STRONGMAN, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance this year, will have its LA theatrical opening the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27th, at the Downtown Independent. The film follows a professional strongman and his struggles---a real-life La Strada meets Grey Gardens on the outer grooves of a Springsteen record. Ramin Bahrani has called the film "the debut of a new important American documentary filmmaker." www.strongmanfilm.com

Screening at the Downtown Independent Theater
251 S. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

email: contact@strongman.com

Address: Los Angeles

FALL CLOSING NIGHT FILM: HOW TO FOLD A FLAG

Q&A with directors Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein

Description from TIFF 2009 catalog by Thom Powers:

A cage fighter in Texas. A congressional candidate in Buffalo. A heavy-metal rocker in Colorado. A hog butcher in North Carolina. Their common thread is that they went through combat together in Iraq in the U.S. Army's 2/3 Field Artillery unit, known as the Gunners. Now they're dispersed back to their hometowns, trying to resume normal lives. In this extraordinary documentary, filmmakers Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein reveal the poignant and poetic tapestry of America's neglected corners.

Tucker and Epperlein are uniquely qualified for this journey. Their debut feature film, Gunner Palace, which played at the Festival in 2004, was the first theatrical work to follow American soldiers in Iraq. That was followed by The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair in 2006, which looked at Abu Ghraib from the rare perspective of a wrongfully accused Iraqi prisoner, and Bulletproof Salesman in 2008, which examined a war profiteer.

How to Fold a Flag begins with a 1920 epigraph from the German author Ernst Jünger: "We were asked to believe that the war was over. We laughed - for we were the war." That sentiment embodies these characters. In Texas, Michael Goss, haunted by the deaths he witnessed, says, "I need to continue fighting something." In Buffalo, Jon Powers campaigns on his war record for the U.S. Congress, which doesn't stop his opponents from "Swift Boating" him with smear tactics. In suburban Colorado, Wilf Stuart tries to uphold his mother Becky's spirits as his brother prepares to deploy for combat. In Fayetteville, North Carolina, Javorn Drummond cracks jokes about his ramshackle home. Describing his sense of dislocation, he says, "We went to war as a unit and came home alone."

How to Fold a Flag checks in on these characters and others throughout the pivotal election year of 2008, capturing unforgettable moments of hope, loss and redemption. They may be young, but they have a lot to teach us.

About the directors:
Michael Tucker was born in Honolulu. He has co-directed the films Gunner Palace (04) and The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair (06), which both screened at the Festival, as well as Bulletproof Salesman (08) and How to Fold a Flag (09).

Petra Epperlein was born in Karl Marx Stadt in the former East Germany and studied architecture in Dresden. She has co-directed the films Gunner Palace (04) and The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair (06), which both screened at the Festival, as well as Bulletproof Salesman (08) and How to Fold a Flag (09).

Director: Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein
Running time: 85 minutes
Release date: 2009
December 01, 2009 8:00 pm

 

Location Name:  IFC Center

Address: 323 Sixth Ave. @ 3rd St., New York

Tel: 212.924.7771

ARTIVIST FILM FESTIVAL - LOS ANGELES

When: Tuesday, December 1st thru Saturday, December 5th

Where: The Egyptian Theater,
6712 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood

Films include:
"La Mission" Director Peter Bratt
"Ice Bears of Beaufort" Director Arthur C. Smith III
"Children of War" Director Bryan Single
"An Omar Broadway Film" Director Omar Broadway and Douglas Tirola
"Intelligent Life" Director Brian Malone
"Belonging" Director Gerard Ungerman
"Vicktory to the Underdog" Director Brandon Bond
"Dia De Luz - Day of Light" Director Matt Kastolis

Before and after films please enjoy our green eco-lounge, live music and vegan menu.

Artivist is gifting FREE TICKETS to all film screenings. Tickets will book quickly! Reserve your FREE TICKETS now at: www.artivists.org

Since its inception in 2004, the Artivist Film Festival has showcased over 300 films representing more than 45 countries. Artivist has been endorsed by organizations such as Amnesty International, Global Green, HSUS, Prevent Child Abuse America, and the United Nations.

Filmmakers from around the world unite at the annual Artivist to address the importance of art and advocacy in our global community.

This year, Artivist proudly welcomes back PETROBRAS as its Official Community Partner. For the past three years Petrobras has supported the efforts and expansion of the Artivist Film Festival. Understanding the interdependence between humanity, animals, and the environment is crucial in our global community.

Location Name:  Egyptian Theater

Address: 6712 Hollywood Blve., Hollywood

The 28th annual Contemporary Documentaries series is a showcase for feature-length and short documentaries drawn from the 2008 Academy Award nominations, including the winners, as well as other important and innovative films considered by the Academy that year.

All films in the series screen at the Linwood Dunn Theater at the Academy's Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., except for the IMAX presentations on December 9. The filmmakers will be present at screenings whenever possible. Admission for all screenings is free.

Wednesday, December 9, at 7 p.m. - At the IMAX Theater, California Science Center

WILD OCEAN

HURRICANE ON THE BAYOU*
* Submitted to the Academy in 2006

Location Name:  IMAX Theater at the California Science Center

Address: 39th Street & Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Tel: (310) 247-3600

Contact:  (310) 247-3600

Jackee Chang presents "Through Their Eyes"
"Through Their Eyes" documents a journey of understanding the present situation and damage of dioxin poisoning from Agent Orange, the American herbicde. This was officially sprayed by he Americans between '61-'71 during the American-Vietnam war. The filmmaker's journey is arked by unexpected events, chanced meetings and marriages of cultural discoveries and differences.

Special Engagement Screening
December 13th, 2009, Sunday 1030am-100pm
Film Starts at 11am.
Admission $10 ($5 for 18 yr and under)
Laemmle's SUNSET 5
8000 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323.848.3500
Parking Validation Provided by Laemmle

This will be an educational and inspiring morning, with aware and caring people in full attendance.

For more information on the fundraiser and film, please go to:
"Through Their Eyes"

For more about jackee chang, please go to:
www.enjam.com

Come share with us good film, good drink, good food, not to mention good camaraderie, at Cinemonde Soiree Number Eight on Monday evening, Dec. 14 at the School of Visual Arts Theater (on 23rd Street, bet. 8th & 9th Aves).

Cinemonde is a private screening series of thought-provoking movies for film, media and entertainment professionals. Throughout the year, Cinemonde offers a line-up of compelling films, gourmet food, wonderful wines and spirits along with thought-provoking discussions and great networking opportunities. For an overview of Cinemonde with background info and comments, go to: http://www.mistralartistmanagement.com/CinemondeOVERVIEW.html

Our feature film selection for Soiree #8 will be WONDERFUL WORLD, directed by Josh Goldin. Click here for details about the film and how to participate in Cinemonde Soiree #8: http://www.mistralartistmanagement.com/SoireeNumberEight.html

WONDERFUL WORLD is Josh Goldin's debut feature, a jewel of a film that we are proud to spotlight at Cinemonde. Mr. Goldin, Mr. Broderick and producer Miranda Bailey have accepted our invitation to be guests at Cinemonde Soiree #8 to discuss their work with participants.

"Full" tickets for Soiree #8 on Dec. 14 cost $40 per guest and admit one participant to the pre-screening cocktail party, beginning at 6:30 pm, the film, which will begin at 8:00 pm, and the post-screening dessert reception. There are also door prizes and gift bags.

For the first time, we are also offering "Screening Only" tickets at $15 per guest who want only to see the film and participate in the Q&A afterwards. The doors for "Screening Only" guests will open at 7:45 pm. All tickets for Cinemonde Soiree #8 can be reserved on-line at: http://www.mistralartistmanagement.com/ReserveCinemonde.html

Our pre-screening cocktail reception kicks off at 6:30 pm on Dec. 14. While you taste our fine wines and cocktails, you will be served an assortment of hors d'oeuvres prepared by Chef Nata Traub, including miniature Croque Monsieurs, Taco Cups with Guacamole, Bocconcino skewered with sundried tomato & fresh basil, Greek salad bites with feta, olives and oregano in a phyllo cup, assorted Indian samosas with chutney and smoked salmon mousse on cucumber rounds. Following our screening and discussion with filmmakers, we will offer guests some Holiday desserts, including Brownie Bites, Cream Puffs and Chocolate Peppermint Bark. Our event should be over by 10:30 pm.

The principal sponsor for the Cinemonde film series is LVT Subtitling, leader in subtitling for 35mm, High Def, Standard Def, Digital Cinema and DVDs.

LVT LASER SUBTITLING, INC.
609 Greenwich Street, Suite 4B / New York, NY 10014
tel: 212-343-1910 / fax: 212-965-1338
e-mail: newyork@lvtusa.com / website: http://www.lvtusa.com/index.htm

When you reserve a ticket for the Dec. 14 Cinemonde Soiree #8, you need to tell us who invited you. Please enter "LVT" as the host who invited you to Soiree #8 (everyone needs to be invited). For complete information about ticket reservations: go to: http://www.mistralartistmanagement.com/ReserveCinemonde.html

If you forward information about Cinemonde Soiree #8 to other colleagues or associates, they will need to cite your name as the "Cinemonder" who invited them when they reserve their tickets. In this personalized way, we hope to assemble a diverse, thoughtful, enthusiastic audience for our cordial, yet private event. If you have any questions or special considerations, please don't hesitate to contact the Cinemonde team directly by e-mail at cinemonde@mistralartistmanagement.com.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday evening, Dec. 14 at the School of Visual Arts Theater for another memorable Cinemonde Soiree, bringing together people with universal stories, warm hospitality and Holiday cheer!

Location Name:  The School of Visual Arts Theater

Address: 23rd Street, New York, NY

Contact:  If you want an invitation to attend the upcoming Cinémonde soiree OR post a comment, please contact: cinemonde@mistralartistmanagement.com

CINE, the film and television competition and educational non-profit, will host “How to Pitch a Winner” for student and professional filmmakers interested in learning more about how to get the green light for program ideas.

The event will take place at Discovery’s HD Theatre in Silver Spring on December 17, 2009. A reception at 6:30 will be followed by a screening of film pitch clips and a panel discussion with television executives Rita Mullin, Vice President of East Coast Development, TLC and Gena McCarthy, Senior Vice President, Production & Development, Discovery Channel, producer Donald Thoms, President of Thoms Media Group, and Bill Hayes, Founder and President, Figure 8 Television.

“Knowing what producers and executives are looking for shouldn’t be limited-access information. In keeping with CINE’s mission of promoting filmmakers and their careers, CINE strives to provide educational opportunities that have practical applications for emerging and established film and television professionals”, said Mr. Thoms, who is also the President of CINE’s board of Directors. “CINE is so pleased to be able to facilitate this program, which will provide valuable insight to participants.”

The cost is $25 per person, $15 for members of WIFV, CINE award winners and CINE judges. RSVP to howtopitch@cine.org by December 3, 2009.

 

Location Name:  Discovery's HD Theatre

Address: 1 Discovery Pl., Silver Spring, MD‎