For Immediate Release Contact: Carol O’Sullivan

Jan. 17, 2008 412-681-5449

Pittsburgh Filmmakers Announces

February Programming

(Pittsburgh, PA) – The following are descriptions of Pittsburgh Filmmakers Film Exhibition program for February 2008. 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

Feb. 1 - 10: Honeydripper

“One of Sayles’ best films – an endearing musical...” -Variety

One of America’s truly independent film artists, writer-director John Sayles (Lone Star, Matewan, Limbo) has for decades been examining American culture with fresh, original stories. His 16th feature, Honeydripper, set in Harmony, Alabama in 1950, tells the amazing story of the nearly-broke proprietor (Danny Glover) of the Honeydripper Lounge, who gambles everything to stage a one-night-only gig in order to save the club. As the fates conspire in unexpected ways, the Honeydripper Lounge is suddenly and miraculously poised to play a part in rock n’ roll history. Features an extraordinary cast, including Charles S. Dutton, Stacy Keach, Mary Steenburgen and Sean Patrick Thomas, as well as such musical luminaries as Keb’ Mo’ and Dr. Mable John – and the electrifying debut of Gary Clark Jr. Let the good times roll! (John Sayles; USA; 2007; 123 min)

Feb. 11 - 14: Roman Holiday - Special Valentine Presentation!

Amid the beauty, romance and mystique of Rome, a dashing American newspaperman (played by Gregory Peck) is handed a news scoop: It seems a princess has slipped away from her royal guardians and stifling lifestyle. Audrey Hepburn was never lovelier than in this charmer as the bored and sheltered princess who falls in love with the reporter. The Oscar-winning film was penned by Dalton Trumbo, under a pseudonym, while he was blacklisted. (William Wyler; USA; 1953; 118 min)

Feb. 15 - 21: Steep

This is the thrilling story of extreme skiing. Narrated by actor Peter Krause, Steep follows the exploits of a dozen current and former athletes who risked their lives to ski mountains no one ever skied before. These are people who chafe at the groomed trails of resorts, and instead seek ever-higher peaks in ever-more-remote areas of the world for stronger lines, faster speeds, higher acrobatics, never knowing where there’s a tree, a rock, or even a cliff. Directed by Mark Obenhaus, a TV journalism veteran of more than 30 years (who dedicates the film to his colleague Peter Jennings) captures amazing runs in British Columbia, France, Iceland, Wyoming, and Alaska. Older legends discuss the origins of the sport and are featured in archival footage, while the newer generation constantly tries to top itself. Wicked! (Mark Obenhaus; USA; 2007; 92 min)

Feb. 22 – 29: Taxi to the Dark Side

Regent Square Theater – 1035 South Braddock Ave.

Feb. 1 - 3: City Lights – new print!

Produced during the early days of talking pictures, yet enhanced only by music and sound effects, City Lights was Charlie Chaplin's greatest achievement as actor, composer and director. The Little Tramp loves a blind flower girl who thinks he's a millionaire, and to help her, he needs the assistance of a real millionaire who only recognizes him when he’s tipsy. This comic and emotional masterpiece builds to an unforgettable finish. (Charlie Chaplin; USA; 1931; 86 min)

Feb. 4 – 7: Away From Her

Many people missed this film and asked us to bring it back again. The luminous Julie Christie won a Golden Globe for her performance in this cinematic poem on love and loss. Based on an Alice Munro short story, the touching film explores the effects Alzheimer’s has on a couple married for 50 years. (Sarah Polley; Canada; 2007; 110 min)

Feb. 8 - 14: Manual of Love

This Italian romantic-comedy was an Audience Favorite from 2007’s Three Rivers Film Fest. It chronicles four phases of love: falling in love, the crisis, betrayal and abandonment. Colorful as a patchwork, each episode is played out by a different couple. All of their stories are thrilling (just like love) sweet, ironic, and humorous. Eventually, they all turn to the reassuringly titled resource “Manual of Love” for help. The film explores the mysterious and incomprehensible recesses of the human heart where misbegotten love affairs, family relationships, tragedies, fate, all leave indelible marks and deep scars. In the end, this book of love speaks to us all. With subtitles. (Giovanni Veronesi; Italy; 2005; 108 min)

Feb. 15 - 21: Oscar Shorts

For the annual Oscar watchers who ask “where can we see those nominated short films,” here’s your chance to see them on the big screen – all TEN – both animated and live-action categories in one eye-popping program. Predict the winners before the awards are handed out on February 24th! The short-film nominees are traditionally among the year’s most creative work in film all year, yet can be the most difficult to see. Some years tend to be more family-friendly than others, so we suggest checking our website for more details when they’re available. We don’t know the titles or running times yet, since the nominations weren’t announced by press time, but expect an exceptional evening of entertainment.

Sunday Night Special Events

Feb. 10 @ 7:30: LUNAFEST 2008

The nine exceptional shorts in this amazing traveling film festival are diverse in style, subject, and country of origin, but are united in that they are by, for, and about women. LUNAFEST events around the country have captivated audiences and encouraged them to make a difference in their communities. The films are filled with stories of reflection and whimsy, hope and humor, grace and perseverance. LUNAFEST is funded by LUNAÔ Whole Nutrition Bars for Women. All net proceeds are donated to charity – 15 percent to the Breast Cancer Fund and the remaining 85 percent goes directly back to the hosting community organization – Bethlehem Haven. Tickets: $10. (90 min. program)

Feb.17: Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors – restored print!

"Paradjanov is preposterously underappreciated." -Village Voice

Sergei Paradjanov was a great visionary of Soviet cinema and this masterpiece is one of the most beautiful and extraordinary films ever made. An intoxicating folktale set amongst the Ukrainian peasants of the Carpathian Mountains, it tells of the blood feud between two families. A romantic Romeo and Juliet-ish story with a compelling musical score, dynamic use of color, dizzying camera movements, spatial disruptions and visual distortions – making this as dazzling and imaginative an experience as you are likely to have in a movie theater. Paradjanov, an ethnic Armenian born in Georgia, had refused to dub the film into Russian. The defiant director became Soviet cinema's leading dissident. He was persecuted, ultimately imprisoned by the authorities, and completed only one more feature before his death. (The Color of Pomegranates). With subtitles. (Sergei Paradjanov; Soviet Union; 1964; 100 min).

Melwood Screening Room – 477 Melwood Ave.

Feb. 2: Deliciously Disposable Earth Series (Part II)

Activist/artist Carolina Loyola-Garcia curates the second in her series.

Feb. 12: Film Kitchen

Presented on the second Tuesday of every month, Film Kitchen showcases regional film and video work. This month features artist Bob Labobgah. Reception begins at 7:00; films begin at 8:00. Co-sponsored by Pittsburgh City Paper, WYEP-FM, Digital Video Development, DH-Creative and Pittsburgh Brewing. More info: www.filmkitchen.org

Feb. 17: Henry V

Almost 20 years ago Kenneth Branagh made his directorial debut and starred in this rousing Shakespeare adaptation about the price of glory. Still powerfully relevant, the film follows young king Henry of England making his mark on history. He gets his chance by invading France, taking his men through the brutality of 15^th century warfare where the ragtag band confronts heavy opposition on the field of Agincourt. The film expertly balances the heroics of the battle scenes with the painful, complex and personal emotions of self-doubt. Reception and discussion follows screening. Co-sponsored by PittArts. (Kenneth Branagh; UK; 1989; 137 min)

Feb. 22: Deliciously Disposable Earth Series (Part III)

Activist/artist Carolina Loyola-Garcia curates the third and final film in her series.

Feb. 23: Black Maria Film & Video Festival

Now in its 27^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. 29 – Mar. 2: Pierrot le Fou

With its ravishing colors and beautiful wide-screen camerawork Jean-Luc Godard’s New Wave crime film still looks as fresh as it did in 1965. It’s the oft-mimicked story of man (Jean-Paul Belmondo) running away from a stale marriage, who encounters a captivating young woman with a secret (played by Godard's then-wife, Anna Karina). Striking up an immediate attraction, the two begin a freewheeling affair that leads them to the Mediterranean Sea. But just as their relationship reaches its boiling point, hit men arrive on the scene. Citing this as one of his favorite Godard films, Roger Ebert says Godard’s “the one who understands best how movies work." (France; 1965; 110min)

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