Troy L. Smith, Northeast Ohio Media Group
Intro
(All movie info in this slideshow is courtesy of CIFF)
Before the Pentagon Papers and WikiLeaks, before Edward Snowden's NSA revelations, there was Media, Pennsylvania. On March 8, 1971, during the "Fight of the Century" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, eight activists calling themselves the "Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI" broke into a small FBI office outside Philadelphia. They picked the lock and loaded every file into suitcases. Then they simply walked out the front door. The activists shared hundreds of secret documents with the public, revealing the FBI's vast program of spying on citizens. An outraged Congress conducted its first-ever investigation of a U.S. intelligence agency. Now the burglars finally tell their story. The film's reenactments and news footage add to this fascinating snapshot of American concerns circa 1971. The Media incident shocked many who believed in the integrity of their government, raising the level of cynicism in America for one of the first - but sadly not the last - times. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
20 Years of Madness
In the mid-90s a group of high school kids had a public access show in Detroit called 30 Minutes of Madness. The sketch comedy program gave its actors a feeling of belonging and allowed them to express their creativity with freedom. That was 20 years ago though, and these days the cast members are feeling unfulfilled with their current lives. After finishing film school, jobless Jerry decides he wants to get the gang back together for a new episode, inspired by a recent high school reunion. He hopes his new skills will help to boost the show's production values, something that may have prevented their success. After all this time, is the chemistry still there? Directed by Jeremy Royce, the engaging documentary 20 YEARS OF MADNESS follows the troupe on their quest to bring the show back to life. The film also examines the disappointment we feel about the dreams we leave behind. Some might say Jerry and his pals should just move on. But many will relate to such regrets, inspired by the hopeful thought that maybe there's still time. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
24 Days
January 20, 2006 begins just like any other day for Ruth Halimi, a Parisian receptionist and divorced mother of three adult children. She goes to work, buys a pair of boots for her son Ilan, and then prepares a Shabbat dinner for Ilan and daughter Yael. Little does Ruth know, this seemingly innocuous Friday will be the preface to the most horrific experience of her life. After dinner, Ilan rushes out to get drinks with sexy Emma, whom he met at work, before his girlfriend Mony gets home. Yet, Ilan never makes it to Mony's apartment. The following day, an anonymous email informs his family that Ilan has been kidnapped and won't be released until they forfeit e;450,000. Without money to pay the ransom, Ruth and ex-husband Didier seek help from the police. But can they trust a team of investigators, wire-tappers, and an expert negotiator to outwit a perverse anti-Semite? A true crime drama, based on Ruth Halimi's memoir, 24 DAYS depicts an ordinary family's confrontation with inconceivable hate. (In French with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
45365
Wake up and live! You're in the heart of the Ohio Valley. It's Shelby County Fair time; perfect weather for broadcasting live. This first feature by hometown boys Turner and Bill Ross takes an affectionate look at Sidney, Ohio, population 20,000. With an anthropologist's eye, but never a mean spirit, they introduce us to folks whose lives form the backbone of a place that could be Anywhere, USA. High school football kicks off this Friday evening, and all eyes are on the Yellow Jackets. Hits 105.5 provides the soundtrack to Sidneyites' lives, favoring Little River Band and Air Supply. Guys get their hair cut, girls talk about guys, and Peggy's husband's off to jail again. And if you're confused about your cable access, or if Miss Love has too much to drink, the cops will help sort things out. Beautifully filmed and expertly edited, 45365 was the winner of the Independent Spirit Truer than Fiction Prize. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
EitanRiklis
A Borrowed Identity
"Sometimes I forget you're an Arab," says Yonatan, a Jewish Israeli teen with muscular dystrophy, to his best friend Eyad. "Yeah, me too," Eyad responds. For the past two years, Eyad has been the sole Arab student at a highly competitive boarding school in Jerusalem. Having grown up in a predominantly Arab village in Israel, Eyad had a difficult time acclimating to the school. But thanks to Yonatan, whom Eyad met through a service program, and Naomi, Eyad's Jewish girlfriend, Eyad's experiences in Jerusalem haven't been completely miserable. Still, he cannot escape the stigma associated with his ethnicity among the majority of Jewish Israelis. Naomi's parents, for instance, would admittedly rather she get cancer than date an Arab. Not yet ready to reject his past entirely, Eyad can't help but fantasize about having A BORROWED IDENTITY. Set in the ten years following the 1982 Lebanon War, Eran Riklis's coming-of-age drama - based on Sayed Kashua's semi-autobiographical book Dancing Arabs - powerfully depicts how systemic prejudice impacts an individual's sense of self. (In Arabic and Hebrew with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
A Dangerous Game
Donald Trump won't give it a rest. For years, residents of Aberdeenshire, Scotland fought his plans to build a luxury golf resort on rare sand dunes. Now The Donald is back, trumpeting plans for another site in the area. Anthony Baxter follows his previous film "You've Been Trumped" - 36th CIFF, with a swing at this second contentious golf course, in development on an arid hillside overlooking the stunning city of Dubrovnik. A DANGEROUS GAME rebels against the foolhardiness of building golf resorts in deserts and other fragile ecosystems. We travel with the intrepid Baxter to Scotland, Croatia, Long Island, and Las Vegas, coming up everywhere against developers who work hand-in-hand with politicians to line their pockets. All this gets the goat of the Scots, who have long regarded golf as a game for common folk. Environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. warns against nature-defiling profiteers: "There are lots of Donald Trumps out there, in every country." (In English and Croatian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
A Fight For
On October 15, 2011, as part of the wave of protests that followed the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street, Slovenian activists occupied a square in front of the Ljubljana stock exchange, setting up tents and remaining there through the winter. A FIGHT FOR depicts the life of protesters in the camp, from the erection of the first tent to its dismantling six months later. The film provides a hard look at the difficulties involved in maintaining a protest space, and the quarrels among those involved. United in their opposition to corporate greed, the protestors organize themselves around principles of direct democracy. Everyone has a voice, and direct action workshops begin. But after their initial euphoria, winter sets in, and the occupiers concede they no longer have a consensus. As they eventually pack up and leave, they realize they've achieved a major goal: awakening people from their apathy. (In Slovenian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
A Murder in the Park
In 1983, Anthony Porter was sentenced to death for the murder of two teenagers on Chicago's south side. Amid allegations of police brutality, and thanks to the investigations of Northwestern University journalism students under the tutelage of Professor David Protess, Porter was released in 1999. New evidence pointed to a man named Alstory Simon as the perpetrator. The media brouhaha over Porter's wrongful imprisonment led Governor Ryan to banish the Illinois death penalty and commute the sentences of all death row inmates. Professor Protess and his students were media heroes. But there was one problem: in his fervor to abolish the death penalty, Protess seems to have promised witnesses money and a cut of book and movie deals to change their stories. Alstory Simon, now in jail for life, was pressured to confess. Part police procedural, part morality tale, A MURDER IN THE PARK incorporates vivid reenactments to bring the convoluted details of this landmark case to life. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
A Royal Hangover
When you think of British culture, chances are "they drink a lot" will come to mind. A ROYAL HANGOVER is an eye-opener of a documentary that examines the binge drinking culture of Great Britain: when, where, and why it started; how it compares to other cultures; and how it can be slowed. Including interviews with scientists and doctors looking to bring awareness, members of parliament trying to legislate, and people suffering with alcoholism, A ROYAL HANGOVER is a sobering look at a plague that has dominated the British for centuries and what it may take to find a solution. Along with actor and recovering addict Russell Brand, we see the director's uncle who consumes two bottles of whiskey a day. He is honest when discussing his disease, heartbreaking when sharing his chances of getting better, and unforgettable when providing a personification of alcohol's grip on British culture. This film doesn't try to preach or blame, but it does attempt to turn the focus on finding ways to a new future. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
A Small Southern Enterprise
Don Costantino has had enough. Guilt-ridden about having quit the priesthood, he's now unemployed and homeless at 50 -- but afraid to tell Mamma Stella, who has been on edge since daughter Rosa Maria left her husband Arturo. Mortified at the village scandal her children are causing, Mamma banishes Costantino - like Napoleon - to an island in the Mediterranean, where the family owns a crumbling lighthouse. But pop-eyed Costantino is simpatico from years of hearing people's confessions, and soon castaways start floating up on his island exile. First comes a retired hooker, then brother-in-law Arturo (a frustrated jazz pianist), and some buoyant roofers in a circus caravan. Rosa Maria enters defiantly with her new lover, and even Mamma Stella herself washes in. The misfits are thus assembled like flotsam, the tide pushing them one way when they want to go another. But if everyone can leave society's expectations behind, they just might be able to set up A SMALL SOUTHERN ENTERPRISE. (In Italian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
About a Girl
This is a story ABOUT A GIRL who doesn't want to grow up. Charleen is 15, melodramatic, mega depressed, and Kurt Cobain's biggest fan. Her best friend Isa is getting really boring, her dad is out of the picture, and her mom has hooked up with her biology teacher. Even though she has an apprenticeship preparing bodies for funerals, which is pretty cool, her musical idols are all dead. It's about time Charleen was, too. But she can't even get suicide right, and now the adults are all freaked out. She has to sit through therapy with Dr. Frei and his unusual methods. Two bright spots in Charleen's life are her Granny and a genius named Linus. But when these relationships threaten to unravel, Charleen finally starts to look at more than just herself. Punctuated by indie rock tunes, ABOUT A GIRL features a theatrically rebellious (and therefore 100 percent convincing) performance by Jasna Fritzi Bauer. (In German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
(Photo: John Fiege)
Above All Else
Former high-wire artist David Daniel never expected to be at the forefront of the Keystone XL pipeline debate. But when he discovered TransCanada planned to route it through his land, he became incredibly concerned. He had moved to rural East Texas with his wife and young daughter for peace, a wish that appeared to now be in jeopardy. Instead, Daniel became somewhat of an expert on the dangers of the pipeline, spreading the word to his neighbors. They were convinced by his knowledge and passion, so they didn't need to be won over. David found himself in a battle with a corporate Goliath, who wasn't going to let anyone interfere with its bottom line. ABOVE ALL ELSE documents his tumultuous experience from its infancy to his desperate but bold final act, putting his expertise to use by building an intricate tree-top blockade. Despite whether or not it stopped TransCanada, Daniel's bravery ignited a fire under grassroots climate change activists, who have continued the work he started. You've heard the heated arguments on the subject, but ABOVE ALL ELSE gives it a human face.
Above Us All
In her melancholy film ABOVE US ALL, Eugenie Jansen depicts how, with no respect to the magnitude of one's grief, the world keeps turning. According to 11-year-old protagonist Shay, she and her family are "ordinary people living an ordinary life" in rural Australia. Her Flemish father Koen is funny. Her Aboriginal mother is tidy. Her little brother Kelab aspires to be a professional wrestler. And Shay is a self-professed spoiled kid who enjoys off-roading. Yet, their seemingly ordinary existence is disrupted when Shay's mother becomes ill and soon after passes away. Within months, Koen moves Shay and Kelab closer to his extended family in Ypres, Belgium, an area still geographically scarred by a devastating WWI battle. But Shay has no interest in moving on, despite Koen's desperate efforts to attend to her needs. Composed almost entirely of 360 degrees panoramic shots, Jansen's film beautifully interweaves the diverse religious, philosophical, scientific, and historical ways that "ordinary people" of all ages cope with loss. (In English and Flemish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Alfred & Jakobine
For nearly 60 years, an old, dilapidated London taxi has been in Alfred’s possession. It hasn't worked for several decades, but 84-year-old Alfred can't seem to part with it. In the late 1950s, he and Jakobine, an artist and his wife at the time, used the car to travel around the globe. Their burning passion for each other fueled their journey from Japan to Morocco, India, Tibet, and numerous other faraway locales. But that passion dwindled when the couple settled in Syracuse, New York, and Jakobine became desperate to have a child. After Jakobine, at 42, gave birth to their son Niels, Alfred left his family and resumed life on the road. This documentary uses archival footage and Jakobine's diaries to reveal the former lovers' past. The poetic and touching ALFRED & JAKOBINE then follows Alfred in a grand gesture—restoring the taxi to working order and driving over 2,000 miles across the country - to take Jakobine on one final ride. (Photo archive of Alfred and Jakobine)
All-Stars
In the spirit of such great mockumentaries as "Best in Show" and "This is Spinal Tap," director, star, and Cleveland native Lance Kinsey brings together an outstanding group of comedy giants for ALL-STARS. This look at the trials and tribulations of a girls softball season culminates into players being selected for an all-star team. Also starring fellow Cleveland natives Fred Willard and Miriam Flynn, along with Richard Kind, Angela Kinsey, Mike Hagerty, Christian Kane, Illeana Douglas, and enough comedians to field several softball teams, this film that never misses a pitch and connects on every joke. Lampooning the state of youth sports today, ALL-STARS hilariously introduces us to the parents, league officials, and umpires who put themselves and their agendas above the very ten-year-old players they're supposed to be caring for. If you've ever been anywhere near a little league field, you've met these characters. If you've been to a little league field and don't recognize these people, then you are a character in this film. Like a day at the park, where everyone is a capable idiot, this film is a home run of a comedy. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Allluia
After a night of heavy drinking, Michel and Gloria share a heated, passionate rendezvous as Gloria's young daughter sleeps across the hall. The next morning, Michel has become a part of their life, announcing to the daughter just how "sexy" her mother is. It's not long before Gloria, in heat, ditches her daughter and runs off with Michel before becoming involved in his elaborate con schemes. Unfortunately, Gloria can't handle Michel's constant womanizing and, in a fiery moment of jealousy, she murders Michel's latest lover. Surprisingly, the effects of the crime are lost on her as she laughs it off seconds later. Thus begins a maniacal spree of violence that results in the gory demise of many of Michel's female targets. Belgian auteur Fabrice Du Welz's ALLELUIA is his take on the now legendary Lonely Hearts Killers, real-life serial killers from the 1940s, and he elevates their story to heart-pounding psychological horror through stunningly refined cinematic grace. This film will make you think twice about having a one-night stand. (In French with subtitles) (Photo courtesy of Music Box Films)
(Photo: Aaron Wickenden)
Almost There
Filmmakers Dan Rybicky and Aaron Wickenden randomly stumbled onto the art of Peter Anton at a Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Indiana. The old man sat at a busted table, trying to convince people to let him draw a portrait of them. It was there that Anton showed them several books full of his art, which immediately blew them away. A few years later, they find him living in deplorable conditions, stemming from a severe hoarding problem, bad health, and a lack of funds. Eventually, they form a friendship that leads to an exhibit for Anton at Intuit, a center for unknown artists in Chicago. Preparing a story about the event, a reporter uncovers a very disturbing piece of Anton's past. Feeling angry and betrayed, the filmmakers and gallery struggle with whether to proceed. The attention digs up things Anton had hoped were buried in his past. ALMOST THERE is a fascinating documentary about outsider art. It's also an unexpected tale of forgiveness and regret that explores the dark side of a creative mind.
An Honest Liar
Teller, AN HONEST LIAR is a true delight that portrays a man who fought to increase the intelligence of his audience while still keeping a few secrets of his own. (Photo Justin Weinstein)
Angel Azul
Artist Jason deCaires Taylor has a passion for water that eventually seeped into his creative process. His human castings are beautiful on their own, but when placed on the ocean floor in Cancun, they take on an entirely different purpose. Taylor got his start in graffiti, where he saw how nature eventually reclaims its space. The abandoned buildings he tagged were thick with evidence of this as trees, moss, and grass began to grow all over them. This inspired his underwater placement of the castings. There they became a part of the ocean, forming an artificial coral reef. What began as an art project blossomed into a tool of research for oceanographers, who started using the figures to measure the effects global warming has on our water. It's an incredible tale that proves art can be vital in solving world issues. ANGEL AZUL's stunning cinematography and breathtaking views make it easy to understand Taylor's love for the ocean. Hopefully, his incredible art will help to ensure future generations can enjoy the water, too. (In English and Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Anywhere Else
Noa, in her early 30s, feels out of her element. An Israeli who has lived in Berlin for years, she's assimilated enough to study linguistics at the graduate level. But her thesis project - a dictionary of untranslatable words - is rejected for being too vague, her relationship with her trombonist boyfriend has stalled, and Berlin is just plain cold. On a whim, Noa hightails it back to Israel and the welcoming embrace of her family. At least that's her fantasy. But once there, she reverts to behaving like a teenager. Her mom nags, she squabbles with her sister, her dad's as apathetic as ever. Worst of all, her beloved granny is gravely ill. Noa's sympathetic German boyfriend Jorg suddenly shows up, making things awkward, to say the least. It takes wise Granny to remind Noa of what's important in life. Home is where your heart is; you can't escape yourself by running ANYWHERE ELSE. (In English, Hebrew, German, and Yiddish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Apartment Trouble
Nicole and Olivia are the 21st century Odd Couple. Nicole is an artist (of sorts) whose wealthy parents have cut her off, and Olivia is an aspiring (and unsuccessful) actress. They are lifelong friends, utterly penniless, and about to be evicted from their illegal New York sublease. With no money for food (calling it a "cleanse") and no options, Nicole decides they should spring an unannounced visit on her TV celebrity aunt in Los Angeles. What better place to find grounding and stability than Hollywood? What better chance for success than by competing on her aunt's nationally televised reality talent show? With an uncharged phone and four dollars in cash, off they go to the Left Coast. Each night Olivia whispers to her tiny Trouble Doll, which is supposed to cure her troubles while she sleeps. Things are about to get loony and that doll has its tiny hands full! With snarky humor, dead-on satire, and a warm and crazy heart, APARTMENT TROUBLE is about making oddball dreams come true in a very strange world. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Art Connect
The Levantille is one of the most crime-laden and violent communities in Trinidad and Tobago. But co-existing with the high crime rate and poverty is a thriving arts movement. The Success Levantille Secondary School sponsors the Art Connect Program. This program offers students from high-risk environments a chance to learn ways to express themselves and communicate outside the culture of violence and fear. Partnering with urban artist Wendell McShine, the Freetown Collective, and London's Company Chameleon Dance Theatre, this program offers exposure to the arts and a chance for growth and hope. The filmmakers gave some of these students cameras to document their lives outside of school and their personal thoughts about participating in the program. By incorporating this footage into the larger documentary, ART CONNECT gives us an intimate look at how these young people try to create a world of possibility to counter the often grim realities they face. It is an uplifting journey of transformation and a testament to the role art plays in genuine social change. (In English with English subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Back on Board: Greg Louganis
With the beauty and grace of a Greg Louganis dive, BACK ON BOARD: GREG LOUGANIS crafts a deeply personal portrait of a compelling and complicated man. The journey from childhood diving prodigy to four-time Olympic Gold Medalist is only part of the story. In many ways, the challenges Louganis faced outside athletic competition were even greater. From the terrifying ordeal of concealing his HIV status at the 1988 Seoul Olympics to his battles against discrimination afterward as an openly gay athlete, Louganis was a man unprepared for some of life's harsher realities. In 2011, the greatest diver of all time found himself struggling with finances and keeping possession of his home. He embarked on a career as a mentor to the 2012 Olympic Diving Team, hoping to prepare athletes for life after the Games and to revive his personal and public life. With enormous courage and disarming honesty, he reveals the circumstances that brought him to that point. Deeply moving and inspiring, this is the brave and unfiltered story of an authentic American Hero. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
(Photo: Paul Sakuma)
Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World
Miles Scott, like many five-year-olds, dreams of being a superhero - Batman, in particular. But Miles may share more with the Caped Crusader than the average kid. At 18 months old, Miles was diagnosed with leukemia, and he has been fearlessly fighting the disease ever since. When the Make-a-Wish Foundation asked Miles what would make him happiest, he naturally requested one thing: to be a real Batman. While Miles's parents had doubts about being able to grant his wish, Patricia Wilson, an Executive Director at Make-a-Wish, did not shy away from the task. With the generous help of an acrobat, television newscasters, the chief of police, the mayor, and even composer Hans Zimmer, among numerous others, Patricia successfully transformed San Francisco into Gotham City and Miles into crime-fighting "Batkid" on November 15, 2013. Dana Nachman's BATKID BEGINS: THE WISH HEARD AROUND THE WORLD documents the incredible story of how thousands of people worked together to make one kid's wish come true and created a global social media phenomenon in the process.
Beatles
Based on one of the all-time bestsellers in Norway, BEATLES is a vibrant, superbly-acted, coming-of-age tale about four mop-tops on the not-terribly-mean streets of Oslo. Like Liverpool and everywhere else in the 60s, Norway is undergoing radical political change. Teens are rejecting uptight morality and marching to the beat of Sgt. Pepper. Kim, Gunnar, Ola, and Seb become John, Paul, George, and Ringo, wear matching outfits, and rack their adolescent brains for a suitably English name for their band. Soon the Snafus have local gigs, even though they can't really play instruments. Between numbers, the boys try to make sense of their world of unrequited and sometimes inappropriate love, interfering families, booze-soaked parties, and public embarrassment. Looks like they're about ready for adulthood. It was a huge coup for the BEATLES producers to get clearance to use the original recordings in their entirety. Paul and Ringo's trust was well-placed; this movie is one for the ages. (In Norwegian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Becoming Bulletproof
Zeno Mountain Farm is a Vermont non-profit organization that hosts an annual film camp for people of all abilities. BECOMING BULLETPROOF takes us along as these wonderful individuals film and star in the ambitious "Bulletproof" - a Western movie replete with gunslingers, barroom brawls, and damsels in distress. Focusing on several of the actors during the shoot, whose disabilities range from cerebral palsy to Williams Syndrome, this documentary is humorous and heartwarming while also working as a behind-the-scenes look into how movies are made. Famed commercial director Michael Barnett does an impeccable job of getting the audience right next to the stars and filmmakers of "Bulletproof," making it inevitable you'll not only root for the people, but for the final product as well. An inspiring documentary for sure, BECOMING BULLETPROOF is about "making an awesome movie, not a statement." (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Z*+
In her 50 years of teaching in Havana, Carmela has never tired of her students - not even Chala, a mischievous 11-year-old who regularly speaks out of turn in class and roughhouses with other boys during recess. Carmela can see past the classroom antics to the young boy who, in the absence of a father, takes care of his drug-addicted mother without any complaint. And, according to Carmela, if you treat a boy like a delinquent, he will act like one. Still, the school administrators fear Carmela, with perhaps a few too many years in the profession, might be losing her edge. When Carmela temporarily falls ill, the substitute teacher decides to send Chala to a disciplinary school. Yet, Carmela is more than ready to risk her esteemed career to protect Chala's future. Offering a unique glimpse into life in modern Cuba, Ernesto Daranas's affecting drama unites old and young in the defiant BEHAVIOR. (In Spanish with subtitles)
Note: Some scenes contain graphic animal imagery. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Being Evel
In the history of sports, few names are more recognizable than that of Evel Knievel. Long after the man hung up his famous white leather jumpsuit and rode his Harley into the sunset, his name is still synonymous with the death-defying lifestyle he led. Notoriously brash, bold, and daring, Knievel stared death in the face from the seat of his motorcycle, but few know the larger-than-life story of the boy from Butte, Montana. After an adolescence riddled with petty thievery and general rabble-rousing, Knievel set his sights on superstardom, a feat he achieved when televisions around the world aired the startling crash footage of his 1967 attempt to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The jump was spectacular, but the failed landing that sent him skidding like a ragdoll across the asphalt was the main attraction. Throughout the 1970s, his legacy as King of the Daredevils spawned action figures, movies, and a generation of kids who wanted to be just like Evel. Featuring insights from current action sports superstars who were inspired by Evel's iconic career, BEING EVEL immerses you in a life story so incredible that you'd swear it was a tall tale. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Between the Eyes
Luisito L. Ignacio's BETWEEN THE EYES begins just before the Mud People Festival in Bibiclat, Philippines. Coinciding with the feast of St. John the Baptist, the annual ritual commemorates when heavy rains miraculously camouflaged villagers from Japanese assailants during the 1940s. Today, downtrodden Julia, her teenage son Tonio, and her developmentally disabled son Etok are among the many townspeople who continue to give thanks to St. John despite their dire circumstances. Still, Tonio is not immune to the typical urges of teenage boys. Smitten with his friend Lani, Tonio is convinced his tattered clothes and lack of money will hardly sweep her off her feet. So when local crime boss Carias offers Tonio a seemingly simple job, the desperate teen can't resist the hefty payoff or the opportunity to demonstrate his worth. But juggling a new love life, his family commitments, and the mobster's demands prove to be more than Tonio can handle, and he is soon wishing for yet another miracle in Bibiclat. (In Tagalog with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Big Moccasin
Winding through the rolling Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia is a 20-mile span of road called BIG MOCCASIN. There, directors Chelsea Moynehan and Andrew Moynehan introduce us to the unhurried lives of four locals: Geraldine, an ailing widow; Mouse, an avid hunter and, believe it or not, animal enthusiast; and chain-smoking Polo and his lifelong best friend Steve. In this shrinking community where drinking and going to church are the most common ways to fill a day these aging Appalachian residents fondly recall stories of their youth, while being keenly aware of the rapidly changing world around them and the uncertainty of their place within it. As seasons pass, the four individuals experience loss on multiple levels. Still, a sense of hope lies in the steady return of spring. Featuring country music by Folk Soul Revival, this poignant documentary showcases the Moynehans' ability to capture the inherent beauty in their oft-overlooked subjects. (In English with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Billy Mize and the Bakersfield Sound
You could be a huge country music fan and not be familiar with the name Billy Mize, but you've certainly experienced his incredible influence on the genre. Mize began as a songwriter and quickly gained momentum in a promising career as a performer. Unfortunately, that was nixed due to a personal tragedy. Needing to stay near his family, Mize passed up touring opportunities. Instead he found a home on local L.A. television, where he inspired and fostered the careers of upcoming popular artists. Despite regional notoriety and extensive songwriting credits, he never quite found the commercial success he deserved. This led to an eventual stroke. Directed by his grandson, William J. Saunders, BILLY MIZE AND THE BAKERSFIELD SOUND finally tells the unheard story, featuring interviews with country legends Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Saunders' terrific documentary isn't just for country diehards or music aficionados. It's for anyone who loves an uplifting story of validation and seeing someone finally receive the credit and attention they so undeniably deserve. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Bread and Butter
"I can see your hymen from here," so says Amelia's boss in this upbeat comedy about looking for love, thinking of romance, and finding yourself. In BREAD AND BUTTER, 30-year-old Amelia is looking for her first boyfriend and even with the help of her eccentric boss, her overbearing parents, and her best friend her luck seems to be running out. With her nose buried in a book, she finds romance in a stranger who has left notes in the margins and soon finds herself entranced with this man who also videotapes his own will. Charming, funny, and unique (like any great date), BREAD AND BUTTER bills itself as the "anti-romantic comedy" and holds the audience's hand as we watch Amelia navigate the book guy (Leonard) and Daniel (the delightful Bobby Moynihan of SNL) in a love triangle pitting both sides of Amelia's romantic notions against each other. Will she choose the brooding Leonard or the affable Daniel? Are her ideas of romance and love feasible? Will she ever find someone to butter her bread? Love has questions; BREAD AND BUTTER has answers. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
By Blood
At the turn of the 19th century, the U.S. government's efforts to "civilize" the Cherokee and Seminole Nations, among other Native American tribes, included encouraging the use of what they considered to be "modern" farming practices or, more specifically, African slave labor. After the Civil War, the African men and women previously enslaved by the Cherokee and Seminole Nations became known as "Freedmen" and were granted membership within the tribes. Now, almost 150 years later, the tribes have disenfranchised over 30,000 descendants of Freedmen and excluded them from tribal benefits, such as healthcare and education grants. Marcos Barbery and Sam Russell's BY BLOOD follows the Freedmen, primarily living in Oklahoma, in their struggle to reclaim citizenship within the Cherokee and Seminole Nations. This enlightening documentary which includes interviews with tribal leaders, Freedmen, and their legal counsel exposes the cultural, economic, and racial tensions that emerge when citizenship, sovereignty, and a sense of belonging are at stake. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Call Me Lucky
Before Jon Stewart and Bill Maher, comedian Barry Crimmins was the political truth-teller of his day. A man of many contradictions - described by his friends as a combination of "anger and sentimentality," a mix of "Noam Chomsky and Bluto" - Crimmins aimed his acerbic stand-up acts in the 1980s and 1990s at two primary targets: the United States government and the Roman Catholic Church. Still, Crimmins' public outrage toward these political and social institutions came from deep-rooted personal turmoil and pain. Comedian-turned-director Bobcat Goldthwait recounts the influential career, troubled upbringing, and contemporary pursuits of Crimmins, his longtime friend. CALL ME LUCKY features archival footage of Crimmins' performances, as well as interviews with Lenny Clarke, Margaret Cho, Patton Oswalt, numerous other comedians, and Crimmins's family and friends. This emotional documentary shows how Crimmins, a onetime resident of Lakewood, Ohio, overcame his horrific past and continues to use his comedic voice as a means to effect change. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Chasing Berlusconi
When the formerly great harness racer Bjarte hits bottom, he really hits bottom; and sometimes the horse's bottom hits him. In debt up to his collar, Bjarte hatches a plan to drug the titular horse and fix the big race - only, his partners aren't exactly thoroughbreds in the world of crime. From the director of the hilarious "King Curling" (36th CIFF), the comedy CHASING BERLUSCONI runs at the pace of a Triple Crown winner as we watch Bjarte's world slowly disintegrate to outrageous outcomes. With eager police officer Lotte hot on his tail, Bjarte's world begins closing in on him, and his odds of gettin out of this alive begin to shrink by the minute. With the loan sharks chomping at the bit for the money, Bjarte must do everything he can to find their cash and the famed horse. With some of the best comedic performances of this year's Festival, CHASING BERLUSCONI is the madcap, horse racing, crime caper you've been waiting for. (In Norwegian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Christmas, Again
At Christmas time, Noel - yes, that is his name - has become a temporary fixture in New York City. For the past five years, the mustachioed thirtysomething has spent the weeks leading up to Christmas living in a camper and selling trees to a festive clientele of young couples and happy families. And Noel quietly takes pride in his job: he offers only the finest tree varieties; he carefully crafts wreathes from fallen branches; and he dutifully sweeps up stray needles every night. Still, this Christmas season just isn't the same. As Noel's regular customers have noticed, "that nice girl," Noel's ex, isn't working anymore, and goofball Nick and his expressionless girlfriend Robyn are sorry replacements. In a sort of self-flagellating act, Noel has requested to work the 12-hour night shifts. But his cold, lonesome evenings are disrupted when he happens upon Lydia, who may make this Christmas worthwhile. Based on writer-director Charles Poekel's experiences as a tree salesman in Brooklyn, CHRISTMAS, AGAIN brings muted, mumblecore aesthetics to the holiday drama. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Come to my Voice
"Poor Berfe," a man remarks after hearing just one of the many sorrows the elderly Kurdish grandmother has endured during her lifetime. At present, Berfe and her young granddaughter Jiyan are in pursuit of a gun. But their intentions are to save, not end, a life. Turkish soldiers recently imprisoned Berfe's adult son Temo upon the mere suspicion he was harboring contraband weapons. In order to rescue Temo, Jiyan and Berfe must surrender at least one gun to the military officials. First, Jiyan desperately collects all the toy guns in the village. And then Berfe offers the soldiers her father's old shotgun. Yet, both attempts are equally futile. And so the grandmother and granddaughter traverse the expansive and picturesque Turkish countryside marred by numerous military checkpoints in a seemingly hopeless search for weapons. In COME TO MY VOICE, filmmaker Huseyin Karabey considers how generations of downtrodden Kurds face adversity amidst increasingly violent surroundings. (In Turkish and Kurdish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Corn Island
During the annual spring torrent, the Enguri River washes soil from the Caucasus to the Black Sea, creating tiny islands in its wake. It's a place of pristine beauty -- until gun shots ring out. For this is the site of ethnic strife between Georgians and Abkhazians, who claim independence. Symbolic perhaps of his people's resistance, an old Abkhaz man paddles up to a tiny island in the river, then slowly and painstakingly builds a wood dwelling by hand. One day he brings his teenaged granddaughter, who obediently helps him work the soil. Not given to displays of emotion - or even conversation - they toil through the seasons, planting corn to earn their livelihood. The tranquility is sporadically disturbed by shooting on shore. As soldiers motor by on patrol, Grandpa insists the land belongs only to its creator. Ruminative and philosophical, CORN ISLAND reminds us that all of man's endeavors are finally subject to the vicissitudes of nature. (In Georgian, Abkhazian, and Russian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
(Photo: Aliocha Merker)
Crescendo! The Power of Music
"El Sistema" was created 38 years ago in Venezuela to help foster social change by building youth orchestras among disadvantaged children. It has grown into a musical movement, counting among its graduates Gustavo Dudamel, the charismatic Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. CRESCENDO! THE POWER OF MUSIC follows students in two "Sistema"-inspired youth orchestra programs: "Play On, Philly!" in West Philadelphia; and the Harmony Program in Harlem, New York City. The film's young musicians struggle against significant emotional and cultural roadblocks, sometimes set up by their own families. We meet Raven, a natural violinist whose rambunctiousness gets her in trouble ("Fortissimo, y'all!"); Zebadiah, an introspective boy who makes friends via the viola; and Mohammed, whose father insists he quit the trombone if he keeps failing classes. Music educators Stanford Thompson and Anne Fitzgibbon are heroes in these kids' lives, helping them and countless others unlock their potential through the inspirational power of classical music.
Cut Back
Dwayne McLaren (Liam Hemsworth) would do just about anything to get out of Cut Bank, Montana, hailed as the "coldest spot in the nation." Even the town's moniker is a let down: it's not actually that cold there in the summer. Yet, Dwayne's job as a mechanic working for Big Stan (Billy Bob Thornton) hardly earns Dwayne enough money to set up life elsewhere. When Dwayne happens to videotape the murder of the cantankerous mail carrier Georgie Wits (Bruce Dern) - the first murder in Cut Bank - Dwayne may have inadvertently landed his means to escape, as the federal government grants $100,000 for evidence to the unlawful killing of postal employees. According to Postal Inspector Joe Barrett (Oliver Platt), Sheriff Vogel (John Malkovich) simply has to find Wits's body first. But the squeamish officer only discovers more dead bodies in the process, and Dwayne may be next. A star-studded, offbeat thriller, Matt Shakman's CUT BANK has so many twists and turns, you'll see why it's so hard for Dwayne to leave. (Photo courtesy of A24 Films)
Danny Collins
An aging rock star receives a life-changing letter and decides to find out what his life could have been like in DANNY COLLINS, the inspiring story of an unexpected second act from writer and director Dan Fogelman. Still riding high on the hits from his heyday, singer Danny Collins (Al Pacino) seems to have it all money, fame, a new fiancee and arenas packed with adoring fans. But years of hard living, failed relationships and performing the same songs night after night have begun to take their toll on the once wild rocker. So when his longtime manager (Christopher Plummer) presents him with a never-delivered letter written to him 40 years earlier by John Lennon, Danny decides to belatedly heed his idol's advice and follow his heart. He cancels a sold-out tour and checks into a small-town New Jersey Hilton to try to rediscover his love of music and the family he abandoned on his way to stardom. Inspired by a true story, DANNY COLLINS features an all-star cast and a soundtrack featuring nine classic songs by John Lennon plus original music by Ryan Adams, Don Was, Cairan Gribbin, and Greg Agar. - Bleecker Street Media (Photo courtesy of Bleecker Street Media)
Dearest
Based on true events, DEAREST introduces us to Tian Wenjun, the proprietor of an internet cafE in the huge city of Shenzhen who argues constantly with his ex-wife about the care of their little son Pengpeng. One night a fight breaks out in the shop. Tian Wenjun intervenes - and the boy is gone. As the distraught parents struggle to find their son, they're dragged on a hellish journey through a world of lackadaisical bureaucrats and unscrupulous con men. Yet after three agonizing years, a miracle occurs: they track down Pengpeng with his new "mother," whose husband seems to have abducted the boy. But the family's happy reunion fades, since Pengpeng has forgotten his birth parents and clings screaming to his new mother. Tian Wenjun realizes he is now the kidnapper - of his own son. From beginning to end, DEAREST is a searing look at child abduction in China, and its repercussions on parents who have lost their one allowable child. (In Mandarin with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Divide in Concord
Concord, Massachusetts is home of "the shot heard round the world," Henry David Thoreau, Walden Pond, and Jean Hill, who walks very much in the fighting footsteps of her town's famous predecessors. For years Jean has been petitioning Concord to ban the sale of water in single-serve plastic bottles. Aware of the long-term consequences, this passionate octogenarian has expended much time and boundless energy to bring this before Town Council, but each year it has been defeated. Jean and her allies are now launching what is likely to be their final effort to pass this bill. Against her is a mountain of money and corporate opposition, stoking fear of loss of personal choice as well as attacking Jean as a "dotty old lady." As the wonderful DIVIDE IN CONCORD reveals, Jean is anything but. She is the embodiment of everything America has embraced since that famous shot. The final vote approaches. Concord is divided. The democratic process, which began over 200 years, ago will play out with Jean leading her troops into battle! (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Don't Leave Me
The world of the superb Belgian documentary DON'T LEAVE ME is a combination of existential surrealism, where everything and nothing happens, and slapstick comedy, where everyone is the straight man. Bob and Marcel are two old friends - men without women - who bond over wine, rum, and beer while discussing loneliness and their plans to execute their own demise under a secluded tree Bob remembers from his youth. While the subject matter is solemn, the circumstances and tone are natural deadpan - like when Bob can't remember where his sacred tree is. From the very beginning, you can't help but feel like you've been invited to watch two characters created by Samuel Beckett search for meaning in their lives. Sure, there are heartbreaking moments - watching both men struggle to balance their alcoholism with fatherhood, for example - but DON'T LEAVE ME is a phenomenal study in contradicting images: two depressed farmers who can only seem to grow comic situations. When Marcel goes to rehab, we get a deeper meaning of where these two are coming from, but without ever feeling hopelessness. Directors Sabine Lubbe Bakker and Niels van Koevorden have done a masterful job documenting two years in the lives of these endearing men as they continue waiting for their Godot at the bottom of a bottle. (In French and Dutch with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
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DREAMCATCHER is a breathtakingly raw look at the work of a former prostitute whose Chicago charity helps women leave the sex industry. Brenda Myers-Powell has a big personality to match her big heart. She cruises the streets at night in her Dreamcatcher Foundation van, distributing condoms. Often she stops to talk to prostitutes, every one with a devastating story. In her after-school club for at-risk teenage girls, the kids exchange horrifying rape stories over Doritos and Coke. Education, empowerment, and prevention are the bywords of this brave soul, who admits to abandoning her own daughters. Her new business is giving hope to forgotten women - and hope is what they need. The story of Brenda's work, which has changed so many lives, will change yours, too. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon
DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD : THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL LAMPOON tells the story of the National Lampoon during the 1970s and 1980s. For many, the Lampoon was the first place where humor was recognized as a way to tell a greater truth about the world and influence people's views on politics and culture. Launching the careers of John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Christopher Guest, Harold Ramis, and others who went on to make some of Hollywood's most beloved films, the Lampoon shaped a moment in time when comedy took on a rock'n' roll esthetic and changed humor on a global level. However, once the rock'n' roll lifestyle took its toll, the Lampoon found itself struggling to get back to its original roots: being funny. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
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Awoken from a nightmare, John Whitmore discovers his wife has gone missing. A tape recorder is found that reveals she's been kidnapped. The voice on the tape instructs John to meet a man named Dave, who will take him to a cabin where his wife is being held. He's to bring a bag of cash and go in alone. Things get tricky when Dave, now joined by another man named Sam, begins to slow down the process. With the stress of the kidnapping and his issues with Dave, John begins to unravel. He's also struggling to remember what his wife last said to him, a detail that could prove to be important. Why would someone kidnap her? Who are Dave and Sam? Why can't he remember anything? DUSK is an intense psychological thriller with an ending no one will see coming. Its set-up leads to an event that transforms the film into something entirely different. To say anything else would be too revealing. Tour the complex puzzle that is John's mind in DUSK. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
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How do you capture a moment? Kyle Rideout's biopic EADWEARD shows how this question becomes an obsession of one of the forefathers of motion pictures, Eadweard Muybridge. In 1872, Muybridge reveals his first study of animal locomotion: a series of photos depicting the movements of a running horse that no human eye had ever seen. "This is life," he explains to his admiring audience. But Muybridge wants to know more. His passion compels Flora, a sultry 21-year-old divorcEe, to move with Muybridge from California to Pennsylvania, where he has secured $50,000 to take more pictures. Although Muybridge considers his work to be science, not art, the resulting photographic sequences of a woman jumping over a stool, a man walking a goat, two men boxing, and so on are undeniably beautiful. Still, as Muybridge amasses thousands of images depicting life, his own life with Flora begins to unravel. In this impressive first film, Rideout uses time-lapse photography, jump cuts, and slow motion to recreate the magic of Muybridge's photography. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Factory Boss
The Dalin Toy Factory is in a state of crisis. There are no current orders, and angry workers are demanding unpaid wages. Owner Mr. Lin will do anything to save his factory, including cutting back on safety updates and equipment repairs. So he makes a desperate deal with an American toy company, contracting a lowprofit job with a fast deadline that threatens to drive his workers to the brink. When a reporter goes undercover at Dalin and begins exposing oppressive conditions and safety hazards, things quickly worsen. The deadline is now days away, and the workers have gone on strike. With a stunning performance as the FACTORY BOSS's Mr. Lin, which won him Best Actor at the 2014 MontrEal Film Festival, Yao Anlian heads a powerful cast that takes us deep into China's manufacturing culture, from the workers' dorms to the executive suite. While everybody's futures rest heavily on his shoulders, Mr. Lin must face the hardest struggle of all: is honor defined by saving a factory or by compassion for those who labor within it? (In Mandarin with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Fair Play
Anna is a young Czechoslovak sprinter who hopes to qualify for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. She lives in a modest flat with her mother Irena, herself a former athlete, who has been reduced to cleaning buildings due to her dissident sympathies. Anna is expected to unquestioningly follow the instructions of her coaches at the National Sports Center. But when they start prescribing new steroid injections, Anna rebels, and the coach pressures Irena to keep her daughter on the drugs. Meanwhile, government operatives are trying to force Irena to confess to collaborating with a dissident, insinuating her daughter's future is at stake. FAIR PLAY captures the controlled fury and incomparable sadness of a woman who gives up her principles, hoping her daughter might escape to a better life. Anna Geislerova and Judit Bardos are convincing as the mother and daughter who stick together through harsh circumstances, each subversive in her own way. (In Czech with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Far From Home
Born in Uganda, Brolin Mawejje had a childhood plagued with hardships. His abusive father drove his mother to flee the country, leaving her son and two daughters behind. Soon, Brolin became the target of his dad's anger and aggression. Finally, when Brolin was ten, his mom, now in the United States, was able to bring her children to live with her. That didn't last long, though. Brolin was bounced to various homes, never able to truly settle. While America offered a world of opportunity, his feelings of abandonment were hard to overcome. He channeled those emotions into skateboarding, a passion that eventually helped him make friends. Through them, he discovered snowboarding, a sport that would change his life. It planted a dream in his head: a goal to make it to the Olympics. The documentary FAR FROM HOME follows Brolin on that journey, while also capturing his growth as a young adult. Watching Brolin rise above his circumstances is incredibly inspiring. Snowboarding provides a good analogy for life: if you get knocked down, just keep getting back up. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Felix and Meira
Maxime Giroux's FELIX AND MEIRA are an unlikely pair. Living off handouts from his sister, Felix is half-heartedly mourning the recent death of his callous, unloving father. Meira, married to devout Shulem, is a young Hasidic Jewish mother who prefers soul music to the strict principles of her religion. She frequently locks herself in the bathroom just to avoid Shulem. Pressure from family and friends to have more children intensifies Meira's attraction to non-religious life, but secrets are hard to keep in her small Hasidic community. When Felix and Meira first meet at their local pizza shop, Meira avoids brazen Felix's advances. But upon returning to her claustrophobic home life, she soon seeks out Felix's company. As their relationship develops, the simple act of wearing a pair of jeans brings Meira previously unknown pleasure. Is this momentary feeling of happiness adequate justification for abandoning the world as she knows it, or is her relationship with Felix too precarious to last? (In English, French and Yiddish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Fiddlesticks*
Bollersville is the belly button of the world. Because its grownups are so 100 percent average a consumer studies company tests new products there. The grownups love to buy new things like green cornflakes, straight from America. No wonder the kids of Bollersville revolt against the mediocrity of their parents and their yucky lab-produced food and useless stuff. Like the Little Rascals, a band of six adorable tykes, with a helpful pet named FIDDLESTICKS in tow, brings creative chaos to town. These hands-on kindergarteners don't need to wait to become fire fighters and engineers when they grow up; thanks to their wildly inventive grandparents, they can already operate all kinds of heavy machinery. The kids decide to become inventors, hoping to catapult Bollersville into the 22nd century. But is Bollersville ready for so much excitement? Let's rate FIDDLESTICKS "KP," for Kiddie Peril. Accidents happen when you try new things, especially when you're only a kid. (In German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Finding the Gold Within
Alchemy Inc. is an adolescent support program based in Akron, Ohio. It combines adult mentoring, traditional African drumming, and the art of storytelling and myth to create a safe and open forum for young black men. Like the name suggests, it is an effort to transmute the ordinary materials of life into something precious. FINDING THE GOLD WITHIN documents six young men from Akron as they move from the program into college and university life. Having made peace with their personal histories and trials, they set out to create new stories for themselves. For many, the world has already crafted their story and shackled them with its own myths. These men aren't settling for Fool's Gold. They will challenge those scripts and mine the riches they each contain, openly defying the racism and obstacles in their paths. Inspiring, heartbreaking, and unflinchingly honest, this film is not just about the journeys these men must take, but the journeys we all must share to bring about change. (Photo courtesy of Karinafilms)
Forced Perspective
Since he was a young boy, Clevelander Derek Hess has had a "knack" for drawing. As the son of a WWII veteran and professor at the Cleveland Institute of Art, Hess also has had a deep appreciation for the discipline and training necessary for creative growth. Nick Cavalier's FORCED PERSPECTIVE - evokes Hess's favored artistic technique of manipulating an object's size in order to create the illusion of distance. It also traces how these values transformed Hess from an unknown concert poster illustrator at Euclid Tavern into an internationally renowned t-shirt designer, post-hardcore concert organizer, and fine artist. In extensive interviews, Hess opens up about his artistic process as well as his ongoing trials with alcoholism and bipolar disorder. Through his intensely expressive mixed media art, Hess not only works through his demons, but also inspires his fans from around the world to do the same. An impressive tribute to Hess's oeuvre, Cavalier's documentary highlights the unique perspective this Clevelander brings to the art world. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Frailer
FRAILER, a drama about four women learning to cope with terminal illness, is at once wrenching and inspirational. In her 1997 film "Brittle," Mijke de Jong directed these same actresses as sisters at a reunion who hash out old rivalries and common bonds. FRAILER brings the women together again - and initially it seems they're just acting out their roles. But when we learn the one they call Mouse (Leonoor Pauw) is really dying of cancer, the film takes on new depth. The women confess their thoughts about existence and fear of the unknown. They hang out together, doing what sisters do: eating, gardening, bickering, holding each other - and crying. In a show of solidarity, they wear matching dresses to accompany Mouse to chemotherapy. Though she's afraid to surrender herself to the night, Mouse can count on her sisters being there every step of the way. FRAILER is a powerful and ultimately joyful film that underlines the importance of sisterhood. (In Dutch with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Frame by Frame
FRAME BY FRAME reveals the dazzling colors and textures of Afghanistan in a manner seldom seen in the West - through the camera lenses of its photojournalists. We travel along with four courageous photographers who, first under the Soviets and then under the Taliban, risked their lives to show the world what was happening in their country. Najibullah, a professor, relates what happened when the Taliban made photography illegal, tearing up pictures and beating photographers. Wakil's subjects are drug addicts; he hopes his work will lead to social change. Farzana is the leading photographer of women in Afghanistan, remarkably persistent at getting past the security guards, doctors, and male relatives who control their daily lives. Massoud tells us about growing up as a refugee in Iran, and going on to win a Pulitzer Prize. These intrepid photographers belong to the brother- and sisterhood of journalists in crisis zones, whose only weapons are their cameras. (In English and Dari with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Gemma Bovery
When an English couple moves into a quaint village in Normandy, their curious neighbor Martin finds himself obsessed with the stunning young wife Gemma. His fascination leads to strange behavior; a harmless but dedicated stalker, he's relentless in his hope she'll return his affection. He compares her to Madame Bovary, the adulterous housewife character from Gustave Flaubert's book of the same name. While his fantasies begin to materialize, it's not Martin she ends up cheating with. Instead, it's the dashing but somewhat cocky Niels, a law student who lives nearby. Their affair only fuels Martin's obsession, who constantly spies on them and eventually hatches a plan to break them up. But Gemma's infidelity issues go much further than he thought, as she's tangled in a web that could destroy her. GEMMA BOVERY isn't just a tale of love and obsession, though. It also balances drama with the comedic antics of Martin, played brilliantly by Fabrice Luchini. It's a surprisingly fun rom-com both sexes can enjoy. (In English and French with subtitles) (Photo courtesy of Music Box Films)
Gente de Bin
GENTE DE BIEN, which translates as both "well-off people" and "decent people," tells the story of a boy's introduction to the realities of income inequality. Eric is ten and lives with his extended family in chaotic circumstances in Bogota. He's suddenly taken to live with his father Gabriel, whom he barely knows. Gabriel is a semi-employed carpenter who can barely keep his own head above water. His biggest client is Maria Isabel, a well-meaning professor. She invites him to join a group of friends at her country house, where she has furniture that needs repair, suggesting he bring along Eric for a holiday. Gabriel reluctantly agrees. Though Eric initially enjoys horseback riding and days in the pool with other boys, he and Gabriel soon realize they're out of their element. With characters on both sides of the economic divide displaying strengths and weaknesses, the film avoids stereotypes and features a genuine performance by young Brayan Santamaria as Eric. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
For the past three years, Viviane Amsalem, a secular Israeli hairdresser, has not exchanged more than a few words with her devout husband Elisha. During the 20 years of their passionless marriage, Viviane dutifully raised their four children and even shared her home with Elisha's spiteful mother. While neither Elisha nor Viviane has ever been unfaithful, Viviane is now adamant she and Elisha are incompatible. She does not love him, and she wants a divorce. However, in Israel Viviane does not have the legal right to make such a decision. And Elisha has no intention of granting her wish. Viviane's only hope is for three rabbinic judges to issue a court-ordered "gett," an Israeli divorce document. With powerful acting and an incisive script, Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetzs' Golden Globe-nominated GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM - featuring semi-autobiographical characters from the Elkabetzs' previous films, "To Take a Wife" (29th CIFF) and "Seven Days" - portrays the laborious and demoralizing process this Israeli woman must undergo for her voice to be heard. (In Hebrew and French with subtitles) (Photo courtesy of Music Box Films)
Giovanni's Island
In the summer of 1945, Shikotan Island in Japan's far north is a delightful place to play for young brothers Junpei and Kanta. Their stern father runs the island defense force while soldiers are up in the mountains shooting. Then comes August 15: the war is over, Japan has lost, and Soviets occupy Shikotan. When a Russian family takes over their house, the boys' family is moved into the stall. Worst of all, they have to share their school with Russian children. But then Junpei meets Tanya, the daughter of the Soviet commander. Soon the children are playing together and learning each other's languages. When Junpei's father is taken away by the Soviets, he blames Tanya. By the time he learns the truth, he and all the Japanese are being moved off GIOVANNI'S ISLAND into internment camps, far away. Inspired by true events, this wise and beautiful animated film helps young viewers make sense of incomprehensible events. (In Japanese, Russian, and Korean with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
*Ce
In the darkness, 16-year-old Marieme and her younger sister BEbE extend their arms across the distance between their two beds to hold hands. Their mother is working the nightshift, and their abusive older brother Djibril lurks in the next room. On this night, though Djibril never emerges, Marieme remains desperate to change her life. After she fails eighth grade for the second time, the guidance counselor advises Marieme to attend vocational school. But Marieme has no intention of following in her mother's footsteps. Instead, she befriends a group of delinquent girls who shoplift and steal money from kids to outfit their extravagant lifestyle. For a while, the camaraderie enlivens Marieme. Her new friends dub her "Vic," for being "victorious" over Djibril, and she starts dating Djibril's friend Ismael. Yet, Marieme still longs for independence, and she will go to any length to get it in CEline Sciamma's restrained and captivating exploration of GIRLHOOD. (In French with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Guard Dog
In 1995 the Peruvian government passed an Amnesty Law absolving those accused of crimes during the country's 15-year counterinsurgency war -- including brutal paramilitary squads. GUARD DOG is a moodily atmospheric film that chronicles the violent days of Miguel, a ruthless government killer then and a ruthless contract killer now. Expressionless and given to bouts of fury, he coldly liquidates his targets under orders of his boss, the General. Though he seems to have a family, Miguel squats alone in a leaky grey apartment -- until, in a vague search for something like salvation, he wanders into a charismatic church. An intriguing girl and the congregation's pastor try to persuade him to seek forgiveness through the Lord. As Miguel starts to shift his allegiance to a new Boss, it looks like there's a day of reckoning coming. GUARD DOG is a significant departure for comedian Carlos Alcantara, terrifyingly convincing here as a soldier of Christ. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Halfway
Reeling from a notably brutal divorce linked to a major misstep at his (former) office, Stef buys a house in the country in search of solitude. Before he can unpack his belongings, an intruder shows up, bath towel slung over his shoulders, claiming the house is his. It appears no one told him the house had been sold. The two have a fight and Stef calls the cops, but when the police arrive there's no trace of the towel-toting invader. Shortly thereafter Stef learns the previous owner, Theo, died in the tub under suspicious circumstances. It's not long before Theo returns with a vengeance, hell-bent on destroying Stef's life, at least until he removes himself from the premises. Though it sounds like a ghost story, Geoffrey Enthoven's HALFWAY is actually something far more personal as Stef and Theo's cat-and-mouse game escalates to a humorous yet revelatory game of wits. (In Dutch with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Hardkor Disko
Marcin goes to Warsaw. Marcin finds a family. Marcin sleeps with the daughter. Marcin plots to kill the parents. And that's just Marcin's first day. Marcin is a man of few words and even fewer facial expressions, but it's clear his intentions are logical. He begins executing his lethal plan amidst a haze of drugs, sex, and the raging Warsaw nightlife. As the plot thickens, Marcin's fragile past comes into focus, yet his cryptic dreams shroud him in mystery. Dark, ominous, and utterly absorbing, Krzysztof Skonieczny's HARDKOR DISKO builds volcanic tension through a dutifully calculated plot and sleek-as-midnight style. Oozing with cool, Marcin is a dangerous, sexy protagonist who commands both fear and sympathy from the viewer. A game-changing twist at the film's midway point transforms this into an unnerving psychodrama that burrows beneath the skin. (In Polish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Havana Curveball
It seemed so simple at first. The filmmakers were making a home movie about their son Mica's bar mitzvah project, which was to send baseball equipment to underprivileged kids in Cuba. But life threw Mica a HAVANA CURVEBALL, and the story turned into this heartwarming film about a nai;ve boy who grows into a politically aware young man. Mica is inspired by the fact that Cuba harbored his grandfather when he fled Nazi Europe. Now his well-intentioned 13-year-old ideals come smack up against the U.S. embargo on imports to Cuba. After two years of research, writing letters to his senator, and meeting with activists and an attorney, he boards a plane to Havana with 200 pounds of baseball gear. But the Cuban kids' reaction isn't what he expected, and Mica is left wondering whether his efforts, or anybody's efforts in life, are worth it. Thank goodness young people keep deciding they are. (In English and Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Heaven Adores You
"His heart would be broken to know that people discover him and just think that he's super bummed - it was only a small fraction of who he really was." That's a quote from Dorien Garry, Elliot Smith's former publicist, in HEAVEN ADORES YOU. Her sentiment is shared by director Nickolas Rossi, who focuses his riveting documentary on celebrating Smith's personal and musical accomplishments, rather than zeroing in on the tabloid drama that still surrounds his alleged suicide. It's a refreshing approach that gives fans a deeper look at who he was as a person, told through intimate interviews with his peers and loved ones. What's revealed here is a more balanced view of an ordinary guy who struggled with his demons, but was loved for his generosity, kindness, and sense of humor. The film also dissects Smith's creative career, from his early days in Heatmiser, to his uncomfortable brush with fame, rubbing elbows with Celine Dion at the Academy Awards for his "Good Will Hunting" song Miss Misery. HEAVEN ADORES YOU is not a film about death. It's a beautiful tribute to the life of one of our generation's most brilliant musicians. (Photo courtesy Heaven Adores You)
HelloHello
A warm-hearted Swedish comedy that will keep you toasty through the winter, HELLOHELLO continues to win audience awards at film festivals. Disa is 40ish, a bit dumpy, and way too accommodating. Her husband has left her for a twiggy new model, and she's bossed around by her mother and the chief matron at the hospital where she works. While her ex is looking sporty and put-together, Disa remains stuck in her rut. An old crone in the hospital tests her patience beyond its limits, and she tries martial arts to get out some aggression. But one day when she's handing the kids over to her ex in the library, a roguish charmer named Kent catches her eye. Kent has seven kids by a bunch of women and a most relaxed outlook on life. His message for Disa: take care of yourself, and the rest will follow. Actress Maria Sid is priceless in the lead role. (In Swedish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
High Performance
Brothers Daniel and Rudi share little besides DNA. Slovenly Daniel, single and in his early 30s, is an actor/performance artist, who supplements his meager stock boy income with handouts from his parents. Urbane Rudi, on the other hand, is a married father and award-winning executive at a tech company in Vienna. Despite Rudi's blatant lack of respect for his brother, Rudi offers Daniel part-time work at his company, coaching the newly-hired developer Nora on public speaking. Daniel is at first reluctant to accept the job. But Rudi hints at having romantic feelings for Nora, and Daniel, professedly never one to stand in the way of love, agrees to suss out whether Nora reciprocates Rudi's affections. Yet, Daniel's matchmaking skills leave much to be desired, and Rudi's intentions may not be completely motivated by love. Johanna Moder's quirky comedy HIGH PERFORMANCE is an age-old story of sibling rivalry with a high-tech twist. (In German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Hip Hop-eration
While hip hop dance competitions may be dominated by youthful dancers performing gravity-defying, acrobatic, graceful dance moves, the World Hip Hop Championship is about to get turned on its head and then spun around. HIP HOP-ERATION is a documentary that follows a group of senior citizens from New Zealand, ranging in age between 68 and 95 years young, looking to perform in the worldwide dance competition. Beginning on their small NZ island, we follow these dancers as they rehearse, raise funds, and recruit for their troupe to get to Las Vegas for the finals. HIP HOP-ERATION is a reminder that age is only a number, but hip hop is several (dance) numbers. As charming as it is uplifting, this film isn't just about the music or the moves. It's also about the brave women who comprise the majority of this group and how their lives on this tiny island helped shape the community they are in. Hip hop has always been about trailblazers, and HIP HOP-ERATION introduces us to some of the best as they work to live their dreams and their motto: "RHY - Respect and Honor Youth." (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Homemakers
Irene, a high-energy punk singer living in Austin, is not getting along with her bandmates. She accuses the accordion player (her girlfriend) of brazen infidelity before she rips the accordion to pieces in front of a packed audience. The next day, as the band discusses their discordant fate, Irene gets a call. Her grandfather has died and he's willed her a house in Pittsburgh. Irene drops some Tabasco sauce into her eyes and sobs to her bandmates, "I have to go to Pittsburgh NOW." Upon arriving, she finds her inheritance is a real dump: broken windows, no electricity, and moody neighbors. Irene is in over her head. After a chance encounter at the local watering hole reunites her with her cousin, she enlists him to help fix up the place and let's just say it's a slow process. HOMEMAKERS is a steadfast ode to Pittsburgh, which manages to get just enough grit, beer, and tenderness to make a heartfelt tribute to the three rivers. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
I Am a Knife With Legs
Grieving the sudden explosive death of his love Baguette, international French pop star BenE (writer-director Bennett Jones) finds himself on FatwaList.com, thanks to user iluvtennis127. Now he must hide out in L.A. with his loyal sidekick Beefy to avoid death at the hands of an SSN (or assassin as most would call it). Part musical, part meta-absurdism, part action, a little bit cooking show perhaps, part graphic novel (which is really just a fat comic book, okay?), part mystery, and 100 percent hilarious, I AM A KNIFE WITH LEGS is a trippy ride through the mind of Jones, punctuated by stream-of-consciousness animated music videos. Armed only with his signature Abhole shirts, BenE must train for his date with death, but it's just so hard to train to fight an SSN when you must grieve alone. Luckily, there's stunt juice. And Beefy. And weird Eclairs. I AM A KNIFE WITH LEGS is a belly-aching laugh fest and underground cinema sensation whose intentional weirdness is sure to spark the next cult following. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story
Listen up, everybody! I AM BIG BIRD is the story of a really nice man who always plays pretend. Once upon a time -- at the 1969 Puppeteers of America conference -- an animator and Bozo show worker named Caroll Spinney met Muppet meister Jim Henson. Soon thereafter the Children's Television Workshop launched Sesame Street, and Big Bird was hatched. Caroll, the man behind the feathers (and Oscar the Grouch), is now 81 and still filling children with joy. Home videos show Caroll and other Muppeteers clowning around behind the scenes at Sesame Street. He appears as Big Bird at live shows, "mini-Woodstocks" where the audience pours out its love. Frank Oz and Cheryl Henson describe how Caroll parlayed his personality of a six-year-old into a global phenomenon. Soon it will be time to pass the torch; Caroll now has a stand-in. And thanks to that nice man, we will carry Big Bird in our hearts long after Caroll Spinney steps out of the spotlight. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
I'll See You in My Dreams
Carol Petersen (Blythe Danner), a widowed retiree in her early 70s, has had a full life. She had fruitful careers as a musician in Greenwich Village in the 60s and later as a schoolteacher in Southern California. She was married to a successful lawyer. And she raised a beautiful daughter named Katherine (Malin Akerman). But that, as Carol says, "is all in the past tense." Now, 20 years after the death of her husband, she spends her days quietly reading books, golfing, or playing cards with her kooky friends Sally (Rhea Perlman), Rona (Mary Kay Place), and Georgina (June Squibb). While Carol is happier living on her own than in a retirement community with her friends, she still feels her current life is incomplete - that is, until she meets Lloyd (Martin Starr), an aimless pool boy and dejected poet in his 30s, and then Bill (Sam Elliott), a handsome cigar-toting fellow retiree. Suddenly, Carol is navigating more plans than she's had in years. In the charming dramedy I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS, filmmaker Brett Haley combines astute performances with a sharp script to prove it's never too late to keep living. (Photo courtesy of Bleecker Street Media)
Ice Poison
In rural Myanmar there are few opportunities to make money, and even fewer to connect with other people. The son of a poor farmer sets out on a motor scooter, hoping to make some cash by shuttling travellers to their isolated destinations. His first client is an initially reserved transplant from China, still dealing with family matters surrounding her grandfather's death. The two form a bond, and struggling to make ends meet, they resort to selling ICE POISON, the Taiwanese slang term for methamphetamine. As they grow fonder of one another, so does their love for the poison they sell. Then things start to go haywire. This film provides a hyper-real glimpse into a culture steeped in custom that's being progressively invaded, not just by life-shattering drugs, but also by American consumerism. Full of haunting sequences, some laced with a twisted sense of romance, ICE POISON is a spooky drama that will chill your bones. (In Burmese and Chinese with subtitles)
Note: Some scenes contain graphic animal imagery. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
If You Don't, I Will
Pomme and Pierre are in a dead-end relationship that just needs one of them to step up and end it already. Yes, there's love - but it's deep down and doesn't surface very often. Tracking Pomme as she navigates through her mundane life, IF YOU DON'T, I WILL combines humor with heartbreaking insight to bring to life one of the more difficult situations to endure - a lifeless marriage. After Pomme takes the initial step (so to speak) of deciding to stay behind on one of their weekly hikes, she, seemingly for the first time, lives life on her own for a few days in the wilderness. This reawakening gives her the courage to reassess her life and provides her with the chance to focus on her own happiness. But when she returns, she comes face-to-face with the possibility that maybe her relationship isn't what she thought it was. Exquisitely performed by Emmanuelle Devos (her third collaboration with director Sophie Fillieres) as Pomme and Mathieu Amalric ("Quantum of Solace," "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly") as Pierre, the quiet desperation of both characters is a marvel to watch in the hands of such masterful actors. (In French with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Imperial Dreams
"You can't splash back into the projects, you gotta slide in," narrates 21-year-old Bambi Jones as he walks through the Watts neighborhood in South Los Angeles. Bambi, convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, has just been released from jail, but he has no plans of returning to his former lifestyle. In prison, Bambi diligently honed his writing, and he even published a short story in the literary journal McSweeney's. Now Bambi has aspirations of acquiring a book deal. Yet dreams are hard to achieve in his crime-ridden neighborhood. Bambi desperately needs money to care for his son Day, whose mother Samaara is also in prison for a non-violent crime. And despite Bambi's intentions to stay clean, his slimy uncle Shrimp has been pressuring him to smuggle drugs across state lines. In Malik Vitthal's compelling debut feature film IMPERIAL DREAMS, Bambi may know how to slide into the projects, but he has yet to learn how to get out. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
In Country
In the first few moments of IN COUNTRY, it's hard to tell if you're watching a fictional war film or an in-depth documentary on the subject. As it unfolds, you realize it's a bit of both. The movie follows a group of hardcore Vietnam re-enactors in Oregon, who go to great lengths to ensure their adventure is as accurate as possible. They've got the outfits and the weapons, and they're camped out in the woods, staying so true to their characters you forget it's all a show. While some are simply actors curious about the military, many are veterans who lived the hell of battle for real - from Vietnam to the War in Afghanistan. For them, these fantasy outings evoke an array of emotions that give viewers an extremely intimate portrait of life in war. Their shared stories are paired with vintage Vietnam footage, then juxtaposed with their modern day roleplay. IN COUNTRY is a war film like no other. It's completely unique, managing to somehow capture the authenticity of the Vietnam experience through very fantastical means. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
In Order of Disappearance
In the snow-covered mountains of Norway, Nils drives his plow truck clearing the roads for the people of the isolated region. A well-respected man in his community, Nils goes about his days - "a pathfinder" as he calls himself. But when his son is murdered by drug dealers, Nils begins to blaze his own trail to justice and revenge. IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE, starring the incomparable Stellan Skarsgard ("Good Will Hunting," "Thor") as the father on a mission, is a stark reminder that, sometimes, other nations can take an age-old premise and make it better. Making his way through the crime family until he gets to the top, Nils inadvertently sets off a gang war between competing crime families, and it isn't long before the ongoing theme of fathers protecting their sons takes on all possible meanings. IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE might be the most masculine film to come through the U.S. in ages. Its depth and control of the art of filmmaking also make it one of the best. (In English, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Serbian, and German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Inferno
A quote from Dante's Inferno sets the stage for this INFERNO, a parable of modern poverty in Ljubljana. Mare and Sonja have two young children. At the bottom rung of the Slovenian social ladder, they have nowhere to go and nobody left to ask for help. Mare is a loving father who reads bedtime stories to the kids - and initially even believes in fairy tale endings himself. He's been out of work for months, laid off from his factory for breaking the boss's arm in a fit of rage. His friend Vlado, the leader of the union, tries to help him get back on track. Meanwhile, the family has no food or gas for heat, and the kids are kicked out of kindergarten for non-payment. At the end of her rope, Sonja commits a horrific act of violence. In this new age of humiliating, dog-eat-dog Capitalism, can Solidarity movements still help people break out of their misery? (In Slovenian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story
First go to your refrigerator. Now be honest. How much in there is bad or plain forgotten about? It is estimated that a staggering 50 percent of food produced - from farm to table and all stages in between - is uneaten, discarded needlessly, or destroyed. Filmmakers Grant Baldwin and Jenny Rustemeyer found a way to investigate the truth about these numbers. They embarked on a daring six-month project. They would purchase no new or fresh produce or groceries and live solely off discarded foods: items pulled for sell-by dates, rejected for aesthetic reasons, or simply tossed into dumpsters - though perfectly fine. As the project progresses, what they discover about the reality of food waste is only the beginning. The deeper they go, the more they discover about themselves and a shocking culture of waste in which all of us, consciously or not, are willing co-conspirators. JUST EAT IT - A FOOD WASTE STORY's odyssey, at once humorous, horrifying, and hopeful, might have you looking differently at that little tupperware container you've forgotten about for weeks. (Photo: Peg Leg Films – Scene from Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story)
Kebab & Horoscope
HOROSCOPE now sell their non-product to the denizens of the warehouse. Its six workers exhibit various states of eccentric ennui. Among them are an Intern with a knack for impassioned carpet description and a Cashier who takes in a sad-eyed Japanese man. Director Grzegorz Jaroszuk finds humanity in a universe where awkward people seek meaning in the crazy things they do. (In Polish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Kick It!
Teenage Anja is a bit of a tomboy. She's obsessed with soccer and can't understand her best friend Lisa's fascination with boys. At school, a classmate named Jonas is confused by her affinity for sports and secretly intimidated by her skills. When they get into an argument over the subject, it escalates into a fight that sends her to the hospital. Her injuries are minor, but what the doctors discover changes everything: she has cancer. A brave girl, she stays positive, countering the depression the news has put her friends and family in. Unfortunately, as time moves on and treatments fail, she has to face the fact that her athletic days may be over. As she fights for her life, Anja's classmates rally together for her, including an unlikely advocate who will leave a lasting impression on her young heart. It's doubtful KICK IT! will leave a dry eye in the theater. But even in its darkest moments, this incredible film shines a light on the beautiful side of humanity and the relationships that make the unbearable bearable. (In Norwegian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Kilbanetown Comeback
In 2013 Des Kilbane chronicled the life of legendary Cleveland boxer and politician Johnny Kilbane in "A Fighting Heart." Continuing his efforts to highlight his distant cousin's legacy, Kilbane returns with another tribute, KILBANETOWN COMEBACK. This time around, he focuses on the city's efforts to honor Johnny with a commissioned statue in the Battery Park area, now a popular arts distict and Johnny's old neighborhood. He also reveals Cleveland's rich history with statues, architechture, and art pieces, including the Free Stamp, the Fountain of Eternal Life, the Guardians of Traffic, and many more. The symbolism behind them tells a story about Cleveland and the great people who embody its resilient spirit. The job of creating a piece to commemorate Johnny's great influence was fittingly given to Irish artist Rowan Gillespie. Rather than rely on old photos, Gillespie took a unique approach, using members of the Kilbane family as models to craft a three-piece sculpture portraying Johnny in various phases of his life. This documentary is an inspiring look at a city that has transformed itself, but without ever forgetting its roots. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
La Salada
Juan Martin Hsu's LA SALADA mixes together a diverse group of immigrants in the titular street market of Buenos Aires. While economic opportunity has drawn these immigrants thousands of miles away from home, life in and around the market has its fair share of challenges. Korean shop-owner Mr. Kim must rely on his teenage daughter Yunjin's ability to speak Spanish to make his business deals. But he is less than pleased when he suspects Yunjin is using her fluency to flirt with Argentinian men. Meanwhile, no amount of Spanish is helping Taiwanese DVD hawker Huang fill his lonely nights. And although Bruno - an awkward 17-year-old illegal immigrant from Bolivia - is a native Spanish speaker, his conversation skills are not making his current position as a waiter in a Korean restaurant any easier. In this intimate ensemble drama, Hsu unites an eclectic cast of characters through the stifling uncertainty that afflicts immigrants who are not quite at home. (In Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, and Quechan with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Labyrinthus*
Frikke, 14, leads a boring life. School is easy and his friend Marko is girl-obsessed. One day a cyclist nearly runs him over, leaving a backpack behind. In it are a USB key and a box that looks like an old camera. When he plugs the USB into his PC, a cheerful-looking game starts. But suddenly a girl appears, begging for help -- Her name is Nola, and she is stuck in the game's labyrinths. A sinister figure in black wearing a bird mask is pursuing her through the changing game environment. If Frikke quits or loses, Nola will die. Meanwhile, Nola's physical body lies comatose in a local hospital. Frikke's avatar accompanies virtual Nola through gigantic mazes as they try to break the code that will free her. When Marko also disappears into the labyrinth, Frikke realizes he must find the game's evil creator before it's too late. LABYRINTHUS is an eye-popping movie that takes you smack into an alternate reality. (In Dutch with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Lake Los Angeles
In a desolate landscape in the Mojave Desert, there is a shack among the dried stalks of a former harvest. Here Francisco temporarily houses immigrants who arrive surreptitiously in the backs of trucks. He has left his family in Havana, imagining they will join him someday. Francisco hovers in a sort of dreamworld, dictating love letters to his wife while stuck in a remote life devoid of purpose. With a new load of refugees comes a girl named Cecilia whose mother has sent her alone to America. She speaks only to the little man in her snow globe. Though their loneliness binds them together, Francisco and Cecilia are separated. She wanders the desert, taking shelter in the remains of broken houses with nothing inside but the ghosts of past lives. LAKE LOS ANGELES, the third part of a trilogy, is a hypnotic work that examines this country through the eyes of outsiders struggling to realize the American dream. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Life in a Fishbowl
LIFE IN A FISHBOWL, Iceland's submission for the 2015 Oscar, is a searing indictment of Icelandic society prior to the country's financial collapse in 2008. As three people circle around like fish in the wet, grey, neon-lit otherworld that is Reykjavik in the winter, their stories are ingeniously woven together. In fact, the capital city is a small town where everybody knows everybody else's business. A young single mother who can't get by on her salary as a kindergarten teacher works nights as a call girl. A prickly famous author drinks himself nearly to death following the drowning of his daughter. A handsome ex-soccer star, recruited to the world of high finance, becomes increasingly uneasy with morally questionable deals. As the nooses tighten around everyone's necks, it's clear something will have to give. But a glimmer of hope comes from the realization that life is easier when we denizens of the fishbowl swim together. (In Icelandic with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Limited Partnership
The fight for Marriage Equality seems to be nearing a triumphant end. We forget this battle has been raging for decades and has fallen heroes. So that we always remember, the director of the Roxanne T. Mueller Award-winning "One Bad Cat: The Reverend Albert Wagner Story" (32nd CIFF) has crafted a powerful history of this struggle and its pioneers. It began when American Richard Adams met visiting Australian Tony Sullivan and fell in love. In 1975 they became one of the first same-sex couples in the world to be legally married in Colorado, so Tony could immigrate as a spouse. The INS denied them, sending a shockingly-worded homophobic letter. Horrified and outraged, they sued the United States and the battle for Marriage Equality officially began. Told with warmth, humor, and fearlessness, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP is not just the history of a struggle. It also tells of a heroic and devoted couple, fighting a deeply prejudiced government and an exploitative media. Richard and Tony prove that grace, courage, and love always overcome. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Listening
Reading people's minds sounds awesome in theory, but what if technology could make it possible? Would we truly want to know the thoughts of others? Furthermore, would we really want them to know ours? Such a breakthrough would completely change the way humans interact. Whether it's for the good is what a group of genius, but dysfunctional, grad students find out in Khalil Sullins' LISTENING. Uptight David is so obsessed with his studies that he's strained his personal relationships. Spacey Ryan could be just as brilliant as David if he wasn't so consumed with chasing women. One of those women is Jordan, who may be smarter than both of them combined. Together - and independent from the guidance of their teachers - they create a mindreading device that could bring them the money and prestige they've been seeking. But what they haven't invented is a tool for detecting deception, which could ultimately destroy them. Full of twists and turns, LISTENING is a smart, action-packed sci-fi thriller that will entertain and also stimulate your mind. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Littlerock
While on a site-seeing trip in California, a pair of Japanese siblings find themselves stuck in the small, dusty town of Littlerock when their rental car breaks down. Not long after checking into a dingy motel room, Rintaro and Atsuko are invited to a party in an adjacent room, where the young locals teach Rintaro how to shotgun a Coors Light and marvel at Atsuko's exotic beauty. Language barriers aside, she is entranced by these new people and humble surroundings and decides to stay, while Rintaro presses on to San Francisco. Invigorated by her new sense of freedom, Atsuko extends her stay and finds friendship, romance, and a possible new home. A story of miscommunication and hopefulness, LITTLEROCK shines with writer/director Mike Ott's subtle observations of his strongly constructed characters and the place in which they live, wonder, and want. (In English and Japanese with subtitles) - Seattle International Film Festival (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Long Way to the Top
To fans, the life of a musician seems glamorous; sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. While that may be true of the world's biggest rockstars, many artists struggle to make ends meet. As LONG WAY TO THE TOP reveals, life on the road isn't easy. It's comprised of long months away from friends and family, nights sleeping in cold vans, and hopes that merch sales will allow for the occasional grungy hotel, or at the very least, pay for gas. But not every musician is doing it to become a celebrity. Their love for music and its tool as a universal language is what keeps them so focused on their dream. LONG WAY TO THE TOP chronicles the journeys of three musical acts - indie rock group Grizfolk, singer-songwriter David Ramirez, and heavy metal band The Sword. It also features interviews with such bands as Def Leppard, Weezer, Limp Bizkit, and Nine Inch Nails, who offer advice and stories from their early days. This terrific documentary will resonate loudly with musicians, while also giving fans a more honest view of the lives of their idols. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Loreak (Flowers)
Nothing is technically wrong with Ane. According to her doctor, she is just experiencing a rare case of early menopause. And while the news is upsetting to childless Ane, she finds little comfort in her husband Ander, who rarely utters more than a few words to her. When a bouquet of flowers is delivered to Ane's door, her spirits are lifted she assumes Ander is finally expressing sympathy to her condition. But after she thanks him for the thoughtful gesture, he curtly denies responsibility. Over the next several weeks, Ane continues to receive a new, anonymous bouquet of flowers every Thursday. Though the flowers increasingly annoy Ander, Ane relishes in the idea of having a secret admirer. That is, until the flowers stop arriving. Told through multiple perspectives, Jon Garano and JosE Mari Goenaga's poignant and engrossing LOREAK (FLOWERS) explores how one of the simplest acts of kindness reinvigorates a woman's life and how she returns the favor. (In Basque with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Lost in Karastan
Emil Forester is a washed-up British filmmaker, struggling with a serious case of writer's block. It's been years since he's made any films, a reality that's led him to a state of depression. Out of nowhere, he receives a weird call from the Karastan Film Festival, inviting him to make an appearance. He curiously accepts, thrilled with their enthusiasm for his work. When he arrives, Emil realizes the whole thing is a set-up. The nation's President has called him there to direct an epic historical film about the unknown Caucasus republic. Excited by the prospect of finally creating a new movie, Emil immediately takes the job. But, as he should have learned by now, nothing is as it seems. What begins as a simple proposition eventually finds him tangled in a strange web of corruption and civil unrest. For a place so small, they've certainly cooked up some big drama. LOST IN KARASTAN is an exciting thrill-ride that offers something for everyone. It's loaded with action and suspense, but equally offers a healthy balance of quirky dark humor and forbidden love. (In English and Karastani with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Love at First Fight
Thomas Cailley's quirky comedy LOVE AT FIRST FIGHT brings together reserved Arnaud and brusque Madeleine on a hot summer day at the beach. Arnaud is ready to relax with his two best friends. Yet, unbeknownst to him, they just signed Arnaud up for a self-defense demonstration, and his all-too-eager opponent is Madeleine. Although she pins him to the ground with ease, Arnaud impulsively bites Madeleine in order to break free and save face. The tension between them heightens when Arnaud is later hired to build a shed behind Madeleine's family home. At work, Arnaud witnesses Madeleine's peculiar habits from swimming with a weighted backpack, to eating raw purEed fish, to contemplating the end of the world and finds himself attracted to her, despite her blatant disinterest. In a last-ditch effort to win her heart, Arnaud follows Madeleine to a two-week army training camp, where their relationship and their lives are tested. (In French with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Love Land
Ivy, a 24-year-old tattoo shop assistant, has been in trouble with the law more than once. But that's not exactly her fault. Although she has been cavorting with the wrong crowd, Ivy is also disabled. A car wreck several years ago left her permanently brain damaged. While she can complete most day-to-day tasks without assistance, she behaves more like a teenager than an adult, and she has little hope of progressing. Ivy's primary caretaker is her older sister Dot. But Dot's live-in boyfriend Carl is fed up with Ivy's antics, and the couple decides to send Ivy to a state-funded institution, called Love Land Ranch, for a 60-day trial period. Surrounded by more severely disabled people, Ivy is desperate to regain her freedom. Still, many residents, like amiable tour guide Roger, can't see why she'd want to refuse the comforts of the institution. Showcasing compelling performances from a developmentally disabled breakthrough cast, Joshua Tate's LOVE LAND exposes the limitations of state-funded facilities, especially for those who long to live normal, independent lives. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
M. (Mother's Maiden Name)
Madam Bella is a real pain. As owner of the Monteclaro Law Firm in Manila, she's insufferably rude to the secretaries, maids, and drivers who attend her, and she treats her grown son Joven with disdain. Joven obeys Bella's orders while remaining habitually detached, though he's starting to get restless. Suddenly Bella receives a diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Assuming she can pay her way out of the situation, she insists that Joven accompany her to international treatment sessions. As Bella gets sicker, she and Joven begin talking about what's important in life. When the family maid disappears, hoping to get her back to work they track her down and find her caring for her desperately ill daughter in appalling conditions in a rural shack. M. (MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME) is an indictment of the jarring discrepancy between healthcare practices for the rich and poor. It features a fine melodramatic performance by Filipina singer-celebrity Zsa Zsa Padilla. (In Tagalog with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Macondo
Eleven-year-old Ramasan has a lot of responsibility. In traditional Chechen society, he would be the man of the house, in charge of his mother and two younger sisters. Yet he now lives in Macondo, a multicultural neighborhood in gritty industrial Vienna. Ramasan speaks German better than his mother Aminat, and he interprets between her and welfare officials. The family fled Chechnya after the death of Ramasan's father, and they're trying to make do in this foreign society. Ramasan's world is disrupted anew when Isa, his father's war buddy, moves into their housing complex. Isa pays his respects to Aminat and gives Ramasan his dead father's watch. While his interest in his father is revived, Ramasan rejects Isa's influence on his mother. Meanwhile, he's becoming involved with a band of older boys who lure him into trouble. A passionate film that rests on the slight shoulders of its protagonist, MACONDO shows us life through the eyes of a refugee boy. (In German and Chechen with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Mafia and Red Tomatoes
RED TOMATOES. Determined to work the land confiscated by the government from capo Nicola Sansone, a group of dreamers are undeterred by the fact that they don't know how to farm. Unseen powers, orchestrated by Sansone from behind bars, stymie them at every turn. They enlist the help of the Anti-Mafia Board in the person of Filippo, a neurotic regulator. The curious co-op includes a gay designer, a kooky practitioner of holistic eco-biology, a wheelchair-bound athlete, and a Congolese immigrant. Filippo isn't encouraged, but the Boss's own farmer, a cynic named Cosimo, injects some know-how into the operation. Amidst the quarreling and the non-PC barbs, the co-op members find ways to cooperate, and they finally produce a harvest. But suddenly Sansone is back, and let's just say he's not pleased with the tomatoes. (In Italian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Man from Reno
Filmmaker Dave Boyle (Someone to Watch Award, 35th CIFF) returns to Cleveland with MAN FROM RENO, a neo-noir thriller set in and around San Francisco. The film opens as sheriff Paul Del Moral drives through dense fog at night. He can barely see anything until an abandoned car comes into view. Del Moral searches the area for its owner but to no avail. When he radios dispatch and drives away, a body suddenly slams into his windshield. Del Moral takes the unconscious man to the hospital. Yet before the sheriff can conduct a proper investigation, the unidentified man mysteriously disappears. Meanwhile, Aki, a disillusioned crime writer, flees to San Francisco to take respite from her adoring fans in Tokyo. In her hotel, she meets handsome traveler Akira. The two hit it off, but then Akira also inexplicably vanishes, leaving only his clothes and a head of lettuce behind. As Del Moral and Aki respectively search for clues about these missing men, their paths soon cross and a chilling plot unfolds. (In English and Japanese with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Marie's Story
Little Marie Heurtin is an imprisoned soul. Born blind and deaf in late 18th-century France (five years after Helen Keller), she reaches toward sunlight like a flower. Now 13, she sniffs and howls like a dog, letting no one but her father touch her. Marie is deposited at a school for deaf girls, where Sister Marguerite (marvelous Isabelle CarrE) takes on the dual challenges of communicating and taming her. Marguerite refuses to let her own debilitating lung condition constrain her, grappling with her young charge to the point of exhaustion. Literally tethered to one another, the women engage in a very physical battle for understanding. How to explain there is a word for every object, much less the concepts of music, or death, or God? Gradually Marguerite introduces Marie to the wonders of the world, where all living things pulsate under their fingers. Newcomer Ariana Rivoire is absolutely riveting, imbuing MARIE'S STORY with life and love. (In French and French Sign Language with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
1T
Marussia is a Russian girl of six who loves to play dress-up. She and her mother create fantasy worlds of light and shadow, with fairy wands and wings. But when the imaginary games stop, the reality of homelessness sets in. Kicked out of their apartment, mother and daughter wander the streets of Paris, wheeling their suitcases behind them. Lucia takes good care of Marussia, seeking connections in Russian churches and emigrant groups. Attractive, put-together, and a fluent French speaker, she's bold and easy-going with men, claiming to be a fashion journalist, or that she's been writing her memoirs in Goa. Every time they're in a good situation though, Lucia moves them on - waiting, she says, for something wonderful to happen. But one day Marussia puts her foot down; she's tired of pretending she's a princess. MARUSSIA is a warm and beautiful film about the love that holds us as tight as a mother's embrace, even in extreme circumstances. (In French and Russian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Maya the Bee*
In an age where hatred, fear, and intolerance are rampant, the innocent perspective of a child is a beautiful thing. This innocence is key in Alexs Stadermann's charming animated feature, MAYA THE BEE - an adaptation of the popular German book and cartoon. The title character is a vibrant and quirky little bug, full of curiosity and a hunger for learning. The kind Queen Bee values her precociousness, but the evil Royal Advisor, Buzzlina, is not amused. She's hatching a plan to uncrown The Queen. However, Maya is hip to her secret. When Buzzlina banishes her from the hive, the youngster is forced to discover the outside world alone. Along the way, she meets a diverse group of friends, who help her discover that being different is a gift. Can she and her pals save the Queen Bee and unite the meadow against Buzzlina? MAYA THE BEE is a wonderful film for all ages. It's brimming with unfiltered love, overwhelming wonder, and roaring excitement - feelings kids can relate to, but adults desperately need to remember. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Meet the Hitlers
Shakespeare once asked, "What's in a name?" And if your name is Smith or Jones, probably not a whole lot. But what if your name is Hitler? Would you change it? MEET THE HITLERS is a fascinating look at the complicated lives of simple people with an unfortunate name. The film also introduces us to those who desire to promote the name's legacy, a well as those who desire to destroy it. There's the teenage cheerleader, an American born long before Hitler's reign, the Ecuadorean immigrant, an actual relative of the man who made the name infamous, and a neo-Nazi who names his son Adolf Hitler. The heart of this documentary follows author David Gardner as he tracks down nephews of the original Hitler, rumored to be living in the States - naturally, they prove to be elusive. This documentary is not just an endearing look at people with the name, but also a look at those who are fascinated by the effects the name evokes. For example, artist Jim Riswold who, in order to mock the man, centers his work on Hitler toys - and, yes, there are a lot of Hitler toys. Look past the title, and you'll find MEET THE HITLERS is an incredible study on the effect a name can have. What's in a name indeed! (In English, German, and Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Memories on Stone
"In Kurdistan, filmmaking is not a job for sane men," the character Alan explains to the crew of "Anfal," a film-within-the-film depicting the Kurdish genocide of the 1980s. "Anfal" is the passion project of director Hussein Hassan, whose father, a film projectionist, was a victim of the genocide. But numerous glitches keep disrupting the production schedule. Against his better judgment, Hussein casts the Kurdish pop star Roj Azad as the male lead. While the flamboyant singer will surely secure an audience for the film, he has little talent or respect for Hussein's artistic aspirations. Hussein also can't seem to find an actress willing or able (most Kurdish women need a guardian's permission) to play the female lead. And then Hussein and his crew discover they will need to smuggle their film equipment to the set. Yet, Hussein is determined to depict this tragedy for his family and for the Kurdish people. Both touching and endearing, Shawkat Amin Korki's MEMORIES ON STONE portrays the cathartic capacity of film. (In Kurdish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Mirage
"One of us isn't normal," says Francis (his real name?), an African soccer player on the wrong end of a Hungarian's semi-automatic. After the conductor of his train drops dead, Francis ends up in the barren Hungarian countryside near an outpost that echoes a Spaghetti Western villa. Although never stated, the outpost appears to be some sort of work camp, and attempts to leave have grave consequences. The tension rises as bodies inexplicably appear, potholes the size of trucks lacerate the landscape, and a soccer ball becomes a serious object of desire. Director Szabolcs Hajdu, often cited as the heir apparent to Hungarian auteur BEla Tarr, crafts a surreal homage to the American West in a swirling watercolor of reality and fantasy, offset by upended Hollywood tropes and edge-of-your-seat tension. With a mesmeric lead performance by Isaach de BankolE as the shadowy Francis, MIRAGE is a dream that will be very difficult to wake from. (In English, Hungarian, Romanian, French, and German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Monument to Michael Jackson
Marko music lover, poet, and professional barber just had a brilliant idea. It's the spring of 2009, and Marko hasn't had much luck lately. His wife Ljubinka recently left him, and he lives in a small, economically depressed town in Serbia. But he is certain his luck is about to change. At a town meeting, Marko proposes to rebuild a nearby airport and then attract tourists by erecting a MONUMENT TO MICHAEL JACKSON in time for the King of Pop's farewell tour. At first the townspeople scoff at Marko's plan, but they eventually come around to the idea, as life can't get much worse. Making a host of promises he likely can't keep, Marko then enlists the help of a retired military pilot, a Gypsy welder, a local boy band, a couple of German documentarians, a wheelchair-bound superfan, and a priest. Can this cast of oddball characters save the town and help Marko win back his wife? This quirky dramedy satirizes contemporary Serbian social ails to endearing effect. (In Serbian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Most Likely to Succeed
The current model for the educational system in America has been in place since 1892, when educators standardized classrooms based on age, subject, and expected ability across the country. In this model, the key to academic success, measured primarily through test scores, has been retaining information. Yet, the rise in unemployment among recent college graduates is one indication that this standardized system no longer works. Filmmaker Greg Whiteley examines this modern dilemma and one potential solution in MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED. Over the course of an academic year, Whiteley observes the alternative educational methods practiced at High Tech High in San Diego, California. Instead of demanding rote memorization, teachers encourage students to develop "soft skills," such as confidence, collaboration, and creativity. And the results are impressive. Featuring interviews with Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings, educator Salman Kahn, and Google executive Laszlo Bock, among others, Whiteley's documentary provides a compelling case for treating students more like people and less like the sum of their test scores. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Move On!
"It smells like sawdust and sweat and teenagers," says Sara, an actor from Near West Theatre. While that may sound like an unpleasant combination, she means it lovingly. Since 1978, Near West has operated out of the third floor in the Club Building at St. Patrick's Church in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood. In that time, over 15,000 children, teens, and adults have been a part of its productions. They are now opening their own building, a $7.3 million space in the newly transformed Gordon Square Arts District. Before the move, director Ted Sikora chronicled their last days in the old space, filming during rehearsals for their final show. What's revealed in MOVE ON! is just how much the original location means to them. Beyond performances, these talented people have shared personal experiences within its walls. They've loved and fought like family, overcome tragedies, and given each other the confidence needed to survive in the outside world. This touching documentary offers a final tribute to their timeworn home as they prepare for fancier digs. Sara hopes the new place will still have that same smell, though. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Mr. Kaplan
This offbeat comedy with eccentric characters and a unique cinematic style will certainly charm the audience to MR. KAPLAN. Seventy-six-year-old Jacob Kaplan is having an existential crisis. What has he done with his life? Yes, as a young Jewish boy he escaped by himself from Poland to Uruguay during World War II. Yes, he has been married to doting wife Rebecca for 50 years. Yes, he has two adult sons, high-strung Isaac and slacker Elias, and one granddaughter, Lottie. But how will he be remembered by future generations? When Jacob is declared unfit to drive, his chances of accomplishing anything of significance, at least in his eyes, seem slim. But his granddaughter's offhand remark about a German bar owner whom she calls "the Nazi" gives Jacob a harebrained idea: to prove the bar owner's guilt as a war criminal and bring him to trial in Israel. With the help of a slovenly ex-cop named Wilson, Jacob embarks on a mission to make MR. KAPLAN a name we will never forget. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Next to Her
Chelli, the twentysomething protagonist of Asaf Korman's NEXT TO HER, spends day and night on guard. At work she polices the locked gates of a high school in Israel. A typical day ends with rowdy teens rattling the gates and screaming for Chelli to let them free. At home Chelli is the primary caregiver for her mentally challenged 24-year-old sister Gabby. Chelli feeds, bathes, and even sleeps alongside her sister. Social worker Shifra does not approve of Gabby being left alone while Chelli works. Yet, Chelli and Gabby's detached mother, who lives with a new husband, is unwilling to offer any more financial support, and Chelli is opposed to putting Gabby in a mental institution. When Shifra files a report about Chelli's negligent behavior, Chelli reluctantly enrolls Gabby in a day care center. With some of her responsibilities lifted, Chelli begins dating Zohar, a substitute teacher. In a matter of weeks, Chelli and Gabby's entire existence changes. But Chelli has the harder time adjusting. (In Hebrew with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Nine Days and One Morning
Parisian model Anna Kruglova has returned to the remote Russian town of her birth for NINE DAYS AND ONE MORNING. As a goodwill ambassador for a cosmetics company, Anna plans to inspire the town's children to greatness, while also promoting her sponsor's new product in the Russian market. But revisiting her destitute birthplace rouses memories in Anna that have long been suppressed. Prior to being adopted by French parents and relocating to Paris, Anna spent her youth in an orphanage where functional toilets were considered a luxury. Now her chic clothes and glamorous profession are the envy of the entire town. And seemingly everyone -including the mayor, Anna's former caretaker Aunt Lena, a young orphan named Lusia, and a gruff stranger named Lyuba - is desperate for Anna's help. Director Vera Storozheva artfully depicts one woman's emotional encounter with the troubled life she left behind. (In Russian and French with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Now We're Alive
On his 25th birthday, Tom sits blindfolded in a room of women. By tradition, he must choose a mate based on voice alone. He then has 30 days to go into the world and find her. Unbeknownst to Tom, if he cannot locate her within that time, she is then brought to him. Terrified of failure, Tom seeks the aid of a counselor, who urges Tom to visualize her to aid his search. When he meets Lea, the soul voice he had chosen, she is unlike his created image and Tom believes there has been a terrible mistake. Facing pressure from both sets of parents, Lea and Tom move in together. Tom cannot surrender his fantasy of the woman he feels is his real soul voice. She begins appearing to Tom in increasingly uncontrollable visions, urging Tom to seek her. Defying society and family, and risking his own sanity, Tom sets out to find his true love. This haunting cautionary fable is filled with poetic imagery and heart-wrenching performances. How far will Tom go for a lover who may not exist? (In French with subtitles)- (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Omo Child: The River and the Bush
Since the dawn of time, the Kara people of Ethiopia's Omo Valley have herded cattle and goats. The Kara believe some newborn babies are cursed and will bring misfortune to the tribe. This curse, called "mingi," has led them to kill countless children, drowning them in the river or leaving them in the bush. Lale Labuko is the first member of the tribe to be educated. He returns to the village, determined to change traditions and stop the killing. Exhibiting infinite patience and considerable bravery, Lale persuades his people to let him take in the rejected little ones. He founds Omo Child, a home for unwanted children of the valley. The time seems ripe for change. Thanks to Lale's efforts, tribal elders, young parents, and educated outsiders try to find a way to help the Kara acknowledge their past while working toward a better future. OMO CHILD: THE RIVER AND THE BUSH is a beautiful film that speaks through vibrant images. (In English and the Kara tribal language with subtitles). (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Our Family
Reiko has been unusually absentminded recently. At lunch she responds to a question long after her two companions have changed the topic of conversation. On her way home, she neglects to pick up her husband Katsuaki from work as planned. And when her eldest son Kosuke telephones to inform his parents of his wife's pregnancy, Reiko momentarily forgets the news before reporting it to Katsuaki. Although her youngest son Shunpei reassures Reiko that memory loss is a common side effect of old age, Reiko's incoherent mumbling at dinner with Kosuke and his in-laws prompts the family to take Reiko to a doctor. With subtle poignancy, Yuya Ishii's OUR FAMILY depicts the many challenges from sibling rivalry to economic uncertainty a family must overcome as they learn their mother, diagnosed with brain cancer, may only have a week to live. Still, despite the grim prognosis, Ishii's film reminds us, as Reiko says repeatedly, "In times like these, smile." (In Japanese with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Out in the Night
Late at night in August 2006, a group of young black women walk down the Avenue of the Americas in the West Village. Typically, these women frequent the area as a place of acceptance. They find themselves at home among the populous LGBT community. Yet, on this night, an ogler begins to threaten the women when they deny his advances by admitting they are lesbians. Fearing for their safety, the women fight back, and one of them pulls out a knife. In the ensuing brawl, the man suffers a non-life-threatening stab wound, and the women successfully defend their lives. Or so they think. Renata, Patreese, Venice, and Terrain exploited as a "Gang of Killer Lesbians" in the media and dubbed the "New Jersey 4" by activists plead innocent to charges of gang assault but are ultimately sentenced to as many as 11 years in prison. blair dorosh-walther's documentary OUT IN THE NIGHT follows the heartbreaking story of what happens when four women stand up for themselves. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Patchwork Family
Christian (charmingly acted by Sami Bouajila) is, by his own account, "not a good guy," - and is, by the account of others, a man who can't finish what he started. But he loves spending time with his daughter and would do anything for her attention. Well, almost anything. PATCHWORK FAMILY is a hilarious and touching story of a man out to prove his worth to his neighbors, to his father, to his daughter, and to the woman he's come to love. When the popular televised triathlon comes to town, Christian is offered an opportunity to join his town's team and win gold for heart and home. Suddenly, his outlook changes, and he's on his way to being a hero instead of a heel. But when his own self-assessment comes to fruition, everything falls apart in his quest to get his life on track. With a fantastic cast of characters expertly directed by Pascal RabatE, PATCHWORK FAMILY gives us the journey of a man who, for the first time, is willing to go the extra mile, and finds out it's the last foot that may be the most difficult. (In French with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Pearblossom Hwy
Cory Lawler is pretty much a screw-up. He records himself on video, excited about maybe getting on a reality show. But Cory's far removed from reality. He gets high and fronts a metal band in a desert dive bar. Cory hopes for something out of life. His mom is dead, and he doesn't know his dad. The muddled existential questions he asks himself are earnest. Meanwhile, Cory's friend Anna leads a life of quiet desperation. An immigrant whose family wants her to become a U.S. citizen, she calls her grandma in Japan incessantly -- though granny doesn't seem to want to talk. Anna wanders along the highway, having sex with strangers in dimly-lit motels for money. Cory and Anna set out on a road trip to find his dad. But is there really anywhere for them to go? A depiction of alienated young lives in search of connection, PEARBLOSSOM HWY is the second in Mike Ott's Antelope Valley trilogy. (In English and Japanese with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Pixadores
A band of graffiti taggers scales the skyscrapers of Sao Paulo by night, routinely facing death. The city offers plenty of walls for their canvases. These PIXADORES started tagging as kids, just playing around. Now they protest against the system and repression. This is the story of Djan, Ricardo, William, and Biscoito, who live in the same favela. They paint to be hated instead of just ignored. They paint so their lives don't go unnoticed. They surf on fast trains for kicks, their favorite drug adrenaline. Now the unbelievable happens, and the PIXADORES are invited to Berlin to participate in the Biennale exhibition of contemporary art. They're chosen as representative victims of social inequality who use art as political expression. But when told to restrict their painting to pre-selected walls, the PIXADORES naturally revolt, causing a scandal among well-meaning benefactors. This edgy documentary gets into the hearts and minds of dedicated rebels whose chosen weapon is paint. (In English, Portuguese, and German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Placebo
Abhay Kumarrsquo;s hybrid documentary PLACEBO is a chilling examination of one of the most competitive institutions in the worldmdash;All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Every year thousands of aspiring doctors apply, but only 0.1 percent of the applicants can finally count themselves as part of the elite community of admitted medical students (Harvardrsquo;s acceptance rate is 7 percent in comparison). In 2011 a violent student brawl left Kumarrsquo;s younger brother Sahil with an immobile right arm, a year before he was expected to write his final exams at AIIMS. With Sahilrsquo;s dreams of a successful career in medicine seemingly dashed, Kumarmdash;equipped with only a Handycammdash;sets out to understand life amongst the ldquo;geniusesrdquo; at AIIMS and to investigate why more and more students are committing suicide. Through extensive student interviews over a two-year period and surreal animated sequences, Kumar reveals a student body plagued by overwhelming pressure from parents, faculty, administrators, other students, and themselves. Still, despite the many demons haunting current students, the best of the best continue to strive for the ldquo;placebordquo; of prestige granted by this esteemed institution. (In English and Hindi with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Preggoland
Ruth has a serious case of arrested development. She works at a supermarket and lives in her dad's basement, getting wasted, watching "Wayne's World," and eating chips. Typical teenage behavior - except Ruth is pushing 35. Her girlfriends are into their little families and won't party anymore. Totally obsessed with pregnancies, they meet for tea and chart their menstrual cycles. Ruth's juvenile behavior is too much, and they kick her out of their mommy clique. One day, Ruth gives a maternity saleslady the impression she's pregnant. Big mistake: she doesn't correct the impression. Word gets out about the blessed event to be, and things snowball out of control. Her dad (James Caan) is overjoyed; and Ruth suddenly finds herself respected by her fellow humans. But a fake pregnancy is hard to maintain, especially after she bonds with a guy in the frozen food aisle. Ruth must make a decision: to escape from PREGGOLAND or embrace her inner mom? (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Proud Citizen
Shot and edited like a documentary, PROUD CITIZEN tells the fictional story of Bulgarian playwright Krasimira (the lovely co-writer Katerina Stoykova-Klemer) on her first trip to America to see her biographical play (which won second prize in a Kentucky playwriting contest). She dreams of coming to this country and being a pampered playwright, but instead she's left to her own devices, traveling around Lexington and seeing the sights and meeting people all on her own. Borat, she's not - instead, we get a chance to see one of the country's more historical cities through the innocent eyes of a woman searching for an American experience. Interspersed with scenes from her play about Krasimira's childhood and her relationship with her father, PROUD CITIZEN does an impeccable job of bringing to life the eagerness artists have when their work goes public, while also providing a glimpse at where that eagerness and desire for acceptance comes from. Charming and vulnerable, PROUD CITIZEN is as beautiful as the thoroughbred horses of Kentucky to which Krasimira attaches herself. (In English and Bulgarian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Purgatory
PURGATORY begins with a young married couple moving into a new apartment to escape an awful tragedy that seems to be gnawing at their emotionally fragile relationship. The details of the event that haunts them is only revealed in tiny glimpses. While her husband is at work, Marta (a terrific performance from "Game of Thrones'" Oona Chaplin) hears a knock on the door. Frazzled by a family emergency, a new neighbor asks Marta if she could watch her son Daniel. Marta hesitantly obliges, and it soon becomes clear something is very wrong with the troublesome child. When Daniel tells Marta he sees people and things that aren't really there, she begins to wonder if it's all in his head or, worse, if he's telling the truth. His eerie visions may provide her with the closure she needs, but it may also take her down a very dangerous road. Brilliantly directed by Pau Teixidor, PURGATORY is a highly suspenseful psychological thriller guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Racing to Zer0
Trash. Garbage. Junk. These are words we commonly call the things we throw away. But in San Francisco they have a completely different perspective. They see "waste" as "resources," materials that can always be recycled and turned into new things. They give purpose to the stuff most people may see as otherwise useless. Dedicated to protecting the environment, they're aiming to make the city 100 percent waste free by 2020. It sounds like a daunting goal, but as this film reveals, they're surprisingly close to doing so. Now, you may wonder how exciting can a documentary on trash be? The short answer is very. The city's passion for going green is unbelievably contagious. For everyone from the mayor, to those who work in the field, to the citizens - the idea of ensuring everything can be reused has reached a collective fever pitch. Their mission has given them a sense of pride that's overwhelmingly inspiring. The innovative methods and programs displayed in RACING TO ZER0 provide a blueprint for change that can hopefully be applied to all of America. (Photo courtesy of Christopher Beaver)
Refugiado
Matias is a curly-haired moppet who likes to pretend he's Superman. When his Mami, Laura, doesn't pick him up after a birthday party, a nice lady takes him home. But catastrophe strikes; Laura lies on the apartment floor, bloody and beaten. REFUGIADO depicts a harrowing flight from domestic abuse, as Laura seeks to protect them from her husband. The uncomprehending boy senses his mother's panic and wishes he could help her. After the police escort them to a safe house, Matias makes a friend. But Laura is used to being on her own. While trying to get a restraining order against her husband, she runs off with the boy. As they hunker down in another supposedly safe place, she receives a flower delivery. Her terror increases: her husband knows where they are. But there's one place Laura hasn't tried to hide, though it means revisiting her difficult past. For Matias's sake, she must go. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Results
Recently divorced, newly rich, and utterly miserable, Danny (Kevin Corrigan) would seem to be the perfect test subject for a definitive look at the relationship between money and happiness. Danny's well-funded ennui is interrupted by a momentous trip to the local gym, where he meets self-styled guru/owner Trevor (Guy Pearce) and irresistibly acerbic trainer Kat (Cobie Smulders). Soon, their three lives are inextricably knotted, both professionally and personally. Writer/director Andrew Bujalski (Computer Chess, 2013) returned to the Sundance Film Festival with a fun, intimate fable that's utterly grounded in real life. As wrinkles turn into complications, then blow up into full-fledged issues, the talented ensemble keeps the pensive tone light and the complex plot breezy. The end result is a charming shaggy-dog tale that's been hitting the gym: taut, limber, and powerful. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Run Boy Run
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Pepe Danquart takes us on a heartrending journey in his latest film RUN BOY RUN. Eight-year-old Srulik is already on the run when we meet him in winter of 1942/1943. His clothes are tattered, and he is covered in filth. The expansive Polish countryside through which he traverses underscores both his diminutive frame and the sheer solitude of his trek. Through a flashback, we learn Srulik's father's parting advice: to be brave, to be strong, to change his name, but to never forget he is Jewish. And Srulik who renames himself Jurek Staniak is ever faithful to his father's words. Under the constant threat of Nazis, Srulik acquires the necessary skills to survive through the kindness of strangers, including a group of Jewish orphans, a kindly Catholic mother, and a compassionate blacksmith, among others. But nothing comes easy for Srulik, and he can never stay in one place for too long in this beautiful, poignant film, based on a true story. (In Polish, Yiddish, Hebrew, and German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Sam Klemke's Time Machine
It's 2015. We have spaceships, artificial intelligence, and lots of gadgets that do things we never imagined possible. But there are still no time machines. Caricature artist Sam Klemke has inadvertently come close to making it a reality, but not in the way you'd think. Since 1977, Klemke has been obsessively filming his life, documenting the various phases he's experienced, from his highs to extreme lows. The footage reveals an intimate portrait of a man who's struggled with self-esteem, weight, work, depression, and love. Regardless of your life path, his journey is a relatable one. It's a raw look at life's challenges, unraveled in glimpses; the tapes readily available for future reflection. We often forget the small things in life, those fleeting moments that fade with time. We sometimes lose sight of our younger years and the hopes and dreams we once treasured. Those things are never forgotten in SAM KLEMKE'S TIME MACHINE, a documentary that's extremely beautiful in its honesty. It's also genius in its concept, revealing that with a video camera, we do indeed have the tools for time travel. (In English and French with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Secrets of War
SECRETS OF WAR is one of the finest youth films made in recent years. Tuur and Lambert are 12 and live in a Dutch village. It's the summer of 1943, and the boys play childish games, chasing each other and venturing into forbidden caves. There are rumors of a Resistance group in the village, and Lambert's dad wants him to join the young Nazi group. One day a new girl comes to school; she's called Maartje and dreams of being in the Olympics. Suddenly the village has many secrets. There are mysterious happenings at night; people are taken away, and the pastor is arrested. Tuur doesn't understand. Why don't the adults explain? What's in the big trains that pass through the village? Why is Maartje hiding something in the hay loft? Thanks to the extraordinary talents of its young cast, SECRETS OF WAR provides a wrenching look at friendship and betrayal during wartime. (In Dutch and German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Semicolon; The Adventures of Ostomy Girl
If you think chronic illness is nothing to laugh at, let us introduce you to a young woman named Dana. Diagnosed at age four with Crohn's disease, her 25 years have been a ceaseless round of surgeries, medication, intravenous feeding, and close encounters with death. She tells you this with a grin. Dana is a miraculous example of the power of humor. With her equally remarkable mother, she has forged a life filled with love, courage, and bluntly off-the-wall humor, in spite of her disease. As we travel with Dana and her mother between their Las Vegas home and their "second home" at our own Cleveland Clinic, we share Dana's daily struggles and her innermost thoughts on life and family, told as only Dana can. SEMICOLON; THE ADVENTURES OF OSTOMY GIRL is not a story of disease and decay. This is a story of defiance and determination. Prepare to lose your heart as well as your inhibitions about not laughing at "certain things." Dana will teach you the meaning of courage, along with the value of a really good poop joke! (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Shrew's Nest
A shrew is a mole-like creature that burrows into an area, rarely leaving its territory. The shrew of SHREW'S NEST is Montse, a young woman forced into the role of caregiver for her newborn sister after their mother dies during childbirth and their father deserts them. Now, 18 years later, Montse is still physically and psychologically incapable of leaving the apartment, and rarely sees anyone except for a few customers she makes dresses for. Set in 1950s Spain, SHREW'S NEST is a suspenseful thriller that centers on the relationship between these two sisters - one cemented to her home and role as heavy-handed guardian; the other, a young woman dreaming of flying the coup. But when handsome upstairs neighbor Carlos breaks his leg falling down the stairs, Montse breaks through her shell to help him. That's when this gripping film really takes hold and Montse begins to go to great lengths to keep her new guest and sister within her grasp (think Kathy Bates in "Misery"). Artfully acted and directed with terrifying precision, SHREW'S NEST takes hold from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the riveting, bone-chilling finale that will glue you to the edge of your seat. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
J)^@
John Kiriakou is the only person currently in prison for the CIA's illegal torture activities - and he didn't torture anyone. Thomas Drake was an NSA agent who reported on the agency for illegally spying on American citizens. SILENCED is an alarming documentary that takes us behind the scenes to hear the story of how two men, heroic in their level of patriotism, became two of only 11 people ever charged under the archaic Espionage Act of 1917 (eight under the Obama administration). Proving that whistleblower protection laws are the very foundation of a free republic, this film makes the argument that since 9/11, there has been an ever-blurring line between what is right and what is treasonous. And now, in the wake of the recent release of the Senate Intelligence Committee report on the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program, that line has clearly been ignored under the auspices of protection. SILENCED takes an incendiary look at how the lives of two men were destroyed for trying to do the right thing and at the accountability advocate, Jesselyn Radack, who risked her own freedom to bring their cases to the public. SILENCED is another example of how the most patriotic thing an American can do is the right thing. And how doing the right thing can land you in prison. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Sixteen
To rescue him from the horror of being a child soldier in the Congo, Jumah's mother gave him up for adoption. Now, on the brink of his 16th birthday, Jumah lives in London with his adoptive mother. But the dreams of his former life haunt him, and he is easily provoked to bursts of violence. One night Jumah witnesses a classmate commit a murder in an underpass. The classmate fears discovery and now Jumah is being threatened into silence, drawn dangerously close to a different type of war taking place in his school. The child soldier, who witnessed atrocities his fellow students can't imagine, is getting harder to control. Jumah only wants to be a barber, to live a normal life. But as the cycle of violence escalates around him, the point of supreme crisis is approaching. Riveting and intense, SIXTEEN bares his inner war to the viewer. Jumah has been pushed to the moment that will decide not only what type of man he will become, but whether or not he survives to become one. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Slow West
Academy Award-nominated Michael Fassbender plays brutish loner Silas Selleck, leading 16-year-old Jay Cavendish across America in John Maclean's SLOW WEST. In 1870, love rouses Jay, still wet behind the ears, to leave his noble family in Scotland and follow peasant Rose and her father John Ross to the American West. Amidst greedy outlaws and defensive Native Americans, it's remarkable Jay makes it to the Colorado Territory on his own. Still, aware of his limitations, he accepts the guidance of Silas, who promises, for a mere $100, to reunite Jay with his lost love just past a forest called Silver Ghost. Little does Jay know that Silas, like countless other desperados, has an ulterior motive. Filmed in the spectacular New Zealand outback and winner of the Dramatic World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, this absorbing western pits the competing desires of love and money against the wiles of the frontier. (Photo courtesy of A24 Films)
Son of a Gun
Young J.R. arrives to prison looking confused, curiously observing the other inmates and their behavior. When he declines to add any friends or family to his phone list, it becomes clear there's no one waiting for him on the outside. His bunkmate is unusually paranoid, and when J.R. finds out why, he tries to help. Unfortunately, his assistance only puts him in danger. Brendan (Ewan McGregor), a seasoned criminal with a lengthy sentence, sees all of this as an opportunity. He offers J.R. protection in exchange for his word that when he's released in six months, he'll come back to break Brendan out. Eager to avoid trouble, and naive to the strings attached, J.R. accepts. He upholds his end of the deal, only to find himself becoming a lackey in a world of organized crime. It becomes increasingly clear Brendan got the better end of the bargain. Can J.R. flip the tables and truly find freedom? SON OF A GUN is equal parts drama and action, featuring a standout lead performance from young Aussie, Brenton Thwaites. (Photo courtesy of A24 Films)
Spring
The last thing Evan's dying mother says to him is a joke. Her irony seems to be emblematic of his life at the moment he's lost his family, his job, and all of his prospects. And a late night bar fight means that now the police are after him. So he hops on a plane to Italy (because why not?). Once there, he ends up in a tiny coastal tourist trap, and the sighting of a gorgeous seductress named Louise compels him to stay. Eventually he convinces her to go out with him, and the two embark on a passionate courtship. End of story, right? Not quite. Louise has a secret. She may not be of this world. That's just the starting block for SPRING, a whirlwind cinematic experience that's part romantic comedy, part sci-fi thriller, and a wholly genuine character study of two lost souls. Thanks to crackling dialogue, scenic locales, and expertly handled direction, this exhilarating adventure is as deftly chameleonic as its main characters. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Moorhead)
Stations of the Cross
Maria is a young girl in a family entrenched in their church - an ultra-conservative version of Catholicism that adheres to pre-Vatican II doctrine. She finds solace in the idea that her younger brother's muteness is a manifestation of God's love. Shot as 14 single-angle, fixed-camera scenes (modeled after the actual "Stations"), STATIONS OF THE CROSS is a harrowing and sometimes endearing look at a young girl's journey to self-sacrifice as she navigates through storms of school boy crushes, little white lies, and a less-than-saintly mother. It can be maddening to watch this young woman (played beautifully by Lea van Acken) succumb to the fear of such religious dogma. But the fixed-camera technique gives the audience an almost omniscient presence, and each scene's emotional arc is so overwhelming it must mirror the emotional journey of those staunch believers as they watch the Almighty carry His own cross through throngs of the faithless. STATIONS OF THE CROSS isn't humorless and it isn't didactic; instead it's a personification of unconditional love as executed by a young innocent looking to be closer to God. (In German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Still
Still reeling from the tragic loss of his son, Tom Carver is on a downward spiral. Now separated from his wife, he's been drinking heavily and sleeping with a much younger woman. His ex, concerned for his well being, still pops in, doing her best to try to get him back on track. Unfortunately, she can't get seem to get through. Formerly an acclaimed photographer, Tom now makes most of his money photographing kids for their school pictures. He befriends one of them, a depressed youngster whose older brother was recently murdered. For reasons unknown to Tom, a group of troublemaker teens starts following him, pulling vicious pranks that also affect his loved ones. When the police can't seem to handle the situation, Tom is forced to take things into his own hands. In doing so, he uncovers an uncomfortable secret. His vigilante approach presents him with a life changing decision that could take him to a new low. STILL is an intricate dark thriller that examines the complicated psychology of revenge. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Still Dreaming
The Lillian Booth Actor's Home is a community for retired Broadway entertainers and their families, just outside of Manhattan. The home has decided to bring its residents out of retirement and stage a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the facility. Enter Ben and Noah, two up-and-coming theater directors from New York hired to make this challenge a reality in a mere six weeks. As cast and directors begin this unique voyage of discovery, the choice of play begins to resonate in unexpected and marvelous ways. Like Shakespeare's famous woods, the retirement home is a world where real-life sprites delight in mischief, and the difference between dreams and reality aren't easy for some to distinguish. Working with aging castmembers who are struggling with ailments from Alzheimer's to blindness, Ben and Noah find themselves in a world they don't quite understand one in which they and the meaning of their art are being transformed. This wistful, honest, and frequently hilarious documentary follows the project as opening night approaches. Tempers flare, health concerns abound, and disaster seems imminent. But as these former entertainers prove they're STILL DREAMING, who knows what enchantments might be released? (Photo by Genevieve Russell, courtesy of Philomath Films)
Stray Dog
Academy Award-nominated writer/director Debra Granik met Ron "Stray Dog" Hall, the subject of her latest documentary, while filming "Winter's Bone" in rural Missouri. To the unacquainted, this white-bearded, tattooed, portly 67-year-old may appear to be a stereotypical rough-and-tumble biker. But Ron gave up being angry years ago. Instead, this Vietnam veteran spends much of his time helping other vets and their families get back on their feet. While Ron still grapples with the psychological traumas of war on a daily basis, he remains a pillar of strength for his close-knit community. He is learning Spanish for his immigrant wife Alicia and supports her efforts to reunite with her twin sons. He encourages his pregnant granddaughter to get an education. And he assists his neighbors in receiving appropriate healthcare, all while taking loving care of his small pups. Granik's lyrical and captivating STRAY DOG offers viewers a candid glimpse into the world of one veteran and his search for peace. (In English and Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Sunshine Superman
Look, up in the sky! It's Carl Boenish, the father of BASE jumping! Carl is sunshine personified, a man whose enthusiasm for skydiving - and life - leads him to spectacular leaps. This masterful biopic takes us back to the late 70s, when Carl casts off his pedestrian life as a Hughes Aircraft engineer and meets his soulmate and diving partner Jean. Fortunately, Carl's passion was "freefall cinematography," and much of the film's breathtaking imagery comes from 16mm footage he took while falling from cliffs and skyscrapers, camera strapped to his helmet. Despite setbacks from naysaying park rangers and lawyers, Carl continued to bubble over with good cheer. On a Norwegian mountain range in 1984, Jean and Carl broke the BASE jumping world record. The next day, disaster struck. He would have wanted us to climb the walls and keep going, Jean tells us. SUNSHINE SUPERMAN celebrates the human spirit, in Carl's name. (Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)
Sweet Micky for President
In 1996 the Fugees climbed the American charts with a slew of singles from their sophomore record The Score. A hip-hop classic, that album didn't just break the trio; it also shined a light on Haiti, the group's home country, which they heavily repped in their music. Haiti, struggling for years with poverty, corruption, and recovery from several devastating natural disasters, was certainly in need of a self-esteem boost. Almost 15 years later, not much had changed. This led former Fugee, Pras, on a mission to find a Presidential candidate the people could believe in. Though his old bandmate Wyclef Jean was running, it was controversial Haitian popstar Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly who peaked Pras' interest. Martelly wasn't versed in politics, and his obscene onstage antics certainly made him a strange choice. Pras, however, was convinced his popularity and unfiltered personality would lead to victory. SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT documents the journey, from crazy idea to reality. Things in Haiti remain questionable, but this underdog tale of Martelly's surprising 2011 triumph is undeniably compelling. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Tab Hunter Confidential
In the 1950s, Tab Hunter shot from stable boy to the biggest star in the Warner Brothers galaxy, with teen-heartthrob recording star tossed in for fun. He was the masculine ideal of the age: blond haired, blue-eyed, and heart-stoppingly gorgeous. Defined by his All American good looks and surrounded by a Hollywood and country that openly persecuted gays, Tab Hunter walked a tightrope through most of his career. And now it can be told. Get ready boys (and girls) for your dream date with Tab Hunter! With unaffected charm and grace, Tab (who still looks wonderful) tells the story he hasn't really wanted to tell. He candidly discusses his family, his personal demons, and yes, his secret Hollywood romances. Like the man, this film is a total class act. With a star-studded cast of guest commentators and enough glorious vintage film clips to satisfy any film fanatic, this witty and exuberant film tells it all with style to burn. Can you resist a date with Tab? (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Take Me to the River
In TAKE ME TO THE RIVER, actor and musician Terrence Howard guides us through a tour of American soul music. At the heart of the film is Memphis, Tennessee and the amazing recordings from the legendary Stax Records in the 1960s. Beyond the tunes, this documentary also reveals the important role Stax Records played in the civil rights movement. The label and studio may be known for its African-American stars. However, it also featured a racially diverse stable of artists and crew - something unheard of at the time. The film doesn't just focus on the past, though. In addition to highlighting the soul movement, it goes behind the scenes at a series of recording sessions that pair legends of soul with some of today's popular and rising stars. The list includes William Bell, Mavis Staples, Snoop Dogg, and Yo Gotti, to name a few. These collaborations provide further proof of the impact Stax Records and soul music has had on our country's rich musical history. This incredibly illuminating documentary is a must-see for any music fan or historian. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Tchoupitoulas
Part fable, part documentary, TCHOUPITOULAS is a mosaic of color and sound. Filmmakers Turner Ross and Bill Ross IV tag along behind three young brothers who set out to see the bright lights and hear the brassy sounds of New Orleans. William, Bryan, and Kentrell Zanders live in a chaotic house in Algiers, a short trip across the Mississippi by ferry. But it might as well be another world. With their dog Buttercup in tow, and amid a constant stream of chatter by William (the youngest and quite a philosopher), the boys take in a kaleidoscope of dancers, musicians, hustlers, and revelers parading through NOLA's lamp-lit streets. They hear rappers and violinists, steel drums and blues guitars, banjo pickers and saw players. They meet bantering oyster shuckers and primping strippers and evangelizing pamphleteers. Now the fog comes up off the river and the ferry churns homeward again. The brothers Zanders and the brothers Ross must leave the dream behind. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Teacher of the Year
Turner High School is the home of the Titans, and the biggest Titan of all is Mitch Carter (Matt Letscher, “Her”), recent recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award. TEACHER OF THE YEAR takes us inside the halls of Turner High and its irreverent cast of educators, including Principal Douche (Keegan-Michael Key from Key & Peele), the Sklar Brothers as "guidance" counselors, and Larry Joe Campbell as the over-zealous Vice Principal. Shot in the vein of TV's Parks and Recreation, TEACHER OF THE YEAR is a hilarious hall pass into the lives of these educators as they discuss the greater virtues of teaching their students with the fantasy of possibly punching one in the face. When Mr. Carter is offered a high-paying job with a school lobbying group (that goes against his very views on education), he must choose between his love for teaching and providing support for his growing family. A comic look into what makes teachers tick, TEACHER OF THE YEAR is a brilliant depiction of the efforts and struggles that go into educating our youth, as seen through the caring eyes of one of the best. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
Turning 100 is something not many people will achieve. If they do, they will likely be faced with illness and disabilities. That's not the case for Allan Karlsson. He's still sharp and craving independence, though stuck living in a retirement home. As the staff prepares a birthday surprise for him, Allan decides to escape by jumping out the window. He heads to the bus stop, looking for a train that will take him as far as his money will allow. There, he encounters a rugged biker who asks Allan to watch his suitcase while he uses the restroom. When his train arrives, Allan boards with the suitcase, much to the dismay of the angry biker and the rest of his gang, who are now hot on the old man's trail. This mysterious suitcase becomes the catalyst for a series of events that lead Allan on an epic adventure filled with fun, a little danger, and a whole lot of new friends. This hilarious thrill ride could easily be called Sweden's "Forrest Gump," but grittier. THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED is pure fun, proving age is just a number. (In Swedish with subtitles) (Photo courtesy of Music Box Films)
The Ambassador to Bern
August 16, 1958. The leafy streets surrounding the Hungarian embassy in Bern, Switzerland are quiet in the summer sun. Yet inside, Ambassador Mihaly Kornokai struggles to maintain order amidst increasingly bitter emotions. Ever since the Soviet suppression of the 1956 Hungarian revolution, tensions are high. In June, Janos Kadar, head of the new Soviet-friendly government, ordered the execution of former Prime Minister Imre Nagy, enraging Hungarian emigrEs around the world. Now two armed men - former freedom fighters - burst into the Embassy, taking Kornokai hostage. Terrified staff members barricade themselves in and phone the police. Inspector Lambert leads the operation from outside, though his hands are tied for reasons of diplomatic immunity. Meanwhile, as the kidnappers communicate with Radio Free Europe, protests against the Soviet occupation of Hungary erupt in the street. THE AMBASSADOR TO BERN is a taut political thriller, both uniquely Hungarian and anticipatory of the many geopolitical uprisings to follow. (In Hungarian and German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Amina Profile
MontrEal resident Sandra Bagaria was looking to meet an extraordinary woman in the winter of 2011. And, like many single people, Sandra found that woman - a sexy Syrian writer named Amina Arraf - online. Despite the thousands of miles between them, Amina communicated with Sandra daily, sharing everything from her intimate sexual desires to her involvement with the escalating political unrest in Syria. When Amina's candid blog, "A Gay Girl in Damascus," received international media attention, Sandra marveled at Amina's passion and courage in the face of repeated threats from the Syrian government. But, in June of 2011, Sandra received a troubling update: Amina had been kidnapped. This documentary follows Sandra, international activists, and reporters in recounting this unimaginable episode. Sophie Deraspe's THE AMINA PROFILE is a gripping exposE about the impact of social media on civil disobedience, the questionable storytelling methods of news outlets, and the countless people who fall victim to totalitarian regimes to this day. (In English, French, and Arabic with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
Oakland, 1966: with almost a third of the overall population being African-American and only 16 black police officers, the city was a breeding ground for rampant racism. No one knew this oppressive regime better than Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, and they took action by founding the Black Panther Party. Inaugurating the onyx-colored cat as their official symbol, the Panthers took their name from the mammal's predatory instincts: a panther only strikes when provoked. The media spun a different narrative of the party, ignoring the Free Breakfast for Children program, the free health clinics, and dozens of other social programs. They only had one image of the panthers: militant men with guns. This is legendary documentarian Stanley Nelson's authentic image of the Panthers: a community focused on grassroots organizing and the preservation and cultivation of the black experience. With all eyes on the United States as it reels from current acts of police brutality, THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION is an essential primer for giving the power back to the people. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Blue Hour
Even a past you are unaware of can suddenly return to haunt you. This is the unsettling reality that Adrian abruptly faces. After the death of his mother, Adrian discovers somebody had been blackmailing her. His father, who left the family 40 years ago, had been a Commander in Peru's war against a terrorist faction. During this time, he was responsible for the torture and rape of numerous prisoners. One of them, a girl named Miriam, managed to escape and remain free. Now Adrian is being blackmailed. A successful lawyer with a beautiful family, he searches for Miriam in an effort to stop the extortion and somehow heal the past. But the past is not easily contained. It begins to bleed through and threaten his carefully crafted life. When he finally finds Miriam, everything in Adrian's world is shaken and everything he is as a man is challenged. Intimate and intense, THE BLUE HOUR is a spellbinding journey into the strange mazes of the human conscience and heart. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Boy and the World*
When a father is forced to leave his family to find work, it creates a hole his son can't seem to fill. Eager to be with his dad, and without his mother's knowledge, the confused child embarks on a journey to find him. Along the way, he encounters a variety of colorful people who help him on his path-and some who don't. At his young age, it's overwhelming and downright scary at times. Mature beyond his years, he pushes on, never relenting in his mission. Can the tiny boy survive the big world to find his dad? Directed by Ale Abreu, THE BOY AND THE WORLD is a complex animated film unlike any other. The creative visuals will keep you glued to the screen, absorbing every stroke of the brush and bringing each character to life. Though certainly a family film, it also has a broad appeal. The story reads like a children's book, yet its intelligence, unique style, and nearly dialogue-less approach will easily appeal to older audiences and even fans of the avant-garde. (Minimal dialogue and no subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Circle
The lights go down, the crowd goes silent, and out steps the most beautiful person you've ever seen in a shimmering red dress. You think to yourself, "Wow, that's the one." In 1961, that's how it was for Ernst, a reserved schoolteacher who fell for Robi, a stunning Swiss drag queen. Fifty years later, Robi is still at Ernst's side in their Zurich apartment. Their half-century relationship is sure to be one of the most compelling love stories you'll encounter all year. THE CIRCLE chronicles the early days of their relationship, when they were active in the legendary publication of the same name - a magazine that's since been called "the world's most important journal promoting the legal and social rights of gay men." As Ernst and Robi's love intensifies, so does the witch hunt against those involved with the publication. Inventively juxtaposing interviews of the present-day Ernst and Robi with meticulous dramatizations of their past, THE CIRCLE is a powerful testament to enduring love, both through struggle and success. (In Swiss German, German, and French with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Coffin Maker
Randy is a single father, barely earning enough as a coffin maker to provide medicine for his sick daughter Angeline. He is forced to work overtime, leaving Angeline alone for long periods. One night, while her father is working, Angeline has a reaction to the medication which results in her death. In shock and unable to pay the hospital bill and obtain Angeline's body, Randy falls under the influence of the unscrupulous owner of a funeral home. In exchange for paying the hospital bill, he insists Randy agree to an elaborate funeral service for Angeline her at his business. He knows Randy has no money and few options. After he reconsiders, Randy finds he must either pay him back for the hospital bill and reclaim his daughter, or he can accept an unthinkable offer to sell Angeline's corpse. Stark and powerful, THE COFFIN MAKER follows a father's struggle to redeem not only his child's death with a decent burial, but his own guilt and responsibility. (In Kapampangan with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Creeping Garden
If "The Blob" creeps you out, you'll likely be horrified to learn there are real-life equivalents all around you. What's worse they're actually intelligent. Cue the science lesson from the mad researchers who make up this unprecedented docu-fantasia. Focusing on interviews with scientists, artists, and fanatics dedicated to exploring the organisms known as "slime mold," THE CREEPING GARDEN falls somewhere between watching a big-budget science presentation and a magnificent light and color show some would refer to as a psychotropic experience. Peppered with dazzling time lapses (or shall we say time-magnification?) of the elusive organisms, we come to view these sprawling creatures as one of Earth's hidden wonders. Often funny, always mesmerizing, and backed by an eerily atmospheric music score by multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, this work of science non-fiction is easily the slipperiest and slimiest film of the decade. But it's also something else: sublime. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Dead Lands
Just as his chieftain father is staging peace talks with the opposing tribe, teenage Hongi witnessess the enemy desecrating the sacred remains of their Maori ancestors. Clearly not ready for a truce, they try to pin it on Hongi, giving them a reason to stage an attack on his entire tribe. It's a horrifically brutal scene that makes revenge seem like an inevitable response. Hongi sets out to avenge the death of his people, including his father, for whom he must honor with retaliation. His main target is Wirepa, the instigator of the massacre. He must follow him into the notorious "dead lands," known to be extremely haunted, its spirits believed to be responsible for several disappearances. The opposite of the barbaric Wirepa, Hongi will need to use other means to finish the job. From the dialogue and fighting style, to the heritage of some of its actors, THE DEAD LANDS stays true to the history of the Maori people. While it's heavy on the violence, it's also insightful in its commentary on the never-ending cycle of war. (Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)
The Fool
Dima Nikitin, a Russian plumber, may be too smart for his own good. Or at least that's what his family thinks. While his peers have no qualms about stealing to put food on the table, Dima would rather take the less common route of getting an education to earn a promotion. And, confirming his family's fears, Dima's intellect is precisely the root of his troubles in Yury Bykov's blisteringly cold drama, THE FOOL. After a pipe bursts in an apartment building teaming with alcoholics, drug addicts, and troubled children, Dima is called to fix the leak. But his thorough inspection reveals a much more serious problem. The building, home to over 800 residents, is structurally unsound, and Dima estimates it will collapse within the next 24 hours. Still, he needs government approval to evacuate the residents, and the extent of corruption in this small town will make saving the residents' lives and even his own no easy feat. (In Russian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Hand that Feeds
In New York City, undocumented workers are the backbone of industry and help the city stay alive. Yet those workers - who are deeply depended on by their employers - are treated as indentured servants, often making far less than minimum wage in dangerous conditions. THE HAND THAT FEEDS brings us to the front lines as about a dozen undocumented employees of a popular deli in NYC fight for basic workers' rights, including fair scheduling, overtime pay, and competent wages. Following along with Mahoma Lopez, a brave deli worker who risks his home in the States to fight for his fellow workers, we get an in-depth look at how many of the people still striving for the American Dream are those who face losing America altogether. What seems like an impossible battle becomes a real possibility when labor lawyers and the likes of the Occupy Movement ally themselves with Lopez and his coworkers, giving them hope and direction. This documentary invites us along as deli workers decide to organize and fight for rights American workers fought for a century ago. The history of this great country is riddled with battles between the folks doing the work and those who wish to profit from it, and THE HAND THAT FEEDS reminds all of us that those battles continue today. (In English and Spanish with subtitles) (Photo courtesy of Eleazar Castillo)
The Hero
One of the many wars in the Balkans is over. Shkemb returns a hero, celebrated for saving the local population during the conflict. But over time his sacrifice is forgotten. Though Shkemb hews to his principles of integrity and honesty, Kosovar society is changing. A gentle, patriotic educator who teaches Albanian poetry to young children, he is fired and his job is given to a local. A cadre of political and business careerists are busy trampling on the nation's ideals, and they're not interested in employing a hero. Unwilling to accept gifts, he and his long-suffering wife and child continue to live in a tent donated by humanitarian organizations - for six years. Gaunt and hollow-eyed, Shkemb (played by Arben Bajraktaraj, one of Harry Potter's Death Eaters) becomes horribly disillusioned. His suffering is familiar to many battle-scarred veterans who can't adapt to life after service. THE HERO is a plea for a return to old-fashioned virtues such as honor and dignity. (In Albanian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Homestretch
There are over 19,000 students identified as homeless in the Chicago public school system. It's an appalling number that reveals a heart-breaking reality about the severity of homelessness - a problem that affects the entire country. How can these kids be motivated to learn when they live with the stress of not knowing where they'll sleep next; when they're hungry because they can't find food? THE HOMESTRETCH explores these unfortunate situations, which also put educators in a tough spot. How do they reach these students? The film spotlights several programs and selfless teachers who have dedicated their lives to ensuring homeless students are taken care of, and they excel in their studies. It follows several youths as they try to overcome their circumstances, with the eventual goal of attending college. This eye-opening documentary will tug at your heart strings for sure, but the passion of the teachers, and the amazing resiliency of the kids, reveals a ray of hope that shines brightly through the darkness. (Photo courtesy of Samuel J. Vega)
The Incident
A more appropriate title might be "Groundhog Day in Hell." When two brothers are apprehended on drug charges in an apartment complex, one of them attempts to flee. The pursuing officer shoots him in the leg and the three end up at the bottom of a maintenance stairwell. As they try to leave, they notice something strange there's no bottom floor; the stairs just take them right back to the top. The trio discovers they've become trapped in an infinitely looping stairwell. In a seemingly parallel universe, a well-to-do suburban family is confined to an endless stretch of Mexican highway with a daughter who's descending into anaphylactic shock. What begins as a Kafka-esque parable is transformed by a jarring turn midway through as director Isaac Ezban's masterful ambitions unspool. With high-energy editing and an unprecedented narrative structure, THE INCIDENT spurs mind-bending questions about the relationship between time and reality, as well as the prospect of redemption. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Incredible Adventures of Jojo (and his annoying sister Avila)
"This film is not for over-protective parents," warns this Tim Burton-esque, absurd children's comedy from first-time writer-directors, husband-wife team Ann-Marie Schmidt (so many hyphens) and Brian Schmidt. When Jojo and his sister Avila are left to their own devices after a car accident injures their mother, they must survive in the woods on their own. Among the travails and harrowing experiences is a deranged hobo, ravaging wolves, abandoned couches, and dirty diapers. But don't fret for the little ones; they have a sharp pocketknife at the ready. The creative team behind this unique film refer to it as a "children's film" and they couldn't be more correct. THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF JOJO (AND HIS ANNOYING SISTER AVILA) is pretty much every daydream every seven-year-old boy ever had. Ever. There's adventure, danger, comedy, and Skittles. If you're a parent, this film may make you squirm. But if you're a child or a child at heart, Jojo and Avila will take you on the incredible journey you've been waiting for. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Keeping Room
"What if it's the end of the world, and we are the last ones left?" asks Augusta. In the American South of 1865, sisters Augusta and Louise (played by Brit Marling and Hailee Steinfeld) and former slave Mad have learned to live like men. They use rifles to shoot small animals for their meals. They trudge through dirt in the hot sun to till their land. And they drink moonshine to forget their worries. Like numerous other white women in the region, Augusta and Louise's father and brother were victims of the war. But, unlike many of those women, Augusta, Louise, and Mad refuse to quit fighting for their livelihood. When Union soldiers Moses (played by Sam Worthington) and Henry threaten to ravage the women and destroy their home, Augusta, Louise, and Mad will stop at nothing to protect themselves and their property. THE KEEPING ROOM a gripping drama directed by Academy Award-nominated Daniel Barber and featuring stunning cinematography and a haunting score - offers a harrowing perspective on the atrocities of war. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Little Death
Focusing on the sex lives of five couples, THE LITTLE DEATH goes behind closed doors in the suburbs to uncover a hidden world of taboo fetishes. Stuck in carnal monotony, these individuals seek extreme ways to spice things up. Mauve wants her boyfriend Paul to rape her. Phil discovers sex is best when his wife Maureen is passed out on sleeping pills. Evie and Dan become obsessed with roleplay. And Rowena is so turned on by seeing her husband Richard cry, she goes to disturbing lengths to make it happen. There's also Monica and Sam who is deaf - strangers who meet through an awkward but endearing video relay phone sex session. Holding it all together is the presence of Steve, a comically creepy sex offender who recently moved into the neighborhood. Their newfound experimentation will certainly change their relationships, but maybe not in the way they planned. Director Josh Lawson effectively uses comedy to contrast the complications of forbidden sexuality; the strange urges that lead us searching for those short bursts of ecstasy. Sex is a weird thing. Sometimes you just gotta laugh about it. (In English and Australian Sign Language with subtitles) (Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)
The Look of Silence
Indonesia, 1965: the ruthless Suharto (backed by the CIA) leads a militarized campaign against President Sukarno and stages an all-out extermination of alleged "communists" in Indonesia, including many innocent civilians that Suharto's men chose at will. Fifty years later, Adi, an optician whose brother Ramli was a victim of the mass murders, confronts the military leaders complicit in his brother's death. As Adi practices his optical skills, he challenges the leaders' memories of those gruesome years and presses them to acknowledge the blood on their hands. Academy Award nominee Joshua Oppenheimer's follow-up documentary to his unnerving "The Act of Killing" is the victim's side of the story. While the earlier film focused on the delusional psyche of the death squads, THE LOOK OF SILENCE sets its sights on the victims of their homicidal wrath. As Adi uncovers the horrific details of his brother's death, he also uncovers a nation unable to confront its past, revealing the endless depths of human denial and the shallow waters of moral responsibility. (In Indonesian and Javanese with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Midnight Swim
According to locals, Spirit Lake is bottomless. Somewhere in its algae-laden depths lies the body of June's mother, who recently vanished in the lake. June and her two half-sisters have returned to their mother's house to seek answers about her death. Instead of concrete evidence, they find astrological clues that eerily mirror a local legend about a family of sisters who nocturnally entered the lake one-by-one, never to return. As the legend burrows deeper into their psyches, the sisters' history of emotional repression rises to the surface. A slow-boiling thriller that spins a psychological labyrinthine web in lieu of cheap scares and violence, Sarah Adina Smith's THE MIDNIGHT SWIM is the grand buffet for the discerning consumer of creepy cinema. This film, shot with a POV-camera, cleverly subverts the gimmick of "found footage" films. It's not the chilly lake that'll freeze the marrow in your bones, it's what lies behind the characters' eyes. (In English and Turkish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Road Within
THE ROAD WITHIN is the American remake of the fantastic "Vincent Wants To Sea," the film that won the Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award at the 2011 CIFF. The new version essentially follows the original scene-by-scene, but with a grittier feel. In case you missed it, the coming-of-age tale goes like this: Vincent is plagued by Tourette's, which is only exacerbated by his tumultuous relationship with his father, who has placed him in a mental institution. There he meets Marie, an anorexic girl he's smitten with, and Alex, his obsessive-compulsive, germ freak roommate. Afraid they will force-feed her, Marie hatches an escape plan and asks Vincent to join her. Inadvertently, Alex also gets involved, and the trio embark on a road trip that changes their lives in a way therapy never could. Featuring a terrific cast that includes Zoe Kravitz, Dev Patel, Robert Patrick, and Kyra Sedgwick, the remake stays true to the vision of the original, but offers its own unique take. Experience the fun all over again. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Strongest Man
Beef may look like an ordinary construction worker in his early 30s. But Beef can effortlessly run through cinderblock walls. Because Beef is THE STRONGEST MAN. Well, that's the story he intends to tell his grandchildren someday. In the meantime, he'll settle for aimlessly riding around Miami on his gold BMX bike with Conan, Beef's Korean American best friend since the third grade. And to make some extra cash, Beef helps his neighbor Mrs. Rosen move bizarre modern artwork around her apartment. When Mrs. Rosen's cute niece Illi takes Beef to a New Age meditation class, he discovers his spirit animal is a chicken - an all-too-appropriate symbol for this anxiety-ridden germaphobe. Then, in an effort to capture his inner chicken, Beef ends up killing one in the process. Is the subsequent theft of Beef's prized bike some form of karmic retribution? In this quirky comedy, writer-director Kenny Riches takes us on one man's peculiar journey to find his bike and himself. (In English and Spanish with subtitles) (Photo courtesy of Visit Films)
The Tribe
At an isolated Ukrainian boarding school, students cannot speak or hear. Their communication is visual, using rapid-fire Ukrainian Sign Language and heated exchanges of forceful body language. As the film disclaims, there is no voice-over and there are no subtitles or translations. Instead the film coaxes us to comprehend the institution's language. We learn from the characters' actions and counteractions - as does the film's malleable protagonist, Sergey. Upon arriving at the institution, Sergey is immediately vacuumed into its seedy universe: a hurricane of drugs, dangerously volatile sex, and rapidly escalating violence. As he transitions from the role of outsider to inner-circle ringleader, we witness a tale of moral and ethical corruption in him, his classmates, and the school's complicit administration. Through a masterful construction of long takes told by an unsympathetic camera, THE TRIBE is a portrait of lust and betrayal told through a fresh visual vocabulary. Impossible to forget, its effects will leave you speechless. (In Ukrainian Sign Language without subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Visit
What if extraterrestrials actually landed on Earth? Michael Madsen's THE VISIT depicts how various international agencies - the United Nations, the Committee on Space Research, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute, NASA, and others - would respond to the presence of an alien life-form in this captivating and unnerving speculative documentary. Faced with the unknown, scientists, ambassadors, government officials, and theologians ask a number of questions about the origins of the alien species, the evolution of its civilization, and the nature of its mission. While aware of the potential for a media blitz, they prepare statements to inform the public without inciting panic. They also consider what questions aliens might ask of humans, and how humanity's accomplishments and failures might be assessed by outside observers. Madsen pairs stark imagery of landscapes, cityscapes, and laboratories with a haunting soundtrack to evoke the transformative impact of an alien encounter upon the notion of life itself. Are you ready? (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Way He Looks
Love triangles are pretty common these days. But how about a love quadrangle? Let's see if you can keep up . Our protagonist, a cute blind teenager named Leo, is being coveted by his best friend and trusted female confidant, Giovana. But Leo's not sharp enough to pick up on it. Meanwhile, Giovana is also crushing on the gorgeous new transfer student, Gabriel. Here's the problem: Karina, a sought-after beauty with a reputation that precedes her, also has her eyes on Gabriel. Oh, and one more thing - Leo has a crush on Gabriel, too. A big one. And what's worse, Gabriel might have one on Leo. A refreshingly smart coming-of-age story ensues as Leo tests the waters for the perfect first kiss. The story's uneven romantic lines go through a series of twists and turns as all of the characters smooth out their jagged edges. A family-friendly rom-com filled with pitch-perfect performances, Leo's transformation into the person he was meant to be is infectiously heartwarming. (In Portuguese with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
The Wolfpack
Locked away from society in an apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Angulo brothers learn about the outside world through the films that they watch. Nicknamed the Wolfpack, the brothers spend their childhood re-enacting their favorite films using elaborate homemade props and costumes. With no friends and living on welfare, they feed their curiosity, creativity, and imagination with film, which allows them to escape from their feelings of isolation and loneliness. Everything changes when one of the brothers escapes, and the power dynamics in the house are transformed. The Wolfpack must learn how to integrate into society without disbanding the brotherhood. Armed with unprecedented access into the subjects' world, as well as their vast archive of home movies, director Crystal Moselle crafts a captivating portrait of an extraordinary family and inquires into the true nature of identity and creativity. By fully immersing herself into their world, she allows their remarkable story to naturally unfold without judgment. THE WOLFPACK resonates with the audience as it portrays people raised on movies. (Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)
The Young Kieslowski
Brian Kieslowski is an awkward college student reluctantly clinging to his "v-card" when he meets the girl of his dreams, Leslie (also awkward and a card carrying member of the "v-club"). When they engage in losing their virginity together, all seems right in the world for young Brian. Until Leslie realizes she's pregnant. With twins. THE YOUNG KIESLOWSKI is a hilarious and touching comedy about young lovers navigating through the world of immaturity, responsibility, and impending parenthood. The choice to keep the babies doesn't come easy to Brian (neither does breaking the news to his parents), but Leslie goes full speed ahead with her decision to keep them even if it means doing it alone. Inspired by the true story of his parents, writer/director Kerem Sanga keeps the humor and story light while still dealing with the issues that have confronted young men and women since forever. Deftly balancing humor with heart and tenderness, THE YOUNG KIESLOWSKI is "American Pie" meets "Juno," and reminds us that, when it comes down to it, the heart wants what the heart wants. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
They Are All Dead
Some people may think it's cool to have a rock star for a mother, but Pancho doesn't. His mother Lupe, the former singer/keyboardist of the hit Spanish rock group Groenlandia, hasn't left the house for as long as Pancho - a boy scout in those awkward early teen years - can remember. Plus, she hates music. Still grieving the loss of her brother and bandmate Diego, Lupe wears pajamas all day and obsessively bakes apple pies. Meanwhile, Pancho is left to the care of Paquita, his loveable Mexican grandmother. Yet, Paquita fears she won't be around forever. In a desperate attempt to mend the strained relationship between her daughter and grandson, Paquita visits a spiritual healer, who proposes an unbelievable solution: bring Diego back from the dead. Set in Madrid in 1996, Beatriz Sanchis's magical realist dramedy is an imaginative portrayal of one family's struggle to come together before, and maybe even after, THEY ARE ALL DEAD. (In Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
They Have Escaped
Joni has a bit of a stutter. It's one of the reasons he's generally tight-lipped, letting the outside world deduce his thoughts from the pleadings of his eyes. But there's also a more elusive reason. After going AWOL from the Finnish army, Joni is given one last chance to escape prison: he's to become an informant in a low-level juvenile detention camp. There he meets another exile by the name of Raisa, a rebellious sparkplug of a girl who can't seem to follow the rules. Together they take a chance and go on the lam, tearing through the Finnish countryside and escaping reality in the process. But somewhere during the course of their deranged journey things take a darker, hallucinatory turn for the worse. THEY HAVE ESCAPED begins as a conventional prison break tale, only to end as a twisted Brothers Grimm-like parable that will challenge your senses nearly as much as your mind. (In Finnish with subtitles)
Note: Some scenes contain graphic animal imagery. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
This Isn't Funny
We all dream of finding our perfect match, but rarely do we ever dream of meeting that person when the timing isn't perfect. Based on their own off-screen relationship, THIS ISN'T FUNNY is a romantic comedy co-written by stars Katie Page and Paul Ashton (who also directed) as two people who fit together, just as things fall apart. When comedienne Eliot (Page) accidentally hits world-traveler Jamie (Ashton) with her car, it sparks great material for her set and also keen interest from both sides. But, the closer they get to each other, the more vulnerable they become, and opening up to one another isn't a strong suit for either. As their relationship blossoms, they begin to lean more and more about their respective modes of escape-therapy, medication, and drinking. THIS ISN'T FUNNY is a charming and endearing look at the idea that there's someone for everyone, and a realistic look at the journey to finding the people in our lives on whom we can truly depend. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Tiger Orange
From early on, Chet and his younger brother Todd knew they were gay. Raised by their embittered father after their mother left them, life in their little California town seemed set. Todd, however, burst out of the closet and fled to L.A. while Chet stayed behind to work in his family's hardware store and play his expected role. After their father's death, Todd suddenly returns home, jobless and living out of his truck. His in-your-face open sexuality and confrontational humor jolt both the carefully arranged order of Chet's life and the fragile tolerance of his hometown's unspoken homophobia. Now issues the brothers have ignored for years emerge. The masks of Todd's outrageous persona and Chet's conformity to the acceptable are about to be ripped off. The resulting drama, played under the watchful eyes of a small rural community, is going to change everything. Erotic, humorous, and emotionally gripping, this wonderful film is about finding the courage to live the real script of your life, regardless of what stage you find yourself on. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
To Life!
No wonder Ruth Weintraub is bitter. She's being moved from her comfortable home to a modern soulless place in Berlin. But the sight of a young moving man named Jonas takes her breath away - mid-suicide. Jonas rushes her to the hospital, then goes back to her place. He gets her old film projector running - and finds himself onscreen. At least it's a man who looks like him, interviewing young Ruth on film. Ruth was once a vivacious Yiddish cabaret singer, and Jonas persuades her to tell her story. How she was born in Lodz. How she was put in a truck and moved east. How her mother shoved her out of the truck so she would live. As Ruth's past unfolds, we learn Jonas, too, has secrets. In forging an unlikely bond, they now find reasons to go on living. TO LIFE! features snazzy new arrangements of Yiddish standards, sung by fabulous Sharon Brauner. (In German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Tommy
Estelle, a striking blonde, returns to Stockholm at Christmas time, but she is hardly bearing cheer. Because her husband Tommy is the prime suspect of a bloody e;4,000,000 heist, federal agents detain Estelle at the airport for questioning. Still, the ever-so-elusive Estelle avoids divulging any information about Tommy's whereabouts. After the agents release her, Estelle first reunites with her mother Katarina and sister Blanca (played by singer Lykke Li) and then navigates her way through the complex underworld her husband formerly controlled. Estelle's mission is to retrieve Tommy's share of the stolen money and flee with her daughter to Sri Lanka, where Tommy is believed to be in hiding. Using threats of her husband's imminent return, Estelle bullies Tommy's boorish associates into cooperating. Yet, few are sure whether Estelle is carrying out her powerful husband's wishes or whether Tommy is in fact dead. Amidst nightclubs, underground tunnels, and the chilly Stockholm streets, tension abounds in Tarik Saleh's crime drama TOMMY. (In Swedish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Traficant: The Congressman of Crimetown
Eric Murphy's TRAFICANT: THE CONGRESSMAN OF CRIMETOWN depicts the turbulent career of Youngstown politico Jim Traficant. Since his days as a high school quarterback, Traficant was never one to follow directions. And that confident roguishness was precisely what appealed to voters. In the early 1980s, he ran for Sheriff and then for Congressman in a region of Ohio known as much for its organized crime as for its collapsing steel industry. Charges of contempt of court and later racketeering for which he legally defended himself and won could not smear Traficant's populist Democratic image among his local supporters. Alongside Washington bigwigs, Traficant's disheveled hair, brash clothes, and orotund speeches drew national attention, but this underdog could not stay on top forever. Featuring rich archival footage and extensive interviews with Youngstown natives Ed O'Neill (of Married with Children and Modern Family) and boxing champ Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Murphy's documentary is an illuminating and captivating portrait of an infamous local son. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Uncertain Terms
In need of a break from his life in the city, 30-year-old Robbie agrees to do odd jobs at Gottlieb's Home for Girls, a refuge for pregnant teens run by his Aunt Carla. The quiet dwelling, nestled in the woods of upstate New York, seems to be the perfect locale for Robbie to sort through his recent marital problems. But the mere presence of a brooding older man causes quite a stir among the five pregnant girls living in the house. Erratic, blue-haired Jean is immediately smitten with Robbie. Yet, the other girls can't help but notice the attention Robbie gives to intelligent and ethereal Nina, who has her own relationship problems. As pleading phone calls from Robbie's wife Mona persist, Robbie and Nina's bond strengthens. And Robbie soon finds himself coping with increasingly UNCERTAIN TERMS. Filmmaker Nathan Silver's naturalistic, understated character study explores the complexities of discovering oneself in the midst of love. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Rw^
UNDERDOG depicts a grim new Swedish reality that belies the country's image as a nation of socially enlightened families living in bright IKEA-filled spaces. Dino, an aimless young woman estranged from her alcoholic father, is the face of modern Sweden. Like 80,000 of her countrymen, she has fled unemployment for a new life in Oslo. But in Norway she's treated like a dog, caught in a destructive spiral of day labor and a chaotic living situation. Dino finds a part-time job in a sushi restaurant owned by Steffen, a former tennis pro who's raising two daughters while his wife is off doing good in Africa. His overweight 16-year-old is desperately in need of attention. Into the void steps Dino, who takes on the role of laid-back babysitter and family peacekeeper. Soon the balance of power in Steffen and Dino's relationship plays itself out in unexpected ways. This powerful film by gifted young director Ronnie Sandahl features a hard-hitting performance by feminist artist Bianca Kronlof. (In Norwegian and Swedish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Unlikely Heroes
Sabine, a middle-aged psychotherapist's assistant, doesn't have much to look forward to this Christmas. Her daughter and ex-husband are off to Jamaica for the holidays, and her so-called friends purposely neglected to include Sabine in their annual trip to a resort in St. Moritz. But when an accident leads Sabine to a center for asylum seekers in Switzerland, she concocts a slapdash plan that may just make this holiday season worthwhile. Against all odds Sabine sets out to direct the asylum seekers in a rendition of Friedrich Schiller's play about the Swiss hero William Tell. And what her diverse cast lacks in talent, they certainly make up for in charisma. Yet, neither her friends nor her family actually believe Sabine can pull it off. Coupled with subplots of young romance, family melodrama, and suspense, this backstage comedy will have the entire audience rooting for Peter Luisi's UNLIKELY HEROES. (In Swiss German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Uyghurs, Prisoners of the Absurd
Uyghurs are a Turkic Islamic group living in the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region in China, an area they refer to as East Turkistan. A 1997 march for religious freedom resulted in their violent oppression by the Communist Party. UYGHURS, PRISONERS OF THE ABSURD follows the travails of three members of this persecuted group who escaped China for the Middle East, only to be captured and sold as terrorists to American forces. Following 9/11, the United States announced a reward for information leading to the capture of Taliban leaders. Sold by Afghanis for U.S. dollars, the Uyghurs were sent to Guantanamo, linked with no evidence to worldwide terror networks. Civil rights advocates helped them challenge their detention in federal court. Yet even after a judge ordered them freed, they continued to languish in captivity because the U.S. had nowhere to send them. The Uyghurs' horrifyingly surreal odyssey should never have happened. We must not allow it to happen again. (In English, Uyghur, and Mandarin with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Villa Touma
At 18 years old, Badia Touma can no longer reside in the orphanage where she spent her childhood. Instead, she is off to live in a villa in Ramallah with her three reclusive aunts, Juliette, Violette, and Antoinette. Devout Christians, the three women have always disapproved of Badia, whose deceased mother was Muslim. With hopes of ridding themselves of Badia as soon as possible, the aunts set out to find their niece a husband. Abiding by old-fashioned ideas of courtship and aristocracy, they insist Badia learn to speak French, take piano lessons, and practice proper etiquette. Then they parade her around at just about any Christian function, from weddings to tea parties to funerals. Yet love isn't easy to come by in their small social circle as the three jilted aunts know firsthand and Badia seems destined to relive the misfortunes of her elders. Oppressive social, religious, and political tensions converge in Suha Arraf's absorbing family drama VILLA TOUMA. (In Arabic with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Violet
During a routine trip to the mall, 15-year-old Jesse's best friend is violently attacked at random. The attackers do not confront or acknowledge Jesse, and Jesse does not engage or pursue the attackers he simply backs away. Why did this happen? Could Jesse have done more? Did he have an obligation? These are the questions posed by VIOLET, a carefully calibrated character study of the process of coping in the midst of senseless trauma. Jesse's parents and friends all seem to have their own (often destructive) reactions to the incident, but it's the parents of the victim to whom he develops a strange connection. Shot partially on 8-perf 65mm film, Bas Devos' meticulously calculated debut is constructed like a series of lush photographs. In each of the film's compositions we see a sophisticated mosaic of loss, the permanence of trauma, and the tumult of youth. Culminating in a staggering eight-minute final shot, VIOLET isn't a film to watch; it's a film to swim through. (In Flemish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Waste Land
As Leo drops off his son at school, he whispers in his ear, "Be careful don't hurt anyone." At age six, his son already knows how to use a gun. This is the result of Leo's occupation as a homicide detective working in Brussels' seamy underworld, and Leo's wife doesn't approve of his proximity to danger. When she discovers she's pregnant, it spurs her to condemn the underlying subtext of violence in her family. As Leo is assigned to a heinous crime involving a Congolese immigrant, he begins to drift into a deeply psychological entanglement that has ramifications beyond his job. Intense and hallucinatory, Pieter Van Hees' final entry into his "anatomy of love and pain" trilogy is a portrait of a life immersed in the suffering of others and the resulting inseparability of work and family. Culminating in a nightmarish, hair-raising finale, WASTE LAND lingers long after the lights come up. (In French and Dutch with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Western
Along the banks of the Rio Grande lie the sister cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Mexico. Eagle Pass' bilingual Mayor Chad Foster is a civic booster extraordinaire. He attends international friendship parades and parties where cowboys and Mariachis sing together. Martin Wall is a big cattle broker and a devoted single dad to the "prettiest girl in Texas." He buys herds in Mexico and sells them across the border. "Welcome to Paradise," Mayor Chad tells his visitors, "it don't get no better than this." But there's a storm on the horizon. Mexican drug cartels are at war, and the gunshots are getting closer. When Washington decides to close the border, the locals are incredulous. How can far-off bureaucrats tell them how to live? In this WESTERN, Washington wears the black hat. "No wall between amigos," reads a sign on Mayor Chad's desk, and the people of the Rio Grande want to keep it that way. Note: Some scenes contain graphic animal imagery. (In English and Spanish with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
White God
Winner of the Un Certain Regard Prize at the 2014 Cannes Festival, Kornel Mundruczo's newest film is a story of the indignities visited upon animals by their supposed human superiors, but it's also a stark, beautiful metaphor for the political and cultural tensions sweeping contemporary Europe. When young Lili is forced to give up her beloved dog Hagen because its mixed-breed heritage is deemed "unfit" by The State, she and the dog begin a dangerous journey back towards each other. At the same time, all the unwanted, unloved and so-called "unfit" dogs rise up under a new leader, Hagen, the one-time housepet who has learned all too well from his "Masters" in his journey through the streets and animal control centers that man is not always dog's best friend... (In Hungarian with subtitles)
Note: Some scenes contain graphic animal imagery. (Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)
Who Am I - No System is Safe
Blurring the lines between reality and the virtual world, WHO AM I - NO SYSTEM IS SAFE is a brilliantly complicated thriller that's part "Fight Club," part "Hackers." Benjamin is a loner who can't seem to find love, friends, or success in the real world. In the dark corners of the internet, though, it's a different story. A self-taught hacker, he's put his skills to work, pulling off relatively timid but impressive security breaches. His inspiration comes from MRX, a mysterious hacker who's become a celebrity in the underground. After meeting an eager code cracker named Max, Benjamin's social anxiety begins to fade. The friendship is a self-esteem boost that also opens the door to the formation of a new hacker crew named CLAY. The group engages in a number of high risk stunts in hopes of grabbing the attention of MRX. Meanwhile, the government's been cracking down on cyber crimes following a slew of recent attacks in which other hackers are unmasked and found dead under mysterious circumstances. CLAY decides to go big with a risky new plan, and they soon find themselves in dangerous territory. (In German with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
Whitelike
Mackenzie - a doe-eyed 14-year-old with tousled hair, torn clothes, and too much black eyeliner - is sent to live with her thirty-something uncle in Juneau, Alaska. Surrounded by vast forests, picturesque mountains, and spectacular waters, Juneau might provide an ideal retreat for this troubled teen, coping with the recent death of her father and current absence of her mother. Still, something is just not right about her awkward uncle: he showers her with a few too many gifts and comments far too often on how "adult" she looks. When living with her uncle becomes unbearable, Mackenzie makes a hasty getaway. But, in a city unreachable by road, finding an escape route to her hometown of Seattle is nearly impossible. Mackenzie must rely upon the help of reluctant strangers for any chance at survival, including a lonesome and crotchety hiker who is suffering from his own demons. Frank Hall Green's suspenseful drama WILDLIKE features compelling performances set against the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness. (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)
X + Y
Sixteen-year-old Nathan Ellis (Asa Butterfield of "Hugo") has always been the "weird" one. At the age of nine, he was identified as being on the autism spectrum, both with gifts (he is particularly adept at math) and challenges (he has a hard time communicating). Yet, among the other teenage contenders for the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), Nathan is, for the first time, utterly average. And only six of the 20 or so semi-finalists will have the opportunity to represent the United Kingdom in the most prestigious mathematics competition for high school students in the world. With the support of cynical math teacher Mr. Humphreys, a former IMO competitor with multiple sclerosis, and mom Julie, Nathan heads to a training camp in Taipei. But, on this journey, Nathan may have to prove more than just math theorems. Morgan Matthews's X+Y - inspired by his 2007 documentary about the IMO selection process, "Beautiful Young Minds" - is a heartwarming coming-of-age drama about relishing in life's unknowns. (Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films)
Xenia
Danny's mother is dead. She died last week, a combination of the drugs and alcohol ultimately taking her life. Orphaned, the 16-year-old Albanian comes knocking on his older brother Odysseus' door with a foolproof plan. The two are going to find "The Unspeakable" (their biological father) and forcibly coax him into paying a child abandonment fee. Foolproof plan part 2: Odysseus is going to win the "Greek Star" talent show, thanks to his gilded voice. But there's a problem okay, there are lots of problems. First, Danny and Odysseus are hiding their nationality in a Greece increasingly riddled with anti-Albanian violence. Second, Danny's splashy flashes of flamboyance make it difficult for the two to blend in. Third, did we mention their plan involves burglary and extortion? There simply aren't enough words to describe XENIA, a remarkable comedy-drama-adventure that manages to be funny, sad, exciting, and surreal virtually in the same breath. With two breakout leads and assured direction from a veteran filmmaker, XENIA is pure escapism. (In Greek, Albanian, and Italian with subtitles) (Photo Courtesy of CIFF)