Here is a list of some of the films KPFK Film Club members were able to see in 2012
TOP PRIORITY: THE TERROR WITHIN, follows a national security whistleblower, former Customs and Border Protection Officer, Julia Davis, who was falsely declared a domestic terrorist and subjected to retaliation of unprecedented proportions by the Dept of Homeland Security. Opening July 13th at Laemmle's NoHo 7.
NEVER STAND STILL, filmed at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, the idyllic mecca for artists and audiences from around the world, this documentary into the passion, discipline and daring of the dance world features amazing performances by world-renowned dancers and choreographers such as Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, Suzanne Farrell, Mark Morris, Judith Jamison and Bill Irwin, alongside new innovators, with behind-the-scenes insights and rare archival footage. Opened at Laemmle's Music Hall.
CRAZY EYES stars Lukas Haas as a wealthy, alcoholic divorcee and father torn between his past love and present infatuation. Seemingly living the Hollywood dream, his obsession for a gorgeous, unattainable girl brings him to the brink, pushing his life to dangerous extremes when his young son might ultimately be the one to teach him how to be a man. At the Nuart.
RAYMONDA, the classic dance showcase, presented by the Bolshoi Ballet at part of Laemmle's Ballet in Cinema series.
THE DOWNTOWN FILM FESTIVAL, running July 6th through 13th, features Opening Night "The Diary of Preston Plummer" starring Robert Loggia and Rumer Willis; along with docs such as BEYOND POLLUTION, about the aftermath of the BP oil spill; FALLING UP, a Skid Row documentary of hope, survival and love; and features such as FUZZ TRACK CITY, a comic neo-noir thriller of murder, betrayal and music surrounding a 1970's rock record; and DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR about struggles of sexuality and gender in 1970's San Francisco. At the Downtown Independent and Hayworth Theater. KPFK IS A PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR.
THE LAST RIDE, inspired by the mysterious last days of country music legend Hank Williams, stars Henry Thomas in a lonely two-man odyssey of a boy coming-of-age and a man leaving this world before his time, a victim of his own abuses. Following his meteoric rise to recording and radio super-stardom in the late '40s, the tortured genius of Hank Williams succumbed to drugs, alcohol, and a hair-trigger temper which ruined two marriages and a host of friendships. Trying to rectify tings at the end of 1952, he hired a local kid to drive him through the bleak Appalachian countryside. Opened at Laemmle's NoHo 7.
SAN PEDRO LABOR FEST recognizes the positive impact of the ILWU and other unions on the lives of their members and the community-at-large. With gallery exhibits, musical performances, poetry readings and book signings, it screened three films documenting labor and environmental struggles, featuring "Locked Out," "Who Bombed Judi Bari?" and "We Are Wisconsin." At the Grand Annex and the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.
PETER GRIMES, set in a fishing village, is the story of a man accused by his neighbors of committing unspeakable crimes and the subsequent repercussions of their actions. Benjamin Britten described his opera at the struggle of the individual against the masses. The more vicious the society, the more vicious the individual. Part of Laemmle's Opera Cinema series, from Teatro a la Scala.
GISELLE, the quintessential romantic ballet, recounts the moving story of a peasant girl whose everlasting love transcends death. One of the most technially demanding and emotionally challenging roles, it has been a showcase for the world's leading ballerinas. With Peter Wright's staging, this production from the Royal Ballet, it is one of the most popular and enduring works of the dance canon. Part of Laemmle's Ballet in Cinema series.
LOOK EAST: KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL offerings included POETRY, PIERRE RISSIENT: MAN OF CINEMA, and A HOMETOWN IN HEART, ran June 23-24 at Mann's Chinese in Hollywood.
NOBODY ELSE BUT YOU is a neo-noir French thriller and offbeat comedy about a bestselling crime novelist with writer's block. When he encounters the possible murder of a beautiful, but troubled celebrity who believes she is the reincarnation of Marilyn Monroe, truth is stranger than fiction. A risque murder mystery reminiscent of "Fargo" and "Twin Peaks', played at the Nuart.
ONE DAY ON EARTH is a documentary made in every nation of the world on the same day, Oct. 10, 2010. Presenting the challenges andhopes of humanity from a diverse group of volunteer filmmakers assembled by a participatory media experiment, it reveals an interconnected, perilous, wonderful world. Opened at Laemmle's Music Hall.
HENNING MANKELL, WALLANDER: THE REVENGE follows chief inspector Kurt Wallander as he investigates and solves crimes in the deceptively dark underbelly of picturesque, modern Sweden. A global sensation, it was also adapted bythe BBC starring Kenneth Brannagh. Starring Krister Henriksson as the police inspector this is the first episode of the original, immensely popular Swedish crime series. Opened at Laemmle's Music Hall 3.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL is a hilarious, sexy sci-fi comedy involving a forgotton one-night stand, a jealous ex-boyfriend, an eccentric neighbor and possibly the end of the world when a flying saucer hovers over a deserted city. At Laemmle's NoHo 7.
BEYOND THE BLACK RAINBOW is a searing, slow-mo slice of heavy synth psychedelia, a Reagan-era fever dream in which the two main inhabitants are a disturbed, beautiful girl held captive and her "doctor" who is on an obsessive hunt for the scientific key to inner peace. Played at Cinefamily in Hollywood.
THE MATCHMAKER, set in Haifa in the summer of 1968, it is a tale of a teenage boy who goes to work for a matchmnaker, a mysterious Holocaust survivor, with an office in the back of a movie theatre, run by a family of 7 romanian dwarves and which shows only love stories. Opening to a new world built on the ruins of an old one, he learns the mysteries of the human heart as his life collides with the unexpected. Played at Laemmle's Music Hall 5, Town Center Encino, and Fallbrook 7 in West Hills.
THE INTOUCHABLES is an irreverant, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, which has broken box office records in France and across Europe. Winner of the Cesar Award and based on a true story of friendship between a handicapped millionaire and his street-smart ex-con caretaker, it depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, seem to have nothing in common. At the Landmark.
YOUR SISTER'S SISTER, directed by Lynn Shelton and starring Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass and Rosemarie DeWitt, is a comic, poignant tale of grief, romance and sibling rivalry. When an affable, but emotionally unstable slacker retreats to a friend's cabin in the Pacific Northwest seeking solitude and catharsis, he develops a complicated bond with his ex-girlfriend's sister, a lesbian reeling from the abrupt end of a 7-yr. relationship. Played at The Landmark.
SUNKISSED, a documentary screening at LAFF, which follows a couple's search to find out why children on the Navajo reservation have been stricken with XP, a rare pediatric disorder that turns sunlight into a deadly foe.
CALL ME KUCHU, documentary screening at LAFF, which follows the last year in the life of activisit David Kato, as he struggled to repeal Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality bill which proposes death for HIV-positive gay men and prison for anyone who fails to turn in known homosexuals.
GERHARD RICHTER PAINTING is a thrilling documentary of the creative process of one of the world's greatest living painters, juxtaposed with intimate conversation with critics, collaborators, and rare archival material. A mesmerizing fly-on-the-wall perspective following the range of techniques and ideas involves inthe creation of a large-scale abstract canvas by the infamously media-shy German artist. Played at Laemmle's.
CHELY WRIGHT: WISH ME AWAY is an award-winning documentary following the first country music star to come out as "gay," risking her career and personal relationships in order to live an authentic, meaningful life. Utilizing video diaries over three years, along with interviews with family, friends, and key players in the country music world, revealing both devastation and transformation in Nashville and within the LGBT community. Played at Laemmle's Music Hall 3.
ORDINARY MIRACLES: THE PHOTO LEAGUE'S NEW YORK is a tribute to the high purpose of photography and the unmatched panorama of urban life in NY neighborhoods during the 30's & 40's as captured by the group that was the center of American photography at a time when the camera was "the central instrument of our time." Featuring little-known examples of leading photographers and League veterans, narrated by Campbell Scott, Played at Laemmle's NoHo 7.
MARINA ABRAMOVIC: THE ARTIST IS PRESENT follows the woman affectionately known as "the grandmother of performance art" as she prepared for a major retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. With total access, this captivating journey inside the world of radical performance addresses the constant question, "But why is this art?". Played exclusively at the Nuart.
THE INVISIBLE WAR is a devastating expose of injustice uncovering the epidemic of sexual abuse which pervades the American military, in which over 500,000 US soldiers have been victimized. THE INVISIBLE WAR played at Laemmle's Monica4-Plex.
PINK RIBBONS, INC. looks at how the breast cancer movement has moved from activism to consumerism and challenges viewers to rethink their assumptions about the meaning of breast cancer in our society. Inspired by the book by Samantha King, activists and medical experts from Barbara Enhrenrich to Dr. Susan Love, are interviewed, along with frank, personal discussions among women living with breast cancer. Currently playing at Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex in Santa Monica and Playhouse 7 in Pasadena.
CHILDREN OF PARADISE, Marcel Carne's epic masterpiece, is a tale of a woman loved by four different men. Deftly intertwining theatre, literature, music, and design, 19th century Paris is brought to life with poetic realism, complete with hucksters and aristocrats, thieves and courtesans, pimps and seers. This spectacular restoration screens at Laemmle's Royal in West LA and Playhouse 7 in Pasadena.
FRANKENSTEIN, part of LA Theatre Works screenings from the National Theatre of Great Britain, adapted for the stage by Nick Dear and directed by Danny Boyle, it stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, alternating roles as Viktor Frankenstein and the Creature, who is cast into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker and met with cruelty wherever he goes. This remarkable production of the gothic classic addresses scientific responsibility, parental neglect, and the very nature of good & evil. Broadcast in HD at the state-of-the-art James Bridge Theatre on the UCLA campus in an encore screening once only on Juane 17th at 4:00 pm
GISELLE, Laemmle's Ballet in Cinema continued with the Royal Ballet's production of this quintessential, most romantic of ballets, which recounts the moving story of a peasant girl whose everlasting love transcends death. One of the most technically demanding and emotionally challenging roles, it has been a showcase for the world's leading ballerinas.
6th ANNUAL GREEK FILM FESTIVAL, running May 31 through June 3, focussing on Green Initiatives, showcasing films from Greece and Greek filmmakers, including the Opening Night film screening at the Egyptian, "A GREEN STORY," the story of Van Vlahakis who left Greece with $22 in his pocket to pursue the American dream and ended up founding Earth Friendly Products; and "SAYOME" screening at the Linwood Dunn Theatre, in which a woman, after living in Crete for 35 yrs returns to her Japanese homeland to reunite with her estranged family upon the death of her mother. SUPER DEMETRIOS in which only Thessaloniki's own superhero can save the city from its worst nightmare; TUNGSTEN, about three men living in crisis-ridden Athens within the timeframe of a single day, revealing a world in havoc, where victims become villains and vice versa; RAW MATERIAL, a documentary about illegal gypsy immigrants who don't live by the norms or speak the Greek language, but gather garbage and recycle Athens' material in an attempt to improve their lives; UNFAIR WORLD, in which a disenchanted policeman's decision to follow his own sense of justice results in unlikely events culminating in an equally surprising outcome. KPFK IS A PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR.
DANCES WITH FILMS, celebrates its 15th year at Mann Chinese Theatres, championing the indie film at its best, opening May 31 with "Attack of the Bat Monsters," and "Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life," and running through June 7. Screening over 80 Narratives, documentaries, shorts and videos, a full roster of films available at danceswithfilms.com
MIGHTY FINE, a powerful, semi-autobiographical drama set in the '70s about a father's love for his wife and daughters and their vulnerability in the face of his unpredictable, explosire rage. Starring Chaz Palminteri and Andie McDowell, playing at Laemmle's Music Hall.
HIGH SCHOOL, in which a high school principal (played by Michael Chiklis) institutes a zero-tolerance drug policy, and a soon-to-be valedictorian attempts to beat the system by spiking the school's bakesale brownies or risk losing his scholarship when their half-baked plan goes up in smoke. Also starring Adrien Brody as a law student-turned-drug dealer, Psycho Ed. Preview screening on at the RAVE 18, 6081 Center Dr. in LA on Wed. May 30th at 7:30 pm.
MONDAY MORNING is a hard-hitting social drama about those who have fallen out of the system. Centering on LA's hardcore homeless population, MONDAY MORNING is a time "when a city wakes up - cars start honking, sprinklers start gushing, trucks barrel down the road, workers hose down the sidewalks and the homeless get out of the way." MONDAY MORNING screens on Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th at 11:00 am ONLY at Laemmle's Monica 4-plex, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica.
2nd ANNUAL LA SKINS FEST WOMEN'S NIGHT features UP HEARTBREAK HILL, which chronicles the lives of three Native American teenagers in Navajo, New Mexico, as they navigate their senior year at a reservation high school. Screens one night only, Thurs. May 31st, 7:30 pm, at the Autry Museum, 4700 Western Heritage Way, near Griffith Park
LA FILLE MAL GARDEE continues Laemmles Ballet in Cinema series. A delightful, beloved, sunny comedy, with virtuosic choreography by Frederick Ashton. Both funny & touching, it is irresistible to audiences of all ages. The story of a young girl, her suitor and her larger-than-life mother who tries to marry her off. Playing Tuesday, May 29th at 7:30 pm at Laemmles Monica 4-Plex, Playhouse 7, Town Center 5 and Claremont.
GRAND ILLUSION, Jean Renoir's timeless story of men trapped in the stark reality of WWI and the fantasy of a noble era that crashed and burned with it. Once banned by the Nazis and considered lost, GRAND ILLUSION managed to survive WWII, after which it was recovered and re-discovered as a masterpiece. Rialto Pictures and Laemmle Theatres present GRAND ILLUSION in a stunning new digital restoration to honor its 75th Anniversary at Laemmle's Royal Theatre in West Los Angeles and Playhouse 7 in Pasadea. Opening Friday, May 18th.
A BAG OF HAMMERS, starring Jason Ritter, Jake Sandvik and Rebecca Hall revolves around the friendship of two charming grifters who, posing as car valets, steal the cars instead of parking them. Everything changes, however, when they meet a 12-yr.-old boy, neglected by his mother, whose presence ultimately forces the larcenous duo to choose between a life of crime and the opportunity to grow up and face being true adults. A BAG OF HAMMERS opens on Friday, May 18th at Laemmle's Music Hall, 9036 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills.
THE CUP is a gripping, inspiring story of brotherly love and triumph of the human spirit in a moment that captured the attention and hearts of the world. Starrig Brendon Gleeson, it tells the story of a legendary racing family destine for greatness until tragedy strikes just days before the prestigious Melbourne Cup. THE CUP is currently playing at Laemmle's Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., in Beverly Hills.
UNDER AFRICAN SKIES travels with Paul Simon back to South Africa 25 yrs after his first trip there, revisiting the making of his classic recording "Graceland" viewing from a historical vantage point, the turbulence and controversy which surrounded the album's genesis. His artistic decision to collaborate with South African musicians created a new world musical fusion while igniting political cross-fire. The resulting masterpiece sold 14 millions copies, receiving universal praise from critics. Providing a revelatory perspective, it features interviews iwth key anti-apartheid activists of the time, along with musical legends Quincy Johns, Harry Belafonte, Paul McCartney, David Byrne & Peter Gabrield. Currently playing at Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex 1332 2nd St. in Santa Monica.
ROMEO & JULIET IN YIDDISH is Eve Annenberg's gritty, funny, wildly inventive new feature. It follows a bunch of kids putting on a production of "Romeo & Juliet", but the kids are Yiddish-speaking, drug-using, ex-Orthodox Jewish scam artists. Featuring predominantly non-actors, it portrays diversity & identity of the modern Jewish experience is colloquial Yiddish not acted on the screen in over 70 years. Currently playing at Laemmle's Music Hall 3.
TONIGHT YOU'RE MINE is a free-wheeling, rock and roll love story set against the raucous magnificence and unforgettable sounds at a leading musical festival in Scotland. Filled with mud, lust, betrayal, booze, port-a-loos and 100,000 people partying to great music, two lead singers find themselves handcuffed together and no one has the key. Currently playing at The Nuart, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd.
IN THE FAMILY is the remarkable feature debut of Director Patrick Wang, a penetrating, original story of Chip, a precocious and loving 6-yr.-old who, having lost his mother at birth, knows life only with his two dads, Cody and Joey. When a car accident tragically alters their lives, Joey struggles to regain his balance and retain custody of Chip amidst bleak prospects. Playing at Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex.
RESTLESS CITY tells the story of an African immigrant surviving on the fringes of New York City where music is his passion, life is a hustle and falling in love is his greatest risk. Play at Laemmle's NoHo 7 and Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, as well as Rave 18 Cinemas, 6081 Center Dr. in LA.
THE HIGHEST PASS follows seven motorcycle riders and a modern guru as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime, trekking to the highest pass in the Himalyas. From award-winning documentarian, Jon Fitzgerald, THE HIGHEST PASS chronicles a motorcycle trip from Rishikesh to Ladakh, where each participant must confront their fear of death in order to fully live their lives. With music from Jon Anderson of "Yes," THE HIGHEST PASS opened on Friday, 4/27th at Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex and Playhouse 7 in Pasadena.
28th ANNUAL LA ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FEST, ran May 10 through 20 at venues in LA and Long Beach, celebrating the best and brightest of Asian Pacific Cinema, including VALLEY OF THE SAINTS, in which war & poverty force a young boatman to run away from Kashmir with his best friend. They become trapped in his lake village, encountering a mysterious woman researching the dying lake; CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT, documentary in which a master coach recruits poor, rural teenagers and turns them into Western-style boxing champions; GREAT WALL, MY LOVE, a romantic comedy in which a mismatched pair travels across China; THE ORATOR, from New Zealand, in which an unassuming villager and taro farmers lives a happy, but unconventional life with his wife and daughter. When his plantation is threatened, he is forced to speak out and defend all that he holds precious.
THRIVE: WHAT ON EARTH WILL IT TAKE? is an unconventional documentary that lifts the veil on what's really going on in our world, by following the money upstream, uncovering the global consolidation of power. Filmmaker Foster Gamble (of Proctor & Gamble lineage) and his wife, Kimberly, set out to answer some fundamental questions about the striking imbalances ruining the lives of billions, lifting the lid on a Pandora's box of systemic issues while seeking solution strategies which are informed, practical, and profound. Further info is available at www.thrivemovement.com. Screened one night only at Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex, following by a Q&A with filmmakers.
HEADHUNTERS focusses on Norway's most successful headhunter seems to have it all. Married to a beautiful gallery-owner, he owns a magnificent villa - but is living larger than he should. To keep it up, he steals art on the side. When a CEO candidate for a company that he is recruiting for also happens to be in possession of a very valuable painting, he sees his chance to become financially independent, but soon runs into trouble - and it's not financial problems that are threatening to knock him over this time. Opened on Friday, April 27th at The Landmark.
7TH ANNUAL SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVVAL presents films exploring religious, ethnic and cultural crossroads from Albania to Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Solvenia, Turkey and other countries throughout Southeastern Europe. SEE Fest ran May 3-7 at the Goethe-Institut in Los Angeles, offering over 30 features, documentaries, shorts & panels covering the troubled history and cultural diversity of the Balkan region.
CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL, presented by Cal Arts and Northwest Film Forum ran May 5-13 at REDCAT, with two weekends of exhilarating animation and live-action short-film programs appropriate for the entire family, showcasing offerings from over 25 countries that shed light on kids' experiences from around the globe.
MAMITAS is a beguiling coming-of-age romance in which a cocky, but charming, Latino firebrand is suspended for insulting a teacher. when he meets a bookish, no-nonsense New York girl who sees past the swaggering facade, the two embark on an unikely friendship which inspires him to find out who he really is. Set in Echo Park with a talented young cast, MAMITAS opened on April 27th at Laemmle's Playhouse 7.
ELLES stars Juilette Binoche as a journalist researching an article on student prostitution for the French edition of "Elles" magazine. With a husband married to his cell phone and a son addicted to Play Station, she confronts her bourgeois life when two young women open up to her about the reality of their lives in the sex trade as sordid scenes play out against the humor and naturalness that both girls bring to their encounters with Anne. ELLES opened on April 27th at the Nuart.
PEOPLE V. THE STATE OF ILLUSION, from the team that brought us "What The Bleep Do We Know?", is a compelling new docudrama which addresses the need for emotional recovery in a time of economic recovery, getting to a place of happiness, peace, and mental health in the midst of job loss, challenging relationships, illness, and stress. Exploring the science and power of our perceptions and imaginations, you are judge and jury in a trial that includes some of the nation's leading thinkers as expert witnesses in the fields of neuroscience, biochemistry, psychology, quantum physics, and consciousness theory. PEOPLE V. THE STATE OF ILLUSION opened on April 27th at Landmark's Regent in Westwood.
THE PRUITT-IGOE MYTH tells the story of the transformation of the American city following WWII, through the lens of the infamous Pruitt-Igoe housing development. Once heralded as the model public housing project of the future, it ended in rubble two decades later, an iconic event deemed "the death of modernism" by architectural theorist Charles Jencks. Seeking to set the historical record straight, THE PRUITT-IGOE MYTH re-evaluates the rumors and the stigma to implode the myth. Opened on Friday, 4/27 at Laemmle's Music Hall 3.
MY WAY is an epic, never before heard story of WWII of two young marathon runners, one a native Korean and the other a Japanese aristocrat, once bitter rivals, who find themselves in the Japanese army fighting the Soviets and the Chinese. Taken prisoner and forced to fight for the Soviety, their mutual hatred and distrust become a reliance on each other for survival, as they are bound together by history. They discover that, in a world at war, one's enemy is sometimes one's salvation. From director noted Korean filmmaker Kang Je-Kyu, MY WAY opens on Friday, April 20th at Laemmles Monica 4-Plex, Playhouse 7 in Pasadena and NOHO 7 in North Hollywood.
SURVIVING PROGRESS is an intelligent, provocative documentary which explores the concepts of progress in our modern world, guiding us through economics, consumption and environment, featuring powerful arguments from such visionaries as Jane Goodall, Margaret Atwood, Stephen Hawking and others. Visually spectacular, it invites us to contemplate progress traps that have destroyed past civilizations and which currently threaten our own. Opening for a limited engagement at The Nuart, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA.
FIGHTVILLE journeys into the world of Mixed Martial Arts, which has grown from a gladiatorial sideshow into a billion dollar phenomenon. From the filmmakers of "Gunner Palace" and "The Prisoner: Or How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair", this documentary follows a group of young athletes who strive toward greatness, revealing a physical manifestation of the quest for the American Dream. Opens on April 20th at Laemmle's Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills.
LUMMIS DAY SCREEN NIGHT offers a first-look excerpt from the in-progress film adaptation of Culture Clash's "Water & Power", introduced by author/playwright/Culture Clash co-founder, Richard Montoya. Also screening is Roman Polanski's classic, CHINATOWN, starring Faye Dunaway and Jack Nicholson. One night only, Sat. April 21st at 7:00 pm at the Highland Park Ebell Club, 131 Avenue 57.
THE BALLAD OF GENESIS AND LADY JAYE follows the celebrated progenitor of "industrial music" an influential, innovative link between the pre- and post-punk eras, Genesis P-Orridge, who more recently has defied artistic boundaries with a series of sex re-assignment surgeries in order to more closely resemble his love, Lady Jaye, who remained his wife and artistic partner for nearly 15 years. Currently running at The Nuart in West LA.
THE WOMAN WHO WASN'T THERE tells the story of Tania Head's miraculous story of recovery and loss during 9/11 which eearned her the respect of victims' families, public officials and Americans everywhere. Becoming President of the World Trade Center Survivors Network, she tirelessly fought to give survivors support and prominence in a post-9/11 landscape. There was only one problem - She wasn't there. Exposing the truth behind 9/11's most infamous survivor, the documentary examines the full circle of deception, with exclusive footage shot before her story crumbled. Currently playing at Laemmle's NOHO 7 at 5240 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood.
SCENES OF A CRIME follows the harrowing interrogation of Adrian Thomas, whose 4-month-old baby lay brain dead in a pediatric ICU. When doctors suspected abuse, police detectives wages a psychological bettle repeatedly lying to and threatening him, eliciting a false confession. His son misdiagnosed with a brain fracture that didn't exist, jurors had to weigh defense arguments against a videotaped spectacle of Thomas sparring with detectives on a path toward self-destruction. Currently playing at Laemmle's Music Hall 3 in Beverly Hills.
10th ANNUAL INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES, screened the following highlights at the Arclight, April 10th through 15th: ABU, SON OF ADAM, India's entry for the Academy Awards in which an elderly copule works to realize a life-long dream; GATTU, in which a street urchin is determined to defeat Kali and rule the skies above him; CORRODE, Jury winner for Best Feature, in which a housewife's obsession and desire is triggered by an unfinished sculpture of the goddess Lakshmi; DELHI IN A DAY, a dark comedy with a Jane Austin-style understanding and humor of class in modern nouveau-riche India; SHORTS PROGRAM 2, a collection of noteworthy short films.
BALLET IN CINEMA features the world's most famous ballet companies in live and encore broadcasts. This month's presentation is the London Royal Ballet in Shakespeare's classic feud between the Montagues and the Capulets, set to the music of Prokofiev.
THE MANZANAR FISHING CLUB is a rousing, quirky documentary which tells the story of WWII Japanese-American internment through the eyes of internees who shared a love of fishing, slipping past armed guards, barbed wire and searchlights to fish for trout in the surrounding waters of the Sierra Nevada. Despite his parents' reluctance to speak of this painful episode in their lives, Director Cory Shiozaki vowed to tell the story of the Japanese community's imprisonment and persecution so that it would never happen again.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA is a thriller where nothing is as it seems,when a group of men drive through the countryside in search of a body of the victim of a brutal murder, but the suspect can't remember where he buried the body. Winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes, it is currently playing at Laemmle Theatres.
WE HAVE A POPE tells the story of Melville, a cardinal who panics when he finds himself elected Pope. To avoid a crisis, the Vatican calls in an unlikely psychiatrist to help him deal with the title of God's representative on Earth. Nanni Morretti's lateset film showcases his deep humanism and humor in dealing with serious issues. Currently running at The Landmark, 10850 W. Pico Blvd. in LA.
MIS- HUMAN SECRET WEAPON tells the story of the secret US Army Military Intelligence Service comprised mostly of 2nd generation Japanese Americans who pledged absolute allegiance to the US at a time when most Japanese Americans faced internment. Playing a crucial role in both persuading surrender of Japanese troops, they also served during post-war occupation of Japan, with their contributions and achievements remaining classified and largely unacknowledged. Currently playing at Laemmle's NoHo7 in North Hollywood.
THE ISLAND PRESIDENT is a portrait of Mohamed Nasheed, the democratically-elected President of the Maldives, who was forced to resign in a coup d'etat orchestrated by the military forces loyal to the former dictator. Director John Shenk (of "Lost Boys of the Sudan") brings this David and Goliath tale to the screen with transparency and intimacy as Nasheed battles climate change which threatens to destroy his nation. The Indian Ocean is rising and if carbon emissions continue at their present levels, the Maldives will disappear. As he pointedly notes, "It won't be any good to have a democracy if we don't have a country."
RENDEZVOUS WITH FRENCH CINEMA brings seven films to the screen in a one-day celebration of French cinema. Highlights include: "SMUGGLER'S SONG," which traces an 18th Century folk hero/bandit and his songs leading up to the French Revolution; "THE SCREEN ILLUSION" commissioned by La Comedie-Francaise in a wildly inventive update of the 17th century tragicomedy of a hotal concierge on the trail of a missing young man who has left female hearts aflutter; and "THE LAST SCREENING" in which "Cinema Paradiso" meets "Psycho" in a provocative genre film of the many secrets of a manager/projectionist of a repertory cinema in the provinces.
THE TROUBLE WITH BLISS stars Michael C. Hall ("Dexter" and "Six Feet Under") in an offbeat comedy/drama set in NY which follows Morris Bliss, a 35 year-old with no money or job prospects, who shared an apartment with his disdainful father (played by Peter Fonda). His life starts to unravel as he juggles relationships with a sexually precocious 18 year-old (Brie Larson) and a very forward neighbor (Lucy Liu), causing him to realize that change is long overdue.
STANDING OVATION is a positive tale of perseverance, passion and reaching for the stars. Set in Atlantic City, five best friends form a singing group called The 5 Ovations. Short on money, but rich in friendship, talent and hope, they face a rival group seeking to win the biggest music video contest of the year. Featuring 20 original songs and showcasing a cast of talented young performers, in a special one-night-only screening at the Nuart.
17TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL ran March 21st through 25th at Raleigh Studios in LA, celebrating the commonalities and differences of the human condition by providing a nurturing environment and education structure in exhibiting family-oriented films from around the world including Syria, China, Uzbekistan and others. This year's fest honored Jennifer Yuh Nelson, director of "Kung Fu Panda 2".
26th ANNUAL ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL ran March 15th through 29th celebrating the best of Israeli cinema with over 30 award-winning films and thought-provoking documentaries, television shows and student shorts. Highlights included "MY LOVELY SISTER" based on a surreal Morroccan-Jewish legend, and "SALSA TEL AVIV", a romantic comedy of different worlds, passionate jealousy, misunderstanding and salsa dancing.
LAST DAYS HERE, from the makers of "Rock School," is an astonishing fly-on-the-wall portrait of an underground music icon that will surprise you at every turn and have you laughing, crying and cringing. Neither rock doc nor junkie oblivion epitaph, it covers the hugely talented, prematurely aging and completely dysfunctional Bobby Liebling (founder of metal pioneers Pentagram) through his endless states of metamorphosis, drugs, jail, love and band reunions. Screened exclusively at Cinefamily's Silent movie theatre.
SEEKING JUSTICE is an action-packed thriller starring Nicholas Cage as a happily married man whose quiet life is turned upside down when his wife (played by January Jones) is brutally attacked one night while leaving work. When Simon (played by Guy Pearce) proposes an intriguing offer for vengeance, he is unwittingly drawn into a dangerous underground vigilante operation with deadly consequences. A sneak preview was screened at The Rave 18 theatres.
FREE MEN, based on real life events, tells the story of the Grand Mosque of Paris, whose founder and rector supported and sheltered Muslim and Jewish freedom fighters from the Nazis in Paris, 1942. When a young, unemployed Algerian is arrested as a black marketeer, he cuts a deal with French police to spy on the Mosque, but is transformed by his friendship with an Algerian singer.
CASA DE MI PADRE, in Spanish with sub-titles, stars Will Farrell as Armando Alvarez who has lived and worked on his father's ranch in Mexico his entire life. Facing financial difficulties, his younger brother, a successful businessman (played by Diego Luna) shows up with his fiancee. All hell breaks loose when Armando finds himself in love with the fiancee and at war with Mexico's most feared drug lord (played by Gael Garcia Bernal). A sneak preview screened at AMC Burbank 16.
AROUND JUNE is a love story set in the shadow of San Francisco's shipyards where an eccentric young woman named June lives a quiet life under the care of her much-adored Uncle Henry and the watchful eye of her domineering and controlling father. Her life changes when she meets a penniless undocumented immigrant, whose unconditional love gives her the insight and courage to express herself, follow her dreams, and live her own life.
THIRD ANNUAL LA ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL, hosted by this year's artistic director, Sean Lennon, honors the legendary Bill Plympton and features "Akira" "Fantastic Planet," and "Team America, with puppeteers in attendance and an opening party hosted by Tom Kenny (aka Spongebob Squarepants). Additional highlights are the Oscar-nominated French hit family film, "A Cat in Paris," anniversary screening of "Shrek" and "Iron Giant."
CHICO & RITA is a love letter to the music and culture of Cuba. Oscar-nominated for Best Animated Feature, it is an adult-animated story of love and heartbreak between a beautiful singer and a young piano player, set against the color, bustle and music of Havana 1948. A passion project of Academy Award winning director, Fernando Trueba, it features a soundtrack by legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes.
SOUND OF NOISE is a Swedish comedy about a group of musical anarchists who orchestrate a series of musical attacks on a city using only found objects as their instruments. With a disgruntled tone-deaf cop hot on their trail, they revel int he music and the chaos they create. Screened at Cinefamily's Silent Movie Theatre.
IF A TREE FALLS: A STORY OF THE EARTH LIBERATION FRONT was nominated for Best Documentary for the 2011 Academy Awards. It charts the rise and fall of an organization the FBI called America's number one domestic terrorism threat. Part coming-of-age tale, part cops-and-robbers thriller, it chronicles the transformation and radicalization of one of its members, with never-before-seen archival footage.
THE TURIN HORSE, awarded the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, has been deemed the final statement of one of the great innovators in contemporary cinema, Hungarian filmmaker Bela Tarr. In 1889 Italy, Friedrich Nietzsche intercedes when a cab driver brutally whips his stubborn horse. Nietzsche's fate is juxtaposed with the cab driver's menial life with his daughter int he countryside, as the horse stops eating and the apocalypse approaches.
TO CATCH A DOLLAR is an inspiring documentary which follows Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus as he brings his revolutionary microfinance program to the US giving loans to low-income entrepreneurs, in addition to changing the lives of women from Bangladesh, the screening was followed by a Q&A with Elizabeth Ross of Relief International. Presented by the Skirball Cultural Center in conjunction with their "Women Hold Up Half the Sky" exhibit.
NOREGIAN WOOD, based on the internationally acclaimed bestselling novel of Karuki Murakami, is a moving tale of loss and sexuality. Set in Tokyo in the late '60s during a time of global instability, Watanabe looks back on his days as a freshman university student and his relationships with two very different women. Screened at Laemmle's Music Hall.
THE GOLD RUSH, Charlie Chaplin's timeless silent masterpiece in a 35mm restoration, screens along with three other Chaplin classics at Cinefamily's Silent Movie Theatre.
THIS IS NOT A FILM is a clandestine documentary shot partially on an iPhone and smuggled into France in a cake for a last-minute submission to Cannes. Depicting the day-to-day life of acclaimed director Jafar Panahi during his house arrest in Tehran while appealing his six-year prison sentence, including a 20-year ban from filmmaking, his cause has been championed by Juliette Binoche, Isabella Rosselini, Sean Pean and others. Panahi discusses his plight and the meaning of the art of filmmaking.
HAPPY celebrates World Happy Day, exploring the nature of happiness, from Academy Award-winning director, Roko Belic.
RAMPART stars two-time Oscar nominee, Woody Harrelson in a powerful performance as a rogue cop in the Rampart precinct, dedicated to doing "the people's dirty work," while asserting his own form of justice, often blurring the lines between right and wrong. From Director Oren Moverman ("The Messenger"), is also stars Robin Wright, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Buscemi, Cynthia Nixon and Ann Heche.
IRANIAN TABOO exposes the Islamic regime's attacks onthe followers of the Bahai faith in Iran. Banned from entering his homeland, documentary filmmaker Reza Allamehzadeh enlists the aid of friends who clandestinely filmed inside Iran to explore this century-old taboo.
OSCAR SHORT DOCS showcases this year's Oscar nominees including: "The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement"; "Incident in New Baghdad<' about the 2008 slaying of two Reuters journalists and unarmed civilians by US attack helicopters; and "Saving Face" from Pakistan about women attacked with acid and their struggle for justice.
OSCAR ANIMATED AND LIVE-ACTION SHORTS showcasees this year's Oscar nominees, often difficult to get a chance to see. Screening at the Nuart in Santa Monica.
SILENT HOUSE is a uniquely unsettling horror thriller starring Elizabeth Olsen, in a preview screening, along with "OPEN WATER" in a tribute to directors Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, by American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
RETURN is the moving story of a woman's struggle to re-adjust to her everyday life after returning home from war. As her sense of dislocation ripples through her world, she risks becoming an outside with friends and family in the Rust belt.
FORGIVENESS OF BLOOD is a powerful story of an Albanian family caught up in a blood feud when a minor dispute escalates into a major confrontation and murder. Director Joshua Marston ("Maria, Full of Grace") boldly contrasts antiquated traditions with the lives of young people whose future is at risk because of them.
HOW MUCH DOES YOUR BUILDING WEIGH, MR. FOSTER? is a documentary portrait of premier architect, Norman Foster, for whom Buckminster Fuller framed that famous question. Rising from humble beginnings, he went on to design iconic works including the Hearst Building in NY, Berlin's Reichstag, and the Beijing Airport's International Terminal.
NO MAN'S LAND, the 2002 Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film, follows two soldiers from opposing sides of the conflict in Bosnia/Herzegovina in 1993 who become trapped in no man's land, while a 3rd soldier becomes a living booby trap. Screened in conjunction with the Southeast European Film Festival.
CRAZY HORSE explores the legendary Parisian cabaret club, one of the most mythic places dedicated to women. Famed documentarian Frederick Wiseman reveals the elegant dedication through a grueling schedule of rehearsals, performances, and backstage preparations for a new show. Screened at the Nuart.
BONSAI PEOPLE: THE VISION OF MUHUAMMAD YUNUS follows the quest of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and his humanitarian, worldwide phenomenon of "microcredit" giving small loans to poor, rural women in a new approach to solving the world's most difficult problems of healthcare, education, and alternative energy.
LULA is the deeply moving story of Brazil's most beloved president, whom Time Magazine deemed "one of the most influential people in the world." Born into extreme poverty, but guided by a strong mother who faced overwhelming obstacles, raising eight children on her own, never waivering in her commitment to giving them a better life.
PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL SELECTIONS, including "SHOOT THE MESSENGER" from the UK, dealing with the importance of education of inner city youth, dealing with self-hatred and lack of community empowerment; "L'ABSENCE," from Guinea/France, it's a meditative look at immigration and its effects on both those who leave and those who are left behind; "INSIDE STORY," form South Africa, a fascinating look at how AIDS affects the lives of young people, with a stunning use of computer animation.
THE GREY, writer-director Joe Carnahan's powerful, multi-layered relentless action drama, stars Liam Neeson, as a man confronting the will to survive and what is worth fighting for. When their plane crashes in the remote Alaskan wilderness, an unruly group of oil rig roughnecks battle mortal injury and merciless weather, with only a few days to escape the icy elements and a vicious pack of predatory wolves on the hunt, before their time runs out. In a special American Cinemateque double-feature with Carnahan's much-celebrated film, NARC, starring Ray Liota and Jason Patric, the screening was followed by a Q&A with the director.
PINA,Wim Wenders' exhilarating Academy Award-nominatd film, captures the brilliantly inventive dance world of legendary choreographer, Pina Bausch. Originally conceived with Bausch, Wenders continued the project after her untimely death in 2009. A dance film like none other, it utilizes 3D technology to bring the viewer deep inside Bausch's playful, thrillingly unpredictable, sensual dance pieces. PINA is currenlty playing at The Landmark, 10850 West Pico Blvd. in the Westiside Pavilion.
JOFFREY: MAVERICKS OF AMERICAN DANCE, a special presentation at Zipper Hall at the Colburn School, tells the full history of the groundbreaking dance company from its inception in 1956 to the present. Mixing ballet with modern dance in a uniquely American style of dance, it cultivating a diverse group of talented artists, regardless of race, gender, or body type. Narrated by Mandy Patinkin.
KILL LIST, the second feature from British director Ben Wheatley, follows an out-of-work hitman with no job, no money, or health insurance and a wife who is constantly on his case. Back in the game after a botched job, things begin to unravel and he is plunged into the heart of darkness. Screened at Cinefamily's Silent Movie Theatre.
A WALK TO BEAUTIFUL is an award-winning documentary which follows five Ethiopian women suffering from debilitating childbirth injuries and their hope for a better life despite rejection by their husbands and communities as they make the arduous journey to Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in search of a cure. Presented by the Skirball Cultural Institute as part of the "Women Hold Up Half the Sky" exhibit.
KING OF DEVIL'S ISLAND is an edge-of-your-seat thriller from Norwegian filmmaker Marius Hoslt. Based on the true story of a notorious reform school uprising in 1915 which forever altered the way juvenile delinquents are treated. Starring Stellan Skarsgard as the facility's governor who believe that manual labor, rigid discipline and harsh punishment can turn the boys into honorable members of society, with tragic results.
FLOWERS OF WAR is an epic story of love and sacrifice set during Japan's 1937 invasion of China. Told from the perspective of a young girl, it is an intimate, elemental and paradoxically universal celebration of the human spirit. From the director of "Raise the Red Lantern," FLOWERS OF WAR stars Christian Bale as a dissolute Westerner who seeks refuge in a Catholic church, he meets a beautiful Chinese courtesan who helps him rescue a group of schoolgirls from a terrible fate at the hands of the Japanese. FLOWERS OF WAR opens on Friday, Jan. 20th at The Landmark, 10850 W. Pico Blvd. in the Westside Pavilion.
MISS BALA, Mexico's official entry for Oscar's Best Foreign Language film, tells the story of Laura, a young woman whose aspirations of becoming a beauty queen turn against her, delivering her into the hands of a gang that's terrorizing northern Mexico. Learning that the price of a crown might not be worth becoming an unwilling participant in a violent drug war, she is shaken and transformed. On Variety's 2011 list of Directors to Watch, writer-director Gerardo Naranjo has been heralded as a major talent after an impressive debut at Cannes. MISS BALA opens on Friday, Jan. 20th at Landmark's Regent, 1045 Broxton Ave. in Westwood.
MAN ON A MISSION: RICHARD GARRIOTT'S ROAD TO THE STARS is a riveting account of video game inventor Richard Garriott's lifelong quest to become the first son of an astronaut to also blast into space. Known in the gaming world as "Lord British," he turns to private space travel to make his dream come true. MAN ON A MISSION captures everything from his training in Russian to launch aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, as well as life aboard the International Space Station, resplendent with a view of the earth and never-before-seen views from the inside of the capsule during fiery re-entry. MAN ON A MISSION opens on Friday, Jan. 20th at Laemmle's Music Hall 3.
ADDICTION, INCORPORATED is Charles Evans' taut, journalistic expose which tells the riveting story of Victor DeNoble, the first whistleblower to reveal the tobacco industry's efforts to manufacture a "maximally addictive" product. Having succeeded in inventing a safer form of nicotine, he inadvertently revealed how addictive nicotine truly is. His position was then terminated, his lab closed and his research buried in a vault. Today, as new laws go into effect, tobacco companied are once again rolling up their sleeves and arming themselves for litigation. Fifteen years in the making ADDICTION, INC. will startle you with previously undisclosed information straight from the mouths of key players. ADDICTION, INCORPORATED opens on Friday, Jan. 13th for a limited engagement at the Nuart.
1ST ANNUAL TUNISIAN FILM FESTIVAL, running Jan. 10th through 12th, celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Tunisian Democracy revolution iwth screenings and special events dedicated to Tunisian Cinema, culture and creativity. Presented by freetunisia.org and the Levantine Center's New Voices of Middle Eastern Cinema, it includes filmmakers, musicians, artists, cultural ambassadors, actors and surprise guests. Opening night ceremonies began with a concert by MC Rai followed by screenings and Q&A with filmmakers, at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre. KPFK WAS A PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR of this very special event.
DAVID, follows the son of the Imam of a Brooklyn mosque who has to juggle the high expectations of his father with feelings of isolation from his peers in the Muslim community. Through an innocent act of good faith, he befriends a group of Jewish boys who mistake him for a fellow classmate at their Orthodox school, drawing them into a dilemma inspired by youthful deceit and good intentions. Followed by a discussion with cast and crew and presented by the Levantine Center's New Voices Series, DAVID screens at the Covina Women's Club on night only on Jan. 15th and again at the Woodland Hills Community Church on Jan. 18th.
NILOOFAR is the story of a twelve-year-old girl whose dream is to read and write, but in her village, education is only provided to boys. When her father arranges her marriage to an older man, she does everything in her power to escape her ill fate. the screening, in conjunction with the Skirball's 'Women Hold Up Half the Sky' exhibit, was following by Q & A with award-winning writer/director Sabine El Gemayel. In Persian and Arabic with English subtitles. One night only special event at the Skirball Cultural Center.
THE WAY is a modern-day odyssey - the soulful journey of a man rocked by personal crisis who sets off on an epic mountain trek on the 500-mile Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimmage made by millions for more than a thousand years to search for adventure and answers, thinking he is utterly lost, only to keep bumping into surprise moments of community, companionship and inspiration that begin to steer his way. This spirited road-movie-on-foot crosses territory that is alternately comic, adventurous and keenly moving, even as it becomes an unforeseen gift from a son to a father. Directed by Emilio Estevez and starring Martin Sheen, THE WAY is filled with comedy, joy, wonder and breathtaking landscapes. THE WAY screened at Laemmles Playhouse 7 in Pasadena.
LONDON RIVER, set against a backdrop of the July 7th 2005 terrorist attacks in London, LONDON RIVER tackles the fear and prejudice of a mother searching for her daughter as she crosses paths with a West African man from France also searching to find his missing son. Although they come from very different cultural backgrounds, they share the same hope of finding their children alive, giving each other the strength to continue their search and find faith in humanity. LONDON RIVER played at Laemmle's Royal in West L.A.
CORMAN'S WORLD: EXPLOITS OF A HOLLYWOOD REBEL is a star-studded tribute to Hollywood's prolific writer-director-rebel. A seminal influence in filmmaking over the last 60 years, Corman launched the careers of future film luminaries, capitalizing on undiscovered talent and pushing the boundaries of filmmaking. Featuring interviews with such icons at Peter Bogdanovich, Robert de Niro, Peter Fonda, Pam Grier, Ron Howard, William Shatner and Jack Nicholson, CORMAN'S WORLD chronicles Corman's cult empire one low-budget success at a time. CORMAN'S WORLD screened at the Nuart in West L.A.
MOZART'S DON GIOVANNI, one of the greatest operas ever written, performed by the Teatro Alla Scala in Italy, another fine addition to Laemmle's Emerging Pictures in Opera Cinema series in a live broadcast Dec. 7th and followed by encore performances. Screened at Laemmle Theatres throughout the Los Angeles area.
CRAZY WISDOM: THE LIFE & TIMES OF CHOGYAM TRUNGPA RINPOCHE explores the cultural shift created by the "bad boy of Buddhism" who fled the Communist invasion of Tibet in 1959 for Britain. Trained in a rigorous monastic tradition, but seeing that a cultural gap blocked his students from any deep understanding of Buddhism, he renounced his voews, eloped with a 16-year-old and lived as a westerner, consuming alcohol and having intimate relations with his students. Using humor as an essential part of his teaching, he quipped, "Enlightenment is better than Disneyland," while warnig of the dangers of the western spiritual supermarket. Was this the "crazy wisdom" which caused Alan Ginsberg to consider him his guru, made Catholic priest Thomas Merton want to write a book about him, and Joni Mitchell to write a song about him? Twenty years after his death, his works translated into 31 languages, his name still evokes admiration and outrage. CRAZY WISDOM played at Laemmle's Monica-4-Plex.
CHARLOTTE RAMPLING: THE LOOK is a biographical study of the legendary actress as told through her conversations with some of her closest friends and collaborators. Intercut with footage from some of Rampling's most celebrated films, including "Stardust Memories," "The Night Porter," and "The Verdict," this deeply personal 'self-portrait through others' is a revealing look at one of the screen's most classical objects of desire. CHARLOTTE RAMPLING: THE LOOK played at Laemmle's Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
OUTRAGE, the new film by legendary writer/director Takeshi Kitano, depicts a corrupt Yakuza underworld where there are no heroes, but constant betrayal and vengeance. In a ruthless battle for power, several clans vie for the favor of their head family as rival bosses seek to rise through the ranks, scheming and making allegiances over saki. OUTRAGE enjoyed an exclusive engagement at th Nuart, 11272 Santa Monia Blvd., in West LA.
SHAME, is an award-winning documentary which tells the story of Mukhtaran Mai, a Pakistani woman whose life changed forever when her village's tribal council sanctioned a punishment against her for a crime allegedly committed by her younger brother. Following the custom of 'honor for honor', Mai was gang-raped and publicly paraded. Rather than succumb to humiliation and eventual suicide, Mai sought justice, shaking Pakistan's decaying judicial system to the core, eventually paying her reparations. Becoming an internationally renowned spokesperson on Pakistani women's rights, she invested in schools to give local children the education she never had - even the children of her attackers. Part of the Skirball's "Women Hold Up Half the Sky" exhibit, SHAME depicts her astonishing spirit, resilience, and self-belief which sustained her through her incredible journey. SHAME screened for one-night only at the Skirball Cultural Center.
COOK COUNTY is an unflinching, raw and real story of a rural life where crystal meth dictates the family dynamic. In a visceral tale of three generations of meth addicts living in the wood of East Texas, 17-year-old Abe struggles to beat addiction, trying to protect himself and his young niece from an abusive uncle, leading to a suspenseful ending where harrowing choices must be made. COOK COUNTY played at Laemmle's Monica4-Plex, Playhouse 7 and Fallbrook 7 in West Hills.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, enjoyed by audiences of all denominations, brings to the screen such classics at "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "Sunrise, Sunset," and "If I Were a Rich Man." Set in a Ukrainian village, it stars Israeli actor Topol, who repeats his legendary London stage role of Tevye, whose equilibrium is constantly being challenged by his poverty, the prejudice of non-Jews and the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Presented one night only in a sing-along screening at Laemmle's Music Hall 3.
THE ROOM, a midnight cult sensation, is an electrifying, quirky, black comedy about love, passion, betrayal and lies, depicting relationships in the lives of its five major characters, raising the question, "Can you really trust anyone?" TIME Magazine calls it "The awful movie everyone wants to see," and Entertainment Weekly says, "It's a guilty pleasure in every sense of the word," with audience members rushing to the screen to imitate the action, tossing footballs, and engaging in dialogue with the characters. THE ROOM screens at Landmark's Regent Theatre in Westwood as part of a monthly midnight screening series.
