Film Festivals : LAFF

Big River Man - Movie Review

admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:34:00 GMT

Big River Man

Summer Showcase

(USA, 2008, 100 mins)

In English and Slovenian with English subtitles

HDCam

Directed By: John Maringouin

Executive Producers: Olivia Newton-John Easterling, John Easterling, Micky Cottrell
Producers: Maria Florio, Molly Lynch, John Maringouin, Kevin Ragsdale, Roger M. Mayer
Cinematographer: John Maringouin
Editors: John Maringouin, Molly Lynch
Featuring: Martin Strel, Borut Strel, Matthew Mohlke

This hallucinatory odyssey follows a middle-aged, pot-bellied, hard-drinking Slovenian—the endurance swimmer Martin Strel—stroke by stroke into the heart of darkness as he attempts to swim the long and perilous Amazon River. The film plays like a mash up of a Werner Herzog epic and a Saturday Night Live skit starting from Strel’s preparations which include everything from power breathing to spending time in a cave in order to think like an animal. Once the trip begins, the relentless sun, daily exposure to innumerable parasites, and Strel’s unadjusted alcohol consumption begin to take their physical and mental toll.

Maringouin, who captured his father’s corrosive marriage in Running Stumbled, has a gift for evoking hellish situations and mental turmoil on screen. Here, he uses expressionistic sound, camerawork, and editing to make something mysterious, monumental, but still a little bit absurd out of Strel’s deteriorating psychological state. Many of the film’s peculiarities strain belief: The horseburgers? The puppet-wielding Brazilin priest? You may not be convinced of the veracity of each detail, but you will likely be very happy to be along on the journey.

-- Rachel Rosen

Los Angeles Film Festival - INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:16:00 GMT

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Get tickets to Southern California's premier film festival. Enjoy 10 days and 11 nights in the best of cinema from around the world.

Now in its fifteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.

More than 70 features, 70 shorts, and 50 music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

TICKETS AND PASSES NOW ON SALE - SEE THE COMPLETE FILM LINEUP

http://www.lafilmfest.com Or Call: 1.866.FilmFest

Festival Ticket Center opens June 12,
1038 Westwood Blvd. Westwood Village.

Get Festival Discounts With a Film Independent Membership.

Los Angeles Film Festival's Documentary Competition features incredible work from emerging filmmakers

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:37:00 GMT

The Festival’s Documentary Competition features incredible work from emerging filmmakers. In addition to being eligible for the $50,000 Target Documentary Award, these films are also eligible to be your Audience Favorite.

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

After the Storm

A celebration of perseverance and rebirth through the arts, this inspiring documentary follows a group of New Orleans teens as they stage a revival of the hurricane-themed musical Once on this Island.

DIRECTOR Hilla Medalia
WRITERS Bob Eisenhardt, Hilla Medalia
FEATURING Gerry McIntyre, James Lecesne, Randy Redd

Bananas!*
English and Spanish with English subtitles

The human cost of banana cultivation is revealed in this documentary chronicling the case of Nicaraguan laborers, represented by L.A. attorney Juan Dominguez, against the companies who they believed poisoned them with pesticides. Sweden.

DIRECTOR Fredrik Gertten
FEATURING Juan Dominguez

Sponsored by

Branson

Personal demons and backstage battles cannot deter the performers captured in this heartfelt documentary from living out their dreams of stardom on the strip-mall stages of Branson, Missouri.

DIRECTOR/WRITER Brent Meeske
FEATURING Jackson Cash, Amber Campbell, Geoffrey Hastings Haberer, Peggy Lee Brennan-Haberer, Terry Wayne, Nita Tate, Eric Eichenberger

Convention

Capturing what the mainstream media ignored, this fast-paced vérité documentary follows the efforts of Denver city officials and reporters to deal with the impact of hosting the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention.

DIRECTOR AJ Schnack

The Last Beekeeper

An intimate look at the struggles of three American beekeepers becomes a painful meditation on the devastating effects of economic and ecological change when a mysterious illness among the bees threatens both insects and businesses.

DIRECTOR Jeremy Simmons

October Country

A beautifully crafted, atmospheric portrait of a family in upstate New York haunted by the past, yet bound together by their struggles to break a cycle of hard luck and bad choices.

DIRECTORS/PRODUCER Michael Palmieri, Donal Mosher
FEATURING The Mosher Family

Those Who Remain

This intimate and discerning depiction of the impact of migration on families left behind by loved ones who travel north emerges as a nuanced portrait of “the other side” of the immigration story. Mexico.

DIRECTORS Juan Carlos Rulfo, Carlos Hagerman

Sponsored by

TICKETS AND PASSES NOW ON SALE

SEE THE DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION LINEUP

SEE THE COMPLETE FILM LINEUP

Visit: LAFilmFest.com

Or Call: 1.866.FilmFest

Festival Ticket Center opens June 12,
1038 Westwood Blvd. Westwood Village.

		Get Festival Discounts With a Film Independent Membership. Visit www.FilmIndependent.org

BE THE FIRST TO SEE ....TRANSFORMERS: Revenge Of The Fallen

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:50:00 GMT

BE THE FIRST TO SEE ....TRANSFORMERS: Revenge Of The Fallen

The Los Angeles Film Festival is coming soon - June 18-28 / Westwood Village
Get the ultimate festival experience ? buy a pass now!!

BE THE FIRST TO SEE ....TRANSFORMERS: Revenge Of The Fallen

Sam Witwicky again joins with the Autobots? against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons?.

DIRECTOR: Michael Bay
WRITERS: Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
CAST: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro

Admission to this special screening will be offered exclusively to our Fast Pass, Industry Pass, and Discovery Pass holders.

Don't miss out.. Festival passes and tickets on-sale NOW! For more information go to www.lafilmfest.com

FILM INDEPENDENT ANNOUNCES PAPER MAN AS OPENING NIGHT GALA FILM AT 2009 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:43:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (May 28, 2009) – Today Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced that Paper Man will have its world premiere as the Opening Night Gala of the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Film Festival will run from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 28.

The film, of which worldwide distribution rights are available, will premiere on Thursday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mann Village Theater.

From writer/directors Michele and Kieran Mulroney, Paper Man is the coming-of-middle-age story of Richard Dunn (Jeff Daniels), a writer caught between the pressures of deadlines, the expectations of his wife (Lisa Kudrow), and the constant presence of the superhero (Ryan Reynolds) who's lived inside his head since 2nd Grade. And then he meets a girl – a Long Island teenager (Emma Stone) whose friendship shows him that no matter how much it hurts, it's never too late to grow up.

Paper Man is produced by two-time Academy Award® nominee Richard Gladstein through his FilmColony, Guymon Casady through his Film 360, and Art Spigel and Ara Katz through their Artfire Films, who also fully financed the production. Executive Producers include Dan Fireman from Artfire and Fireman Capital Partners, and Darin Friedman from Film 360.

“We wanted to find an independent gem to launch the Los Angeles Film Festival, and we got our wish with the world premiere of this tender, funny, original film from two vibrant new directing talents, Michele and Kieran Mulroney,” said Festival Director Rebecca Yeldham.

“We love the spirit of the Los Angeles Film Festival and are just thrilled to get the chance to premiere our film in front of our hometown audience. It’s really an honor,” said the Mulroneys.

Tickets to the premiere of Paper Man can be obtained now by purchasing a Discovery, Industry or Fast pass to this year’s Festival. In addition to screenings and events, Festival passes at all levels provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the ZonePerfect live.create. lounge at 1028 Westwood Blvd. where Festival pass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community.

General admission tickets to individual films go on sale beginning May 29. Contact the Festival Ticketing Center for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST (866.345-6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com. Festival Passes and tickets can also be purchased in person beginning on Friday, June 12 at the Festival Ticketing Center located at 1038 Westwood Blvd.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

WRITER/DIRECTORS: Michele and Kieran Mulroney are first-time directors, whose current writing projects include Warner Bros. Justice League, Sleeping Father and Equals.

PRODUCERS:

Richard N. Gladstein (FilmColony): Previous films include Finding Neverland, The Cider House Rules, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, The Nanny Diaries, The Bourne Identity, Jackie Brown, HurlyBurly, Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, amongst others.

Guymon Casady (Film 360) : Founding partner of Management 360. In addition to Paper Man, he is producing the upcoming Game of Thrones for HBO, Cartagena, starring Keanu Reeves, and Infiltrator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Film 360 is the film production division of Management 360.

Art Spigel & Ara Katz (Artfire Films): Forthcoming films include the Howard Zinn documentary The People Speak and a sequel to George Romero’s Diary of the Dead. Previously, they produced Romero’s Diary of the Dead.

CAST:

Jeff Daniels is a 3-time Golden Globe®-nominee and a 2009 Tony nominee for the current Broadway play God of Carnage. Previous credits include Away We Go, State of Play, Good Night, and Good Luck, and The Squid and the Whale.

Ryan Reynolds is in Disney’s forthcoming The Proposal, opposite Sandra Bullock and opening June 19^th, and Fireflies in the Garden opposite Julia Roberts. Previous credits include X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Definitely, Maybe, Smokin’ Aces, and Just Friends.

Emma Stone is in Columbia Pictures’ upcoming Zombieland with Bill Murray, Mila Kunis, Abigail Breslin and Woody Harrelson. Previous credits include Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, House Bunny, The Rocker and Superbad.

Lisa Kudrow is a 7-time Emmy Award®-nominee for Friends and will be seen in Summit Entertainment’s forthcoming Bandslam. Her previous feature credits include Hotel for Dogs, P.S. I Love You, The Comeback, Happy Endings, and Analyze That.

ABOUT THE 2009 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Film Financing Conference, Ford Amphitheatre Outdoor Screenings, Poolside Chats at the W Los Angeles – Westwood Hotel, and more. Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.

More than 70 features, 70 shorts, and 50 music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

Awards are given out in the following categories at the conclusion of the Festival: Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature with an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000 funded by Target; Target Documentary Award with an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000 funded by Target; Outstanding Performance in the Narrative Competition; Best Narrative Short Film; Best Documentary Short Film; Best Animated/Experimental Short Film; and Audience Awards for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best International Feature, Best Music Video, and Best Short Film.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by Premier Sponsors Target and ZonePerfect® Nutrition Bars and Principal Sponsors Kodak, IFC, and Netflix. Special support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner, WireImage is the Official Photography Agency of Film Independent, and W Los Angeles – Westwood Hotel and the Hotel Palomar are the Official Hotel Partners of the Festival.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry leader, or a film lover.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards. For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

# # # #

FILM INDEPENDENT ANNOUNCES U.S. PREMIERE OF DREAMWORKS PICTURES & PARAMOUNT PICTURES’ TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN AT 2009 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:38:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (May 27, 2009) – Today Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced that DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures’ Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will have its American Premiere on Monday, June 22 at the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Film Festival will run from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 28.

Michael Bay’s highly anticipated Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, will premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival before it hits theaters on June 24, 2009. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) again joins with the Autobots® against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons®. Revenge is coming.

“The Festival is delighted to welcome back Michael Bay and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen after our successful launch two years ago. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Festival audiences to get a sneak peek at what will surely be one of this summer’s biggest action films,” said Festival Director Rebecca Yeldham.

DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures Present In Association with Hasbro A di Bonaventura Pictures Production A Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy Production A Michael Bay Film “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro. The film is directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman. Based on Hasbro’s Transformers™ Action Figures. Produced by Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. Executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. This film has not yet been rated.

Tickets to the premiere of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen can be obtained now by purchasing a Discovery, Industry, or Fast pass to this year’s Festival. In addition to screenings and events, Festival passes at all levels provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the ZonePerfect live.create. lounge at 1028 Westwood Blvd. where Festival pass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community.

ABOUT THE 2009 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

More than 70 features, 70 shorts, and 50 music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization who champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry leader, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards. For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

# # # #

BE THE FIRST TO SEE PUBLIC ENEMIES - EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE OFFER EXTENDED TO MAY 21

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:56:00 GMT

The Los Angeles Film Festival is coming soon - June 18-28 / Westwood Village
EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE OFFER EXTENDED TO MAY 21
Get the ultimate festival experience – buy a pass now!! BE THE FIRST TO SEE PUBLIC ENEMIES

In the action-thriller Public Enemies, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp).

DIRECTOR: Michael Mann
WRITERS: Ronan Bennett and Michael Mann & Ann Biderman
CAST: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Jason Clarke, Rory Cochran, Billy Crudup, Stephen Dorff

Don't miss out.. Festival passes on-sale NOW at discount price! For more information go to www.lafilmfest.com

2009 Los Angeles Film Festival to give High School Students their "Big Break"

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:29:00 GMT

Film Independent continues their goal to nourture up and coming talent. The 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival's Future Filmmakers Showcase will screen 33 short films from high school students around the country. Shorts are shown before features and as part of five short film programs. With their diverse and complex content, these films shine brilliantly. Most short films, domestic and international, will compete for prizes in Narrative, Documentary, and Animation/Experimental categories. The winner is determined by a panel of jurors. An Audience Award for Best Short Film is also presented.

Almost (DIRECTOR Lori Dinsmore)
Arterial Deposition in Thought and Being (DIRECTOR Mason Shefa)
Bon Voyage (DIRECTOR Allyssa Kaiser)
Change the Nation (DIRECTORS Jessica Gonzalez, Krista Kim, Brian McArthur, Elliot McGreggor & Ruben Palomares)
Cookie Cutter (DIRECTOR Maggie Smith)
Cue The Coup (DIRECTOR Woodrow White)
Divine Intervention (DIRECTORS Reid Hildebrand, David Griffin)
First Kiss (DIRECTOR Janey Miles Feingold)
Fletcher (DIRECTOR Daniel Lipson, James Perkins)
A Flying Project (DIRECTOR Bryan Navarro)
Forget Me Not (DIRECTOR Mirabelle Korn)
Hill Soda (DIRECTOR Suzanne Walsh)
Homophobia is Gay (DIRECTOR Tiffany Maria Flick)
I have a dream today. (DIRECTOR Hannah Holtgeerts)
It Only Takes One (DIRECTOR Gabe Benjamin & Nick Lieberman)
In Unexpected Places (DIRECTOR Mel Guel)
Killers of the Earth (DIRECTOR Jeff Bruno)
Ladies in Armor (DIRECTOR Sami Kubo)
Ladies, Please (DIRECTOR Xochi Maberry-Gaulke)
Lipstick (DIRECTOR Sam Rubin)
M.O.D. – moment of decision (DIRECTORS Bianca Mia Alvarez, Edgar Andres, Berenice Bautista, Najee Clark, Elijah Douresseau, Yaddi Garcia, Markus Hobbs, Desmond Johnson, Lemias Paige & Gerica Preston)
Marcul City (DIRECTOR Abram Pineda-Fischer)
National Day Without a Bag (DIRECTOR Samantha Speiser)
Napua Ilima O’Kehaulani (DIRECTOR Ryan Medel)
Only One (DIRECTOR Conor Arnodo)
Our Dignity (Nuestra Dignidad) (DIRECTOR Kathy Vega-Munoz)
Portrait: Anais Kane (DIRECTOR Jazmin Jones & Sydney Matterson)
Reality Check (DIRECTOR Matthew Prescott)
Repercussion of the Masses (DIRECTOR Brian Reves)
Return To Sender (DIRECTORS Sarah Bailin & Emma Bailin)
Untouchable (DIRECTORS Justin Levine, Jack Heston)
We Got Dreams (DIRECTOR Ricky Hermosillo)
You’re In Control! (DIRECTOR Maria Midtlyng)

ABOUT THE 2009 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Approximately 70 features, 70 shorts, and 50 music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by Premier Sponsors Target and ZonePerfect® Nutrition Bars and Principal Sponsors Kodak, Netflix and IFC. Special support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner, WireImage is the Official Photography Agency of Film Independent, and W Los Angeles – Westwood Hotel and the Hotel Palomar are the Official Hotel Partners of the Festival.

2009 Los Angeles Film Festival has a bevy of World and US Premieres

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:18:00 GMT

The 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen more than 70 feature films, 70 shorts, and 50 music videos.

Narrative Competition (7): The Narrative Competition is comprised of films made by talented emerging filmmakers that compete for the Target Filmmaker Award, which carries a $50,000 unrestricted grant funded by Target. The winner is determined by a panel of jurors. Films in this section are also eligible for the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.

· Dear Lemon Lima, Suzi Yoonessi – WORLD PREMIERE

· Harmony & Me, Bob Byington

· Hollywood, je t’aime, Jason Bushman – WORLD PREMIERE

· Passenger Side, Matt Bissonnette – Canada - WORLD PREMIERE

· Turistas, Alicia Scherson – Chile – U.S. PREMIERE

· Wah Do Dem (What They Do), Sam Fleischner, Ben Chace – WORLD PREMIERE

· Zero Bridge, Tariq Tapa – USA/India – U.S. PREMIERE

Documentary Competition (7): The Documentary Competition is comprised of films made by talented emerging filmmakers that compete for the Target Documentary Award, which carries a $50,000 unrestricted grant funded by Target. The winner is determined by a panel of jurors. Films in this section are also eligible for the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature.

· After the Storm, Hilla Medalia – WORLD PREMIERE

· Bananas!*, Fredrik Gertten - Sweden – WORLD PREMIERE

· Branson, Brent Meeske – WORLD PREMIERE

· Convention, AJ Schnack

· The Last Beekeeper, Jeremy Simmons

· October Country, Michael Palmieri, Donal Mosher – WORLD PREMIERE

· Those Who Remain, Juan Carlos Rulfo, Carlos Hagerman – Mexico - U.S. PREMIERE

International Showcase (21): The International Showcase highlights innovative independent narrative and documentary features from outside of the United States. Films in this section are eligible for Audience Awards for Best International Feature, Best Narrative Feature, or Best Documentary Feature.

· Adhen, Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche – France/Algeria

· Autumn, Özcan Alper – Turkey

· Birdwatchers, Marco Bechis – Italy/Brazil (IFC Festival Direct)

· Bronson, Nicolas Winding Refn – England (Magnolia Pictures)

· Calimucho, Eugenie Jansen – Netherlands

· Call If You Need Me, James Lee – Malaysia – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

· Carmen Meets Borat, Mercedes Stalenhoef – Netherlands

· City of Borders, Yun Suh – Israel

· Elementary Training for Actors, Martín Rejtman – Argentina – INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

· Extraordinary Stories, Mariano Llinás – Argentina

· High-Rise, Gabriel Mascaro – Brazil – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

· Los Bastardos, Amat Escalante – Mexico (Kino International)

· Mid-August Lunch, Gianni di Gregorio - Italy

· My Dear Enemy, Lee Yoon-ki – South Korea

· Our Beloved Month of August, Miguel Gomes – Portugal/France

· The Queen and I, Nahid Persson Sarvestani – Sweden (7^th Art Releasing)

· Sacred Places, Jean-Marie Téno – France/Cameroon

· Stella, Sylvie Verheyde – France

· Unmade Beds, Alexis Dos Santos – England (IFC Festival Direct)

· A Week Alone, Celina Murga – Argentina

· West of Pluto, Henry Bernadet, Myriam Verreault – Canada

International Spotlight - Documenting Mexico: Selections from the Ambulante Film Festival (3): Ambulante is a traveling documentary film festival produced by the non-profit organization Documental Ambulante A.C., in collaboration with Canana, Cinepolis, and the Morelia International Film Festival. It was created in 2005 by Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, and Pablo Cruz to promote documentary culture across Mexico. In this selection from the festival, we highlight outstanding works by filmmakers documenting Mexico’s past and present.

· Born Without, Eva Norvind - Mexico

· El General, Natalia Almada – Mexico/USA

· Rehje, Anaís Huerta, Raúl Cuesta – Mexico - INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

Summer Showcase (11): The Summer Showcase section offers an advance look at this summer’s most talked about independent film releases from the festival circuit. Films in this section are eligible for Audience Awards for Best International Feature, Best Narrative Feature, or Best Documentary Feature.

· 35 Shots of Rum, Claire Denis – France (Cinema Guild)

· Big River Man, John Maringouin

· Cold Souls, Sophie Barthes (Samuel Goldwyn Films)

· Facing Ali, Pete McCormack (Lionsgate)

· Humpday, Lynn Shelton (Magnolia Pictures)

· In the Loop, Armando Iannucci – England (IFC Films)

· It Might Get Loud, Davis Guggenheim (Sony Pictures Classics)

· No Impact Man, Laura Gabbert & Justin Schein

· Paper Heart, Nicholas Jasenovec (Overture Films)

· Still Walking, Hirokazu Kore-eda – Japan (IFC Films)

· We Live in Public, Ondi Timoner

Dark Wave (2): Dark Wave offers frightening and edgy films from around the world. Films in this section are eligible for Audience Awards for Best International Feature or Best Narrative Feature.

· Embodiment of Evil, José Mojica Marins – Brazil

· I Sell the Dead, Glenn McQuaid (IFC Films)

Guilty Pleasures (2): Films in this section are eligible for the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.

· Weather Girl, Blayne Weaver

· ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction, Kevin Hamedani

Outdoor Screenings at the Ford Amphitheatre (4): These official Los Angeles Film Festival selections are included as part of the 2009 Ford Amphitheatre Summer Season; a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations.

· 13 Most Beautiful… Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests, with Live Accompaniment by

Dean & Britta

· All Tomorrow’s Parties, All Tomorrow’s People & Jonathan Caouette - England

· Black Dynamite, Scott Sanders (Sony Pictures)

· Soul Power, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte (Sony Pictures Classics)

Special Screenings (2):

· Crude Oil, Wang Bing – China – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

· Panda Diary, Tadashi Mori – Japan – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

Behind the Scenes – Films with Extended Conversations (2):

· Billy Jack, T.C. Frank (1971) – new digital restoration: followed by a conversation with Tom Laughlin.

· Midnight Cowboy, John Schlessinger (1969) – 40^th anniversary: preceded by a conversation with Jon Voight.

L.A. Film Critics: The Films That Got Away (3): Co-presented by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Música Nocturna, Rafael Filipelli - Argentina
Silence Before Bach, Pere Portabella - Spain
United Red Army, Koji Wakamatsu – Japan

Hell on Wheels: Hot Rods and Fast Times (3): Co-presented by the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Hi-Riders, Greydon Clark (1978)
Hot Rod Girl, Leslie H. Martinson (1956)
Hot Rods to Hell, John Brahm (1967)

Film Foundation & American Express Preservation Screening Program: Presented by the Film Foundation & American Express.

Night Tide, Curtis Harrington (1961)

Free Screenings (8):

· Amreeka, Cherien Dabis (National Geographic Films) – Project:Involve Screening

· Crude Oil, Wang Bing – China – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

· Election, Alexander Payne (1999) – 10^th Anniversary

· Ghostbusters, Ivan Reitman (1984) – 25^th Anniversary

· Hot Rod Girl, Leslie H. Martinson (1956)

· How I See It: Youth Filmmaking From Streets to Streams,

· The Muppet Movie, James Frawley (1979) – 30^th Anniversary

· Those Who Remain, Juan Carlos Rulfo, Carlos Hagerman – Mexico - U.S. PREMIERE

2009 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL FILM SELECTIONS

admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:24:00 GMT

The 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen more than 70 feature films, 70 shorts, and 50 music videos.

· Dear Lemon Lima, Suzi Yoonessi – WORLD PREMIERE

· Harmony & Me, Bob Byington

· Hollywood, je t’aime, Jason Bushman – WORLD PREMIERE

· Passenger Side, Matt Bissonnette – Canada - WORLD PREMIERE

· Turistas, Alicia Scherson – Chile – U.S. PREMIERE

· Wah Do Dem (What They Do), Sam Fleischner, Ben Chace – WORLD PREMIERE

· Zero Bridge, Tariq Tapa – USA/India – U.S. PREMIERE

· After the Storm, Hilla Medalia – WORLD PREMIERE

· Bananas!*, Fredrik Gertten - Sweden – WORLD PREMIERE

· Branson, Brent Meeske – WORLD PREMIERE

· Convention, AJ Schnack

· The Last Beekeeper, Jeremy Simmons

· October Country, Michael Palmieri, Donal Mosher – WORLD PREMIERE

· Those Who Remain, Juan Carlos Rulfo, Carlos Hagerman – Mexico - U.S. PREMIERE

· Adhen, Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche – France/Algeria

· Autumn, Özcan Alper – Turkey

· Birdwatchers, Marco Bechis – Italy/Brazil (IFC Festival Direct)

· Bronson, Nicolas Winding Refn – England (Magnolia Pictures)

· Calimucho, Eugenie Jansen – Netherlands

· Call If You Need Me, James Lee – Malaysia – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

· Carmen Meets Borat, Mercedes Stalenhoef – Netherlands

· City of Borders, Yun Suh – Israel

· Elementary Training for Actors, Martín Rejtman – Argentina – INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

· Extraordinary Stories, Mariano Llinás – Argentina

· High-Rise, Gabriel Mascaro – Brazil – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

· Los Bastardos, Amat Escalante – Mexico (Kino International)

· Mid-August Lunch, Gianni di Gregorio - Italy

· My Dear Enemy, Lee Yoon-ki – South Korea

· Our Beloved Month of August, Miguel Gomes – Portugal/France

· The Queen and I, Nahid Persson Sarvestani – Sweden (7^th Art Releasing)

· Sacred Places, Jean-Marie Téno – France/Cameroon

· Stella, Sylvie Verheyde – France

· Unmade Beds, Alexis Dos Santos – England (IFC Festival Direct)

· A Week Alone, Celina Murga – Argentina

· West of Pluto, Henry Bernadet, Myriam Verreault – Canada

· Born Without, Eva Norvind - Mexico

· El General, Natalia Almada – Mexico/USA

· Rehje, Anaís Huerta, Raúl Cuesta – Mexico - INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

· 35 Shots of Rum, Claire Denis – France (Cinema Guild)

· Big River Man, John Maringouin

· Cold Souls, Sophie Barthes (Samuel Goldwyn Films)

· Facing Ali, Pete McCormack (Lionsgate)

· Humpday, Lynn Shelton (Magnolia Pictures)

· In the Loop, Armando Iannucci – England (IFC Films)

· It Might Get Loud, Davis Guggenheim (Sony Pictures Classics)

· No Impact Man, Laura Gabbert & Justin Schein

· Paper Heart, Nicholas Jasenovec (Overture Films)

· Still Walking, Hirokazu Kore-eda – Japan (IFC Films)

· We Live in Public, Ondi Timoner

· Embodiment of Evil, José Mojica Marins – Brazil

· I Sell the Dead, Glenn McQuaid (IFC Films)

Guilty Pleasures (2): Films in this section are eligible for the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.

· Weather Girl, Blayne Weaver

· ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction, Kevin Hamedani

· 13 Most Beautiful… Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests, with Live Accompaniment by

Dean & Britta

· All Tomorrow’s Parties, All Tomorrow’s People & Jonathan Caouette - England

· Black Dynamite, Scott Sanders (Sony Pictures)

· Soul Power, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte (Sony Pictures Classics)

Special Screenings (2):

· Crude Oil, Wang Bing – China – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

· Panda Diary, Tadashi Mori – Japan – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

Behind the Scenes – Films with Extended Conversations (2):

· Billy Jack, T.C. Frank (1971) – new digital restoration: followed by a conversation with Tom Laughlin.

· Midnight Cowboy, John Schlessinger (1969) – 40^th anniversary: preceded by a conversation with Jon Voight.

L.A. Film Critics: The Films That Got Away (3): Co-presented by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Música Nocturna, Rafael Filipelli - Argentina
Silence Before Bach, Pere Portabella - Spain
United Red Army, Koji Wakamatsu – Japan

Hell on Wheels: Hot Rods and Fast Times (3): Co-presented by the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Hi-Riders, Greydon Clark (1978)
Hot Rod Girl, Leslie H. Martinson (1956)
Hot Rods to Hell, John Brahm (1967)

Film Foundation & American Express Preservation Screening Program: Presented by the Film Foundation & American Express.

Night Tide, Curtis Harrington (1961)

Free Screenings (8):

· Amreeka, Cherien Dabis (National Geographic Films) – Project:Involve Screening

· Crude Oil, Wang Bing – China – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

· Election, Alexander Payne (1999) – 10^th Anniversary

· Ghostbusters, Ivan Reitman (1984) – 25^th Anniversary

· Hot Rod Girl, Leslie H. Martinson (1956)

· How I See It: Youth Filmmaking From Streets to Streams,

· The Muppet Movie, James Frawley (1979) – 30^th Anniversary

· Those Who Remain, Juan Carlos Rulfo, Carlos Hagerman – Mexico - U.S. PREMIERE

Short Films (45): Shorts are shown before features and as part of five short film programs. With their diverse and complex content, these films shine brilliantly. Most short films, domestic and international, will compete for prizes in Narrative, Documentary, and Animation/Experimental categories. The winner is determined by a panel of jurors. An Audience Award for Best Short Film is also presented.

Future Filmmakers Showcase: High School Shorts (33): These two programs of shorts made by high school students from around the country feature work by the next generation of filmmakers.

Music Videos (54): The Music Video Showcase is sponsored by IFC and consists of three programs. Our two Eclectic Mix programs are a visual mix tape of this year’s best independent music videos, with a few innovative major label artists thrown in for good measure. Music videos will compete for an Audience Award.

· Eclectic Mix 1

· Eclectic Mix 2

· Where It Was At: A Propaganda & Satellite Films Tribute

This Festival’s Opening and Closing Night Films, Guest Director, Artists in Residence, and special guests – as well as programming for the Festival Talks, Director Lunch Talks, Coffee Talks, Kodak Focus and the Financing Conference – will be announced shortly.

PLEASE REFERENCE THE ADDENDUM FOR ALL FILM TITLES, SYNOPSES, CAST, AND CREDITS FOR ALL FEATURE FILMS.

ABOUT THE 2009 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Approximately 70 features, 70 shorts, and 50 music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards. For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.