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Film Lover’s Guide to the 2008 Ft Lauderdale Int’l Film Festival
By Denise Castillón

The on-going Ft Lauderdale Film Fest will gift festival-goers with a first-rate selection of special film screening events. Beginning this weekend with I‘VE LOVED YOU SO LONG and SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK, then, into next week with NOTTURNO BUS (Night Bus).

French novelist and literary professor, Philippe Claudel debuts as a scriptwriter and director with I‘VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (Il Y A Longtemps Que Je T’aime), starring Kristin Scott Thomas as a woman with a secret past hiding an unspeakable crime, who, after many years, reunites with her younger sister (played by Elsa Zylberstein). (French language, with English subtitles). A Sony Pictures Classics release.
Screens at FLIFF on Friday, October 24th, 7PM at AMC Coral Ridge.

Charlie Kaufman, the surrealist writer of “Being with John Malovich” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, makes his directorial debut with his latest scripted comedy SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK [pronounced Sih –NECK-doh-kee]. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman as a regional theater director in Schenectady, who escapes his messy personal life by relocating to a New City warehouse, where he confines an ensemble cast to rehearse his latest play. Hoffman is supported by an impressive array of actors, such as Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest and Hope Davis. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
Screens at FLIFF on Saturday, October 25th, 7PM at AMC Coral Ridge

In NOTTURNO BUS (Night Bus), a noir-styled caper comedy from Italy, Franz is a night bus driver with a heavy gambling debt. During his airport destination route, he picks up Leila, a beautiful thief who has unknowingly stolen a top secret microchip. Together, they embark on a thrilling and zany adventure. (Italian language, with English subtitles).
Screens at FLIFF on Wednesday, October 29th, 7PM and Thursday, October 30, 7PM at AMC Coral Ridge

For more information, go to www.FLIFF.com

Film Lover’s Guide to the 2008 Ft Lauderdale Int’l Film Festival

By Denise Castillón
Here are recommendations for festival-goers attending FLIFF’s Opening Weekend, October 18th & 19th, for must-see indie arthouse, foreign language and/or documentary films:
From FLIFF’s American Independent Program:
THE 27 CLUB USA/Running Time: 85 min

“THE 27 CLUB” invites its audience to a moving drama about friendship and surviving loss. Though measured flashbacks, accompanied by an awesome original acoustical and lyrical soundtrack, the backstory reveals the path of two childhood friend’s to rock star fame that ends tragically.
Elliot (JOE ANDERSON) is devastated after his best friend and band mate Tom (JAMES FORGEY) dies from a drug overdose. By his death at age 27, Tom becomes the latest member of “the 27 Club”, and joins fellow famous musicians, such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Kurt Cobain.

Desperate to escape his fame, an over-wrought Elliot hires a driver to take him from Los Angeles to New York for Tom’s funeral. Elliot’s journey across America enables him to eventually reclaim his humanity and his music.
Starring Joe Anderson (“Across the Universe”, “Control”), and James Forgey, who perform both as actors and musicians, and are supported by the excellent acting talents of David Emrich as “Three Words” and Eve Hewson (Bono’s daughter) as the beautiful hitchhiker, “Stella”.
Also appearing as the fictional bands’ talent managers are Alexie Gilmore, who is receiving the 2008 FLIFF Star On The Horizon Award, and Kyle Luker (Gilmore’s real-life manager).

Written, produced and directed by Erica Dunton. Cinematography by Stephen Thompson. Edited by Les Butler.
The director’s father, celebrated cinematographer and camera technician Joe Dunton, designed new 35mm anamorphic lenses to created the film’s very unique composition and very specific color palette.

Music composed by Michael Tremante, who also scored several award-winning independent feature films, (including “Village Barbershop” starring John Ratzenberger, also screening at FLIFF). Original music written and performed by Joe Anderson and James Forgey, (lead singer of electro-acoustic band, “Sleep Control”) as the fictional band “FINN”.

Also appearing in the film and performing are the “Down by the Wayside” Choir and Peter Stampfel, (one half of The Holy Modal Rounders, of the infamous “Fly Like a Bird” track from “Easy Rider.”).

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Screens on Sunday, October 19th, 2:55PM at Cinema Paradiso

View the Trailer for THE 27 CLUB

From FLIFF’s World Cinema Program:
A DEAL IS A DEAL (AKA “Three and Out”)

United Kingdom/ Running Time: 95 min

A warm-hearted comedy full of generous belly laughs, starring Mackenzie Crook, (“City of Ember”, BBC’s TV series, “The Office”), and Colm Meaney, (“Kings”, “Layer Cake”), as an oddly coupled two-some, who embark on a road trip. A good ear for British and Irish slang will ensure that you won’t miss any of the hilarious dialogue between these bickering buddies.
By unfortunate circumstances beyond his control, London subway driver, Paul (MACKENZIE CROOK), has run over two subway riders within weeks of each other. A remorseful Paul is advised by co-workers that if one more rider met their death beneath his subway car their company would offer him a payoff called “three and out”. It’s a company benefit policy for drivers traumatized by three deaths by train to receive a lump sum severance equal to ten years of salary.

Such an unexpected windfall could make Paul (MACKENZIE CROOK) realize his dream of owning a cottage on an isolated Scottish island, where he can write his first novel. He now only needs to find a willing suicidal volunteer to jump in front of his subway car before the month ends. Enter Tommy (COLM MEANEY), who Paul offers his rent money for his cooperation. Paul proposes Tommy he could use the money to fulfill an unmeet dream or make amends with his estranged family of wife, Rosemarie (IMELDA STAUNTON) and now-grown daughter, (GEMMA ARTERTON). Together, they embark on a road trip full of hilarity and touching emotional reconnection.

Starring along with Mackenzie Crook and Colm Meaney, are Gemma Arterton (“Rocknrolla”, newest Bond Girl in “Quantum of Solace”), Imelda Staunton, (Oscar-nominated for “Vera Drake”).

Directed by Jonathon Gershfield, written by Steve Lewis and Tony Owen, cinematography by Richard Greatrex (“Shakespeare in Love”; “Run Fat Boy Run”), edited by Jon Gregory (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”) produced by Wayne Marc Godfrey and Ian Harries.

Screens on Sunday, October 19th, 6:45PM at Cinema Paradiso

Q & A session with Gordon Synn, associate producer, follows screening.

View the Trailer for A DEAL IS A DEAL aka "Three and Out"


From FLIFF’s Documentary Program:
SAVING FACE (Running Time: 81 min)

“Saving Face” is an engrossing documentary about an unremorseful criminals’ road to redemption. Matt Kern was an over-achieving high school student, with an attraction to trouble. Matt participated in a carjacking that ended in murder. His wealthy family dutifully turned him in to the law for punishment. Unfortunately, Matt flourished in prison by running a gambling and drug operation behind bars. Matt surprises himself, and his family, by finding God after spending 13 months in solidarity confinement. With his family now on his side, they rigorously work to have Matt’s sentence commutated and receive clemency.

Written, directed and edited by H. James Gilmore, cinematography by Gareth Paul Cox, produced by James. A. Kern, James W. Kern and Eleanor Kern Buff.

Screens on Saturday, October 18th, 7:40PM at Cinema Paradiso.

Q & A session with H. James Gilmore, Matt Kern and representatives of the judicial system follows screening.

View Trailer for SAVING FACE


www.FLIFF.com

Film Lover’s Guide to the 2008 Ft Lauderdale Int’l Film Festival
By Denise Castillón
Renown in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running film festival, the 23rd edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) kicks off October 15th and closes, one month later, on November 14th. Each year, this South Florida based film fest offers cinematic treasures that film lovers may or may not discover again on the “big screen”. Such a film to treasure, COYOTE, officially opens this festival, followed by a triumphant gala to finish the evening.

OPENING NIGHT FILM REVIEW:

COYOTE
Genre: Action /Thriller/Comedy
Running Time: 95 min
Language: English & Spanish w/ English sub-titles

The crime thriller, “Coyote” opens with intensity, and maintains a steady, suspenseful pace and farcical comedic tone throughout the film until its startling climatic ending. You can count on this film to keep you thoroughly entertained while taking you to the edge, and very nearly put its controversial immigrant issue out of your mind.

31 year-old Steve (BRIAN PETERSON) newly retired after selling his tech business, is bored. “I do nothing, now I feel it!” Meanwhile, his fiancée Katie (CARLEY ADAMS) prepares for their wedding, and his best friend/best man, Jay (BRETT SPACKMAN) toils as a vending machine re-stocker.

When Katie’s housekeeper’s son, Pablo, who has been living in the U.S. since he was five years old, gets deported after a traffic stop, Jay proposes to drive to Mexico and bring him back. Since Steve is Anglo, and he’s Mexican-American, Jay presumes they would be above suspicion while smuggling a hidden Pablo back across the border. Steve is attracted to Jay’s plan, both as a possible business opportunity and a high risk adventure.

While spending an enjoyable night over in Mexico with Pablo’s extended family, Jay finds his fluency in Spanish useful as he romantically pursues Mariana (MARIANE VALLE). The next morning, Steve and Jay successfully transport Pablo across the U.S. border and back into Nogales, Arizona for a celebratory barbeque and pool party.

Entrepreneurial Steve, with the belief providing safe passage across the border is an honorable service, proceeds to start this new business venture without regard of the illegality or danger. Together with Jay, he conducts further research on the best points of border entry and best operating techniques to fashion a “kinder, gentler people-smuggling business” with upgraded travel amenities for desert crossings.

Soon, Steve becomes more consumed with his people-smuggling business, than his wedding preparations, that he feels compelled to involve Katie in their profitable criminal operation as does Jay with Mariana.

Flush with easy money and success, Steve and Jay expand their venture, complete with a sales brochure touting tiered service levels. They never, however, consider the consequences of competing against unprincipled “Coyotes” or how long they could stay undetected by the U.S. border patrol or the possible harm that could come to their loved ones.

Filmmakers and production partners, Brian Peterson and Brett Spackman, skillfully play double duty assuming the lead roles, and are aptly supported by their co-stars, Carley Adams and Marina Valle.

Original script co-written by Brian Peterson and Brett Spackman, directed by Brian Peterson, cinematography by Robb Hanks, produced by Brett Spackman. A Side Street Production.

Screens on Friday, October 17th, 7:45pm at the Miniaci Theatre for the Performing Arts
HYPERLINK "http://themexicandream.com/coyote-trailer-1/"View Trailer for COYOTE

HYPERLINK "http://www.FLIFF.com" www.FLIFF.com