For
Immediate Release Contact: Carol OŐSullivan
May 20, 2009 412-681-5449
Pittsburgh
Filmmakers Announces
June
Programming
(Pittsburgh, PA) – The following are descriptions of Pittsburgh Filmmakers Film Exhibition program for June 2009. 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.
Thru June 3: Hunger
Set in Belfast's Maze Prison, this
bold drama interprets the events surrounding the 1981 hunger strike, led by
Bobby Sands -- the first of ten IRA prisoners to die of starvation. Hunger plunges us into world of the
infamous H-blocks, a hellish place for prisoners and guards alike. With
outstanding performances and an epic eye for detail, the film provides a timely
exploration of what happens when body and mind are pushed to the uttermost
limit. Winner of 2008 Cannes Camera d'Or. (Steve McQueen; UK; 2008; 90 min)
June 5 - 14: Three
Rivers Arts Festival presents Pittsburgh Shorts
In conjunction with the Three
Rivers Arts Festival, the Harris Theater features 10 days of shorts -- home
grown films by hometown filmmakers. Many are brought back by popular demand;
others are premiere works. Free unless noted. For a complete schedule and film descriptions
visit: www.pghfilmmakers.org
Fri 6/5:
Pittsburgh (1958)
Pittsburgh
Reframed at 250
Sat 6/6:
Pittsburgh (1958)
Pittsburgh
Reframed at 250
Neighborhood
Narratives
Caught Looking – Jumbotron shorts
Sun 6/7:
Duaneland
An Independent
Portrait
Pittsburgh Filmmakers Thesis Films
Local shorts from Matt Day, Ben Hernstrom,
Justin Crimone, Anna Hawkins
Mon 6/8:
Local Shorts from Matt Day, Ben Hernstrom,
Justin Crimone, Anna Hawkins
Weird Paul: A
Lo-Fidelity Documentary
Weird Paul Rock Band (Live Music)
Tues 6/9:
*Film Kitchen Annual Competition and reception: Old Wives and Urban Myths ($7 admission)
Wed 6/10:
Duaneland
An Independent
Portrait
Weird Paul: A
Lo-Fidelity Documentary
Thur 6/11:
Neighborhood
Narratives
Caught Looking
– Jumbotron shorts
Fri 6/12:
An Independent
Portrait
Duaneland
Local shorts from: Matt Day, Ben Hernstrom,
Justin Crimone, Anna Hawkins
Sat 6/13:
Pittsburgh Filmmakers Thesis Films
Weird Paul: A
Lo-Fidelity Documentary
Pittsburgh (1958)
Pittsburgh
Reframed at 250
Neighborhood
Narratives
Sat 6/14:
Pride Week: short film program presented by Lesbian and Gay Film
Society
Neighborhood
Narratives
June
15 – June 18: North By Northwest – 50th
anniversary
This Hitchcock
classic is celebrating the same 50 years as the Arts Festival. Coincidence? We
think not. The plot of mistaken identity was a Hitch staple, but this one
boasts, not only the fabulous Cary Grant, but also a stabbing at the United
Nations, a run in with a crop duster, a chase over Mt. Rushmore, and canoodling
in a berth. ItŐs a thrill ride that has you from hello. The top-notch
cast includes Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, and Martin Landau. (Alfred
Hitchcock; USA; 1959; 136 min)
Opens June 19: Outrage
From fearless documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick (This Film is Not Yet Rated) comes a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the Lesbian and Gay community they covertly belong to. Outrage reveals the hidden lives of some of the most powerful policymakers in the US, and the damage done by keeping secrets. It presents analysis from many prominent members of the gay community, such as Congressman Barney Frank, former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey, activist Larry Kramer, and controversial blogger Mike Rogers – whose blog has spearheaded the movement to out closeted, anti-gay-rights politicians. This bold film is sure to stir debate, and perhaps make an impact on the continuing same-sex civil rights battle. (Kirby Dick; USA; 2009; 87 min)
Opens June 26: Anvil! The Story of Anvil
"A hymn to the human spirit,
played loud in power chords." -- Cinematical
"The most stirring release of
the year thus far [The New Yorker]"
could be this documentary, about a 30-year-old Canadian metal band led by two
lifelong friends in their 50s. Another director would have focused on the
potential mockery inherent in this true tale. Yes, there's a visit to
Stonehenge. But suggesting Anvil is ripping off This is Spinal Tap is
like suggesting that bacon is ripping off Sizzlean.
Anvil is the real deal. This hilarious and heartwarming film shows – in
precise detail – the tiny but crucial difference between obscurity and
complete obscurity. The Story of Anvil
isn't about metal; it's about hope. (Sacha Gervasi; USA; 2009; 90 min)
Regent
Square Theater – 1035 South Braddock Ave.
Thru June 4: Sugar
From the writer-director team behind Half Nelson, Sugar chronicles the story of Miguel "Sugar" Santos a talented Dominican contender who comes to the US to join a minor league club. Beautifully filmed, Sugar captures the small details, rhythms and rituals of the game, but also shows us the way America looks through the eyes of a stranger. An audience favorite at both Sundance and Toronto film festivals, itŐs poignant, yet life-affirming. (Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck; USA; 2009; 114 min)
Opens June 5: Tyson
This mesmerizing portrait from
acclaimed indie director James Toback got a standing
ovation at Cannes. In it, he
allows boxer Mike Tyson to reveal himself without inhibition and with vulnerability.
Through interviews, archival footage and
photographs, a startlingly complex, fully-rounded human being emerges. The legendary and controversial athletic icon still conjures
uncomfortable questions about race and class. From his memories of growing up on the
streets to his worldwide fame and fortune, we witness TysonŐs rollercoaster
life and eventual downfall. In its depiction
of a man rising from the most debased circumstances to unlimited heights,
destroyed by his own hubris, Tyson
emerges as a modern day version of classic Greek tragedy. (James Toback; USA; 2009; 88 min)
Opens
June 19: Adoration
Celebrated Canadian filmmaker Atom
Egoyan (The
Sweet Hereafter, Ararat) returns to explore his favorite themes –
family dynamics, communication, technology, history – in his new film.
The story revolves around Simon, a teenager who, since his parentsŐ death, has
lived with his well-meaning uncle (played by solid young actor, Scott Speedman). SimonŐs high-school French class is asked to
translate an old news article about a suicide bomber. This gets him digging
into his own murky past, and he merges his family history with the story of the
terrorist. When he reads his version to the class, the kids take it as truth
and turn it into an Internet sensation, where the tale grows ever larger.
Urgent and simmering with ideas, Adoration
emerges as a haunting, poignant drama. (Atom Egoyan;
Canada/France; 2009; 90 min)
Sunday Night Series: Summer of Fun: Favorite Comedies
The staff at PF/PCA agreed what we
all need is a summer of fun – real laugh-out loud comedies. After much discussion of favorites, the
list was narrowed to 13 titles, all-American comedies made between 1934 and
1999. Each Sunday night throughout the summer, these knee-slappers will be
introduced by the employee who lobbied hardest for their favorite.
June 7: The
Jerk (Carl Reiner; 1979; 94 min) Steve MartinŐs hilarious film debut is
a goofy rags-to-riches and back to rags story; intro by Matthew Day.
June 14: The Philadelphia Story (George
Cukor; 1940; 120 min) Classic screwball stars Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant,
and Jimmy Stewart; intro by Carol OŐSullivan.
June 21: Clueless (Amy Heckerling;
1995; 92 min) An updated version of Jane AustinŐs Emma with clever spin on teen cliques, fads, slang and romance;
intro by LJ Kahl.
June 28: Galaxy Quest (Dean Parisot; 1999;
102 min) The cast of a sci-fi TV show have to play their parts for real when
aliens needs their help; intro by Charlie Humphrey.
Coming in July and August: Waiting for Guffman, ItŐs a Gift,
SullivanŐs Travels,
Harold and Maude
and the Stooges!
Melwood Screening Room – 477 Melwood Ave.
*Please
Note: The
June 9 Film Kitchen is at the Harris Theater this month for the annual Film
Kitchen Contest. This yearŐs theme is ŇOld WivesŐ Tales and Urban Myths.Ó
Prizes awarded that night. Reception begins at 7:00. $7 admission.
June
12 – 14: TBA
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