For Immediate Release                                                                                                     Contact: Carol OSullivan

October 15, 2009                                                                                                                                      412-681-5449

 

Pittsburgh Filmmakers Announces 2009 Three Rivers Film Festival

 

(Pittsburgh, PA) – The 2009 Three Rivers Film Festival, presented by Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Dollar Bank, runs November 6 - 21. Now in its 28th year, the festival is one of the most eagerly awaited events in Pittsburgh, featuring independent American cinema, the hottest new documentaries and critically acclaimed international films. There are visiting filmmakers, informal discussions, a symposium, live music, parties and more. The venues are the Harris Theater, the Melwood Screening Room, and the Regent Square Theater.

 

On Opening Night, November 6, three films will premiere at three separate locations, with a party to follow at Pittsburgh Filmmakers Oakland location.  At The Harris Theater is Precious, already earning awards and Oscar buzz. Based on the best-selling novel, Push, its a vibrant, raw and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome adversity.

 

The Regent Square Theater offers a sneak of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, an adventure tale of good vs. evil with spectacular special effects from director Terry Gilliam. It features Heath Ledgers last, unfinished role, as well as an all-star cast. Set in present day London, this morality tale tells the story of a sideshow magician who pulls audience members onstage then sends them through a magic mirror into another world.  

 

The Melwood Screening Room hosts the premiere of a Pittsburgh-made comedy, If It Aint Broke Break It, directed by Dr. Ravi Godse. It features several local actors, including Adrienne Wehr, Patrick Jordan and Dave Petti, as well as celebrities from stage, screen, and TV: Steve Guttenburg, Rondell Sheridan, Richard Kind, Bill Nunn, and Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan. Its the 3rd indie feature (Im a Schizophrenic and So Am I, Dr. Ravi and Mr. Hyde) from this physician/filmmaker. The premise of the farce-with-a-message is that when Ravi (who always plays himself) is told he has six months to live, he decides to improve the lives of six friends. But of course, plans go awry. 

 

The Opening Night Party will be held again this year at 477 Melwood Ave, beginning at 9:00 pm. Filmmakers Galleries will open with zoo of (in)animate by international installation artist, Makiko Miyamoto. Opening Night tickets are $15 and include choice of opening night film, the party with food and drinks, the local band Donora, and late-night dancing with DJ Edgar Um.

 

On Friday, November 13, the second annual Three Rivers Film Symposium takes place at Filmmakers Oakland location. Is Film Dead? is this years topic and will focus on the changing ways moving pictures are made and displayed.  Films demise has been predicted for decades, with video advancing in picture quality, sound, portability, and affordability. Will high-definition (HD) finally eclipse film?  Those attending will gain  an appreciation for the tools used in making motion picture art. Anyone who has been to a movie theater, watched TV, or viewed video on the Web has something to contribute to these open discussions. For more information contact Will at:  412-681-5449, ext. 219, or zavala@pghfilmmakers.org

 

The Steeltown Entertainment Project will launch the Steeltown Film Factory on November 7th in conjunction with the Three Rivers Film Festival. The Film Factory invites students and aspiring artists (16- years-old and older) to compete in a one-year long filmmaking competition. During the competition, the most promising screenplays will be nurtured and developed through open-to-the-public writing workshops, staged readings, panel discussions, and networking events. In May 2010, the Film Factory will announce the competitions finalists, help produce their screenplay, and premiere their film at the 2010 Three Rivers Film Festival. Steeltown also hosts a brunch in the galleries at 477 Melwood Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 7, 10:30 am -12:30 pm. For details call Kahmeela at: 412-681-5449 x210; or visit www.steeltownfilmfactory.org 

 

The Film Festival concludes on Saturday, November 21. Bostons Alloy Orchestra is back in town with a restored print of the landmark 1929 film, Man With a Movie Camera. This powerful Soviet experimental documentary is enhanced by Alloys live music – a stirring combination of found percussion and state of the art electronic synthesizers. For years theyve captivated Pittsburgh audiences performing with Blackmail, Phantom of the Opera and other silent classics.

 

The complete schedule is online at www.3RFF. This years festival art, seen on sides of buses, flyers, posters, and programs – was created by Pittsburgh agency Brunner.

 

How to get tickets:

Opening* and Closing Night Tickets are $15. They go on sale October 20, at 10:00 am. They can be purchased by phone at ProArts (412-394-3353), online at www.proartstickets.org, or in person at the front desk at Pittsburgh Filmmakers offices.

 

Symposium Tickets are $30; $15 for students and PF/PCA members. Call Will Zavala at: 412-681-5449 ext. 219.

 

The Six-Pack Pass is $40 (six admissions plus a T-shirt). These are on sale now online at proartstickets.org, at all three theaters, and at the front desk at Filmmakers. They are also available at all Crazy Mocha locations; get a free coffee with the purchase of a pass.

 

A Silver Screenie Pass is $125 and on sale now. This pass is good for all films and special events. These passes are available online at www.proartstickets.org, by calling Pro Arts (412-394-3353), at all three theaters, or at the front desk at Filmmakers.

 

Single Tickets are $8.

These can be purchased in advance online at www.proartstickets.org. And as always, single tickets are sold at the theaters one half-hour before showtime.

 

 

2009 3RFF Film Descriptions in alpha order:

 

American Harmony

Audiences are applauding American Harmony. It captures the trills of victory and the agony of defeat jokes Variety. We journey deep into the ultra-obsessive, zany, heartfelt world of competitive barbershop singing, where passion is equaled only by raw talent, and the reward is not fame or fortune, but simply victory. The story follows four quartets as they vey for the International Championships of Barbershop Singing, in what turns out to be the closest and most controversial victory in the organization's 70-year history, fifty quartets duke it out for the coveted gold medal. Come early and enjoy local barbershop singers in the lobby! (Aengus James; US; 2008; 86 min)

Araya  -- restored print

An arid peninsula in northeastern Venezuela, Araya is one of the harshest places on earth. For 450 years the regions salt was collected and stacked into glowing white pyramids. A 17th-century fortress built to protect against pirates stands as a reminder of the days when the mineral was worth as much as gold. When this exotic film first premiered in 1959, it was compared to Robert Flahertys Man of Aran. But filmmaker Margot Benacerraf says Araya was not meant to be a documentary – it was meticulously planned as a tone poem – a composite of cinematography, music, sound and language. With breathtaking high-contrast, black-and-white images the camera gracefully pans and glides to reveal the landscape and the people of the peninsula.  With subtitles. (Margot Benacerraf; Venezuela/France; 1959; 82 min)

 

The Baker
This dark comedy stars the terrific British actor Damian Lewis (best know here for NBCs Life). In this film – written and directed by his brother – he plays a hit man who wants to quit. With assassins on his trail he flees to a quirky village in Wales, hiding out in the empty bakery. Passing himself off as Milo Shakespeare, the new baker, he attempts to blend into village life, striking up a romance with the beautiful town veterinarian. But as the villagers discover his true identity and start ordering hits on one another, things start to get messy. Milo discovers you cant have your cake and eat it too.  Also features the great Michael Gambon. (Gareth Lewis; UK; 2007; 85 min)

 

Beeswax

Young director-screenwriter Andrew Bujalski (Funny Ha Ha, Mutual Appreciation) is called the godfather of mumblecore, a purposely lo-fi style of filmmaking.  Here hes back with a cast of non-professional actors (though carefully cast) and a light, fast-moving camera.  He says this film is something like a legal thriller for anyone who finds that to be an oxymoron. Beeswax is also a story about families, real and imagined – people taking care of each other when they want to, when they need to, when they ought to. Jeannie and Lauren are twin sisters. Jeannie has been a paraplegic since youth. Lauren is between jobs and boyfriends, and is considering going overseas to teach. (Andrew Bujalski; USA; 2009; 100 min)

 

The Black Pirate – with Alloy Orchestra

Before there was Johnny Depp there was Douglas Fairbanks. This classic swashbuckler is the first grand-scale epic shot entirely in Technicolor, and packs enough thrills for a dozen movies. The lone survivor of a ship pillaged by buccaneers poses as the mysterious black pirate and infiltrates the nest of bandits. He mounts an elaborate ploy to recover the treasure, reclaim the ship and rescue the damsel distress. Written and starring Fairbanks, it features a daring underwater raid and one of the most famous movie stunts of all time involving Fairbanks, a knife, and a ships sail. This one is fun for the whole family, made more so with a live score performed by Bostons Alloy Orchestra. (Albert Parker; USA; 1926: 73 min)

 

The Blue Angel – archival print

Marlene Dietrich stars as the notorious nightclub singer Lola Lola whose unrestrained sexuality was a revelation to moviegoers of the early 1930s, and thrust her to the forefront of the sultry international leading ladies who were challenging the limits of screen sexuality. Emil Jannings (The Last Command) delivers a towering performance as the sexually repressed professor who is fatefully seduced and dragged down a path of personal degradation. With subtitles. (Joseph Von Sternberg; Germany; 1930; 106 min) Co-sponsored by Pitt Arts; part of the Sex Symbols in Sepia Tones Series; introduction and post-film discussion with reception are scheduled.

 

Bronson

Britains most violent prisoner is the anti-hero of this amazing drama, one of the most talked about films at Sundance.  In 1974, a 20-year-old robbed a post office and got a seven-year sentence. But walls do not a prison make; in this case it became an incubator for his art, which was fighting bloody battles he could not win. He ended up spending 30 years in solitary, which leads to the metamorphosis of alter ego Charles Bronson, career convict, celebrity, and insider artist. He is—quite terrifyingly—the star of his own story. Though based on facts, Bronson is less a biopic than an explosion of cinematic style. Features the music of Wagner, the Pet Shop Boys, and a stunning performance by Tom Hardy. Rolling Stone calls it electrifying." (Nicolas Winding Refn; 2009; UK; 92 min)

 

Caf Society

Fast bikes, black leather and rock n roll – this is a full-throttle blast! From their origins on the streets of England in the 50s, these first high-performance street bikes (Triumphs, BSAs, Nortons, Velocettes) are among the most desirable and distinctive motorcycles in the world. With a rockabilly soundtrack and retro fashions, this joy ride of a film tracks down the men behind the machines in the four decades since the creation of street bike clubs. Amazingly quite a few of the cafe racers were not only still challenging themselves on the streets, they were chuffed to hear that a team of Yank filmmakers were interested in hearing their stories. (Mike Seate, Ed Coughlin, Anthony Mandara, Brad Jones; USA/UK; 2009; 60 min) Mike Seate will introduce the film. Hes a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and publisher of Cafe Racer, a magazine about high-performance street bikes.

 

Canyon Cinema Presents with Dominic Angerame

In the early days Canyon Cinema existed as a "floating cinematheque," a series of informal screenings held in the backyard of filmmaker Bruce Baillie's house in Canyon, California. The group's offices moved to the basements of other artists and filmmakers, until in 1967, it became a non-profit distributor. Currently the San Francisco-based company is one of the last print sources specializing in avant-garde and experimental film in the world and its contribution to this field is historic and heroic. Dominic Angerame, Canyons executive director for the past 20 years, will travel to Pittsburgh to present a selection of experimental Super 8mm, 16mm, 35mm and digital works from their archives. 


Carpet Racers: A Crash Course – FILM KITCHEN

Life in the small lane is not easy. Producer Michael Rooney (Dans son) and director Jay Thames explore the subculture of grown men and women who race radio control cars for a living. No joke. These little beauties, approximately the size of shoeboxes, can reach velocities of 60 mph.  And when the best of the best get together in places like Orlando and Las Vegas to compete the level of racing takes on a fever pitch, where speed with control is the goal. This delightful film looks at the struggles and sacrifices of the top carpet racers in the world, but it also speaks to anyone longing to re-capture a little bit of lost youth. Reception at 7:00; film at 8:00. (Jay Thames; USA; 2009; 80 min)

 

Cloud 9

Winner of the 2008 Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes and a host of German (Oscar-equivalent) awards, this is the groundbreaking and lyrical story of a 67-year old married woman who rediscovers passion and sexuality after falling in love with a 76-year old man. When Inge, a seamstress, delivers a pair of altered pants to Karl, she is shaken out of her comfort zone in brand new ways. Nuanced and humorous, Cloud 9 reveals an aspect of life rarely portrayed on screen. Film Journal concurs: Not since David Leans Brief Encounter has a drama so thoughtfully explored a womans point of view on her extramarital affair. With subtitles. (Andreas Dresen; Germany; 2008; 98 min)

 

Died Young, Stayed Pretty

One of the highlights of this year's SxSW Film Festival, Died Young, Stayed Pretty is an entertaining, rabble-rousing documentary that provides an in-depth survey of the graphic designers and artists responsible for the renaissance of indie-rock concert posters. Fueled by the lingering energies of the punk movement and tying into larger DIY scenes, the poster designers have turned silkscreen advertisements for concerts by groups like Arcade Fire, Radiohead, and Sonic Youth into artistic creations in their own right. The Vancouver-based director is traveling the US with her film and is scheduled to introduce the film here. (Eileen Yaghoobian; USA; 2009; 95 min)

 

Dog Tooth

Witty, provocative, inventive, bitter, absurd and accessible are words being used to describe this Greek winner of the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes 09.  This grotesque parody of conventional domesticity takes place almost entirely within the confines of a single house, inhabited by a married couple 'protecting' their three adult children from contaminated society. The director parcels out the details of this bizarre, self-enclosed world slowly, leaving much unstated. And then, as so often happens in apparently hopeless situations, Sylvester Stallone comes to the rescue.  Explicit sexual and violent scenes. With subtitles. (Yorgos Lanthimos; Greece; 2009; 94 min)

 

Earth Days

Visually stunning, vastly entertaining and awe-inspiring, Earth Days looks back to the dawn of the modern environmental movement – from its post-war rustlings in the 1950s and the 1962 publication of Rachel Carsons Silent Spring, to the first wildly successful 1970 Earth Day celebration and the subsequent firestorm of political action. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Robert Stone (Oswald's Ghost, Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst) the film explores humanity's complex relationship with nature, and the achievements – and missed opportunities – of the green movement. (Robert Stone; USA; 2009; 102 min) Co-presented with Rachel Carson Homestead.

 

Egon and Donci

This delightful all-ages animated feature uses sounds and universal gestures, rather than dialogue, to communicate its characters thoughts and ideas. We meet Egon, a would-be scientist and explorer, and his cat Dnci – the sole inhabitants of a distant planet. When an unidentified flying object with a message from Earth crashes into their planet, Egon wants to make contact with the strange blue planet. So he starts building a spaceship for intergalactic exploration, though continually thwarted by the inquisitive Dnci. Eventually, the duo reaches Earth where they get a lesson in life. A visually striking tale, yet with well-developed characters, its the first fully computer-generated animated film to come from Hungary. (dm Magyar; Hungary; 2008; 75 min)

 

Exploding Girl

A beautifully restrained indie film, it stars up-and-comer Zoe Kazan – granddaughter of legendary director Elia Kazan – as cherubic college student Ivy, who has epilepsy. (She also played Leo DiCaprios secretary in Revolutionary Road.) Back home for the summer with her dance teacher mother, she keeps her condition at bay as long as she manages her emotions. As the hot New York summer melts on, Ivy plays phone tag with her boyfriend, but when they do awkwardly connect, each long pause reveals their growing distance. We wonder how long Ivy will be able to keep all thats boiling up inside from spilling over. (Bradley Rust Gray; USA; 2009; 79 min)

 

Freedom House: Street Saviors

Filmed in Pittsburgh, this is the story of the crucial role African Americans played in forming emergency medical teams – paramedics.  Between 1967 and 1975, starting as an improbable experiment, 50 unemployed black men and women were recruited from the inner city streets and trained to be the first paramedics in the US. They became the Freedom House paramedics.  Starting from a base in Presbyterian and Mercy Hospitals they introduced CPR to the world and helped design todays 911 dispatch.  These pioneers functioned at the top of their field – essentially setting the national standards for emergency care. But political winds shift and the city decided to launch its own mobile intensive care service. There was no longer room for the independent entity. This engrossing documentary is a testament to these forgotten heroes. (Gene Starzenski; USA/Pittsburgh; 2009; 80 min) The director is scheduled to introduce the film.

 

His People – with live piano music by Philip Carli

The 3 Rivers Film Festival welcomes back Dr. Philip Carli, world-renowned pianist and silent film composer (Sunrise, Beyond the Rocks).  He will accompany this rarely seen film from the silent era – an entertaining look at life in New York's Lower East Side in the 20s. This tale of immigrant life follows the sons of Russian-Jewish pushcart peddlers, Morris and Sammy Cominsky. The ambitious Morris hides his Jewish background from his friends to become a lawyer; brother Sammy becomes a prizefighter and plans to marry an Irish lass. Their parents struggle to understand the ways of their new homeland and the tradition-shattering decisions of their sons. A wonderful, evocative melodrama.  (Edward Sloman; USA; 1925; 91 min) Co-presented with the Jewish-Israeli Film Festival

 

If It Aint Broke, Break It – OPENING NIGHT

Its hard to say just who the star is in this feel-good comedy made in Pittsburgh. Is it the outstanding local actors: Adrienne Wehr, Patrick Jordan, Dave Petti? Is it the well-known celebs from stage, screen, and television: Steve Guttenburg, Richard Kind, Bill Nunn, Rondell Sheridan, or Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan? Is it the beautiful landmarks of Pittsburgh? In fact, its the affable Dr. Ravi – the writer, director and lead – who plays himself. This is the 3rd indie feature (Im a Schizophrenic and So Am I, Dr. Ravi and Mr. Hyde) from this real physician. Part Gandhi, part Don Knotts, Ravi is as philosophical as he is goofy and the result is absolutely infectious. The premise in this farce-with-a-message is that when Ravi is told he has six months to live, he decides to improve the lives of six people in that time. But misunderstandings rule the day, plans go awry, and good intentions backfire. (Ravi Godse; USA/Pittsburgh; 2009; 85min)

 

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus – OPENING NIGHT

The title suggests fable and adventure – and this audacious film delivers – but its also a glorious tribute to the late Heath Ledger. Director Terry Gilliam made the inspired decision to bring in Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell to amplify Ledger's last, unfinished role. Set in present day London, this gorgeous morality tale tells the story of Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), a sideshow magician who pulls audience members onstage and sends them through a magic mirror into another world. But as a young man, Parnassus made a pact with the devil (Tom Waits, sporting a pencil-thin moustache), and began a centuries-long battle in which Parnassus is granted powers – immortality and the ability to guide the imaginations of others – but at great cost to himself and others. With a stellar cast and dazzling effects, this is the one everyone will be talking about. (Terry Gilliam; 2009; Canada/UK/France; 122 min)

 

In Service: Pittsburgh to Iraq

The war in Iraq has been a prime subject for documentary filmmakers of late.  But this film, which was first presented as a live performance, is a different facet of the story.  We witness the experience of war through the eyes of Western Pennsylvanians serving as soldiers, government officials, and journalists. The film weaves war footage shot by the soldiers themselves, interviews, and still photography into a cohesive narrative of how world events affect local communities and touch the lives of those just down the street. From surviving IEDs to interrogating Saddam Hussein, individuals from the region recount their tales unfolding on an international stage. (Ralph Vittucio; USA/Pittsburgh; 2009; 56 min) Vittucio will introduce the film and moderate a Q&A with local soldiers after the film.

 

The Joy of Singing

A hit at this years Philadelphia Film Fest, the comic thriller centers on two secret agents who go undercover in an opera class to get closer to a woman who may possess a valuable USB key sought by a dangerous ring of international thugs. Sound like Hitchcock?  Variety says: Delightful, funny and refreshingly unpredictable, The Joy of Singing is a sexy comic caper that brings to mind John Huston's classic genre-twister Beat The Devil. Either way, youll have great fun juggling the labyrinth plots that eventually connect uranium to singing lessons. With subtitles. (Ilan Duran Cohen; France; 2009; 99 min)

 

Lailas Birthday

Tracing a day in the life of Abu Laila, this is a wry, comedic portrait of the West Bank city of Ramallah. Abu (played by legendary Palestinian actor Mohammad Bakri) is struggling as a taxi driver so he attempts to get a license from the Palestinian Authority to work as a judge. Laila's Birthday is a bittersweet journey of absurdity in a place where Israeli soldiers may not be visible, but where the occupation leaves chaos in its wake, and where bureaucrats enjoy sumptuously decorated offices. Beautifully shot and overlaid with a spare, lyrical score, says LA Weekly. With subtitles. (Rashid Masharawi; Palestine; 2009; 71 min)

 

Lake Tahoe

Showcased at both Cannes and Berlin International Film Festivals, this is the tender tale of a teenage boy searching for answers to some of life's most difficult questions. When Juan crashes his family's car he scours the streets for someone to help him fix it. His quest brings him to a lonely old man whose only companion is his dog; then to Luca, a young mother who wants to be a singer in a punk band; and then to "the one who knows," a teenage mechanic obsessed with martial arts. The bewildering worlds of these characters pull Juan into a one-day escape as well as a profound life journey. With subtitles. (Fernando Eimbcke; Mexico; 2008; 78 min)

 

Let Each One Go Where He May

Experimental filmmaker Ben Russells stunning feature film debut just premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. Shot (and projected) in 16mm, this Guggenheim recipient opts for mystery and natural beauty here, rather than traditional ethnography. He begins in the ghettos outside of Paramaribo, Suriname and ends in the rapids of the Upper Suriname River. Consisting of 13 ten-minute-long tracking shots each, the film follows two unnamed brothers as they make the long journey upriver, tracing the footsteps of their ancestors who escaped from slavery 300 years prior. The film's silent protagonists travel through the frontlines in the battle between tradition and global capitalism, one in which any movement forward necessitates a continual re-engagement with the past. (Ben Russell; USA; 2009; 135 min) The director is scheduled to introduce the film.

 

Man With A Movie Camera – with LIVE music Alloy Orchestra – CLOSING NIGHT

The Film Festival welcomes back Bostons Alloy Orchestra (Blackmail, The Last Command). For nearly 20 years they have performed their original scores for silent films around the world. Recently they acquired a gorgeous new print of this masterpiece from a Moscow film archive. Alloy wrote the score with the assistance of director Dziga Vertov's own composers notes. A ground-breaking documentary – and banned at one time in the Soviet Union – it has since become one of the most celebrated and influential films of all time. Vertov took to the streets of Moscow, Kiev, and Odessa to fashion this exhilarating, day-in-the-life portrait of an industrialized society on the rise. The result is one of the most innovative films of the silent era, a kinetic ode to urbanization. Astonishingly filmed and edited, it remains fresh today – and is enhanced by Alloys exciting live score.  (Dziga Vertov; USSR; 1929; 68 min)

 

Mazes – live performance with Ben Russell & Joe Grimm

Chicago-based media artist/curator/filmmaker Ben Russell will present his feature-length film Let Each One Go Where He May on Saturday night, but on Friday night he performs Mazes with musician Joe Grimm (a.k.a. The Wind-Up Bird). This experimental art performance uses double 16mm projection, photo-sensitive electronics and film loops to produce a transcendent barrage of flickering white light and audio signals.

 

The Messenger

Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, Six Feet Under) is an amazing actor of great depth, but most of us dont know his name. That may change after this film. Here he plays Will Montgomery, a young Army officer who is forced to work with a partner he cant stand – played by another under-appreciated actor, Woody Harrelson – in the least desirable job in the military. They have to inform relatives of soldiers killed in action. Wills life becomes even more complicated when he befriends a soldiers widow. If you like your emotions shot out of a cannon, dont miss this touching drama. Winner of Best Screenplay at Berlin Film Fest. (Oren Moverman; USA; 2009; 105 min)

 

Munyurangabo

Set in modern day Rwanda, this astonishing story of forgiveness has earned nothing but raves, including this from Roger Ebert: One of those miracles that can illuminate the cinema... it is in every frame a beautiful and powerful film – a masterpiece!  In a still-traumatized place, best friends Munyurangabo and Sangwa make their way from the capital city to the countryside. Sangwa wants to see the home he deserted years ago and Munyurangabo wants justice for his parents who were killed in the genocide. As they delve deeper into the past, their friendship is tested and elders warn them, Hutus and Tutsis are supposed to be enemies. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize, AFI Film Festival. With subtitles. (Lee Isaac Chung; 2008; Rwanda; 97 min)

 

No. 4 Street of Our Lady

This film tells the remarkable story of Francisca Halamajowa, a Polish-Catholic woman who hid 16 of her Jewish neighbors during the Holocaust, cleverly passing herself off as a Nazi sympathizer. On the eve of World War II, more than 6,000 Jews lived in Sokal, a small town in Eastern Poland, now part of Ukraine. By the end of the war, only about 30 had survived. For two years Halamajowa cooked and cared for them in her tiny house – right under the noses of German troops. In the final months of the war, she also risked her life by harboring a German soldier who had defected. The inspirational film includes interviews with Halamajowas descendants and former neighbors, whose paths converge on a trip back to Sokal. Its a compelling story, made more so knowing its based on a diary from a survivor – whose granddaughter, Judy Maltz – is one of the filmmakers. Presented in collaboration with Pittsburgh Ballet Theaters Light. (Richie Sherman, Judy Maltz, Barbara Bird; USA; 2009; 90 min) The directors will present the film.

 

North Face

Based on true events of 1936, North Face is a gripping adventure tale about the quest to be the first to scale the near-vertical Eiger North Face, the most dangerous, as yet unconquered rock face in the Alps. Two German pals, Andi and Toni, decide to take the challenge with only woolen socks and gloves, hemp ropes, and pitons theyve forged themselves. Two grizzled Austrian climbers are close behind. The feat gets the attention of a young woman eager to be a journalist, as well as the Nazis – hoping for a heroic show of athleticism prior to hosting the Olympics. Plenty of white-knuckle thrills here, entwined in a social and political context. With subtitles. (Philipp Stoelzl; Austria; 2008; 121 min)

 

The Paranoids

An edgy, off-beat film, this young directors debut blew audiences away at San Franciscos International Film Fest. With an understated yet stylized approach, he maintains a constant sense of unease throughout the film, using black humor as occasional relief.  When we meet Luciano, hes an aimless, narcoleptic loner and aspiring screenwriter who partakes in lots of random hookups. Oh, and he works childrens birthday parties for a living. When a friend comes to town (with his beautiful showgirl girlfriend) to make a TV program called, The Paranoids, he asks Luciano to be the writer. Stay for the big dance number. With subtitles. (Gabriel Medina; Argentina; 2009; 105 min)

 

Polish Films:

As a sidebar again this year, we are partnering with the Polish Cultural Council, which has helped bring five exceptional Polish films to Pittsburgh. The descriptions are below: We are grateful to their members and staff, and especially to Eva Tumiel-Kozak, executive director of the Polish Cultural Council for her assistance.

Scratch

Following their anniversary party, a couple finds a mysterious videotape among their gifts. It accuses the devoted husband of being an agent for the Polish People's Republic secret service in the 50s and 60s, and that their marriage was initially a sham. Worse, the purpose of this plot was to gather information about family members. Thus begins a quest to uncover the truth. A gripping political drama, Scratch examines the ongoing effects of state intervention in private lives. With subtitles. (Michal Rosa; 2008; Poland; 89 min)

Little Moscow  

The city of Legnica (where the director was born) was headquarters for Soviet forces from 1945 to 1990. This brilliant piece of cinema, set there in 1967 and based on real events, involves Yuri, a Russian pilot stationed there, and his young wife Vera. She learns the language and is fascinated with the music, poetry, and culture of the country. But the story turns heart-wrenching when Vera starts to fall in love with a Polish soldier. Stunning performances. With subtitles. Waldemar Krzystek; Poland; 2008; 114 min) The director is scheduled to introduce the film.

How Much Does the Trojan Horse Weigh?

At 40, Zosia is a happy woman. She has a solid second marriage, a good career, a loving daughter, and a comfortable home in Warsaw. But when she wishes things in her youth had gone differently, she's magically transported back to 1987 – and still married to her womanizing first husband. This comedy-fantasy borrows the age-leaping plot from American movies, but here director Machulski uses it to chart Poland's transition from communism to capitalism. With subtitles. (Juliusz Machulski; 2008; Poland; 118 min)

General Nil

Director Bugajski tells the story of a forgotten hero – Emil Fieldorf, codename Nil –  one of the greatest Polish generals during WWII.  A member of the Polish secret army, one of his accomplishments was planning the assassination of the Nazi general known as the Warsaw executioner. Falsely accused during the communist era, Nil was sentenced to death and executed in 1953. This stirring drama honors the rediscovered heros tactical skills and bravery. With subtitles. (Ryszard Bugajski; Poland; 2009; 125 min)

Case Unknown

Co-written by Agnieska Holland, this sly political-thriller involves a young psychiatrist who discovers the files of one of his patients – a man suffering from amnesia – have mysteriously disappeared.  As a big flood approaches the city and his hospital he brings the patient home to his wife and daughter for safekeeping. Fascinated by the mysterious case, the doctor becomes more and more detached from his family and threatens his medical career. With subtitles. (Feliks Falk; Poland; 2009; 99 min)

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Precious: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE – OPENING NIGHT

Already getting Oscar buzz, Precious is a vibrant, raw and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome. It recently won the coveted Audience Choice Award at Toronto, and has earned unanimous praise at every film festival screening this year, including Sundance, Cannes and New York. Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece Precious Jones, a 16-year-old girl born into a life of abuse. Though school is a place of chaos, a patient teacher helps her to begin a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to self-determination. A courageous and uncompromising work, it features unforgettable performances by Mo'Nique, Sherri Shepherd, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and outstanding newcomer Gabourey Sidibe in the title role. Co-presented with the August Wilson Center. (Lee Daniels; USA; 2009; 109 min) 

 

Rachel Is

For her directorial debut, filmmaker Charlotte Glynn moved back to Pittsburgh to chronicle a year in the life of her sister Rachel, who is mentally retarded. An extraordinary film, it veers past the safety of political correctness, right into the center of Rachels world – revealing intimate, honest, and funny moments in their familys life. Rachel challenges her mother (CMU English professor Jane Bernstein) on a daily basis, forcing her to make tough choices about her daughter's future. Along the way sister Charlotte documents the tug of war between parent and child, while struggling to come to terms with her only sibling's disability. Shot entirely in Pittsburgh, this moving portrait is ultimately about the universal struggle for happiness. (Charlotte Glynn; 2008; USA; 67 min) The director is scheduled to introduce the film.

 

Serious Moonlight

A dark comedy from this years Tribeca Film Fest, it stars Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell, and Justin Long (the Mac guy). Its also the directorial debut of actress Cheryl Hines. When a high-powered female attorney discovers that her husband is about to leave her for a younger woman, she stops him by binding him to the toilet with duct tape. Complications ensue when a young hooligan hears cries for help, but decides to rob the couple blind instead of helping the hapless husband.  Moonlight was scripted by actress-writer-director Adrienne Shelly who died tragically after her film Waitress premiered. Due to the efforts of her husband, her screenplay for Moonlight has made it to the screen. (Cheryl Hines; USA; 2009; 84 min)

 

Short Films Program

Each year space is devoted in the festival for a competitive selection of shorts – a program for artists working in film and video that allows them to creatively take risks, break new ground or challenge the viewer. This year weve selected 13 short films from more than 130 submissions from local, national and international artists. The categories are experimental, narrative, animation, and documentary. Prizes will be awarded (donated by Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Kodak) for first, second and third place. (Total running time: 123 min)

 

            The Wishing Bone - Kev Stock

I Can Speak Swedish - Charlene Loh & David Forster

The Banana House - Hanna Dobbz

Psalm Five Oh Four - Dominic Laing

Nello - Kristen Lauth Shaeffer

Heart of a Bee - Dean Ciocca

Vazaha - Ben Hernstrom

Hermeneutics in Outer Space - Sheila Ali

Skylight - David Baas

Red Flag - Sheila Curran Dennin

An Introduction to Physics - Caleb Foss

bird.land - Tess Allard

Food For America - Justin Crimone

 

Somers Town

Beautifully shot in black and white, this charming little film is about two boys who forge an unlikely friendship over the course of a hot summer. Tom is a runaway from Nottingham. Marek, a Polish immigrant, lives in the district of Somers Town, where his dad is working on a new rail line. When Marek lets homeless Tomo (as he names him) move in – unbeknownst to his father – they work odd jobs for an eccentric neighbor and compete for the attention of Maria, a beautiful young French waitress. It's only a matter of time before Marek's dad discovers what's going on. Festival audiences love this film, and the Tribeca Film Fest had this to say: "For an extraordinary and exhilarating rendering of a friendship found, the Narrative Feature Jury is awarding the Best Actor prize to this magical team." (Shane Meadows; UK; 2009; 70 min

 

Stay the Same Never Change

With affection and perhaps prior knowledge filmmaker Laurel Nakadate takes us beyond the pre-packaged world of Hannah Montana to the true heartland of America and the tween-aged girls who live there in this clever, non-linear story. Set in Kansas City, the film illuminates the quest for identity and a sense of place in the girls lives. Nakadate puts an unnerving human face on the challenges of being a young woman – all played by amateur actresses here – in a world that prefers its girls like those on the Disney Channel. [Her] delightful first feature film is a raw, audacious effort that burns with such originality and honesty. – Sundance Film Festival Guide.  Soundtrack by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone. (Laurel Nakadate; USA; 2008; 93 min)

 

 

Still Walking

Roger Ebert calls this poignant film magnificent and compares the young writer- director to Ozu. Hirokazu Kore-Eda (Afterlife) uses cultural specifics but conjures universal emotions. Japanese families assemble for different occasions than Western ones, but what happens once the various factions gather under the same roof is not so dissimilar. In this delicate comedy-drama, set in an oceanfront Yokohama suburb, three generations convene to mark the 15th anniversary of a favored son's death. For anybody whos ever spent the night at a relatives house will feel the weight of family history that this remarkable film captures so truthfully. With subtitles. (Hirokazu Kore-Eda; Japan; 2009; 114 min)

 

Tahaan

Audiences all over the world are raving about this beautiful story: the adventures of a little boy and his family who live in the militant Kashmir valley. Tahaan lives with his mother and grandfather while hoping for the safe return of his missing father. When the familys finances reach a dire state, the pet donkey is seized. But 8-year-old Tahaan is nothing if not tenacious and he embarks on a treacherous journey to get the donkey back, naively getting pulled into a terrorist plot to sneak a grenade across a military checkpoint. This festival hit will melt your heart. With subtitles. (Santosh Sivan; India; 2008; 105 min)

 

Terribly Happy

A Danish version of the Coen Brothers! In this comically grotesque thriller Robert has a number of skeletons in his closet, which hes determined to bury. Although hardly his dream job, he takes the temporary position of constable in a sleepy village. Everyone in the town knows every move thats made, which doesn't leave very much room for secrets. What appears to be an ordinary place where nothing ever happens turns out to be full of deception and murder. The more Robert discovers what the town is hiding, the more he becomes accustomed to the lifestyle. With subtitles. (Henrik Ruben Genz; Denmark; 2008; 95 min)

 

Thirst

Already getting some of the best reviews of the year, and a box-office smash in Korea, this sexy vampire comedy earned the Prix du Jury at the 2009 Cannes film festival.  The darkly humorous story is about a devout priest who takes part in an experiment seeking a cure for a terrible disease. The experiment fails and after coming back from the dead, the priest begins to crave human blood. Changes in his mind and body lead him into an erotic affair with another mans wife, as he descends further into acts of depravity. Thirst brings fresh blood to the genre. daring, operatic, and bloody funny. – Entertainment Weekly. With subtitles. (Chan-wook Park; South Korea; 2009; 133 min) Co-presented with Silk Screen Film Festival.

 

The Vanished Empire

Winner of two Golden Eagles (Russias Oscars) this is a coming-of-age tale and a love-letter to Soviet life during the 1970s. The Vanished Empire centers on a high-spirited teenage love triangle: best childhood chums fall for the same beautiful girl and are forced to re-evaluate their friendship. As the three partake in teenage discoveries – sex, drugs, and rock and roll – the overarching Soviet ideology begins to lose its grip. For Soviet youth the hottest contraband items are rock albums from the West – Pink Floyds Dark Side of the Moon, the Beatles Abbey Road, and the Rolling Stones Goat Head Soup. This under-appreciated director offers a nostalgic examination of a unique moment in Soviet history. With subtitles. (Karen Shakhnazarov; Russia; 2008; 105 min)

 

Video Data Bank with Abina Manning

Abina Manning, director of Video Data Bank since 2007, will present highlights of new releases from the media art center. Located in Chicago, this international video art distribution organization is a resource for videos by and about contemporary artists. VDB was founded at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1976 at the inception of the media arts movement. This program includes examples from national and international artists such as Dani Leventhal, Semiconductor, Ursula Bieman, Steve Reinke, Paul Chan, John Smith, Jim Finn, Jackie Goss, Nicholas Provost, Jem Cohen, Hester Scheurwater, Rebecca Baron, and more.  (Total program approx. 70 min)

 

We Live in Public

And you thought reality TV was shocking. This hit from Sundance chronicles the life and work of Internet pioneer Josh Harris, whose sanity has been questioned for his unconventional methods to pursue his artistic/societal vision.  In 2000 Harris launched an experiment called Quiet: We Live in Public. He created an artificial society in an underground bunker in New York City with 100 artists under 24-hour surveillance. They showered, had sex and went potty – all on camera. After 30 days, the project was busted by FEMA. Undeterred, Harris struck again, this time as his own subject – rigging his loft with 32 motion-controlled cameras, record streaming video of every moment of his life. Award-winning filmmaker Ondi Timoner followed Harris for a decade, culling through Harriss own footage and coupling it with her own. The result is a fascinating, yet cautionary, tale where we all become Big Brother. (Ondi Timoner; 2008; US; 90 min)

 

A Woman in Berlin

When the diary was published in 1959, it was promptly banned. This astounding film, which is based on that diary, is part of a wave of recent European cinematic explorations of World War II and its aftermath – where many secrets are unearthed. Set during the final 10 days of the Third Reich, Woman in Berlin reveals the backlash from the savagery Hitler's troops inflicted. The targets of Soviet reprisal are not, however, German soldiers. They are the wives, sisters, mothers and daughters left behind. Red Army troops pillage what's left of Berlin. But the principal expression of their wrath is rape. The LA Times says this is, everything you want in adult narrative cinema intelligent, provocative and intensely dramatic. With subtitles. (Max Frberbck; Germany; 2009; 131 min)

 

The Yes Men Fix the World

The Yes Men are back, but no one saw them coming. After their first film, youd think theyd blown their cover – on the contrary – they have stepped up their game. If you dont know them, theyre Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, a pair of notorious troublemakers who sneak into corporate events disguised as captains of industry. Here theyve set their sights on a plethora of man-made disasters, from Katrina to Bhopal. Initially their antics come across like adolescent pranks, but in fact, they are inside out activists, and a nightmare for corporate Goliaths with skeletons in the closet. Complete with comedic interludes and, yes, an underwater ballet, this is one entertaining bang for your buck. (Andy Bichlbaum & Mike Bonanno; USA/France; 2008; 90 min)

 

The Young Victoria

A romantic look at England's last golden age and the queen who went on to symbolize the entire British Empire, this handsome film was the closing night galas feature at the Toronto Film Fest. Starring Emily Blunt in the title role, it gives us an insightful portrait of the often ruthless machinations that characterized dealings between royal families, a world where matters of the heart took a back seat, patriotism and family loyalties were labyrinthine, and battles for leverage and position poisoned even mother-daughter relationships. Canadian director Jean-Marc Valle's film is also a romance. From their first meeting we see the connection between Victoria and Albert, despite the restrictions placed on them. Beautifully directed and exquisitely acted, The Young Victoria is a memorable, sophisticated and very charming exploration of English history. (Jean-Marc Valle; UK; 2009; 100 min)

 

Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love

This joyous music doc opens with Senegalese pop sensation Youssou Ndour singing his anthem to Africa, Wake Up, in which he calls on the continent to unify itself.  We follow him on tour at home and abroad, witnessing the power and charisma behind the music – with highlights by NDour, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Moustapha Mbaye, Kabou Guye and Fathi Salama. At the height of his career, Ndour composed Egypt, a deeply spiritual album dedicated to a more tolerant view of his Islam faith. It was embraced by Western audiences (and won a Grammy) but ignited serious religious controversy in his homeland. This inspiring film continues the call for tolerance. With subtitles. (Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi; Senegal; 2008; 102 min)

 

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