2006 Philadelphia Film Festival Blog

Festival Newsline #13: Closing the Garage Door

2006-04-12T18:44:00.000-07:00

Closing the Garage Door
Festival Newsline #13
Wednesday, April 12, 2006

This is the final edition of the 2006 Philadelphia Film Festival Newslines, and it’s late in the day because we wanted to give you our last bit of news. To start:

1 – I WOULD LIKE TO THANK…

History was made last night at the Closing Night Ceremony when for the first time since the Festival began handing out awards in 1981, one film won both a Jury Prize and an Audience Award – the documentary THE CAMDEN 28!

Leading the awards presentation were Film Society Executive Director Thom Cardwell and Pennsylvania Film Commissioner Jane Saul.

First, they introduced Ruth Perlmutter who presented the second annual Archie Award, given in memory of Archie Perlmutter and presented to the best film by a first-time director.

The winner was: Sweet Land (Ali Selim, director; US)

Next came the Jury Prizes:

Best Feature Film: Off Screen (Pieter Kuijpers, director; Belgium)
Best American Independent Film: The King (James Marsh, director)
Best First Film: Wristcutters: A Love Story (Goran Dukic, director; US)
Best Director: Ryan Fleck, for Half Nelson; US
Best Documentary: The Camden 28 (Anthony Giacchino, director; US)

Then came the Audience Awards:

Danger After Dark: The Descent (Neil Marshall, director; Great Britain)
Best Documentary: The Camden 28 (Anthony Giacchino, director; US)
Best Feature Film: Elsa & Fred (Marcos Carnevale, director; Spain, Argentina)

We were pleased to have Wristcutters co-producer Chapin Wilson here to accept its award, and CAMDEN 28 director Anthony Giacchino, along with his director of photography David Dougherty and several actual members of the Camden 28, here to accept his awards.

2 – SO, WHAT DID YOU THINK?

How did you vote? How did your friends? We have posted the audience ballot results for all the films on the Festival Web site, and we’re pleased to say that 78 out of 149 films receive a rating of very good (4.00) or better. That’s just over half, which is very gratifying to hear, especially considering last year’s percentage was 44%. Obviously you must think we’re getting the hang of things!

And don’t forget to browse through all the reviews of individual films that people posted, thanks to our new interactive features provided by BSIDE.com. Clearly a lot of people had fun with this new service, and we’re pleased we could provide it this year.

3 – AND THE GRAND TOTAL IS…

We’ve been feverishly counting all day long and we now have attendance figures for this year’s festival: 66,300, an increase from 65,000 last year. The hottest films in terms of ticket sales were THE FOURTH DIMENSION, THE CAMDEN 29, TAPAS, THE SHADOWBOXER, and THE CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG.

4 – FILM FESTIVAL REDUX

The Philadelphia Film Society is taking the Film Festival on the road next week with the “Reels on Wheels” tour to Ambler, Doylestown and Bryn Mawr, featuring some of the Festival’s hottest titles. The schedule is:

County Theater, Doylestown
20 East State Road
215-345-6789
Monday, April 17
7:00pm - DAVID AND LAYLA
9:15pm - THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED

Tuesday, April 18
7:00pm - WORDPLAY
9:15pm - THE UNCERTAIN GUEST

Ambler Theater
108 East Butler Avenue
215-345-7855
Monday, April 17
7:00pm - THESE GIRLS
9:15pm - THIS IS BOSSA NOVA

Wednesday, April 19
7:00pm - JONI’S PROMISE
9:15pm - ONE LAST THING...

Bryn Mawr Film Institute
824 Lancaster Avenue
610-527-9898
Tuesday, April 18
7:00pm - ONE DAY IN EUROPE
9:15pm - WAH-WAH

Wednesday, April 19
7:00pm - 51 BIRCH STREET
9:15pm - EVIL ALIENS

For ticket information and prices, contact each individual theater. This is a separate event from the Film Festival; Festival All-Access Badges are not accepted for these screenings.

5 – NOW PAY ATTENTION THIS TIME: PFS MEMBERSHIP

The Philadelphia Film Society is a surprisingly small organization, considering the enormous job – actually, jobs – it pulls off. It has another major film festival to present only three months from now: the 2006 Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the largest of its kind outside California. We need your membership.

And consider the benefits to you. At the very least, Film Society members get free passes to 2-3 preview screenings of major theatrical releases each month. The studios hold these previews to generate “buzz.” If you just go to six of these screenings all year long, at a savings of $9 per movie ticket, you’ve made money on your membership!

So, now that we’ve really gotten your attention, to become a Society member, call 215-733-0608 x 296 or visit www.phillyfests.com.

9 – SPONSORSHIP APPRECIATION

We’ve also been repeating this information every Newsline, but it also bears repeating. There’s no way we could pull off an event of this magnitude without the support of so many sponsoring organizations. We thank them all, especially our Presenting Sponsors: the Pennsylvania Film Office, the Bridge: cinema de lux, the City of Philadelphia, and TLA Entertainment Group.

We also thank our Newsline sponsors: Patou Restaurant, the Sundance Channel and the University of Pennsylvania

10 – FADE OUT

Finally, never-ending thanks go to the Festival staff for their tireless efforts, the Festival volunteers for their ceaseless dedication, and to the Festival audiences for their willingness to join us on this wild trolley ride.

So when does this ride start again? April 5-18, 2007. So get ready to go again!

Festival Newsline #12: Festival Newsline #12

2006-04-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

This Trolley’s Pulling into the Station
Festival Newsline #12
Tuesday, April 11, 2006

There’s not much more to say, so let’s get to it….

1 – TONIGHT’S SCHEDULE

CLOSING NIGHT FILM
Prince Music Theater
7:15 – FRIENDS WITH MONEY – SOLD OUT
In this hilarious ensemble piece (and the 2006 Sundance Film Festival’s Opening Night Film), four of American cinema’s finest and funniest actresses play best friends in L.A. who wonder if money really does soften life’s blows.

CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
Old Original Bookbinders (see below)

FESTIVAL FAVORITES
Ritz East 1
7:15 – WORDPLAY – SOLD OUT
More than fifty million Americans do crossword puzzles each week, and many of them gravitate towards the puzzle presented by the esteemed New York Times. This documentary provides a glimpse at how these language labyrinths are created. Director Patrick Creedon, and film subjects Will Shortz (New York Times) and Merl Reagle (Philadelphia Inquirer) will attend.

9:30 -- THE CAMDEN 28
As illustrated by this documentary, one of the most significant and surprising events to take place in response to the Vietnam War occurred just across the river in Camden, New Jersey. Director Anthony Giacchino will attend.

Ritz East 2
7:00 -- THE CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG – ONLY TWENTY LEFT
The director of the acclaimed festival favorite Story of the Weeping Camel is back with this extraordinarily moving story of a nomadic young Mongolian girl and her friendship with a puppy.

9:15 – A BITTERSWEET LIFE
This visually stunning tale of gangland revenge from the Korean director of Tale of Two Sisters has style to burn and shootouts that make vintage John Woo look like romantic comedies by comparison.

Ritz 5
7:15 -- TAPAS
A corner tapas bar in a Barcelona neighborhood is the focal point in this whimsical yet tender ensemble tale featuring different characters, all in search of love, connection and meaning.

9:30 -- ELSA AND FRED
A delightful comedy about the romance between two senior citizens in Madrid, this features an unforgettable, award-caliber performance from Argentinean actress China Zorrilla.

The Bridge
7:15 – CARMEN
As arrestingly odd and unpredictable as anything you’re likely to see in the festival, this film tells the story of an ultra-intelligent bonobo ape who runs away from a research institute to join a middle-class family.

9:30 – THE PROPOSITION
A visually stunning if harrowingly violent anti-Western written by rock star Nick Cave, this brutal saga of colonialism and brotherly rivalry in 19th-century Australia boasts extraordinary performances from Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone and Emily Watson.

Cinema at Penn
7:00 pm -- BEETHOVEN’S HAIR
Canada, Great Britain, Czech Republic, 84 min) Can an alleged lock of Beethoven’s magnificent mane — snatched on his deathbed and then passed from country to country — hold the secret to the composer’s fiery temperament and even his deafness?

9:15 pm -- SHAME OF A CITY
It’s the 2003 Mayoral election of Philadelphia - with all of its infamy, political thuggery, scandals, drama and (of course) the fallout of “the bug.” A daring exposé on Philly’s “politics as usual.” Director Tigre Hill will attend.

2 – AND THE WINNERS WERE

The Philadelphia CityPaper Festival of Independents gives its own awards, and the winners were announced at Sunday’s FestIndies Closing Night Party:

Best Feature-length Film - The Shame of a City, directed by Tigre Hill
Best Documentary Short - Contribute 2 the experience, directed by David Sylvester
Best Experimental Short - Testing, directed by Ted Knighton
Best Animation Short - The Legend of Black Tom, directed by Deron Albright
Best Narrative Short - In the Tradition of my Family, directed by Todd Davis
NFL Technical Achievement Award - the 4th dimension, directed by Tom Mattera and Dave Mazzoni

Special Mention: The Festival of Independents wishes to thank all of its Production Volunteers who worked tirelessly to help make this year's events the BEST ever!

3 -- AND THE WINNERS WILL BE….

Tonight we announce the winners of the Festival Jury Prizes and Audience Awards, which we’ll send you in our wrap-up Newsline tomorrow.

Jury Prizes:
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary
Best Director
Best First Film
The Archie Award, named in honor of Archie Perlmutter

Audience Awards, based on audience ballots:
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary
Best Danger After Dark

4 – TODAY’S EVENTS

5:00 – Cine Café, “Music and Film”: The Cine Café series concludes with a program stemming from our Lights! Camera! Music! focus, led by David Copenhafer, of the Penn Music Department.
FREE. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut Street. For more information, visit http://cinemastudies.sas.upenn.edu. Sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania

9:00 pm-1:00 am – Closing Night Party: The 15th Philadelphia Film Festival ends in style at the reopened and refurbished Old Original Bookbinders. Closing Night attendees will hop on trolleys (courtesy of Philadelphia Trolley Works), while Old City festival goers are only a block away. (University City festival folks: SEPTA stops right at 2nd Street, and we’re only four blocks south!)

Partygoers will enjoy appetizing bites courtesy of Bookbinders and drinks courtesy of the Festival’s generous sponsors: Absolut Level, Jim Beam Black, Stella Artois and Yellow Tail Wines.
Party Tickets: $25, at the door. Sponsored by Bookbinders, Philadelphia Trolley Works, Absolut Level, Jim Beam Black, Stella Artois and Yellow Tail Wines.

5 – LUCK BE A LADY TONIGHT

Thanks to Atlantic City, the Film Festival is adding a special attraction to its Closing Night Party at Old Original Bookbinders by encouraging all party-goers to enter the following drawing:

Atlantic City, a city that’s “Always Turned On” invites you to our seaside resort to spend several days getting reacquainted with what you thought was the old Atlantic City but now is a hip happening place to be and be seen. This two night getaway features accommodations at one of our glittering casinos along the legendary Boardwalk, breakfast each morning, a gourmet dinner at one of our award winning restaurants, a $50 gift certificate to the Atlantic City Outlets and tickets to one of our revue, comedy or headliner shows. A welcome bag filled with Atlantic City goodies will be waiting for you upon check in.

This offer is valid Sunday through Thursday; holidays and weekends are not available.

6 – LOOKING BACK

This week we will start posting photos from the Film Festival on our Web site, www.phillyfests.com. We will also post the ballot results for all the films, so you can see what you and your fellow audience members thought.

7 – TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available for purchase at the venue, beginning 30 minutes before the first screening, cash only.

Two screenings are sold out, but if you arrive early and get into the Wait line, it is possible there may be possible that some reserved tickets will become available for resale at the last minute.

8 – PFS MEMBERSHIP

The Philadelphia Film Festival is produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting outstanding film and video in the greater Philadelphia region. To become a Society member, call 215-733-0608 x 296 or visit www.phillyfests.com.

9 – SPONSORSHIP APPRECIATION

The Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible by the support of over one hundred sponsoring organizations, led by the Pennsylvania Film Office, the Bridge: cinema de lux, the City of Philadelphia, and TLA Entertainment Group.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PHILLYFESTS.COM

Festival Newsline #11: Getting some ZZ's

2006-04-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Getting some ZZ’s
Festival Newsline #11
Monday, April 10, 2006

1 -- SELLOUTS

Well, we did it, sort of. We managed to get one sell-out for today, as well as two for tomorrow:

The Devil and Daniel Johnston – April 10
Friends with Money – April 11
Wordplay – April 11

Otherwise, there are plenty of tickets available. So you can now forget what I said before: go ahead and make a spur-of-the moment decision to see one (or more) last film before the 2006 Philadelphia Film Festival does a slow fadeout.

2 – SECOND LOOKS

Today’s programming is all second and third screenings, with plenty of films that we’ve highlighted before, like TWO DAYS, ONE LAST THING…, and YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE. Here are five films that didn’t get an initial spotlight but are now getting their deserved moment in the sun:

Kamataki (9:30, Ritz East Theater 1)
After a failed suicide attempt, a young man is sent from Montreal to Japan to live with his uncle, a stoneware artist. As he learns the craft, he also learns how to heal. After some of the big, brash films we’ve had, the remarkable delicacy of this film is very welcome indeed. What’s more, veteran director Claude Gagnon, who could not attend the first screening, will be here today.

Welcome to Dongmakgol (2:15, Ritz East Theater 2)
Imagine Brigadoon right in the middle of Braveheart! How could you miss that? During the Korean War, a group of soldiers from both sides stumble in on a village blithely – and contentedly – unaware there’s a war going on. This comedy-drama is one of the biggest box office hits in Korean film.

Stoned (9:30, The Cinema at Penn)
Tonight we have two films from our music in film focus: Devil and Daniel Johnston is sold out, but this is open. It’s a biopic on the life of Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones and a dead-on perfect depiction of the musical world of the 1960s, when “sex, drugs and rock and roll” really meant something.

And since we’re at the end of the festival, we’ll close with the two Z’s:

Zim and Co. (9:30, The Bridge)
Issues of working-class French immigrants have been in the news lately (to put it mildly), but this puts a positive spin on them – literally. Zim zooms around town on his unlicensed motor scooter, but he needs to find a job fast or he goes to jail. Easier said than done, except he has a bunch of friends to help him look. It’s a fast-paced, thoroughly enjoyable drama.

Zozo (7:15, Ritz East Theater 2)
Born in Lebanon and living in Sweden, festival favorite director Josef Fares, who delighted audiences with his hilarious JALLA! JALLA! and KOPS, gets serious with this semi-autobiographical about a 10-year-old boy trapped alone in 1970s Beirut. Eventually, he escapes to relatives in Sweden, where the minefields are emotional. But remember, this is Josef Fares. The man can be serious for only so long.

3 – A SNEAK PREVIEW

That’s all the program guide says for 7:00 tonight at International House, and you’re not going to get much more here, except this: A well-known major independent label is previewing its big summer release tonight to get your reaction. So come, watch the film, let them what you think, and your response will help them shape their promotion of the film this summer.

Oh, and the screening is FREE. First come, first seated.

4 – TODAY’S GUESTS

5:00 pm: “My Life in Toons” shorts program; Prince Music Theater
LIFE IN TRANSITION director John R. Dilworth
7:00 pm: DANIELSON: A FAMILY MOVIE – director J.L. Aronson; Cinema at Penn
9:30 pm: TWO DAYS – writer-director Paige Carl Griggs, cast member Heather Douglas (University of Pennsylvania graduate); Prince Music Theater
9:30 pm: KAMATAKI – writer-director Claude Gagnon; Ritz East 1

5 – TODAY’S PREMIERE FILMS

World Premiere: Two Days (9:30, Prince Music Theater)
North American Premiere: You Are My Sunshine (7:00, Ritz East Theater 1)

6 – TODAY’S EVENT

5:00 – Cine Café, “Business in Film”: The Cine Café series continues with a program led by Peter Decherney of the Penn Cinema Studies Program and the English Department.
FREE. Penn Bookstore, 2nd floor, music section, 3601 Walnut Street. For more information, visit http://cinemastudies.sas.upenn.edu. Sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania

7 – TICKET INFORMATION

To purchase advance Festival tickets, visit www.phillyfests.com, call 267-765-9700 or visit any Philadelphia area TLA Video store. Same day tickets are available for purchase only at the venue, beginning 30 minutes before the first screening.

8 – PFS MEMBERSHIP

The Philadelphia Film Festival is produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting outstanding film and video in the greater Philadelphia region. To become a Society member, call 215-733-0608 x 296 or visit www.phillyfests.com.

9– SPONSORSHIP APPRECIATION

The Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible by the support of over one hundred sponsoring organizations, led by the Pennsylvania Film Office, the Bridge: cinema de lux, the City of Philadelphia, and TLA Entertainment Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PHILLYFESTS.COM

Festival Newsline #10: Fest Indies Closing Night – A Famile Affair

2006-04-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

Fest Indies Closing Night – A Famile Affair
Festival Newsline #10
Sunday, April 9, 2006

1 – FESTIVL FAVORITES FINALIZED

The last slot has been filled so the slate is complete:

Ritz East 1
7:15 -- WORDPLAY
9:30 -- THE CAMDEN 28

Ritz East 2
7:00 -- THE CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG
9:15 – A BITTERSWEET LIFE

Ritz 5
7:15 -- TAPAS
9:30 -- ELSA AND FRED

The Bridge
7:15 – CARMEN
9:30 – THE PROPOSITION

Cinema at Penn
7:00 pm -- BEETHOVEN’S HAIR
9:15 pm -- SHAME OF A CITY

We’ve done our job, now it’s up to you – buy your tickets in advance!

2 – REELS ON WHEELS

While we were at it, we finalized the programming for our "Film Festival on Tour" on April 17-19:

County Theater, Doylestown
20 East State Road
215-345-6789

Monday, April 17
7:00 -- 51 BIRCH STREET
9:00 -- THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED
Tuesday, April 18
7:00 -- WORDPLAY
9:00 -- THE UNCERTAIN GUEST

Ambler Theater
108 East Butler Avenue
215-345-7855

Monday, April 17
7:00 -- THESE GIRLS
9:00 -- THIS IS BOSSA NOVA
Wednesday, April 19
7:00 -- JONI’S PROMISE
9:00 -- ONE LAST THING...

Bryn Mawr Film Institute
824 Lancaster Avenue
610-527-9898

Tuesday, April 18
7:00 -- ONE DAY IN EUROPE
9:00 -- WAH-WAH
Wednesday, April 19
7:00 -- DAVID AND LAYLA
9:00 -- EVIL ALIENS

If you haven’t had enough, maybe we’ll see you there! Otherwise, spread the word to friends you know in the area.

3 -- SELLOUTS

Here’s today’s list of sell-outs:

American Dreamz – April 9
Tapas– April 9
The Cave of the Yellow Dog – April 9
Wordplay – April 9
one last thing… -- April 9
Elsa and Fred – April 9
The 4th Dimension – April 9
Friends with Money – April 11

The following has less than 20 tickets available:

The Devil and Daniel Johnston – April 10

The following have less than 40 tickets available:

Hard Candy – April 9
The Descent – April 9
Wordplay – April 11

(Hey, folks, there are a LOT of good films on April 10, but not a single sell-out, and only one title anywhere else on this list! What’s the deal? Is there some game on that night?)

4 – FEST INDIES CLOSING NIGHT

The Closing Night Film: The Philadelphia CityPaper Festival of Independents closes tonight at 9:30 at the Prince Music Theater with J.R. Aronson’s spirited and enthused documentary on the Danielson Famile, DANIELSON: A FAMILY MOVIE (OR, MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE HERE).

Fest Indies curator Scott Johnston describes them as “a little too Christian for most rock lovers, and a little too rock for most Christians,” which is why you may not have heard of them. After seeing this film, you’ll want to hear more.

The Closing Night Party: After seeing the Danielson Famile on film, see and hear them live at the Fest Indies Closing Night Party, beginning at 9:00 pm at The Cabaret, 859 N. American Street. The Fest Indies Awards will also be presented at the party. Admission is $10, and free to All-Access badge holders; 12 and over only.

5 – LATE INTRODUCTIONS

The festival is nearing its end, so only five films are getting their first screening today. They may be a bit late coming to the party, but they’re well worth the wait!

The Unwanted Woman (12:15, Prince)
An Iranian woman suspects her loutish husband is having an affair, so she actually does something about it. Female empowerment in Iran? Would it surprise you that the filmmaker was jailed in Iran for one of her other films? You go, girl!

Black Night (2:45, Ritz East 2)
David Lynch meets the Brothers Quay as a young man who studies insects finds a pregnant African woman in his bed, which triggers vivid memories of his childhood in Africa. He then tends to her as she becomes encased in a cocoon, waiting to be… what exactly? Definitely one of the creepier selections of the Festival.

WORDPLAY (5:00, Ritz East 1)
A delightful documentary about crossword puzzles and the people who make play them, including the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Merl Reagle and the New York Times’ (pause in reverence) Will Shortz. In this world everything is seen in black and white, and you NEVER go outside the box.

Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Hip-Hop Head Weighs In on Manhood in Hip-Hop Culture (6:30, International House)
In one of the most provocative films of our music in film focus, documentarian Byron Hurt asks how hip-hop, which began as a voice for political and social protest could turn into a misogynistic, homophobic symbol for masculinity. After the film, hear a live discussion from Philly’s own Illvibe Collective.

Adventures in Animation (7:15, Prince)
Animation curator Michael Enright has created a program of nine animated shorts from around the world that reflect the growing influence of the graphic novel. Breathtaking style defines these shorts, ranging from the haunting and dark to the muted and stark. For mature audiences.

6 – LAST DAY “FOR THE FAMILY”

Hopefully, today will be a bit drier for the final day of our family film series.

The Peace Tree (2:00, International House)
Especially appropriate for younger children, this is the story of two seven-year-old girls from different religions who create a way for everyone to celebrate their holidays together. The program opens with five animated shorts.
Tickets: $7.50 for ages 13 and up; $6.00 for ages 12 and under

Casi, Casi (4:15, International House)
In this manic Spanish-language comedy from Puerto Rico, a middle-school student council president race goes haywire when a boy tries to impress a girl. The co-directors Jaime and Tony Valles and producer Victoria Racimo will be here.
Tickets: $9.50 for ages 13 and up; $6.00 for ages 12 and under

7 – TODAY’S GUESTS

2:30 pm: THE DISTRICT! – Nick Fox-Gieg, director of the accompanying short OPTION OF WAR; Prince Music Theater
2:30 pm: HEAD SPACE -- director Marc Erlbaum; Cinema at Penn
4:15 pm: CASI CASI – co-directors Jaime and Tony Valles, producer Victoria Racimo; International House
5:00 pm: ONE LAST THING… -- director Alex Steyermark, writer Barry Stringfellow (former Philadelphian), cast members Gideon Glick and Matt Bush; Ritz 5
5:00 pm: HARD COAL – director Marc Brodzik, producer Seymour Levin; Prince Music Theater
7:15 pm: SWIMMERS – writer-director Doug Sadler; Bridge
7:15 pm: BEEN RICH ALL MY LIFE – director Heather Lynn McDonald; Cinema at Penn
9:15 pm: WHO GETS TO CALL IT ART? – director Peter Rosen; International House
9:30 pm: DANIELSON: A FAMILY MOVIE – director J.L. Aronson; Prince Music Theater

8 – TODAY’S PREMIERE FILMS

World Premiere: Head Space (2:30, Cinema at Penn)
World Premiere: Hard Coal (5:00, Prince Music Theater)
North American Premiere: You Are My Sunshine (12:15, Ritz East Theater 2)
North American Premiere: Out of Hand (9:30, Ritz East 2)
North American Premiere: Tokyo Zombie (9:30, Cinema at Penn)
U.S. Premiere: The District! (2:30, Prince Music Theater)
U.S. Premiere: Texture of Skin (9:30, Ritz 5)

9 – TODAY’S EVENTS

9:00 – Fest Indies Closing Night (see above)

10 – TICKET INFORMATION

To purchase advance Festival tickets, visit www.phillyfests.com, call 267-765-9700 or visit any Philadelphia area TLA Video store. Same day tickets are available for purchase only at the venue, beginning 30 minutes before the first screening.

11 – PFS MEMBERSHIP

The Philadelphia Film Festival is produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting outstanding film and video in the greater Philadelphia region. To become a Society member, call 215-733-0608 x 296 or visit www.phillyfests.com.

12 – SPONSORSHIP APPRECIATION

The Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible by the support of over one hundred sponsoring organizations, led by the Pennsylvania Film Office, the Bridge: cinema de lux, the City of Philadelphia, and TLA Entertainment Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PHILLYFESTS.COM

Reels on Wheels

2006-04-08T16:13:00.000-07:00

REELS ON WHEELS (04.08.06)
We have now set the programming for our “Film Festival on Tour” on April 17-19:

County Theater, Doylestown
20 East State Road
215-345-6789
Monday, April 17
7:00 51 BIRCH STREET
9:00 pm THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED
Tuesday, April 18
7:00 Wordplay
9:00 THE UNCERTAIN GUEST

Ambler Theater
108 East Butler Avenue
215-345-7855
Monday, April 17
7:00 THESE GIRLS
9:00 THIS IS BOSSA NOVA
Wednesday, April 19
7:00 JONI’S PROMISE
9:00 ONE LAST THING…

Bryn Mawr Film Institute
824 Lancaster Avenue
610-527-9898
Tuesday, April 18
7:00 pm ONE DAY IN EUROPE
9:00 PM WAH-WAH
Wednesday, April 19
7:00 PM DAVID AND LAYLA
9:00 pm EVIL ALIENS

TICKET ANNOUNCEMENT (04.08.06)
Here’s a hint: when we announce in advance that a screening is sold out, that includes a certain number of tickets that we reserve for potential use by all-access badge holders. If not enough all-access badge holders actually come to the screening, we can then sell those tickets at the last minute.

Therefore, if there is a sold-out screening you really want to see, come early and ask if there’s a waiting line. If you’re near the front, you might just get in.

Festival Newsline #9: Is Your Fave a Fest Fave?

2006-04-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

Is Your Fave A Fest Fave?
Festival Newsline #9
Saturday, April 8, 2006

1 – ANNOUNCING THE FESTIVAL FAVORITES

We have all but one of the Festival Favorite slots filled, so here is the (nearly) complete schedule for our final night of the Festival:

TUESDAY, APRIL 11
Prince Music Theater
7:15 – FRIENDS WITH MONEY

Ritz East 1
7:15 -- WORDPLAY
9:30 -- THE CAMDEN 28

Ritz East 2
7:00 -- THE CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG
9:30 – A BITTERSWEET LIFE

Ritz 5
7:15 -- TAPAS
9:30 -- ELSA AND FRED

The Bridge
7:15 – CARMEN
9:30 -- To be announced

Cinema at Penn
7:00 pm -- BEETHOVEN’S HAIR
9:15 pm -- SHAME OF A CITY

Start buying those tickets, but remember! You can get two free Festival Favorite tickets by becoming a member of the Philadelphia Film Society. You also get year-long benefits, including tickets to preview screenings of theatrical releases, and much more. Click here for more information.

2 -- SELLOUTS

Here’s today’s list of sell-outs:

JONI’S PROMISE --- April 8
THE CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG – April 8
Cold Showers – April 8
The King – April 8
Hard candy – April 8
American Dreamz – April 8
Tapas– April 9
The Cave of the Yellow Dog – April 9
Wordplay – April 9
one last thing… -- April 9
Elsa and Fred – April 9
Friends with Money – April 11

Now, with this list getting so big, we’re going to give you a hint: We always reserve a certain number of seats for all-access badge holders; after all, we are obliged to have a seat for them. If not as many come to the screening as we expect, we end up with a few extra seats that we can sell at the last minute – the very last minute.

They’re usually not very good seats (i.e. first rows), but if there is a film on this list that you really want to see, come to the theater early and ask for the waiting line. If you’re near the front and you don’t mind where you sit, there’s a good change – but no promise – that you’ll get in.

The following has less than 20 tickets available:

American Dreamz – April 9

The following have less than 40 tickets available:

Hard Coal – April 8
The 4th Dimension – April 9
The Devil and Daniel Johnston – April 10

Still, the best way to avoid the problem is – buy in advance!

3 – HOMETOWN HEROES, PART 2

ONE LAST THING…. (7:30, Prince)
A terminally ill boy is given a dream come true, but it’s not to go to Disneyland, it’s to spend a weekend in Manhattan with a supermodel. Marcus Hook natives Alex Steyermark and Barry Stringfellow created this wonderfully funny/sad film starring Cynthia Nixon and Michael Angarano (Jack’s son Elliot in “Will and Grace”) that is set partly in their home town.

It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and is having its East Coast premiere tonight as one of the Festival’s Centerpiece Screenings. The director, screenwriter and several cast members will be here tonight.
(Repeats Sunday at 5:00, Ritz 5; Monday, 2:30, Ritz 5)

TWO DAYS (7:00, Cinema at Penn)
Getting its world premiere tonight is another tragic-comedy of sorts, but a very different sort. Set in West Texas, it’s the story of a non-descript guy who gets jilted and takes his frustration out on the world – and anybody who gets in his way.

Penn grad Heather Douglas stars, so it’s fitting that she will be here and the premiere will be in University City. The writer-director-star Paige Carl Griggs and Ms. Douglas will be here tonight.
(Repeats Monday at 9:30, Prince Music Theater)

4 – two more first NIGHTERS

TWO DAYS is one of three world premieres the Festival is presenting tonight. The other two are also locally connected:

HARD COAL (7:00, International House)
A devastating documentary about the last surviving independent anthracite mining families of Pennsylvania and their struggles to survive in the face of unrelenting pressure from all sides. Director Marc Brodzik and producer Seymour Levin will be here.
(Repeats tomorrow at 5:00, Prince Music Theater)

HEAD SPACE (9:30, International House)
A dead-on, right between the eyes satire (literally) about our culture’s increasing determination to put advertising anywhere and everywhere. One firm has the ultimate solution – hire people to rent out their foreheads through tattoos. Sounds crazy, but give it six months, and you know someone will actually give it a try! Director Marc Erlbaum will be here.
(Repeats tomorrow at 2:30, Cinema at Penn)

5 – A FAMILY AFFAIR -- THE SECOND WEEKEND

Today starts the second weekend of our “For the Family” focus with two new films: a Spanish-language film, and a charming little film suitable for all ages. Again, each film will be offered on both Saturday and Sunday.

Casi Casi (12:15, Prince)
In this manic comedy from Puerto Rico, a boy runs for his middle-school student council president to impress a girl, so his friends will do anything to make sure he wins. But then she enters the race herself, so he convinces them to do anything to make sure he loses! The co-directors Jaime and Tony Valles and producer Victoria Racimo will be here.
(Repeats tomorrow, 4:15 pm, International House)

The Peace Tree (2:30, Prince)
Based on actual events that led to a world-wide movement, two seven-year-old girls from different religions want to celebrate each other’s holidays. When their parents disapprove, they create their own celebration. The program opens with three animated shorts.
(Repeats tomorrow, 2:00, International House)

Also Suitable For Families:

The Cave of the Yellow Dog (2:30, Ritz East 1)
While not part of the “For the Family” series, this extraordinary film from the director of the acclaimed festival favorite Story of the Weeping Camel is definitely family-friendly. Impossible to classify – it’s not fiction, but it’s hardly a documentary – it’s a moving true-life story of a nomadic young Mongolian girl and her friendship with a puppy that her father at first rejects but eventually appreciates.
(Repeats tomorrow, 7:15, Ritz East 2)

Tickets:
$9.50 for ages 13 and up, 4:00 and after
$7.50 for ages 13 and up, before 4:00
$6.00 for ages 12 and under (CASI, CASI & PEACE TREE only).

6 – TODAY’S GUESTS

12:15 pm: CASI CASI – co-directors Jaime and Tony Valles, producer Victoria Racimo; Prince Music Theater
12:30 pm: THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON – director Jeff Feuerzig; Ritz East 2
4:45 pm: “My Life in Toons” shorts program; International House
LIFE IN TRANSITION director John R. Dilworth
5:00 pm: BOYNTON BEACH CLUB – co-writer-director Susan Seidelman; Prince Music Theater
7:00 pm: HARD COAL – director Marc Brodzik, producer Seymour Levin; International House
7:00 pm: TWO DAYS – writer-director Paige Carl Griggs, cast member Heather Douglas (University of Pennsylvania graduate); Cinema at Penn
7:30 pm: ONE LAST THING… -- director Alex Steyermark, writer Barry Stringfellow (Marcus Hook natives), cast members Gideon Glick and Matt Bush; Prince Music Theater
9:30 pm: ROLLIN’ WITH THE NINES – co-writer-director Julian Gilbey; also Ishmael Klein, director of the accompanying short THE HOLLYWOOD MACHINE; Cinema at Penn
9:30 pm: HEAD SPACE -- director Marc Erlbaum; International House

7 – TODAY’S PREMIERE FILMS

World Premiere: Hard Coal (7:00, International House)
World Premiere: Head Space (9:30, (International House)
World Premiere: Two Days (7:00, Cinema at Penn)
North American Premiere: Evil (5:15, Bridge)
North American Premiere: Hell (Narok) (2:30, Ritz Five)
North American Premiere: Rollin' with the Nines (9:30, Cinema at Penn)
North American Premiere: Tokyo Zombie (10:00, Prince)
U.S. Premiere: Texture of Skin (2:30, Bridge)

8 – TODAY’S EVENTS

1:30-4:30 – “The Second Draft”: Set in Philadelphia (SIP) offers a hands-on workshop for experienced screenwriters who want to enhance the readability of their scripts by learning essential post-editing techniques. Facilitators: Brian Wade, Diane Walsh. SIP is presented by Greater Philadelphia Filmmakers.
FREE. University of the Arts Terra Building, 211 South Broad Street, Rm. 1225

10:00 – “Adult Swim 4 Your Lives”: The Cartoon Networks’ edgiest creators from Adult Swim join HEAD SPACE director Marc Erlbaum for an outrageous party of previews, premieres and who knows what else, hosted by Dana Snyder (aka Master Shake) with “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” director Jay Edwards and friends as guests.
Admission: $10, 21 and over. The Cabaret, 859 N. American Street.

9 – TICKET INFORMATION

To purchase advance Festival tickets, visit www.phillyfests.com, call 267-765-9700 or visit any Philadelphia area TLA Video store. Same day tickets are available for purchase only at the venue, beginning 30 minutes before the first screening.

10 – PFS MEMBERSHIP

The Philadelphia Film Festival is produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting outstanding film and video in the greater Philadelphia region. To become a Society member, call 215-733-0608 x 296 or visit www.phillyfests.com.

11 – SPONSORSHIP APPRECIATION

The Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible by the support of over one hundred sponsoring organizations, led by the Pennsylvania Film Office, the Bridge: cinema de lux, the City of Philadelphia, and TLA Entertainment Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PHILLYFESTS.COM

Festival Newsline #8: A Day at the "Beach"

2006-04-07T05:04:00.000-07:00

A Day at the “Beach”
Festival Newsline #8
Friday, April 7, 2006

1 -- SELLOUTS

Here’s today’s list of sell-outs:

Elsa & Fred – April 7
FUCK – April 7
JONI’S PROMISE --- April 8
The Cave of the Yellow Dog – April 8
Tapas– April 9
Elsa and Fred – April 9
Friends with Money – April 11

The following has less than 20 tickets available:

The King – April 7
The King – April 8
Cold Showers – April 8
one last thing… -- April 9
Wordplay – April 9 (yes, it was sold out yesterday, but a sponsor returned a block of tickets)

The following have less than 40 tickets available:

COLD SHOWERS – April 7
American Dreamz – April 8
American Dreamz – April 9
the cave of the yellow dog – April 9

Wait, were you dreaming or wasn’t AMERICAN DREAMZ sold out yesterday? Yes it was. We always set aside a certain number of tickets for all-access badge holders for every screening. We think we set aside too many for AMERICAN DREAMZ, so we released some for sale.

2 – PROGRAMMERS PICKS

The weekend arrives and with it an embarrassment of riches, so you really have to map out what you want to see and when. Here are some titles that the curators have been really looking forward to:

Portrait of a Lady Far Away (7:15, International House) Cinema of the Muslim Worlds curator Ray Murray is especially excited about this Iranian psychological mystery – it feels more French or classic film noir. A man gets an anonymous phone call from a suicidal young woman and then spends the rest of the night with her enigmatic best friend trying to track her down, wandering the dark streets of LA – oops, Tehran.

THE DISTRICT! (7:15, Ritz 5) Animation curator Michael Enright is thrilled to give the US premiere of this award-winning and breathtakingly controversial animated feature from Hungary. It stars criminal youth, drug-addicted prostitutes, black marketeers, corrupt corporate tycoons, and George W. Bush – in musical numbers, no less. ICE AGE 2 it’s not – and thank God for that!

CURTAIN CALL (9:45, Prince) Anyone who knows Fest Indies Curator Scott Johnston knows that he has little patience for formality, bureaucracy and rules. He’s a grass-roots guy from the get-go, which is why he likes this film so much. It’s the story of an arts program in South Philly that lets kids create their own musical theater. It’s THEIR show, literally and figuratively, and Mickey and Judy pale in comparison.

WHO GETS TO CALL IT ART? (5:00, Prince) There’s not much that doc curator Jennifer Steinberg doesn’t know at least something about – sorry, Penn alums, but she IS a Northwestern graduate, after all. Still, even she admits she found this doc fascinating, because she met the one person who actually set the standards for pop art, the one person who could say, “No, that DOESN’T look just like something your kid could do!” Meet the guy yourself.

EVIL ALIENS (10:00, Ritz East 1) The British invasion of Danger After Dark that has so delighted Travis Crawford continues with this comic bloodbath about invading aliens and the Welsh villagers determined to save the world. It’s side-splitting (literally, and I do mean literally) action, and way, way over the top, so if you like your gore with tongue in cheek, or the tongue ripped through the cheek, then we’ll see you there.

3 – HOMETOWN HEROES, PART 1

All festival long we’ve had films created by former Philadelphians; people like Lee Daniels with SHADOWBOXER, Keith Fulton and Lou Pepe with BROTHERS OF THE HEAD, David Boreanaz in THESE GIRLS. This weekend there’s an even bigger crop, with some major festival titles. Tonight’s headlining titles are:

BOYNTON BEACH CLUB (7:15, Prince)
Abington-born Susan Seidelman makes her fourth festival appearance with a delightful romantic comedy inspired by her parents own very lively retirement community, starring Dyan Cannon, Brenda Vaccaro, Sally Kellerman, Joseph Bologna, Len Cariou, Michael Nouri. Susan Seidelman will attend the screening and participate in a Q&A session afterwards.
(Repeats Saturday, 5:00, Prince)

The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes (5:00, Ritz 5)
The Philly born and now London-residing Brothers Quay are internationally heralded as masters of surreal stop-motion animation, but we are now presenting the East Coast premiere of their first feature film in a decade, a haunting, eerie dream-poem about abducted opera divas featuring their trademark stop-motion-animated gothic automata. Come prepared to be spellbound!
(Repeats Saturday, 9:45 · The Bridge)

4 – TODAY’S GUESTS

It’s the weekend, which means we’re rolling out the red carpet for lots of guests:

12:30 pm: MY NIKIFOR – co-writer-director Krzysztof Krause, co-writer Joanna Kos; Ritz East 2
5:00 pm: WHO GETS TO CALL IT ART? – director Peter Rosen; Prince Music Theater
5:00 pm: WASSUP ROCKERS – writer-director Larry Clark; Bridge
5:15 pm: KINKY BOOTS – director Joel Edgerton; Ritz East 1
5:15 pm: ROLLIN’ WITH THE NINES – co-writer-director Julian Gilbey; also Ishmael Klein, director of the accompanying short THE HOLLYWOOD MACHINE; Cinema at Penn
7:15 pm: BOYNTON BEACH CLUB – co-writer-director Susan Seidelman; Prince Music Theater
7:30 pm: LOL – co-writer-director Joe Swanberg, cast members C. Mason Wells, Tipper Newton, Kevin Bewersdorf; Cinema at Penn
9:30 pm: “Is This Too Much” shorts program – virtually all the featured directors
9:45 pm: CURTAIN CALL – director James Doolittle; Prince Music Theater
10:00 pm: FUCK – director Steve Anderson; Cinema at Penn

5 – TODAY’S PREMIERE FILMS

Except for BEIJING BUBBLES, which is a second screening, these are all true premieres!

World Premiere: Curtain Call (9:45, Prince Music Theater)
North American premiere: Beijing Bubbles: Punk and Rock in China's Capital (5:00, International House)
North American premiere: Out of Hand (9:45, The Bridge)
North American premiere: Rollin' with the NINES (5:15, The Cinema at Penn)
U.S. Premiere: The District! (7:15, Ritz Five)

6 – TODAY’S EVENT

5:00 – Cine Café, “Regional Filmmaking”: The Cine Café series continues with a program on the community of filmmaking that gets featured in the Festival of Independents. The series is presented by Penn Cinema Studies and this program is led by Nicola Gentili.
FREE. Voices and Visions Bookstore, 4th Street, lower level. For more information, visit http://cinemastudies.sas.upenn.edu. Sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania

7 – TICKET INFORMATION

To purchase advance Festival tickets, visit www.phillyfests.com, call 267-765-9700 or visit any Philadelphia area TLA Video store. Same day tickets are available for purchase only at the venue, beginning 30 minutes before the first screening.

8 – PFS MEMBERSHIP

The Philadelphia Film Festival is produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting outstanding film and video in the greater Philadelphia region. To become a Society member, call 215-733-0608 x 296 or visit www.phillyfests.com.

9 – SPONSORSHIP APPRECIATION

The Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible by the support of over one hundred sponsoring organizations, led by the Pennsylvania Film Office, the Bridge: cinema de lux, the City of Philadelphia, and TLA Entertainment Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PHILLYFESTS.COM

Festival Newsline #7: These "Kinky Boots" are Made for Walking

2006-04-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

These "Kinky Boots" are Made for Walking
Festival Newsline #7
Wednesday, April 6, 2006

1 - SELLOUTS

Yesterday’s Newsline had four sellouts from April 6 on. Today’s has nine. ‘nuf said.

Shame of a City - April 6
Tapas - April 6
Elsa & Fred - April 7
American Dreamz - April 8
The Cave of the Yellow Dog - April 8
American Dreamz - April 9
Tapas– April 9
Wordplay - April 9
Friends with Money - April 11

The following has less than 20 tickets available:

Kinky Boots - April 6
JONI’S PROMISE - April 8
Cold Showers - April 8

The following have less than 40 tickets available:

The King - April 7
The King - April 8
Elsa and Fred - April 9

If you noticed, the April 8 screening of CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG is no longer on this list. We moved it from Ritz East Theater 2 to 1, increasing the number of seats, but don’t expect that to last long. So what do you do? Buy in advance!

2 - PROGRAMMERS PICKS

A few titles make their debuts today, including some films that the curators have been waiting for with baited breaths.

THE PROPOSITION (9:30, Ritz 5)
From Australia comes this harrowingly brutal adventure saga set in the 19th-century, featuring riveting performances by Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone and Emil Watson. It’s an anti-western western, and the curators can’t stop talking about it.

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE (12:30, The Bridge) - North American premiere
In addition to being our resident gore-meister, Travis Crawford is an authority on Korean cinema, and he’s a huge fan of this five-hankie tearjerker about a naïve farmer and big city girl that is based on a true story and was one of South Korea’s biggest hits of 2005. So bring the Kleenex.

Hell (NAROK (9:45, The Bridge) - North American premiere
ISOLATION (9:45, Ritz East 1)
Lest you think that Travis is suddenly getting soft, tonight premieres two of his favorite Danger After Dark titles. The first, from Thailand, kills off its cast and sends them all down under (and we don’t mean Australia) where we get to watch them suffer. The second is from Ireland and involves genetically mutated cow fetuses terrorizing a small farm. Yep, you read that right.

3 - UNDER THE RAINBOW

Today our programming diversity goes a new direction as two very different but very exciting films open featuring strong gay characters and themes. Luckily, they’re in the same theater, so find your seat and get comfortable. You’ve got a double feature heading your gay - I mean way.

Kinky Boots (7:00, Prince)
From Great Britain comes a rollicking good time as a small-town women’s shoe factory looks for a savior to rescue it from bankruptcy. They find one, except she wears a size 13 - and she’s a he, a bold and brassy drag queen who convinces the factory to make women’s shoes for the men who wear them. The film’s star Joel Edgerton will attend the screening.

Go West (9:30, Prince)
A gay film in Cinema of the Muslim Worlds? Unthinkable! Well, think again! A gay couple (one Christian, one Muslim) tries to escape 1992 Sarajevo by having one dress as a woman. But he’s a little too convincing, as the other’s father thinks he gets to plan a wedding. Careening from comedy to wartime drama, GO WEST is full of surprises – and unexpected charm.

4 - EVENTS

7:00-10:00 - "Stella Artois LAST Last Call"
Featuring discounted Stella Artois beers
· Philadelphia Fish and Company, 207 Chestnut in Old City
· 12 Lounge @ the Bridge: Cinema de Lux, 4012 Walnut in University City

5 - SCHEDULE CHANGES

This afternoon’s screening of SUNFLOWER at 4:45 pm at Ritz 5 has been cancelled. It is being replaced with A QUIET LOVE, and the director Till Franzen will introduce the film and do a Q&A afterwards.

Tonight’s screening of BEETHOVEN’S HAIR at 7:15 pm at the Cinema at Penn has been postponed. It is being replaced with THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED. BEETHOVEN’S HAIR will instead be shown on Tuesday, April 11 at 7 pm at the Cinema at Penn.

6 - TODAY’S GUESTS

4:45 pm: A QUIET LOVE – writer-director Till Franzen; Ritz 5
5:00 pm: Shame of a City – director Tigre Hill; Cinema at Penn
7:00 pm: KINKY BOOTS – cast member Joel Edgerton; Prince Music Theater
7:15 pm: This Film Is Not Yet Rated – director Kirby Dick; Cinema at Penn

7 - TICKET INFORMATION

To purchase advance Festival tickets, visit www.phillyfests.com, call 267-765-9700 or visit any Philadelphia area TLA Video store. Same day tickets are available for purchase only at the venue, beginning 30 minutes before the first screening.

8 - PFS MEMBERSHIP

The Philadelphia Film Festival is produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting outstanding film and video in the greater Philadelphia region. To become a Society member, call 215-733-0608 x 296 or visit www.phillyfests.com.

9 - SPONSORSHIP APPRECIATION

The Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible by the support of over one hundred sponsoring organizations, led by the Pennsylvania Film Office, the Bridge: cinema de lux, the City of Philadelphia, and TLA Entertainment Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PHILLYFESTS.COM

* * * * *

Philadelphia Film Festival Newsline #6: Come On, Get Happy!

2006-04-05T00:49:00.000-07:00

Come On, Get Happy!

Festival Newsline #6

Wednesday, April 5, 2006

1 -- SELLOUTS

Yes, today we start counting with the number 1. Sorry for the confusion of yesterday's email, when we started with the number 2. That's what happens when you cut and paste from the previous day's Newsline - really late at night.

Susan Sarandon Award Presentation - April 5

American DREAMZ - April 8

Elsa and Fred - April 7

American Dreamz - April 9

Cave of the Yellow Dog - April 9

Friends With Money - April 11

The following has less than 20 tickets available:

SHAME OF A CITY - April 6

Cave of the Yellow Dog - April 8

TAPAS - April 9

WORD PLAY - April 9

The following have less than 40 tickets available:

TAPAS - April 6

The Devil and Daniel Johnston - April 8

COLD SHOWERS - April 8

Joni's Promise - April 8

Anything you want to see on this list? Don't risk disappointment - buy in advance!

2 - PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE

As always, today's programming has rich variety, from American love stories (SWEETLAND) to intergenerational Brazilian epics (HOUSE OF SAND), and from our music focus (THIS IS BOSSA NOVA) to juicy Danger After Dark pics about zombies (EVIL) and werewolves (WILD COUNTRY).

But there seems to be a healthy dose of films that, if not outright comedies, will certainly leave you with a smile on your face and extra spring in your step. Here are a few of them.

WASSUP ROCKERS (9:30, Prince): Larry Clark making a comedy? That's the last thing one would expect from this provocateur who specializes in under-age sex angst (KIDS, BULLY). But that's kind of what we get when a group of East LA Chicano skateboarders wheel into Beverly Hills. Meet the man himself as he introduces his film.

JONI'S PROMISE (5:00, Ritz East 1): This huge crowd-pleaser from Indonesia is a romantic comedy - between men and women, and between movie-lovers and movies. A bike messenger races the streets between movie theaters, delivering film reels. All goes well until one day when he wants to impress a girl. Naturally, that day EVERYTHING goes wrong.

TIME OFF (7:15, The Bridge) - An easy-going Chilean slacker falls into a funk when his girlfriend dumps him. Then comes exactly what any man needs in that situation: a schizophrenic 16-year-old girl. She turns his life upside down, or right-side up, as the case may be. It's called a new wave of youth cinema from Chile. We call it fun.

ICEBERG (12:15, The Bridge) - A second screening of the Belgian slapstick comedy. Here's a suggestion: go to www.phillyfests.com, and see if anyone has posted any personal reviews from last night's screening on our newly interactive Web site. That will give you some indication if you'll like it or not.

3 - OUT OF AFRICA

This year's festival has had a strong showing of films demonstrating the Black experience, and tonight we introduce two particularly strong documentaries from Africa:

Hip-Hop Colony: The African Hip-Hop Explosion (5:00, The Cinema at Penn) -- So often we think only how African culture is adapted to fit American society. This film goes the other direction. Part of our "Lights! Camera! Music!" series, it looks at how hip-hop has crossed the Atlantic and been adopted by African youth who have fused it with authentic African music.

Sisters in Law (9:30, The Cinema at Penn) Two defiant, high-spirited women - one a judge, the other an attorney - take on ancient, time-honored customs that deny women legal access in the Republic of Cameroon...one case at a time.

4 - LET US HEAR FROM YOU

Remember, after you've seen a film, don't keep your thoughts to yourself. Share them with others. You can go to the Stella Artois Last Call nearest you, or you can go home and log on to the www.phillyfests.com and post your comments on our newly interactive Web site.

Powered by Bside.com, the site allows you to review and rate each film on its own page. For some good examples, check out THE 4TH DIMENSION, SHAME OF A CITY or THE CAMDEN 28. The filmgoing experience shouldn't be a private one. We want to hear from you.

5 - EVENTS

5:00 - Cine Cafe, "The Documentary": The Cine Cafe series continues with a program on the documentary, led by Timothy Corrigan, of the Penn Cinema Studies Program and the English Department. Last Word Bookshop, 3925 Walnut Street.

FREE. For more information, visit http://cinemastudies.sas.upenn.edu. Sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania

7:00-10:00 - "Stella Artois Last Call"

Featuring discounted Stella Artois beers

- Philadelphia Fish and Company, 207 Chestnut in Old City

- 12 Lounge @ the Bridge: Cinema de Lux, 4012 Walnut in University City

6 - TODAY'S GUESTS

2:15 pm: EIGHTEEN - director Richard; Ritz East 1

5:00 pm: The 4th Dimension -- writers-directors Dave Mazzoni and Tom Mattera; International House

5:15 pm: A QUIET LOVE - writer-director Till Franzen; Ritz East 1

7:15 pm: "Artistic Achievement Award" - recipient Susan Sarandon, moderator Carrie Rickey; Prince

7:15 pm: SWEET LAND - writer-director Ali Selim; Ritz 5

9:30 pm: WASSUP ROCKERS - writer-director Larry Clark; Prince Music Theater

9:30 pm: "Symphony for the Devil" shorts program - virtually all the featured directors; International House

7 - TODAY'S PREMIERE FILMS

World Premiere: The 4th Dimension (5:00, International House)

North American premiere: Evil (9:45, Ritz East Theater 1)

North American premiere: Reincarnation (2:30, The Bridge)

U.S. Premiere: A Quiet Love (5:15, Ritz East Theater 1)

8 - TICKET INFORMATION

To purchase advance Festival tickets, visit www.phillyfests.com, call 267-765-9700 or visit any Philadelphia area TLA Video store. Same day tickets are available for purchase only at the venue, beginning 30 minutes before the first screening.

9 - PFS MEMBERSHIP

The Philadelphia Film Festival is produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting outstanding film and video in the greater Philadelphia region. To become a Society member, call 215-733-0608 x 296 or visit www.phillyfests.com.

10 - SPONSORSHIP APPRECIATION

The Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible by the support of over one hundred sponsoring organizations, led by the Pennsylvania Film Office, the Bridge: cinema de lux, the City of Philadelphia, and TLA Entertainment Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PHILLYFESTS.COM

Phila Film Fest Newsline 2 - April 1

2006-04-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

It's Kids Day - no Foolin'

Festival Newslines #2

Saturday, April 1, 2006

Today's Newsline is sponsored by Patou Restaurant, 312 Market Street. With its lively ambiance, Patou has hosted the Festival's annual program announcement press conference, kick-off members reception, and other events.

1-- Putting a Spring (Forward) in Your Step

Don't forget: Daylight Savings Time starts tonight. You don't want to show up at "12:15" tomorrow at the Prince for THE CAMDEN 28 only to find out it's really 1:15 and you missed the first 14.

2 -- SELLOUTS

Yesterday's lonely list of two sellouts has grown considerably!

4th DIMENSION - April 1

SHADOWBOXER - April 1

Leonard Cohen: I'm your man - April 1

LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN - April 2

SHADOWBOXER - April 2

Lady VengeAnce - April 4

Susan Sarandon Award Presentation - April 5

Friends With Money - April 11

The following have less than 20 tickets available:

Wah-Wah - April 1

Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai - April 1

Cave of the Yellow Dog - April 9

The following have less than 40 tickets available:

To Die in San Hilario - April 1

Hell (L'Enfer) - April 1

Elsa and Fred - April 7

American Dreamz - April 8

American Dreamz - April 9

Buy tickets in advance!

3 - ON THE B-SIDE

Among the new features of this year's Festival is a dramatically interactive Web site, powered by BSIDE.com. It's a new design that's been "test-driven" by only a few other film festivals, chiefly the Austin Film Festival. BSIDE.com offered us the technology to see how we - and you - would like it.

When you enter the site, you have the option of registering with BSIDE. If you choose not to, you can still explore the site to read program descriptions and order tickets. But if you do, the fun begins. Once you've attended a screening, you can post a review and rate the film, and read reviews of other festival goers - AKEELAH AND THE BEE has gotten 19 postings already.

You can create your own personal festival calendar, to keep track of your screenings. As you consider adding a film to your calendar, you can see how many other people added it to theirs, AND what were the top other films they added, giving you even more recommendations of films to see.

There's a Festival Buzz section where announcement will be posted, a map section for the venues, photo galleries for each film, and links to film web sites. There are even opportunities for blogging from filmmakers, curators and festival-goers, recounting their experiences along the way.

So when you're not at the movies, visit www.phillyfests and keep the festival experience at your fingertips.

4 - A FAMILY AFFAIR

Today's big news is the start of this year's new feature, our "For the Family" focus. We're presenting four films especially for young people and their families, and we're offering them on the weekends during the day. Today we present two films:

HOOT - A sneak preview of a major theatrical release about three middle-schoolers who take on corrupt politicians and land developers to save an owl habitat. Based on an award-winning children's book.

Today, 3 pm, Prince Music Theater

Tomorrow, 1 pm, Ritz East 1

THE MIGHTY CELT - From Ireland, a tender drama about a mother and her son and the racing dog he tries to raise and train. Starring Gillian Anderson, of "X-Files" fame, and Robert Carlyle.

Today, 12:30 pm, The Bridge

Tomorrow, 3:15 pm, Ritz East 1

Tickets are $7.50 for ages 13 and up, $6.00 for 12 and under.

4 - Silent films, but loud laughter!

While not part of the family series, this year's annual silent film presentation is perfect anyone who can enjoy some first-class silliness. It's a salute to the comedy shorts, and to the men who made them great: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy. Five shorts full of merry mayhem, including Keaton's masterpiece, COPS and L&H on a high-rise construction site. You'll laugh just thinking about it.

And demonstrating the misnomer of "silent films," Don Kinnear will return to provide live musical accompaniment as he has in previous years, and just as was done when these films were new.

5 -- TONIGHT'S GUESTS

The welcome mat is getting heavy traffic today with a full roster of guests. Here is the list in order of appearance:

2:30 pm: The Last Western - director Chris Deaux (former Philadelphian); International House

4:45 pm: SIR! NO SIR! - head researcher James Lewes; Cinema at Penn

5:15 pm: Turntable -- writer-director Robert Patton-Spruill and cast member Heather D. Lee; Prince

7:00 pm: The Camden 28 - director Anthony Giacchino; International House

7:15 pm: DAVID & LAYLA - director Jay Jonroy; Cinema at Penn

7:15 pm: Half Nelson -- co-writer/director Ryan Fleck, co-writer/producer Anna Boden, cast member Shareeka Epps; Ritz East 1

7:30 pm: Disappearances -- writer/director Jay Craven, cast member Charlie McDermott (resident of West Chester); Ritz 5

7:30 pm: Shadowboxer -- director Lee Daniels, producer Lisa Cortes; Prince

8:00 pm: The 4th Dimension -- writers-directors Dave Mazzoni and Tom Mattera; International House

9:30 pm: Pound -- writer-director Robert Downey, Sr.; Cinema at Penn

9:30 pm: THESE FOOLISH THINGS - writer-director Julia Taylor-Stanley; Ritz East 1

9:45 pm: These Girls - writer-director John Hazlett; Ritz East 2

10:00 pm: Brothers of the Head - directors Keith Fulton and Lou Pepe (Temple U graduates); Ritz 5

6 - SET IN PHILADELPHIA

Greater Philadelphia Filmmakers announces the winners of their "Set in Philadelphia" Screenplay Competition today, and they've created an entire afternoon of events in celebration, all at the Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square.

11am-12 pm: Marketing Your Screenplay

Get tips from the pros on marketing your script to the people who can make it happen.

1-2 pm: Up Close and Personal

An intimate conversation facilitated by Philadelphia Inquirer film critic Carrie Rickey.

12:15-4 pm: PhillyPitch!

Watch ten selected screenwriters as they are given five minutes to pitch their ideas for a screenplay to a panel of judges.

4:15 pm: "Set in Philadelphia" Awards Press Conference

Announcing the winners of the Competition

7 - ME AND MY SHADOW

Since it is Saturday night, the Festival presents two social events to keep things lively.

First, Calderwood Gallery is hosting a reception for all Film Society members and All-Access Badge holders from 6-9 pm, at 1622 Spruce Street. Enjoy complimentary wine, convivial conversation with other members and badgeholders and the gallery's display of exquisite French furniture.

Second, even if you didn't get your tickets to SHADOWBOXER in time, you can still meet its director, a hometown boy who's now a Hollywood success story, Lee Daniels, at a SHADOWBOXER post-screening party at Twenty21, tonight from 9 pm-midnight, at 2021 Market Street.

7 - TONIGHT'S PREMIERE LIST

World premiere: THE CAMDEN 28 (7:00, International House)

World premiere: 4th DIMENSION (9:30, International House)

North American premiere: Meatball Machine (10:00, Prince)

North American premiere: These Foolish Things (9:30, Ritz East 1)

8 - PROGRAMMING/SCHEDULING CHANGES

Don't forget today's changes:

. ADDITION: The documentary THE LAST WESTERN, at 2:30 pm, at International House, with the filmmaker Chris Deaux, a Philadelphia native here to introduce it.

. LOCATION SWITCH: At 4:45 pm, Boy Called Twist moves to International House, and Sir! No Sir! moves to The Cinema at Penn, without the two shorts.

9 - TICKET INFORMATION

To purchase advance Festival tickets, visit www.phillyfests.com, call 267-765-9700 or visit any Philadelphia area TLA Video store. Same day tickets are available for purchase only at the venue, beginning 30 minutes before the first screening.

10 - PFS MEMBERSHIP

The Philadelphia Film Festival is produced by the Philadelphia Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting outstanding film and video in the greater Philadelphia region. To become a Society member, call 215-733-0608 x 296 or visit www.phillyfests.com.

11 - SPONSORSHIP APPRECIATION

The Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible by the support of over one hundred sponsoring organizations, led by the Pennsylvania Film Office, the Bridge: cinema de lux, the City of Philadelphia, and TLA Entertainment Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PHILLYFESTS.COM

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SCREENING SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 1

12:00 . Hell (L'Enfer), Ritz East Theater 2

(France, Italy, Belgium, Japan, 98 min) Three sisters, estranged after a shared childhood trauma, are gradually reunited by a young stranger with a surprising revelation in this second film by Oscar and Cannes award-winning director Danis Tanovic (No Man's Land).

12:15 . Hamlet of Women, Ritz East Theater 1

(Algeria, 102 min) A delightful tale of what happens to a group of women - old and young - who must defend their village after the men leave to fight an insurgency.

12:30 . The Four Kings of Silent Comedy: Chaplin, Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, Prince Music Theater

The festival's annual silent cinema program presents a quintet of classic comedy shorts featuring the legends of early American comedy film. Perfect matinee entertainment for film buffs - and the whole family!

12:30 . U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha, Ritz Five

(South Africa, 120 min) This vibrant and energized musical retelling of Bizet's Carmen is set in a contemporary South African township.

12:30 . The Mighty Celt, The Bridge

(Ireland, 84 min) An affecting Belfast-set drama about a single mom and her 14-year-old son whose lives are profoundly changed when the boy adopts an awkward racing dog.

2:15 . Wah-Wah, Ritz East Theater 2

(Great Britain, 97 min) Actor Richard E. Grant's autobiographical directorial debut is a highly entertaining and rewarding look at British colonial foolishness in Swaziland circa 1970.

2:30 . Hanging Garden, Ritz East Theater 1

(Japan, 113 min) One of Japan's most exciting filmmakers, Toshiaki Toyoda, returns to the fest with this drama about a seemingly perfect middle-class family whose dysfunctional, repressed lives are shattered by the arrival of a stranger.

2:30 . The Master, Ritz Five

(Poland, Germany, 90 min) Piotr Trzaskalski's unique film about a levitating circus performer who feels only heaviness in his private life comes with a bracingly bleak ambience, splashed with a little magic realism.

2:30 . Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris, The Cinema at Penn

(US, 100 min) Melancholy bebop singer Jackie Paris might have been the most gifted male singer of his era...yet sadly he stands today as a mere musical footnote.

2:45 . Truth or Dare, The Bridge

(Germany, 86 min) An 18-year-old suburban girl, unable to tell her parents the truth when she flunks out of high school, and trapped in a difficult charade of deception, spins out of control in this perceptive American-Indie-influenced German drama.

3:00 . Hoot, Prince Music Theater

(US, 95 min) Carl Hiassen's 2003 Newberry Medal award-winning book about three adolescents who take on corrupt politicians and land developers in their efforts to rescue an owl habitat comes to the screen as a singularly thoughtful, engaging family film.

4:45 . Sir! No Sir! , The Cinema at Penn

(US, 83 min) Few Americans are aware that by the mid-1960s, many GIs had returned to the United States, disillusioned with America's participation in the ongoing war in Vietnam. A powerful documentary.

4:45 . Boy Called Twist, International House

(South Africa, 115 min) This South African adaptation of "Oliver Twist" remains remarkably faithful to the Dickens classic, even relocating all of the original character names to the streets of Cape Town.

5:00 . Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, Ritz East Theater 1

(US, 105 min) Equal parts concert film and intimate biography, this is a treat for both Cohen aficionados and novices. Gorgeous interpretations of the master's musical poetry by a broad range of artists are interspersed with rare interviews with the enigmatic troubadour.

5:00 . The Sun, Ritz Five

(Russia, Italy, France, Switzerland, Japan, 110 min) Alexander Sokurov, one of contemporary cinema's preeminent directors, delivers one of his finest achievements to date, a moving study of the relationship between Japanese Emperor Hirohito and General Douglas MacArthur following the end of WWII.

5:15 . District 13, The Bridge

(France, 85 min) Action movie as pure, stripped-down adrenaline rush, this Luc Besson-produced futuristic fight-fest has enough acrobatic spills and thrills to make you reel and squeal.

5:15 . Turntable, Prince Music Theater

(US, 95 min) A brooding DJ seeks to rise above the life of crime he has inherited, in this action-packed urban flick that pumps plenty of bass with its bullets.

Fri 3/31, 9:30 . The Cinema at Penn

5:15 . To Die in San Hilario, Ritz East Theater 2

(Spain, 100 min) A wild Spanish comedy of mistaken identity where a hardened criminal on the lam hides out in a dusty village of eccentrics, only to discover that they are cheerfully planning his death and burial.

7:00 . The Camden 28, International House

(US, 90 min) As illustrated by this documentary, one of the most significant and surprising events to take place in response to the Vietnam War occurred just across the river in Camden, New Jersey.

7:15 . David & Layla, The Cinema at Penn

(US, 109 min) This new comedy about young loves and the large ethnic families (on both sides) that stand between them could have been just another My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but its originality and insight set it apart.

7:15 . Half Nelson, Ritz East Theater 1

(US, 106 min) The auspiciously talented Ryan Gosling stars as an inspiring teacher who needs a little inspiration himself in Ryan Fleck's staunchly unsentimental, hard-hitting drama about the relationship between the teacher and one of his inner-city students.

7:30 . Disappearances, Ritz Five

(US, 98 min) Director Jay Craven painstakingly recreates prohibition-era Vermont in this magic realist tale of a father and son who take an epic journey into the Canadian wilderness to smuggle whiskey in an effort to save their herd of cattle.

7:30 . Love + Hate, Ritz East Theater 2

(Great Britain, 83 min) Set in a gritty town in the north of England, this promising debut film by director Dominic Savage is a skillfully told cross-cultural love story between the daughter of a Pakistani immigrant and an English boy.

7:30 . Shadowboxer, Prince Music Theater

(US, 93 min) Philly native Lee Daniels' wildly unpredictable crime thriller/romance stars Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding, Jr. as two professional killers who get caught in a web of deception when they fail to make a hit on a pregnant woman.

7:30 . The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai, The Bridge

(Japan, 90 min) The only Japanese sex film that manages to combine explicit sequences of carnal lust with discourses on existentialism and a satire on the Bush administration, this movie is an absolute riot.

9:30 . The 4th dimension, International House

(US, 80 min) A superbly well-crafted, dark and meditative film, delving into the supernatural, quantum physics, psychosis and other unseen dimensions that should (perhaps) be left unexamined.

9:30 . Pound, The Cinema at Penn

(US, 97 min) A rare screening of Robert Downey, Sr.'s wacky counterculture satire. The print, thought lost, was recently discovered,

9:30 . These Foolish Things, Ritz East Theater 1

(Great Britain, 111 min) Authentically old-fashioned, Julia Taylor-Stanley's star-studded debut movie is a lovely, languid reflection on everyday life among theater people in romantic, pre-war London, where men wore tweed, women smelled of lilac perfume and everyone drank green-tinted Gimlets.

9:45 . A BITTERSWEET LIFE, The Bridge

(South Korea, 120 min) This visually stunning tale of gangland revenge from the director of Tale of Two Sisters has style to burn and shootouts that make vintage John Woo look like romantic comedies by comparison.

9:45 . These Girls, Ritz East Theater 2

(Canada, 92 min) Three teenage girls choose an unsuspecting older man (David Boreanaz) for their sexual awakenings, a situation which turns out to be much less enjoyable for him than one would expect.

10:00 . Brothers of the Head , Ritz Five

(Great Britain, 90 min) Temple University alumni Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe (Lost in La Mancha) deliver their first fiction film, a mock-rock-documentary about conjoined-twin rock stars in 1960s and 70s London.

10:00 . Meatball Machine, Prince Music Theater

(Japan, 90 min) Full-throttle splatter-ific Japanese cyberpunk science-fiction/horror at its most aggressive, this mind-blower about alien parasites that turn their human hosts into slave "Necroborgs" will leave you dizzy and drained - in a good way.