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Outdoor Summer Series 2011 kicks off Sunday, May 8th at The Piazza at Schmidt’s
FREE all summer long. Now partnering with ROOFTOP FILMS (NYC) Lineup & Schedule - Coming soon
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10% FOOD DISCOUNT
TO FILM-GOERS WHO SHOW THEIR TICKET STUBS DURING THE 2011 FILM FESTIVAL (Not valid with any other offer including happy hour, 5 for 55 or large parties)
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RATED
Welcome... Raymond Murray, Executive Director, Philadelphia Cinema Alliance What would Philadelphia be without a film festival in April? After a year’s hiatus, CineFest is back! While not as long or as large as the 2009 festival, we hope you’ll still find many films which capture your cinematic attention. 2011 is a bit like a transition year: we have new people operating the festival (Josh Goldbloom of the Philadelphia Underground Film Festival as Artistic Director and actor Steve Saturn as Managing Director), as well as many of the old – Thom Cardwell continues as Development Director and TLA remains the prime financial supporter of the festival. What I like is that when it comes to programming it is two fests in one: there is the familiar, with Travis Crawford involved with Danger After Dark and World Focus, a section I continue to curate; and then the new, with younger programmers selecting, writing and presenting films that will attract a younger, edgier crowd. We welcome new venues Painted Bride and the Trocadero and thank the people at Landmark for the use of the Ritz East for the majority of the film programs. There will be many filmmakers on hand – we don’t announce them in the guide because there are always cancellations and additions so it is best to check with the website: www.phillycinefest.com for updates. My personal favorites: in no order (and limiting it to only 5) are: Lapland Odyssey, Exporting Raymond, The One, Living on Love Alone and Bodyguards and Assassins. But there are plenty more for you to discover! And prepare for an even larger festival, more exciting in 2012!
Table of Contents...
Josh Goldbloom, Artistic Director It starts right now. TV legends and Muay Thai Masters. Giant trolls, satanic canoe trips into hell and Academy Award nominated International cinema. An ape raised by humans, a stand up comedy legend and industrial disasters in India. Post apocalyptic mayhem, the MASTER of horror and a Finnish version of Harold and Kumar. Sundance, Cannes, SXSW, Berlin, London and Toronto. PHILADELPHIA. I’m incredibly honored to be able to present this year’s CineFest. 8 days of kick-ass movies & epic blowouts. This is our showcase of the worlds best cinema, in what I believe to be one of the world’s greatest cities. We’ve taking this festival back to its grass roots. It’s our love for film, our love for this city, and our eagerness to share our passion for cinema, that’s been fueling us all. We’re building this into a landmark festival, through teamwork and celebration. So Philly, let’s get loud and make some noise - show the world just what we’re made of. Let’s see some smiles and party faces. It all starts right now... Steve Saturn, Managing Director I’m extremely excited for this year’s Cinefest. I would like to thank Josh Goldbloom, TLA and the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance for their guidance, encouragement and enthusiasm. I also want to thank all of our sponsors for helping to make this festival a reality. Be sure to join us at the first ever Cinefest Street Fair on Saturday, April 9th at Dock Street and Walnut in Old City featuring live music, comedy acts, special guests, film maker interviews, food, fun and more! We also overjoyed to bring you the first ever Tony Jaa Fest on Sunday, April 10th at the Piazza at Schmidts. A celebration of one of the greatest martial artists alive, featuring the Ong-Bak: Thai Warrior trilogy and live martial arts demos all day long! It’s going to be a week long extravaganza filled with fantastic films from around the world and everyone’s invited, so get excited Philadelphia!
Festival Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Tickets and Festival Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Opening/Closing Celebrations. . . . . . . . . . . 11 Awards & Juries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Calendar of Screenings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Artistic Achievement Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Opening Night. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Opening Night. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Closing Night. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Centerpiece Screenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-25 Centerpiece Screenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Special Presentations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 World Focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-36 The Documentary Tradition . . . . . . . . . . . 30-33 World Focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-39 The Documentary Tradition . . . . . . . . . . . 40-46 Festival of Independents presented by DIVE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48-50 Action Asia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52-54 Danger After Dark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56-58 Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Index of Films. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 5
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909 N. 2ND STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19123 215-238-BOWL WWW.NORTHBOWLPHILLY.COM
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FESTIVAL
Basics
A quick reference guide to help you get the most out of your festival experience
Many screenings sell out Especially the Opening, Closing and Centerpiece films – Plan your festival schedule ahead of time, and buy tickets as early as possible – or better yet, buy a badge. But remember – After show time, no one (including badge-holders) is guaranteed a seat!
Day of show tickets are only available at the venue If you want to buy a ticket for a same-day movie, go straight to the place where that movie will be showing. The tickets for the entire day go on sale one half hour before the first show of the day at that venue.
Theater box offices are Cash Only
Arrive to the theater early
We do not show any previews
Check your wallet or visit the closest ATM before arriving at the movies – venue ticket sales are cash only!
To start the film on time, we must seat as many people as possible in a very short time.
Advance ticket pickup
Allow plenty of time for your transportation, especially on weekend nights! Visit the Festival Map (on the next page) for tips on parking and basic public transportation information.
Screenings start within five minutes of the scheduled time – However, the Festival cannot be held accountable for late starts!
If you order your tickets in advance, all of the tickets you purchase will be available for pickup at your first movie’s screening venue. If you don’t pick them up there, you must call the Festival Box Office to re-route the tickets to your next venue – this will not happen automatically.
Remember your umbrella The Festival attracts thousands of people, so don’t be surprised by lines that extend outside – and prepare accordingly.
Seats cannot be held You must be present to take a seat. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no “standing room” admission at any Festival film or program.
Children are welcome ...sometimes Few Festival films are intended for “all audiences,” and fewer have MPAA ratings attached – audience discretion is advised and, as a general rule, children are encouraged to attend only designated films.
We take movies seriously Please silence your wrappers, voices, communication devices and alarms to ensure a quality audience experience!
The venues are staffed by volunteers... ...who can answer many of your questions and make the festival possible by donating their time. Please be patient, and don’t forget to thank them for their efforts.
Keep on top of breaking Festival News Screening, event and guest updates are posted and announced regularly by such means as: www.phillyCineFest.com Including real-time interactive posting features such as user reviews, and personalized Festival calendar options! Daily E-Newslines Sent via e-mail or RSS Feed every morning before breakfast!
Festival Hotline 24-hour automated information at 267-765-9800 x701
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Get Your Tickets Here! Please note that all tickets are non-refundable
Single Tickets
General Admission
PCA Members
Regular Screenings
$10.00
$9.00
Opening/Closing Night FIlm Only
$15.00
$15.00
(Film only, on sale day of show, based on availability)
Parties, Events & Combos (Must be 21 years or older for all parties)
Sales Locations STARTING MARCH 28: Online: www.phillycinefest.com By Phone: 267.765.9800 x4 STARTING MARCH 28: at TLA Video Stores
Limited tickets get yours now!
Opening Night Combination (Film & post-screening party)
$35.00
$30.00
Opening Night Party Only (At the door)
$25.00
$20.00
Closing Night Combination (Film & post-screening party)
$25.00
$20.00
Closing Night Party Only (At the door)
$15.00
$10.00
®
we love movies
Noon until 8:00pm daily 1520 Locust St. Rittenhouse Square 215.735.7887
Passes & Badges
Festival 10-Pass Not valid for Opening & Closing Nights All-Access Badge (Limited to 50 only. First come, first serve)
$90.00
$85.00
$175.00
$165.00
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Venues
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IMPORTANT! AFTER SHOW TIME, NO ONE CAN BE GUARANTEED SEATS (INCLUDING BADGE HOLDERS)
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Service Fees: There is a $1.00 fee per ticket on all advance sales and $5.00 fee per badge or 10-pass. Fees waived for PCA Members. (Join the Alliance!)
763 Lancaster Ave. Bryn Mawr 610.520.1222
N TO W
125 S 2nd St.
2. Trocadero 1002 Arch St.
VINE
3. The Painted Bride
3
230 Vine St.
4. The Piazza at Schmidt’s (Tony Jaa Fest - April 10th) 2nd St. & Germantown Ave.
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ARCH
Street Fest (Saturday, April 9th) 214 Walnut Street (Outside Ritz 5 & Positano Coast on the cobblestone)
2nd & Samson St $6.50 with validation when parking after 12:00pm
CHESTNUT WALNUT
2ND
10TH
DISCOUNTED PARKING A. The AutoPark at Old City (above the Ritz East)
MARKET
1
E
1. Ritz East
AV
2ND
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Advance Sales All advance orders must be placed by 8pm on phone or in person the night before the movie or event and by midnight online the night before as well. All of your tickets will be waiting for you at the venue of your first screening. Phone/Internet Badge orders are available for pickup at any TLA Video Location (at left) ONLINE (Credit card sales only) www.phillycinefest.org BY PHONE (Credit card sales only) Call 267-765-9800 x4 12pm-8pm daily (begins March 28) IN PERSON (Cash or credit card) See Advance Sales Locations (at left)
Same Day Sales
(Venues only)
Cash Only Sold only where the film is shown. Subject to availability. Go to the venue where the film will be shown no earlier than one half-hour before the first Festival screening of the day to purchase same day tickets.
Some Important Details Avoid Sellouts – Plan your Festival ahead of time and purchase tickets as early as possible. Or better yet, buy a badge. Please arrive early – After show time no one, not even a badge holder, is guaranteed a seat. Refunds – All sales are final. No refunds are available unless a screening is cancelled. Exchanges – All exchanges must be processed in advance. If your tickets are already printed you must make your exchange in person. There are no same-day exchanges or exchanges for past events. We cannot process exchanges online. Lost tickets cannot be replaced. Screening updates and ticket availability information is regularly updated on our website at www.phillycinefest.org and on our Festival hotline: 267-765-9800 x701.
How Badges Work All-Access Badges are available in limited quantities. Badge holders must be present at least 20 minutes prior to screenings. They will receive their tickets in a designated VIP line. Badges include admission to all films, including Opening and Closing Night films and parties and access to other select parties. Phone/mail/Internet badge orders can be picked up at any TLA Video location. If you wish to provide your own passport-sized photo (email jpeg file to ahollaman@phillycinema.org), you must pick up your badge at TLA Video, 1520 Locust Street.
How Passes Work Your 10-pass vouchers must be redeemed for tickets to the film of your choice. You can do this when you purchase in ADVANCE (recommended) or at the door (see Same Day Sales). Online buyers: Any unredeemed passes will remain on your account UNTIL your first TICKET pickup at will call — at which time the leftover passes will also be given to you.
Avoid Sellouts! Yes, we said it again. To check for screening updates and ticket availability, call the Festival Hotline at 267-765-9800 ext. 701, or dial ext. 4 to speak to a service representative.
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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and
PHILADELPHIA CINEMA ALLIANCE
present
LES FILMS MUETS SILENT FILMS WITH LIVE MUSIC featuring The Mystery of the Rocks of Kador & Max Linder shorts Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 3:00PM and 7:00PM Mandell Theater, Drexel, 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tickets: $20 advance ($25 door), $15 students/seniors Buy at www.PIFA.org
More info at www.relache.org 10
Opening/Closing night
CELEBRATIONS
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It’s a double feature! How retro of us at Cinefest 2011! For the first time ever, you can see two premieres of two dramatically different types of films and genres (a documentary and a comedy) on opening night and still manage to celebrate at the party with many festival guests!
Thursday, April 7 Opening Night Exporting Raymond 6:30 pm Ritz East “Everybody Loves Raymond” creator Phil Rosenthal, the writer/director of Exporting Raymond, takes us on an unforgettably hilarious, sometimes frustrating, trip to Moscow as he works on creating the Russian version of his hit TV show. Mr. Rosenthal will introduce his film and participate in an entertaining question and answer period after the premiere. The Catechism Cataclysm 9 pm Ritz East And now for something entirely dynamic and irreverent, bad boy independent director/screenwriter Todd Rohal brings to Philadelphia, direct from Sundance, The Catechism Cataclysm, a film about Father Billy, who goes on a camping trip with his high school pal. It’s far from your usual bible story or, for that matter, a film about discovering the great outdoors but you’ll be pleased to be among the first to view this weird, hilarious and shocking crowd pleaser that’s sure to become an instant cult classic. Mr. Rohal will introduce his film and participate in a revealing question and answer period after the premiere with cast members Steve Little, Robert Longstreet and producer Megan Griffiths. Liberty View Ballroom & Terrace, Independence Visitor Center (N.E. Corner of 6th and Market Sts.) 9:30 pm – 1 am Come celebrate the start of CineFest 2011 with an evening under the stars at the marvelous Independence Visitor Center with breathtaking views from the Liberty View Ballroom and Terrace on the historic Independence Mall. Dance and celebrate the night away with a live deejay while enjoying the generously stocked bar with brands from our sponsors (three complimentary drinks with admission). Discount Voucher Parking will be available for the underground lot at the Independence Visitor Center. Opening Night Admissions: Ritz East Combination Ticket (Film & Party) $35 Public/$30 PCA & PFS Members
Thursday, April 14 Closing Night CineFest 2011 closes with our Jury and Audience awards presentation hosted by Michaela Majoun and Robert Drake, both veteran radio personalities of WXPN. Following the ceremony, we close CineFest 2011 with POM Wonderful Presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, conceived, written, directed and produced by the Academy-Award nominee, Morgan Spurlock. The scathingly funny and subversive instructs while it entertains us about the worlds of branding, advertising, promotions and product placement. Mr. Spurlock will introduce his film and participate in what promises to be a lively question and answer period following the premiere.
Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti, 212 Walnut St., 2nd Floor, will host the closing night after party—one of the most exotic spots in Old City. Music, dancing, a sumptuous buffet, drink specials and plenty of festival guests to meet and greet as we bid farewell to another amazing orgy of film viewing. 9:30 pm – 1 am Closing Night Admissions: 7:15 pm Awards Ceremony and Screening of POM WONDERFUL Presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold Ritz East Combination Ticket (Film & Party) $30 Public/$25 PCA & PFS Members Party Only: $20 Public/$15 PCA & PFS Members (21+) Sold at the Door. Cash only. Film Only: $15 depending upon availability at the door. Cash only. Closing Night Party 21+ ID required to purchase combo or party
Party Only: $25 Public/$20 PCA & PFS Members (21+) Sold at the Door. Cash only. Film Only: $15 depending upon availability at the door. Cash only.
video.com
Opening Night Party 21+ ID required to purchase combo or party only.
video.com
For more information about these events and films please log onto
www.phillycinefest.com
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Awards & Juries
Jurors will confer the awards on Thursday, April 14, at the Awards Ceremony preceding the screening of the closing night film at the Ritz East in Old City. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Jury Prize for Best Feature Film Jury Prize for Best Documentary Film Jury Prize for Best First Film Jury Prize for Best Director Jury Prize for Best American Independent Film Audience Prize for Best Feature Film Audience Prize for Best Documentary Film Audience Prize for Best Danger After Dark Film
Head of Jurors
Michael Feighan is an International insurance executive whose real avocation is cinephile. Movies are his true obsession (seeing more than 200 theatrically-released films each year), though he is also a culture-vulture of opera, theater, music and the visual arts. An experienced head of jurors for four years, he has branched out of attending festivals in the Northeast, going across country to the Santa Barbara Film Festival and, then global, to festivals in Venice and Transylvania. Recently, he has begun writing online columns about movies and will launch his own movie blog by the end of this year. Nancy Colman began her passion for films in elementary school, watching movies on TV instead of going outside to play. That passion continued when she enrolled, then graduated with a degree in film at Wesleyan University where she studied under the renowned scholar, Jeanine Basinger. She earned a master’s degree in film studies from UCLA. She has written about film for numerous publications and has served on selection committees for the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival and One Film Philadelphia.
Tim McGlynn is a computer operator for a large retail company and a native Philadelphian. But he’s a rabid movie fan, consistently attending over 250 theatricallyreleased films per year. Recently he attended the Cleveland and Rehoboth Beach Film Festivals. When you don’t see him at repertory screenings at International House, Bryn Mawr Film Institute and Ambler, he’s probably busy following our local sports teams, another obsession! He is excited and honored to be serving as a first time juror after years of film going.
Joe Kim is the Festival Director for the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) and also an independent filmmaker that help found the festival in October 2008 as a way to celebrate the works of Asian American filmmakers, bringing new and emerging films to the Philadelphia audience. He earned a degree in film from Temple University. His films have been previously screened at the Philadelphia Film Festival. Now in its fourth year, PAAFF will take place October 2011.
Nancy Resnick works as an employee benefits consultant for a firm in King of Prussia. A native Philadelphian, her addiction to movies started early, seeing countless matinee double features on Saturdays, growing up right next door to the Jackson Theater. She still enjoys seeing films, the old-fashion way, in the dark, in theaters, sharing the communal experience. In the past few years, she has gone beyond being a regular at film festivals in Philadelphia, venturing to several International film festivals.
Marilyn Schaffer is professor emeritus at the University of Hartford, Connecticut. She has studied the history of film, specializing in International cinema. She is a member of the Film society at the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford. She participated in various International film festivals, and attends one of her favorites, the Palm Springs Film Festivals annually. Now retired from teaching, she attempts to surpass her yearly viewing of more than 150 feature films and plans to expand her film festival experiences.
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more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
: s t n e s e r p T S O P N A C L L i B MEXI d Foo
r u * o K y r f a f P O 15% City & Love in OLD
Karaoke Night: April 13th @ Old City www.twitter.com/mexicanpost - www.facebook.com/mexicanpostphilly - www.mexicanpost.com *Upon presentation of this ad and for the duration of Cinefest
CineFest_Cake-Ad-7.5x4.pdf
2/15/2011
A PRIL 1 1 TH, 2 0 1 1 L OEWS P HILADELPHIA H OTEL $40 DONATION IN ADVANCE $50 AT THE DOOR D OORS OPEN AT 6 PM
4:18:50 PM
Let Them Eat Cake is the premiere wedding cake design competition of the year! Enjoy over 35 complimentary pieces of cake from the area’s best wedding cake pastry chefs! Free champagne & coffee for all! Goody bags valued at over $50 for first 50 attendees & Door Prizes!
www.cityofhope.org/cake THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS All proceeds benefit Women’s cancer research & treatment programs at City of Hope
For more information, to register for the competition or to purchase advance tickets please visit www.cityofhope.org/cake or call 800-344-8169
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MPOD-CinefestProgramAd_7Final3_Layout 1 3/2/11 12:47 PM Page 1
ARE YOU WATCHING MOVIES BEFORE THEY PREMIERE IN THEATERS? On your own red carpet? Uncut and commercial free?
Experience the thrill of discovering new films from the comfort of your own home. BEFORE THEY PREMIERE IN THEATERS. Each month Magnolia Pictures On Demand premieres an exclusive release of a full-length feature film weeks before they premiere in theaters. Watch XFINITY速 On Demand, only from Comcast. Hit the On Demand Button on your remote, select movies,
select Indies & Foreign & select Magnolia Pictures. COMING SOON
NOW PLAYING
Black Death
Ceremony
COMING SOON
Hobo With A Shotgun
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean & Carice van Houten Genre: Adventure/Drama/Horror
Starring: Uma Thurman, Michael Angarano and Lee Pace Genre: Romantic Comedy
Starring: Rutger Hauer, Gregory Smith and Molly Dunsworth Genre: Action/Adventure/Crime
Set during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is tasked with learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life in a small village.
Thirty-something publisher Zoe is about to marry Whit. Sam refuses to accept that anyone else could be the love of Zoe's life, so he crashes the Hampton wedding ceremony to win her back.
A homeless man with dreams of buying a lawnmower becomes a violent vigilante upon entering a crime-stricken city, blowing away crooked cops, pedophile Santas, and other scumbags with his shotgun
Now Playing On Demand In Theaters March 11TH
Premieres On Demand March 4TH In Theaters April 8TH
Premieres On Demand April 1ST In Theaters May 6TH
Call 1-800-XFINITY to learn more about packages that include HDNet. For more information on Magnolia pictures visit www.magsneaks.com
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CineFest 11 CALENDAR OF
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Ritz East Theater 1 6:30 Exporting Raymond
Thu Apr 7
9:00 The Catechism Cataclysm
12:00 Hamill
Fri Apr 8
5:15 Wuss
(81 min)
(96 min)
7:30 The One
(112 min) (88 min)
12:00 The Catechism Cataclysm 12:00 The One
(81 min)
(112 min)
2:15 Score: A Hockey Musical
(92 min)
12:15 Fire of Conscience 2:30 Two Gates of Sleep 5:00 Living on Love Alone 7:00 Incendies 9:45 Lapland Odyssey
12:15 Exporting Raymond 2:30 Old Cats 4:30 Hamill
7:30 Ceremony
7:00 Potiche
12:00 The Ward 12:00 Terri 2:00 The Interrupters 5:15 My Joy
Sun Apr 10 7:30
Womb 9:45 The Troll Hunter
(89 min) (95 min) (88 min)
(101 min) (162 min) (127 min) (107 min) (90 min)
(106 min) (78 min) (90 min) (130 min) (90 min)
12:00 Legend of the Fist: The Return of... (105 min)
4:20 Square Grouper: Godfathers of Ganja (96 min)
10:00 Stake Land
Other Venues
(86 min)
(144 min)
10:00 The Ward
Sat Apr 9
Ritz East Theater 2
(108 min)
2:15 Cold Fish
Screenings
9:30 Bellflower 12:00 The Troll Hunter 12:00 Endhiran 3:00 Living on Love Alone 5:00 Bhopali 7:00 Cost of a Soul 9:15 Vampire
(86 min) (88 min) (108 min) (103 min) (105 min) (90 min) The Piazza at Schmidt’s (155 min)
12:00 Tony Jaa Fest: Ong Bak 1-3 (All Day Event)
(90 min) (83 min) (105 min) (120 min)
For Tickets • Schedule Updates • Festival News • Alliance Membership
Ritz East Theater 1
Ritz East Theater 2
12:30 Old Cats
12:15 Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster (108 min)
2:45 Score: A Hockey Musical
Mon Apr 11 5:00
Two Gates of Sleep 7:15 The High Cost of Living 9:30 Wuss
12:30 Project Nim 3:00 Endhiran
Tue Apr 12
(88 min) (92 min) (78 min) (92 min) (96 min)
(93 min) (155 min)
4:30 Bhopali 5:15 Brother and Sister 7:30 Lapland Odyssey 9:45 Fire of Conscience 12:00 My Joy 2:30 Julia’s Eyes 5:00 Complexo: Parallel Universe
6:30 Bodyguards and Assassins 9:15 Cold Fish 12:15 Brother and Sister
(139 min) (144 min)
(105 min)
2:30 Everyday Sunshine: Story Of Fishbone (103 min)
Wed 5:00 Apr 13 The High Cost of Living 7:15 Terri 9:30 The Woman
12:00 Complexo: Parallel Universe 2:00 Bodyguards and Assassins
Thu 4:30 Apr 14 Vampire 7:00 Good Day for It 9:30 Julia’s Eyes
(92 min)
7:15 Beloved Berlin Wall
Other Venues
(83 min) (105 min) (90 min) (106 min)
2:15 Caterpillar 5:15 Kinyarwanda
4:00 Kinyarwanda
6:30 8:00 The Legend Of Sofa Kingdom The (96 min) Phantasmagoria Award: 9:00 John Carpenter Calendar Girl (99 min)
(112 min) (80 min) (103 min)
The Painted Bride 4:00 Beauty Day 6:30 Everyday Sunshine... 9:00 Square Grouper...
(85 min) (100 min)
(102 min)
9:45 Legend of the Fist: The Return ... (105 min)
9:00 Beauty Day
(139 min) (120 min)
5:00 Fubar: Balls to the Walls
(96 min)
4:00 American: Bill Hicks Story (102 min) The Trocadero
(101 min)
2:30 The Woman
9:15 American: The Bill (103 min) Hicks Story (102 min)
The Painted Bride
6:30 PIVFA - Short Films
(80 min)
(91 min) The Trocadero
(93 min)
7:30 The Human Resources Manager (103 min)
12:15 Beloved Berlin Wall
(100 min) The Trocadero
(127 min)
9:30 Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster (108 min) 12:00 Project Nim
The Painted Bride
8:00 Fubar: Balls to the ( min) Walls (85 min) (91 min)
(103 min) (102 min) (85 min)
7:15 *The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (90 min) (93 min) (112 min)
9:30 Viva Riva!
(96 min)0
*POM Wonderful Presents
visit www.phillycinefest.com or call 267.765.9800 x4.
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PHILADELPHIA
CineFest 2011
Street Fair SATURDAY APRIL 9TH Dock & Walnut Street
All
Day!
Live Music - Comedy!
Special Guests - Filmmaker Interviews
Outdoors - All Day - Food - Fun!
Family Friendly!
For more information and schedules www.phillycinefest.com 18
The
Phantasmagoria Award
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John Carpenter Monday, April 11 • 8:00 • The Trocadero
“In England, I’m a horror movie director. In Germany, I’m a filmmaker. In the U.S., I’m a bum.” — John Carpenter Of course, no one in the U.S. who has an appreciation for genre cinema would ever think of regarding director John Carpenter as a bum. For many of us, Carpenter represents one of the most vital, distinctive and exciting links between the “New Hollywood” film school generation of the 1970s, and the classical cinematic storytelling of figures like Hawks and Ford. He is an American original, seemingly as comfortable thriving within the studio system (though he would likely deny this) as toiling independently in the low-budget arena, and he has given contemporary American cinema some of its most enduring archetypes: Snake Plissken, Michael Myers, Napoleon Wilson (if you’re not familiar with the latter, you should be). He is among the greatest of the filmmakers to emerge from the horror genre in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and he continues to deliver unique and surprising work to this day. He is John Carpenter, and he is this year’s recipient of our festival’s Phantasmagoria Award.
Carpenter transformed the cinematic landscape with the enormously influential horror film Halloween in 1978, a masterfully crafted exercise in suspense that remains effective even after decades of sequels, remakes and imitations. But this classic of the genre was actually Carpenter’s third feature, following his counter-culture science fiction parody Dark Star (1974) and the extraordinary police action thriller Assault on Precinct 13 (1976). Assault would initiate several recurring Carpenter trademarks: an overpowering sense of fate bordering on doom; an expert use of the 2.35:1 Panavision widescreen frame; Carpenter’s own composition of the music score; and the ability to shift themes and relationships more traditionally associated with the western, into other genres. Following the success of Halloween, Carpenter delivered two more independent genre films, the underrated and understated The Fog (1980) and the enormously crowd-pleasing futuristic action favorite Escape from New York (1981), before moving into big-budget studio filmmaking with a new version of The Thing in 1982. The Thing may remain Carpenter’s finest film – and, thankfully, it has gradually been afforded a great degree of acclaim in the years since its release – but it was not a success upon initial unveiling (the summer of 1982 found American moviegoers embracing the warm-n’-fuzzy sci-fi of E.T., not the dystopian visions of The Thing and Blade Runner). Carpenter then did what every other horror director was doing around this time — a Stephen King adaptation (Christine) — but then delivered two of his most ambitious projects, the wonderfully acted and affecting Starman (1984) and the anarchic, genre-bending comedy Big Trouble in Little China (1986; another Carpenter classic that failed to find its initial audience, but developed a passionate cult following in subsequent years). Carpenter then opted to return to the freedom permitted by independent filmmaking, and crafted two of his most intriguing and, again, underrated projects, both science-fiction/horror films with an apocalyptic edge, Prince of Darkness (1987) and the marvelous They Live (1988), an allegorical satire of Reagan-era America that was also remarkably prophetic. Although The Ward marks a return to theatrical features following almost a decade’s absence, Carpenter spent much of the ‘90s and early 2000s moving back and forth between studio and independent productions, with highlights including the excellent Lovecraftian horror yarn In the Mouth of Madness (1994), the fan-demanded sequel Escape from L.A. (1996), and the witty, James Woods-driven undead western Vampires (1998). His new film finds Carpenter incorporating some influences from the contemporary horror landscape, but otherwise, his laconic, measured style has changed little over the past three-and-a-half decades – and in Carpenter’s case, that’s a good thing. His respect for the craft of cinematic storytelling and the audience’s intelligence are both very refreshing in today’s horror film climate, and we are honored to present him with our festival’s Phantasmagoria Award.
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CineFest 11
The Catechism Cataclysm Thursday, April 7 • 9:00 • Ritz East 1 Friday, April 8 • Midnight • Ritz East 1 East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 81 min
If Satan rolled a joint, this is what it would taste like. Todd Rohal’s Slamdance-winning feature debut The Guatemalan Handshake established the director as someone with a unique vision and a keen eye for the strange, drawing comparisons to the early works of Richard Linklater, Harmony Korine and David Lynch. Named as one of the “25 new faces of independent cinema” by Filmmaker Magazine, Rohal continues to push boundaries with his follow-up (and first effort from Danny McBride, Jody Hill and David Gordon Green’s Rough House Pictures). Wildly received at Sundance earlier this year, Catechism tells the story of Father Billy (Steve Little, from HBO’s “Eastbound & Down”), a priest taking a sabbatical from his church due to telling wildly inappropriate stories to his flock. He accidentally drops his bible into the toilet before taking a canoe trip with his high school idol (Robert Longstreet, Pineapple Express), and without his good book in hand, things start to get - to put it mildly - a little weird. Practically channeling his “Eastbound & Down” character, Little stakes out his comedic star power from the get-go in his first lead performance, reminiscent of Danny McBride’s break-out role in The Foot Fist Way. Executive producer Longstreet also shines as Little’s aging stoner/wannabe rock star. Destined for midnight movie cult status and containing plenty of soon-to-be classic situations and dialogue (don’t be surprised if you find yourself quoting lines along with your friends long afterwards), it’s Little and Longstreet’s chemistry that really make things work. You could drop these two in any movie, predicament or genre, and they would make it funny. To put it simply The Catechism Cataclysm is one of the freshest and funniest movies we’ve seen in years, yet it’s strange, it’s distinct and surreal. With elements of both Deliverance and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, it’s the perfect combination of the impossible. —Josh Goldbloom Director: Todd Rohal Cast: Steve Little, Robert Longstreet, Miki Ann Maddox, Koko Lanham, Rico A. Comic Screenwriter: Todd Rohal Producers: David Gordon Green, Megan Griffiths, Jody Hill, Gill Holland, Lacey Leavitt, Robert Longstreet, Danny McBride, Matt Reilly, Todd Rohal Cinematographer: Benjamin Kasulke Editor: Alan Canant Print Source: Rough House
Todd Rohal’s Filmography: The Guatemalan Handshake (2006) Todd Rohal, Steve Little and Robert Longstreet will be in attendance.
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
Opening
NIGHT
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Exporting Raymond Thursday, April 7 • 6:30 • Ritz East 1 Saturday, April 9 • 12:15 • Ritz East 2 East Coast Premiere USA 2010, 86 min
An often hilarious documentary about Philip Rosenthal, creator of the hit TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond” and his calamitous adventures when he goes to Russia to work on their version of the show. When Phil Rosenthal, creator of the hit TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond” was approached to oversee the creation of a Russian version of his show, he was flattered and excited to travel to Russia. But that excitement soon turned to frustration, befuddlement and amusement in this very funny look at his trials and tribulations as a stranger in an even stranger land. With a small film crew in hand, Phil – encouraged by the success of such Russian versions of “The Nanny” and “Married with Children” – heads off to Moscow, despite one Russian questioning if he had K & R (Kidnap & Ransom) insurance. What then unfolds is his hilarious fish out of water journey to a world very different than glitzy and efficient Hollywood. Wanting to recreate the exaggerated realism that made “Raymond” so popular, he begins to work on the pilot episode but is immediately confronted by production people who want to dress the women in the pilot in the trendiest fashions; a team of not very funny writers who constantly change; a grim-faced director; and actors who read their lines more like Chekhov than for a sitcom and that’s really just the beginning! Can the now titled, “Everybody Love Kostya” even get its pilot completed or will the startling cultural differences undermine it all? A fast-moving, original documentary held together by the very witty Phil acting as our wise-cracking narrator who becomes increasingly numbed by the Russian entertainment bureaucracy. Interestingly, most films in our festival celebrate the universality of people from disparate worlds while “Exporting” gleefully illustrates the huge cultural gap that exists between one befuddled American and the inhabitants of a land half a world away. (English, Russian with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Philip Rosenthal Screenwriter: Philip Rosenthal Producers: Jim Czarnecki, Philip Rosenthal Cinematographer: Geoffrey O’Connor Editors: Brian Singbiel, David Zief Print Source: IDP/Samuel Goldwyn Films/ATO Pictures
Exporting Raymond is Philip Rosenthal’s debut. Philip Rosenthal will be in attendance.
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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Closing
NIGHT
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POM Wonderful Presents the Greatest Movie Ever Sold Thursday, April 14 • 7:15 • Ritz East 2 USA 2011, 90 min
Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) sets his subversive wit on branding, advertising and product placement by creating an exposé on the subject that itself is financed by brands, advertising and product placement. Surely the only documentary ever to be presented by pomegranate juice (the naming rights were announced at the film’s premiere in Sundance), Academy Award Nominee, Morgan Spurlock, has returned with his biting social commentary and tongue-in-cheek perfection—this time examining the world of product placement and advertising. Spurlock set himself a mission to make a documentary with a budget of $1.5 million funded completely by product placement. Though some companies won’t agree to a meeting with him based on how McDonalds came off in Super Size Me, his own name-brand recognition and his contacts within the film and advertising industries open doors with the marketing executives at JetBlue and others. Pennsylvania market and gas station chain Sheetz loved Spurlock’s ideas for collector’s cups and his pledge to eat their subs; but Spurlock’s real bonanza is POM Wonderful pomegranate juice — who commit to a cool million bucks as long as Spurlock places an ad-spot for them in his documentary and endorses and drinks nothing but POM Wonderful. Utilizing cutting-edge tools of comic exploration and total self-exploitation, Spurlock dissects the world of advertising and marketing by using his personal integrity as currency to sell out to the highest bidder. Scathingly funny, subversive and deceptively smart, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold shines the light on our branded future as Spurlock, “Iron Man of documentaries,” attempts to create the first ever “docbuster!” Director: Morgan Spurlock Screenwriters: Jeremy Chilnick, Morgan Spurlock Producers: Jeremy Chilnick, Abbie Hurewitz, Morgan Spurlock, Keith Calder Cinematographer: Daniel Marracino Editors: Tom Vogt, Marrian Cho Print Source: Sony Pictures Classics
Morgan Spurlock’s Filmography: Freakonomics (2010); The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3-D! On Ice! (2008); Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (2008) Super Size Me (2004)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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CineFest 11
The Interrupters Sunday, April 10 • 2:00 • Ritz East 1 Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 162 min
Filmed over a year on the mean streets of Chicago, this unforgettable documentary by Steve James tells the inspiring story of a group of former gang members who now work at diffusing the violence that grips their neighborhood. The Interrupters tells the moving and surprising stories of three Violence Interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once themselves employed. From acclaimed director Steve James (Hoop Dreams; No Crossover: The Trial Of Allen Iverson) and bestselling author Alex Kotlowitz, this film is an unusually intimate journey into the epidemic violence in our cities. The film captures a period in Chicago when it became a sad symbol of this national problem. An eye-opening account of their efforts to confront this contagion in the Windy City, James alternates between shocking glimpses of how bad things have gotten to surprisingly convincing optimism about new methods of addressing the problem. Fresh and urgent, it holds a strong appeal for viewers The Interrupters deserves the same level of praise that Hoop Dreams received. It’s a well-crafted film with captivating subjects and brutal honestly. It’s rare that even after 162 minutes, a film leaves the viewer wanting even more. But that’s definitely the case with this film.” — Film Threat —Josh Goldbloom Director: Steve James Producers: Alex Kotlowitz, Steve James Cinematographer: Steve James Editors: Aaron Wickenden, Steve James Print Source: Kartemquin Films
Steve James’s Filmography: No Crossover: The Trial Of Allen Iverson (2010); At the Death House Door (2008); Reel Paradise (2005); Stevie (2002); Joe and Max (2002); Passing Glory (1999); Prefontaine (1997); Hoop Dreams (1994)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
Centerpiece
SCREENINGS
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Lapland Odyssey Napapiirin sankarit Friday, April 8 • 9:45 • Ritz East 2 Monday, April 11 • 7:30 • Ritz East 2 Philadelphia Premiere Finland, Sweden, Ireland 2010, 90 min
Ulysses’ challenges in his Odyssey will seem like a walk through the park in comparison to what faces Janne, a young man who goes on a rollercoaster ride of bizarre encounters while in his search for a cable box. A hilarious Finnish comedy. Quirky, laugh-out-loud funny and totally unpredictable, this action-packed Finnish road movie is an absolute charmer. Set in the dark, snow covered and frozen landscape of northern Finland, the story starts in a completely normal fashion: a young woman named Inari get frustrated that her good-for-nothing boyfriend Janne won’t even get off his ass to buy the only thing she wants: a TV cable box. So she makes an ultimatum: either a converter box by morning or she’s moving out. This propels Janne, along with his two hapless and equally lazy friends, out of the house and into a series of increasingly crazy misadventures, all in the quest of getting that elusive cable box. They soon encounter gun-shooting Russians, some very mean reindeer, Inari’s vengeful former boyfriend, a watery oasis filled with topless water polo-playing beauties, and a naked run through the snow. All the while the police are on their heels. Reminiscent of the wacky characters that seem to inhabit Aki Kaurismäki films, this comedy, filmed at breakneck speed, is an absolute delight. (Finnish, English, Swedish, Russian with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Dome Karukoski Cast: Moa Gammel, Jasper Pääkkönen, Jussi Vatanen Screenwriter: Pekko Pesonen Producers: Aleksi Bardy, Dominic Wright, Martin Persson, Jacqueline Kerrin Cinematographer: Pini Hellstedt Editor: Harri Ylönen Print Source: The Yellow Affair
Dome Karukoski’s Filmography: Forbidden Fruit (2009), The Home of Dark Butterflies (2008), Beauty and the Bastard (2005)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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Centerpiece
SCREENINGS
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The One Friday, April 8 • 7:30 • Ritz East 1 Saturday, April 9 • 12:00 • Ritz East 1 American Premiere USA, 2011, 90 min
A breezily charming romantic comedy about a married man, his lovely wife and the roguishly charming man he falls in love with. Love is never simple. This romantic comedy takes take the conventions of the genre and gives it a stylishly queer twist – think Philadelphia Story meets Latter Days, or better yet, a comedic updating of the 1992 groundbreaking Making Love. Hunky Daniel couldn’t have it better – great parents, a successful career as an investment banker and engaged to be married to the beautiful Jen. A perfect life… but there is this one temptation that may derail his plans for a straightand-narrow life and that comes in the form of Tommy, a charming former college classmate, now openly gay. After a few drinks, Daniel succumbs to his repressed desires and makes a one time “mistake.” Soon after their initial tryst, the normally jaded Tommy falls head over heels in love, but Daniel wants nothing more of him or his dazzlingly seductive smile – he’s back with Jen, determined to marry her. With Tommy’s friends warning him against his involvement with a straight man and Daniel’s pledge of heterosexually, it would seem that nothing will come of them… but love and lust has a way of messing up even the best laid plans of man. A refreshingly funny story of coming out as well as a belated coming-of-age tale that sparkles with witty dialogue and believable characters. —Raymond Murray Director: Caytha Jentis Cast: Jon Prescott, Ian Novick, Margaret Anne Florence, David Albiero, Collin Biddle, Michael Billy, Christopher Cass, Aimee Denaro, Mike DiGiacinto, Michael Emery, Pierce Forsythe, Lauren Francesca, Rosie Gunther, Kelly Coffield Park, Natalya Rudakova Screenwriter: Caytha Jentis Producer: Michael Billy, Aimee Denaro, Caytha Jentis Cinematographer: Ben Wolf Editor: Verne Mattson Print Source: TLA Releasing
The One is Caytha Jentis’ Feature Film Debut
Sponsored by:
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
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Fubar: Balls to the Walls
Score: A Hockey Musical
Wednesday, April 13 • 8:00 • The Trocadero Thursday, April 14 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2
Saturday, April 9 • 2:15 • Ritz East 1 Monday, April 11 • 2:45 • Ritz East 1
Philadelphia Premiere Canada 2010, 85 min
Philadelphia Premiere Canada 2010, 92 min
Director Michael Dowse appeals to the wild and fun side in everyone in this hilarious adventure of a film filled with lovable characters and a comedic plotline.
Combine the exuberant vocals and dancing of “Glee” with the crosschecking ferocity of Slap Shot (Paul Newman, 1976) and you get this irresistibly charming coming-of-age tale from our friends in the frozen north.
Canadian filmmaker Michael Dowse made his feature-length debut in 2002 with Fubar, a cult hit mockumentary about two Alberta head bangers named Dean Murdoch and Terry Cahill. Fubar: Balls to the Wall kicks off with a chaotic party to celebrate Dean’s five years of being nut-cancer-free. The party is complete with an entire pallet of beer wedged into the trunk of a car. But when Dean, tripping on acid, accidentally sets the house on fire, it’s telling time for these two to hightail it out of town. The next morning, the mulleted duo get in their ‘86 Cutlass Supreme and travel north to Fort McMurray for the fast cash they hope to earn laying pipeline. The job presents new and unexpected life changes, including Terry wanting to swap the party lifestyle for a domestic one and Dean finding himself in a failed Workers’ Compensation scandal. This outrageously hilarious tale of “metal” friendship has just as much, if not more, of the raunchiness, insanity and bizarre dialogue that made the original Fubar (Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition) memorable and entertaining. —Josh Goldbloom Director: Michael Dowse Cast: David Lawrence, Paul Spence, Rose Martin, Matthew Brennan Screenwriters: Davide Lawrence, Paul Spence, Michael Dowse Producers: David Lawrence, Paul Spence, Rose Martin, Matthew Brennan, Andrew Sparacino, Lori D’Amour Heidt, Tracey Lawrence Cinematographer: Bobby Shore Editor: Reginald Harkema Print Source: Screen Media
Michael Dowse’s Filmography: Take Me Home Tonight (2011), It’s All Gone Pete Tong (2004), Fubar (2002)
The Opening Night film at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival, Score: A Hockey Musical may be the most unabashedly populist Canadian film to come along in years. With the Philadelphia Flyers entering the playoff race for the Lord Stanley Cup, we couldn’t come up with a better way to celebrate this city’s love for the game of hockey... besides winning a Stanley Cup, of course. Uniting Canada’s national obsession with the kitsch of classic Hollywood musicals, this is “Hockey Night” in Busby Berkeley Land. Boasting young love, on-ice drama and cameos that range from Olivia Newton-John to Nelly Furtado to various Canadian icons, director Michael McGowan’s latest is a playful delight. As he did in his festival and box office hit One Week, McGowan integrates iconic elements of Canadiana into his winning story with flair and passion. More than just a hockey musical, Score is a wry celebration of the qualities that define Canadians — kindness, worldliness, self-effacement and an ability to poke fun at themselves. Director: Michael McGowan Cast: Noah Reid, Allie MacDonald, Stephen McHattie, John Pyper-Ferguson, Marc Jordan, Dru Viergever, John Robinson, Brandon Firla, Nelly Furtado, Hawksley Workman, Olivia Newton-John Screenwriter: Michael McGowan Producers: Michael McGowan, Avi Federgreen Cinematographer: Rudolf Blahacek Editor: Roderick Deogrades Print Source: Nadia Tavazzani
Michael McGowan’s Filmography: One Week (2008), Saint Ralph (2004), My Dog Vincent (1998)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
Welcome to the world
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30
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A film lover's paradise featuring arthouse, indies, Hollywood features and more
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For the cinemaniac in us all 31
32 PHILADELPHIA
world focus Culled from over 1,500 films, these international dramas, romances, thrillers and actioners showcase the best of international filmmaking.
CineFest 11
Potiche Saturday, April 9 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Philadelphia Premiere France 2010, 103 min
Three powerhouses of French Cinema: Francois Ozon, Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu combine their talents in this delightfully frothy battle of the sexes and classes. Deneuve reteams with Ozon in another campy comedy reminiscent of their international hit 8 Women. Here, she depicts Suzanne Pujol, the “potiche” (slang for “trophy wife”) of a French umbrella factory owner, a tyrannically petty provincial. When Monsieur Pujol’s workers go on strike and he suffers a heart attack from the stress, Madame Pujol surprises everyone by assuming command and proves to be a more popular and effective leader than her husband ever was. The town mayor and union leader (Gerard Depardieu) proves an unexpected ally. But when Monsieur Pujol returns to health and wants a return to his post, he meets with an unexpected resistance, while an epic battle of the sexes and classes brews. Ozon’s send-up of ‘70s mores, manners and styles, combined with the crack comic timing of Deneuve, Depardieu and a wonderful supporting cast make Potiche a guaranteed trophy-magnet. (French with English subtitles) —Jaie Laplante Director: François Ozon Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu, Fabrice Luchini, Karin Viard, Judith Godrèche Screenwriters: François Ozon, Jean-Pierre Grédy (based on the play by Pierre Barillet) Producers: Eric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer Editor: Laure Gardette Print Source: Music Box Films
François Ozon’s Filmography: Le Refuge (2009) Ricky (2009), Angel (2007), Time To Leave (2005), 5x2 (2004), Swimming Pool (2003), 8 Women (2002), Under the Sand (2000), Water Drops on Burning Rocks (2000), Criminal Lovers (1999),
WORLD FOCUS
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Beloved Berlin Wall
Brother and Sister
Caterpillar
Liebe Mauer
Dos Hermanos
Kyatapira
Tuesday, April 12 • 7:15 • Ritz East 2 Thursday, April 14 • 12:15 • Ritz East 2
Monday, April 11 • 5:15 • Ritz East 2 Wednesday, April 13 • 12:15 • Ritz East 1
Wednesday, April 13 • 2:15 • Ritz East 2
Philadelphia Premiere Germany 2010, 103 min
Philadelphia Premiere Argentina 2010, 105 min
An East Berlin board guard falls in love with a young woman from the West, which attracts the attentions of the feared Stasi, in this seductively romantic story of forbidden love.
A brother and sister — both in their 60s, but complete opposites — are bound together in a love-hate relationship in this affecting and at times funny family drama directed by Daniel Burman.
Set in 1940, a severely mutilated soldier returns from war, honored by the Japanese Imperialist government as a hero. But his horrified wife needs to attend to him, something she is reluctant to do - a startling family drama and anti-war film.
A refreshingly buoyant romance set in the politically tense world of pre-unification 1989 Berlin, this comedy of love blossoming amidst turbulent political times is reminiscent in breezy style to the 2003 hit, Goodbye, Lenin!. Franzi is a young woman who moves into an apartment directly in front of the Berlin Wall on the western side. Wanting to buy cheap groceries in the subsidized East, she fakes an identity card to venture across. It is during one of these trips she meets Sascha, a young East German border guard. The romantic sparks are instantaneous but a relationship between the two is seemingly impossible. They soon arrange clandestine meetings which quickly attract the attention of the Stasi, Communist Germany’s feared secret police. Thinking she is a spy, the police devise ways to entrap them both. But will the turbulence of change intervene? Refreshingly light in tone and set in a remarkably vibrant time of political transformation, director Peter Timm is more interested in love than in the darker side of the cold War. Romantic, warm and funny. (German with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Peter Timm Cast: Felicitas Woll, Maxim Mehmet, Anna Fischer, Thomas Thieme, Karl Kranzkowski Screenwriter: Peter Timm Producers: Nikola Bock, Heike Wiehle-Timm Cinematographer: Achim Poulheim Editor: Barbara Hennings Print Source: Bavaria Film International
Peter Timm’s Filmography: [Selected] Rudy: The Return of the Racing Pig (2007), My Brother Is a Dog (2004), Der Zimmerspringbrunnen (2001) Dumm gelaufen (1997)
Philadelphia Premiere Japan 2010, 85 min
The deep-seated and long-simmering complexity of sibling relations is shown in this Argentinean affectionate family comedy-cum-drama by Daniel (Empty Nest, Family Law) Burman. Susan and Marcos are two very different personalities. She is a high strung, opinionated, garishly stylish and possibly unscrupulous real estate agent while Marcos is a dumpy, hen-pecked mamma’s boy. In life they’d never cross paths; in family, they can’t get away from each other. But it doesn’t stop either of them from playing out power games fueled by jealousies and insecurities simmering since childhood. When their mother dies, it frees Marcos to venture out a bit on his own, moving part-time to an Uruguan country house owned by himself and his sister, while Susana stays in Buenos Aires bent on business shenanigans and keeping her brother under her thumb. The two leads (Graciela Borges and Antonio Gasalla) are brilliant as the loving and hating sister and brother who are alone in life, but bound together. (Spanish with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray
A blistering critique of militarism and misplaced nationalism, Caterpillar is from 74-year-old director Kiji Wakamatsu, whose career was cemented from years as a Pink Film (Japanese arty soft-core) filmmaker. Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War, Lieutenant Kurokawa, a ruthless soldier in battle against China, returns terribly mutilated — deprived of his arms and legs, deaf and mute and with burns covering half of his face. In the eyes of the Imperialist government, he is a war hero. But his young wife’s reaction of horror brings shame to the villagers and family members need to get her to fulfill her duty of caring for the ‘god soldier,’ an act which will give honor to the Emperor and country. Forced into caring for the increasingly demanding husband (who also has a dark past), she exacts her own revenge. Interspersing newsreel footage of the war — including the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki — with the story, this impassioned war exposé also makes for shocking personal drama. (Japanese with English subtitles)
Director: Daniel Burman Cast: Antonio Gasalla, Graciela Borges, Elena Lucena, Rita Cortese, Omar Núñez Screenwriters: Daniel Burman, Diego Dubcovsky (based on his novel, “Villa Laura”) Producers: Daniel Burman, Diego Dubcovsky Cinematographer: Hugo Colace Editor: Pablo Barbieri Carrera Print Source: Outsider Pictures
Director: Kôji Wakamatsu Cast: Shinobu Terajima, Keigo Kasuya, Emi Masuda11 Screenwriters: Hisako Kurosawa, Masao Adachi (as Izuru Deguchi) Producer: Kôji Wakamatsu Cinematographers: Yoshihisa Toda, Tomohiko Tsu Editor: Shuichi Kakesu Print Source: Kino Lorber
Daniel Burman’s Filmography: Empty Nest (2008), Family Law (2006), 18-j (2004), Lost Embrace(2004), Every Stewardess Goes to Heaven (2002), Waiting for the Messiah (2000)
Kôji Wakamatsu’s Filmography: [Selected] United Red Army (2007), Cycling Chronicles: Landscapes the Boy Saw (2004), Endless Waltz (1995), Singapore Sling (1993). In addition, Wakamatsu has been Japan’s leading directors of “Pink F
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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CineFest 11
The High Cost of Living
The Human Resources Manager
Monday, April 11 • 7:15 • Ritz East 1 Wednesday, April 13 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1
Shlichuto Shel HaMemune Al Mashabei Enosh
Philadelphia Premiere Canada 2010, 92 min
Zach Braff (Garden State, “Scrubs”) stars as a sleazy drug dealer who hits a pregnant woman with his car. The two lost souls form an unlikely friendship as both attempt to reconcile their lives after the accident. Montreal is the setting of this powerful and, a times, troubling dark drama. An eight-month pregnant woman loses her child when she is involved in a hitand-run accident, then goes on to develop a relationship with the man who hit her. Zach Braff succeeds in going against type as Henry, a hard-living drug dealer who, after a night of boozing, drug dealing/ taking and carousing, drives the wrong way down a one-way street and accidentally runs over the pregnant Nathalie (Isabelle Blais). For both, it is a lifechanging moment. For Nathalie, the loss of the child makes her realize her happy home and social life is not all that, and for ex-pat Henry, remorseful, he must confront the consequences of his cavalier bohemian lifestyle. After obsessing with what happened to the woman he left on the street, he seeks her out. The two form a tentative friendship. Inconsolably depressed, Nathalie sees Henry as a savior, unaware that he was the driver. With an icy cold Montreal as its backdrop, the film becomes an engrossing and often dark personal drama where two very different people must deal with the aftereffects of a calamitous event. (English, French with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Deborah Chow Cast: Zach Braff, Isabelle Blais, Patrick Labbé, Aimee Lee, Julian Lo, Sean Lu Screenwriter: Deborah Chow Producers: Kim Berlin, Susan Schneir Cinematographer: Claudine Sauvé Editors: Jonathan Alberts, Benjamin Duffield Print Source: Tribeca Enterprises
The High Cost of Living is Deborah Chow’s debut.
Wednesday, April 13 • 7:30 • Ritz East 2 Israel 2010, 103 min
Filled with memorable characters and unpredictability, this Israeli road movie travels from Jerusalem to Bulgaria as an HR manager is forced to accompany the body of a dead coworker to her isolated village. One of the more ambitious Israeli films in years, The Human Resources Manager is a tender and darkly humorous story of personal redemption, told within the structure of an increasingly bizarre road movie. The quietly unhappy office manager of Jerusalem’s largest bakery finds his life in turmoil after one of his employees, a young female foreign worker, is killed in a suicide bombing. It soon became a PR scandal when newspapers report on the indifference of his company to her death. So the manager is directed to make a public gesture of grief and responsibility by taking her body back to her home village in rural Eastern Europe. What begins as a two-day trip turns into a confusing odyssey through a bureaucratic post-communist world. Along the way he meets a series of characters including the ex-husband of the deceased, her troubled teenage son, a weird Israeli consulate and strangely ominous soldiers. But that road also leads to something missing in the man’s life: compassion. One of the great discoveries in this International section. (Hebrew, English, Romanian with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Eran Riklis Cast: Mark Ivanir, Guri Alfi, Noah Silver, Rozina Cambos, Julian Negulesco Screenwriter: Noah Stollman Cinematographer: Tova Ascher Editor: Reiner Klausman Print Source: Film Movement
Incendies Friday, April 8 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Philadelphia Premiere Canada, France 2010, 130 min
An Academy Award Nominee (Best Foreign Language Film) Incendies tells the powerful and moving tale of two young adults’ voyage to the core of deep-rooted hatred, never-ending wars and enduring love. An original and powerful political film. This powerful, quietly devastating tale depicts two Arab-Canadian twins’ quest to unearth the secrets of their recently deceased mother’s life. Simon and Jeanne are stunned to learn from their mother’s will that their father (whom they had understood to be dead) is still alive, and that they have a brother they never knew existed. They are instructed to seek out both, but when they travel to the Middle East, no one wants to help...at first. Celebrated Canadian director Denis Villeneuve (a multiple award-winner in his own country) cross-cuts the twins’ journey with that of their mother, years before, who narrowly escaped an honor killing at the hands of her two brothers, and who bravely endured a series of wartime horrors. This masterful, operatic opus (scaled to the epic sounds of Radiohead), based on the acclaimed play by Wajdi Mouawad, is sparse on dialogue , yet gripping due to its mesmerizing imagery. (French, Arabic with English subtitles) —Jaie Laplante Director: Denis Villeneuve Cast: Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, Rémy Girard Screenwriters: Denis Villeneuve, in collaboration with Valérie BeaugrandChampagne Producers: Luc Déry, Kim McCraw Cinematographer: André Turpin Editor: Monique Dartonne Print Source: Sony Pictures Classics
Denis Villeneuve’s Filmography: Polytechnique (2009), Maelstrom (2000), Un 32 août sur terre (1998)
Eran Riklis’s Filmography: The Lemon Tree (2008), Syrian Bride (2004), Volcano Junction (1999), Zohar (1993)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
WORLD FOCUS
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Julia’s Eyes
Kinyarwanda
Living on Love Alone
Los ojos de Julia
Monday, April 11 • 4:00 • The Painted Bride Wednesday, April 13 • 5:15 • Ritz East 2
D’amour et d’eau fraîche
Tuesday, April 12 • 2:30 • Ritz East 2 Thursday, April 14 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1
Philadelphia Premiere France, USA 2011, 100 min
Philadelphia Premiere Spain 2010, 112 min
Guillermo del Toro presents this excitingly tense thriller about a woman, slowly going blind, who begins a dangerous investigation into her sister’s mysterious suicide. A taut, ominous psychological thriller where a woman obsessed with her sister’s mysterious death realizes she may be next. Julia (The Orphanage’s Belén Rueda) is a pretty, 30-something woman suffering from a degenerative eye disease. After her twin sister – who suffered from the same disease – inexplicably kills herself, Julia refuses to believe it and is sure someone killed her. With the police uninterested in investigating and encouraged by her husband, she embarks on her own investigation – one that takes her to a mysterious dark world where people end up dead and her own safety is threatened. As she begins to discover clues to the terrible truth, her eyesight begins to deteriorate and she becomes obsessed that someone is following her every move. An increasingly terrifying, shriek-producing tale, told not through blood and guts, but instead, through a slowly unraveling script, creepy locales and first class acting and direction. (Spanish with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Guillem Morales Cast: Belén Rueda, Lluís Homar, Pablo Derqui Screenwriters: Guillem Morales, Oriol Paulo Producers: Guillermo del Toro, Mercedes Gamero, Joaquín Padró, Mar Targarona Cinematographer: Óscar Faura Editor: Joan Manel Vilaseca Print Source: DeAPlaneta International
Guillem Morales’s Filmography: The Uncertain Guest (2004)
A harrowing but life-affirming drama set in 1994 when the bloody civil war between the Hutus and Tutsis threatened the lives of countless innocent people. Winner of the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Kinyawanda is refreshingly humanistic and life affirming in its depiction of the genocidal horrors that took place during the civil war in 1994 Rwanda. The film is structured as a series of six interlocking stories of survivors of the war. A young girl’s previously orderly life is torn apart when her parents are killed; a terrified priest must find the inner strength to help the people around him; an elderly Imam’s mosque becomes overwhelmed by people seeking refuge from the violence. Intercut with the stories of the war are scenes set a few years later at a reconciliation camp, where the perpetrators of the crimes are taught to repent. The success of the film is that it does not focus on the atrocities but instead focuses on the innocent people trapped and threatened in a world where neighbor fights against neighbor and where death can occur at any time. An emotional, thought-provoking, gripping drama filmed with a startling cast of nonprofessional actors in a film which celebrates human resilience and faith over the darker forces of man. (English and Kinyarwandan with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Alrick Brown Cast: Edouard Bamporiki, Cassandra Freeman, Marc Gwamaka, Zaninka Hadidja Screenwriter: Alrick Brown Producers: Alrick Brown, Darren Dean, Deatra L. Harris, Tommy Oliver Cinematographer: Daniel Vecchione Editor: Tovah Leibowitz Print Source: Tommy Oliver
Friday, April 8 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2 Sunday, April 10 • 3:00 • Ritz East 2 Philadelphia Premiere France 2010, 90 min
Numbed by a series of unsatisfying jobs, a 23-year-old woman becomes dangerously involved with a petty thief in this fast-paced drama by exciting new director Isabelle Czajka. New French Cinema is at its finest in this fast-paced character study of a disenchanted young woman whose orderly life is slowly unraveled. Julie (played by brilliant newcomer Anaïs Demoustier) is one of thousands of young women who move from their small town to Paris dreaming of a successful career and finding love. College educated and bright, her enthusiasm is quickly dulled after a disastrous stint in a life-sucking PR company. Between partying with friends, casual meaningless sex and more dead end jobs, she is ripe for something to come along and dramatically change her life. She finds that spark in mysterious unemployed actor Ben (Pio Marmaï) who turns out to be a petty thief with an exciting, risk-taking approach to life. She jumps at the chance to escape with Ben when he drives down to Spain to do a “job.” But the trip takes an unexpected turn which unleashes her long-repressed, alienated nature. A tough, captivating character study which morphs into a taut road movie. (French with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Isabelle Czajka Cast: Anaïs Demoustier, Pio Marmaï, Laurent Poitrenaux, Jean-Louis Coullo’ch Screenwriter: Isabelle Czajka Producer: Serge Duveau Cinematographer: Denis Gaubert Editor: Isabelle Manquillet Print Source: Bac Films
Isabelle Czajka’s Filmography: L’année suivante (2006)
Kinyarwanda is Alrick Brown’s debut.
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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CineFest 11
My Joy
Old Cats
Viva Riva!
Schastye moe
Gatos Viejos
Thursday, April 14 • 9:30 • Ritz East 2
Sunday, April 10 • 5:15 • Ritz East 1 Tuesday, April 12 • 12:00 • Ritz East 2
Saturday, April 9 • 2:30 • Ritz East 2 Monday, April 11 • 12:30 • Ritz East 1
Philadelphia Premiere Democratic Republic of Congo 2010, 96 min
Philadelphia Premiere Ukraine, Germany, Netherlands 2010, 127 min
Philadelphia Premiere Chile, USA 2010, 88 min
A truck driver, lost in the back roads of rural Russia, descends into a violent, horrific world. An unsettling parable of contemporary Russia, vividly filmed. Filmed with striking, unnerving imagery and in a semi-surrealist style, this riveting drama is a true nightmarish descent into the dark heart of contemporary Russia. Truck driver Georgi, a seemingly decent man, is harassed by some corrupt cops, goes off the main motorway and quickly finds himself in the middle of nowhere. As he travels the back roads attempting to get back to the highway, his encounters become increasingly troubling. He picks up an underage roadway prostitute who knows more than she should, comes upon a village filled with threatening people and fights against a group of violent tramps. Overall, he is overwhelmed by a world where kindness and humanity have been replaced by social disorder, brute force and abuse of power. The narrative is linear at first but as the driver succumbs to the inhumanity around him and the horrors mount, the storytelling becomes convoluted with strange sub-plots and flashbacks to incidents in WWII. A harrowing parable of a society unraveled and richly rewarding for adventurous filmgoers. (Russian, German with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Sergei Loznitsa Cast: Viktor Nemets, Vlad Ivanov, Vladimir Golovin Screenwriter: Sergei Loznitsa Producers: Heino Deckert, Oleg Kokhan Cinematographer: Oleg Mutu Editor: Danielius Kokanauskis Print Source: Kino Lorber
Sergei Loznitsa’s Filmography: Revue (2008), Sweet Sixties (2008), Blockade (2006), Landscape (2003), The Settlement (2002)
Chilean directors Pedro Peirano and Sebastián Silva, who previously collaborated on the acerbic drama The Maid, have crafted a richly textured portrait of an aging actress’ descent into a frightening and fantastical world of dementia. In this poignant and unusual work, Peirano and Silva chose to cast real-life husband and wife actors Bélgica Castro (Isadora) and Alejandro Sievking (Enrique) as the elderly couple. Senorita Castro is 90, and her spouse is 76. Filmed in their actual charmingly cluttered Santiago apartment amidst their porcine pussycats, the film has a feeling of authenticity that draws us in and makes the situation heart-wrenchingly poignant. Family conflict comes to a head when the couple’s rebellious lesbian daughter and her lover come to visit. By utilizing subjective cinematography, a dash of magical realism and drawing upon the deep personal relationship of their leads, the filmmakers have created one of the most memorable films to come out of Latin America last year. Anyone who is a fan of Federico Fellini will immediately be reminded of his wife and muse, Giulietta Masina, when they look into Srta. Castro’s wide, bewildered eyes. (Spanish with English subtitles) —Jennifer Steinberg Directors: Pedro Peirano, Sebastián Silva Cast: Bélgica Castro, Claudia Celedón, Catalina Saavedra, Alejandro Sieveking Screenwriters: Pedro Peirano, Pedro Pierno, Sebastián Silva Producers: Kim Jose, David Robinson, Sebastián Silva Cinematographer: Sebastián Silva Print Source: Elephant Eye Films
A hyperventilating Congolese gangster movie... you heard right. Viva Riva!, winner of Best Feature Film Award at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, is an action-packed thriller about oil, money, sex and greed. A perfect film for our last Riva is a charming small-time operator who has just returned to his hometown of Kinshasa, Congo — after a decade away — with a major score: a fortune in hijacked gasoline. Wads of cash in hand and out for a good time, Riva is soon entranced by beautiful night club denizen Nora, the kept woman of a local gangster. Into the mix comes an Angolan crime lord, relentlessly seeking the return of his stolen shipment of gasoline. The director depicts Kinshasa as a seductively vibrant, lawless, fuel-starved sprawl of shantytowns, gated villas, bordellos and nightclubs and Riva is its perfect embodiment. (French, Lingala, Portuguese with English subtitles) “A blast from start to finish, writer/director Djo Tunda Wa Munga revels in genre codes and reminiscent of Tony Scott’s mix of adrenaline and style.” –Variety Director: Djo Tunda Wa Munga Cast: Patsha Bay, Manie Malone, Hoji Fortuna, Marlene Longage, Diplome Amekindra, Alex Herabo Screenwriter: Djo Tunda Wa Munga Producers: Steven Markovitz, Djo Tunda Wa Munga Cinematographer: Antoine Roch Editors: Yves Langlois, Pascal Latil Print Source: Music Box Films
Viva Riva! is Djo Tunda Wa Munga’s debut.
Pedro Peirano, Sebastián Silva’s Filmography: Pedro Peirano: 31 minutos, la película (2008); Sebastián Silva: The Maid (2009), La vida me mata (2007)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
A local tradition since 1939. Jim’s features the renowned Philadelphia Cheesesteak
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To Whom it may concern,
March 8, 2011
March 8, 2011
A defect found in common household products can lead ew Project Development to massive anal leakage.Conspiracy amoung the Cr people. Sky net makes mobile telephones. The Federal Film ReEquipment Rental serve. They are watching you. Think for yourself. Wake up and time travel through alien warfare while Feature Films cloning steve buscemi. Make up & While they approved the buckwheat the enemy project alphaShort gamma 77899A7 FilmsCODENAME: SFX DICKEATERS.A strip mall full of Sexy Streekers.Sexy Music Videos Judas wearing skinny jeans and a hoodie masturbating in his own feces while rubbing peanut butter Reality TV on his face while reading guns and ammo. A naked chick in Commercials Brazil with two machettes, hunting for a way in. tion Television is the enemyServic but givees us money anyway to Produc Full make brainwashing products so you can buy more of our products and have your friends buy our products.The Editing & Sound Design Federal Film Reserve will televise the revolution The federalfilmreserve@gmail.com production managment
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the documentary tradition Always one of the most popular series in the festival, these nonfiction films offer an unblinking cinematic eye on important issues, subjects and people.
CineFest 11
Project Nim Tuesday, April 12 • 12:30 • Ritz East 1 Wednesday, April 13 • 12:00 • Ritz East 2 Philadelphia Premiere UK 2011, 93 min
This disturbing documentary from the acclaimed director of Man on a Wire shows what happens when a group of social scientists decides to perform an experiment on an unsuspecting baby chimpanzee and raise him in a glitzy Upper West Side home. Covering 26 years, this unforgettable animal biopic begins in 1973 with Columbia Professor Herbert Terrace’s profoundly misguided idea to bring up a chimpanzee in an exclusively human environment. Little Nim is torn from his screaming mother’s arms and sent to live with an attractive hippie psychologist who dresses him in human clothes, teaches him sign language and attempts to socialize him. In some ways he is just like her own kids; but on a deeper level, of course, he is not. Eventually Nim grows up, becomes less adorable and gets passed around to a number of surrogate families, none of whom have the slightest notion how to deal with his needs. What starts out as a goofy experiment ultimately becomes far more troubling. Anyone who cares about the welfare of animals will certainly be moved by this cautionary tale which was the Opening Night film at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. —Jennifer Steinberg Director: James Marsh Cast: Bob Angelini, Bern Cohen, Reagan Leonard Producer: Simon Chinn Cinematographer: Michael Simmonds Editor: Jinx Godfrey Print Source: Roadside Attractions
James Marsh’s Filmography: Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1980 (2009), Man on Wire (2008), The King (2005), The Team (2005)
THE DOCUMENTARY TRADITION
American: The Bill Hicks Story Tuesday, April 12 • 9:15 • The Trocadero Wednesday, April 13 • 4:00 • The Painted Bride Philadelphia Premiere USA 2009, 102 min
I just have one of those faces. People come up to me and say, “What’s wrong?” Nothing. “Well, it takes more energy to frown than it does to smile.” Yeah, you know it takes more energy to point that out than it does to leave me alone? Bill Hicks is the greatest comedian you may have never heard of. He did his first professional gig when he was 15. By 19 he was represented by the William Morris Agency. He toured 300 nights a year, every year. And, by 1994, Hicks was dead, aged 32. If you have no idea who Bill Hicks is, I implore you to seek out his work. Go to YouTube and watch every bit of his stand-up you can find. With a razor-sharp mind and a butcher’s knack for finding the soft underbelly of American society, stand-up comic Bill Hicks sliced through pop culture with a white-hot intensity rarely seen. And then he died. He deserves a place in history, among the greats. And this film, to say the least, is a fitting memorial. Prior to his death, Bill Hicks wrote “I left in love, in laughter, and in truth, and wherever truth, love and laughter abide, I am there in spirit.” They are all present in this documentary; and so is the great man himself. —Josh Goldbloom Directors: Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas Cast: Bill Hicks, Kevin Booth, John Farneti, Lynn Hicks, Mary Hicks, Steve Hicks, Andy Huggins, David Johndrow, James Ladmirault, Dwight Slade Producers: Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas Editors: Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas Print Source: Variance Films
American: The Bill Hicks Story is Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas’s debut.
Beauty Day
Bhopali
Tuesday, April 12 • 4:00 • The Painted Bride Wednesday, April 13 • 9:00 • The Painted Bride
Sunday, April 10 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2 Monday, April 11 • 4:30 • Ritz East 2
Philadelphia Premiere Canada 2010, 91 min
Before there was Jackass…before there was Tom Green…there was Ralph Zavadil, Niagara Falls cable access daredevil, Cap’n Video. Years before the popular success of the Jackass franchise or the dangerous and often ridiculously stupid antics found on YouTube or “Tosh.0,” there was the frizzy-haired, wide-eyed daredevil Ralph Zavadil. His cable access television show, “The Cap’n Video Show,” ran from 1990 to 1995, spawning a small but loyal cult following. Each week Ralph performed a series of idiotic and occasionally dangerous stunts (sliding from snow-covered rooftops, diving into half-empty pools, drinking an egg though his nose), while challenging the sensibilities of his small Southern Ontario audience. With the advent of the internet and reality television still years away, his unique brand of gross-out stunt comedy was truly ahead of its time. All it took was a broken neck for him to get noticed. Beauty Day is a wild documentary about the life, the times, the injuries, the antics of one crazed individual. —Josh Goldbloom Director: Jay Cheel Producers: Roman Pizzacalla, Kristina McLaughlin, Kevin McMahon Print Source: Jay Cheel
Beauty Day is Jay Cheel’s debut.
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Philadelphia Premiere USA, India 2011, 83 min
A stirring documentary on the people of the central Indian city of Bhopal and their lives still affected by the horrific gas leakage in 1984 - the worst industrial accident ever and one that killed and sickened hundreds of thousands of people. Winner of the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the Slamdance Film Festival, Bhopali documents the experience of second generation children affected by the 1984 Union Carbide gas disaster in India. It was the worst industrial disaster in history in which methyl isocyantae gas and other chemicals leaked causing the immediate death of over 2,250 and sickened hundreds of thousands more. The film follows several children as they and their families cope with the ongoing medical and social disaster, as well as their memories of that traumatizing night that shocked the world and changed Bhopal forever. The film also takes a hard look at the subsequent contamination of groundwater in the area surrounding the infamous factory. By turns bleakly stirring and guardedly hopeful, Van Maximilian Carlson’s film - through archival footage, engrossing animation sequences and devastating interviews with survivors - examines the lingering aftermath of a catastrophic industrial disaster. Set against the backdrop of vehement protests on the 25th anniversary of the disaster, the Bhopalis continue to fight for justice, proving to be anything but victims. (English and Hindi with English subtitles) —Josh Goldbloom Director: Van Maximilian Carlson Producer: Kirk Palayan Cinematographer: Van Maximilian Carlson Editor: Van Maximilian Carlson Print Source: Max Carlson
Van Maximilian Carlson’s Filmography: Barstow (2003)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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CineFest 11
Complexo: Parallel Universe
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone
Square Grouper: The Godfathers of Ganja
Complexo - Universo Paralelo
Tuesday, April 12 • 6:30 • The Painted Bride Wednesday, April 13 • 2:30 • Ritz East 1
Saturday, April 9 • 4:20 • Ritz East 1 Tuesday, April 12 • 9:00 • The Painted Bride
Philadelphia Premiere USA 2010, 103 min
Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 96 min
This uncompromising look into the tumultuous personal and professional lives of the pioneering African American rock band, Fishbone.
This wildly entertaining documentary looks at the wild days of pot smuggling in 1970s South Florida. Directed by Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman, the filmmakers behind the popular “Cocaine Cowboys” series and ESPN’s “The U”.
Tuesday, April 12 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2 Thursday, April 14 • 12:00 • Ritz East 1 East Coast Premiere Portugal 2011, 80 min
A startling documentary set in the incredibly poor and often violent favelas of Rio de Janeiro. One gets to see what it is like to live in this different reality, a universe on the margin of the conventional civilized world, an inside out vision. Two Portuguese brothers (director Mário Patrocínio and cinematographer Pedro Patrocínio) moved for three years into one of Rio’s most feared slums (favelas) to document the lives of those forced to live there. Seen is a world of crushing poverty and violence as well as a community of people determined to eke out a living any way possible. We witness repeated gunfire; gun-wielding policemen; the favela’s biggest criminals who speak freely of their life and drug trafficking business; a struggling mother clings to religious beliefs to get her through; an artist who has witnessed a life of violence; and even a local politician who fights for the community. Through action and word, each character adds a piece to a gigantic puzzle that reveals the daily favela life. A film that plaintively asks and answers, “How is it to survive in this reality?” (Portuguese with English subtitles) Director: Mário Patrocínio Producers: Tiago Duque, Henrique Salgado Cinematographer: Pedro Patrocínio Editor: Claudia Silvestre Print Source: VC Multimedia
Complexo: Parallel Universe is Mário Patrocínio’s debut.
Directors Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler explore the phenomenon of Fishbone, an all-black sextet that hit the alternative music scene of 1980s Los Angeles. During that period, America’s melting pot was being stirred by a violent mosh pit of disenfranchised youth confronted with lingering radical and economic issues left unresolved by previous generations. Fishbone rose to become one of the most influential and ferociously original bands in of the last 25 years, only to fall apart on the verge of “making it.” Switching back and forth from speedy Metal guitar riffs, horn influenced Ska and smooth P-Funk style grooves with resonating church choir-like vocals, Fishbone bulldozed through the competitive Hollywood music scene. Everyday Sunshine explores the parallel journeys of a band and their city through interviews with past and present band members, animated featurettes, as well as interviews with special guests Gwen Stefani, Flea, Les Claypool, ?uestlove, Ice-T, George Clinton and more. We are given an entertaining and heartfelt glimpse at the untold story of eccentric individuals on a quest to re-invent themselves and reclaim their musical legacy from the fringes of pop culture. —Steve Saturn Directors: Lev Anderson, Chris Metzler Cast: Flea, Gwen Stefani, Ice-T, Perry Farrell, Branford Marsalis, George Clinton, Tim Robbins Producers: Lev Anderson, Chris Metzler Cinematographer: Jeff Springer Editor: Jeff Springer Print Source: Chris Metzler
Lev Anderson, Chris Metzler’s Filmography: Chris Metzler: Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea (2004); Lev Anderson: First Film
Square Grouper [skwair groo-per] — noun: 1. Nickname given to bales of marijuana thrown overboard or out of airplanes in South Florida in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Hot on the heels of its world premiere in SXSW last month comes this colorful portrait of Miami’s pot smugglin’ scene of the 1970s, populated with redneck pirates, a ganja-smoking church and the longest serving marijuana prisoner in American history. Named after the bales of marijuana that were often caught in the warm Florida coastal waters by unsuspecting fishermen, Square Grouper focuses on three incredible stories from the era: the infamous Black Tuna Gang, a group of savvy smugglers led by Robert Platshorn (the longest serving marijuana prisoner in US History); the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church, whose members (including children) all smoked marijuana from morning till night and ran a massive pot dealing operation out of Miami Beach’s exclusive Star Island; and Everglades City, a tiny fishing village that’s 80 miles west of Miami with an outlaw history of smuggling endangered animals, rum and weed. —Josh Goldbloom Director: Billy Corben Screenwriter: Billy Corben Producers: Billy Corben, Lindsey Snell, Alfred Spellman Cinematographers: Alexa Harris, Jordan Klein Jr., Trisha Solyn, Matt Staker, Randy Valdes Editors: David Cypkin, Jorge Diaz Print Source: Magnolia/Magnet Films
Billy Corben’s Filmography: The U (2009); 2008 Cocaine Cowboys II: Hustlin’ with the Godmother (2008); Cocaine Cowboys (2006); Raw Deal: A Question of Consent (2001)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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CineFest 11
american independents From low budget discoveries to minimajor presentations, this selection of films offers a sampling of the state of American independent cinema today.
Ceremony Saturday, April 9 • 7:30 • Ritz East 1 Philadelphia Premiere USA 2010, 89 min
An irreverent, wacky comedy which marks the directorial debut of Max Winkler (son of Henry). A loose narrative, witty dialogue and a will-she-orwon’t-she dilemma for Uma Thurman. The radiant Uma Thurman stars as Zoe, engaged to be married to the handsome documentary filmmaker Whit (Lee Pace) in a fairytale fall wedding on a beautiful Hamptons beachfront property. But as friends and family gather for the weekend’s opening champagne reception, two uninvited guests thrash their way through the underbrush to crash the party: Sam (rising star Michael Angarano) and his sensitive but hopelessly bookish sidekick Marshall (Reece Thompson). The hip and cool Zoe is thrown into instant disarray when she sees Sam. It turns out these two had a brief but intense affair after an encounter at the Ziegfield Theater one rainy night, and despite all protestations to the contrary, it’s clear that Zoe has not worked Sam out of her system. Writer-director Max Winkler’s hilarious feature film debut is a sweet, charming, old-school romantic comedy with the bloom of the witty verbal banter of today’s hipster youth set. —Jaie Laplante Director: Max Winkler Cast: Uma Thurman, Michael Angarano, Lee Pace, Rebecca Mader, Jake M. Johnson, Reece Thompson, Brooke Bloom Screenwriter: Max Winkler Producers: Emilio Diez Barroso, Polly Cohen Johnsen, Darlene Caamano Loquet, Matt Spicer Cinematographer: William Rexer Editor: Joe Landauer Print Source: Magnolia/Magnet Films
Ceremony is Max Winkler’s debut.
AMERICAN INDEPENDENTS
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Bellflower
Hamill
Terri
Saturday, April 9 • 9:30 • Ritz East 2
Friday, April 8 • 12:00 • Ritz East 1 Saturday, April 9 • 4:30 • Ritz East 2
Sunday, April 10 • 12:00 • Ritz East 1 Wednesday, April 13 • 7:15 • Ritz East 1
Bellflower follows two friends who spend their time building fire-breathing building muscle cars and other weapons of mass destruction, as they prepare for the impending global apocalypse.
Philadelphia Premiere USA 2010, 108 min
East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 101 min
This ground-breaking narrative tells a conflicting tale of love and destruction and is filled with unbelievable imagery and astonishing performances. The film was shot on hand-made cameras (dubbed the Caotwolf Madel II) designed by writer/director Evan Glodell and built exclusively for the film using vintage camera parts, bellows and Russian lenses. Friends Woodrow and Aiden are consumed by desires for an apocalyptic world. In hopes that their imaginary gang, “Mother Medusa,” be prepared when Armageddon strikes, the two spend all their free time preparing by making flame-throwers and other weapons of mass destruction. This delusional reality is disrupted, however, when one of the friends falls deeply in love with a beautiful blonde. Utilizing highly stylized photography and editing, Bellflower is an exciting, bloody, character-driven thrill ride that launches audience into a destructive journey of love, hate, betrayal, infidelity and extreme violence. Bellflower stands in a category all its own, evolving from a mumblecore romance, to a gritty drama and finally into an absolutely horrifying tragedy not soon forgotten.
A true story, based on the life of deaf UFC fighter Matt “The Hammer” Hamill, this inspiring film shows what it takes to be a champion, on and off the mat. Winner of the 2010 AFI Film Festival Audience Award, Hamill is an inspiring sports bio-pic depicting the hardships and victories one determined deaf man faces on the way to becoming a champion. Matt, described by doctors as “highly intelligent” and “profoundly deaf,” is none the less enrolled in public school by his tough-love grandfather Stanley (Raymond J. Barry), who is determined to not coddle the young boy. The boy soon takes up wresting to build up his self-confidence. A lip reader but unable to use ASL (American Sign Language) very well, Matt finds himself as much an outsider amidst the deaf community as he is among those who are not hearing-impaired. After flunking out of one college, Matt gets a second chance at New York’s Rochester Institute of Technology, where (for the first time) he finds himself surrounded by deaf peers. This situation propels him out of his shell and gives him the motivation to be a champion. In the spirit of such films as Rocky, Rudy and The Blind Side, Hamill shows how sheer determination, ambition and will can be harnessed to overcome hardship and produce an inspirational force to the hearing and deaf alike. Director Oren Kaplan will be in attendance for a Q&A after the screening. (Sign Language with English subtitles)
A moving and often darkly funny film about a big kid in a small town that doesn’t seem to have room for anyone who is different. That is, until he strikes up an unlikely friendship with his school’s vice principal (John C. Reilly).
Philadelphia Premiere USA 2010, 105 min
Director: Evan Glodell Cast: Evan Glodell, Jessie Wiseman, Tyler Dawson, Rebekah Brandes Screenwriter: Evan Glodell Producers: Vincent Grashaw, Evan Glodell Cinematographer: Joel Hodge Editors: Evan Glodell, Joel Hodge, Jonathan Keevil, Vincent Grashaw Print Source: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Bellflower is Evan Glodell’s debut.
Director: Oren Kaplan Cast: Russell Harvard, Raymond J. Barry, Shoshannah Stern, Michael Anthony Spady, Courtney Halverson, Rich Franklin Screenwriters: Eben Kostbar, Joseph McKelheer Producers: Eben Kostbar, Joseph McKelheer Cinematographer: David Rom Editor: Jacquelyn Dean Print Source: Eben Kostbar
Hot on the heels of its premieres at Sundance and SXSW, Terri is a dark comedy centered on an obtusely large 15-year-old living in a small town that doesn’t seem to have room for anyone who is different. Combining uncomfortable moments with dry humor and authentic, affecting sweetness, Azazel Jacobs’ take on the proverbial high school movie is filled with a mature recognition of how much crap really does go on during those awkward secondary school years. Newcomer Jacob Wysocki plays the rotund main character, a young boy who has been orphaned to an ailing uncle, played by Creed Bratton (“The Office”). Ruthlessly picked on by his classmates and ignored by his jaded teachers, Terri finds himself alienated and alone, until the school’s dreaded vice principal, Mr. Fitzgerald (John C. Reilly), sees a bit of himself in the boy. They establish a friendship that encourages Terri to believe that life is something to be shared, even enjoyed, not just endured. Remaining true to himself in the face of adversity, Terri becomes an unlikely hero. Director: Azazel Jacobs Cast: John C. Reilly, Jacob Wysocki, Creed Bratton, Olivia Croccichia, Bridger Zadina Screenwriter: Patrick deWitt Producers: Alison Dickey, Hunter Gray, Lynette Howell, Alex Orlovsky Cinematographer: Tobias Datum Editor: Darrin Navarro Print Source: IDP
Azazel Jacobs’s Filmography: Momma’s Man (2008), The GoodTimesKid (2005), Nobody Needs to Know (2003)
Hamill is Oren Kaplan’s debut.
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
46 PHILADELPHIA
CineFest 11
Two Gates of Sleep
Vampire
Wuss
Friday, April 8 • 2:30 • Ritz East 2 Monday, April 11 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1
Sunday, April 10 • 9:15 • Ritz East 2 Thursday, April 14 • 4:30 • Ritz East 1
Friday, April 8 • 5:15 • Ritz East 1 Monday, April 11 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1
East Coast Premiere USA 2010, 78 min
Philadelphia Premiere USA, Canada 2010, 120 min
East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 96 min
One of the most visually striking independent films of the decade, reminiscent of the work by the great Terrance Malick, Two Gates of Sleep is an American independent masterpiece.
The first English-language film from acclaimed Japanese director Shunji Iwai, this haunting portrait of melancholia and loneliness finds his unique style intact.
A timid teacher plots revenge against students who ridicule and abuse him in this pitch black comedy set in Texas.
Somewhere on the Mississippi-Louisiana border, backwoodsman brothers Jack and Louis prepare for their mother’s impending death. They set out on a grueling upriver journey to honor her final request. Writer/director Alistair Banks Griffin’s debut feature shuns American film conventions through exactingly spare narrative techniques that magnify the tension and melancholy in every frame. Two Gates of Sleep is a small wonder of a film, a work of rare beauty that calls attention to seldom seen customs of the rural South. This visual meditation on nature, death and tradition paints a shattering portrait of a family overcoming extraordinary circumstances to honor a last request - marking the arrival of director Alistair Banks Griffin as an urgent and welcome new voice in American independent cinema. —Steve Saturn
Vampire is not a horror film, and if one approaches it with those expectations, disillusionment may be the reward. But the film is a haunting study of loneliness that marks a masterful entry into English-language filmmaking by Japanese director Shunji Iwai. Iwai has developed a fervent international cult following over the years, with fans connecting to his musicdriven, youth-oriented dramas like Swallowtail Butterfly and All About Lily Chou Chou, and Vampire finds him relocating his obsessions to America and losing none of his sensibility in the process. Less vampire than desperate internet stalker, Simon (Kevin Zegers) divides his time between teaching high school biology, caring for his Alzheimer’s-afflicted mother (Amanda Plummer), and prowling online for depressed young women with whom he enters into one-sided suicide pacts, helping them take their own lives while he then drains them of their blood. After encountering several of these women, Simon also meets a sort of online vampire rival in the sadistic Renfield (Trevor Morgan), and Simon is forced to wonder if he can continue with his own detachment from the world. Defiantly eclectic and idiosyncratic – not to mention alternately poignant and whimsical – Vampire confirms Iwai as a distinctive talent in international cinema. Just don’t expect Twilight. —Travis Crawford
Director: Alistair Banks Griffin Cast: Brady Corbet, David Call, Karen Young Screenwriter: Alistair Banks Griffin Producers: Andrew F. Renzi, Josh Mond Cinematographer: Jody Lee Lipes Editors: Alistar Banks Griffin, Brady Corbet Print Source: Andrew F. Renzi & Borderline Films
Two Gates of Sleep is Alistair Banks Griffin’s debut.
Mitch is a high school English teacher who is ridiculed and then severely beaten by his own students. Too mortified to confide in any adults or even the law, he teams up with another student to hatch a revenge plan in this new dark comedy from director Clay Liford (My Mom Smokes Weed (short film), Earthling). With his previous two efforts premiering at SXSW and Sundance, only a year apart, Liford has solidified himself as one of the most exciting up-andcoming filmmakers you’ve likely never heard of. And now is your chance. A year later, Clay is back again with Wuss. Director: Clay Liford Cast: Nate Rubin, Alicia Anthony, Alex Karpovsky, Jonny Mars, Tony Hale, Chris Gardner, Jennifer Sipes Screenwriter: Clay Liford Producers: Eric Steele, Barak Epstein, Adam Donaghey Cinematographer: Chris Simpson Editor: Jay Serra Print Source: Barak Epstein
Clay Liford’s Filmography: Earthling (2010); A Four Course Meal (2006)
Director: Iwai Shunji Cast: Kevin Zegers, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Amanda Plummer, Trevor Morgan, Adelaide Clemens, Yû Aoi, Kristin Kreuk, Rachael Leigh Cook Screenwriter: Iwai Shunji Producers: Shunji Iwai, Siew-Loong Tim Kwok Cinematographer: Shunji Iwai Editor: Shunji Iwai Print Source: Rockwell Eyes
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
The Greater Philadelphia Film Office and Greater Philadelphia Filmmakers warmly congratulate the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance and Philadelphia CineFest 2011
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festival of independents The talent and vision of filmmakers across the Philadelphia region are showcased in the long standing festivalwithin-the-festival.
CineFest 11
Good Day for It Thursday, April 14 • 7:00 • Ritz East 1 Special Screening USA 2011, 93 min
Robert Patrick (Terminator 2) plays a man making a long overdue trip home who crosses the scary backwoods where he encounters two sociopathic thugs, (Lance Henriksen & Robert Englund at their grimiest), who’ve been waiting eagerly for him. Luke Cain (Patrick) is a weathered man, home after many years to see his daughter, Emily (Mika Boorem), who he has only communicated with through Instant Messenger. Unbeknownst to her mother (Samantha Mathis), the two are planning to meet at the local diner. Lyle Tyrus (Henriksen) is a cold-blooded killer, which is displayed in an early scene you surely won’t soon forget. After a confrontation between Cain and his goons (Richard Brake, Robert Englund and Christian Kane), Tyrus goes looking for the Cain, an “old friend” of his. Add into the mix a small town sheriff (Joe Flanigan), a frightened diner owner (played by Academy Award Nominee Hal Holbrook), a mother desperate to find her daughter and a buried secret that will bring everyone together, and you have the ingredients for what becomes an unapologetic violent collision. Written and directed by Nick Stagliano and shot in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, this modern day western, reminiscent of High Noon and A History of Violence is sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats leading up to its stunning finale. —Josh Goldbloom Director: Nick Stagliano Cast: Robert Patrick, Hal Holbrook, Samantha Mathis, Christian Kane, Lance Henriksen, Mika Boorem, Robert Englund, Kathy Baker Screenwriters: Nick Stagliano, James C. Wolf Producers: Lou DiGiaimo Jr., Thomas R. Rondinella, Nick Staglianor Cinematographer: Stephen Kazmierski Editor: Robert Larkin Print Source: Nazz Productions Inc.
Nick Stagliano’s Filmography: The Florentine (1999), Home of Angels (1994)
Festival OF INDEPENDENTS
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Cost of a Soul Sunday, April 10 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Philadelphia Premiere USA 2010, 105 min
A gritty story of two veterans who return home from Iraq only to find themselves trapped in the same North Philadelphia slums they joined the military to escape. Their lives collide as their own families become entangled in a web of crime and corruption.
Calendar Girl Monday, April 11 • 9:00 • The Painted Bride World Premiere USA 2011, 99 min
This dark romantic comedy follows Ari, a young woman whose poor taste in men may be the death of her when she tries to find love with her would-be killer. The elusive Calendar Girl killer has been terrorizing the city of Philadelphia, stalking and killing a different women each month in order to complete his morose calendar full of unwilling pin-ups. The year is nearly over when a taunting letter to the press has Ari convinced that she’s destined to be Miss December... and she can’t help but be a little flattered. Calendar Girl is a fun blend of mystery, horror, and comedy that’s all about finding true love in a very inconvenient December. With special guest appearances by Corbin Bernsen, Gilbert Gottfried, Brian O’Halloran (Clerks), Chris Raab and the Blue Meanie!
The City of Brotherly Love has been the setting of countless films throughout the years. Yet certain areas of the city are seldom brought into the limelight. Cost of a Soul artfully portrays some of the very real dangers present in deep North Philadelphia. This is the tense and tragic tale of two soldiers, destined to live their lives in a volatile war zone abroad and at home. As they struggle to right their collective wrongs and protect what little family they have left, both men become ensnared by old habits, until the only foreseeable option is murder. According to the filmmakers, four actual murders were committed at filming locations mere days after filming concluded. —Steve Saturn Director: Sean Kirkpatrick Cast: Chris Kerson, Will Blagrove, Mark Borkowski, Judy Jerome, Maddie Morris Jones, Gregg Almquist, Nakia Dillard, Daveed Ramsay, Christopher Mann Screenwriter: Sean Kirkpatrick Producers: Edward J. Eberwine III, Sean Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Risinger Cinematographer: Chase Bowman Editor: Jonathan Risinger Print Source: Sean Kirkpatrick
Cost of a Soul is Sean Kirkpatrick’s debut.
Director: Derek Lindeman Cast: Corbin Bernsen, Gilbert Gottfried, Brian O’Halloran, Chris Raab Screenwriters: Faith Brody, Derek Lindeman Producers: Tommy Avallone, John Guarnere, Derek Lindeman, Anne Qualtieri, Frank Vain Cinematographer: Joseph Hennigan Editor: Michael Licisyn Print Source: Tommy Avallone
Calendar Girl is Derek Lindeman’s debut.
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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CineFest 11
Troupe de Fetishe
The Legend Of Sofa Kingdom Monday, April 11 • 6:30 • The Painted Bride
PIVFA - Celebrating 30 Years of Finishing Funds (Short Films)
World Premiere USA 2010, 96 min
Wednesday, April 13 • 6:30 • The Painted Bride
It’s all about Quizzo, Philadelphia’s pub quiz game. Local teams (Sofa Kingdom) and celebrities (Johnny Goodtimes, the Bob Barker of Quizzo hosts) involved with it are showcased in this entertaining documentary. In what may be the dorkiest film about Philadelphia ever made, Steve Kearney pays homage to Quizzo (a pub quiz game popularized in Philadelphia), it’s number one team (Sofa Kingdom) and infamous Quizzo host, Johnny Goodtimes. Typically hosted by a bar on a particular night of the week, teams of players (ranging in size from one to ten), drink lots of beer and answer random trivia questions, usually to win bar credits — insuring that the best team is also the drunkest team. The Legend of Sofa Kingdom follows the “winning-est” Quizzo team, Sofa Kingdom, as they defend their Quizzo Bowl title, and prepare for it by — you guessed it — playing a whole lot of Quizzo. Director Steve Kearney gets all the right interviews, tracking down Quizzo creator Pat Hines, and finds himself a great cast of characters including the four members of Sofa Kingdom and Quizzo superstar/host extraordinaire, Johnny Goodtimes. What makes this film so special is that Kearney knows that a good documentary needs a story. It needs personality. And he gets that in spades. Like Spellbound and The King of Kong, we’re instantly brought into a highly competitive world, where the game may be a little different from what we’re used to, but in the end the ingredients needed to win are the same. We all want to see the good guys win, and by the end of this film I think you’ll be routing for everyone involved. —Josh Goldbloom Director: Steve Kearney Cast: Nate DiGiorgio, Pat Hines, Ryan Crocetto, Vernoca Michael, Johnny Goodtimes, Jason Garbowski, Eric Swanson Producers: Steve Kearney, Sarah Richendollar Cinematographer: Steve Kearney Editor: Steve Kearney Print Source: Steve Kearney
The Legend Of Sofa Kingdom is Steve Kearney’s debut.
USA
PIFVA (Philadelphia Independent Film & Video Association) is the longest established media arts voice in the region and showcases, supports and sustains the creative capacity of the Philadelphia’s independent media community through programs that provide opportunities to make work, network, build skills, show work and share information. Formed in 1979 by independent filmmakers to provide services to media makers working in all genres, styles and at all levels of experience, PIFVA began as a program at International House for 19 years, and has evolved into an essential and dynamic resource for local media makers, encouraging independent, non-commercial, artistically provocative, diverse, and often, community-based production of work. The “PIFVA Finishing Fund Program” provides post-production grants to media makers who are completing a media arts project and is one of the few grants programs funding individual filmmaker projects. This program will feature a montage of all the filmmakers we have funded through our Finishing Funds program and as well as a 95 minute program of recent short films made by PIFVA members.
Prayer for Philadelphia (2009, 4’, Dir: Richard Hoffmann) Studies in Transfalumination (2008, 6’, Dir: Peter Rose) Berks and Belgrade (2009, 5’, Dir: Michael O’Reilly) EleCentro D’Oro (20xx, xx’, by Scribe Video Center) Mosaic (2010, 19’, Dir: Ian Markiewicz (Collaborating directors: W. Scott Calvert, Marc D’Agostino, Tom Quinn)
Li: The Patterns of Nature (2007, 9’ Dir: John N. Campbell) Troupe de Fetishe (2010, 7’, Dir: Lisa Marie Patzer, Ian Markiewicz, Doris (Chia-Ching) Lin)
Topo Gigio is Dead (2011, 23’, Dir: David Miranda Hardy) Never Too Late (2009, 8’, Dir: Wendy L. Weinberg) Cosmic Trane (2003, 14’, Dir: Nadine Patterson)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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CineFest 11
action asia Returning after a ten year absence, Action Asia celebrates genre cinema from Asia. Intoxicatingly enthralling films brimming with non-stop action, bone-crunching fight scenes, gravity-defying kung-fu and enough operatic violence to keep any fan satiated.
Tony Jaa Fest: Ong Bak 1-3 Sunday, April 10 • 12:00 • The Piazza at Schmidt’s All 3 Ong Bak movies will be screened for free, outdoors, with martial arts demos all day long
“On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.” – Fight Club
In an hour-and-a-half Tony Jaa movie, the survival rate for everyone also drops to zero. Punches, kicks, spinning backfists and mid-air elbow strikes. A down roundhouse kick, sideways foot thrust, double elbow to head chop, and flying knee bomb. If you’re a bad dude in a Tony Jaa movie, so long sucka! And so we begin Tony Jaa Fest. Not a one-off or an impulsive “fanboy” display of affection. This is the first of what we hope to be many. It’s our way of celebrating our favorite martial arts superstar, a man who has made far too few films, yet inspired us through his sheer audacity and bewildering display of badassery.
Jaa Panom, or as we know him — Tony Jaa — was born February 5th, 1976 in a rural area of the Surin Province of Thailand. Practicing in his father’s rice paddy at a young age, Jaa would mimic his favorite martial artists, including: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. He would also fashion his technique by somersaulting off the top of his family’s elephants. Later in Ong Bak 2, he would actually run on top of a stampeding herd. In Tom-Yum Goong or The Protector, he would develop his own style of Muy Thai to imitate elephants.
Jaa’s first hit film was 2003’s Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior, premiering as the closing night film of the Bangkok International Film Festival. It went on to be an international martial arts classic with the New York Daily News claiming, “It’s not so often that you witness the creation of a star, so grab the chance now.” We want you to know Tony Jaa. If you do know him, I’m quite sure you’ll join us in his celebration. If you do not know him, we’d love to give you a proper introduction. Unfortunately, Tony Jaa, at the young age of 35, has retired from filmmaking. After a rough production on Ong Bak 2 (which was split into two parts), shaping Ong Bak 3 and sickened by the Hollywood methods of control, he rode an Elephant to a monastery, and gave up his career to be a Buddhist Monk.
But, we want him back. So we ask you to join us in our jubilation, a triumph for the powerful, a ceremony for the man who has always protected the weak. Let him be unleashed again, fighting his way up 14 flights of stairs, beating the piss out of dirty scum bad guys who abuse their elephants. Let him soar through the mean streets of martial arts movies again, with his spinning heel kicks and straight knee strikes, pummeling the masses with reverse foot thrusts and evasive body redirection. We want you back Tony Jaa, and if we can’t have that, well… we’ll just throw a party in your name, instead. —Josh Goldbloom
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Print Source: Magnolia/Magnet Films
ACTION ASIA
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Bodyguards and Assassins
Fire of Conscience
Shi yue wei cheng
For lung
Tuesday, April 12 • 6:30 • Ritz East 1 Thursday, April 14 • 2:00 • Ritz East 1
Friday, April 8 • 12:15 • Ritz East 2 Monday, April 11 • 9:45 • Ritz East 2
Philadelphia Premiere China (Hong Kong) 2009, 139 min
Philadelphia Premiere China (Hong Kong) 2010, 106 min
Prepare yourself for over two hours of non-stop action in this hyperventilating tale set in a politically violent turn-of-the-century Hong Kong (which, by film’s end, is nearly destroyed!). Wildly entertaining.
A dazzling and stylish police thriller from director Dante Lam set on the streets of Hong Kong where robbers and gunrunners battle with cops. Loud, violent and furiously paced.
For the serious politically-oriented student of film, Bodyguards and Assassins offers a dense but enlightening look at the tumultuous period of China and Hong Kong at the turn of the century. For simple action fans, the film offers a multiejaculatory orgy of non-stop action – from gravity-defying fighting, flesh-piercing sword play, face-deforming kung-fu and endless amounts of explosively choreographed violence. You get your cake and eat it too. Following the assassination of politician Yang Qu-yun, Dr. Sun Yat-sen (Hanyu Zhang), is destined to lead China into the 20th century. Exiled in Japan, he and his people plan for him to visit Hong Kong for only a few hours to meet delegates from China’s thirteen provinces to plan a coup. But not everyone wants him to arrive and, if he does, they want him to leave in a blood-soaked coffin. Faced with a band of highly trained assassins sent from the Imperial Court, his protection in the city is left to a scruffy band of supporters. What follows, especially in the last hour, is a non-stop battle as Yat-sen’s carriage makes a determined (but increasingly bloody) course through the city and toward its planned meeting. Great production design, impressive cinematography and eye-popping special effects contribute to make this a true action epic. (English, Mandarin and Cantonese with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray
Fire of Conscience brings Chinese action films to a new and modern level. When a Hong Kong police officer is accused of a brutal murder, Captain Manfred must cross the line of corruption to clear his partner’s name. Through an unlikely alliance with the devious Inspector Kee of the Narcotics Bureau, Manfred sets out to uncover the truth behind the crime. In a powerhouse of action, Manfred and Kee must avoid being taken out by the corrupt Hong Kong Police while uncovering the truth. Suspicion, corruption and malice run the streets of Hong Kong, right behind Manfred. Risking everything in the dangerous pursuit, Manfred soon discovers that fire lives in the heart of all men. Fire of Conscience is a sure-fire winner for any fans of action. With vivid coloration, high-speed fight scenes, and exhilarating plotline, Director Dante Lam provides a thrilling action experience. Lam brings traditional Chinese fighting special effects into a modern, crime-drama setting, resulting in a mysterious and thrilling race to the finish that will have audiences on the edge of their seats. (Mandarin and Cantonese with English subtitles)
Director: Teddy Chan Cast: Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Xueqi Wang Screenwriters: Tin Nam Chun, Junli Guo, Bing Wu, James Yuen Producers: Peter Chan, Sanping Han, Jianxin Huang, Dong Yu Cinematographer: Arthur Wong Editors: Majush James, Fabrizio Pistone Print Source: Indomina Media
Director: Dante Lam Cast: Leon Lai, Richie Ren, Vivien Hsu Screenwriters: Dante Lam, Wai Lun Ng Producers: John Chong, Dante Lam, Candy Leung Cinematographers: Charlie Lam, Kenny Tse Editor: Ki-hop Chan Print Source: Indomina Media
Teddy Chan’s Filmography: Wait ‘Til You’re Older (2005); The Accidental Spy (2001); Purple Storm (1999); San tau dip ying (1997); Dian zhi bing bing zhi: Qing nian gan tan (1994); Wan 9 zhao 5 (1994); Wo lao po wo xi ren (1991
“Fire of Conscience is a taut, gripping police thriller, brimming with gunplay, explosions and perilous stunt work that leaves its audience breathless and exhilarated.” —twitchfilm.com
Dante Lam’s Filmography: The Stool Pigeon (2010), Option Zero (1997), Sniper (2008), Beast Stalker (2008), Storm Rider Clash of Evils (2008), Sparkling Red Star (2007), Undercover Hidden Dragon (2006), Heat Team (2004), Love
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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CineFest 11
Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster
Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
Yip Man 2
Jing mo fung wan: Chen Zhen
Monday, April 11 • 12:15 • Ritz East 2 Tuesday, April 12 • 9:30 • Ritz East 2
Friday, April 8 • Midnight • Ritz East 2 Wednesday, April 13 • 9:45 • Ritz East 2
Philadelphia Premiere China (Hong Kong) 2010, 108 min
Philadelphia Premiere China (Hong Kong) 2010, 105 min
International megastar Donnie Yen reprises his iconic role as the real-life kung fu grandmaster Ip Man in this martial arts spectacular.
From Andrew Lau, director of the Infernal Affairs films, comes this bone crunching, high impact martial arts spectacular. It combines superhero intrigue with the classic spy thrillers of the past (and a healthy dose of film noir).
Exploding with stylishly choreographed fight scenes, this witty, action-packed martial arts bio-pic is sure to amaze. After escaping the Japanese occupation of his hometown of Foshan, China, Ip Man (famed master of Bruce Lee) and his family arrive in Hong Kong. Ip wants to support his family by opening up a martial arts academy to teach his unique Wing Chun Kung Fu style. But a corrupt group of Hong Kong martial arts masters refuse to allow Ip to teach until he can prove his skills to them. An intense series of pulse pounding fights against the masters ensue, once again pitting Donnie Yen’s machine gun fists against an impressive variety of martial arts styles. It also features a highly anticipated brawl with legendary fight atop a rickety table choreographer Sammo Hung. After Ip gains the respect of the masters, a Western-style boxer named Taylor “Twister” Milos comes to Hong Kong to entertain the British upper-class, insulting both Chinese martial arts and the native citizens with horrific displays of gut-wrenching violence. It is left to Ip Man to fight against the volatile westerner in the brutal, knock-down drag-out “King of the Ring” boxing match for the honor of the Chinese people. (English, Cantonese, Mandarin with English subtitles) Director: Wilson Yip Cast: Donnie Yen, Lynn Hung, Simon Yam, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo Screenwriter: Edmond Wong Producer: Bak-Ming Wong Cinematographer: Hang-Sang Poon Print Source: Variance Films
Wilson Yip’s Filmography: [Selected]: Ip Man (2008), Flash Point (2007), Dragon Tiger Gate (2006), Kill Zone (2005), The White Dragon (2004), Skyline Cruisers (2000), Juliet in Love (2000)
In the 1920s, China is divided by internal strife. The nightclub “Casablanca” is teeming with mobsters, English officials and the Japanese military. These forces look to gain control of the struggling country, with little to no regard for the well being of its citizens. Legendary Kung Fu hero Chen Zhen is a cultural icon in China and Hong Kong. Over the years, martial arts masters such as Bruce Lee (Fist of Fury) and Jet Li (Fist of Legend) have played the popular hero. Donnie Yen continues this historical legacy with a brand new take on the fabled hero. Returning to China after fighting alongside the Allied forces in Europe, Chen Zhen takes to the streets as a masked warrior driven by raging fury against nearly impossible odds. (Cantonese, Japanese with English subtitles) Director: Andrew Lau Wai-Keung Cast: Donnie Yen Ji-Dan, Shu Qi, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Huang Bo, Ryuichi Kohata, Akira, Huo Siyan, Shawn Yue, Zhou Yang, Yasuaki Kurata, Chen Jiajia, Ma Yue, Zhang Songwen Screenwriters: Cheung Chi-Sing, Gordon Chan Car-Seung, Lui Koon-Nam, Frankie Tam Producers: Gordon Chan Car-Seung, Andrew Lau WaiKeung Cinematographers: Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, Man-Ching Ng Editor: Azrael Chung Print Source: Variance Films
Andrew Lau Wai-Keung’s Filmography: [Selected]: The Flock (2007), Confession of Pain (2006), Infernal Affairs: End Inferno 3 (2003), Infernal Affairs II (2003), Infernal Affairs (2002), Born to Be King (2000), The Legend of Speed (1999)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
Dr. Christopher R. Zelez, DC, CCEP: Clinic Director
Philadelphia Chiropractic LLC 33 South 3rd Street • Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.928.9171
Entertainment Industry Marketing “Designer of the 2011 CineFest Guide”
Key Art n Package Design Theatrical Posters Marketing Materials Advertising Campaigns
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WANAMAKER’S Pursuit
America’s Most Historic Prison
A new play by Rogelio Martinez Directed by Terrence J. Nolen
Open Every Day 10 am to 5 pm
A Philadelphian in Paris. A stolen Mona Lisa. Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, and the birth of modern fashion. So much to write home about.
On stage Mar 31 - May 22 215.922.1122 ardentheatre.org 40 N. 2nd St., Old City, Phila.
Former home of Willie Sutton and Al Capone, Eastern State Penitentiary was known for its grand architecture and strict discipline. Just five blocks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art
(215) 236-3300 www.EasternState.org
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danger after dark Rising up from the dark crevices and flames of hell’s deepest bowels, we bring you the most exciting, horrifying, splatter-rific genre films from all over the world.
CineFest 11
The Ward Friday, April 8 • 10:00 • Ritz East 1 Saturday, April 9 • Midnight • Ritz East 1 East Coast Premiere USA 2010, 88 min
John Carpenter, one of the architects of contemporary American horror, returns with this chilling, atmospheric yarn about a group of institutionalized young women haunted by the ghost of a former patient. Our recipient of this year’s Phantasmagoria Award, director John Carpenter makes a triumphant return to the big screen after an absence of almost a decade, with his new film The Ward. Displaying the assured approach of a true “master of horror,” Carpenter’s movie shares the same subtly creepy tone of dread as his earlier classics The Fog and Halloween (and like the latter landmark, The Ward also centers on a group of resourceful young women combating a mysterious force), yet it also finds Carpenter embracing newer developments within the genre and delivering an accomplished contemporary chiller. Current rising scream queen Amber Heard is Kristen, thrown into a mental hospital after an act of arson in the Pacific Northwest of the 1960s. Speaking with the other girls in her ward, Kristen discovers that no one is ever discharged from the institution, and her desperate escape attempts don’t help Kristen either. Dr. Stringer (Jared Harris) is there for his patients, but that doesn’t stop the presence that roams the corridors and causes the girls to meet some nasty ends. While the KNB effects crew provides the necessary moments of gory mayhem, The Ward relies more on eerie atmosphere, and it definitely finds Carpenter evoking the spirit of 1970s horror cinema. Carpenter is back, and Danger After Dark has got him. —Travis Crawford Director: John Carpenter Cast: Amber Heard, Lyndsy Fonseca, Danielle Panabaker, Jared Harris, Mamie Gummer, Mika Boorem, Sydney Sweeney Screenwriters: Michael Rasmussen, Shawn Rasmussen Producers: Peter Block, Doug Mankoff, Mike Marcus, Andrew Spaulding Cinematographer: Yaron Orbach Editor: Patrick McMahon Print Source: Barry Gordon
John Carpenter’s Filmography: [Selected]: Ghosts of Mars (2001), Vampires (1998), Escape from L.A. (1996), Village of the Damned (1995), They Live (1988), Prince of Darkness (1987), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Starman (1984), Christine (1983), The Thing (1982), Escape from New York (1981), The Fog (1980), Halloween (1978), Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), Dark Star (1974)
DANGER AFTER DARK
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Cold Fish
Endhiran
Stake Land
Tsumetai nettaigyo
Sunday, April 10 • 12:00 • Ritz East 2 Tuesday, April 12 • 3:00 • Ritz East 1
Saturday, April 9 • 10:00 • Ritz East 1
Philadelphia Premiere India 2010, 155 min
A post-apocalyptic vampire road movie, the award-winning fest favorite Stake Land combines bloody mayhem with sharp social commentary.
Friday, April 8 • 2:15 • Ritz East 1 Tuesday, April 12 • 9:15 • Ritz East 1 Philadelphia Premiere Japan 2010, 144 min
Danger After Dark luminary Sion Sono (Suicide Club) returns with a hyper-gory and complex “true crime” serial killer shocker. Director Sion Sono has been a longtime favorite in Danger After Dark with such previous projects as Suicide Club and Strange Circus, and his newest horror film Cold Fish finds him continuing his dissection of contemporary Japanese society through the perspective of genre cinema. So, while the blood does indeed wind up flowing in rivers (and the plot takes some increasingly shocking and outrageous turns), Sono takes the time to establish the relationships between characters that give the violence meaning. Loosely based on an actual criminal case in Japan, the story follows Shamoto (Mitsuru Kukikoshi), a middle-aged tropical fish store proprietor, as he struggles with his rebellious teenage daughter Mitsuko. When Mitsuko is arrested for shoplifting, a fellow (more successful) fish store owner, Murata (Denden), intervenes and helps, offering the girl a job and a new residence, for which Shamoto is very grateful. But Shamoto soon learns that Murata and his unhinged wife Aiko intend to exploit Shamoto’s debt by involving him in their series of murders. Mixing black comedy and social critique with splattery horror, Sono delivers a complex and unsettling portrait of dysfunctional families and violence. (Japanese with English subtitles) —Travis Crawford Director: Shion Sono Cast: Makoto Ashikawa, Denden, Mitsuru Fukikoshi Screenwriters: Shion Sono, Yoshiki Takahashi Producers: Yoshinori Chiba, Toshiki Kimura Cinematographer: Shinya Kimura Editor: Jun’ichi Itô Print Source: Salient Media
Shion Sono’s Filmography: [Selected]: Chanto tsutaeru (2009), Love Exposure (2008), Exte: Hair Extensions (2007), Hazard (2005), Strange Circus (2005), Noriko’s Dinner Table (2005), Suicide Club (2001)
Spectacular special effects drive this lavish Indian science fiction/musical epic about mad robot love. Eye-popping eye-candy of the highest order, Endhiran (The Robot) is the most expensive production in Indian cinema history, a special effects-filled blockbuster that also enjoyed the largest international premiere of any Indian film to date. It’s a science fiction saga with sumptuous musical numbers typical of the country’s popular movie industry (the score is by Oscar-winning Bollywood hitmaker A.R. Rahman), and it’s also a romantic comedy-action-melodrama, with effects by Stan Winston Studio (Avatar) and martial arts action by Yuen Woo-ping (Kill Bill). It’s also, well, completely over-the-top insane — if Takashi Miike directed a Transformers sequel…well, it would still probably look like The King’s Speech when compared to this manic marvel. The storyline is a fairly simple Frankenstein riff, as robotics scientist Dr. Vaseegaran creates a hyper-sophisticated android in his own likeness (named Chitti), and the robot develops emotions and takes a liking to the scientist’s long-neglected girlfriend Sana. When the doctor tries to pull the plug on Chitti, the robot rebels in apocalyptically destructive fashion, and Endhiran becomes a slice of crackpot Kollywood (the Tamillanguage Indian film industry) craziness unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. (Tamil with English subtitles) —Travis Crawford Director: S. Shankar Cast: Rajnikanth, Aishwarya Rai, Danny Denzongpa, Santhanam, Karunas, Delhi Kumar Screenwriters: S. Shankar, Karky, Sujatha Producers: Kalanidhi Maran, Sun Pictures, Hansraj Saxena Cinematographer: R. Rathnavelu Editor: Anthony Print Source: Fusion Edge
S. Shankar’s Filmography: Sivaji (2007), Anniyan (2005), Boys (2003), Nayak: The Real Hero (2001), Mudhalvan (1999), Jeans (1998), Hindustani (1996), Kadhalan (1994) Gentleman (1993)
Philadelphia Premiere USA 2010, 95 min
The winner of the Midnight Madness audience award at the most recent Toronto Film Festival, Stake Land has been impressing fest audiences by fusing gory shocks (the opening vampire massacre is a grisly highlight) with a focus on richer characterization and a sly sense of cultural critique. Jim Mickle’s moody, distinguished follow-up to his popular directing debut Mulberry Street also represents another crowdpleasing American independent horror film from co-producer Larry Fessenden and his Glass Eye Pix group, regularly represented in Danger After Dark. The film unfolds after an apocalyptic plague has decimated the country, and orphaned Martin (Connor Paolo) teams with mysterious vampire slayer “Mister” (Nick Damici) to hit the road. They encounter the pregnant Belle (horror fave Danielle Harris) and a nun (Kelly McGillis), as the group tries to reach the mythical safe haven “New Eden” – yet, as in George Romero’s zombie films, sometimes the greatest threat isn’t the undead, but one’s fellow man. Mickle certainly delivers some horrific sequences of vampire violence, but Stake Land really impresses by placing three-dimensional characters in emotionally resonant situations, creating a memorable and rich modern horror tour de force. —Travis Crawford Director: Jim Mickle Cast: Nick Damici, Connor Paolo, Danielle Harris, Kelly McGillis, Michael Cerveris, Sean Nelson Screenwriters: Nick Damici, Jim Mickle Producers: Derek Curl, Adam Folk, Larry Fessenden, Peter Phok, Brent Kunkle Cinematographer: Ryan Samul Editor: Jim Mickle Print Source: MPI Media
Jim Mickle’s Filmography: Mulberry Street (2006)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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CineFest 11
The Troll Hunter
The Woman
Womb
Trolljegeren
Wednesday, April 13 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1 Thursday, April 14 • 2:30 • Ritz East 2
Sunday, April 10 • 7:30 • Ritz East 1
Saturday, April 9 • Midnight • Ritz East 2 Sunday, April 10 • 9:45 • Ritz East 1 Philadelphia Premiere Norway 2010, 90 min
A group of students investigate a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious stranger, who is on the hunt for giant trolls. You’ll believe it when you see it! This visually astonishing film from director André Øvredal, brings ancient Norwegian folklore to life through modern documentary-style film making techniques. Unlike other “found footage” films such as The Blair Witch Project or Paranormal Activity, which rely on creepy sounds and lurking unseen forces to keep the audience on edge, The Troll Hunter analyzes the inner workings and biology of its creatures, making them seem all the more realistic. Every new area the young filmmakers venture into has its own, specific troll natives. Each respective scene increases in intensity to the point where the audience genuinely feels like they are hanging on for dear life in the crew’s vehicle, fleeing from a hulking colossus, 20 times their own size. Using a delightful mixture of comedy and pulse pounding action, The Troll Hunter is an adventure sure to thrill, mystify and entertain any audience. (Norwegian with English subtitles) Director: André Øvredal Cast: Hans Morten Hansen, Tomas Alf Larsen, Johanna Mørck Screenwriter: André Øvredal Producers: Marcus B. Brodersen, Sveinung Golimo, John M. Jacobsen, Trond G. Lockertsen, Lars L. Marøy Cinematographer: Hallvard Bræin Editor: Per-Erik Eriksen Print Source: Magnolia/Magnet Films
André Øvredal’s Filmography: Future Murder (2000)
Philadelphia Premiere USA 2010, 102 min
Director Lucky McKee’s unflinchingly brutal shocker about a feral woman“tamed” by a crazed family man, arrives with a rather notorious festival reputation. Prepare to be shocked. If you’ve read reports regarding the Sundance premiere of The Woman earlier this year (or seen footage on YouTube), then you might feel intimidated: one of the most notorious festival screenings in recent years, the premiere of American independent director Lucky McKee’s new horror film found some audience members fleeing the theater, collapsing and seeking medical care, attacking the director during the Q&A and demanding that the film be burned (!). But while The Woman is indeed often very shocking and graphic and while the film explores misogyny, it does so with a critical feminist intelligence (not to mention bravura filmmaking style). The story finds the titular feral woman wounded in the forest and captured by Chris Cleek, a lawyer and family man who takes it upon himself to “civilize” this wild backwoods girl by imprisoning her in his basement and subjecting her to sexual abuse, initially at his hands, and then ultimately also at the hands of his son. Chris’ wife Belle (McKee’s May collaborator Angela Bettis) and their two daughters watch in shock as the family’s males torment their new addition… but the woman is plotting her revenge. The Woman is certainly ferocious fare, and sensitive viewers are cautioned about its content – but McKee’s grisly dissection of patriarchal oppression cuts to the bone. —Travis Crawford
East Coast Premiere Germany, Hungary, France 2010, 107 min
Science Fiction fans rejoice, you have found your must see film of this year’s festival. If this is the future, prepare yourself for some super weird and creepy situations. Rebecca and Tommy are young lovers. Together on an isolated beach they share their first kiss. Things don’t look good for their relationship when Tommy moves away to Hong Kong for 12 years, but true love is true love, and upon his return, Rebecca, played by the stunning Eva Green, is waiting with open arms. The stages are set for a life of picnics on the beach until Tommy is accidentally killed on his way to protest a cloning research and technology center. What to do? If you guessed: take a sample of Tommy’s DNA and use yourself as the womb to birth a child – a copy of your former lover and soul mate, well than, you’d be correct. Directed with a quiet intensity, Hungarian filmmaker Benedik Flieugauf has delivered a beautifully eerie, atmospherically uncomfortable, daring, science fiction masterpiece. Films like Womb are exactly why I’m a fan of cinema. It’s as “must see” as “must see” gets. —Josh Goldbloom Director: Benedek Fliegauf Cast: Eva Green, Matt Smith, Hannah Murray, Tristan Christopher, Ruby O. Fee Screenwriter: Benedek Fliegauf Producer: Cedomir Colar Cinematographer: Péter Szatmári Editor: Xavier Box Print Source: Olive Films
Benedek Fliegauf’s Filmography: Dealer (2004), Forest (2003)
Director: Lucky McKee Cast: Pollyanna Mcintosh, Brandon Gerald Fuller, Lauren Ashley Carter, Chris Krzykowski, Screenwriter: Lucky McKee Producers: Robert Tonino, Andrew van den Houten Cinematographer: Alex Vendler Editor: Zach Passero Print Source: Moderncine
Lucky McKee’s Filmography: Red (2008), The Woods (2006), May (2002), All Cheerleaders Die (2001) (co-director)
more information online • www.phillycinefest.com
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PHILADELPHIA CineFest
Artistic Director................................................ Josh Goldbloom Managing Director................................................. Steve Saturn Director of Development................................... Thom Cardwell Creative Director....................................................... Eric Moore Director of Production........................................... Claire Kohler Directors Media Relations Megan Smith, Brownstone PR Event Planner.............................................................Jay Wasley Festival Intern........................................................... Sean Lovett Festival Volunteers Maura Fox, Anastasia Hanney, Phyllis Goldbloom, Linda Saturn Film Booker..............................................Jennifer Arndt-Johns Financial/Accounting Staff Jo Borasky, Cher Bryant, John Chong Volunteer Coordinator.......................................Duncan Busser Guest Services.................................. Mark James Wawrzynski Head of Jurors.................................................. Michael Feighan Program Cover Design......................................Jason Goldberg
PHILADELPHIA
11
Staff
Program Design Graphics Robert Dieters, Jack Rabbit Design Program Guide Editor/Proofreader Jennifer Steinberg Program Guide Sponsorships & Advertising Sales Steve Saturn, Thom Cardwell Festival Programmers Raymond Murray, Josh Goldbloom, Steve Saturn Print Trafficker...........................................................Griffin Affel Ritz Landmark Theatres.......................................... Lisa Bunnell Social Media Director..............................................Deni Kasrel Technical Supervisor/ Technologies �����������������Visual Sound Ticketing Manager.............................................. Amy Hollaman Web Design................................................................ John Smith Festival Trailers produced by WoodshopFilms.com Marc Brodzik Kenzo News: Heather Barton and Richie Antipunna Scrapple New: Frank Baker Nude Jew Review: Bert Wylenchik Smut Cave: Nick Fiore
Cinema Alliance
The Philadelphia Cinema Alliance (PCA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to producing and promoting two of the city’s and region’s major film festivals: Philadelphia CineFest each spring and Philadelphia QFest each summer. CineFest brings the best of international cinema, documentaries, American independent filmmaking, genre movies and local productions. Programmers combine World and American premieres along with the best from the Toronto, Sundance, Slamdance, Cannes, San Sebastian and Berlin. QFest, now in its 17th year, showcases the best of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer film from around the world as a way to foster, support and give access to independent filmmakers and to encourage and nurture younger ones in the art of filmmaking. At both festivals, PCA hosts American and International guests representing all aspects of the industry, hosts educational panels on new technology, financing, screenwriting and distribution, in addition to presenting numerous discussions, workshops and question-answer periods with filmmakers. CineFest and QFest enrich the lives of the region’s growing and evolving communities to which they serve through accessibility of the films and opportunities between filmmakers and audiences for exchange, inspiration, diversity, awareness and understanding of a wide array of subjects, themes, perspectives and experiences. Board of Directors: President: Herb Lipton; Executive Director: Raymond Murray Board Members: John Herzins, James Houck, Claire Kohler, Eric Moore and Thom Cardwell
it’s time for flavor, vitamins and tastebuds to have a threesome (calories* aren’t invited.)
*zero calories per 8 fl oz serving ©2010 glacéau, glacéau®, vitaminwater®, bottle design and label are registered trademarks and vitaminwater zero™ is a trademark of glacéau.
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Bryn Mawr Film institute
Upcoming Film Courses Vistas and Vengeance: the Western
4 Tuesdays starting May 3
Akira Kurosawa: east meets West
4 wednesdays starting May 4
Arthur Penn: Chronicling the Outsiders 4 Tuesdays starting June 7
Beyond Barbarella: Jane Fonda and Womanhood 4 wednesdays starting June 8
Bryn Mawr Film institute Audience Favorite, Critical Darling SEE the best international, classic, and independent cinema
Upcoming Events Ballet: COPPeliA
Sunday, april 10, 11:00 am
the PAssiOn OF JOAn OF ArC
Introduced by Maurizio Giammarco, Ph.D. Tuesday, april 12, 7:30
BAllets russes
Tuesday, april 19, 7:30
LEARN in Film Courses
sideWAys
SHOW your film on our screens
Introduced by Dr. Henry Mayer wednesday, april 20 Free wine tasting at 6:30 Screening at 7:30
All Quiet On the Western FrOnt
Introduced by Jennifer Spohrer, Ph.D. Tuesday, april 26, 7:30 Best Movie Theater
Best Place to Catch a Foreign Flick
Best Movie Theater
824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA
BrynMawrFilm.org 62
610.527.9898
Opera: lA trAViAtA
wednesday, april 27, 7:00
download our complete schedule at
BrynmawrFilm.org
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CineFest 11
INDEX OF
Films
American: The Bill Hicks Story................................................ 41 Beauty Day.................................................................................... 41 Bellflower..................................................................................... 45 Beloved Berlin Wall.................................................................... 33 Bhopali.......................................................................................... 41 Bodyguards and Assassins....................................................... 53 Brother and Sister....................................................................... 33 Calendar Girl................................................................................ 49 Caterpillar..................................................................................... 33 Ceremony...................................................................................... 44 Cold Fish........................................................................................ 57 Complexo: Parallel Universe.................................................... 42 Cost of a Soul............................................................................... 49 Endhiran........................................................................................ 57 Everyday Sunshine: The Story Of Fishbone............................ 42 Exporting Raymond..................................................................... 21 Fire of Conscience...................................................................... 53 Fubar: Balls to the Walls............................................................ 29 Good Day for It............................................................................. 48 Hamill............................................................................................ 45 Incendies...................................................................................... 34 Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster................................................. 54 John Carpenter............................................................................ 19 Julia’s Eyes................................................................................... 35 Kinyarwanda................................................................................ 35 Lapland Odyssey.......................................................................... 25 Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen...................................................... 54
For a full source list please visit www.phillycinefest.com
Living on Love Alone................................................................... 35 Miral.............................................................................................. 27 My Joy........................................................................................... 36 Old Cats......................................................................................... 36 PIVFA - Celebrating 30 Years of Finishing Funds (Short Films)......................................... 50 POM Wonderful Presents the Greatest Movie Ever Sold............................................. 23 Potiche.......................................................................................... 32 Project Nim................................................................................... 40 Score: A Hockey Musical.......................................................... 29 Square Grouper: The Godfathers of Ganja.............................. 42 Stake Land.................................................................................... 57 Terri................................................................................................ 45 The Catechism Cataclysm......................................................... 20 The High Cost of Living............................................................... 34 The Human Resources Manager.............................................. 34 The Interrupters........................................................................... 24 The Legend Of Sofa Kingdom.................................................... 50 The Troll Hunter........................................................................... 58 The Ward....................................................................................... 56 The Woman................................................................................... 58 Tony Jaa Fest: Ong Bak 1-3............................................................................ 52 Two Gates of Sleep..................................................................... 46 Vampire......................................................................................... 46 Viva Riva!...................................................................................... 36 Womb............................................................................................. 58 Wuss.............................................................................................. 46
Panel Discussion...
Bridging the Gap with Masters in Cinema Effects • Monday, April 11 6:30pm CineFest, The Greater Philadelphia Film Office, DIVE and the Festival of Independents are proud to present the “Bridging The Gap with Masters in Cinema Effects” panel discussion on Monday April, 11th. As filmmakers continue to push the bounds of our imaginations, they seek ways to heighten reality. Whether through the use of physical models and practical in-camera effects or through a digital post-production pipeline utilizing the latest technology, the need to achieve stunning imagery is forcing the hand of some of the industry’s most creative teams. This panel will focus on the prevalence of Effects work in modern filmmaking and the considerations which lead to decisions about what is accomplished on-set and what is left for post-production.
The panel will be a moderated discussion led by DIVE’s Executive Producer, Andy Williams and, among others, will include the following panelists: Executive Producer, Jack Rajasekar – Jack is bringing the film Endhiran to CineFest 2011 and employed Legacy Effects, Stan Winston’s creature shop to execute elaborate special effects sequences within the film. DIVE Visual Effects Supervisor, Mark Forker – Mark’s credits during his 13 years at Digital Domain include Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Apollo 13, Cinderella Man and Star Trek: Nemesis. Since joining DIVE his credits include The Road, Happy Tears, Let Me In and the upcoming action film Safe. The event will be held at DIVE/Shooters Post & Transfer, 601 Walnut Street. Please enter on 7th Street between Sansom and Walnut. Proceed to the South Elevators and to the 10th Floor.
Filmmakers bring creativity to life
Independent film festivals bring us thebest cinematic productions of filmmakers around the world. The ir work capture s our imagination. Weapplaud thePhilade lphia Cine Fe st.
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