March 2008


Last updated on March 1, 2008. Please check back later for additions.

Contents

The Cinema Lounge
Best of 2007
The 16th Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
The 19th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival
The 37th Annual International Film Festival Rotterdam
Remarks by Director Alexander Sokurov
We Need to Hear From You
Calendar of Events

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The Cinema Lounge

The next meeting of the Cinema Lounge will be on Monday, March 10 at 7:00pm. The topic is "How truthful do bio-pics need to be?"

The Cinema Lounge, a film discussion group, meets the second Monday of every month at 7:00pm at
Barnes and Noble, 555 12th St., NW in Washington, DC (near the Metro Center Metro stop). You do not need to be a member of the Washington DC Film Society to attend. Cinema Lounge is moderated by Daniel R. Vovak, ghostwriter with Greenwich Creations.

Last month at Cinema Lounge
In February, we discussed whether or not Syd Field's three-act structure could be broken. Our discussion began with giving generic answers for how long films normally last. It seems like the minimum allowable length is 90 minutes, with 110 minutes being the standard length. Some films last 2:15, 2:30, or even three hours if they are epics or Oscar hopefuls. Film houses have to consider the length of movies, especially since ticket prices remained fixed, in spite of the length of a film.

To understand the three-act structure, one must know a little about Syd Field. Field is an American writer and a popular screenwriting guru. His ideas about what makes a good script have influenced Hollywood producers, who have increasingly used his ideas on structure as a guideline to a proposed screenplay's potential.

Field's most important contribution has been his articulation of the ideal "three act structure." According to Field, a film must begin with about half an hour of 'setup' information before the protagonist experiences a 'turning point' that gives him or her a goal that must be achieved. Approximately half the movie's running time must then be taken up with the protagonist's struggle to achieve his or her goal: this is the 'Confrontation' period. Field also refers, sometimes, to the 'Midpoint', a more subtle turning point that should happen in the middle (approximately at page 60 of a written screenplay) of the Confrontation, which is often an apparently devastating reversal of the protagonist's fortune. The final quarter of the film depicts a climactic struggle by the protagonist to finally achieve (or not achieve) his or her goal and the aftermath of this struggle.

Another person who has discussed a film's structure is Blake Snyder, the writer of Blank Check (1994) and the short film Nuclear Family (2001). Snyder notes that all movies contain 15 beats, though their precise timing can differ:

  • Opening Image (Minute 1)
  • Theme stated (5)
  • Setup (1-10)
  • Catalyst (12)
  • Debate (12-25)
  • Break Into Two (25)
  • B Story (30)
  • Fun and Games (30-55)
  • Midpoint (55)
  • Bad Guys Close In (55-75)
  • All is Lost (75)
  • Dark Night of the Soul (75-85)
  • Break into Three (85)
  • Finale (85-110)
  • Final Image (110)
Films that were considered to break the three-act structure include: Inland Empire (2006), Dark Side of the Moon about Pink Floyd (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001).

Another concept that was mentioned was that of the "audience surrogate," a character with whom the audience relates. Thelma Ritter was mentioned; also Harrison Ford in Star Wars (1977), and Brad Pitt in True Romance (1993). One person called the "audience surrogate" an "unsung character."



The Best of 2007

The membership has spoken! The Washington DC Film Society's seventh annual vote for the Best of 2007 is in. The winners are:

Best Picture: No Country for Old Men
Best Director: Joel and Ethan Coen No Country For Old Men
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis There Will Be Blood
Best Actress: Julie Christie Away From Her
Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem No Country For Old Men
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Ryan Gone Baby Gone
Best Foreign Language Film: Persepolis, France

Thanks to everyone for voting!



The 16th Annual Environmental Film Festival

Water, War, Global Warming and George Butler

The 16th annual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, March 11 through 22, will present 115 documentary, feature, animated, archival, experimental and children’s films selected to provide fresh perspectives on environmental issues across the globe. The 2008 Festival features cinematic work from 30 countries and 55 Washington, D.C., United States and World premieres. Over 110 filmmakers and special guests will discuss their work at the Festival.

The Festival will also offer a special pre-Festival screening of War Dance, a 2008 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature, on March 3. The film tells the story of displaced children in war-torn Uganda who regain some of their childhood by competing in their country’s music and dance festival.

Washington, D.C. premieres include White Light/Black Rain exploring the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their aftermath. The film was on the short list for nomination in the 2008 Academy Award Best Documentary Feature category. Director George Butler’s latest film The Lord God Bird, a Washington, D.C. premiere, about the search for the elusive Ivory-Billed Woodpecker will screen on March 14. Director Les Blank will present the Washington, D.C. premiere of his film, All in This Tea on March 16 at the Avalon Theatre. Another D.C. premiere will be Profit Motive and the Whispering Wind, named Best Experimental Film, 2007, by the National Society of Film Critics. It will be screened on March 22 at the National Gallery of Art. The D.C. Premiere of the Brazilian film Antonia about a female hip-hop group from the favelas of Sao Paulo, will take place March 17 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

The acclaimed theatre, film and television actress Kaiulani Lee stars in A Sense of Wonder, a film about Rachel Carson and the publication of her book, Silent Spring, which alerted the world to the dangers of chemical pesticides and launched the modern environmental movement. A special sneak preview of the film, based on the play written and performed by Lee and shot by cinematographer Haskell Wexler, will be shown at the Festival on March 12 at the E Street Cinema.

The Chinese film Still Life about social displacement from China’s immense Three Gorges Dam and spiritual and emotional malaise in modern China will be screened on March 21 at the Freer Gallery of Art.

The Washington, D.C. premiere of MacGillivray Freeman’s IMAX Theatre film Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk will highlight the scarcity of fresh water and the need for watershed conservation on a trip down the Colorado River. The global water crisis will be the focus of a variety of films during the Festival, culminating in the screening of Flow: For Love of Water, a 2008 Sundance Film Festival premiere. Another water-related film to be shown in the Festival is The Unforeseen, which recently won the Truer Than Fiction Award at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards. This film about the threat to Barton Springs, a favorite watering hole in Austin, Texas, was directed by Laura Dunn and will be screened on March 21 at the AFI Silver Theatre.

Director Godfrey Reggio will present his groundbreaking classic, the “Qatsi Trilogy,” about the destructive impact of the modern world on the environment. The initial film in the trilogy, Koyaanisqatsi, was the first full-length commercial nonverbal film when it was produced in 1983. Other classic films in the Festival include The Big Country, considered one of the best Westerns ever made, which will be screened in 35mm on March 16 at the AFI Silver Theatre. Pare Lorentz’s The Plow that Broke the Plains and The River as well as Robert Flaherty’s The Land will be shown on March 15 at the National Archives. A 35mm print of Chinatown will be screened on March 17 at the Library of Congress and the evening will include an introduction by film historian Max Alvarez.

The impact of China’s Three Gorges Dam, the advent of peak oil, what you can do to combat global warming, the unique landscapes and wildlife of Patagonia, China’s fine organic teas, the American prairie and the battle to save the tiger are among additional topics examined in the 2008 Festival. Winners from 2007 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and MOUNTAINFILM in Telluride will also be screened.

The Environmental Film Festival has become the leading showcase for environmental films in the United States. Presented in collaboration with over 65 local, national and global organizations, the Festival is one of the largest cooperative cultural events in the nation’s capital. Films are screened at 46 venues throughout the city, including museums, embassies, libraries, universities and local theaters. Most screenings are free to the public and include discussion with filmmakers or scientists.

For a complete schedule, visit the
Festival web site at or call 202-342-2564 for a film brochure.



The 19th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival

By Anita Glick, DC Film Society Member



The
19th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival was held January 3-14, 2008. Founded in 1990 by then-Mayor Sonny Bono, the PSIFF is one of the largest film festivals in North America. The origin of the festival--for Bono--was really about filling hotel rooms, increasing tourism and restoring the luster the city of Palm Springs had been stripped of years before.

Attendance has increased by 15 to 20 percent a year. This year there were 120,000 attendees. The festival is seen by American distributors as an Academy Award campaign marketing tool. It features cultural events, filmmaker tributes, industry seminars and an annual black tie gala award presentation. For the first time in the Festival’s history film ticket sales and the awards gala each exceeded $1,000,000.

The festival included over 222 films and seminars with filmmakers from 66 countries. Sixty-nine premiers of highly anticipated films showcased the diversity of international cinema and 55 of the 61 foreign Oscar submissions.

There were five theatres with a total of 17 screens. During the festival (from 10:00am until 11:00pm) free shuttle buses ran every 15-30 minutes between festival theater venues.

Ticketing Options

  • Regular Individual screening tickets: general admission--$10; screenings before 3:00 pm--$9
  • Six pack: a booklet of 6 regular screening vouchers--$45 (available only until January 3, 2008)
  • Festival Passes: non-transferable photo ID passes. These are available in several categories ranging from $275 to $2,000 with various limitations.


    Awards

    Gala Awards were presented to honorees (from Oscar winners to breakout stars), including Sean Penn, Daniel Day-Lewis, Halle Berry, Emile Hirsch, Nikki Blonsky, Marion Cotillard, Joe Wright and others.

    Best of the Fest
  • 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days: FIPRESCI Award, Best Actress Anamaria Marinca & Laura Vasiliu
  • Autism: The Musical: Audience Award, Best Musical
  • Armin: (from Croatia) FIPRESCI Award, Best Foreign Language Film
  • Then She Found Me: Audience Award, Best Feature and Best Narrative Film
  • Ben X: Heineken Red Star Award Nic Balthazar, Director/screenwriter
  • The Champagne Sky: John Schlesinger Award
  • Secret Sunshine: FIPRESCI Award, Best Actor, Song Gang-ho
  • The Band’s Visit: Cinema Without Borders Award
  • Hounds: New Voices, New Visions Award


    Galas

    The Houston Gala Reception: Underneath draped white tents, there was food, music, and dancing at the estate of Jackie Lee and Jim Houston. The Houstons are longtime Festival supporters and renowned Palm Springs philanthropists. The ground was covered in white shag carpeting. Tables were wrapped in fabric and topped with tulips, roses and tea lights. Food selections included shrimp, tacos, paninis and Caesar salad served in wine goblets.

    International Galas – Screenings and Receptions: I attended all of the International Galas. Filmmakers were always friendly and more then willing to discuss their film or just chat. It was GREAT fun!
  • The Awards Buzz Gala — The Edge of Heaven (Germany) Reception Top of the Chop, private dining facility overlooks downtown Palm Springs.
  • The Israeli Film Day Gala — Beaufort (Israel) Reception Spencer’s at the Mountain, four star American cuisine with European-Asian influence.
  • New Voices/New Visions Gala — Public admission $40, films makers and press by invitation, party at Wang’s, Pan Asian Restaurant and Bar with great food and two free drinks.
  • The Gay!La — Shelter (USA) The reception was held at Toucan’s Tiki Lounge where live entertainment is a signature, from go-go dancers to female impersonators; is held in conjunction with the screening of a gay lifestyle film (Shelter).
  • Italian Film Gala — My Brother is an Only Child (Italy) Reception at The Purple Palm Restaurant & Bar, at the recently renovated elegant Colony Palms Hotel.
  • World Cinema Now Gala — Before the Rains (USA/India) Reception at Tropicale Dining and Lounge, a swanky, sophisticated, fun setting.


    Festival Programs

    The festival's programs were grouped into various categories such as "Awards Buzz," "True Stories" (documentaries), "Archival Treasures," "Cine Latino," "New Israeli Film," "Modern Masters," "World Cinema Now," and others.

    Awards Buzz: Films selected to contend for Academy Award submission

    Best Foreign Language Film: 55 official submissions
  • Beaufort (Joseph Cedar, Israel) At the mountaintop outpost, soldiers struggle to do their duty while preparing for Israel’s evacuation from Lebanon in 2000.
  • The Counterfeiters (Stefan Ruzowitzky, Austria) In a concentration camp, skilled prisoners are put to work manufacturing replicas of foreign bank notes under the direction of a master counterfeiter.
  • Mongol (Sergei Bodrov, Kazakhstan) A love story for the ages, traces the formative years of legendary warrior Genghis Khan in twelfth century Mongolia.
  • 12 (Nikita Mikhalkov, Russia) A young Chechen is accused of murdering his adoptive Russian father; while struggling to reach a verdict in a murder case, the jurors illustrate their views with stories from their own lives.

    True Stories/Documentary Features: "short-listed" contenders
  • No End In Sight (Charles Ferguson, USA). An insightful look into the US policy that led to the Iraq conflict.
  • Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience (Richard E Robbins, USA). U.S. personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan provide a window into America’s current conflicts via letters and memoirs.
  • Taxi to the Dark Side (Alex Gibney, USA). The investigation of the 2002 murder of an imprisoned Afghani taxi driver at a US military base — illustrating the interrogation policies, incompetence and recklessness of the Bush Administration.
  • War/Dance In Northern Uganda orphans in a refugee camp, find the shape of their lives in music and dance in this debut feature Directed by Sean and Andrea Nix Fine.

    Documentary Shorts: "short-listed" contenders
  • Freeheld (38 min). Director Cynthia Wade documents a detective's battle to transfer her pension to her domestic partner, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
  • Salim Baba (14 min). A poetic look at the life of a street cinema vendor in India Directed by Tim Sternberger.
  • Sari’s Mother (21 min) An Iraqi mother struggling under U.S. occupation to care for her son who is dying of AIDS, Directed by James Longley (Director of Iraq In Fragments)

    Special Programming Showcases — Archival Treasures (film classics shown in restored prints)
  • Crime and Punishment (USA, 1935) Directed by Josef von Sternberg
  • Leave Her to Heaven (USA, 1945) Directed by John M Stahl
  • Reenactment (Romania, 1968) Directed by Lucian Pintillie.

    Cine Latino
    There were 25 films represented in Cine Latino, featuring films from Latin America, Spain and Portugal featuring guest appearances by contemporary Latin filmmakers and screenings of the hottest films emerging from the Latino film world.

    Special Presentations / Movies and Music
  • Hairspray sing-along version: Netflix Inc. hosted a first ever free outdoor screening and sing-along, the special print of the film included lyric subtitles for each song.
  • Screening of Seventh Heaven (1927) with award winning composer and musician Paul Gilman performing his new score written for this silent classic.
  • Seminar moderated by Variety’s Todd McCarthy — Knowing the Score: How composers write scores for films and discussion of several new films that encompass music in all of its varied forms.

    New Israeli Cinema: L’Chaim!
    New this year was a showcase of 11 Israeli films. “Israel at 60”, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Israeli state, Among the films were those that won major awards at festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Montreal, Jerusalem, Tribeca and Sundance.

    Talking Pictures Series: On stage interviews, seminars and master classes
  • A new award, the American Maverick Award was given to John Sayles, to honor his career as a successful independent filmmaker in conjunction with a screening of Honeydripper and an interview with LA Time’s screen critic John Horn.
  • The Director’s Chair: The Power of Images – Learn about directing and be part of a taping.

    An on-camera roundtable discussion with Directors Jason Reitman (Juno), Joe Wright (Atonement), and Adam Shankman (Hairspray).
  • Sunday Morning Shootout – A talk about acting with actors attending the festival.
  • Conversations Without Borders – Filmmakers discuss how politics play a role in films.

    Special Events Open to the Public
    Opening Ceremony & Film Screening & Opening Night Gala Party: Darryl Macdonald, Festival Director, Richard Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (for the last 33 years), the Honorable Steve Pougnet, newly elected Mayor of Palm Springs and Helen Hunt launched the festival. Hunt was the director, co-writer and star of Then She Found Me (USA). She spent 10 years working on the film, her directorial debut. More than 1,000 people attended the screening; a low-key, subtle comedy about reconciling our blood families with the families we create for ourselves and the small distance between happiness and tragedy. In addition to Hunt the cast included Bette Midler, Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick.

    A post-screening party was held at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Comprehensive and sophisticated, this 125,000 square foot art museum is located in downtown Palm Springs.

    Closing Film Screening and Reception at Palm Springs High School: The closing film was Priceless, a French romantic comedy starring Audrey Tautou. Stealing every scene as a beautiful, scheming, high maintenance gold digger, Tautou (through a series of comical) mistakenly woos a mild-mannered bartender, thinking he is a lovelorn millionaire.


    Films Seen

    Recommended films from Reykjavik that were screened at PSIFF
    4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (Cristian Mungiu, (Romania)
    The Edge of Heaven (Fatih Akin, Germany)
    Taxi to the Dark Side (Alex Gibney, USA)
    The Band's Visit (Eran Kolirin, Israel/France)
    XXY (Lucia Puenzo, Argentina/France/Spain)
    Iska's Journey (Csaba Bollock, Hungary)
    The Trap (Srdjan Golubovic, Serbia/Germany/Hungary)
    The Art of Crying (Peter Schonau Fog, Denmark)
    Breath (Kim Ki-duk, South Korea)
    Tuya’s Marriage (Wang Quanan, China)

    Synopsis of the Top Films I Saw
    Don’t Miss —

    Red Like the Sky (Cristano Borton, Italy). The true story of Mirco Mencacci, one of the most prominent sound engineers in Italian cinema. As a young boy, Mirco, loses his sight in an accident. While attending a boarding school for the blind he gains a new perspective on the world through sound. It is a truly delightful film; emotional, beautiful and never sentimental.

    Ben X (Nic Balthazar, Belgium). Based on real events and inspired by a newspaper article, Balthazar wrote a successful adolescent novel and subsequently wrote and directed a stage version. After 250 sold out performances (with no film experience) he was given the opportunity to make a film. Filmed in 25 days, it is the story about a young man with a mild form of autism who was virtually harassed and tormented to death. It will be remade into an American DVD.

    The White Silk Dress (Huynh Luu, Viet Nam). This gorgeous moving epic revolves around one remarkable woman’s determination to maintain her dignity and to keep her family together as they are trapped on an unrelenting cycle of war and poverty. It is a passionate love story.

    No End In Sight (see above)
    Taxi to the Dark Side (see above)
    War/Dance (see above)
    The Counterfeiters (see above)

    Excellent —

    Late Bloomers (Bettina Oberli, Switzerland). The official entry for the academy awards ‘best foreign language film’ from Switzerland. Late Bloomers is a light-hearted social satire. This film inspires hope that it is never too late to make one’s dreams come true, the right of self determination and embracing change.

    The Champagne Sky (Nadav Schirman, Israel). This film based on actual events, (the first to penetrate the Mossad) illustrates the ‘dark side’ of espionage. When he was only 12 years old Oded’s father reveals to him that he’s a Mossad spy. Wolfgang Lotz (his new identity) lived a lavish lifestyle in Egypt, for 5 years as a wealthy ex-Nazi. He even took a second wife. After his cover was blown, he did not return to his first family. Schirman heard the story while attending his son’s swim meet and was put in touch with Oded.

    Noodle (Ayelet Menahemi, Israel). This touching comic drama centers on an El-Al flight attendant and her quest to reunite a young Chinese boy and his migrant worker mother, who has been deported from Israel.

    I Just Didn’t Do It (Masayuki Suo, Japan). A devastating account of Japan’s legal system. En route to a job interview, a young man is accused of groping a young girl on a train. His protesting and maintaining his innocence marks the start of ‘legal hell.’

    The Home Song Stories (Tony Ayres, Australia). Ayres based the film on his own childhood. Set in the 1970s Rose is a Singapore nightclub singer and single mom who drags her two young children to Australia and their new daddy. Leaving him after only one week Rose careens from one bad situation to worse.

    Before the Rains (Santosh Sivan, USA). Set in India in 1937, the film focuses on the dilemma of people who straddle two worlds. Visually spectacular with sweeping vistas and rustic charm Before the Rains has the look of a period epic.

    Jar City (Baltasar Kormakur, Iceland). A moody and absorbing crime drama presents questions about genetics, ethics and parental responsibility. A three decade old case is linked to a nasty homicide case by the hard-bitten detective investigator.

    Denias: Singing On the Cloud (John de Rantau, Indonesia). A heartfelt drama featuring stunning vistas from West Papua, Indonesia – while telling the story of a young lad whose burning desire is to go to school even though it is many days travel away.

    Dharm (Bhavna Talwer, India). A young boy challenges the core of a traditional Brahmin priest’s beliefs and our faith in humanity when it is found that the boy he adopted is a Muslim.

    Beaufort (see above).

    Good —

    Jellyfish (Shira and Etgar Keret, Israel). In modern Tel Aviv, three women’s lives intersect for a moment at a wedding. These three stories share themes including the need for affection and the struggle to communicate. The two directors are first time filmmakers.

    On the Wings of Dreams (Golam Rabbany Biplob, Bangledesh). The message that simplicity and truthfulness are the essence of life was discussed at the Q&A. On the Wings of Dreams is low budget debut feature. After finding foreign currency in second hand clothing, an uneducated villager is lured by greed and ambition. The children in the film were local.

    Santanas: Profile of a Killer (Andres Baiz, Colombia). Reminiscent of Scorcese’s Taxi Driver, this first film consists of three interconnected stories of contemporary urban characters at the breaking point.

    The Year My Parent’s Went on Vacation (Cao Hamburger, Brazil). With Brazil competing for its third World Cup, 12 year old Mauro’s political activist parents take a ‘vacation’ leaving him to flounder in the alien world of his upright Yiddish grandfather. It is a charming coming-of-age saga.

    Shake Hands With the Devil (Roger Spottiswoode, Canada). The film is based on the book by United Nations Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire, who watched the genocide of 800,000 people. The film illustrates the global community’s failure to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Rwanda.

    Under the Same Moon (Patricia Riggen, USA). After his grandmother passes away, a young Mexican boy has himself smuggled across the border. He travels to find his Los Angles based mother that he hasn’t seen in four years.

    Run Fat Boy Run (David Schwimmer, United Kingdom). A chunky, clueless guy leaves his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day only to discover — 5 years later — that she is his one true love. But in order to win back her heart, he looks to finish his first marathon while making her realize her new man is the wrong guy for her. DIET INSPIRATION!

    Fair —

    Art of Travel (Thomas Whelan, USA). Directed by a 1992 graduate of Palm Springs High School and starring Christopher Masterson (Malcolm in the Middle) The Art of Travel was shot on location (in Panama) one quarter of the way into the Darien Gap, a 100-mile swath of swamp and forest where no roads exist. A sequel is forthcoming.

    Disengagement (Amos Gitai, Israel). The human rather than political element in a story about an Israeli woman (Juliette Binoche) who seeks reconciliation in Gaza during forced evacuations.

    A Man’s Job (Aleksi Salmenper, Finland). When a father of three is laid off from his factory job, he finds himself a new profession as a male escort. His challenge is keeping the secret under wraps. It is more social commentary than exploitive.

    A Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey of Ariel Dorfman (Peter Raymont, Canada). Augusto Pinochet’s Chilean coup is presented through the eyes and life experiences of writer, Ariel Dorfman — it is an exploration of exile, memory, longing and democracy.

    Investigation (Iglika Trifonova, Bulgaria). To prove herself, the only female inspector on the Sofia police force takes on a difficult murder case. During the day she interrogates relatives, friends and colleagues of the victim and at night she questions the suspect – they are brothers.

    Disappointing —
    Two Embraces (Enrique Begne, Mexico). Four people forced to fend for themselves in life -- a burdened twelve-year-old boy, the cashier he has a crush on, an angry taxi driver and the estranged daughter of one of his passengers -- come together.

    Walk the Talk (Matthew Allen, USA). After shooting his older brother a rebellious teenage is paroled into the care of his uncle, successful self-help guru with a seemingly picture perfect life and family.

    Then She Found Me (see above)

    Films I wish I had seen —

    Irina Palm
    12
    Mongol
    Autism: The Musical


    2008 was my fourth year attending the PSFF. What a fantastic place to be in January! Warm weather, being with my daughters, old friends and making new ones, great food, beautiful scenery, art galleries and museums, hiking, a weekly street fair, flea market, and an amazing selection of quality foreign and independent films and if you like — gambling, golf, spas galore, the aerial tramway, sunrise or sunset hot air balloon rides, outlet shopping and more.

    The 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival will be held January 8-19, 2009.

    I hope to see you there!



    The 37th International Film Festival Rotterdam

    By James McCaskill, DC Film Society Member



    The
    37th International Film Festival Rotterdam is over but the work of the festival continues. This festival is renown as an incubator of young cinematic talent. For years they have assisted young directors financially through the Prince Klaus Fund and Hubert Bals Fund. In recent years CineMart has helped these up and coming directors find international distributors. The past few years they have extend their outreach to assisting young film critics; this year bringing four under 30 year olds to Rotterdam to work closely with IFFR to hone their skills.

    This year, as in the past, IFFR brings top quality international independent, innovative and often experimental films. It remains a major venue that discovers and nourishes film talent. Hundreds of filmmakers and other artists present their creations to a discerning audience--the Dutch see more films each year than any other European people. IFFR is justifiably proud of its international reputation for launching new films and talent from Asia, Middle and Eastern Europe and Latin America.

    2008 finds IFFR with a new director, Rutger Wolfson, who is continuing to bring top feature, short and documentary films. He focused on Free Radicals, a science term that describes those special molecules or atoms that occasionally provoke fierce reactions. Wolfson uses the label for filmmakers and artists who idiosyncratically and energetically follow their own course.


    The Audience Favorites

    1. Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud, France, 2007). This outstanding animated film has played in the DC area.

    2. Estomago - A Gastronomic Story (Marcos Jorge, Brazil/Italy, 2007). International Premiere. There are those who eat and those who are eaten. The simple thirtysomething and anti-hero Nonato works as a chef in order to get on with life and love until he finds out that he cannot escape the hard lessons of life that way. A delightful fable about power, sex and food.

    3. 2KM2 - A Square View (Carl van Hees and Ardre van der Hout, Netherlands, 2008). World Premiere. A documentary about life in a contemporary large city (this was filmed in Rotterdam). The image extends much farther than the limited area where it was filmed. While there is flow of one migrant group replacing another the color and form of the city changes all the time, we slowly get to see the underlying constant.

    4. Song of Good (Cordero de Dios, Lucia Cedron, Argentina/France/Chile, 2008). Family drama grippingly links two periods from recent Argentine history. When the affluent 77 year old Arturo is kidnapped during the financial crisis in 2002, his daughter is forced to return to Buenos Aires after living in exile since 1978. The past is echoed in the present, re-shaping the way current events are understood.

    5. My Brother is An Only Child (Mio fratello a figlio, Daniele Luchetti, Italy, 2007). This film was a favorite from the Toronto International Film Festival. Drama with warm comic undertones about the contrast in political convictions of two brothers from an Italian working class family. After many clashes and the sad climax, there is room for more mature mildness. This film won four Donatellos (Italian Oscar).

    6. No Country for Old Men (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, USA, 2007).

    7. War, Love, God & Madness (Mohamed Al-Daradji, Iraq/UK, 2008). World Premiere. A documentary about the making of Ahlaam, the second feature length film shot post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. The young idealistic Iranian filmmaker returns to his birthplace to realize his dream in bizarre and almost lethal circumstances. The film documents the incredible risks confronting filmmakers in "liberated" Iraq.

    8. Alone in Four Walls (Allein in view Wanden, Alexander Westmeier, Germany, 2007). A documentary about a Russian reform school for very young delinquents who have often committed serious crimes. Paradoxically enough, despite its stern nature, the institution offers them the boundaries and structures that make it possible for a child to be a child. Childhood is never going to be theirs as 90% return to crime.

    9. Let the Right One In (Lat den ratte Komma in, Tomas Alfredsson, Sweden, 2008). World Premiere. While an outer suburb of Stockholm is plagued by ritual murders, 12 year old Oscar could do with some help coping with bullies. Help arrives in the form of a new neighbor. Moving and cofusing variation that also blows new life into the age old vampire story. At times gruesome, shocking and scary but also about growing up, friendship and fate. Comments from my interview with the director follow.

    10. TBS (Nothing to Lose, Pieter Kuijpers, Netherlands, 2008). World Premiere. Kuijpers fifth film is an oppressive and worrying yet also stylishly directed drams. Holland's most talented cabaret artist, Theo Maassen, shines as an excaped psychiatric prisoner who thinks he was wrongly jailed. On this odyssey to justice, he kidnapps a teenage girl.


    And the winners are . . .

    Each year an award is made to the audiences favorite and juries select winners in other categories. This year the audience and the young people's jury (comprised of five under 20 year olds) went to Satrapi and Paronaud's Persepolis.

    Tiger Award is given to first or second filmmakers and this year the three chosen were: Wonderful Town by Aditya Assarat (Thailand 2007) "for its amazing imaging through the film and a fresh perspective on the disaster of Tsunami. This film is a societal mirror in which we see Tsumani's loss in different layers. The jury also liked the unconventional ending of the film." Flower in the Pocket by Liew Seng Tat (Malaysia, 2007) "because of its well considered and award look in the world of children. The actors are chosen correctly and guided and directed properly. The film as an excellent visual expression." Go With Peace Jamal (Ma salama Jamil, Omar Shargawi, Denmark, 2008) "for its strong directing and acting work. By showing narrow shots, the director chooses an appropriate style in order to present restrictions in a closed society." Each of these films receives prize of 15,000 Euros and a guaranteed broadcast by Dutch public television.

    Dioraphte Award is a new award and is given to a film supported by the Hubert Bals Fund. It went to Mutum by Sandra Kogut (Brazil, 2007). the jury said, "With its condensed emotion and boundless energy, this precisely directed and acted film tells the story of a harsh world with genuine urgency. It is uncompromising in its vision and unsentimental in its treatment."

    FIPRESCI Award is given by the international association of film critics. This year their award went to The Sky, the Earth and the Rain (El cielo, la tierra, y la fluvia, Jose Luis Torres Leiva, Chile, 2008).

    Films that stood out from the 30 plus films that I saw and are highly recommended: Song of Good, Greg King, New Zealand, 2007) Seven Day Sunday, Niels Laupert, Germany, 2008) and Tale 52, Alexis Alexiou, Greece, 2007) in addition to audience favoriters Song of Good and Let the Right One In.

    Other films that I liked are Shanghai Trance and Kenedi is Getting Married.

    I interviewed several directors; following is an extract of their comments about films that were at the top of my recommendation list:

    Niels Laupert (Seven Day Sunday): This film is based on a real murder. "I was shocked when I read an article by a journalist for Der Spiegel. The journalist just told the facts, did not explain anything--that was what motivated me. In every second movie you have 'lean cuisine,' you feel OK and they explain everything; editors want an explanation. When you explain you justify. My aim was to have actors who were the same age--16 years old. In the research process I made it to the prison to interview the guys and have 16 hours of interviews." Seven Day Sunday tells the true story of two juvenile murderers--two 16-year-old Polish lads who made a bet to kill the first man who came along. But the first man survived. They learned from this assault and killed the second man who crossed their path. The two were tried as adults and sentenced to 25 years in prison. This is a powerful film and was one of my top picks at this years IFFR.

    Alex Alexiou (Tale 52): "I wanted to make a low budget film," the director told me," because it is impossible to raise money in Greece. I promised myself to make a film that is made in one location, but had to add two more locations during the filming. I wanted to make a film that took place inside someone's head. I really like people who are driven by obsessions, a strong feeling and emotions. I am fascinated by a person who is trapped in his own mind, cannot wake up in the real world and is always in a state of constant day dreaming. The initial idea is a person, imagine you are sleeping and cannot wake up--the dream becomes reality." The disappearance of his girlfriend drives the rather shy Iosonas to despair and brings delusions in his fragile mental makeup. A psychological thriller without redemption. The director uses a strong visual language.

    Greg King (Song of Good): "If you want redemption and serious growth you must take responsiblity for your deeds. The little things that Gary did to make amends will not make it. Someone trying to change their life is a universal theme," director King told me. This was the second time I have intervied him for several years ago I interviewed this New Zealand director on his first film, Christmas. "I know addicts and this film is based on their stories. People who at age 40 are still living in their childhood bedrooms or living in a car. I did not want to make a drug movie. Did not want to make a rape scene. Gary is used again and again in the film. He is shit on by his buddy."



    Andrew Sokurov

    By James McCaskill, DC Film Society Member

    Three of Alexander Sokurov's films will be shown at the National Gallery of Art during March, including his latest film Alexandra (2007) which stars the renown opera diva Galina Vishnevskaya, widow of the late maestro Mstislav Rostropovich.

    A press conference took place at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The moderator asked Sokurov about the concept of genders in film and the Russian psyche. He replied, "It does not matter. If we are going to talk about female and male differences, sometimes it is better not to show these differences. It is not ideal. She (Alexandra) had a difficult life and made a lot of mistakes. Being able to understand another person is not objective; not everyone is able to love. Not every man could be a father nor every woman could be a mother. This is a kind of personal tragedy. We are not trying to define the Russian soul--that does not exist. The soul is the same in every person. It will save you. It will take something from herself. It does not matter which mistakes were made.

    "Before I start a film I know the music I want to use. I know what music to use in each film. I am one of the those directors who is totally intuitive about music. The basic thing in film is curiosity. You have to work for two years to make a film the audience will see in an hour and a half. There is a possibility of rising above yourself. It is an attempt to learn something. I want to be as secret as possible. I think with cinematography and it is work as an art form. Film is not developed yet as an art. So when I am sitting in my study there are books of Tolstoy, of Dickens, of Shakespeare. The film needs further development. The fundamental is the ethic developments. One rule for directors: Stay close to the roots of great authors. We need to give the writer time to come to the bottom shelf of the bookshelf of life.

    "Cinematography is stealing from the masters, from literature. Cinematography is optical engineering. It is important in our art. I need to know a lot to draw a bird or a cloud. It is nothing to take a film camera and film a bird or a cloud. In olden days we had five or seven large optical cameras. Each camera had a special image. Why am I telling you this? Society needs to know how dangerous film is. It is like a very young poet of 14 or 15 years, in time it will be as powerful as literature. Everyone is looking at an image on a screen and seeing something. Cinema is special. It plays itself. Television is a window; film is a wall. Someone moving from one place to another but not travelling--just movement. In all world literature everyone needs someone. The way of a painter when he is making a painting is his way. What happens in the modern painting? 90% are not painting something today. What happens if you turn art to great painters? Just look at the great artists of the 18th and 19th centuries; look at Rembrandt. Today we are turning back but not seeing faces.

    "The so called Russian soul. What is it? There is no difference between the Russian soul and the Dutch soul."



    We Need to Hear From YOU

    We are always looking for film-related material for the Storyboard. Our enthusiastic and well-traveled members have written about their trips to the Cannes Film Festival, London Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival, the Berlin Film Festival, the Palm Springs Film Festival, the Reykjavik Film Festival, the Munich Film Festival, and the Locarno Film Festival. We also heard about what it's like being an extra in the movies. Have you gone to an interesting film festival? Have a favorite place to see movies that we aren't covering in the Calendar of Events? Seen a movie that blew you away? Read a film-related book? Gone to a film seminar? Interviewed a director? Taken notes at a Q&A? Read an article about something that didn't make our local news media? Send your contributions to Storyboard and share your stories with the membership. And we sincerely thank all our contributors for this issue of Storyboard.



    Calendar of Events

    FILMS

    American Film Institute Silver Theater
    The AFI concludes its series of films by the Coen Brothers in early March with The Big Lebowski and The Man Who Wasn't There. The Ingmar Bergman retrospective Part I also ends in March with The Seventh Seal and The Virgin Spring. Part II of the Ingmar Bergman retrospective begins March 15. A series of films starring Robert Mitchum begins March 21.

    From March 7-17 is the "New African Films Festival" with an Ousmane Sembene retrospective. Films include Ezra, Juju Factory, Faro, Goddess of the Waters, Clouds Over Konakry, Hip Hop Revolution and more. The Ousmane Sembene series includes Faat Kine, Moolaade, Black Girl, Camp de Thiaroye, Guelwaar, Ceddo, Mandabi and Xala.

    Films presented as part of the Environmental Film Festival include Godfrey Reggio's Qatsi Trilogy Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi and Naqoyqatsi, plus The Big Country and The Unforeseen.

    Freer Gallery of Art
    A series of recent films from Sri Lanka begins on March 2 at 2:00pm with Against the Tide (Sudath Devapriya, 2004). On March 7 at 7:00pm is Fire Fighters (Somaratne Dissanayake, 2004); on March 9 at 1:00pm is Sankara (Prasanna Jayakody, 2006); and on March 9 at 3:00pm is The Tender Trap (Anuruddha Jayasinghe, 2005).

    "China: Three Views" is a short series of recent films from China. On March 14 at 7:00pm is Electric Shadows (Xiao Jiang, 2004); on March 16 at 1:30pm is Summer Palace (Lou Ye, 2006); and on March 21 at 7:00pm is Still Life (Jia Zhangke, 2006), the last one as part of the Environmental Film Festival.

    National Gallery of Art
    "Istvan Szabo's 20th Century" ends in March with Mephisto (1981) on March 1 at 2:00pm, Colonel Redl (1984) on March 1 at 4:30pm, and Hanussen (1984) on March 2 at 4:30pm--Istvan Szabo will be present at all three.

    Three of Alexander Sokurov's recent films will be shown starting with The Sun (2005) on March 9 at 4:30pm. On March 15 at 2:30pm is Elegy of Life: Rostropovich Vishnevskaya, a documentary the husband and wife team of Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya. On March 15 at 4:30pm is Alexandra (2007).

    "In Glorious Technicolor" features three newly restored classic films. On March 29 at 2:00pm is I've Always Loved You (Frank Borzage, 1946); on March 29 at 4:30pm is Leave Her To Heaven (John Stahl, 1945); and on March 30 at 4:30pm is The Barefoot Contessa (Joseph Mankiewicz, 1954).

    Special events include "Max Linder Cine-Concert" on March 8 at 3:00pm, a program of six short films with music accompaniment by Octuor de France. On March 16 at 4:00pm is "Silvestre Revueltas: Music for Film" with The Wave (1936) and Vamonos con Pancho Villa (1936). On March 22 at 1:00pm is Profit motive and the whispering wind (John Gianvito, 2007).

    As part of the Environmental Film Festival is Radiant City (Gary Burns and Jim Brown, 2006) on March 22 at 2:00pm and Garbage Warrior (Oliver Hodge, 2007) on March 22 at 4:30pm.

    Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
    On March 6 at 8:00pm is a program of film fantasies by Georges Méliès. On March 13 at 8:00pm is Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation, 1982-89 introduced by filmmakers Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala.

    National Museum of African Art
    On March 29 at 2:00pm is Baba Mandela (2002), about communities in Kenya whose livelihoods are destroying the resources on which they depend for survival. A discussion follows the film.

    National Museum of the American Indian
    For Women's Heritage Month is a program of documentary films by Native women from varied communities. The films show daily March 26-31 in two sections starting at 12:30pm and 3:30pm.

    National Portrait Gallery
    On March 21 at 7:00pm is The Story of Lady Bird Johnson (Grace Guggenheim, 1992), shown as part of the Environmental Film Festival. Grace Guggenheim will introduce the film, followed by discussion with Bess Abell, Lady Bird Johnson's social secretary.

    Smithsonian American Art Museum
    On March 2 at 3:00pm is Searching for Angela Shelton (2004) in which one Angela Shelton set off across the country to interview other women named Angela Shelton. After the film there will be a discussion with the director.

    As the first of a series on Film Noir, is the classic Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950) on March 26 at 6:00pm.

    National Museum of Women in the Arts
    On March 19 at 7:00pm is The Water Front (Liz Miller, 2007) about the water wars in Highland Park, Michigan; part of the Environmental Film Festival.

    In the "Sisters in Cinema" series on March 26 at 7:00pm is a program of new video work created by DC students and other youthful filmmakers from around the country.

    Films on the Hill
    Two feature films are presented in conjunction with the Environmental Film Festival have land use and abuse as their theme. On March 21 at 7:00pm is Trail of the Lonesome Pine (Henry Hathaway, 1936), the first outdoor film shot in Technicolor, starring Henry Fonda and Sylvia Sidney. On March 22 at 7:00pm is Come and Get It (Howard Hawks and William Wyler, 1936) with Edward Arnold as a timber tycoon and Frances Farmer in a dual role. On March 26 at 7:00pm is The White Rose (D.W. Griffith, 1923) starring Mae Marsh and British matinee idol Ivor Novello.

    Washington Jewish Community Center
    On March 3 at 7:30pm is The Champagne Spy (Nadav Schirman, 2007), a documentary about a Mossad agent living a double life. On March 17 at 7:30pm is His Wife's Lover (Sidney M. Goldin, 1931) a newly restored "first Jewish musical comedy talking picture" starring Ludwig Satz. On March 31 at 7:30pm is an Israeli film Bittersweet (Doron Benvenisti, 2007) with the director attending.

    Pickford Theater
    As part of the Environmental Film Festival is Chinatown (Roman Polanski, 1974) on March 17 at 7:00pm.

    Goethe Institute
    The Goethe Institute takes part in the Environmental Film Festival with The Cloud (Gregor Schnitzler, 2006) on March 18 a 7:00pm.

    Continuing with the Michael Haneke retrospective, on March 3 at 6:30pm is Fraulein (1984); on March 10 at 6:30pm is The Rebellion (1993); on March 13 at 6:30pm is Who Was Edgar Allan? (1984); on March 17 at 6:30pm is Three Paths to the Lake (1976); and on March 24 at 6:30pm is Variation (1983). More Haneke films are at the Austrian Embassy and French Embassy.

    National Geographic Society
    Films shown as part of the Environmental Film Festival include Hunters of the Northern Ice (Wade Davis, 1006) on March 18 at 12:00 noon, Dirty Secrets (Rob Whittlesey, 2008) and Most Dangerous Catch (David Elisco, 2008) on March 19 at 7:00pm, The Eleventh Hour (Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners, 2007) on March 20 at 7:00pm. Check the website for more.

    French Embassy
    On March 20 at 7:00pm is Time of the Wolf (2003), part of the Michael Haneke film series.

    As part of the Environmental Film Festival is Animals In Love (Laurent Charbonnier, 2007) on March 16 at 4:00pm.

    On March 12 at 7:00pm is The Secret of the Grain (Abdellatif Kechiche, 2005), winner of numerous awards.

    The Japan Information and Culture Center
    As part the Environmental Film Festival is a show of the Japanese cult film of the giant lizard who destroys Tokyo Gojira (1954) on March 13 at 6:30pm.

    On March 26 at 6:30pm is Swing Girls (Shinobu Yaguchi, 2004) with a special music performance at 5:00pm by members of the Tateshina High School band (the inspiration for the film) and the Georgetown University jazz band. Reservations are required.

    National Archives
    "For a Better America: The New Deal on Film" is an all-day film festival of US Government produced Depression-era films, starting at 10:00am on March 15 with part I: "Urban Life and Culture" including The Road Is Open Again, Hands, Dawn Strikes the Capitol Dome, We Work Again, The Fight for Life. Starting at 1:00pm and presented as part of the Environmental Film Festival is part II: "The Land and Environment" with The Plow That Broke the Plains, The River, Power and the Land, The Land Starting at 4:30pm is part III: "The Projects" with Work Pays America, The City, Valley of the Tennessee, The Columbia.

    As part of the "Running for Office" series of films is State of the Union (Frank Capra, 1948) on March 1 at noon.

    On March 5 at 7:00pm is a screening of Nanking (2007) with producer Ted Leonsis to talk about the historical research involved in making the film.

    Embassy of Canada
    On March 11 at 7:00pm is Edge of Eden: Living with Grizzlies (Jeff and Sue Turner, 2006), part of the Environmental Film Festival.

    National Museum of Natural History
    On March 15 at noon is a day-long program of short films for the Environmental Film Festival, also on March 16 starting at noon and March 22 at noon.

    The Avalon
    Films shown as part of the Environmental Film Festival are The Price of Sugar (Bill Haney, 2007) on March 16 at 4:45pm and All In This Tea (Les Blank, 2007) on March 16 at 2:30pm.

    For the "Lions of Czech Cinema" screening this month is Bored in Brno (Vladimir Moravek, 2003) on March 12 at 8:30pm, an award-winning comedy.

    On March 2 at 8:00pm is a Turkish film Stolen Eyes, about an impossible love between a Turk and a Bulgarian.

    As part of the French Cinémathèque series is Demented (Laurent Achard, 2007) on March 19 at 8:00pm.

    On March 16 at 10:00am will be a show of The Ritchie Boys, an award-winning documentary about military interrogation, presented by the Washington School of Psychiatry.

    The Corcoran
    As part of the Environmental Film Festival is Waste-Food: Environmental Movements in Design (Rob van Hattum) on March 13 at 7:00pm. The film, about American architect and designer William McDonough and German ecological chemist Michael Braungart, will be followed by a discussion with director Rob van Hattum and architect Lance Hosey.

    Embassy of Austria
    The Embassy of Austria takes part in the Michael Haneke retrospective with the made for Austrian TV film Lemmings Part II on March 4 at 7:30pm.

    On March 10 at 7:30pm is a documentary Vienna's Lost Daughters (Mirjam Unger, 2007) about eight women who fled Vienna in 1938 and who now live in New York. Reservations are required.

    Smithsonian Associates
    An IMAX film, Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2007), is presented as part of the Environmental Film Festival on March 20 at 7:00pm.

    The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
    On March 1 at 8:00pm and March 2 at 3:00pm the Baltimore Symphony will accompany Charlie Chaplin's City Lights (1931).

    Cine-Americas
    On March 2 at 2:00pm is Imaginum (Alberto Mar and Isaac Sandoval, 2005), an animated film from Mexico. On March 5 at 6:30pm is Frida, Naturaleza Viva (Paul Leduc, 1988), a biography of the Mexican artist. On March 9 at 2:00pm is Magos y Gigantes (Andres Couturier and Eduardo Sprowls, 2003), an animated feature film from Mexico. Reservations are recommended.



    FILM FESTIVALS

    The Annual VCU French Film Festival
    The Virginia Commonwealth University French Film Festival takes place March 28-30 in Richmond. Check the website for films.

    The Environmental Film Festival
    See the story above.

    The DC Independent Film Festival
    The 10th DC Independent Film Festival will take place March 6-16 at George Washington University's Jack Morton Auditorium. More than 100 films, features, shorts, documentaries and animated films, will be shown along with seminars and receptions.

    Francophonie: Washington, DC
    Francophonie includes films and concerts. On March 18 at 7:00pm is Retour à Gorée (Pierre-Yves Borgeaud, 2007) from Switzerland, about African singer Youssou N'Dour's journey following the slave routes and jazz music they created. On March 25 at 7:00pm is The Way I Spent the End of the World (2006) from Romania. More in April.



    FILM COURSES

    Washington Center for Psychoanalysis
    Psychoanalytic Takes on the Cinema 2007-2008 Narrative Disorder: Psychoanalysis and Postmodern Film. These films make use of postmodern forms to represent internal struggles with death and loss, love and creative work. Postmodern films confront us with the challenges of interpreting disordered narratives which, like patients' stories, move back and forth in time, leave puzzling gaps, make mysterious juxtapositions. There are a total of seven films in the series, meeting once a month starting in October 2007 and ending in April 2008.

    For March the film is Being John Malkovich (Spike Jonze, 1999) and the discussant is Bonita Winer. The group will meet on March 7 at 7:30pm. The location is 6912 Ayr Lane, Bethesda, Maryland at 7:30pm. Sandie Friedman, PhD, is course coordinator. Continuing Education credit is available and DC Film Society members receive the member rate of $250 for the course. The non-credit fee for the course is $175. For more information visit the website or call 202-237-1854.



    FILM SERIES

    Coffeehouse Film Series
    A new film series presented by the Friends of the Duncan Library (Alexandria, Virginia) will screen new, unreleased (or limited release) award-winning indie and international films. The films (shown on DVD) are supplied by Film Movement, a distributor of "small but deserving" films. DVDs are supplied to libraries which are allowed one public screening after which the DVD becomes part of the library's collection. The films are selected by curators of various film festivals including Silverdocs and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. On March 27 at 7:00pm is the award-winning The Violin (Francisco Vargas, 2005) from Mexico. The DVDs are currently being shown at The Caboose Cafe and Bakery, 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia. Call 703-566-1283 for more information.



    Previous Storyboards

    February, 2008
    January, 2008
    December, 2007
    November, 2007
    October, 2007
    September, 2007
    August, 2007
    July, 2007
    June, 2007
    May, 2007
    April, 2007


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