Tuesday September 28, 2010
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cost:
Free
Location:
ThinkTV
110 S. Jefferson St.
Dayton, OH 45402
Tuesday September 28, 2010
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cost:
Free
Location:
ThinkTV
110 S. Jefferson St.
Dayton, OH 45402
I had such a great time in Toronto! Thanks for so many of your well-wishes. I saw some really wonderful films and met some incredibly talented people. What a blast! Reviewing my notes from last year’s festival, I had 8 films that topped my list of favorites. Over the past several months, we’ve managed to bring 7 of those films to THE NEON…and #8 – I KILLED MY MOTHER – screens this Friday as part of The 5th Annual Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival. (The other 7 were A SINGLE MAN, MICMACS, I AM LOVE, BRIGHT STAR, FISH TANK, BROKEN EMBRACES, and AN EDUCATION.) In the coming days, I’ll assemble my “Toronto Wrap-Up” – and I’ll keep you posted as to where you can read that.
The projection booth will be busy at THE NEON this weekend. In addition to the LGBT Film Fest, we have 2 films opening – RESTREPO and WILD GRASS – as well as 2 films holding. The schedule changes quite a bit, so make certain you look at the times listed below. (As an FYI – this will more than likely be the final week for GET LOW. WILD GRASS will 100% play for one week only!)
Synopsis for RESTREPO: “To make their bracingly visceral documentary Restrepo, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, award-winning journalists Tim Hetherington (Liberia: An Uncivil War) and Sebastian Junger (the books The Perfect Storm and the upcoming War) embedded with the soldiers of Second Platoon, Battle Company, as they fought to build and maintain a remote 15-man outpost in Afghanistan’s rugged Korengal Valley named “Restrepo,” after a platoon medic who was killed in action, which was one of the most dangerous postings in the U.S. military. Hetherington and Junger avoid outside commentary and politics to present the war as it is actually lived by soldiers, through their own eyes and in their own words – their backbreaking labor, deadly firefights, boredom and camaraderie – the terrifying and exhilarating experiences they can never forget.” (taken from movieweb.com) With the access that these soldiers had, it’s incredible that this film was even made.
Synopsis for WILD GRASS: “Alain Resnais, one of the towering figures of the French New Wave, demonstrates he still has plenty to say in this drama based on a novel by Christian Gailly. Marguerite (Sabine Azéma) is a successful dentist with a busy practice and an offbeat hobby, flying small airplanes. One day, while running errands, Marguerite loses her wallet, and it’s found by Georges (André Dussollier), a seemingly happy man with a wife, Suzanne (Anne Consigny), and two children (Vladimir Consigny and Sara Forestier). As Georges looks through the wallet and examines the photos of Marguerite, he finds he’s fascinated with her and her life, and soon his curiosity about her becomes an obsession. Georges’ attempts to integrate himself into Marguerite’s life begin to alarm her, and she hires a private security team (Mathieu Amalric and Michel Vuillermoz) to keep him away, but Georges is determined that his new love for her will not be denied. Les Herbes Folles (aka Wild Grass) received its world premiere at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.” (Mark Deming, Rovi)
The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival starts Friday, and we still have plenty of single tickets left! (Single tickets are just $8.00 each.) My mantra this year: “You don’t have to be Greek to go to the Greek Festival…you just have to love music, dancing and great food! You don’t have to be gay to go to the LGBT Film Festival…you just have to love good films.”
Check out the official website for images and trailers at www.daytonlgbt.com. We’re flying in 4 artists from NYC and L.A. to attend this year’s festival. Casper Andreas – director of VIOLET TENDENCIES (Saturday, Sept. 25 at 9:30), Sarah Louise Lilley – star & producer of NOTHING HAPPENED and Jessica Provenz – writer and producer of NOTHING HAPPENED (Saturday, Sept. 25 at 3:00), and Heath Daniels – writer, star and producer of GO-GO REJECT (also on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 3:00) will attend the fest. I hope they’ll have a warm reception with an enthusiastic crowd at each screening – please help to make it happen. We also need your help spreading the word in order to make this the best festival yet! Below is a trailer from Saturday night’s film – A MARINE STORY. With the Senate’s decision to turn down the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” there couldn’t be a more timely film.
Here’s more great news. On Oct. 1, we will begin a one-week run of THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM. “The Elephant in the Living Room is an award winning documentary about the controversial world of raising the deadliest and most exotic animals on earth as common household pets. The story follows the journey of two men at the heart of the issue. One, Tim Harrison, an Oakwood, Ohio police officer whose mission is to protect exotic animals and the public, and the other, Terry Brumfield, a big-hearted man who struggles to keep two pet African lions that he loves like his own family.
Since its premiere in Dayton, Ohio earlier this year, the movie has been playing to sold out crowds all over the country. It has been selected by no less than fifteen film festivals from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles and winning three BEST DOCUMENTARY awards, including one from Academy Award winning director Michael Moore who called the film ‘One of the scariest, most entertaining and technically perfect documentaries.'” (taken from press notes)
Living City Film Fest is at it again! This year, the festival will be a celebration of the career of Jeff Bridges. Here’s the line-up:
THE BIG LEBOWSKI (sponsored by Dublin Pub) – Oct. 15, 16 at 10PM, Oct. 18 at 7PM
THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS (sponsored by Downtown Dayton Partnership) – Oct. 25 at 7PM
THE LAST PICTURE SHOW (sponsored by Chisano Marketing) – Nov. 1 at 7PM
THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT (sponsored by Jeff Martin Florist) – Nov. 8 at 7PM
RANCHO DELUXE (sponsored by CityWide Development) – Nov. 15 at 7PM
Single tickets will be $8 each available before each show. A festival pass (available soon) will be just $30 for all five screenings.
With all that’s going on, we hope to see you this weekend. There’s truly something for everyone!
Take care,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for September 24 – September 30:
GET LOW (PG-13) 100 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:10
Monday – Thursday: 5:10
JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK (R) 84 Minutes
Friday: 3:00, 5:10, 9:45
Saturday: 5:10
Sunday: 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 5:10, 7:30
WILD GRASS (PG) 104 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50
Monday – Thursday: 3:00
RESTREPO (R) 93 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 7:20
LGBT FILM FEST
I KILLED MY MOTHER (with FREE afterparty in Oregon Dist.) – Friday: 7:30
TOP DRAWER SHORTS (with guest artists) – Saturday: 3:00
A MARINE STORY – Saturday: 7:15
VIOLET TENDENCIES (with guest artists) – Saturday: 9:30
STONEWALL UPRISING – Sunday: 3:00
UNDERTOW – Sunday: 5:15
As always, all dates are tentative. Some of these dates will change.
I’m posting this update from Toronto…where I’m seeing three films a day (sometimes more) and sighting plenty of stars along the way. Perhaps you’ve been keeping up with my blog, too. Each day is posted separately, so just click on the day you’d like to read.
We are now playing JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK. Hopefully you’ve seen the fantastic trailer and have been waiting for this film (the trailer is below). I saw it a few weeks ago and fell in love. That said, you should hurry down to see it. With the way we’re backed up right now, it might not stick around too long. In addition to JOAN, we’ll hold both GET LOW and GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE for another week.
Synopsis for JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK: “Joan Rivers- A Piece of Work exposes the private dramas of comedian and pop icon Joan Rivers as she fights tooth and nail to keep her American dream alive. A unique look inside America’s obsession with fame and celebrity – Joan’s story is both an outrageously funny journey and a brutally honest look at the ruthless entertainment industry, the trappings of success and the ultimate vulnerability of the first queen of comedy. With unprecedented, unguarded access, the film takes the audience on a year long ride with Joan Rivers in her 76th year of life; it peels away the mask of an iconic comedian, laying bare both the struggle and thrill of living life as a groundbreaking female performer.” (taken from fandango)
The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is almost here, and festival passes are now on sale – just $40 for all six screenings and the opening night party! (Single tickets are on sale, too – just $8.00 each.) Check out the official website for images and trailers at www.daytonlgbt.com. As of right now, we have 4 artists planning to attend the festival. Casper Andreas – director of VIOLET TENDENCIES (Saturday, Sept. 25 at 9:30), Sarah Louise Lilley – star & producer of NOTHING HAPPENED and Jessica Provenz – writer and producer of NOTHING HAPPENED (Saturday, Sept. 25 at 3:00), and Heath Daniels – writer, star and producer of GO-GO REJECT (also on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 3:00) will attend the fest. These guest artists will be flying in from NYC and LA…and I hope they’ll have a warm reception with an enthusiastic crowd at each screening – please help to make it happen.
Here’s more great news. On Oct. 1, we will begin a one-week run of THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM – shot partially in Oakwood. This film just won Michael Moore’s film festival in Traverse City. “The Elephant in the Living Roomis an award winning documentary film about the controversial world of raising the deadliest and most exotic animals on earth as common household pets. The story follows the journey of two men at the heart of the issue. One, Tim Harrison, an Ohio police officer whose mission is to protect exotic animals and the public, and the other, Terry Brumfield, a big-hearted man who struggles to keep two pet African lions that he loves like his own family. This critically acclaimed film has won multiple BEST DOCUMENTARY awards including one by Academy Award winning director Michael Moore who describes it as ‘One of the scariest, most entertaining and technically perfect films.'” For more information on the film, visit the official website at www.theELEPHANTintheLIVINGROOM.com.
Living City Film Fest is at it again! This year, the festival will be a celebration of the career of Jeff Bridges. Titles include THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW and THE BIG LEBOWSKI (each on 35mm)…there will be 5 films in all…and a full line-up of titles, sponsors and dates (October/November) will be announced next week.
I’ll be back at THE NEON on Saturday, and I hope to see you this weekend for JOAN RIVERS.
Take care,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for September 17 – September 23:
Showtimes always available at www.neonmovies.com
GET LOW (PG-13) 100 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:50, 5:00, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:00
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE (R) 129 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 7:15
JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK (R) Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
COMING SOON (several dates will change):
Sept. 24 ANIMAL KINGDOM
Sept. 24 RESTREPO
Sept. 24 FAREWELL
Sept. 24 WILD GRASS
Oct. 1 THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM
Oct. 1 MAO’S LAST DANCER
Oct. 8 LEBANON
Oct. 8 IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY
Oct. 15 A WOMAN, A MAN & A NOODLE SHOP
Oct. 15 NEVER LET ME GO
Oct. 22 YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER
Nov. 5 CAIRO TIME
Nov. 12 INSIDE JOB
It was a great day – My last full day of films…capped off with a couple beers with old and new friends. I write this entry with mixed feelings. I love Toronto and would love screening movies and running from event to event all the time, but I’m also exhausted and want to sleep in my own bed.
First off, I saw 127 HOURS – the new film from Danny Boyle (director of MILLIONS and SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE) starring James Franco. This film about a rock climber who gets his arm trapped by a rock – and subsequently spends the next 127 hours alone with little in the way of rations – is an engaging and touching film. Franco does an incredible job – as he is in about 98% of the film. It might sound a bit monotonous, but in the hands of Boyle, the film is fresh, vivid and gripping. WARNING…this film has a scene that is absolutely not for the faint of heart – some have fainted at recent screenings.
Next up, I saw THAT GIRL WITH YELLOW BOOTS – and Indian film about a mixed-race girl who is on a quest to find her never-seen father in India. While searching, she takes up massage training and earns extra money by providing massages (often with extras) for all kinds of men. Though well-told and well-shot, I was never entirely engaged in this film. Some of the characters seems a bit trite & flat, and I was often disappointed in the decisions the main character made (she seemed so gutsy – yet continued to allow herself to be in bad situations). (There was also a device used at the end that I felt was “unfair” to the audience.) That said, the film did take unexpected turns – so I give it credit for not being predictable.
Lastly, I saw 3 (THREE) – the new film from Tom Tykwer – director of RUN LOLA RUN and PERFUME. This new film deals with the relationship of a man and woman who have been together for several years. Their relationship isn’t bad, it’s just that they’ve become more like siblings than lovers. Through the course of the film, they each meet a man (the same man – though unbeknownst to the other) who awakens a part of their souls. This film is provocative, sexy, and quite modern – albeit a bit “busy” and “cluttered” at time. Ultimately, it was a great way to end the fest. (Tykwer did a Q&A after the screening…and he repeatedly talked about how great audiences have been to him and his work in Toronto over the years. He mentioned that several men walked out of the screening in Venice a few weeks ago…and that audiences in Toronto seemed much more sophisticated and engaged. This sentiment was voiced by numerous directors over the past several days.)
Well I set out to see 4 films today…and I only saw 3.5. One film had been rescheduled, and I had the incorrect time written on my itinerary for the day. That said, I don’t like to comment on films which I didn’t screen in their entirety, so I’ll only mention the 3 films I did see. However, I did manage to sit in & participate in a few sessions this afternoon – and they were very insightful.
First off this morning, I went and saw POTICHE – the new film from Francois Ozon…one of my favorite filmmakers of all time. I was first introduced to Ozon by my friend and mentor Chuck Derry. He showed me a short film called X2000 just before I scurried off to Toronto for the first time back in 2002. At that festival, I saw 8 WOMEN…and my life was changed. (I proceeded to screen dozens of films starring all of the 8 women from the film over the course of the next few months.) But let’s get back to POTICHE. Set in the 1970’s, this period piece is a comedy that’s saturated with important details (it’s like NORMA RAE meets 9 TO 5…with a dash of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER). It references other films (Catherine Deneuve plays a woman whose father founded an umbrella factory) and has hysterical, dated music cues. All-in-all, I felt like most of the audience wasn’t “getting” the film…but there were a handful of us who simply adored it. This has been my favorite comedy of the festival!
I then attended the latter part of a discussion among three screenwriters which was very well attended. The screenwriter/filmmakers were John Sayles, Dustin Lance Black and Massy Tadjedin (moderated by Franklin Leonard). It was quite insightful to hear the three talk about their craft.
After that, I went to IndieWire’s daily broadcast during the fest. In addition to a group of folks talking about the fest and making predictions to this year’s awards’ race, they had two special guests – Derek Cianfrance & Xavier Dolan. Though I haven’t seen BLUE VALENTINE (the film Cianfance was talking about), I had of course seen HEARTBEATS – so I was able to participate in the Q&A.
Lastly (in regards to sessions), I attended the first hour of a moderated talk with Christine Vachon – a true trailblazer for indie cinema in the past 18+ years. She’s funny, smart and kick-ass!
Next up, I went to see Dustin Lance Black’s feature – WHAT’S WRONG WITH VIRGINIA. (Black is the Academy Award winning screenwriter for MILK.) This film, starring Jennifer Connelly & Ed Harris, has had a mixed response. The performances are great, the set design is fabulous, and story is intriguing. The movie is about a woman who at first seems a bit “off balance”…and eventually we realize she’s mentally unstable. That said, as much as I truly cared about the lead character, I never really got into the film. (I will revisit this film down the road…as I was quite tired upon arrival to the theatre and I feel as though I may have missed some details.)
Lastly tonight, I saw a film from Iceland called MAMA GOGO (dir. Fridrik Thor Fridriksson). This film is somewhat autobiographical in regards to the director. It’s about a filmmaker and his strong relationship with his mother…as they both start to realize that something is wrong. That something is Alzheimer’s. Though some scenes were a bit “off,” others were gorgeous and spot-on. The lead actress is remarkable!!
OK. It’s 2:00. Time for bed.
One more full day tomorrow. I can’t believe my time is winding down so quickly.
More soon!!
Thanks for reading.
P.S. I had Dustin Lance Black sign a DVD copy of MILK. We will be using this as a prize during the LGBT Film Fest!
After just 4 hours of sleep last night, I woke up, went across town to pick up tickets, and proceeded to see two films. I then had to take a nap (2 nights with just 4 hours of sleep got to me). I then woke to see one more…and so glad I got there in time.
First off, I saw a Canadian film starring Zach Braff & Isabelle Blais (from the incredible film THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS). The films is called THE HIGH COST OF LIVING (dir. Deborah Chow). In it, a RX, “high end” drug dealer accidentally hits a pregnant woman on the side of the street. He flees the scene and later feels guilty – so he investigates to see if she’s OK. Along the way, he befriends her and finds out that the baby inside her died as a result of the accident – and she will have to have stillborn birth. The film has an interesting set-up, but there’s ultimately something wrong. It simply didn’t work for me. The moments of zany behavior seemed thrown in to break the tension…and seemed out-of-place…but the overall sadness wasn’t working for me either.
Next up was a film that many people are comparing to Wes Anderson – SUBMARINE (from actor-turned-director Richard Ayoade). However, this film is Welsh…and it’s quite fresh – with a big heart mixed in with the left-of-center comedy. The story is one of budding love between teenage minor-outcasts…and all the angst, humiliation and great lengths to please that come along with that – especially when you’re dealing with eccentric kids. The movie is visually stylish with a brilliant script and some supporting parts from people I love (Sally Hawkins and Paddy Considine). There’s certainly an audience for this film. (The director and two leads did a Q&A after this screening. They were delightful.)
Lastly, I saw HEARTBEATS – the new film from Xavier Dolan. Dolan’s first, Cannes-winning film is the opening night movie of the Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Fest. (Incidentally, tickets are available. Visit daytonlgbt.com for screening details.) This new film follows a gay boy and his straight female friend. They both fall for the same blonde, tossle-haired boy…and the dynamic between the two friends shifts. With a gorgeous pallet, a great soundtrack, interesting photography, and some fun intercutting of “confessions” from people in the dating scene, this film is great. (Dolan introduced the film and held a Q&A after.)
I just got back from a party celebrating all of the queer content of this year’s festival. John Cameron Mitchell was guest DJing, and I met up with some new friends who associated with festival. It was a fun night, but I’m glad I’m getting to bed before 3:00.
First thing tomorrow is the new film from Francois Ozon – one of my favorite filmmakers of all time.
More soon!
Jonathan
After getting some needed tickets early this morning, I met up for lunch with a friend – Bill Taylor. We met in line for TALK TO HER at TIFF in 2002, and we’ve stayed in touch all these years. He’s a talented filmmaker, and we will screen one of his films – THE YOUNG PRIME MINISTER – at this year’s LGBT Film Fest (it plays with I KILLED MY MOTHER on opening night – Friday, Sept. 24). Do you already have tickets?
In regards to screenings, I saw three films today.
First off was Susanne Bier’s IN A BETTER WORLD. Bier is an incredible filmmaker. The first film I saw by her was also at the 2002 festival – OPEN HEARTS. She is also responsible for the original BROTHERS (the superior film on which the American remake was based). IN A BETTER WORLD is quite wonderful. The film goes back and forth from a refugee camp in Africa to a small town in Denmark…and follows two families along the way (one of the protagonists is a doctor who makes trips to aid with medicine at the camp). There are lots of details to the plot, but the film is essentially an examination of ethics while pursuing justice. The photography is lovely, and the performances are great. Being that Sony Classics has picked it up, I imagine we will bring it to THE NEON. (sorry…no subtitles on the trailer)
Next up was Julian Schnabel’s MIRAL – starring Freida Pinto (from SLUMDOG) and with smaller parts by Hiam Abbass (from LEMON TREE and THE VISITOR) and Vanessa Redgrave. The film is the true story of an orphaned Palestinian girl growing up in the volatile Arab-Israeli War. Though not his best work, the story is of epic scale and is a strong story. With Schnabel as a Jew and the author of the book – Rual Jebreal (the main character of the story) – as a Palestinian, the creation of the film already nods toward peace. The final credit states, “This film is dedicated to everyone, on both sides, who still believe peace is possible.” This film will certainly spur discussion.
MIRAL was introduced by Schnabel, Pinto, Abbass, Jebreal and a couple other supporting actors. Their Q&A after the film made the film have even more impact.
Lastly, I saw John Cameron Mitchell’s RABBIT HOLE – based on the Pultizer Prize-Winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire. The film stars Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart as parents who are grieving the loss of their 4-year old boy who was hit by a car. The film opens 8 months after the accident, and though the film is full of sadness, it has very funny moments as well. The film is honest and beautifully photographed. I loved it! As an added bonus, Mitchell, Kidman and Eckhart introduced the film (and many other cast & crew were in the audience). This was the world premiere.
In addition to stars at their screenings, I also saw Dev Patel and Harvey Weinstein today. (And I forgot to mention in an earlier post that Josh Brolin asked me for directions the other night.)
More highly anticipated films coming soon!
Thanks for reading.
So I’m definitely in Canada. I had poutine for dinner. If you don’t know what that is, click here.
Today’s films were just OK. I saw three movies…though only 2 of them were part of TIFF.
First off, I saw Robert Redford’s film THE CONSPIRATOR – a story about Mary Surratt (the first woman to ever be executed in the USA – having been convicted for taking part in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln). The story is intriguing…and its themes are still quite contemporary (government wanting people to remain scared…so as to be more obedient & the need to publicly prosecute someone in order to “restore” a sense of balance after tragedy). Though well-done in many aspects, there seemed to be something missing. Robin Wright gives a great performance, and I’ll watch James McAvoy in just about anything. All said and done, I think this film will be liked…but it won’t be a huge hit.
Next, I strayed from the festival and went to an “Underground Cinema” screening of the new film from Christophe Honore – MAN AT BATH (director of LOVE SONG, MA MERE, & DAN PARIS). This film about two lovers who are splitting up – but can’t stop caring about one another – is sexually charged but strained due to a weak central performance. The performance of Francois Sagat is so off that he misses at almost every step. In addition, the chemistry between the two main characters is almost entirely absent. That said, the film has its moments…and every moment with Chiara Mastroianni is wonderful. (Due to nudity and language, I won’t post the trailer here – you’ll have to look it up yourself on youtube – where you’ll have to subscribe in order to prove your age.) I think the trailer, having only seen it after the feature, makes the film look much more interesting and less tedious.
Lastly, I saw the world premiere of OUR TIME WILL COME – directed by Romain Gavras (son of Costa-Gavras). This was Romain’s first feature film – though he has directed some famous music videos. The film is about a red-headed boy who feels alienated and shunned by society…and how he comes to feel (with the aid of a new friend played by Vincent Cassel) that redheads need to stick together in order to rise above the oppression. This film about outcasts (or simply feeling like outcasts), is a bit absurdist. Whereas there are some great moments with really fresh and fun performances, the ultimate feeling I got from the film was “Huh?” Violence in the 3rd act was upsetting and I really didn’t get the point. The person who introduced the film said, “This is one of the ‘what the f@#k films.'” He went on to articulate that this type of film is rare and welcomed…and nothing like pretentious arthouse films. I disagree. I think a film like this is even more pretentious in its “F*#! You, I don’t care if you don’t get it, I’m an arist” attitude. (Added note: The photography is lovely.)
I’m excited about tomorrow. I’m scheduled to see the new films from John Cameron Mitchell, Julian Schnabel, and Susanne Bier.
Take care!
Today was minimal in regards to number of films screened…due to circumstances beyond my control. But the 2 films I did screen were wonderful. (I paid $15 for a cab to get me to a screening of 127 HOURS on time…only to find out that it had been pushed back – which conflicted with my next screening.) Alas, I only saw two films and attended one hell of a party!
First off, I saw a film that Weinstein Co. has picked up – THE KING’S SPEECH – starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Cater. The film is fantastic! Based on a true story of the relationship between the stammering Duke of York and his speech therapist, the title refers not only to the speeches given by the Duke (& future King)…but also to the everyday speaking voice of the protagonist. If we manage to get it at THE NEON, it will be a hit! The audience was applauding during the film…and certainly after. It’s truly wonderul – with award-worthy performances all around. The film was directed by Tom Hooper (director of DAMNED UNITED).
Later in the day, I attended Mark Romanek’s NEVER LET ME GO – based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro (Mark directed ONE HOUR PHOTO and numerous incredible music videos). The film is a revisionist historical piece…but also science-fiction. That said, the “science-fiction” element doesn’t contain monsters or aliens, but rather a different evolution of medicine. The movie stars Carey Mulligan (AN EDUCATION), Andrew Garfield (IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASUS), and Keira Knightley (ATONEMENT), and it is beautifully done. It’s a quiet film with a strong punch that is quite clearly about all of us (and with strong supporting actors, too).
Lastly, I just got home from a party sponsored by Fox Searchlight – a distributor who has been a great partner with THE NEON (responsible for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, SIDEWAYS, YOUNG @ HEART, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, ONCE, THE WRESTLER, (500) DAYS OF SUMMER, and CRAZY HEART). This was the star-sighting party of the year!! Upon arrival, I grabbed a cocktail and struck up a conversation with Mark Olsen of the L.A. Times. He’s a really nice guy, and we talked about the arthouse cinema and the decline of the young demographic. I then chatted with Danny Boyle (director of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE). I told him of my admiration for many of his films (especially MILLIONS – which he said “was a dry-run for SLUMDOG”…and of our gratitude for the success of SLUMDOG. Once again, a nice guy. I spoke briefly with James Franco (we talked about MILK, HOWL, and his grandmother who lives in Shaker Heights), Marion Cotillard (she’s so sweet and down-to-earth), and I had numerous people compliment me on my jacket including Mark Romanek (it really is pretty wonderful…I’d been saving it for a special occasion). Leonard Maltin was there, a radiant Hillary Swank was there. An adorable Carey Mulligan was there. I got a wink from Andrew Garfield. The adorable Justin Long was there. The list goes on and on. In fact, I know there were several more stars who I recognized…but simply can’t name. It was quite a night…and I love that my bar-tab essentially only amounted to my taxi ride back to the B&B.
Off to bed. More soon!
First off, I apologize. I forgot the little cord that connects my camera to my computer…so I’m unable to upload photos at this time. Keep reading, and I’ll tell you about the pics I snapped today.
It’s already late (after 1AM as I write this), so I’m going to try and keep today’s update short & sweet.
I saw 4 films today!
First off, I saw Darren Aronofsky’s BLACK SWAN – the psychological ballet thriller starring Natalie Portman. The response to this film has been and will be mixed. The movie is clearly made by a skilled director, but at times the high stakes, grand gestures, and over-the-top dialog cross over from melodrama into camp territory. Overall, I enjoyed the film…but it seemed more like a guilty pleasure than a film by a master filmmaker.
Next I saw Woody Allen’s latest – YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER. Everyone’s life in this film is interrupted by their lover’s roving eye & libido. That said, the film is actually charming – but won’t go down as one of Allen’s best films. (However, Gemma Jones is a real treat!)
Next up was a Swedish thriller – BAD FAITH (dir. Kristian Petri). In it, a woman comes across a dying body on her way home from work – a victim of a homicide. The protagonist decides to solve the crime herself, but her sanity seems to be as much in danger as she is. This quiet, slow film had many good qualities, but when lots of action came into the picture in the 3rd Act, I found myself less interested.
Lastly, I saw the first true highlight of the fest for me. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s BIUTIFUL (Inarritu is known for 21 GRAMS, BABEL and AMORES PERROS.) This film, starring Javier Bardem in an incredible performance, takes place in Barcelona – yet the story has such a global understanding. Bardem is the central character, and early in the film he finds out that he has Cancer – yet he refuses to inform the people closest to him. The story is complex and beautifully done – with great camera work and interesting sound design. It’s a challenging film…but well-worth the 2.5 hours. (The film is in three different languages – all with different-colored subtitles. This allows the viewer to understand that not all characters are able to communicate with one another…a point that might escape some if only reading white, English subtitles.)
Here were 2 bonuses from today: 1) 2 seats down from me at the BAD FAITH screening was Atom Egoyan. 2) Alejandro and Javier were at the screening of BIUTIFUL…and they did a nice Q&A. (I got pictures)
In addition, I witnessed Edward Norton being whisked into the back door of a theater…and Milla Jovovich (someone had to tell me who she was) giving fans a quick pose before ducking into the same venue.
So that’s that. Full day tomorrow…complete with a big party. More soon! – Jonathan
DATV (with the support of Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management
OGDM Group) is presenting an excellent film fest called Media That Matters Short Film Festival – “a screening of twelve nationally award winning short films designed to motivate, move, inspire and inform you” on September 16th at 7:30pm at The Neon in Downtown Dayton. Tickets are only $15, with proceeds going to help DATV continue their mission: to be a community forum that empowers all citizens to learn, create and express their ideas through electronic media. To accomplish its mission DATV provides the training equipment and facilities for local residents to make a difference in their communities by creating their very own noncommercial cable TV programs. Get your tickets today!
Here is the film lineup (descriptions and images courtesy of MediaThatMattersFest.org):
12:00 min
Documentary
Director: Julie Winokur
Producer: Julie Winokur
Winner of the Jury Award
More about Denied from filmmaker Julie Winokur
When I met Sheila Wessenberg, she was living the American nightmare.
She had a potentially fatal illness, but because she was uninsured her life seemed expendable.
She said to me, “There is no reason why anyone should be shoved into homelessness and helplessness just to live.” She was referring to the fact that she could only get publicly funded health care if she gave up her home and her car. In the meantime, her doctor had abandoned her and she had already gone seven months with no chemotherapy.
I was so horrified by the real-life cost of poor public policy that I became obsessed with all the ‘Sheilas’ whose lives were on the line. I realized Sheila could be any one of us—could even be me. I wanted to shout from the highest rafter that she was being dealt one of the greatest injustices I had witnessed in the 20 years I’d been a journalist.
We first published Shelia’s story in The New York Times Magazine. Readers were so shocked by her suffering that they donated over $50,000 in order to help the family stay afloat. Next, we published Sheila’s story in a book and exhibition called Denied, which was shared on Capitol Hill and toured to state capitols across the country.
But our work wasn’t done because U.S. health care policy hadn’t budged an inch. We decided we had to tell Sheila’s story in film so even more people could see the shocking truth. Considering the raging debate on health care reform in Washington now, inclusion in the Media That Matters Film Festival couldn’t be more relevant or more urgent.
11:14 min
Documentary
Director: Jonathan Skurnik
Producer: Jonathan Skurnik
Winner of the Changemaker Award
More about I’m Just Anneke from filmmaker Jonathan Skurnik
I’m Just Anneke is the first film in a four-part series of short films called The Youth and Gender Media Project designed to educate school communities about transgender and gender nonconforming youth. The first two films in the series are finished and the second two are in production. The completed films are already being used in schools and conferences throughout the U.S. to train administrators, teachers and students about the importance of protecting all children from harassment due to gender identity and expression.
Transgender and gender fluid youth are the most courageous people I have ever met. Despite overwhelming pressure to conform to an oppressive gender binary paradigm, they refuse to do it in order to be true to themselves. I wanted to pay tribute to these courageous young people and to inspire all of us to reconsider our own decisions about gender identity and expression.
Anneke is going into eighth grade in the fall of 2010 and I plan to film her over the course of her first year in high school. This footage will become a feature length documentary about Anneke’s life as she starts to take testosterone and begins a slow and thoughtful transition to fully embody her own unique gender identity.
10:36 min
Documentary
Director: Stacey Muhammad
Producer: Stacey Muhammad
Winner of the Speaking Out Award
More about I Am Sean Bell from filmmaker Stacey Muhammad
I’ve loved film for as long as I can remember. Initially, screenwriting was my interest; however, I wanted to see my ideas come to life beyond the writing. This led to a desire to acquire the skills needed to actually produce my own projects. So, I embarked upon the journey of studying and learning as much about the filmmaking process as I possibly could by attending film school, workshops, and anything else I could find.
First and foremost, I consider myself an activist, so I’m drawn to human issues and subjects that enlighten and uplift humanity while challenging us to examine our ideals and issues on this planet. I’ve always been drawn to documentary filmmaking, particularly as an activist. It’s a powerful way to communicate with an audience.
When I chose to do the Sean Bell film, I was extremely disturbed by the verdict and wanted to hear from the children, particularly young black boys, about their thoughts, fears and concerns regarding violence against black men. Most of the topics that interest me are those that give a voice to those often unheard populations of people, who indeed have stories to tell and victories to celebrate.
One thing that I’ve learned is that life is what it is—meaning, everything we do and experience is connected. Often, we try to compartmentalize our lives and deal with different aspects of our experience (be it our personal lives, our career, etc.). Filmmaking, for me, is a spiritual process and journey. I’ve been prepared through life experiences, for each and every topic I choose to explore.
So, my advice to any aspiring filmmaker would be to live your life with integrity, take care of yourself, learn as much about your craft as possible, commit to creating the life you desire and expect the universe to grant you everything you ask.
7:54 min
Documentary
Director: Josephine Boxwell
Producer: Laurie Nicholls
Winner of the Empowerment Award
More about No One Bothered from filmmaker Josephine Boxwell
Claire, an ex-police officer, and her partner Darren take us on a journey through some of the places they have called home—a rubbish bin fort, a parkland, public toilets, to name a few.
The couple lives in Bournemouth, England. When they first arrived in the seaside town, they begged for money in order to buy food. Eventually they became registered Big Issue magazine vendors. The Big Issue Foundation is an initiative that gives homeless and vulnerably housed people the opportunity to make a living by selling magazines to passersby. For Darren and Claire, selling The Big Issue is a step up from begging, but not a step away from the dangers and prejudices that come with being on the street.
This short intends to illustrate that none of us are impervious to misfortune or mistakes; all of us are only a few steps away from the street. No One Bothered reminds us that even in societies where social security exists, many are left behind.
12:00 min
Documentary
Director: Patrick Smith
Producer: Patrick Smith
Winner of the Racial Dialogue Award
More about Shades of the Border from filmmaker Patrick Smith
The racial issues that exist on the island of Hispaniola can hardly be described as “black and white.” Perceptions of race among Haitians and Dominicans have been evolving (or devolving) over several centuries of political, military, and social unrest, and can’t be consolidated into a brief explanation or short documentary. Thus, as a filmmaker from the United States, the intention for the film was not to create all-encompassing viewpoints, both Haitian and Dominican.
The initial idea for the documentary came from the story of an Austin woman who was unable to adopt two abandoned, Dominican-born, black children because their skin color (and lack of documentation) prevented them from getting Dominican citizenship. After some research, it was clear that this wasn’t an isolated incident, but that millions had been denied citizenship (and thus certain human rights), based on how “Haitian” they appeared to be and not based on where they were born.
Faced with the economic burden of providing for an entire population of illegal Haitians crossing the Dominican border, compacted by an already poverty-stricken population of Dominicans, the Dominican Republic strains to find a solution that isn’t “color-based.” Sadly, the peripheral effects of this issue are much more severe, often leading to violence, destruction of homes, inaccessible education, abusive working conditions, and the list goes on.
Shades of the Border explores a commonly-held notion from the Dominican media that race does not lay a role in the conflict, contrasted with an almost completely-inverse working-class opinion that the shade of someone’s skin on the island of Hispaniola speaks volumes about the individual.
5:37 min
Experimental, Puppetry
Director: Gus Andrews
Producer: Gus Andrews
Winner of the Fair Use Award
More about My Hotness is Pasted on Yey! from filmmaker Gus Andrews
The Media Show is a YouTube channel series staring puppets Weena and Erna, two high-school-aged sisters skipping school to spend time making their own videos in an abandoned storage closet in an advertising agency in New York City. The show’s model of media literacy aims to reconcile the exuberance of fan-created media with a critique of ad-driven corporate media.
In this episode of The Media Show, My Hotness is Pasted on Yey!, Weena and Erna happen across a terrible graphics job in Cosmopolitan, leading them to the website Photoshop Disasters, which gets them thinking about other photo manipulation throughout history. Stalin, Hitler, OJ Simpson, Beyoncé—who hasn’t been touched by photo alteration in some way? The girls explore art and propaganda and end up playing with Photoshop themselves, taking control and manipulating their own appearance.
By primarily distributing online, we aim to enter into a dialog about media where young producers, both casual and political, are already displaying and critiquing their work. We hoped this episode might be many things to many people. To viewers on YouTube, it has prompted dialog about whether media can simply be dismissed as “fake” and how photos are involved in the “pro-ana” (pro-anorexia) community online. To educators, we hope it offers Photoshop Disasters and ad agency websites as potential materials for media literacy lessons, while sparking some new ideas on how to approach the topic. We even hope that this might give ad agency creatives a moment to reflect on the impact of their work.
6:36 min
Documentary
Director: Sara Hopman
Producer: Sara Hopman
Winner of the Economic Justice Award
More about Day Job from filmmaker Sara Hopman
From the beginning, filmmaking and positive social change have always gone hand-in-hand for me. After working with non-profit organizations such as Environment California, the Human Rights Campaign, and CalPIRG, I was further inspired to use my strengths in filmmaking to help facilitate progress in our communities. In October of 2009, I had the opportunity to create a film that could make such an impact—Day Job.
We’ve all seen day laborers standing and waiting in public places, but most of us pass by without thinking twice. I wanted to discover the story behind these workers—who are they and what are their lives like? This is a current, pressing issue, commonly ignored by the media; this is a group of people with little to no voice in our society; this is happening right now, in my city, and many cities across the country.
During the making of my film, I found Faye, a temporary employer of laborers. She has an extraordinary perspective that I felt I had to share with the world. With the help of four translators, which included two crewmembers, I was able to record the images and voices of a shunned community, for all the world to see.
7:26 min
Documentary
Director: Yan Chun Su
Producer: Yan Chun Su
Winner of the Sustaining Traditions
More about The Last Town from filmmaker Yan Chun Su
In order to complete the Three Gorges Dam hydroelectric project in China, a total of sixteen historical towns, some with more than 2000 years of history had to be flooded. Kai Xian was the last of the 16 towns. Filmed in Kai Xian shortly before the final relocation, The Last Town is a portrait of the town and its residents as they ready (or not) themselves for the big move.
Facing widespread land disputes and unfair relocation assignment, many of the unprivileged residents had to deal with the hardship of not only leaving their homeland behind, but also how to make a decent living afterward. Dust-filled streets and crumbled houses provided the backdrop for stories of ordinary residents dealing with the uncertainty ahead.
I felt compelled to see what old Kai Xian looked like after I found out it was the last old town to be flooded for the Three Gorges Dam Project. What I saw was quite surreal. People burning door frames, window frames on the street, metal salvagers picking on piles of rubble, and the almost eerie contrast between ordinary, everyday activities and the fact that people there were going through a historical time—they were the witnesses and also part of a town’s more than one thousand years of history about to be flooded forever.
The residents still struggling to make the move discovered me very quickly on the street and I was able to record this small glimpse of their lives. It is hopeful that by having their voices recorded, their stories and situations could weigh in on future developments with such profound human impacts.
Old Kai Xian town was completely flooded in 2009.
Many people are struggling in the new city and corruption is still widespread. In order to rake in as much profit as possible, contractors appointed by local government constructed sub-standard housing and immigrants with little financial and political backing were more likely to be assigned to live in those buildings.
9:30 min
Documentary
Director: Joel Engardio
Producer: Joel Engardio and Ateqah Khaki
Winner of the Global Justice
More about Justice Denied from filmmaker Joel Engardio
The American Civil Liberties Union wanted to use audio recordings to preserve the testimonials of five former Guantánamo detainees who had been held and released by the Bush administration without charge. I suggested that it would be more powerful to interview the men on video and produce a short film that wove their stories together into one narrative arch. This was a more accessible and compelling way to share the experiences with a wide audience.
Former Guantánamo detainees are usually painted as one-dimensional caricatures and we rarely get to know them as people. What were their lives like before Guantánamo? What are they doing now to start over? What are their hopes, dreams and fears? What kinds of personalities do they have? By using video and the art of story telling, I hope viewers might have more reason to care about the important issues that surround indefinite detention once they realize what they have in common with the subjects of the film as fellow human beings.
I used sparse narration and avoided talking head commentary by lawyers and advocates. I felt it would be more effective to simply let the men speak for themselves. The purpose of the video was to provide an emotional connection to the issues by focusing only on the personal stories of the men involved. A web link appears at the end of the film for inspired audiences who want to investigate and learn more about things like rule of law and how to stay both safe and free in a troubled world.
8:18 min
Documentary
Director: Annalise Littman
Producer: Annalise Littman
Winner of the Youth Sustainability Award
More about Aquafinito from filmmaker Annalise Littman
In high school, I was a member and co-president of WaterAid International, a club dedicated to educating people about the world water crisis and fundraising for water infrastructure projects in developing countries.
I attended a talk given by Deborah Lapidus of Corporate Accountability International (CAI) with my club and learned about the environmental and human rights problems associated with bottled water. I was in a teen film program at the Institute of Contemporary Art at the time. I was so blown away by Deborah’s talk that I decided to make a documentary about bottled water for my class project in the hopes that I could educate other people about what I had learned.
Deborah agreed to my filming her at a workshop she was giving, where I met Tina Clarke, Campaign Director for Massachusetts Clean Water Action. Tina agreed to be interviewed about corporation efforts to extract water for bottling purposes in Massachusetts.
I was invited by CAI to film a “Think Outside the Bottle” action at a Coke shareholders’ meeting in Wilmington, Delaware. I also interviewed someone from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, who spoke about the high quality of Massachusetts tap water.
My film addresses the prevalence of bottled water, reasons people buy it and the environmental and social costs associated with it. Many people told me that they plan to stop drinking bottled water after seeing the film. Other people have either continued to drink bottled water or only stopped temporarily.
5:17 min
Documentary
Director: Katie Falkenberg
Producer: Katie Falkenberg
Winner of the Human Rights Award
More about Uninsured in the Mississippi Delta from filmmaker Katie Falkenberg
At a time when the health care debate is at the forefront of the political agenda, Uninsured in the Mississippi Delta puts a human face on the struggles of the 46 million Americans surviving without health care.
The Mississippi Delta is one of the most impoverished and uninsured regions of the United States. The area also has soaring rates for diabetes, hypertension and stroke, and some of the highest mortality rates and lowest birth rates in the nation. The town of Greenville, Mississippi, in the heart of the Delta, has, on a per-capita basis, the highest number of uninsured households in the country. Contributing factors to this statistic include high unemployment rates, poverty, business owners who cannot afford health insurance for their workers, and agricultural jobs that are often only seasonal. Those who have jobs that pay minimum wage cannot afford health insurance on their own.
Howard Moncrief and Edward Smith are among those living in the Delta struggling without health insurance. Both of these men, putting the needs of their children and families before their own, have gone without vital health care and medicines. They simply could not afford them.
Inspiration
I had been following the debate on the health care bill in Congress, and was moved by the stories I had heard from those who were struggling without insurance while working on a photo and video project about a Remote Area Medical (RAM) free health care clinic in Appalachia the year before. I knew that this year, with the health care issue being at the forefront of this administration’s agenda, I wanted to tell another story to put a human face with the statistics being talked about so frequently in the Capitol and on the news.
When I heard that 34% of the households in the impoverished Delta town of Greenville, Mississippi were living without health insurance, I knew that this was a story that needed to be told. As I began researching the story, I learned that the problem wasn’t just concentrated in Greenville; it extended throughout the entire Mississippi Delta region into the rural areas where poverty was rampant and there were few jobs.
Many of the folks who are patients at the two health care clinics I spent time in for this film—the Good Samaritan Health Clinic in Greenville, and the Tutwiler Clinic in Tutwiler—would go without the most basic and vital care if these clinics did not exist. This was a driving force behind my inspiration for this film: that, because of the cost of health care and insurance, people would have to go without the care they desperately need, were it not for these clinics.
Furthermore, it is not only the people in the Delta; it is the 46 million other Americans throughout the country.
8:23 min
Documentary
Director: Galen Summer
Producer: Caitlin Dourmashkin
Winner of the Perspective Award
More about Lessons from a Tailor from filmmaker Galen Summer
The inspiration for this film came directly from the man himself. When I first met Martin Greenfield at his factory, with the intention of interviewing him for a lifetime achievement award he was receiving for his efforts as an employer and business owner in Bushwick, Brooklyn, it became clear that there was more to his story than mere success in business.
Here was a man who had pulled himself up from tragedy and hardship, who had survived one of the most horrific events of the 20th century, the Nazi holocaust, and yet still possessed a lightness of spirit.
Here was a man who had mastered the art of the perfectly tailored, hand-made suit, and now that art was slowly being forgotten by the rest of the world.
Here was a man who at 80 years of age still seemed to be at the height of his powers, who possessed the confidence to dictate the style and fashions of the power elite, just as he had been doing for the past half a century.
It struck me as a unique opportunity to create a portrait of a person who had overcome great challenges in life, who had accumulated wisdom about clothes and about people, and who had become a humanitarian in the process.
…
To preview these movies, go to the Media That Matters YouTube channel.
It only takes me about 5 minutes while dining with a couple blokes on holiday from Australia to start using words like “bloke” and “holiday” (which was the case this morning at the Bed & Breakfast where I’m staying)…so needless to say, after 24 hours in Toronto, I feel as though I’ve quickly assimilated myself into Canadian-mode. I’m loving it!
Though today’s films left a bit to be desired, I’ve scored tickets for the next couple days that already have me feeling better.
The first two films I saw today were from Sweden.
The first was BEHIND BLUE SKIES (dir. Hannes Holm) – a 1970’s coming-of-age story wrapped around a true incident of a major drug ring and consequent bust. At first glance, the film seemed so honest without being nostalgic…and things suddenly took a turn when strange (and on-the-nose, schmaltzy) music choices started to interrupt the pacing. The story follows a teenager who finds a summer job that takes him away from his miserable home-life (a volatile, alcohol-abusing father and a mother who takes the verbal (and sometimes) physical abuse). The films was not without its merits – the period details were wonderful and the central performance was genuine. I’m glad I saw it…but I found it to have some major flaws.
Next I saw EASY MONEY (dir. Daniel Espinosa) – a film that tonally reminded me of A PROPHET. This film tells stories of three characters who end up crossing paths in the same drug-riddled landscape that has all of them trying to make money the “easy way.” The storytelling is well-done, the editing is (at times) interesting, the performances are strong, the photography is nice, and my heart raced. It’s effective. That said, I really don’t care about drugs, violence and machismo attitudes. Male-driven stories with deplorable characters who carry out insidiously graphic violence don’t really interest me (though they did have some redeeming qualities). Good film. Not for everyone. (Below is the trailer…there aren’t subtitles, but I’m certain you’ll be able to “follow.”)
Lastly, I saw the latest from the Grand-Daddy of the French New Wave – Jean-Luc Godard. This new experimental film – FILM SOCIALISM – strives to find meaning in our obsession with documenting everything. With a mixture of mediums that range from ultra-saturated high definition to enormously pixillated images with oddly hued pallets, Godard gives us a full range of humanity in this film that seemed to be 3 hours long (it was only 97 minutes). I don’t speak French, and it was an artistic decision not to subtitle the film…so I felt all the more lost for most of the film – which I’m guessing is all part of the point (other languages were also spoken…so I understood the German). Ultimately, I think I got the message – but I certainly didn’t understand all of it. (In addition to numerous documentary -like set-ups, there were also a number of absurdist, narrative elements.) The point? – we’ve lost our ability to communicate because we communicate too much and in an unfocused way (insert youtube cats meowing). That said, Goddard is known for semiotics. I guess he’s just trying to figure it all out. (Incidentally, the I find the trailer much more intriguing.) Embedding the youtube video doesn’t work…so here’s a direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKeGpvrjEcQ
It’s time for a good Canadian beer before bed!
I’ll check in again tomorrow.
Jonathan
After one slight delay, I made it to Toronto and have begun to map out my 1st day – which will start bright and early tomorrow. I plan to screen 3 or 4 films – barring no problems with my check-in (TIFF has rearranged everything geographically this year…so there will be a new learning curve).
I wanted to at least write something today because I more than likely won’t be able to write my first “reviews” until later tomorrow evening.
Check out the Toronto International Film Festival website at www.tiff.net. And below is a trailer for a film that we’ll more than likely play at THE NEON…which I’ll be seeing in the next couple days.
Please check back in soon.
Jonathan
I’ve got a long list of things that need to be done before leaving for Toronto…and testing out the blog is one of them.
On Wednesday afternoon, I’ll fly out of Dayton to Toronto. On Thursday morning, I’ll pick up my pass and start seeing movies. I’m excited to see new films from some of my favorite filmmakers – Francois Ozon, John Cameron Mitchell, Susanne Bier, Stephen Frears, Mike Leigh, Julian Schnabel – just to name a few. I’ll more than likely see 25+ films over the course of 8+ days.
This blog is where I’ll keep you posted, and if I can post a picture or two, I will.
I’ll catch ya soon from Canada! Now back to laundry & packing.
Ciao,
Jonathan
P.S. Attached are a couple pictures. One if from last year’s premiere of A SINGLE MAN and the other is from the incredible screening of I KILLED MY MOTHER (playing this year in the Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival – www.daytonlgbt.com)
The next several weeks are full of special events. In addition to seeing all of our engagements, you’ll want to get out your calendar to make certain you don’t miss many of these unique opportunities to see so many great films at THE NEON.
GET LOW – the new highly acclaimed film with Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, and Sissy Spacek – is a hit. Audiences are loving it…and it will stick around. That said, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT and WINTER’S BONE have reached the end of their very successful runs. Both of these films will only play through Thursday. On Friday, we will open the 2nd film in the Millennium Trilogy – THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE. We’ve had more phone calls about this title than any other recent film. We hope Daytonians turn out for this installment!
Synopsis for THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE: “Two journalists on the verge of exposing their story in Millennium about an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden are brutally murdered. Lisbeth Salander’s prints are on the weapon.
Mikael Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings which will implicate highly placed members of Swedish society, business and government. Knowing Salander to be fierce when fearful, he is desperate to get to her before she is cornered and alone but she is nowhere to be found. Digging deeper, Blomkvist also unearths some heart-wrenching facts about Salander’s past life…” (taken from press notes)
On Wednesday, September 15th at 7:30 p.m. MochaReaders will host a special screening of the 70’s hit movie FOXY BROWN starring legendary actress Pam Grier. Movie goers will enjoy refreshments, special giveaways and WWRD-TV32 will highlight the event. Join MochaReaders in celebrating and welcoming Pam Grier to Dayton to promote her new book. (Ms. Grier will appear at “A Foxy Affair – An Evening with Pam Grier” at Ponitz Career Technology Center, 471 Washington Street on Thursday, Sept. 16. For more information visit www.mochareaders.com or call (937) 361-7657.) Single tickets to the Wednesday, Sept. 15 screening of FOXY BROWN (on 35mm) are just $5 and are now available at THE NEON’s box office!
On Thursday, Sept. 16, DATV will present the MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL. The festival showcases 12 jury selected short films – each 12 minutes or less – that tackle a broad range of social issues with humor, humanity and honesty. Tickets are $15 each and are available on-line at www.datv.org or at our box office.
The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is swinging into action for its 5th year! The wonderfully designed website just launched last week. Check it out at www.daytonlgbt.com. The website is full of images and links to trailers and official sites. It also outlines all of the sponsors for this year. GREAT NEWS! We have just secured the attendance of 4 guest artists (and perhaps even more will be announced soon). Casper Andreas – director of VIOLET TENDENCIES (Saturday, Sept. 25 at 9:30), Sarah Louise Lilley – star & producer of NOTHING HAPPENED and Jessica Provenz – writer and producer of NOTHING HAPPENED (Saturday, Sept. 25 at 3:00), and Heath Daniels – writer, star and producer of GO-GO REJECT (also on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 3:00) will attend the fest. These guest artists will be flying in from NYC and LA…and I hope they’ll have a warm reception with an enthusiastic crowd at each screening – please help to make it happen.
Living City Film Fest is at it again! This year, the festival will be a celebration of the career of Jeff Bridges. Titles include THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW and THE BIG LEBOWSKI (each on 35mm)…a full line-up of titles, sponsors and dates (October/November) will be announced soon.
FREE TICKET information.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
The winners of a pass good for 2 people to THE NEON are Lee & Milly H! There were only 16 entries into our review contest…so Milly H & Lee had great odds of winning (with 5 entries between the 2 of them). I’ll keep you posted as we may re-work this contest and launch it again in the future.
We hope to see you soon.
Take care,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for September 3 – September 9:
GET LOW (PG-13) 100 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:50
Tuesday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE (R) 129 Minutes
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Tuesday – Thursday: 2:15, 5:15, 7:45
COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Sept. 10 JOAN RIVERS – A PIECE OF WORK
Sept. 17 ANIMAL KINGDOM & RESTREPO
Sept. 24 FAREWELL
Oct. 1 THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM
Oct. 8 LEBANON
Oct. 15 A WOMAN, A MAN & A NOODLE SHOP
TBD WILD GRASS