WHAT YOU MISSED -
But they might be back!
----------------------------------------------------
Saturday, May 27th at 7pm
In November of 1939, when Finland was invaded by the Soviet Union, no one expected that this tiny nation could resist the largest military force in the world. And no one anticipated that 1939 would be one of the coldest winters in recorded history, what historians have called a frozen hell. Filmed on the old battlefields of Finland and Russia, “Fire and Ice” dramatically depicts the intensity of the warfront and the homefront, Outnumbered and outgunned, Finns knew this war was not about changing the borders between nations; it was a total war for the very existence of a people. Their fierce resistance changed the course of World War II and saved a democracy. “Fire and Ice” is a timeless story of courage against all odds, of a people united to preserve their freedom.--------------------------------------
Saturday, May 6th @ 7:30pm
HARD SCRAMBLED
US, Feature,84min,HD-CAM
Directed : David Scott HayProducer: Erik Bauer, James P. Mercurio
Offical Web Site
Kurtwood Smith, Richard Edson, Eyal Podell,
Beth Grant, Alanna Ubach, Thomas Kopache,
David Gianopoulos.
Alice’s Diner is a haven for the hopeless. Sketchy past
down on your luck or just getting through life, Alice has
a place for you. Benno (played by the incomparable
Kurtwood Smith, Dead Poet’s Society, That 70’s Show)
is the cook. Years of being the muscle and cracking
kneecaps has grizzled him beyond his years. Scotty,
the utility guy, is fresh from juvi and can’t seem to shake
his petty thief habits. And Joe is the well-intentioned but
ultimately dim-witted deliveryman.
When Alice realizes she can’t keep the place going anymore
these three likeable losers find new destinies—and new hardships.
And when Benno’s $20,000 goes missing, loyalty will be tested
and friendships compromised.
In life there are good eggs and bad eggs, but until you crack one
you never know what you’re going to get. Hard Scrambled keeps
you wondering what you’re going to get all the way up to the last
frame. It may end sunny-side up or over easy, but guaranteed it
won’t exactly be what you ordered.
Saturday, May 6th @ 9:45pm
Official Web Site
John Heard (Pelican Brief, Home Alone, In the Line of Fire)
Richard Portnow (The Soprano's, Goodmorning Vietnam)
Mike Starr (Goodfellas, Ed Wood, Dumb and Dumber)
Shot for under $60,000, Under The City chronicles the fact-based descent of unreformed, ex-con Nate Mayott into the secret world of police corruption and white slavery in Chicago- where
anything can be bought or sold if the price is right and
the demand is there. Which it is.
Piece by piece, Nate sells his soul for freedom until he is
finally backed into an impossible corner- he must kidnap
an innocent young girl in order to save his own.
“A minor miracle of independent cinema, it is an utterly respectable piece in the 1970’s film school tradition (of) Scorsese, Lumet (and) Coppola…”
– Beat Magazine Australia, Simone Ubaldi.
"A riveting modern-day noir pricked with fascinating details. This is moviemaking on a shoestring that takes its time, and wins the small battles, before sucking you in completely with it's dystopic vision."
- Julian Shaw, FILMINK Magazine Australia.
"A tough, macho, kick-down-the-door arrival for Director Adam Golomb and lead Dean Rabaiov. It punches above its weight (and) the determination is there on the screen; it's taut, muscular, and for Dean, who's in almost every scene of the film, it really is an impressive and physically imposing
performance." – The Age - Australia, James Hewsion.
Saturday, May 19th @ 9:30pm
Monty Lapica
"Writer, director, producer and star Monty Lapica largely
avoids the vanity-project pitfalls in his semiautobiographical
debut feature, "Self-Medicated." Searing portrait of an
out-of-control youth who winds up in a decidedly shady rehab
center has more than its share of teen-angst cliches but still
makes a surprisingly trenchant tearjerker, thanks to strong
acting from all quarters and an especially blistering
performance from Lapica. "
Having recently suffered the unexpected death of his father,
seventeen-year-old Andrew Eriksen’s inability to cope with
the loss catapults him down a path of denial, self-loathing
and emotional entropy. Once a promising young scholar,
Andrew finds himself on a drug-addled path to self-destruction.
Resentful of his mother (Diane Venora) for her own drug
addiction, Andrew withdraws even further at a time when they
need each other most. His mother’s last resort is to hire a
private company that kidnaps troubled teens and places them
in a locked-down and corrupt psychiatric hospital. After being
subjected to the secret physical and emotional abuses of the
program, Andrew discovers the only way he will come to terms
with the death of his father is to first face his own demons
head-on. Based on true events.
============================ Saturday May 20th @ 7:30pm
NOG
US, Feature, 80 minutes
Filmmaker: Mary Ann Elizabeth
offical web site
For some, the thirty days between Thanksgiving and New
Year's can be a harrowing time at best. From tacky decor
o Aunt Edna's mystery meatloaf, is it any wonder people
skip the eggs and head straight for the Captain Morgan?
A story that chronicles ten characters and their journeys
through one particular holiday season.
Guaranteed not to find any sugar plums (or figgy
pudding for that matter) in this lot. =============================
Will Kelty
Each summer, Edward J Kelty, a Manhattan
banquet photographer active from the 1920's
through the 1940's, would load his enormous
camera into a small truck and follow the circus,
first up and down the East Coast and eventually
throughout the United States. His extraordinary
photographs captured the spirit and atmosphere
of the big top, and with a "poof" of flash powder
preserved mesmerizing images of the horse
wranglers, acrobats, ticket-takers, candy butchers,
teeterboard tumblers and sideshow exotics that
populated the colorful world of the traveling
circuses.
Kelty was the Cecil B. DeMille of circus photographers,
at times assembling as many as one thousand circus
performers for spectacular group shots. Particularly
popular were his annual "Congress of Freaks"
photographs, which gathered together the Ringling
Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus sideshow
attractions-from Ajax the sword swallower to
Eko and Iko, the "ambassadors from Mars"- for a
"class picture." He sold these group photos - as
well as prints depicting individual performers, circus
lots, and big top interiors - to circus owners, performers
and fans.
=============================
Sunday, May 21 @ 6:15pm
  
Ryan Williams, CLINT PALMER
Official Website
Cast: Clint Palmer, Ryan Williams, Pat Donahue (Napolean Dynamite), Wendy Buss, Robin Ballard, Mark Venhuizen (About Smidt)
Appearances by:Jake Gyllenhaal, Don Cheadle,Stockard Channing, Jay O. Sanders, Robin Tunney, Roger Ebert, Dave Attell, Mark Bochardt, Mike Schank, Johnny Biscuit, Lloyd Kaufman, and many more.
Shot in an un-scripted Reality/Documentary style "Abby Singer" is a darkly comic tale that chronicles a small-town, sexually repressed, overly religious, casting director, Curtis Clemins, torn between the love of his life and his dream of making it in the Biz. When Curtis hits rock bottom at the Sundance Film Festival, he calls on his old college chum, Kevin Prouse, now a drunk acting instructor in the throes of a divorce, leaving him the only clue to salvage the remnants of Curtis' deteriorating life.
Independent Spirit Award
-MassBay International Film Festival
Best Feature Film, Best Independent Film
-New Orleans MediaExperience
Gold Medal for Excellence
-Park City Film Music Festival
----------------
Sunday, April 30th @ 7:30pm
Life in Shorts
"3 short films about growing up and growing old."
60 minute program
 Adam Schlachter
Ten-year-old Adan lives a carefree life in the rural town of
Palmarejo, Puerto Rico, in the late 1950's, surrounded by his
friends, his caring mother, Lilliam, and his beloved pet goat,
Chivo. His father, Pablo, returns home from New York City
after a brief absence, bringing good news that he has found
employment there and announcing he will be moving the
family to the distant city immediately. Although Adan initially
thinks the trip will be fun and exciting, he discovers that he
cannot take Chivo along with him. With the help of his childhood
friend, Denise, Adan embarks on a quest to find a new home for
his goat.... A compelling, personal story with emotional resonance
for anyone with a loving heart.
Bathwater
US, Doc, 10min
Filmmaker: Kris Williams
The subject of this short documentary is told through
one of the purest aspects of motherhood-the basic
and nurturing act of bathing a child. The film concentrates
on culture and language, and through the style of cinema
verité, shows how each woman communicates with her
child in her native tongue.
Extra Innings
US, Doc, 12min
Filmmaker: Tim Bieber
'Extra Innings' is an honest, charmimg and inspiring
film about 'The Tigers'. A 70 and over team in the
National Senior Softball Association. In 12 minutes
you'll fall in love with these amazing men and their
wives. You'll be amazed at their talent, will to win,
vitality and undying love for a sport. It'll inspire you
to enjoy your 'Extra Innings'
Adios, Papitas Fritas
Narrative, 14minutes
Filmmaker: David Appelbaum
OFFICAL WEB SITE
An old man recounts the first twenty-five years of his life,
from his tragic childhood to meeting his great love. To him
Papitas Fritas are more than just food, they are a coping
device used by generation after generation of his family to
distract from tragedy. ------------------------------------------------=======================================
What you missed!
Sunday, April 16th @ 5pm Will Kelty
Each summer, Edward J Kelty, a Manhattan
banquet photographer active from the 1920's
through the 1940's, would load his enormous
camera into a small truck and follow the circus,
first up and down the East Coast and eventually
throughout the United States. His extraordinary
photographs captured the spirit and atmosphere
of the big top, and with a "poof" of flash powder
preserved mesmerizing images of the horse
wranglers, acrobats, ticket-takers, candy butchers,
teeterboard tumblers and sideshow exotics that
populated the colorful world of the traveling
circuses.
Kelty was the Cecil B. DeMille of circus photographers,
at times assembling as many as one thousand circus
performers for spectacular group shots. Particularly
popular were his annual "Congress of Freaks"
photographs, which gathered together the Ringling
Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus sideshow
attractions-from Ajax the sword swallower to
Eko and Iko, the "ambassadors from Mars"- for a
"class picture." He sold these group photos - as
well as prints depicting individual performers, circus
lots, and big top interiors - to circus owners, performers
and fans.
Friday March 17th @ 7pm
---------------------------------------------
RED ROSES and PETROL
US/UK, Feature, 97 minutes
DIRECTOR: Tamar Simon Hoffs
Q&A with actor Malcom McDowell after the screening.
Official Web Site
CAST: Malcolm McDowell, Olivia Tracey, Heather Juergensen, Max Beesley, Greg Ellis, Susan Lynch, Catherine Farrell, Sean Lawlor, Robert Easton, Aubrey Morri
On the day of Enda Doyle's funeral, his widow Moya, and cynical daughter Medbh, prepare for the somber occasion. From New York and London, the other twenty-something children, Catherine and Johnny, arrive at the family's Dublin home. Each of them holds a profound grudge against their cold and punishing father. Haunted by a secret in Enda's past, the Doyle family ghosts begin to materialize. Johnny, the failed and angry son, provokes the group into what might be described as unchecked group therapy. The revelations of the surprise videotapes left behind by Enda surpass any others of the day and send shockwaves through the already shaken family. As they attempt to console each other, the consequences are both disturbing and darkly comic.
Festivals:
AFI
Westwood Film Festival
Newport Beach Film Festival
----------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, February 11th - 5:15pm
Who Makes Movies
United States, 2005, Short, 5min
| Directed by: | Christopher Luccy | | Produced by: | Chris Luccy, Guiliana Zapata & John South | | Written by: | Christopher Luccy |
“Handy” Randy Palmer, the premier fluffer in the world of adult movies, has a bone to pick -- film piracy. In the style of WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, WHO MAKES MOVIES? is a mockumentary of the recent MPAA anti-piracy ads featuring Hollywood laborers Manny the Stuntman and Dave the Set Painter. In this installment, Randy has a candid discussion about his tricks of the trade, his oeuvre of work and why illegal downloads hit him where it counts.
PLAYING WITH:
Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic Feature Film, 72 Minutes, USA
=====================================================
Saturday, February 11th @ 7:15pm
Sophie Scholl
Germany, Feature Film, 117-min
Nominated best foreign film Oscars 2006
Directed by: Marc Rothemund
Munich, 1943: Sophie and Hans Scholl are members of the "Weiße Rose" (White Rose), a resistance group against the Nazi regime. When the siblings lay out fliers at the university, they are caught by the caretaker who calls the Gestapo. After their imprisonment, they are interrogated for days. In the beginning, Sophie manages to bluff the questioning official Robert Mohr, but Hans finally confesses everything. Now Sophie vindicates her ideals, but also tries to protect the other group members. On February 22nd, the Scholls and their aide Christoph Probst are accused of high treason and sentenced to death. As the execution tooks place the same day, Sophie has to take leave of her family...
========================================
Saturday, February 4th – 6:45pm
SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING  Constantine Kaldis Cast: Daniel Baldwin (paparazzi) Aki Kitamura (PORNO) Adarsha Benjamin (Lords of DogTown) Michelle Lawrence Chris Estes (Day of the dead 2) Offical web site 'I'll be there with you' explores the complexities of love in both its brightest and darkest corners as an unusual group of characters face tragic consequences. Chronicling a spring break retreat to the outskirts of San Diego for a young couple and their both eccentric and troubled group of friends. While their adventure quickly turns to infidelity, these problems are soon eclipsed by far more menacing forces. When Constantine (Daniel Baldwin), the man that owns the ranch the group are staying at, are introduced to his darker side which includes a group of roaming schizophrenics. The tragic events that follow serve as a catalyst for the young couple's recognition of true love and acceptance of destiny. PROGRAMMERS REVIEW: If you always wondered what “American Pie” meets “I Spit On Your Grave” (with a Baldwin brother thrown in) would look like on the big screen, here’s you chance. While not for the easily offended, the absurdity of events that takes place in “I’ll Be there for you” and their deadly resolutions make for a dark, fun, perverse film. -Scott Rudolph
===========================
Saturday, February 4th - 9:15pm Two Harbors United States, feature film, 86min - Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festiva - Best Feature
- Milwaukee Internationa Film Festival - Best Feature
- Austin Film Festival - Honorable Mention
- Nolita Film Festival, Beloit International & Fargo Film Festival
Filmmaker: James Vculek
Official Web Site An obsessed sci-fi fanatic uses an impressionable young woman to lure extraterrestrials to earth, with tragic results. Vic's days are filled with selling sci-fi collectibles, harassing his fellow antique dealers, and trying to communicate with extraterrestrials. The latter activity is singularly unsuccessful until the day he meets a mysterious young woman, Cassie. Vic becomes convinced that extraterrestrials are keenly interested in Cassie, and he sets out to prove it, with shocking results. Based on a true story.
=========================== ================================== Sunday January 8th @ 2:30pm
THE FINAL DAY
2005 Short Film, Drama, US, 8min
Directed by Ken Greenwald (Academy Award Nominated)
Written by BRANDAN WEAVER
May 8th, 1945. Somewhere in devastated Europe, a lone, injured Germansoldier stumbles across a group of war hardened US servicemen. It's the final day of World War II. Will they come out of this meeting changed or will they even come out at all?
-Followed by-
A WONDERFUL NIGHT IN SPLIT
Croatia, 35mm, 100-min.,feature film
Q&A with Director Arsen Anton Ostojic
& actor Coolio
Croatian entry for best foreign film
"A Wonderful Night in Split" shows three love stories unfold and ending with events profoundly and permanently altering the lives of the characters in the Croatian city of Split's medieval Ghetto, duringthe last two hours of New Year's Eve.
In the dark and deserted streets of the Croatian cityof Split's medieval Ghetto, during the final two hoursof New Year's Eve, three separate love stories - not directly involved in the festivities - intertwine with each other. Three couples find themselves near the main Roman Square: a smalltime drug dealer Nick and a widow Maria with her son; a young junkie in a crisis Maja, and a depressed American sailor Franky and a pair of naive teenagers, Luke and Angela. They all unsuccessfully try to escape their individual extreme situations only to find their lives permanently and irreversibly changed. As we see their stories develop a major concert performed by a lively singer unfolds before an emotional crowd gathered to usher in the New Year, along with a traditional fireworks display at the stroke of midnight.
www.arsenantonostojic.com
Festivals & Awards:
Pula Film Festival, Croatia
- Gold Arena for Camera
- Gold Arena for Editing
- Critics' Award for the best film
- Award for the Best First Film
Sarajevo Film Festival, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
- Special Jury Prize
- Best Actress Award
Cottbus Film Festival, Germany
- Special Prize for an outstanding artistic
contribution
Festival of Auteur Films, Belgrade, Serbia,
- Local FIPRESCI Award
Ljubljana International Film Festival, Slovenia,
European Film Academy
Palm Springs International Film Festival, USA,
Trieste Film Festival, Italy,
40th Solothurn Film Festival, Switzerland,
Sofia International Film Festival, Bulgaria,
Skopje International Film Festival, Macedonia,
Febio Fest, Prague, Czech Republic,
Dubrovnik International Film Festival, Croatia,
Seattle International Film Festival,
Transylvania International Film Festival,
Cluj,Romania
Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival,
Pecs International Film Festival, Hungary,
- Audience Award
Friday January 6th 7:30pm
==================================
Welcome to September
United States,89 min,Color
Directed By: Phillip Scarpaci
Producer: Pattie Kelly
Screenwriter: Colin Mitchell
Drew McCullough, a lonely young Irishman, sells carpet for a living. One night, he is transfixed by the image of a beautiful, exotic woman in a painting. Suddenly, she steps out of the painting and into his arms and just for an instant, they are locked in a passionate, soul-shaking kiss. But then she's gone! Was she real or has Drew just lost his mind? He is going to find out no matter what the cost. In his obsessive search to find her, his life is turned upside down, and in the end - fantasy and reality, obsession and love are all just different sides of the same coin. Friday December 9th 11pm
Put The Needle On The Record
United States, 2004,Documentary, 84 min, ColorDirected By: Jason Rem Cast: Christopher Lawrence, The Crystal Method,
Deepsky, Dirty Vegas, Jason Bentley, Roger Sanchez,
Deep Dish, Donald Glaude, Charles Feelgood, Brett Ballou
PUT THE NEEDLE ON THE RECORD is an award-winning documentary which explores the evolution of electronic music and the rise of the DJ in pop culture. Filmed in Miami during the Winter Music Conference, a yearly week-long event attended by over 20,000 electronic music professionals and fans, the film takes an inside look at a growing global phenomenon in the world of music. Interviews with top artists, footage from events around the globe and a brilliant soundtrack are combined to create a highly energetic piece of filmmaking. First-time director Jason Rem brings an unexplored genre of music to the masses for a glimpse at a movement that is driven by passion, creativity and business. The film has been called A rock solid documentary, and An event to savor in wonderment, and is not to be missed.
-----------------------------------------
Saturday December 10th @ 11pm
=======================
The Pornographer (A Love Story)
United States, 2004, Feature, 80 min, Color Directed By: Alan Wade
Cast: Martin Donovan, Irene Jacob, Maggie Gyllenhaal,
George Morfogen, Kathleen Chalfant, Rainer Judd
Cinematographer: Michael Barrow
Producer: Jason Kliot
Having lived with her image for months in his editing room, Michael, a stubborn, driven director, has fallen in love with Anna, an actress from his previous film. Instead of initiating a normal relationship, Michael hires her to work on scenes from what he says is a screenplay-in-progress. Intrigued, she agrees, and over time, their weekly sessions become the medium for a kind of love affair. As the rehearsals and scenes become increasingly charged, Anna comes to realize that there is no screenplay. She turns the camera on Michael, and begins to write her own scenes of their encounters. As she takes control, Michael finds himself moving closer and closer to the decisive, real-life act that he's been trying to avoid.
---------------------------------------
Sunday December 11th @ 4:30pm
========================
Skateboarding is not Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 OR the X-games OR...
United States, 2004, Documentary, 57 min, ColorFilmmaker: Drew Barlow
Skateboarding has in the past ten years reformed the identity of our culture and shaped the way we see the world. Whether as skateboarders or as observers this 'trend' has completely redefined our society and changed the way we all think (and sadly in some cases the way we dress). Yet most people remain unaware of this. This film is a look at skateboarding culture, the unbreakably truthful stereotypes and the misguided misinterpretations of a culture completely created and established by our children. It delves into the general attitude within skateboarding, how it is versus how it should be perceived. It questions the problems that skateboarders are creating in our communities and how these problems can be solved. It's an in-depth look at our youth.
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
Sat Dec 3rd 10:30 pm.
The Utopian Society
Narrative Feature 1 hr : 35 min.
Director: John Aguirre.
Q&A with the Filmmakers!!
***Audience Award - Texas Film Festival
***Best Cinematography - DIY Film Fest
***Audience Award - Fargo Film Festival
***Best Long Form Drama - DV Awards
The Utopian Society is the story of six college students who are put together by their professor to complete a final project: create a Utopian Society. Like most college students, theyíve waited until the night before itís due to start working on it. They each come from different backgrounds and have pre-existing assumptions about the others, causing them to want to spend as little time working with each other as possible. But since theyíve waited until the last minute to start working, they are forced to cram an entire semesterís work into one night, whether they like it or not.
Principal Cast: Sam Doumit (The Hot Chick, Boston Public, Undressed) Austin Nichols (The Day After Tomorrow, Six Feet Under) Kelvin Yu (Popular, Life With Bonnie) OTHER FILM
FESTIVALS: Napa Film Fest, Miami Latin Film Festiva, Phoenix Film Festival, Palm Beach International Film Festival, River Run Film Festival, Ashland Film Festival. Crossroads Film Festival, Valley Fest Film Fest, Back East Picture Show, Screenplay Award, Canned Film Festival
----------------------------
----------------------------
"Dating Games People Play" with
"Convincing Benny"
Dating Games People Play
United States, 2005, 89 min
Feature Film
Directed By: Stefan Marc
Cast: Stephanie Brown, Austin Peck, Leslie Bega, Stefan Marc
Cinematographer: Christos Bitsakos
Official Film Website
- Newport Beach Film Festival
- World of Comedy - Best Comedy Nominee
- Dances with Films
- Reno International Film Festival
- Fort Lauderdale Film Festival
- Brekenridge Festival of Film
'Swingers' meets 'American Pie'…Set in Newport Beach, California, this quirky and sometimes romantic comedy captures the unpredictable dating scene while poking fun at the very different perspectives men and women have of dating and relationships. These misperceptions come crashing together when Nick Jenkins finds himself back in the single scene after the abrupt demolition of his engagement. With his roommate and best friend Jed Rollins by his side, Nick jumps back into the dating world with hilarious results. Along with Robin and Mona, they meander through the maze of awkward situations they inevitably encounter during their dating escapades.
Convincing Benny
Short, USA, 15 min
Director: BILL HOOPER
Festivals: Cinequest 2006
Official Web Site
Benny has the most supportive, loving friends and family a gay man could ever dream of. But the thing is, Benny is NOT gay. Not even close. Okay... so he has a sense of style - he can actually pick shirts and shoes that match in a non-horrible way. Big deal. And yes, he cleans under his nails occasionally... and he might have a Morrisey record or two... but come on, that does not mean he's gay. Okay, fine. It is true that when he was in kindergarten he wanted to dress up as a belly dancer for Halloween. But I mean come on, he's not the one who had that three-way in college. You know, just watch the movie and judge for yourself, alright?
===========================================
Saturday January 14th @ 9:30pm
PLAY
Chile, 2005, Feature Film
Directed By: Alicia Scherson
"Engaging cast, subtle humor and fresh lively styling could project "Play" into international arthouse release." Variety
PLAY,Chile’s Official Entry for the Best Foreign Film Academy Award, is a hypnotic drama directed by Alicia Scherson. Christina, a young nurse from the country, cares for an elderly patient, entertaining him by reading tales of the indigenous tribes from Chile’s past, and entertaining herself by listening to her MP3 player as she walks through the colorful streets of Santiago, alone with her thoughts, in her isolation. Finding a briefcase belonging to Tristan, a jilted architect, after he is mugged, she finds herself drawn to him, even as she is pursued by a gardener who dreams of leaving the city with her. PLAY is a story of people untethered who try to connect, even as they fear connecting, in a city that is both courtly and modern.
AWARDS:
- Tribeca Film Festival (New York, 2005): Best New Narrative Filmmaker
- Festival des Films du Monde (Montreal, 2005):Glauber Rocha Audience Award–Best Latin American Film
- International Film Festival of Santiago (Chile, 2005): Audience Award
- Valdivia Film Festival (Chile, 2005):Best Actress and Best Soundtrack
- Festival Cero Latitud (Ecuador, 2005):Special Jury Award
- 3 Continents Film Festival (France, 2005):Audience Award
- Habana Film Festival (Cuba, 2005):
- Best First Film & Feisal Prize-Latin American Film School Federation If you would like a film to RETURN, Please email us!
============================== Virgin Trade: Sex, Lies and Trafficking
U.K., 60-min, Documentary
Filmmaker: Stuart Kershaw
Official Web Site Trailer
Filmmaker Stuart Kershaw embarks on a journey through Thailand’s red light districts to investigate the world’s largest sex industry. This exploration of international sex tourism turns expectation on its head, in an expedition that is as brutal in its honesty as it is unexpected in its conclusions.
But who are the victims? Are parents selling their children into brothels to finance lavish Western lifestyles? Or do orphans fill the demand - smuggled into sex-work after disasters like the Tsunami? Stuart bulldozes a host of Thailand’s urban myths whilst viciously affirming widespread exploitation and deceit.
The contradictions continue to spiral as the film questions what precisely it means to be a prostitute. And when Stuart takes two bar-girls on vacation to find out, he gets more than he bargained for.
=======================================
Saturday, January 28th – 11:00am
What Babies Want
United States, 2004, 57 min, Color + B/W
Directed By: Debby Takikawa
Cast: Noah Wyle
Official Web Site
This remarkable documentary is about a new way of looking at life; a quiet revolution on how we perceive our beginnings, bringing ground-breaking information about what babies truly are, what they know, and how we can support them to be their best as they develop and grow. Our birth experience establishes our perceptive neurology and influences the way we perceive the events of our lives. Early interactions shape our human ability to learn, to trust, and to develop relationships as we grow older. Alive with captivating stories and remarkable personal experiences of infants, children, and adults, it is warmly narrated by Noah Wyle who, with his wife Tracy, shares with us their passion for a deeper understanding and awareness of what a baby truly is.
- Boston International Film Festival 2005
- Ole Muddy Film Festival
- Newport Beach International Film Festival
- Big Bear International Film Festival
- Ellensburg Film Festival
Marti - the passionate eye
New Zealand, Documentary, 73 min
Filmmaker: Shirley Horrocks
official web site
 
“Marti” traces the dramatic personal story of Marti Friedlander, who was brought up in a Jewish orphanage in England, emigrated to New Zealand and became one of New Zealands greatest photographers. Marti’s story runs along side the major social changes that have happened to New Zealand during her lifetime.
- Sydney International Film Festival
- New Zealand International Film festival
- Auckland International Film Festival
================================== | |
