LAFF 2015: 3 Must-See Films: "Fan Girl", "In the Treetops", "The Confines"

This year's edition of the Los Angeles Film Festival is in full swing. The festival opened Wednesday, June 10, with Paul Weitz's "Grandma". The full festival line-up is here:

But here are three films that you just could not, should not miss!

FAN GIRL
Los Angeles Premiere | Special Screening

FAN GIRL introduces Telulah Farrow (Kiernan Shipka), a 15 year-old ironic cool girl who has two obsessions in life: pop punk music and making films. With just a few short days to come up with a killer final film project that could bring festival fame, Telulah gets a once in a lifetime chance to see her music idols in concert. She hatches a plan to bring her passions together, accompanied by smart mouthed wing-girl Jamie (Kara Hayward), and underachieving, over-energetic film class partner Darvan (newcomer Joshua Boone). Pop punk band "All Time Low" appears in the film and provides much of the soundtrack.

FAN GIRL is the feature-directing debut of rising indie producer Paul Jarrett (THE MAID'S ROOM, WEAKNESS). This is the second feature from writer Gina O’Brien, whose Sundance premiere ONCE MORE WITH FEELING was produced by Jarrett. Prior to her screenwriting career, O’Brien was a journalist and magazine editor in New York City. The script for FAN GIRL was loosely based on experiences with her own teenage daughter.

FAN GIRL stars Kiernan Shipka (“Mad Men”), Kara Hayward (MOONRISE KINGDOM), Meg Ryan (SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE), Josh Boone, Nicole Coulon, and Beanie Feldstein. Directed by Paul Jarret. Written by Gina O’Brien. The film is executive produced by O’Brien and Jonathan Gray, and produced by Jarrett, Nick Huston, and Adam Spielberg in association with Rosetta Films, Filament Productions and Literally Films.

FAN GIRL will screen at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival on Monday, June 15 at 6:00PM in Regal 11.

THE CONFINES
World Premiere | Nightfall

THE CONFINES is a claustrophobic thriller that follows a troubled young woman who, in a last-ditch effort at getting her life together, takes a job working nights as a security guard at an abandoned luxury apartment building. Stuck with a brusque rent-a-cop as her partner, she struggles to keep her mind from playing tricks on her while she patrols the empty halls. But as the night progresses strange things begin to happen - and she realizes it may not all be in her head.

Making his directorial debut, Eytan Rockway deftly constructs a tense thriller that blurs the lines between illness and reality to mirror the traumatized psyche of the protagonist, delivering a potent message about the power of our perception.

THE CONFINES stars Jason Patric, Louisa Krause, and Mark Margolis. Directed by Eytan Rockaway and written by Ido Fluk. Cinematography by Zachary Galler.

THE CONFINES will have its World Premiere at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival in the Nightfall category on Saturday June 13, 2015 at 10:45PM in Regal 10.

IN THE TREETOPS 

World Premiere | Zeitgeist

William, Alissa, Gary and Eric are close friends at different stages in their high school careers, but the social playing field levels out when they all pack into William’s hand me down car on a cold winter’s night. Their common goal: avoid going home. When a party is busted, the group picks up Alexa, William's dream girl who joins their road trip to nowhere. As the sun rises and potential transgressions are illuminated, this ragtag group finds their friendships tested.

From first time writer/director Matthew Brown, comes a nuanced portrait of in-betweeners doing their best to avoid the life they are living, while trying to find the life they want. A film full of beautifully naturalistic performances from its ensemble of newcomers, all of whom were students with Brown at North Carolina School of the Arts, IN THE TREETOPS in a very personal story of being alone, together.

IN THE TREETOPS stars Emma Corley Geer, Matthew Brown, Cameron Morton, Joshua Pagan and Gabriel Douglas. Written, directed and produced by Matthew Brown. Cinematography by Donald Monroe and editing by Max Wilde.

IN THE TREETOPS will have its World Premiere at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival in the new competitive Zeitgeist section onSunday, June 14 2015 at 6:45PM in Regal 9.

See you at the festival!

News: Filmbuff to release "Awesome Asian Bad Guys" on June 23!

"Awesome Asian Bad Guys" is a web series turned feature film and combines the collective talents of Hollywood actors and Youtube stars in an irreverent homage to the nameless, expendable, yet imposing villains of ‘80s & ‘90s action flicks. 

Online watch party and premiere event is set for June 23 on all major VOD platforms including the film’s website, AwesomeAsianBadGuys.com, powered by VHX, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu and Xbox Video.

Los Angeles, CA - Digital entertainment curator FilmBuff will release the web series-turned-feature action comedy AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS from filmmakers/YouTubers Stephen Dypiangco and Patrick Epino a.k.a National Film Society on June 23 on all major VOD platforms including the film’s website, powered by VHX, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu and Xbox Video.

An irreverent homage to the nameless, expendable, yet imposing villains of ‘80s & ‘90s action flicks, AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS plunges a ragtag group of Asian “bad guy” actors into a deadly mission to take down LA’s most nefarious mob boss. The cast uniquely combines popular Hollywood actors including Randall Park (The Interview, Fresh Off the Boat), Al Leong (Die Hard, Lethal Weapon), Dante Basco (Hook), Yuji Okumoto (The Karate Kid, Part II), Tamlyn Tomita (Joy Luck Club, The Karate Kid, Part II), George Cheung (Rambo: First Blood Part II), and Aaron Takahashi (The Wedding Ringer) with major YouTubers such as Wong Fu Productions, Wendy Nguyen (Wendy’s Lookbook), and AJ Rafael.

“We are excited to be launching our project with FilmBuff,” says co-director Patrick Epino. “They have made it possible for us take our movie to major platforms so that it can reach a wider audience. These legendary performers have spent their careers in the background, and this project finally gives them their due. It places them front and center where they belong. We look forward to building this into a franchise by developing a potential sequel and other kick-ass projects within the AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS universe.”

The AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS intellectual property originally began as a 2-minute video on Dypiangco and Epino’s National Film Society YouTube channel, where they incubated the project as part of the PBS Digital Studios network. With a modest but highly engaged and passionate audience, the duo recruited key talent and then took their concept to Kickstarter, where they raised production funds and expanded their fan base.

The first web-based project to ever participate in the prestigious Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) Emerging Storyteller program, the film premiered at CAAMFest and went on a successful festival run, playing to sold-out screenings of enthusiastic fans.  

“We are so lucky to have found such young, talented, and dedicated filmmakers in Patrick Epino and Stephen Dypiangco,” says FilmBuff’s Sam Scupp. “Starting this project as a two-minute video and expanding it to what it is today is such a remarkable feat, and we are proud to have a part in sharing AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS with the world. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two fantastic filmmakers.”

Using VHX, AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS will coordinate an online watch party experience accessible from anywhere in the world on June 23 that is tied to a special premiere event in Hollywood.

“AWESOME ASIAN BAD BUYS owes its existence to our online supporters, so it only makes sense to thank them and reach new fans with a big online watch party,” says co-director Stephen Dypiangco. “The film is available for pre-order from our website via direct-to-consumer platform VHX, which has empowered us through powerful tools and inspiring advice to expand our audience and turn our release into a major digital launch event.”

"We're very excited to help Awesome Asian Bad Guys take control of video sales through their own (kick-ass) website,” says VHX CEO Jamie Wilkinson. “For a film with such a great fan community already, it's the perfect opportunity for them to build a direct connection with their audience."

AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS is co-directed by and co-stars Stephen Dypiangco and Patrick Epino. The film is produced by Stephen Dypiangco, Patrick Epino, Milton Liu, and Diana Williams and is executive produced by Phil Yu, creator of the Angry Asian Man Blog, and Devon George.

LAFF 2015: "POCHA (Manifest Destiny)", Official Zeitgeist Selection

World Premiere

SUNDAY | JUNE 14 | 6:30 PM

REGAL CINEMAS 

LA LIVE 10

In this gorgeously filmed crime thriller, first time feature filmmaker Michael Dwyer and his co-director Kiatlin Mclaughlin bring the intensity to POCHA (MANIFEST DESTINY) - an engaging story of a young woman caught in the cross hairs of life. Chasing the bling of the lux life, Claudia, a twenty-something Chicana, makes bad choices – and gets caught.  Despite the fact that she barely speaks a word of Spanish, her undocumented status gets her deported to Mexico.

After being deported from the U.S.A. for credit card fraud, she is forced to go to her estranged father’s cattle ranch in northern México. Although she can never legally return to the U.S. Claudia refuses to accept life with her estranged father and grandmother in her foreign “homeland,” and she spirals into a dangerous situation with a handsome smuggler. Veronica Sixtos gives a nuanced performance as an emotionally withholding anti-hero who’s trouble for anyone who dares to care about her. Pitched in a heightened style between a slow-burning thriller and a noir western, this smartly conceived allegorical tale confronts the dark side of the American dream.

The film features several extraordinary actors beginning with the hot Roberto Urbina, one of Colombia's finest young actors who is currently playing the Jesse Pinkman character in Metástasis, the Colombian adaptation of Breaking Bad; Veteran actor Julio Cedillo as Claudia's father -  played the title role in Tommy Lee Jones' THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA;  Maria Del Carmen Farias (Mexican Ariel Award nominee for El Sueño de Lu); Jorge Jimenez (director/actor of Hermoso Silencio, a beautifully crafted film); Jesse Garcia (best known for his indie performance in Quinceañera), and amazing newcomer Veronica Sixtos.

Veronica Sixtos and Jesse Garcia were in QUINCEAÑERA (Sundance 2006) and Garcia is now in the Robert Rodriguez series FROM DUSK TILL DAWN.  Julio Cedillo played the title role in Tommy Lee Jones' THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA.  María del Carmen Farías was nominated for an "Ariel" Mexican Academy of Film Award in 2013 for EL SUEÑO DE LU.  Roberto Urbina was in CHE and plays the young meth dealer in the Spanish language version of BREAKING BAD. Both Roberto Urbina and Jorge Jimenez are featured characters in the upcoming Netflix drama NARCOS.

See you at the festival!

LAFF 2015: "Band of Robbers", Official Zeitgeist Selection

Have you ever imagined Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn all grown up? This re-imagined, modern day fable will take you to through that journey as they continue to search for the hidden treasure that has eluded them since childhood.

BAND OF ROBBERS will make its world premiere at LAFF on Saturday, June 13th at 7:15 PM at Regal LA Live Cinemas.

It’s a modern riff on Mark Twain’s beloved Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn starring Kyle Gallner (American Sniper, Dear White People, The Finest Hours), Adam Nee (Drunk History), Matthew Gray Gubler (Criminal Minds, 500 Days of Summer, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou), Hannibal Buress (SNL Emmy-nominated writer, Broad City, Neighbors), Melissa Benoist (Glee, Supergirl), Daniel Mora (The Bridge), Eric Christian Olsen (NCIS: Los Angeles), and Stephen Lang (Avatar, Salem).

Directed by Aaron Nee & Adam Nee and produced by John Will, Rick Rosenthal, Matt Ratner, Arun Kumar, this modern-day retelling of Mark Twain’s iconic books, Band of Robbers, is a comedic adventure that re-imagines the characters as grown men, and small-time crooks.  When Huck Finn is released from prison, he hopes to leave his criminal life behind, but his lifelong friend, and corrupt cop, Tom Sawyer, has other plans. Not ready to give up on his childhood fantasies, Tom forms the Band of Robbers, recruiting their misfit friends, Joe Harper and Ben Rogers, to join them for an elaborate plan to find a fabled treasure. But the plan soon unravels, thrusting the guys on a wild journey with dangerous consequences.

Visit the films official website: www.bandofrobbers.com for more details.

See you at the festival!

XXX
Raymond Lo

News: Acclaimed rom-com "Boy Meets Girl" available on VOD now!

Michael Welch (TWILIGHT) and newcomer Michelle Hendley in  BOY MEETS GIRL

Michael Welch (TWILIGHT) and newcomer Michelle Hendley in  BOY MEETS GIRL

Michael Welch (TWILIGHT) and newcomer Michelle Hendley in  BOY MEETS GIRL

Michael Welch (TWILIGHT) and newcomer Michelle Hendley in 

BOY MEETS GIRL

"A funny and touching [film] boasting a superlative debut performance by Michelle Hendley."
Frank Scheck, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"Profoundly sensitive & often wryly funny look at friendship, romance, sexual attraction and gender identity... The cast is first-rate, especially Hendley."
Gary Goldstein, LA TIMES

"A refreshing new indie rom-com..."
Michelle Ehrhardt, OUT MAGAZINE

AVAILABLE NOW ON iTUNES, GOOGLE PLAY, AMAZON INSTANT, VUDU, WOLFEONDEMAND.COM + ON CABLE VIA TIME-WARNER, COMCAST, CHARTER & COX. 

DVD WILL BE AVAILABLE APRIL 28 THROUGH AMAZON, NETFLIX, BESTBUY.COM, BARNESANDNOBLE.COM, FAMILY VIDEO, WOLFEVIDEO.COM, AND MANY OTHER RETAILERS.

From veteran independent film director Eric Schaeffer (IF LUCY FELL starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Ben Stiller, Elle Macpherson, NEVER AGAIN starring Jeffrey Tambor and Jill Clayburgh) comes BOY MEETS GIRL, a Southern set coming-of-age romantic comedy featuring layered, naturalistic performances from newcomer trans actress Michelle Hendley and Michael Welch (Twilight).

One of the most popular and award-winning LGBT films of the year, BOY MEETS GIRL is an authentic Southern romantic-comedy starring the newcomer Michelle Hendley as Ricky, a young transwoman trying to navigate life and looking for romance in her small Kentucky hometown. Will she find love with the beautiful rich girl Francesca (Alexandra Turshen, RED OAKS) or with her lifelong best pal Robby (Michael Welch, TWILIGHT franchise)? Authentically written and directed by accomplished indie filmmaker Eric Schaeffer (IF LUCY FELL starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Ben Stiller, Elle Macpherson, NEVER AGAIN starring Jeffrey Tambor and Jill Clayburgh), BOY MEETS GIRL simultaneously exemplifies and transcends the category of "LGBT film" to present the very human story of the blurry and complicated lines between friendship and romance, gender and sexuality.

Said writer-director Eric Schaeffer, "In making this film, I wanted everyone--regardless of gender (cis or trans) or sexual orientation to have a chance to identify with the film's themes of wanting to be unconditionally loved and accepted for who we are. The message in this film is the same as in all my work: labeling leaves no room for who we really are, or how we really experience life. I think our only chance is to bury those labels forever in favor of a singular new one: human. Hate is easy.  The real courage is in love."

BOY MEETS GIRL completed its theatrical run in February 2015 and garnered numerous awards on the film festival circuit, including Best Feature at the Teaneck International Film Festival, the prestigious Iris Prize Festival and the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. The film also picked up multiple awards at FilmOut San Diego, sweeping up nearly every jury award for which it was eligible at the 2014 festival - nabbing statues for Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor. Hendley also won the Programming Award for Outstanding Emerging Talent.        

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Raymond Lo

News: Seed and Spark campaign launched for "First Girl I Loved"

From The Team Behind "THE YOUNG KIESLOWSKI"

WINNER!!!

2014 LAFF Audience Award Best Narrative Feature 
2015 Sonoma International Film Festival Best American Indie 
2015 Cleveland International Film Festival Best American Independent 

FIRST GIRL I LOVED is proud to be working with film-specific crowdfunding experts Seed&Spark. Over at the campaign page, writer/director Kerem Sanga is kicking things off with a video about what inspired him to write FIRST GIRL I LOVED. Also there, lots more information about the story, updates about production/casting and all the ways to get involved.   

The Story

Anne Santos, a teenager in the Canoga Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, has decided she's not yet ready to come out as a lesbian - until she falls in love with Sasha Basañez, an athlete even more conflicted about her sexuality than she is.

There are things you can’t change. Your ethnicity. Your sexual orientation. The way you look. The way you talk. But Anne -17, Hispanic and gay- will try. She’ll alternately embrace and reject her ethnicity, her sexuality, even the way she talks, all in the name of fitting in.

See filmmaker's 3-minute video pitch : HERE

"I gravitate towards stories of youth in crisis. THE YOUNG KIESLOWSKI was about someone who didn’t want to be a parent but pretended like he did. FIRST GIRL I LOVED is in a sense the opposite. She’s ready to be herself, to have her first love. But this will not be easy to admit.

"The next generation is going to come along and figure this all out a lot better than we have. Being gay is becoming less ‘a difference to tolerate’ and more something that simply is. It’s not about acceptance or rejection. It’s not about being proud or ashamed of who you are or where you come from. For me, it really all comes down to love. And, as Anne will discover, before you can really love someone, first you have to love yourself. 

"THE YOUNG KIESLOWSKI followed a fairly traditional path. The film premiered at the 2014 Los Angeles Film Festival, won the audience award, and sold to Mance Media for theatrical and digital distribution.  

"FIRST GIRL I LOVED could go this route, and we are certainly targeting festival premieres at Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, and LAFF; however, the goal here is to get creative with the project and break out from the confines of traditional film distribution. We think, given the targeted audience of FIRST GIRL I LOVED, that we can combine traditional casting with web “influencers” to build a strong fan base from day one of production—giving us a built-in audience that will be interested in seeing the finished product.  Additionally, we have partnered with various nonprofits in order to expand the reach of the film and its message.  LA/SF-based “Out of the Closet” thrift stores, which appear in the film, have agreed to partner with the production on a cross-promotional basis. We are also talking to the Chicano Latina Scholarship Fund out of the Bay Area, and Planned Parenthood here in Los Angeles."

The Team

Ross Putman and Dave Hunter first began collaborating with Kerem as graduate students at USC, where they were all part of the MFA Writing for Screen and Television program. Together, they developed a screenplay that became Kerem's debut feature, THE YOUNG KIESLOWSKI.  It premiered at the 2014 Los Angeles Film Festival, where it won the audience award for "Best Narrative
Feature."

With Kerem as a writer/director and Ross & Dave as producers, they founded PSH Collective, FIRST GIRL I LOVED is their follow-up film, though they are also producing the punk-rock rom com DINNER IN AMERICA, and the female-driven comedy ESKIMO SISTERS, with Danny Leiner (HAROLD AND KUMAR) directing.

Seth Caplan is an award-winning producer known for producing the 2007 indie hit IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS.  The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and sold to IFC, later winning the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Also returning are cinematographer Ricardo Diaz, editor Ryan Brown, and composer John Swihart.

XXX
Raymond Lo

News: LA Premiere of "In Nomine Matris"

Award-winning Filipino movie to screen in Los Angeles on December 5, 2014!

"A MUST-SEE MOVIE!"

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING!

“Will Fredo goes to those dark places artists live in day to day and also finds the comedy. He captures that fine line between passion, pursuit for our career and art, and our desire and need for a loving relationship. The trio of the mother [Tami Monsod], the mentor [Clara Ramona], and the female lead [Liza Diño] dance off is a must see but the meat stomp scene with Ava [Tami Monsod] is classic!” ~ Stephen Girasuolo, Actor/Producer NYC

"In Nomine Matris will be remembered as a stellar artistic breakthrough. But most of all, it will be honored as one of the few films that tries to understand the painful sacrifices women make either for passionate ambition or love for a man. And why most often, she cannot have both." ~ Marivir Montebon, NYC Executive Editor at OSM (Awesome Global Citizens online magazine)

“In Nomine Matris is a sensual, passionate glimpse into the world of flamenco in Manila. We're hypnotized by the rhythms of flamenco and beautiful dance captured on screen. The scene with Ava, Mara, and Mercedes (played by Tami Monsod, Liza Diño, and Clara Ramona respectively) in the dance off still gives me chills! Along with the beautiful dancing, I love love loved the mothers in this story. They are graceful fighters, embracing and protecting while guiding with their fierce gaze.” ~ Sanju Balasunderam, Solutions Manager, Integral Development Corporation (New York, USA)

"An inspiring narrative about a woman's love, her passion & sacrifice. The flair of flamenco fused with Filipino dance & music is simply remarkable. Most notable is the dance segment featuring Mara, Mercedes & Ava - it's a reflection of how these women's lives are very similar: failed relations fueled their internal conflicts, with struggles over personal motivations becoming more complex through motherhood. In Nomine Matris is a compelling showcase of Filipino talent, definitely a must-see movie!" ~ Rutchel Sajor, Banker and Proud Mother (New York, USA)

"The most pleasant surprise of the movie is Biboy Ramirez. As the less-favored son and the silent admirer of Liza Diño's character... His is clearly a case of an actor who has often been misused, even unused by an industry that puts premium on artificially-manufactured celebrities... Dalawang ulit akong pinaiyak nina Liza at Biboy -- first in the scene where BIboy finally reveals that he has loved Mara (Liza's character) all his life and the scene in the operating room... Wala na, reach na for a Kleenex from my bag." ~ Arnel Ramos, Entertainment Columnist

For Tickets: Call +1.424.232.6781 or visit http://www.thesgproductions.com/

AFIFest 2014: Winners!

AFIFest 2014 concludes today with the announcement of the winners. The announcement is currently going on at the cinema lounge inside the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

Audience Award Winners

World Cinema Audience Award
RED ARMY
Country: USA | Russia
Year: 2014
Director: Gabe Polsky
Producer: Gabe Polsky
Executive Producers: Werner Herzog, Jerry Weintraub, Liam Satre-Meloy
Directors of Photography: Peter Zeitlinger, Svetlana Cvetko
Editors: Eli Despres, Kurt Engfehr
Music: Christophe Beck, Leo Birenberg
Featuring: Slava Fetisov, Vladislav Tretiak, Scotty Bowman, Vladimir Pozner

New Auteurs Audience Award

GUEROS
Country: Mexico
Year: 2014
Director: Alonso Ruizpalacios
Screenwriters: Alonso Ruizpalacios, Gibrán Portela
Producer: Ramiro Ruiz
Director of Photography: Damián García
Editors: Yibrán Asuad, Ana García
Production Designer: Sandra Cabriada
Music: Tomás Barreiro
Cast: Tenoch Huerta, Sebastián Aguirre, Ilse Salas, Leonardo Ortizgris

American Independents Audience Award
10,000 KM

Country: Spain | USA
Year: 2014
Director: Carlos Marques-Marcet
Screenwriters: Clara Roquet, Carlos Marques-Marcet
Producers: Tono Folguera, Jana Díaz Juhl, Sergi Moreno
Executive Producers: Mayca Sanz, Pau Brunet, Danielle Schleif
Director of Photography: Dagmar Weaver-Madsen
Editors: Julia Montañés, Carlos Marques-Marcet
Production Designer: Laia Ateca
Cast: Natalia Tena, David Verdaguer

Breakthroughs Audience Award
THE MIDNIGHT SWIM

Country: USA

Year: 2014

Director: Sarah Adina Smith

Screenwriter: Sarah Adina Smith

Producers: Jonako Donley, Mary Pat Bentel

Executive Producers: Jennifer Wilson, Steve Pearson, Samuel T. Bauer

Director of Photography: Shaheen Seth

Editor: Sarah Adina Smith

Music: Ellen Reid

Cast: Lindsay Burdge, Aleksa Palladino, Jennifer Lafleur, Ross Partridge, Beth Grant, Michelle Hutchison, Shirley Venard 

http://raymonddeasislo.blogspot.com/2014/10/afifest2014-midnight-swim.html

Jury Award Winners

• Special Jury Prize for Collection to David O'Reilly for his three films: CHILDREN'S SONG, NDA, WRONG NUMBER

• Grand Jury Award Animated Short winner: YEARBOOK

• Special Jury Mention for Breakthrough Filmmaker winner: GRAY HAS AN AIDS SCARE

• Special Jury Mention for Vision winner: SOUND THAT

• Special Jury Mention for Direction winner: SHIPWRECK

• Grand Jury Award Live Action Short Film winner: BUFFALO JUGGALOS

• Special Jury Mention for Screenwriting: GUEROS

• Special Jury Mention for Cinematography: VIOLET

• The @VIZIO Visionary Special Jury Award: THE TRIBE

• New Auteurs Critic's Award: SELF MADE

Congratulations to all the winners!

XXX

Raymond Lo

Awards: 2015 Spirit Award Nominations on November 25

The nominations have been announced! Click here for the full list: http://raymonddeasislo.blogspot.com/2014/11/awards-2014-independent-spirit-award.html




The 2014-2015 awards season is slowly heating up. Film Independent announced today that the 2015 Spirit Award nominations will be held two weeks from now on November 25 at the W Hollywood in Hollywood. Rosario Dawson (Top Five, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Cesar Chavez, Rent) and Diego Luna (The Book of Life, Cesar Chavez, Y Tu Mama Tambien) will host the event in a press conference style at 10:00 am PT.

“We are so thrilled that Rosario Dawson and Diego Luna are teaming up once more to join Film Independent in announcing this year’s Spirit Award nominees,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “This year marks our 30th anniversary and we look forward to celebrating with the independent film community on the beach on February 21st.”

Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, will announce the winners on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the 30th Film Independent Spirit Awards. The live event is held under Film Independent’s signature tent on the beach in Santa Monica and will broadcast live exclusively on IFC at 2:00 pm PT/ 5:00 pm ET.

The organization also announced that Maggie Mackay has been promoted to Director of Spirit Awards Nominations. Mackay was formerly Senior Programmer at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Announced earlier this month, Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions joined the team as executive producer and producer Shawn Davis returns for his 13th show.

Spirit Awards are given out in the following categories: Best Feature, Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, Best Director, Best Screenplay, John Cassavetes Award (given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000), Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female, Best Cinematography, Best International Film, Best Documentary, Best Editing and the Robert Altman Award. The Filmmaker Awards include the Piaget Producers Award, the LensCrafters Truer Than Fiction Award and the Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award.

In addition to celebrating the broad spectrum of independent filmmaking, the Spirit Awards is also the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the industry. To learn more about table sales and attendance, please contact jmurby@filmindependent.org or 310.432.1253.

About the Film Independent Spirit Awards
Now in its 30th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers whose films embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience. The winners of the Spirit Awards are voted upon by Film Independent and IFP Members. Awards are given in the following categories: Best Feature, Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, Best Director, Best Screenplay, John Cassavetes Award (given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000), Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best International Film, Best Documentary and the Robert Altman Award. The Filmmaker Grants include the Piaget Producers Award, the LensCrafters Truer Than Fiction Award, and the Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award. The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors Piaget, The Lincoln Motor Company, Bank of America, Heineken and IFC. FIJI Water is the Official Water of the 2015 Spirit Awards. WireImage is the Official Photographer of Film Independent.

About Film Independent
Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a Member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover.
In addition to producing the Spirit Awards, Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year- round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.
For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org/membership.

View the special Happy Birthday message from John Waters below:



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Raymond Lo

"The Playback Singer" Opening November 14

"The Playback Singer", a feature film by Suju Vijayan will open in Los Angeles on November 14.

The movie tells the story of an aimless, would-be, jungle-gym architect who finds his existence disrupted – and his marriage upended – when his prickly, Indian, B-movie playback singer father-in-law comes to visit and overstays his welcome.

Heard but rarely seen on screen, Ashok, who hasn’t seen his daughter in 16 years, wants to stay with the couple as he embarks on a singing tour of the United States. When it turns out the tour is a scam and that as an investor he has lost his money, Ashok, embarrassed by the event, is convinced to stay while his daughter, Priya, tries to recoup his investment and her relationship with her father. Ashok and Ray initially spend their days picking on each other, but eventually they bond over beers and their shared laid back attitude towards life. However, when Priya finds out she’s pregnant and Ray has a less than ideal reaction, Ashok realizes he needs to help Ray reflect on his life and turn things around so he can be the good father and husband Ashok never was.

The film marks the feature film directing debut for the Emmy nominee and TV veteran Suju Vijayan. An Indian American filmmaker, she has crafted a truly second generation Indian American film - one that looks less towards India than towards the experiences of Indian Americans as a part of the rich cultural tapestry of the United States.

The film stars Ross Partridge (Baghead, The Freebie), Navi Rawat (Numb3rs, The House of Sand and Fog, The O.C.), and Piyush Mishra (Maqbool, Gulaal) - one of India’s leading actor/singer/songwriters. Hailed as a “genius” by Rolling Stone magazine, Mishra makes his English language debut in THE PLAYBACK SINGER and wrote and performed the film’s decidedly non-Bollywood but Indian soundtrack.

See you at the movies!

XXX
Raymond Lo

Movie Coverage: "Blood Ransom"

Cast of Blood Ransom (L-R) Caleb Hunt, Dion Basco, Anne Curtis, Vanessa Evigan, Darion Basco.
Photo by Sthanlee Mirador

 Mixed reactions to Blood Ransom

MANILA, Philippines - “I’m nervous! Super, super nervous but super excited!” Anne Curtis gushed when this writer had a short chat with her Monday evening after the press conference organized by Star Media for her first international film, Blood Ransom, in Glendale, California.

One thing fueling Anne’s excitement was the thought of her walking on her first US red carpet premiere right in the heart of Hollywood. “It’s bringing us, Filipino actors, here through the international indie scene and that, for me, is super major. It just goes to show that dreams really do come true if you have the patience and you wait for it.”

Fans of the actress need not worry though. Anne has no immediate plans of ever giving up her thriving career in Manila.

“At the moment? I know I have a career in the Philippines,” she replied after I asked her what would make her leave her comfort zone and try a career in the biggest entertainment industry in the world. “I have to do Showtime — it would be heartbreaking for me to leave. Movies? I can take a break, like teleseryes, but Showtime — that would be hard for me to leave.”

Earlier, during the presscon, the beautiful star addressed a related question and she gave an earnest reply, which offered a rare insight into how Anne values her success in the business.

“I would like to eventually come here and start from square one, like audition and try it out, you know, but then it’s so hard also to leave what is comfortable,” she said. “I know how hard I worked to get to where I am in the Philippines. It wasn’t an overnight thing. It was a climb to get where I am. But, you know, I wouldn’t close that door. I don’t know. It’s a big I-don’t-know.”

In the film, Anne plays Crystal, a mysterious and seductive woman who begins a perilous love affair with a man while on the run from her dangerous lover. But Crystal is not only running from her lover, she is also running away from a dark secret that’s haunted her for years and time may not be on her side.

Blood Ransom is from writer-director Francis de la Torre, the same filmmaker who gave Jericho Rosales his international break several years ago in the film Subject: I Love You. The international cast includes Alexander Dreymon, Caleb Hunt, Darion Basco, Dion Basco and Vanessa Evigan. Tectonic Films produced the film.

Early reactions to the movie from Tuesday’s US premiere, attended by the likes of American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez and basketball standout Kobe Paras, were decidedly mixed. Some declined to give their comment but praised Anne’s participation in the film.

The film is set for release in the US on Oct. 31 and is showing in Manila theaters now.

(This story first appeared on November 2, 2014 in The Philippine Star. Online link is here: http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2014/11/02/1386982/mixed-reactions-blood-ransom

xxx
Raymond Lo

AFIFest2014: 3 Films in Focus

Free tickets are still being distributed until the start of the Festival on November 3. You may consider below three films when selecting what movies to watch. The subjects are diverse and the screening schedules are not in conflict.

To get your free tickets courtesy of Audi, go to this link: http://afi.com/AFIFEST/freetickets.aspx

REALITY (RÉALITÉ)

Belgium, France. 

North American Premiere.

Director: Quentin Dupieux (RUBBER)
Screenplay: Quentin Dupieux
Cast: Alain Chabat, Jonathan Lambert, Elodie Bouchez, Kyla Kenedy, John Glover, Eric Wareheim, Jon Heder

Synopsis: 
A cameraman for a TV show is offered a chance to direct in this tapestry of dream logic that slides from one brilliantly bizarre situation to the next.

Festival screenings: Saturday, November 8, 9:30 PM and Sunday, November 9, 4:00 PM. 

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY
United Kingdom

Director: Peter Strickland (BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO)
Screenplay: Peter Strickland (BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO)
Cast:Sidse Babett Knudsen, Chiara D'anna

Synopsis:
An amateur butterfly collector and her housekeeper can’t get enough of their sadomasochistic games in this phantasmic tale.

Festival screenings: Tuesday, November 11, 10:00pm and Wednesday, November 12, 6:30pm.

GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM 
Israel
Official Israel selection for the 87th Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

Director: Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz
Screenplay: Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz
Cast: Ronit Elkabetz, Menashe Noy, Simon Abkarian, Sasson Gabay , Eli Gorstein, Rami Danon, Roberto Pollack.

Synopsis:

Unfolding entirely in a small courtroom, this edge-of-your-seat film follows Viviane Amsalem’s tense battle for a divorce in Israel’s strict rabbinical court. 

Festival screenings: Saturday, November 8, 2:00pm and Wednesday, November 12, 7:45pm.

See you at the festival!

xxx
Raymond Lo

AFIFest2014: "The Midnight Swim"

THE MIDNIGHT SWIM 
US Premiere (Breakthrough Category)

Screening dates: 
Friday November 7 - 7:00PM Chinese Theater 5
Saturday November 8 - 1:00PM Chinese Theater 5

Synopsis:
When their mother goes missing in Spirit Lake, three half-sisters travel home to settle her affairs. The youngest sister, June (Lindsay Burge), a documentary filmmaker, captures their bittersweet homecoming. But when the sisters jokingly summon a local ghost, their relationship begins to unravel and they find themselves drawn deeper and deeper into the true mystery of the lake.

Transporting its audience to a place drenched in the supernatural, THE MIDNIGHT SWIM is an eerie, atmospheric exploration of the inexplicable pull towards the unknown. In her first feature, Sarah Adina Smith has created a world that is reminiscent of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, subverting the obvious genre tropes in favor of a touching tale of three women struggling to say goodbye.

THE MIDNIGHT SWIM stars Lindsay Burdge (A TEACHER), Jennifer Lafleur (DO-DECA PENTATHALON), Aleksa Palladino (“Boardwalk Empire”), Ross Partridge (BAGHEAD, THE OFF HOURS), Beth Grant (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, THE ARTIST), Michelle Hutchison (FARGO, THIN ICE), and Shirley Venard (THE CURE).

THE MIDNIGHT SWIM is directed and written by Sarah Adina Smith. Producers are Mary Pat Bentel and Jonako Donley, with Executive Producers Jennifer Wilson, Samuel T. Bauer, and Steve Pearson. Director of Photography is Shaheen Seth and soundscape is by Ellen Reid.

USA / 2014 / 88 mins / DCP / English

Check out the film's website for more details: http://themidnightswim-movie.com/ 

See you at the Festival!

XXX
Raymond Lo

AFIFest2014: Full Program Slate

Click here to get FREE tickets to the festival sponsored by Audi.
http://www.afi.com/afifest/freetickets.aspx

GALAS

Opening Night (Thursday, November 6, 2014)

A MOST VIOLENT YEAR – Set in 1981, during one of the most crime-ridden winters in New York City’s history, A MOST VIOLENT YEAR follows the lives of Abel and Anna Morales (Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain) as they attempt to capitalize on the American Dream, while the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.  World Premiere.

Centerpiece Galas 

INHERENT VICE – INHERENT VICE is the seventh feature from Academy Award® nominee Paul Thomas Anderson and the first ever film adaptation of a Thomas Pynchon novel.  When private eye Doc Sportello’s ex-old lady suddenly out of nowhere shows up with a story about her current billionaire land developer boyfriend whom she just happens to be in love with, and a plot by his wife and her boyfriend to kidnap that billionaire and throw him a loony bin…well, easy for her to say.  It’s the tail end of the psychedelic ‘60s and paranoia is running the day and Doc knows that “love” is another of those going around at the moment, like “trip” or “groovy,” that’s being way too overused—except that this one usually leads to trouble.  With a cast of characters that includes surfers, hustlers, dopers and rockers, a murderous loan shark, LAPD Detectives, a tenor sax player working undercover, and a mysterious entity knows as the Golden Fang, which may only be a tax dodge set up by some dentist…Part surf noir, part psychedelic romp – all Thomas Pynchon.

Screening Schedule: Saturday, November 8, 2014

THE GAMBLER – Jim Bennett (Academy Award® nominee Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker.  Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral.  Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Academy Award® winner Jessica Lange) in his wake.  He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett’s future.  As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance… World Premiere.

Screening Schedule: Monday, November 10, 2014

THE HOMESMAN – When three women living on the edge of the American frontier are driven mad by harsh pioneer life, the task of saving them falls to the pious, independent-minded Mary Bee Cuddy (Hilary Swank).   Transporting the women by covered wagon to Iowa, she soon realizes just how daunting the journey will be, and employs a low-life drifter, George Briggs (Tommy Lee Jones), to join her. The unlikely pair and the three women (Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter) head east, where a waiting minister and his wife (Meryl Streep) have offered to take the women in. But the group first must traverse the harsh Nebraska Territories marked by stark beauty, psychological peril and constant threat.

Screening Schedule: Tuesday, November 11, 2014

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO SOPHIA LOREN – The evening will celebrate Loren’s illustrious career and coincides with the 50th anniversary of her Academy Award® nominated role in MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE [MATRIMONIO ALL’ITALIANA] (DIR Vittorio De Sica, 1964). A screening of her son Edoardo Ponti’s short film HUMAN VOICE (VOCE UMANA) in which she stars and MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE [MATRIMONIO ALL’ITALIANA] (DIR Vittorio De Sica, 1964).  MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE was restored in 2014 by Cineteca di Bologna, the Technicolor Foundation for Cinema Heritage and MEMORY! Cinéma Association and Surf Film.

Screening Schedule: Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Closing Night (Thursday, November 13, 2014)

FOXCATCHER – FOXCATCHER tells the story of Olympic Gold Medal-winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum), who sees a way out from the shadow of his more celebrated wrestling brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) and a life of poverty when he is summoned by eccentric multi-millionaire John du Pont (Steve Carell) to move onto his estate and train for the 1988 Seoul Olympics.  Desperate to gain the respect of his disapproving mother, du Pont begins "coaching" a world-class athletic team and begins to lure Mark into an unhealthy lifestyle and erodes the athlete's already shaky self-esteem.  Fueled by du Pont's mercurial personality, increasing paranoia and alienation from the brothers, the trio is propelled towards a tragedy no one could have foreseen.  Based on actual events, FOXCATCHER, directed by Bennett Miller, is a gripping and profoundly American story of brotherly love, misguided loyalty, and the corruption and emotional bankruptcy that can accompany great power and wealth.


SPECIAL SCREENINGS

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA
MERCHANTS OF DOUBT
MOMMY (Official Oscar Entry from Canada)
MR. TURNER
SAINT LAURENT (Official Oscar Entry from France)
STILL ALICE
TALES OF THE GRIM SLEEPER
TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT (DEUX JOURS, UNE NUIT) (Official Oscar Entry from Belgium)

Click here for more details: http://raymonddeasislo.blogspot.com/2014/10/afifest2014-8-must-see-special.html

CONVERSATIONS

ON ACTING: A CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL KEATON AND EDWARD NORTON – Known for creative fearlessness and meticulous approaches to their craft, actors Michael Keaton and Edward Norton will discuss their careers.   Keaton and Norton currently star opposite each other in BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) (DIR Alejandro González Iñárritu).

ON CINEMATOGRAPHY: A CONVERSATION WITH ROGER DEAKINS – Legendary director of photography and 11-time Academy Award® nominee Roger Deakins shares his wisdom and expertise in a discussion about the art of cinematography, and his upcoming release UNBROKEN (DIR Angelina Jolie).

INDIE CONTENDERS ROUNDTABLE – The Hollywood Reporter presents a diverse panel of distinguished filmmakers who have done standout work this year in independent films.  The discussion, moderated by THR’s columnist and blogger Scott Feinberg, will touch on their lives, careers and influences, as well as the challenges and rewards of working on indies.

YOUNG HOLLYWOOD ROUNDTABLE – The Los Angeles Times returns with its very popular Young Hollywood Roundtable.  Some of the year’s hottest rising starts will engage in a lively discussion with the Times’ Amy Kaufman on their life in the industry and being thrust into the limelight.


WORLD CINEMA SELECTIONS (29 titles)

'71
THE ABSENT (LOS AUSENTES)
AUGUST WINDS (VENTOS DE AGOSTO)
BLACK COAL, THIN ICE (BAI RI YAN HUO)
BREATHE (RESPIRE)
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY
EDEN
THE FOOL (DURAK)
FROM WHAT IS BEFORE (MULA SA KUNG ANO ANG NOON)
GETT, THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM (Official Oscar Entry from Israel)
GIRLHOOD (BANDE DE FILLES)
GOODNIGHT MOMMY (ICH SEH, ICH SEH)
HAEMOO (Official Oscar Entry from South Korea)
HUMAN CAPITAL (IL CAPITALE UMANO) (Official Oscar Entry from Italy)
THE IRON MINISTRY
JAUJA
LEVIATHAN (Official Oscar Entry from Russia)
MANOS SUCIAS
OVER YOUR DEAD BODY (KUIME)
REALITY (RÉALITÉ)
RED ARMY
THE SALT OF THE EARTH
SONG OF THE SEA
STATIONS OF THE CROSS (KREUZWEG)
TIMBUKTU (Official Oscar Entry from Mauritania)
TITLI
TU DORS NICOLE
VILLA TOUMA
WILD TALES (RELATOS SALVAJES) (Official Oscar Entry from Argentina)

Click here for more details: http://raymonddeasislo.blogspot.com/2014/10/afifest2014-haemoo-from-what-is-before.html


MIDNIGHT SELECTIONS (4 titles)

ALLELUIA – A hustler has the tables turned on him when a besotted con victim becomes his partner in crime in this genre-bending tale of sex and obsession.  DIR Fabrice Du Welz.  SCR Fabrice Du Welz & Vincent Tavier.  CAST Laurent Lucas, Lola Dueñas, Stéphane Bissot, Edith Le Merdy, Anne-Marie Loop, Helena Noguerra, Pili Groyne, David Murgia.  France, Belgium.

A HARD DAY (KKEUT-KKA-JI GAN-DA) – When corrupt Detective Ko is involved in a hit-and-run, a chain of events is unleashed that pits him against a diabolical nemesis.  DIR Kim Seong-hun.  SCR Kim Seong-hun.  CAST Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Jin-woong.  South Korea.

IT FOLLOWS – A group of friends is plagued by a nightmarish supernatural threat in this coming-of-age horror film from AFI FEST alum David Robert Mitchell.  DIR David Robert Mitchell.  SCR David Robert Mitchell.  CAST Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Olivia Luccardi, Lili Sepe.  USA.

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS – In this hilarious mockumentary, the undead lives of five flat-mates are thrown into pandemonium when a recently turned hipster tries to join the party.  DIR Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement.  SCR Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement.  CAST Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, Jackie Van Beek, Ben Fransham.  New Zealand.


BREAKTHROUGH SELECTIONS (4 titles)

The Breakthrough section is dedicated to the true discoveries of the programming process. It exists as a platform for artists at a crucial stage in their career to share their innovative work with enthusiastic audiences.

THE BLUE WAVE (MAVI DALGA) – Deniz and her friends are restless Turkish teenagers, distracted by love interests and ever-changing friendship dynamics, as they await the end of high school.  DIR Zeynep Dadak & Merve Kayan.  SCR Zeynep Dadak & Merve Kayan.  CAST Ayris Alptekin, Onur Saylak, Baris Hacihan.  Turkey, Germany, Netherlands, Greece.

FISH & CAT – Achieved in one stunning long take, this Iranian arthouse slasher follows a group of students in the woods and the sinister crooks they encounter there.  DIR Shahram Mokri.  SCR Shahram Mokri.  CAST Babak Karimi, Saeed Ebrahimifar, Abed Abest, Ainaz Azarhoush, Mona Ahmadi, Neda Jebraieli, Parinaz Tayeb, Samaneh Vafaiee.  Iran.

MAY ALLAH BLESS FRANCE! (QU’ALLAH BENISSE LA FRANCE!) – French rapper Abd Al Malik adapts his raw memoir chronicling the way religion and hip-hop saved him from the streets.  DIR Abd Al Malik.  SCR Abd Al Malik.  CAST Marc Zinga, Sabrina Ouazani, Larouci Didi, Mickaël Nagenraft, Matteo Falkone, Stéphane Fayette-Mikano.  France.  U.S. Premiere.

THE MIDNIGHT SWIM – Three half-sisters try to unlock the mystery of their mother’s deep-water disappearance in this unsettling tale, part ghost story and part family drama.  DIR Sarah Adina Smith.  SCR Sarah Adina Smith.  CAST Lindsay Burdge, Aleksa Palladino, Jennifer Lafleur, Ross Partridge, Beth Grant, Michelle Hutchison, Shirley Venard.  USA.  U.S. Premiere.


CINEMA’S LEGACY SELECTIONS (4 titles)

Now in its second year, Cinema’s Legacy is AFI FEST’s celebration of motion picture history, and a special opportunity to screen recent restorations of film classics and films about the history of cinema.

CINEMA PARADISO (1989) - A famous Italian film director reflects on his childhood friendship with a local theater projectionist in this must-see classic.  DIR Giuseppe Tornatore.  SCR Giuseppe Tornatore. CAST Philippe Noiret, Jacques Perrin, Antonella Attili, Enzo Cannavale, Isa Danieli, Leo Gullotta, Marco Leonardi, Pupella Maggio, Agnese Nano, Leopoldo Trieste, Salvatore Cascio.  Italy.

LOVE STREAMS  (1984) - Centering on a boozy, hedonistic writer and his beleaguered sister, this latter-era film by the great John Cassavetes celebrates its 30th anniversary.  DIR John Cassavetes. SCR John Cassavetes.  CAST Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes, Diahnne Abbott, Seymour Cassel, Eddy Donno, Tom Badal, Joan Foley, Jakob Shaw, Al Ruban, Margaret Abbott.  USA.

MAGICIAN: THE ASTONISHING LIFE AND WORK OF ORSON WELLES (2014) – Combining extensive filmmaker interviews and rare archival footage, Chuck Workman’s documentary takes us through the life of one of cinema’s greatest masters: Orson Welles.  DIR Chuck Workman.   USA.

YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW (IERI, OGGI, DOMANI) (1963) - Vittorio De Sica’s unique, three-part omnibus film features the mega-watt star coupling of international icons Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.  DIR Vittorio De Sica.  SCR Eduardo De Filippo, Isabella Quarantotti, Cesare Zavattini, Bella Billa and Lorenza Zanuso.  CAST Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Aldo Giuffrè, Agostino Salvietti, Lino Mattera, Tecla Scarano, Silvia Monelli, Carlo Croccolo, Pasquale Cennamo, Armando Trovajoli.  Italy, France.

NEW AUTEURS SELECTIONS (10 titles)

ALIVE (SANDA)
BLIND
FLAPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE (ÐAP CÁNH GIUA KHÔNG TRUNG)
GÜEROS
RUN
SELF MADE (BOREG)
THE TRIBE (PLEMYA)
VIKTORIA
VIOLET
THE WONDERS (LE MERAVIGLIE)

Click here for more details: http://raymonddeasislo.blogspot.com/2014/10/afifest2014-le-meraviglie-by-alice.html


SHORTS SELECTIONS (45 titles)

8 BULLETS (8 BALLES) - A grief-stricken expat hunts the man he believes is responsible for killing his family in this mixed-media fever dream.  DIR Frank Ternier.  SCR Frank Ternier.  France.

130919 • A PORTRAIT OF MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ - This one-take 3D film majestically documents legendary performance artist Marina Abramović in a manner befitting her art.  DIR Matthu Placek.  SCR Matthu Placek.  CAST Marina Abramović.  USA.

AFRONAUTS - Inspired by true events, It's July 16, 1969: America is preparing to launch Apollo 11. Thousands of miles away, the Zambia Space Academy hopes to beat them to the moon.  DIR Frances Bodomo.  SCR Frances Bodomo.  CAST Diandra Forrest, Yolonda Ross, Hoji Fortuna.  USA.

BATH HOUSE (SIMHALL) - The mice are going after the bath house safe in this droll stop-motion puppet short.  DIR Niki Lindroth von Bahr.  SCR Niki Lindroth von Bahr & Jerker Virdborg.  Sweden.

BUFFALO JUGGALOS - There is a secret land in upstate New York, where the Juggalos roam free...  DIR Scott Cummings.  SCR Scott Cummings.  USA.

THE CHAPERONE 3D - More than 10,000 drawings intersect with a series of animation techniques to tell the true story of a lone teacher's stand against a motorcycle gang in the 1970s.  DIR Fraser Munden.  SCR Fraser Munden & Neil Rathbone.  CAST Ralph Whims, Stefan Czernatowicz.  Canada.

CHILDREN'S SONG - Children sing a song.  DIR David O'Reilly.  USA.

THE CUT (LA COUPE) - A father and daughter fluctuate between proximity and detachment during the course a haircut.  DIR Geneviève Dulude-De Celles.  SCR Geneviève Dulude-De Celles.  CAST Milya Corbeil-Gauvreau, Alain Houle.  Canada.

DAY 40 - Sinister forces take hold in the untold sordid story of what really happened on Noah's Ark.  DIR Sol Friedman.  SCR Evan Morgan.  CAST John Boylan, Rowie Spodek.  Canada.

THE DIGGERS - These are the grave diggers. This is their day.  DIR Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck.  USA.

THE DRAGON IS THE FRAME - This experimental detective film explores the enigma of depression and its subtle interplay between presence and absence.  DIR Mary Helena Clark.  USA.

EXCHANGE AND MART - An unorthodox self-defense class at a remote Scottish boarding school yields unusual results.  DIR Cara Connolly & Martin Clark.  SCR Cara Connolly.  CAST Ewen Bremner, Grace Chilton.  United Kingdom.

FUNNEL - A man's car breaks down and sends him on a quest across town that slowly turns into the most fantastically mundane adventure.  DIR Andre Hyland.  SCR Andre Hyland.  CAST Andre Hyland.  USA.

GARY HAS AN AIDS SCARE - Gary might have a bit of a problem...  DIR Joe Callander.  USA.

HACKED CIRCUIT - This circular study of the Foley process portrays sound artists at work constructing complex layers of fabrication and imposition.  DIR Deborah Stratman.  USA.

THE HAIRCUT - In 1976, Amy defies expectations and joins the first class of female cadets accepted for military service. She'll have to prove to all that she has what it takes.  DIR Alexis O. Korycinski.  SCR Julia Cox.  CAST Bailey Noble, Molly Quinn, David Starzyk, Walter Fauntleroy, Chad Michael Collins.  USA.

HAZE - A well-intentioned young man struggles to explain last night.  DIR Chloe Domont.  SCR Chloe Domont.  CAST Casey Drogin, Hannah Gross.  USA.

HERE I AM...THERE YOU ARE... - When a married couple’s foreplay veers into domination, reality is stronger than the imagination.  DIR Dikla Jika Elkaslassy.  SCR Dikla Jika Elkaslassy.  CAST Ohad Knoller.  Israel.

HOLE - A fearless portrait of a disabled man in search of intimacy.  DIR Martin Edralin.  SCR Martin Edralin.  CAST Ken Harrower, Sebastian Deery, April Lee.  Canada.

HUMAN VOICE (VOCE UMANA) - Sophia Loren stars in this spirited adaptation of Jean Cocteau's one-woman play.  DIR Edoardo Ponti.  SCR Erri De Luca & Edoardo Ponti.  CAST Sophia Loren, Virginia Da Brescia, Enrico LoVerso.  Italy.

LIGHT - After suffering a devastating loss, a Lebanese man is challenged by a mother's request.  DIR Yassmina Karajah.  SCR Yassmina Karajah.  CAST Ahmed Muslimani, Soad Karim, Timothy J O'Leary.  Canada, Lebanon.

MAN ON THE CHAIR (L'HOMME SUR SA CHAISE) - Does the man on the chair exist?  DIR Dahee Jeong.  SCR Dahee Jeong.  France, South Korea.

MASTER MUSCLES - Veronica and Efren take an explosive road trip through a strange America.  DIR Efrén Hernández.  SCR Efrén Hernández.  CAST Jehina Malik, Efrén Hernández.  USA.

MI NINA MI VIDA - The bustling crowds and noisy rides of the amusement park won't be enough to make Jack smile today.  DIR Yan Giroux.  SCR Yan Giroux.  CAST Joël Henriques.  Canada.

MIGRATION - Observe the migration patterns of a most unusual herd.  DIR Fluorescent Hill.  SCR Mark Lomond.  Canada.

NDA - Man enacts legal fantasy.  DIR David O'Reilly.  USA.

THE OBVIOUS CHILD - Somebody broke the girl's parents. The rabbit was there when it happened. It was an awful mess.  DIR Stephen Irwin.  SCR Stephen Irwin.  CAST Ron Masa.  United Kingdom.

ONE YEAR LEASE - Brian and Thomas document one year's worth of their communication from their landlady, who has an itchy speed-dial finger and much to say.  DIR Brian Bolster.  CAST Brian Bolster, Thomas Harrington.  USA.

PERSON TO PERSON - A stranger passed out on his floor after last night's party. Now she won't leave. At least it will make a good story.  DIR Dustin Guy Defa.  SCR Dustin Guy Defa.  CAST Bene Coopersmith, Deragh Campbell.  USA.

THE PRESENT - An Eastern ghost story with haunting implications.  DIR Joe Hsieh.  SCR Joe Hsieh & Ching-Chwang Ho.  CAST Yu-Jane Liu, Pi-Li Yeh, Ming-Shiou Tsai.  Taiwan.

RABBITLAND - Those brainless rabbits are completely fulfilled. Why should their votes matter?  DIR Ana Nedeljkovic & Nikola Majdak Jr.  SCR Ana Nedeljkovic.  CAST Masa Mileusnic.  Serbia.

RAT PACK RAT - Even Sammy Davis Jr. impersonators have it tough.  DIR Todd Rohal.  SCR Todd Rohal.  CAST Steve Little, Eddie Rouse, Margie Beegle.  USA.

SEND - The Internet can be a dangerous place for teenage girls.  DIR Peter Vack.  SCR Peter Vack.  CAST Julia Garner, Jake Cannavale.  USA.

SHIPWRECK - A tour de force rumination on the terrible tragedy that befell a boat carrying 500 Ethiopian refugees on October 3, 2013.  DIR Morgan Knibbe.  SCR Morgan Knibbe.  Netherlands.

SILENT - A magical contraption brings the history of the movies to life!  DIR Brandon Oldenburg & Limbert Fabian.  SCR Limbert Fabian & Brandon Oldenburg.  USA.

SLAP - A teenage boxer comes to terms with his true self.  DIR Nick Rowland.  CAST Joe Cole, Elliott Tittensor, Skye Lourie, Stephen Bent.  United Kingdom.

SLEEPING GIANT - The chaotic nature of boys is captured in this lyrical coming-of-age journey.  DIR Andrew Cividino.  SCR Andrew Cividino.  CAST Isaac Wiebe, Nick Serino, Reece Moffett, Zoey Sawdo.  Canada.

SLUT - A young girl with love in her heart unwittingly attracts the attention of a murderous sociopath.  DIR Chloe Okuno.  SCR Chloe Okuno.  CAST Molly McIntyre, James Gallo, Sally Kirkland, Kasia Pilewicz, Cody Beverstock.  USA.

SOUND THAT - A few minutes spent looking for leaks in the infrastructure with the employees of the Cleveland Water Department.  DIR Kevin Jerome Everson.  SCR Kevin Jerome Everson.  CAST Kaulee Miller, Mark Pottinger, Terrance Martin.  USA.

WASHINGTONIA - The Washingtonia is the only palm tree whose heart is not devoured by the red beetle, because its heart is small and dry and no one likes small, dry hearts.  DIR Konstantina Kotzamani.  SCR Konstantina Kotzamani.  CAST Mamadu Dialo.  Greece.

WHITE MORNING - The violent little boys become violent little men.  DIR Paul Barritt.  SCR Paul Barritt.  United Kingdom

WRONG NUMBER - Girl can't throw up.  DIR David O'Reilly.  USA.

YEARBOOK - A man is hired to compile the definitive history of human existence before Earth blows up.  DIR Bernardo Britto.  SCR Bernardo Britto.  USA.

YES WE LOVE (JA VI ELSKER) - Four generations, each in crisis on Norwegian Independence Day.  DIR Hallvar Witzø.  SCR Hallvar Witzø.  CAST Edvard Hægstad, Terje Ranes, Hanne Skille Reitan, Johan Fredrik Bergflødt-Johannessen.  Norway.

YOUNG LIONS OF GYPSY (A CIAMBRA) - Over the course of one long night, a young Romani boy grows up.  DIR Jonas Carpignano.  SCR Jonas Carpignano.  Italy, France.


AMERICAN INDEPENDENTS (8 titles)

10,000 KM
BUZZARD
FAULTS
FELT
HAPPY VALLEY
HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT
THOU WAST MILD & LOVELY
THE VANQUISHING OF THE WITCH BABA YAGA

Click here for more details: http://raymonddeasislo.blogspot.com/2014/10/afifest2014-american-indepedents.html


About the American Film Institute

AFI is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers.  AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film; AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year; AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi, AFI DOCS and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world-renowned AFI Conservatory.  For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.

About AFI FEST presented by Audi

A program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a celebration of global cinema and today’s Hollywood ­– an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together with audiences in the movie capital of the world.  AFI FEST is the only festival of its stature that is free to the public.  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for both Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards®.  This year’s edition takes place November 6 – 13, 2014.  Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST.  Connect with AFI FEST at facebook.com/AFIFEST, twitter.com/AFIFEST and youtube.com/AFIFEST.

About Audi 

Audi of America Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles.  AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally.  The Audi Group delivered 1,575,500 vehicles to customers globally in 2013, and broke all-time company sales records for the fourth straight year in the U.S.  Through 2018, AUDI AG will invest about $30 billion in new products, facilities and technologies.  Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

See you at the festival!!!

XXX
Raymond Lo

Review: "Mood Indigo"

Mood Indigo

Saw Michel Gondry's latest film "Mood Indigo" last week. It's vintage Gondry. The movie revels in Gondry's whimsical cinema. It's charming, curiously absurd (my good friend Jo called his style "Absurdist Cinema") and, for all intents and purposes, simply surreal. It's a literal adaptation of Boris Vian's 1947 novel "Froth on the Daydream" and its American edition "Foam of the Daze" and it stars the charming tandem of Audrey Tautou ("Amelie") and Romain Duris ("The Beat that my Heart Skipped"). It also stars the handsome Omar Sy.

The film is a romantic-comedy that brims with infectious joy. The novel literally comes to life in so many wonderfully staged scenes. I particularly liked the extended scenes when the two lovers were literally floating in a cloud as they tour the Paris in Gondry's mind. It's sweet and joyful but eventually turns dark.

I loved it, enjoyed it! The movie is not for everyone though. I caution casual moviegoers to prepare for the unexpected and just enjoy what the filmmaker has so painstakingly prepared for his audience. But avid movie buffs should not miss this artsy fare...

"Mood Indigo" opens today in Los Angeles and New York. It should expand soon.

Rating: 4 Stars

XXX
Raymond Lo