For Immediate Release Contact: Carol O’Sullivan

Jan. 19, 2007 412-681-5449

Pittsburgh Filmmakers Announces

February Programming

(Pittsburgh, PA) – The following are descriptions of Pittsburgh Filmmakers Film Exhibition program for February 2007. The films are screened at Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Avenue (Downtown), the Melwood Screening Room, 477 Melwood Avenue (in North Oakland) and the Regent Square Theater, 1035 S. Braddock Avenue (in Edgewood). For admission prices and current showtimes call 412-682-4111. All titles and dates are subject to change, due to film availability.

The Harris Theater – 809 Liberty Ave

Opens Feb. 2: Old Joy

Back from the Three Rivers Film Festival, Old Joy is on over 50 critics’ top ten lists, and it has a Pittsburgh connection. Starring Mt. Lebanon’s Daniel London, it’s the keenly observed story of two old friends who reunite for a camping weekend in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Set in the context of today’s political climate, Mark (London), on the verge of fatherhood, is the serious one, and Kurt (Will Oldham), in the midst of a series of wild adventures, is more carefree. Their pilgrimage becomes a quiet meditation on life choices, youthful idealism, and regret, as the two eventually realize the divergent paths they’ve taken. Drenched with the lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest and powered with fine performances, The New York Times recently called Old Joy “one of the finest American films of the year.” Featuring the music of Yo La Tengo. (Kelly Reichardt; USA; 2006; 76 min)

Opens Feb. 9: Man Push Cart

"I loved it!" –Roger Ebert

Recalling the great neorealist classic The Bicycle Thief, this haunting and insightful portrait of a street vender, begins with a handsome young immigrant dragging his coffee-and-doughnut cart through Manhattan at 3:00am. Hours later, Ahmed – once a famous pop star in Pakistan – is selling coffee to rushing New Yorkers. In the afternoon, he battles traffic to return the cart to a warehouse, occasionally peddling bootleg DVDs for extra cash. We come to understand that this quiet loner is haunted by his past, as he struggles with his sense of self-worth along with the harsh realities of finding a place to belong. This beautifully crafted character study is a revealing picture of a rarely depicted community in America. (Ramin Bahrani; 2006; USA; 87 min)

Opens Feb. 16: Oscar Shorts

Academy Award Nominated Short Films (live action and animated).

Feb. 23: Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple

In 1978, a mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, left 900 dead -- most of them believing they were sacrificing themselves for a greater cause. Led by Jim Jones, the “Peoples Temple” was set up to be a religious utopia for the lost souls of society. But through his totalitarian control (from faking miracles, to seducing his congregation) Jones and his Temple became more of a fraud each day. This chilling documentary, directed by Stanley Nelson (The Murder of Emmett Till), explores the events leading up to the massacre with previously unseen footage and interviews with former members. “The face of Jim Jones is, from a slightly different angle…any kind of ideology, rooted in certainty and the arrogance of infallibility, pursued with single-minded fervor, intolerant of free thinking or dissent, and that results, inevitably, in deadly consequences. That kind of thing didn't die in Jonestown.” – Roger Ebert. (Stanley Nelson; USA; 2006; 86 min)

Regent Square Theater – 1035 South Braddock Ave.

Opens Feb. 2: Two or Three Things I Know About Her – new print!

The “her” in the title refers to the city of Paris, circa 1966, in one of New Wave founder Jean-Luc Godard’s best political films. As we follow a beautiful woman on a day of shopping, he regularly cuts away to construction cranes that are transforming his city; the camera’s unblinking gaze creates a collage of images that illustrate the conundrum of capitalism. Godard's distinctive brand of existential angst and deadpan political farce are in full effect here, snapping us to attention with sardonic, loaded juxtapositions. With Paris's student protests just around the corner, this brilliant film essay shows a prescience of something very much in the air. The beautiful new print, with its widescreen photography restored by Godard’s legendary collaborator Raoul Coutard, features those mod 60s colors and new subtitles. (Jean-Luc Godard; France; 1966; 94 min)

Opens Feb. 9: God Grew Tired of Us

“An incredibly powerful story of renewal, commitment and the resiliency of the human spirit." – Hollywood Reporter

Orphaned by a tumultuous civil war in the Sudan and traveling barefoot across the sub-Saharan desert, John, Daniel and Panther were among the 25,000 "lost boys" who fled villages, formed surrogate families and sought refuge from famine, disease, wild animals and attacks from rebel soldiers. The boys formed a close-knit society in which they all took care of one another. They traveled together for five years and against all odds crossed into the UN's refugee camp in Kenya, where they were selected to re-settle in the United States. Moving and mind-expanding, we follow three unforgettable young men on their unbelievable odyssey in a strange New World. Two of the boys (Panther and Daniel) were brought to Pittsburgh by the local chapter of Catholic Charities. They currently live and work in Pittsburgh, while remaining deeply committed to helping those left behind. Narrated by Nicole Kidman. (Christopher Quinn; USA; 2006; 89 min)

coming soon: Inland Empire

No director enjoys mining the unconscious more than David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive). His journeys have been inspired by Hollywood, human angst and now, digital technology. This latest venture may be as far inland as he's ever gone. With Laura Dern's face as our guide, Lynch takes us on an exploration of the true nature of reality. Is it a dream we live in, or a movie set? Lynch leads us deep into the woods between worlds and we are never sure what will be waiting when we emerge. In the performance of a lifetime, Dern plays an actress who morphs into several identities. But, ultimately this film is made up of ideas, colors, moods -- intangible things we feel and internalize -- rather than solve. Co-stars Jeremy Irons and Justin Theroux. (David Lynch; France/USA; 2006; 168 min)

Sunday Night Specials

Feb. 11: The Girl Can’t Help It – new print!

This rock-n-roll musical comedy confirmed the worst fears of 50s parents: rock-n-roll and sex are linked. The plot revolves around a mobster who wants his sexy girlfriend (Jayne Mansfield) to be a singing star, despite having no musical talent. So he hires a press agent (Tom Ewell) to promote her career based on her blonde bombshell looks. Filmed in cinemascope and garish DeLuxe color, this cult classic is great fun. Features a soundtrack with Little Richard, Fats Domino, the Platters, Eddie Cochran and more! (Frank Tashlin; USA; 1956; 99 min)

Feb.18: Wild at Heart – new European cut!

When filtered through the eyes of director David Lynch (Blue Velvet) this saga of lovers on-the-run becomes a Molotov cocktail of comedy, sex and violence. Nicolas Cage plays Sailor, whose sharkskin jacket symbolizes his individuality and belief in personal freedom; Laura Dern plays Lula, his one true love. Out to make sure their relationship doesn't last: a rogues gallery of characters, played by Diane Ladd, Harry Dean Stanton, Willem Dafoe and Isabella Rossellini. This X-rated version is part of our year-long “100 Years of Censorship” series. (David Lynch; USA; 1990; 124 min)

Melwood Screening Room – 477 Melwood Ave.

Feb. 9 – 11: Army of Shadows

Amazingly this 1969 film is topping Best Film lists all over the US for 2006!

The French thriller was just released last year in America and critics were crazy for it. A tense, unflinching masterwork from legendary “gangster-noir” director Jean-Pierre Melville, it stars the great Simone Signoret (Diabolique) and Lino Venturea (Elevator to the Gallows) in a gripping tale of the French Resistance during in WWII. From a darkly claustrophobic perspective, Melville creates an almost unbearable suspense, with daring escapes, horrifying betrayals and noble self-sacrifice. Original cinematographer Pierre Lhomme personally supervised this luminous new 35mm color restoration. Don’t miss one of the great Big Screen movie experiences of all time. With subtitles.

(Jean-Pierre Melville; France; 1969; 140 min)

Feb. 13: Film Kitchen

Presented on the second Tuesday of every month, Film Kitchen showcases regional film and video art. Reception begins at 7:00; films begin at 8:00. Co-sponsored by Pittsburgh City Paper, WYEP-FM, Isoldi’s in the Strip and Pittsburgh Brewing. For more info: www.filmkitchen.org

Feb. 17: Black Maria Film & Video Festival

Now in its 26^th year, this is the most prestigious annual touring festival of independent film and video in the US. Named after Thomas Edison’s tar-covered studio (circa 1890) the festival is known for the bold contemporary works it features – a mosaic of artistically conceived films and videos (documentary, experimental, animation and narrative) with a cutting edge sensibility. Black Maria’s founder and director, John Columbus, will be on hand to introduce a selection of award-winners from this year’s festival. www.blackmariafilmfestival.org

Feb. 23 – 25: The Red Shoes – new print!

Presented in conjunction with Quantum Theater (whose live adaptation of The Red Shoes runs Feb. 8 – March 4). This classic story of obsession, control and sacrifice is based on the Hans Christian Anderson tale. It tells of a young ballerina who will realize the promise of her talent, but at a price -- devotion to her art, and complete and utter loyalty to her impresario. Martin Scorsese helped finance the restoration of this beautiful film, highly-regarded for its camerawork and rich colors. (Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger; UK; 1948; 136 min)

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