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August 12 - September 1 at IFC Center

August 19 - September 8 at Laemmle Sunset 5

A Marine Corps cover-up of one of the worst water contamination incidents in US history, the glaring reality of the media's objectification of women, as well as portraits of assassinated journalist Anna Politkovskaya and the man behind Elmo are all part of the lineup of outstanding films that will be presented in the International Documentary Association's 15th Annual DocuWeeks™ Theatrical Documentary Showcase.

Download the DocuWeeks™ 2011 press release. All publicity and credential requests please contact Ashley Mariner at Dish Communications.

DocuWeeks™ Los Angeles Program & Schedule - Download
DocuWeeks™ New York Program & Schedule - Download

Plan your DocuWeeks™ Los Angeles and New York screenings with the FilmFest DocuWeeks iPhone App - Download

FEATURES (New York Week 3)

Dying to do Letterman  More Info Directors/Producers/Executive Producers: Joke Fincioen, Biagio Messina
This award-winning documentary follows funny man Steve Mazan as he chases a larger-than-life dream: performing stand-up comedy on David Letterman's show. However, his quest becomes far more urgent when he learns he may only have five years to live. With long odds stacked against him, and time ticking away, Steve faces a universal question: Should one persevere in the face of every obstacle? Or is there finally a time to give up? A funny, inspiring, emotional film that proves it's never too late to chase your dream.

Executive Producers: Steve Mazan, Denise Mazan
Joke Productions, Inc.
80 min. USA
Website/Trailer

The Mexican Suitcase  More Info Director/Producer/Writer: Trisha Ziff
The Mexican Suitcase tells the story of the recovery of 4,500 negatives taken by photographers Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and David Seymour during the Spanish Civil War. The film follows the journey of these negatives to Mexico – images as exiles, recovered seventy years later. The Mexican Suitcase brings together three narratives: the suitcase, the exile story, and looks at how people in Spain today address their own past, 30 years after transition. The Mexican Suitcase addresses the power of memory and asks who owns our histories?

Producers: Eamon O'Farrill, Paco Poch
212 Berlin/Mallerrich Films Paco Poch
86 min. Mexico/Spain
Website/Trailer

Phnom Penh Lullaby  More Info Director/Producer/Writer: Pawel Kloc
Ilan Shickman left Israel dreaming of a new life. He now lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with his Khmer girlfriend, Saran, and their two young daughters, as he tries to make ends meet as a street fortune-teller. Ilan works at night, near bars frequented by prostitutes and drug dealers. He decides to place the older, 2-year-old daughter with Saran's family in the countryside, but the family doesn't want to care for Marie for free. Ilan and his family have to return to Phnom Penh, and he still must decide about Marie's future. Phnom Penh Lullaby is about people entrapped in their lives as they struggle to realize the dream of a happy, loving family.

Writer: Przemysław Niczyporuk
Parallax
98 min. Poland/Cambodia
Website/Trailer

The Power Of Two  More Info Director/Producer: Marc Smolowitz
The Power of Two offers an intimate portrayal of the bond between half-Japanese twin sisters Anabel Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, their lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis, their survival through miraculous double lung transplants and their improbable emergence as authors, athletes and global advocates for organ donation. Featuring expert interviews, archival footage and deeply personal testimony from the twins and others whose lives have been impacted by organ transplantation from the US and Japan, the film provides unprecedented insight into the personal and societal aspects of this modern medical miracle affecting millions worldwide.

Producer: Andrew Byrnes
Executive Producer: Chris Kelly
Twin Triumph Productions
94 min. USA/Japan
Website/Trailer

Semper Fi: Always Faithful  More Info Directors/Producers: Rachel Libert, Tony Hardmon
As a devoted Marine for nearly 25 years, Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger lived and breathed the "Corps." When his 9-year-old daughter dies from a rare type of leukemia, Jerry wants to know why. His search for answers leads him to a shocking discovery: a Marine Corps cover-up of one of the worst water contamination incidents in US history. With relentless determination, he spearheads a decades-long battle to make this information public and hold the Marine Corps accountable. Semper Fi: Always Faithful is a searing look at the military's betrayal of its soldiers and an emotional story of one man's transformation into the activist he never imagined he'd become.

Producers: Jedd Wider, Todd Wider
Executive Producers: Wendy Ettinger, Judith Helfand, Julia Parker Benello
Tied to the Tracks Films, Inc
76 min. USA
Website/Trailer

S.O.S. / State of Security  More Info Director/Producer/Writer: Michèle Ohayon
January 2001. Nine months before 9/11, Richard Clarke briefs Condoleezza Rice on a strategy to "deter, defeat, and respond vigorously to" al-Qaeda. Clarke's proposal is dismissed. In March 2004, Clarke memorably declares before the 9/11 Commission, "I failed you, your government failed you." He resigns before the Iraq War. The film exposes Clarke's dramatic 30-year experience in the White House as counter-terrorism czar and head of cyber security. Ohayon (Oscar® nominee,) gives a rare look at the people behind National Security, military generals, CIA, hackers, vets, ambassadors who are speaking out.

Producers: Gary Prebula, Len Sherman
Executive Producer: Gary Ungar
Diamond Lane Films & Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
87 min. USA
Website/Trailer | Filmmaker Q&A