)  
     SANDRO AGUILAR – DIVE: APPROACH AND EXIT 
    DIVE: APPROACH AND EXIT Sandro Aguilar, Portugal,2013, 12′

    SIGNS OF STILLNESS OUT OF MEANINGLESS THINGS  Sandro Aguilar, Portugal, 2012, 28′
    REMAINS Sandro Aguilar, Portugal, 2010, 18 min
    MERCURIO Sandro Aguilar, Portugal, 2010  18 min
    ARQUIVO Sandro Aguilar, Portugal, 2007 19 min
    VOODOO Sandro Aguilar, Portugal, 2010 30 min
    *Program repeats on Saturday, October 5 at 2:30 pm  (HGT)

    5:15 pm        Program 8: (HGT)
    ANNE CHARLOTTE ROBERTSON  :
    I Wanted to See How I Lived, I Wanted to Love Myself and My Past. Films from 1976 to 1996.  
    *Presented with The Harvard Film Archive and HFA Conservator Liz Coffee  from materials preserved in the Harvard Film Archive.TRT: 90min

    6:15 pm        Program 9a: (FBT)
    Landscapes in the Shadow of Time
    Views from the Acropolis Lonnie van Brummelen and Siebren de Haan Netherlands/Turkey, 2012, 14: 58

    Paisaje-Duración Duration Rocas (Landscape Rocks ) Lois Patiño   Spain  2011 4:19 

    Montaña en sombra
 (Mountain in shadow) Lois Patiño   Spain 2012 13:54 

    Nile Perch (35mm version) Josh Gibson US./Uganda 2013 16:47

    Three Landscapes Peter Hutton, 2013 US/Ethiopia 46min.   
    *Program repeats on Sunday, October 6 at 10:30 pm  (HGT)

    8:00 pm       Program 10: (HGT)
    SUPER -8 SHORT FUSE INCANDESCENCE 
    Please note: All films except Photooxidation and Lunas screen in super-8 projection.

    Blind Alley Augury, Daichi Saito, Canada 2.5
    Green Fuse, Daichi Saito, Canada, 3:11
    Field of View #1, Daichi Saito, Canada, 3:16
    Javi  Malena Szlam, Canada  2011, super 8, 2:42    
    Lunas  Malena Szlam, Canada, 2013,  4: 33  16mm
    The Quilpo Dreams of Waterfalls / El Quilpo Sueña Cataratas, Pablo Mazzolo, Argentina 2012 11 min Super-8
    Conjectures / Conjeturas, Pablo Mazzolo, Argentina, 2013,  3:30min
    Photooxidation/Fotooxidación – Pablo Mazzolo, Argentina, 2013, 7min.
    VOID REDUX Paul Clipson, U.S., 2013 Silent 6.5 min
    DIFFICULT LOVES  Paul Clipson U.S. 2013,. 3.5 music by Jefre Cantu- Ledesma.
    SPEAKING CORPSE Paul Clipson, U.S. 2012 7.5min Music by Jefre Cantu Ledesma
    CARRIE AT STILL Stom Sogo, U.S./Japan 1998, 27 minutes, From the collection of Anthology Film Archives.

    8:15 pm:       Program 11: (FBT)
    ONE SECRET DESTROYS EVERYTHING 

    Dad’s Stick, John Smith, Great Britain, 2013, 6min
    The Invisible World, Jesse McLean, U.S., 2012, 20:15 seconds
    Lyrica, Shana Moulton, U.S. 2012, 4:53
    The Dark, Krystle, Michael Robinson, U.S., 2013, 8 min
    Mount Song, Shambhavi Kaul , U.S./India, 2013,  8:49  
    Property, Jeanne Liotta  U.S, 2013,  3:28
    Ojo Caliente, Pat O’Neill U.S., 2012, 4m   
    Dirty Code, Bobby Abate, U.S., 2013, 5min
    Black Powder, White Smoke, Sarah Halpern, U.S., 2.5 min
    Life is an Opinion Fire a Fact Karen Yasinsky U.S., 2012,  9 min.
    Greystone, Kerry Tribe, U.S.. 2012, 29min.

    9:45 pm        Program 12: (HGT)
    LUTHER PRICE: TEARS OF A CLOWN 
    Jellyfish Sandwich Luther Price U.S. 1994, 17min.
    Clown Luther Price U.S. 1991/2002, 32 min. 2013 Digital *Preservation by Anthology Film Archives with support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

    10:30 pm     Program 13: (FBT)
    JODIE MACK: LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE 
    LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE:  
    Undertone Overture, Jodie Mack, U.S., 2013, 10:30
    New Fancy Foils, Jodie Mack, U.S., 2013, 12min
    Dusty Stacks of Mom, Jodie Mack, U.S., 2013 41m
    Glistening Thrills, Jodie Mack, U.S., 2013, 8m
    Let Your Light Shine, Jodie Mack, U.S., 2013, 2:45

    Saturday, October 5
    11:30 am     Program 15b: (FBT) 
    voices perish (coloring the darkening glow) 
    Strawberries in the Summertime, Jennifer Reeves U.S., 2013 15min.
    LUNA (Snow) Leslie Thornton, U.S., 2013, 2:21
    Onomatopoeic Alphabet, Aura Satz U.K. 2010 7min
    Doorway for Nathalie Kalmus, Aura Satz, U.K. 2013 9min
    Paisaje-Duración  Trigal   ( Duration Landscape Cornfield ), Lois Patiño, 2010, 2:57min
    Psalm IV: Valley of the Shadow, Phil Solomon, U.S., 2013, 7:31min
    All or Nothing, Fred Worden, U.S., 2013, 8 min
    Half Life, April Simmons, 2013, U.S., 6:04min
    LUNA (Heaven), Leslie Thornton, 2013 U.S., 12min    
    Remanence IV, Josh Bonnetta, U.S., 2013, 54 seconds
    Bedtime Story Esther Shatavsky, U.S. 35mm 1981, 5.5 min, 35mm (blown-up from 16mm)
    *Preserved by Anthology Film Archives in 2013 with support from the National Film Preservation Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

     WEISSFILM, Wilhelm and Birgit Hein, Germany ,1977, 5min
    “Splice 181 to Splice 243 of SPLICEFILM, 2013, Homage to Birgit and Wilhelm Hein’s WEISSFILM, 1977” Florian Zeyfang, Germany 2013, 5min.      
    Creme 21, Eve Heller, Austria, 2013 11 min 
    Ten Notes on A Summer Day Mike Stoltz  2012, 4.5min
    The Sea Seeks Its Own Level Erin Espelie, U.S., 2013, 5:04 
    Philosophers Walk on the Sublime  Leslie Thornton, U.S.  2013,12min

    12:00 pm     Program 16: (HGT) 
    L’Age D’Or

    Tender Feet U.S., 2013, 10 min Fern Silva
    45  7 Broadway  Tomonari Nishikawa, U.S./Japan,2013, 6 min.
    Blue Shiloh Cinquemani, Germany, 2013, 3:02
    Sea Series 12, 13, 14   John Price, Canada, 2013 7:30
    Despedida (Farewell) Alexandra Cuesta U.S.,2013, 9:36
    Bat El Drinking Water and Other Signs  Jonathan Schwartz, U.S/Israel 2013, 9:59
    Utskor: Either/Or  Laida Lertxundi, Norway Spain U.S.      2013, 7:30
    Gowanus Canal   Sarah J. Christman, U.S. 2013, 7 min.
    High Water  Pawel Wojtasik U.S., 2013, 9:23
    A Idade de Pedra/ Age of Stone  Ana Vaz, Brazil, 2013, 28:57

    2:15 pm        Program 17 :  (FBT)
    Being Here (found in silence , heard within sight)       
    Narcissi  Shiloh Cinquemani , Germany, 2012,  3 min. 
    Listening to the Space in My Room  Robert Beavers, Germany/U.S., 2013,19min.
    Lost and Found  Jim Jennings, U.S., rediscovered in 2013, 5 min.
    Susan +Lisbeth  Ute Aurand Germany, 2013 10 min.
    to be here Ute Aurand, Germany/U.S., 2013, 38:06

    2:30 pm       Program 17b: (HGT)
    SANDRO AGUILAR: DIVE: APPROACH AND EXIT  
    DIVE: APPROACH AND EXIT – Sandro Aguilar,Portugal, 2013, 12′
    SIGNS OF STILLNESS OUT OF MEANINGLESS THINGS – Sandro Aguilar,Portugal, 2012, 28′
    REMAINS – Sandro Aguilar,Portugal, 2010, 18 min.
    MERCURIO – Sandro Aguilar,Portugal, 2010  18 min.
    ARQUIVO – Sandro Aguilar ,Portugal, 2007 19 min.
    VOODOO Sandro Aguilar ,Portugal, 2010 30 min.

    4:15 pm        Program 18  (FBT)
    PRECARIOUS LIGHT IN CALM FREQUENCIES 

    Balga  Lichun Tseng, Netherlands, 2012 4:26
    Natura Obscura Paolo Gioli, Italy, 7:50
    Orchard.5  Hey –Yeun Jang, U.S., 2013, 4min
    Late Summer Barry Gerson, U.S., 2013, 11min
    Lost Our Lease  Jim Jennings, U.S., 2013, 10min.    
    February  Inhan Cho, South Korea, 2011, 4:25
    Watercolor (Fall Creek) Vincent Grenier,U.S.  2013,12:15
    Flow Lichun Tseng, Netherlands, 2013,16min
    Falling Notes Unleaving Saul Levine, U.S., 2013, 12min.
    Threshold  Robert Todd, U.S.,2013, 19min 
    Exterior Extended Siegfried A. Fruhauf, Austria, 2013, 9 min. 

    5:15 pm        Program 19: (HGT)  
    STOM SOGO:  EIJANAIKA –BROKEN IMAGE, UNPROTECTED JOY

    Around the World  (aka Speedy Speedy California Sky)  Stom Sogo   103 min.
    Diaries  Stom Sogo excerpts and other surprises
    *All materials provided by Anthology Film Archives.

    7:30 pm       Program 20a: (FBT)  
    Momentary Light and Seasonal Songs: The Films of Nathaniel Dorsky and Jerome Hiler
    Song Nathaniel Dorsky, U.S.,2013,18.5 min
    Spring   Nathaniel Dorsky U.S.,23min 2013
    Misplacement  Jerome Hiler ,U.S.,2013, 21min.
    *Program repeats on Sunday, October 6 at 1:30pm 

    8:30 pm       Program 21: (HGT) 
     Two Weeks in Another Time,-Transfigured and Immersive Ethnographies.
    MAGIC MUSHROOM MOUNTAIN MOVIE  Manuel De Landa, Mexico/U.S.1973-1980, 15 min.
    *Super- 8mm digitized to HD video in 2013 by Anthology Film Archives with support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

    Brébeuf   Stephen Broomer 
Canada / 10:32 / 2013

    Kolkata  Mark Lapore  U.S./India,2005,35min   A Views -NYFF reprise screening

    Let Us Persevere in What We Have Resolved Before We Forget   Ben Russell, U.S./France/ Vanuatu 2013 20 min.       

    Natpwe, the feast of the spirits Jean Dubrel and Tiane Doan Na Champassak  France/ Burma 2012,31min.

    9:30 pm       Program 22: (FBT)   
    LULLABIES AND ALARMS 
    Cars and Killers Gretchen Skogerson, U.S. 2013.2min.
    Platonic  Dani Leventhal,U.S., 2013 21 min.
    Elsa merdelamerdelamer Abigail Child, U.S., 2013.3:30 sec
    vis à vis Abigail Child, U.S. 2013, 25min.
    After Hours  Karen Yasinsky, U.S., 2013,14:40 min.
    El Adios Largos Andrew Lampert U.S.,2013,10min
    Rode Molen  Esther Urlus, Netherlands, 2013, 4min
    Seoul Electric Richard Tuohy, South Korea, 2012 16mm sound  7:29min
    Las Variaciones Schwitters Alberto Cabrera Bernal, Spain,2012 6min.
    Slackness Princess Sara Grace Nesin, U.S. 2013,3:57
    Scattered in the Wind Lori Felker,U.S. 2013, 5:32
    P.S. WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO DIE  Stom Sogo, U.S./Japan, 2003, 12min. a Views NYFF reprise screening ,from the collection of Anthology Film Archive.

    10:45 pm     SURPRISE SCREENING (HGT)

    Sunday, October 6
    11:30 am     Program 14: (HGT) 
    KEVIN JEROME EVERSON 
    The Island of St. Matthews  Kevin Jerome Everson,U.S. 2013, 70min
    Rhinoceros  2013, Kevin Jerome Everson,U.S. 2013,7min,            

    12:00 pm     Program 23: (FBT)
    TALENA SANDERS 
    Liahona Talena Sanders, U.S.,2013, 68min 

    1:30 pm        Program 20b: (HGT)
    Momentary Light and Seasonal Songs : The films of Nathaniel Dorsky and Jerome Hiler
    Song  Nathaniel Dorsky, U.S.,2013,18.5 min
    Spring   Nathaniel Dorsky U.S.,23min 2013
    Misplacement  Jerome Hiler ,U.S.,2013, 21min.

    2:30 pm       Program 24: (FBT)  
    Breaking the Frame   
    Breaking the Frame  Marielle Nitoslawska, Canada, 2012,100 min with Carolee Schneemann

    3:15 pm        Program 25:  (HGT)
    (a noisy distance of None will be returned if, and only if, the ghost is captured).

    Home Movie Gaza  Basma Alsharif, Palestinian Territories   2013,24min.

    The Fold – Leslie Thornton, 2013, 4min.
    Every Filter In Final Cut Pro  Lisa McArty, U.S., 2013 9:55min.
    Immortal, Suspended  Deborah Stratman , U.S., 2013 5min
    Sound Seam Aura Satz, U.K.,2010, 14’04
    Binocular; Zebra 2, Leslie Thornton, 2013, 2:
    Movement in Squares   Jean-Paul Kelly, Canada, 2013, 12:37
    Figure –ground   Jean-Paul Kelly, Canada, 2013, 4:47 
    Service of the Goods  Jean-Paul Kelly, Canada, 2013, 29:10

    5:30 pm        PROGRAM 26: (FBT)  
    WRITTEN ON THE WIND 
    Murmurations  Rebecca Meyers, U.S., 2013, 5:40
    Aviary Katherin McInnis 2013 5:00
    Verses James Sansing ,U.S. 2012, 4min
    Experiments in Buoyancy  Calum Michel Walter, U.S., 2013, 4:30
    Handful of Dust  Hope Tucker, U.S.,2013, 8:46 sec.
    Burrow- Cams Sam Easterson, U.S.,2012, 3min. 
    True-Life Adventure I, Erin Espelie, U.S. 2012, 5 min
    True-Life Adventure II, Erin Espelie, U.S. 2013, 5 min
    True-Life Adventure III, Erin Espelie, U.S. 2013, 6 min
    Looking Glass Insects  Charlotte Pryce, U.S. 2013, 4:02
    A Study in Natural Magic  Charlotte Pryce U.S.,2013, 3:28
    Animals Moving to the Sound of Drums Jonathan Schwartz, U.S. 2013, 8min. 
    Painter and Ball 4-14  Pat O’Neill, U.S. 2011, 10min.
    After Creation After Icebergs  Mary Beth Reed  16mm 2013  2:26 second  

    5:45 pm        PROGRAM  27: (HGT)  
    ROBERT NELSON 
    Robert Nelson: Miracle of the Overlook: A Second Chance for Second Sight, Wonders that Pass Us By Seldom Return, Returning to Suite California  
    SUITE CALIFORNIA STOPS & PASSES PART 1: TIJUANA TO HOLLYWOOD VIA DEATH VALLEY  
    Robert Nelson U.S.,1976, , 46min.
    SUITE CALIFORNIA STOPS & PASSES PART 2: SAN FRANCISCO TO THE SIERRA NEVADAS & BACK AGAIN 
    Robert Nelson, U.S.1978,48min.
    This program is co- presented with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Preservationist Mark Toscano will be present.
    Restored Prints courtesy of the Academy Film Archive. 

    7:30 pm       PROGRAM 28: (FBT)  
    ERNIE GEHR : LIVING NEXT DOOR TO MAGIC
    PHOTOGRAPHIC PHANTOMS  Ernie Gehr, U.S.,2013 26 min.  
    WINTER MORNING  Ernie Gehr, U.S.,2013 18 min.  
    THE QUIET CAR Ernie Gehr, U.S.,2013 18 min.  
    AUTO-COLLIDER XVIII Ernie Gehr, U.S.,2013 13 min.  
    BROOKLYN SERIES  Ernie Gehr, U.S.,2013 8min. HD   

    8:30 pm       PROGRAM 29: (HGT)
    LUTHER PRICE- LIGHT FRACTURES 
    Light Fractures  Luther Price, U.S., 2013. double projection slides of varying durations.
    Home Luther Price, U.S. 1999, 13min.
    2013 Digital restoration by Anthology Film Archives with support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
    Recitations   Luther Price U.S.1999- Luther Price, U.S.,1998-2000, 10min. 
    And other surprises.  

    9:45 pm        PROGRAM 30: (FBT)   
    SCOTT STARK – THE REALIST 
    Etienne’s Hand  Richard Touhy Australia  2011 12:34
    Poetry and Truth Dichtung und Wahrheit, Peter Kubelka 2003, 13 mins  a Views NYFF festival reprise 
    A Serpente  Sandro Aguilar,Portugal, 2005,15′
    The Realist Scott Stark,U.S., 2013, 40min., music Daniel Goode       

    10:30 pm    PROGRAM 9b: (HGT)   
    LANDSCAPES IN THE SHADOW OF TIME 
    Views from the Acropolis  Lonnie van Brummelen and Siebren de Haan Netherlands/Turkey, 2012, 14: 58
    Paisaje-Duración  Duration Rocas ( Landscape Rocks ) Lois Patiño   Spain  2011 4:19 
    Montaña en sombra
  (Mountain in shadow ) Lois Patiño   Spain 2012 13:54 
    Nile Perch (35mm version)  Josh Gibson US./Uganda 2013 16:47    
    Three Landscapes   Peter Hutton, 2013 US/Ethiopia 46min.   

    Monday, October 7 
    VIEWS special programs  
    Coda:  SUNKEN TREASURE – BRUEGHEL TEACHES US HOW TO SEE de KOONING (and vice versa)

    2:00 pm       PROGRAM 31: (HGT) 
    JOHN STAHL  ONLY YESTERDAY
    Only Yesterday  John Stahl, U.S.,1933, 105min.

    4:15 pm        PROGRAM 32: (HGT)
    MAX OPHULS  SANS LENDEMAIN
    Sans Lendemain  Max Ophuls, France 1939-40 82min

    6:30 pm       PROGRAM 33: (HGT)
    STAN BRAKHAGE
    Anticipation of the Night    Stan Brakhage, U.S. 1958, 40min.
    Window Water Baby Moving Stan Brakhage, U.S. 1959 12min.
    The Dead Stan Brakhage, U.S. 1960, 11min.
    This program is co- presented with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Preservationist Mark Toscano will be present.
    2012/2013 Preservation prints courtesy of The Academy Film Archive restored by the Academy with the support of the Film Foundation.   – 

    8:30 pm       PROGRAM 34:  (HGT)
    Nathaniel Dorsky   In A Silent Way (part2)
    First and only public showing of
    Kodachrome Dailies from the Time of Song and Solitude (Reel 2)
 Nathaniel Dorsky U.S. 2005-6  30m (approx.)
    Ariel  Nathaniel Dorsky, U.S 1983 16min  

     

    FREE PROGRAMMING IN THE ELINOR BUNIN MUNROE FILM CENTER AMPHITHEATER  
    OCTOBER 3-6

     
    Amphitheater Program A:  
    PATRICIA THORNLEY 
    THIS IS US: Don’t Cry For Me, Patricia Thornley, U.S., 2013, 48min with Kriminalistik, Janie Geiser, U.S., 2013, 3min.
    *Thursday, October 3/Friday, October 4 at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, October 5 at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, October 6 at 4:00 p.m.

    Amphitheater Program B:  
    The Wooster’s Group’s RUMSTICK ROAD  (2010-2013), Ken Kobland and Elizabeth LeCompte, U.S. 2013, 77min. A Video RE-Construction of the 1977 theater piece by Ken Kobland and Elizabeth LeCompte with Spalding Gray
    *Thursday, October 3 at 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 4 at 7:25 p.m., Saturday, October 5 at 2:30 p.m. and 8:30p.m., Sunday, October 6 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

    Amphitheater Program C: 
    JIM FINN
    ENCOUNTERS WITH YOUR INNER TROTSKY CHILD, Jim Finn, U.S. 2013, 21.5 min. Christmas with Chávez, Jim Finn, Argentina, U.S., Venezula, 2013, 2min.
    *Thursday, October 3 at 10 p.m., Friday, October 4 at 4:30pm and 10:30pm,
    Saturday, October 5 at 12:30 p.m. and 10:35 p.m., Sunday, October 6 at 2 p.m.

    Amphitheater Program D: 
    LESLIE THORNTON 
    LUNA (Trance), Leslie Thornton, U.S. 2013, 12min
    Binocular; Zebra 2, Leslie Thornton, U.S. 2013, 2:45
    Binocular; Bees. Leslie Thornton, U.S.   2013  6min.
    Binocular: Mandarin Duck, Leslie Thornton, U.S.  2013, 2min 59 second
    Little Balls of Air, Leslie Thornton, U.S.   2013 5min
    *Thursday, October 3 at 10:30 p.m., Friday, October 4 at 9:45 p.m., 
    Saturday, October 5 at 12:00 p.m. and 10:05 p.m., Sunday, October 6 at 3:00 p.m.

    Amphitheater program E: 
    ANNE CHARLOTTE ROBERTSON from the 5 YEAR DIARY 
    Diary #9,#22,#23,#31,#80,#81
    *Friday, October 4 at 11am (AMPT) Diary #9,#22,#23,#31,#80,#81, Saturday, October 5 at 11a.m. Diary #9,#22 only, Saturday, October 5 at 4p.m. Diary#23,#31 only
    Sunday Oct 6 at 11 a.m. Diary #23,#31,#80,#81

    Amphitheater program F 1:  
    JOHN PRICE : THE SACRED AND THE PROFANE  
    *Friday, October 4 at 2:15pm, Sunday, October 6 at 1:00 p.m.

    Amphitheater Program : G: 
    Lois Patiño: Distance/Duration/Vibration 
    Duration Landscape Road, 2012 Duration, Landscape Rocks, 2011 Distance –Landscape, Football Field, 2011 Into Earth’s Vibration, 2011 Into Water’s Vibration, 2012 Mountain in shadow, 2012
    *Friday, October 4 at 3:30 (AMPT), Saturday, October 5 at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, October 6 at 8:30 p.m.

    Amphitheater program H: 
    ERNIE GEHR and CINTHIA MARCELLE 
    As If Ernie Gehr, 2013 and Automóvel, Cinthia Marcelle, 2012
    *Friday, October 4 at 5:30 pm (in repeat cycles), Saturday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. (in repeat cycles), Sunday, October 6 at 2:30 p.m. (in repeat cycles) 

    Amphitheater program I: 
    AURA SATZ 
    Onomatopoeic Alphabet  2010  Sound Seam  2010  Vocal Flame 2012 
    Oramics: Atlantis Anew  2011  Doorway for Natalie Kalmus   2013
    *Friday, October 4 at 8:45 p.m., Saturday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, October 6 at 9:15 p.m.

    Amphitheater program J:  TALENA SANDERS: THE RELIEF MINING COMPANY
    *Saturday, October 5 at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, October 6 at 3:30 p.m.

    Amphitheater program K:  
    STOM SOGO: The Mystery Album  
    *Sunday October 6 at 10:15 p.m.

    via press release

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  • BFI London Film Festival Reveals 2013 Full Program Lineup

     The Selfish GiantThe Selfish Giant

    The full program for the  57th BFI London Film Festival which runs from October 9-20, 2013, was revealed today.  The Festival will screen a total of 234 fiction and documentary features, including 22 World Premieres, 16 International Premieres, 29 European Premieres and 20 Archive films. As previously announced, the Festival opens with the European Premiere of Paul Greengrass’ CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, a high-stakes thriller based on true story of the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates with Tom Hanks playing the eponymous lead role; and the European Premiere of Disney’s SAVING MR. BANKS will close the festival, the film which tells the untold story of how Mary Poppins was brought to the big screen stars Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins and Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. 

    Among the other Galas are the previously announced American Express Gala of Stephen Frears’ PHILOMENA, the true story of one woman’s search for her lost son, starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. The Accenture Gala is the European Premiere of Steve McQueen’s 12 YEARS A SLAVE starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch and Brad Pitt. The American Airlines Gala is Alfonso Cuarón’s 3D sci-fi thriller GRAVITY starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The Centerpiece Gala supported by the Mayor of London is the Coen Brothers’ INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS starring Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake which is set in the Greenwich Village folk scene of the early 1960s, the film took home the Grand Prix at Cannes earlier in the year. The May Fair Hotel Gala is the European Premiere of Jason Reitman’s literary adaptation LABOR DAY starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. The Festival Gala is the European Premiere of Ralph Fiennes’ second directorial feature THE INVISIBLE WOMAN staring Fiennes as Charles Dickens, Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas and Tom Hollander.  

    The nine program strands are each headlined with a gala, they are: the Love Gala, Abdellatif Kechiche’s BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR; the Debate Gala, Kelly Reichardt’s NIGHT MOVES; the Dare Gala, Alain Guiraudie’s STRANGER BY THE LAKE; the Laugh Gala, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s DON JON; the Thrill Gala, Ivan Sen’s MYSTERY ROAD; the Cult Gala, Jim Jarmusch’s ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE; the Journey Gala, Alexander Payne’s road-trip NEBRASKA; the Sonic Gala, Lukas Moodysson’s WE ARE THE BEST!; and the Family Gala is Juan José Campanella’s FOOSBALL 3D. In addition to which the previously announced Archive Gala is the World Premiere of the BFI National Archive restoration of THE EPIC OF EVEREST.

    Official Competition

    The sophomore OFFICIAL COMPETITION line-up, recognizing inspiring, inventive and distinctive filmmaking, includes the following:

  • Catherine Breillat’s ABUSE OF WEAKNESS
  • Richard Ayoade’s THE DOUBLE
  • Pawel Pawlikowski’s IDA
  • Kore-Eda Hirokazu’s LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
  • Ritesh Batra’s THE LUNCHBOX
  • Jahmil X.T Qubeka’s OF GOOD REPORT
  • Peter Landesman’s PARKLAND
  • Ahmad Abdalla’s RAGS & TATTERS
  • Clio Barnard’s THE SELFISH GIANT
  • David Mackenzie’s STARRED UP
  • Xavier Dolan’s TOM AT THE FARM
  • John Curran’s TRACKS
  • Jonathan Glazer’s UNDER THE SKIN

    • First Feature Competition

    Titles in consideration for the Sutherland Award in the FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION recognizing an original and imaginative directorial debut are:

  • Chika Anadu’s B FOR BOY
  • Daniel Patrick Carbone’s HIDE YOUR SMILING FACES
  • Anthony Chen’s ILO ILO
  • John Krokidas’ KILL YOUR DARLINGS
  • Alphan Eseli’s THE LONG WAY HOME
  • Michalis Konstantatos’ LUTON
  • Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza’s SALVO
  • Chloé Robichaud’s SARAH PREFERS TO RUN
  • Rob Brown’s SIXTEEN
  • Vivian Qu’s TRAP STREET
  • Fernando Franco’s WOUNDED
  • Tom Shoval’s YOUTH

    • Documentary Competition

    The Grierson Award in the DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION category recognises documentaries with integrity, originality, and social or cultural significance. This year the Festival is screening:

  • Jessica Oreck’s AATSINKI: THE STORY OF ARTIC COWBOYS
  • Alex Gibney’s THE ARMSTRONG LIE
  • Frederick Wiseman’s AT BERKELEY
  • Zachary Heinzerling’s CUTIE AND THE BOXER
  • Mark Cousins’ HERE BE DRAGONS
  • Nicolas Philibert’s LA MAISON DE LA RADIO
  • Greg Barker’s MANHUNT
  • Rithy Panh’s THE MISSING PICTURE
  • Paul-Julien Robert’s MY FATHERS, MY MOTHER AND ME
  • Vitaly Mansky’s PIPELINE
  • Matt Wolf’s TEENAGE
  • Kitty Green’s UKRAINE IS NOT A BROTHEL

    • Best British Newcomer

    Closing the Awards section is the prize for BEST BRITISH NEWCOMER which highlights new British talent and is presented to an emerging writer, actor, producer or director. This year’s nominees are:

    1. Conner Chapman – actor THE SELFISH GIANT
    2. Shaun Thomas – actor THE SELFISH GIANT
    3. Destiny Ekaragha – director GONE TOO FAR!
    4. Rob Brown – director SIXTEEN
    5. Jack Fishburn & Muireann Price – producers LOVE ME TILL MONDAY
    6. Jonathan Asser – screenwriter STARRED UP

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  • Philadelphia’s FirstGlance Film Festival Unveils 2013 Schedule; Opens with “EAT SPIRIT EAT”

    EAT SPIRIT EAT, by James BirdEAT SPIRIT EAT, by James Bird

    FirstGlance Film Festival, Philadelphia’s Independent Film Festival,  announced the schedule for their 16th annual event which runs Friday, September 20th through Sunday, September 22nd, 2013, at Franklin Theater in The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The festival opens on Friday, September 20th with the feature film, EAT SPIRIT EAT, by James Bird. Starring Kristin Minter from the TV series ER, it’s described as an absurdist comedy about Oliver and a pack of misfit orphans growing up in a foster home and their attempt to do the impossible. Closing the festival on Sunday Night September 22nd, is the feature film, WET BEHIND THE EARS, by Sloan Copeland. WET BEHIND THE EARS takes a comical look at joblessness and adjusting to the real world in a way that will resonate with an underemployed generation.

    Friday First Night September 20th at 7:45
    Join special invited guests, local press, media, filmmakers, cast, and crew for the world premiere of the feature film, EAT SPIRIT EAT, by James Bird. Starring Kristin Minter from the TV series ER, it’s an absurdist comedy about Oliver and a pack of misfit orphans growing up in a foster home and their attempt to do the impossible. Friday’s program also includes the short documentary, TREASURE – THE STORY OF MARCUS HOOK, by Valerio Ciriaci, the short film, FAR, starring Andre Hall from the TV series Love Thy Neighbor, the music video, A HOUSE, A HOME, and web series pilot, SUPER KNOCKED UP.

    Saturday September 21st Matinee at 1:30
    The feature documentary, SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTARY, by Les Ottolenghi, which explores the epidemic of cyber bullying, screens with the short films, BOOP BEEP and UMBRELLACORN. The web series pilot, JEDI CAMP, starring Stuart Allan and Andy Scott Harris, about dealing with childhood bullying, by local filmmaker Bill Ostroff also screens.

    Saturday September 21st Afternoon at 3:00
    The Philadelphia premiere of Jessica Vale’s feature documentary, SMALL SMALL THING, about the high profile case of 7-year old Liberian rape victim Olivia Zinnah, who died in 2012 from her injuries, screens with the short films UNBURDEN and GRACE PERIOD on Saturday afternoon.

    Saturday September 21st Twilight at 5:15
    Local filmmaker and Drexel University alumni, Amanda Danziger’s, feature documentary, THE BACKYARD PHILLY PROJECT, about four teens growing up in a Philadelphia inner-city neighborhood and how their involvement with Helping Hand Rescue Mission gave them hope, screens with the short films VANISHED, TANITH (U.S. premiere) starring Marta Gastini from the TV series Borgia, and the student short PALACE.

    Saturday Night September 21st at 8:00
    The feature film, PARTING WORDS, by Stanley Schofield starring Elizabeth Regan from the TV series Sherri, is the story of four best friends who are forced to come to grips with their relationship, friendship and marriages when the ailing female of the foursome makes a drunken wedding toast announcing her desire to sleep with all three of her married guy pals that she loves, before she passes away. Also screening is the short film LOST CROSSING, starring Melissa McBride from The Walking Dead, the student short, CINEPHILIa, the music video UPON YOUR ENEMY, and the web series pilot, EVENT ZERO.

    Sunday September 22nd Matinee at 1:30
    The 3D short documentary, DIGITAL DARKROOM, takes viewers into the fascinating world of stereoscopic photography with artists who are at the forefront of their craft, using digital tools to create imaginative works, screens with the short films LE GRAND COMBAT and THE FAY, and the 3D animated short, FOXED.

    Sunday September 22nd Afternoon at 3:00
    The Sunday afternoon screening includes the feature documentary, FRACK NATION. FrackNation follows journalist Phelim McAleer as he faces gun threats, malicious 911 calls and bogus lawsuits when questioning green extremists for the truth about fracking. Also screening in this program are the short film MENSCHEN and the student short FAKER CHASEr.

    Sunday September 22nd Twilight at 5:15
    The twilight screening includes the short documentary, WHO SHOT ROCK AND ROLL, by Steven Kochones. This documentary short explores the groundbreaking collaborations between photographers and recording artists who came together to create some of the most enduring images in rock history and features Deborah Harry, Alice Cooper, and Noel Gallagher. Also screening are the short films 725, SYNCHRONICITY and SPACE CADET, starring character actor Richard Edson from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Platoon, plus Kevin Cannon from the TV series The Unusuals. The web series pilot, SADIE, filmed on location in Philadelphia at The Legendary Dobbs and Milk & Honey by local writer/director and Temple University alumni, Nicole Agostino, also screens.

    Sunday Closing Night September 22nd at 7:45
    Closing the festival is the feature film, WET BEHIND THE EARS, by Sloan Copeland. Wet Behind the Ears takes a comical look at joblessness and adjusting to the real world in a way that will resonate with an underemployed generation. Also screening are the short films SIDE EFFECTS, SNUGGLE BUNNY, ZERO HOUR starring Camilla Belle from WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, and the student short AWAKEN, ‘Best Film’ at the 2013 Ten Day Film Challenge and created by New Jersey high school film students from Clearview Regional High School.

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  • Hollywood Black Film Festival Unveils 2013 Artwork Designed by Vince Fraser

    Hollywood Black Film Festival 2013 Poster

    The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) unveiled its 2013 official artwork designed by London-based visual artist, Vince Fraser. According to the festival, “The design was commissioned to illuminate HBFF’s brand identity and audience appeal.”  Fraser is a first generation British born artist with Jamaican parents who has worked as a digital illustrator and visual artist for 15 years.  “We selected Vince to design our official 2013 artwork  because after one look at his aesthetic, we knew he was the one that would bring the flair and  creativity that represents the Hollywood Black Film Festival,” said Tanya Kersey, Founder and  Executive Director of HBFF.

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  • Woodstock Film Festival Reveals 2013 Films in Competition

    THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOMTHE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM

    The Woodstock Film Festival announced the 2013 films in competition in both feature narrative and feature documentary categories as well as the competition’s jurors. Films include the New York Premieres of “AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY: THE EVOLUTION OF GRACE LEE BOGGS”;  “THE GREAT CHICKEN WING HUNT”, “THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM” and the World Premiere of “HERE COMES THE NIGHT”.

     Official Jury 2013 to include…

    Feature Documentary: Joe Berlinger, Liz Garbus, and Cynthia Kane 

    Editing, Documentary: Sabine Hoffman, Fiona Otway and Michael Levine

    Feature Narrative: Richard Abramowitz, Nancy Schafer and Nancy Savoca

    Editing, Narrative: Sabine Hoffman, Affonso Goncalves, and Kate Sanford

    Cinematography: Haskell Wexler

    Short Film: Shawn Christensen, Jonathan Gray and Lydia Dean Pilcher

    Student Short Film: Isil Bagdadi and Amy Devra Gossel

    Short Documentary: Lisa Gossels, Leon Gast and Paul Rachma

    Animation: Signe Baumane and Bill Plympton

    DOCUMENTARY FEATURES IN COMPETITION
    Including Editing Awards

    AMERICAN COMMUNE 
    Directed by Nadine Mundo and Rena Mundo Croshere
    East Coast Premiere

    Rena and Nadine, two documentarian sisters, leave their jobs in reality television to visit their secret rural upbringings at The Farm, America’s largest commune. The film cuts between past and present as the filmmakers explore what is left of their alternative childhood, bridging gaps between their adult metropolitan lifestyles and their off-the-grid rearing. American Commune reveals the rise and fall of The Farm, a 1970s commune that created what appeared to be the ideal self-sufficient community. Members shared everything from child rearing and communal households, to currency, clothing and food. Through unapologetic storytelling and a hint of nostalgia, the Mundo sisters tap into the alternate universe of their pasts and bring to light the undying legacy of true community. 

    AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY: THE EVOLUTION OF GRACE LEE BOGGS
    Directed by Grace Lee
    New York Premiere

    What constitutes revolution? 98-year old writer and radical activist Grace Lee Boggs has no hesitations when it comes to changing the world, one conversation at a time.

    Filmmaker Grace Lee initially sought out Grace Lee Boggs due to their shared name but instead found a breath of rebellious inspiration in Boggs that continues to motivate nonviolent philosophies of civil rights growth, revolution and evolution. Once a 1960s militant, the Detroit-based activist Boggs continues to challenge expectations through her lifelong devotion to the African American movement and fight for individual freedoms. “The time has come for a new dream,” Boggs says, relying on the ever-evolving artistry of conversation to fuel the fire of revolution. American Revolutionary is a story of growth: of Boggs’ lifetime commitment to activism, of filmmaker Grace Lee, and of the viewer as they align with Boggs’ philosophy of positivity and change. 

    THE GREAT CHICKEN WING HUNT
    Directed by Matt Reynolds
    New York Premiere

    Chicken Wings have become a staple of the American culinary experience, but filmmaker, journalist and upstate New Yorker Matt Reynolds takes finding the best wing to an entirely new level. Abandoning his successful career as an overseas reporter Matt returns to the States to embark on a journey across New York State to find the world’s best chicken wing accompanied by his confused Czech girlfriend, Lucie. In an odyssey covering over 2500 miles, Matt and his cabal of chicken wing obsessed friends consume nearly 300 varieties of wings in two weeks. Eventually Matt must decide what is greater: his love for wings or Lucie. The Great Chicken Wing Hunt is more than a foodie’s delight; it’s three parts gastronomic competition, two parts oddball comedy and one part love story. 

    MAGICAL UNIVERSE 
    Directed by Jeremy Workman
    New York Premiere

    Step into the unique and thought-provoking world of lifetime outsider artist Al Carbee, an 88-year old eccentric who spends his days creating outlandish works of art featuring Barbie Dolls. Filmmaker Jeremy Workman has spent over a decade of friendship with Carbee compiling extensive footage and memories to provide audiences with a look into the magical universe of Carbee’s bizarre creative force.

    What began as a simple trip to Maine with his girlfriend became, over time, a life-changing partnership between Workman and Carbee that culminates in this extraordinary bio-pic, a glimpse of an otherwise unknown artist’s lifelong body of work. Workman is able to come full-circle in this documentary and brings his audience along with him, revealing the astoundingly powerful role of companionship and creativity in the human mind while emphasizing the importance of mutual inspiration. Magical Universe provides a priceless look at the immeasurable wonder of creative drive and inspiration. 

    THE MANOR
    Directed by Shawney Cohen
    U.S. Premiere

    For his bar mitzvah, filmmaker Shawney Cohen asked for a set of hockey pads. His father bought him a lap dance instead. Since the family owns a strip club, he surely got a discount.

    In the tradition of Grey Gardens, The Manor is an unblinking yet compassionate portrait of a family and its demons. Father Roger weighs almost 400 pounds. Mother Brenda weighs only 85 pounds. Brother Sammy revels in the strip club culture. Filmmaker Shawney wants to try and figure out where his family lost its way…and what, if anything, they can do about it. The Cohen’s lifestyles are financed by the business of sex steeped with alcohol and drugs. They are corroded by the same forces that sustain them. Is change possible?

    Always honest, and at times sad, funny and surreal, The Manor depicts a unique family that is, somehow, just like the rest of us. 

    MEDORA 
    Directed by Andrew Cohn and Davy Rothbart 
    New York Premiere

    In a small town that seems to have been forgotten, directors Andrew Cohn and Davy Rothbart explore the convoluted lives of the Medora Hornets varsity basketball team. The dynamic of the run down, struggling town of Medora, Indiana directly reflects the disadvantage that their high school basketball team faces each year. The Medora Hornets, a small force stemming from a school of only 72 students, often find themselves competing against consolidated schools up to twenty times their size.

    A once flourishing community teeming with employment opportunities, the termination of surrounding factories and the flooding of farms has stripped Medora of almost all-economic value. The film provides insight into the broken, conflicted homes that pervade the dwindling town and the eminent death of small-town America. The intimate relationship that forms between the players and the audience creates a moving and exciting documentary as we follow Medora’s bittersweet basketball season as they look to create their own Hoosier dreams. 

    PURGATORIO
    Directed by Rodrigo Reyes 
    East Coast Premiere

    A line in the sand is drawn in Purgatorio, where only the desperate and courageous dare cross. Documentary director Rodrigo Reyes questions the role of humanity on planet earth and how the divisions we’ve created between one another have set in motion a millennium of adversities.

    Fast forward to present day, where the border between the United States and Mexico echoes the mistakes of generations past as immigrants are taking great pains to find a better life north of the Rio Grande. They will endure heat exhaustion, dehydration, sexual assault and much worse. All of this to escape a world from where even the most devout must work from dawn until dusk under the baking sun in order to survive. Even then, the fatal whims of a stray bullet can still threaten to cut short a life of perdition, and deliver them to whatever waits beyond. 

    TOWN HALL 
    Directed by Sierra Pettengill and Jamila Wignot 
    New York Premiere

    Town Hall casts an unflinching eye at Katy and John, two Tea Party activists from the battleground state of Pennsylvania during the 2012 Presidential election, who believe America’s salvation lies in a return to true conservative values.
    In Katy, we see a political novice rocketed to media stardom after a sensational confrontation at a town hall meeting with her senator. A young stay-at-home mom turned Tea Party spokesperson, she is gifted a new identity, steeled by the voices of conservative media.
    For John, a retired former businessman and lifelong Republican, the America he knows is slipping away. Heading up a local Tea Party group is his last, best chance at stanching the changes he is witnessing all around him.
    More than a political treatise, Town Hall immerses the viewer in Katy and John’s world, painting a portrait of the fears of those who believe they will be left behind by a nation’s transition. 

    NARRATIVE FEATURES IN COMPETITION
    Including Editing Awards

    DOOMSDAYS
    Directed by Eddie Mullins 
    U.S. Premiere

    Eddie Mullins takes living off of the grid to a whole new level with Doomsdays, a self-proclaimed “pre-apocalyptic comedy” starring Justin Rice and Leo Fitzpatrick as low-budget vandals with little regard for the law. Dirty Fred and Bruho are a tag team of criminal house-hoppers who find themselves with more than they bargained for when a disenchanted teenager and indignant young woman join them in their shenanigans. The pair of newcomers unintentionally reveal to Fred and Bruho that the feeling of family doesn’t necessitate a home and the feeling of home doesn’t necessitate settling, but that both can be found within the company you keep.
    Freeloading through high-end Catskills vacation homes forces the group to acknowledge feelings and morals that they otherwise would have never recognized. Perhaps most importantly, the pair come to recognize that isolating themselves from the death-grip of society does little in the face of compassion and companionship, two side-products of our troubled world that are well worth keeping. 

    THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM 
    Directed by Andrew Mudge 
    New York Premiere 

    Atang has been disconnected from his father for years after being uprooted from his hometown of Lesotho as a child. Currently living in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, Atang is misguided and full of resentment. News of his father’s death comes with a predetermined trip to Lesotho for his burial. Reluctantly, Atang embarks on the visit to his ancestral land where he forms an unexpected connection with his childhood friend, Dineo.
    Director Andrew Mudge wonderfully portrays the mystery and spirit of the land as audiences accompany Atang on his journeys. Atang’s initial trek to bury his deceased father evolves into a voyage to reconnect with Dineo, her stubborn, traditional father and terminally ill sister. Powerful performances delivered by each cast member paired with exceptional cinematography makes The Forgotten Kingdom a compelling story that leaves the audience emotionally moved and wanting more. 

    HERE COMES THE NIGHT
    Directed by Peter Kline and Pete Shanel
    World Premiere

    Leo and Nick, college friends now estranged, meet again after the funeral of their friend James. Seemingly polar opposites, straight laced east-coast family man Leo and flakey would-be Hollywood movie producer Nick embark on a series of outrageous nocturnal adventures. With a knowing nod to the worst of L.A. stereotypes, Nick pulls Leo along on what becomes an homage to debauchery. Ably assisted by Trish and Claire, a pair of drug-loving young beauties they meet along the way and hook up with for a while, Leo and Nick’s journey is both poignant and hilarious. With a wealth of unexpected and thoroughly engaging plot twists and turns, this is one of those rare films that strikes just the right balance between comedy and pathos. Pitch perfect casting, snappy dialogue, sly observations, seamless editing and an evocative score make this a “must see” movie. Sweet, gentle, hilarious and thought provoking. 

    ORENTHAL: THE MUSICAL
    Directed by Jeff Rosenberg
    New York Premiere

    O.J. Simpson may be one of the most recognizable and infamous names of the last 20 years. So when overly eccentric theatre artist Eugene Oliver (Jordan Kenneth Kamp) decides to make Mr. Simpson the subject of his next musical, the results are truly something spectacular. Orenthal: The Musical, the hilarious new film from director Jeff Rosenberg, captures, in outstanding mockumentary style, the process of developing the greatest musical regarding a murder trial ever to be produced. With the help of some loyal childhood friends, a handful of local actors, and a group of producers from a biblical theater company, can Eugene and company overcome the obstacles they face and achieve their goal in creating the next great American musical? Orenthal, reminiscent of the work of Christopher Guest, is sure to have you laughing from Act I.

    THE RETRIEVAL
    Directed by Chris Eska
    East Coast Premiere

    2007 WFF Alum and Maverick Award winner for Best Narrative Feature (August Evening) returns with a powerful period drama set on the outskirts of the Civil War. Teenage Will is a young African-American bounty hunter. Moral boundaries are crossed as Will, along with his uncle Marcus work for a gang recapturing runaway slaves. The two are contracted to cross Union lines and bring back freed slave and accused murderer Nate in an astounding performance by Tishuan Scott. Yasu Tanida’s beautiful cinematography turns the Texas landscapes into another essential character. Eska, meanwhile patiently crafts a brilliantly acted tour de force that foists tough ethical questions upon the viewer.

    WINTER IN THE BLOOD
    Directed by Alex and Andrew Smith
    East Coast Premiere

    Virgil First Raise wakes in a ditch on the plains of Montana, battered and hung-over. His wife has left him and taken his beloved rifle. Virgil embarks on a wild and darkly comic odyssey fueled by alcohol to retrieve the rifle. Ultimately, he finds himself. Adapted from the celebrated novel of the same name, Winter in the Blood is largely a visualization of internal memories and thoughts. The audience is never quite sure what is real and what isn’t because Virgil isn’t so sure either. Filmed on location in Montana, with gorgeous cinematography and a haunting and evocative score, this is a melancholic and surreal depiction of a distraught hero trying to make peace with his past and his identity.

    HASKELL WEXLER AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

    THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM 
    Directed by Andrew Mudge 
    New York Premiere 

    Atang has been disconnected from his father for years after being uprooted from his hometown of Lesotho as a child. Currently living in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, Atang is misguided and full of resentment. News of his father’s death comes with a predetermined trip to Lesotho for his burial. Reluctantly, Atang embarks on the visit to his ancestral land where he forms an unexpected connection with his childhood friend, Dineo.
    Director Andrew Mudge wonderfully portrays the mystery and spirit of the land as audiences accompany Atang on his journeys. Atang’s initial trek to bury his deceased father evolves into a voyage to reconnect with Dineo, her stubborn, traditional father and terminally ill sister. Powerful performances delivered by each cast member paired with exceptional cinematography makes The Forgotten Kingdom a compelling story that leaves the audience emotionally moved and wanting more. 

    IT FELT LIKE LOVE
    Directed by Eliza Hittman

    During an uneventful summer on the outskirts of Brooklyn, Lila, a lonely fourteen-year-old from Gravesend, turns her attentions to Sammy, an older thug she sees at Rockaway beach. Wanting something to brag about, she weaves a story about him and becomes fixated on seeing it realized. Deluded and awkward in her romantic pursuit, she soon finds herself in a dangerously vulnerable situation. 

    PURGATORIO
    Directed by Rodrigo Reyes 
    East Coast Premiere

    A line in the sand is drawn in Purgatorio, where only the desperate and courageous dare cross. Documentary director Rodrigo Reyes questions the role of humanity on planet earth and how the divisions we’ve created between one another have set in motion a millennium of adversities.
    Fast forward to present day, where the border between the United States and Mexico echoes the mistakes of generations past as immigrants are taking great pains to find a better life north of the Rio Grande. They will endure heat exhaustion, dehydration, sexual assault and much worse. All of this to escape a world from where even the most devout must work from dawn until dusk under the baking sun in order to survive. Even then, the fatal whims of a stray bullet can still threaten to cut short a life of perdition, and deliver them to whatever waits beyond. 

    THE RETRIEVAL 
    Directed by Chris Eska
    East Coast Premiere

    2007 WFF Alum and Maverick Award winner for Best Narrative Feature (August Evening) returns with a powerful period drama set on the outskirts of the Civil War. Teenage Will is a young African-American bounty hunter. Moral boundaries are crossed as Will, along with his uncle Marcus work for a gang recapturing runaway slaves. The two are contracted to cross Union lines and bring back freed slave and accused murderer Nate in an astounding performance by Tishuan Scott. Yasu Tanida’s beautiful cinematography turns the Texas landscapes into another essential character. Eska, meanwhile patiently crafts a brilliantly acted tour de force that foists tough ethical questions upon the viewer. 

     

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  • Shane Black, Jonathan Demme Among Lineup for 2013 Austin Film Festival Conference

    Austin Film Festival Conference 

    Austin Film Festival (AFF) announced the 2013 lineup of Panelists at this year’s Conference and what the festival describes as ” the strongest brain trust of writers and filmmakers ever assembled in the twenty year history of the Festival.” Attendees include Shane Black, Jonathan Demme, Leslie Dixon, Vince Gilligan, Brian Helgeland, Rian Johnson, Richard Kelly, Jenji Kohan, Chris Lowell, David Lowery, Ray McKinnon, Jeff Nichols, Ron Nyswaner, Roberto Orci, Dan Rather, Robert Rodriguez, David Shore, Norman Steinberg, Jim Taylor, Rob Thomas, Beau Willimon, and more.

    AFF will award Callie Khouri the Distinguished Screenwriter Award. Khouri galvanized women and sparked nationwide debate in 1991 with the hit movie Thelma and Louise, her screenwriting debut, which was nominated for six Academy Awards®. She received the Oscar, the Golden Globe, the Writers Guild of America Award and a PEN Literary Award for Best Original Screenplay. Her second picture,Something to Talk About, starred Julia Roberts, Dennis Quaid and Robert Duvall. Her directorial debut, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, starred Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd, which she also adapted for the screen. In 2006 Khouri collaborated with legendary television producer Steven Bochco and wrote and directed the television drama, Hollis and Rae. She is currently the creator and executive producer of the TV show Nashville starring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere. Khouri will accept the award at the Festival’s annual Awards Luncheon held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at the Austin Club. Past Distinguished Screenwriter Honorees include Lawrence Kasdan, David Peoples, Frank Pierson, Eric Roth, Paul Schrader, Caroline Thompson, Bill Wittliff, and Steven Zaillian.

    Scheduled Panelists for the 20th Anniversary Conference are Robert Rodriguez (director/producer Sin City, Machete, Machete Kills) andRoberto Orci (creator Fringe, writer Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness), who will discuss their recent collaboration on El Rey, Rodriguez’s owned and operated cable network, which will host their upcoming original scripted series.

    Jenji Kohan (creator Weeds, Orange is the New Black), joins David Shore (creator House), Terri Edda Miller, and Andrew Marlowe(creators Castle) by way of the Writers Guild Foundation as part of the Scribble-to-Screen panel series, complimented by an extensive exhibit showcasing the Foundation’s renowned traveling script library.

    AFF will feature a staged script reading of Vince Gilligan’s unproduced feature screenplay “2 FACE”, directed by Rian Johnson. The script follows a man with a split personality disorder who finds himself taking opposite sides of the political spectrum

    Dan Rather (journalist, producer, news anchor CBS Evening News) joins writer/director Anne Rapp for a discussion on their upcoming documentary on playwright Horton Foote, using their research and production process as one of the Conference’s many case studies for aspiring filmmakers.

    Additional Conference case studies include:

  • A conversation on launching a television show, and the creator/executive producer relationship using Ray McKinnon and Mark Johnson’s Sundance original series Rectify as a blueprint.

  • An in-depth look at adapting the Veronica Mars television series into a feature film, with creator Rob Thomas and actor Chris Lowell.

  • Script-to-screen panels on the writing and directing processes that went into Kiss Kiss Bang Bang with Shane Black and Brickwith Rian Johnson.

    • AFF’s continuing ‘Conversation in Film’ series will highlight the craft and career of leaders in the film and television industry, includingBeau Willimon (creator House of Cards), Ron Nyswaner (writer Philadelphia, The Painted Veil), Leslie Dixon (writer Overboard, Limitless, The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)), Jim Taylor (writer Sideways, About Schmidt ), and more.

    Indie film favorites, David Lowery (writer/director Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Pioneer), Jeff Nichols (writer/director Mud, Take Shelter), and Richard Kelly (writer/director Donnie Darko, The Box) will speak to the state of independent filmmaking within an ever-changing industry.

    Brian Helgeland (writer/director 42, A Knight’s Tale, writer L.A. Confidential, Mystic River) will present a retrospective screening of Cool Hand Luke. He joins the compilation of special retrospective screenings guest programmed by this year’s Conference panelists. Guest programmers include: Jonathan Demme presenting Greaser’s Palace; Vince Gilligan presenting The French Connection; Shane Blackpresenting My Man Godfrey; Jim Taylor presenting his own Election; and Norman Steinberg presenting Blazing Saddles which he co-wrote with Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor.

     

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  • San Francisco International Film Festival Sets 2014 Dates

    San Francisco International Film Festival

    The San Francisco International Film Festival considered the longest-running film festival in the Americas will be back for its 57th edition, running from April 24 – May 8, 2014.  The festival announced its calls for entries from filmmakers, with works in all genres, forms and lengths being considered.  

    Deadlines:

    Early deadline Monday, October 7
    Regular deadline Monday, November 4
    Final deadline for short films Monday, December 2
    Final deadline for features Monday, December 9 

     

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