Scroll down below for the video. The Obama administration is pulling out all the stops in its bid to convince Americans it has led the country down the right path — one of prosperity and fulfillment. In fact, a recently released “docu-ganda” titled “The Road We’ve Traveled,” paid a 17-minute-long homage to the president, painting him as a flawless savior who rescued America from the plight caused… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The Blaze Discovery Date : 20/03/2012 00:05 Number of articles : 2
Movieline’s New York-based readers had a chance over the last few days to review their favorite Shakespeare screen adaptation in exactly 10 words for a chance to win tickets to tomorrow’s opening-night screening of the documentary Shakespeare High . After browsing the entries left both here and on Twitter, we have settled on a winner! Congratulations to Chris Connolly , who summed up the epic 1996 Hamlet thusly: “Hamlet and Ophelia finally get busy in Branagh’s perfect adaptation.” Bam . Congratulations, Chris! We’ll be in touch with info about Friday’s screening. And thank you all for playing! Shakespeare High opens this weekend at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center.
Two teen-oriented comedies this season share much in common, from a gleeful embracing of the spirit of youthful recklessness to the idea that geeks will indeed inherit the earth. One is among the better comedies we’re likely to see this year; the other is by far, on its face, the sleaziest . Both were penned by the same actor-turned-screenwriter, Michael Bacall , who also captured the slings and arrows of slacker youth heroism in 2010’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World . So why are Project X and 21 Jump Street so diametrically opposed when it comes to depicting the youth of today? Last weekend’s R-rated party bacchanal Project X was crafted with just the right pedigree for it to become, potentially, the party film of its generation. Produced by Hangover director Todd Phillips (and co-scripted by Matt Drake), cast largely with unknowns, and shot in a first-person verite style, the premise was simple: Three geeky suburban losers throw the biggest party ever to become cool and get the ladies. Critics had plenty to complain about solely on moral grounds – rarely do films so glorify bad behavior without serious, remorse-inducing consequence when it comes to the teenagers onscreen, let alone the ones watching in the multiplex. Reveling in that unapologetic party spirit was much of the point, though; in taking risks and throwing caution (and his parents’ property value) to the wind, protagonist Thomas was handsomely rewarded for his ballsiness as a sign of maturity of sorts. Forget the gross, near-total objectification of women (even the obvious girl next door love interest partakes in a showy swimming pool dip) and the juvenile use of derogatory words like “bitch” or “faggot” — at the film’s end Thomas and Co. may face charges for wrecking his cushy Pasadena neighborhood, but they’ve gained the respect of his fellow party-goer peers. That’s all that really matters, right? Wrong, says Badass Digest’s Meredith Borders . It feels too insufficient a justification for the makers of Project X to hide behind the “teen boy perspective” defense given just how much the film celebrates this skewed point of view. In a post appropriately entitled “Michael Bacall, How Could You?”, Borders details the film’s offensiveness: “ Project X isn’t an outsiders’ perspective of one misguided group. It’s a celebration of that perspective. I simply don’t believe that a screenwriter can write a film that uses the word ‘bitch’ that frequently – said by protagonists whom we are surely meant to support – without being culpable for that sentiment at least in part. Bacall, Drake, [director Nima] Nourizadeh and of course producer Todd Phillips are all responsible for the message in Project X , and the message is execrable.” Meanwhile, Choire Sicha writes at The Awl of Project X ’s selective, seemingly just off-target approach to capturing what the kids today are all about: “Especially for a film directed by an Iranian Brit, who’s supposed to have done ‘hip’ commercials and videos, it’s crazy retrograde. I expect the word ‘faggot’ to get tossed around a lot in a film that’s about three straight guys trying to get laid, but in 2012 we never get a shot of, say, the gay dudes from the high school throwing down at the party? (Despite lingering girl-on-girl softcore tributes even!) Kids today, they like to say ‘faggot’ and they like having homos at their party. And then it all takes place in Los Angeles county, but there’s barely a Mexican to be seen? Come on. Also I expect straight guys to talk about ‘pussy’ a lot, but I also expect the girls to beat them down for it. Instead there’s a bunch of Mean Girls chicks strutting around and ripping off their tops in the pool. As if!” Sicha’s observations, interestingly enough, play into the common defense of Project X – that despite the handheld found footage-aided conceit (a gimmick that suggests some element of “realism” even when we know it’s staged), this is pure 15-year-old boy fantasy. Maybe the three nerdy heroes of Project X don’t live in a real-world scenario to begin with — the kind of post-racial melting pot of diversity and interests united by Twitter and YouTube that kids enjoy these days, at least in places like Los Angeles. Perhaps the world of Project X approximates that of any conventional teen sex comedy where the jocks are macho and the tomboy best friends are model-hot and nerds get pushed into lockers, only it’s told from the nerds’ point of view. “Of course they’re obsessed with sex and think of girls as sex objects,” the apologists cry. “Of course their drug-hazed memories of raucous house parties filled with drunk underage girls look like American Apparel ads! They are teenage boys !” Bacall said as much when prodded for comment by The Hollywood Reporter in the face of Project X criticism: “The criticisms about the movie being amoral because kids are dancing and drinking and having a good time, I think that’s absurd… because kids have been dancing and drinking and altering their states of consciousness for a very long time, and this is nothing new. The thing these guys do turns out to be massively irresponsible and possibly tragic, as we fade to black, but I think the value in it for them is in kind of finding out where their limits are. Granted, there are more productive ways to do that, but this is the path that these guys decided [to take], and given that’s the concept of the movie, we wanted to just make that path as deep as possible.” So it’s possible that Project X is an elaborately conceived manipulation of the collective teen sex comedy movie worlds we grew up watching and that the found footage aspect is a deliberate wrench thrown into the mix to pervert your expectations. Maybe it’s a collective cultural dream for us all to share in which the nerds finally win! (Or: It’s a shared wet dream that Thomas, Costa and JB are simultaneously having after watching Porkys during a sleepover in Thomas’s parents’ basement while the cool kids party elsewhere in the greater Los Angeles County.) Maybe these loser bottom-rung-of-the-social-ladder geeks are so out of the loop that they have no idea how to treat ladies with respect or invite all kinds to their house parties; naturally, if this was simply their fantasy, the conditions of the world would be limited to what they think the outside world is like in their minds. Or maybe I’m overthinking this. Because after watching Project X , I saw Bacall’s next movie, 21 Jump Street , a movie that goes about embracing and identifying the nature of modern teenagerdom in a much clearer — and more positive — way. You might not think so to look at it , but 21 Jump Street — an update of the Johnny Depp cop show about a babyfaced cop sent to pose undercover in high school, here starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill — is surprisingly sophisticated. Directed by Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller, it constantly beats its critics to the punch in explaining its own vulnerable spots, including the very idea of recycling a decades-old idea in 2012. Where it surprises the most, aside from letting Tatum play to his comic strengths, is in addressing just how much has changed in youth culture, and the entertainment industry’s depiction of youth culture, since the 1980s. Tatum’s ex-jock Jenko used to be the big man on campus in high school, where he tormented Hill’s awkward, Eminem-idolizing geek Schmidt. Now they’ve grown into rookie cops and besties, embracing their opposite strengths; they complement one another as a pair, even if the sting and the glory of high school, respectively, still guide their egos. But settling into their new assignment takes some adjustment; in the intervening years since they were teenagers, kids have evolved. Jenko, now ostracized for his meathead tendencies by the popular kids — a diverse gang of forward-thinking, environment-friendly, gay-inclusive honor students — blames the culture of Glee for ruining the old, familiar ways of teenagerdom. It’s a smart approach to turning time-worn clichés on their head, especially since, for the Glee generation, things are different. Maybe not so different everywhere — just take a look at the documentary Bully to see that much — but in today’s hyper-integrated culture the old conventions just don’t ring true anymore. Perhaps that’s a perspective that comes from being on the other side of 18 and looking back, comparing what was then to what is now. By that logic, if one subscribes to the Bacall defense, we can’t possibly expect the youngsters of Project X to know any better, I suppose. Nor are the fans targeted by Project X encouraged to give its critics much thought. A clever campaign for the film saw Warner Bros. strategically partnering with Vice Magazine on a series of college screenings paired with hip-hop shows, culminating in a live-streamed performance last week by Odd Future’s Tyler the Creator and Kid Cudi on a soundstage decorated, appropriately enough, like a middle-class suburban scene. The Vice deal was about as perfect as movie synergy comes, given the publication’s knack for making a business out of the often-skeezy side of party culture. At one point at the end of the night, Kid Cudi (whose anthemic 2009 single “Pursuit of Happiness” serves as the film’s unofficial theme song) brought the extended cast of Project X — including, by all appearances, at least a few underage actors — onstage to do shots in front of the undulating crowd of hundreds. No one seemed even a bit concerned, despite the fact that the moment had been captured by countless camera phones and even, probably, witnessed on the web in the live-stream. The party was just too good — too epic, the characters of Project X might say — to be bothered by something as mundane as moral consequence. Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Tribeca time already? Believe it: The 11th edition of the Manhattan-based film festival has announced the first half of its 2012 program, led in part by James Franco’s General Hospital behind-the-scenes psychodrama (!), the loooonnnng -gestating lesbian-werewolf romance Jack and Diane (!!), a hipster-crisis apocalypse thriller (!!!) and a fairly awesome-sounding Val Kilmer/Harmony Korine collaboration ( swoon… faint… thud ) — all joined by nearly four dozen other dramatic and documentary selections in three categories. They will follow the April 18 opening-night world premiere of The Five-Year Engagement . Read on for the full Competition and Viewpoints selections, and keep an eye on Movieline for more about Tribeca 2012 as events warrant. WORLD NARRATIVE COMPETITION All In (La Suerte En Tus Manos) Directed by Daniel Burman, written by Daniel Burman and Sergio Dubcovsky (Argentina)—International Premiere Professional poker player Uriel has been on a real hot streak—with the ladies—since his marriage fizzled out. But in between growing his online gambling business and helping to raise his kids, Uriel has rediscovered his old pre-marriage flame, Gloria…. Starring the great Valeria Bertuccelli (XXY) and Oscar®-winning songwriter Jorge Drexler, this romantic comedy from Daniel Burman (Lost Embrace) unfolds in the acclaimed director’s signature style: poignant, natural, and bitingly funny. In Spanish with subtitles. Beyond the Hill (Tepenin Ardi) Directed and written by Emin Alper (Turkey, Greece)—North American Premiere Faik, a proud old forester, is having trouble with nomads grazing their livestock on his land. For revenge, he and his hulking farm hand Mehmet snatch a goat to butcher for a family holiday, unwittingly sparking a dire blood feud. Debuting Turkish director Emin Alper creates an atmosphere of skin-crawling terror in this psychological drama by withholding, not showing, the escalating acts of violence that hurtle these feuding farmers toward a shocking confrontation. In Turkish with subtitles. First Winter Directed and written by Benjamin Dickinson (USA)—World Premiere In this extraordinary debut feature, a blackout of apocalyptic proportions strands a group of Brooklyn hipsters in a remote country farmhouse with no heat and no electricity during the coldest winter on record. At first, it’s all sex and drugs and acoustic guitars. But as the days go on and the food supply dwindles, struggles of power, jealousy, and desire threaten the group’s ability to work together in order to survive. The Girl Directed and written by David Riker (USA, Mexico)—World Premiere From the director of La Ciudad comes this moving drama about a single mother (Abbie Cornish) caught in emotional quicksand after losing her job and custody of her son. Desperate to earn cash for her custody battle, she makes the daring choice to help smuggle illegal immigrants over the border. A deep connection to a young Mexican girl will take her on a life-changing journey and force her to confront her past. In English, Spanish with subtitles. Jack and Diane Directed and written by Bradley Rust Gray (USA)—World Premiere Tomboy Jack and bubbly Diane fall head over heels in love one hot summer in New York City. When Diane reveals she must leave the city for school in Europe, their budding love is tested. Weaving horror elements into a distinctive and fresh yet timeless and universal first-love story, TFF alum Bradley Rust Gray (The Exploding Girl) brings his unique vision to this idiosyncratic story of the joys and terrors of first love. A Magnolia Pictures release. Nancy, Please Directed by Andrew Semans, written by Will Heinrich and Andrew Semans (USA)—World Premiere Paul’s life is good. He has a gig teaching literature at Yale, and he just moved in with his longtime girlfriend, finally shedding his casually sinister roommate, Nancy. There’s just one thing. Paul left an item of great importance at his old apartment, and Nancy doesn’t want to give it back.… Paul’s life is about to unravel. Debuting director Andrew Semans skillfully orchestrates a minor annoyance into an all-consuming obsession in this smart, stunning psychodrama. Postcards From the Zoo (Kebun Binatang) Directed by Edwin, written by Edwin, Daud Sumolang, and Titien Wattimena (Indonesia)—North American Premiere Acclaimed Chinese-Indonesian director Edwin (Blind Pig Who Wants To Fly) returns with a gorgeous, dreamlike fairy tale set inside Jakarta’s wondrous Ragunan Zoo. Abandoned in the zoo as a little girl and raised among the wild menagerie, Lana finally embarks outside the peculiar confines she has always known—and into the seedier side of Jakarta—when she falls in love with a charming magician. In Indonesian with subtitles. Una Noche Directed and written by Lucy Mulloy (UK, Cuba, USA)—North American Premiere Fed up with catering to the privileged tourist class, Cuban teens Raul and Elio are tantalized by the promise of a new life in Miami. Accused of assaulting a foreigner, Raul has no choice but to flee, but Elio must decide whether his own escape is worth abandoning his beloved sister. Brimming with the nervous energy of Havana’s restless youth and evocative cinematography of the sun-bleached capital, Una Noche follows one sweltering day, full of hope and fraught with tensions, that burns to a shocking climax. In Spanish with subtitles. Unit 7 (Grupo 7) Directed by Alberto Rodriguez, written by Rafael Cobos and Alberto Rodriguez (Spain)—International Premiere Unit 7 is a semi-official police detail with a seemingly impossible mission: kick Seville’s most vicious drug trafficking ring out of town ahead of a major international expo. By any means necessary. As they slip outside the bounds of the law in the name of duty, two officers fueled by violence, lies, and ambition end up on opposing paths. Spanish superstar Mario Casas (Neon Flesh) stars in this adrenaline-pumping action thriller. In Spanish with subtitles. War Witch (Rebelle) Directed and written by Kim Nguyen (Canada)—North American Premiere At 14, Komona has lived through horrors that eclipse any adult’s worst nightmares. In this mesmerizing, otherworldly drama, shot entirely in the Congo, she confides to the baby growing inside of her the harrowing story of her life since rebel warlords stormed her village. Fortified by eerily mystical powers and the warming friendship of an albino boy, the sensitive girl battles through this dire, war-ravaged world enchained as a child soldier. In French, Lingala with subtitles. While We Were Here Directed and written by Kat Coiro (USA)—World Premiere Jane (Kate Bosworth) and her English husband travel to Naples hoping to reinvigorate their silently disintegrating marriage and escape a personal tragedy that hangs heavily between them. When Jane, facing writer’s block, takes a day trip to a beautiful island off the coast, she meets a young American man living a hermetic life on the island. As the two embark on an unlikely emotional affair, Jane faces some drastic changes in her life. Yossi (Ha-Sippur Shel Yossi) Directed by Eytan Fox, written by Itay Segal (Israel)—World Premiere Returning to the role that won him TFF’s Best Actor award in Eytan Fox’s Yossi & Jagger in 2003, Ohad Knoller is extraordinary as Yossi, a closeted gay man living a solitary existence in Tel Aviv. A chance encounter with a group of soldiers ignites Yossi’s desire to live an open, fulfilling life. Written and directed with uncommon honesty and compassion by Fox, this is a deeply moving film about the power of second chances. In Hebrew with subtitles. WORLD DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION Ballroom Dancer Directed and written by Christian Bonke and Andreas Koefoed (Denmark)—North American Premiere In 2000, Slavik Kryklyvyy became the World Latin American Dance Champion. Enduring success seemed assured, but instead Slavik’s career sputtered… until redemption seemed possible with his new partner and lover, Anna. But will Slavik’s unwavering ambition prove toxic to their romance? Subtly depicting the pair’s shifting relationship through gestures, glances, and the dance itself, Ballroom Dancer begins as a comeback story and evolves into a movingly intimate tragic romance. In Russian, English with subtitles. Downeast Directed by David Redmon and Ashley Sabin (USA)—World Premiere Gouldsboro, Maine. Hit hard by the closure of the sardine canning factory, its laid-off residents—mostly 70-year-olds—just want to get back to work. So why is Italian immigrant Antonio Bussone having so much trouble getting federal funds to open a new lobster processing plant? Charged with the spirit of a generation that still gives it 110 percent, this poignant and poetic documentary sheds new light on the trying task of putting America back to work. Fame High Directed and written by Scott Hamilton Kennedy (USA)—World Premiere Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s follow-up to his Oscar®-nominated The Garden captures all the drama, competition, heartbreak, and triumph among a group of struggling students at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. From the nail-biting freshman auditions to the spectacular senior graduation performance, this endearing coming-of-age documentary is a tribute to discovering your passion and deciding whether you have the talent to take it to the next level. The Flat (Hadira) Directed and written by Arnon Goldfinger (Israel, Germany)—North American Premiere At age 98, director Arnon Goldfinger’s grandmother passed away, leaving him the task of clearing out the Tel Aviv flat that she and her husband shared since immigrating to Palestine from Nazi Germany in the 1930s. In this emotionally riveting documentary, Goldfinger follows the hints they left behind in a lifetime’s collection of documents to investigate long-buried family secrets and uncover the mystery of his grandparents’ painful past. In Hebrew, German, English with subtitles. High Tech, Low Life Directed by Stephen Maing (USA, China)—World Premiere With the Chinese government employing 40,000 “internet police,” more than half a million websites are blocked in the country. Local TV stations only publicize “the good news.” The rising tide of censorship has aroused a wave of citizen reporters committed to investigating local news stories and crime scenes. This timely and probing documentary tracks rogue bloggers Zola and Tiger Temple as they risk political persecution to become China’s uncensored eyes and ears. In Mandarin with subtitles. The List Directed by Beth Murphy (USA)—World Premiere After leading rebuilding teams in war-torn cities in Iraq, Kirk Johnson returned to America to establish and advocate for a growing number of Iraqi citizens now targeted by radical militias because they aided the U.S. in the reconstruction effort. TFF alum Beth Murphy (Beyond Belief) creates an affecting portrait of an unlikely but passionate humanitarian who has championed the cause of Iraqi refugees largely ignored by the U.S. government. In English, Arabic with subtitles. Off Label Directed by Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher (USA)—World Premiere The term “off-label” refers to the use of pharmaceuticals in any way counter to their prescribed dosage and function. Weaving together the powerful, personal stories of misdiagnosed patients, professional guinea pigs, recreational drug users, and soldiers struggling with PTSD, Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher (October Country) expose the breadth of off-label drug use and take us on an emotional road trip through an overmedicated, misdiagnosed, and drug-addled America. Planet of Snail Directed by Seung-Jun Yi (South Korea)—North American Premiere Deaf and blind, Young-Chan lives in a quiet, isolated world in his small apartment. But when Soon-Ho, an empathetic woman compromised by a spinal disability, comes into his life, a unique love story begins. Poetic and gently paced, Planet of Snail brings to life the sensual world shared by this special couple, and illustrates that the greatest beauty can be found in the smallest and most unlikely love stories. In Korean with subtitles. The Revisionaries Directed by Scott Thurman, written by Jawad Metni and Scott Thurman (USA)—World Premiere Once in a decade, the 15 members of the Texas State Board of Education meet in Austin to revise the textbook standards for five million schoolchildren. Led by Don McLeroy, a Young-Earth Creationist and Evangelical Christian, the panel implements standards that will ultimately go into effect in science and history textbooks for schoolchildren across the nation. The Revisionaries is a galvanizing peek behind the curtain at the politicization of education. The Virgin, the Copts and Me (La Vierge, les Coptes et Moi) Directed by Namir Abdel Messeeh, written by Namir Abdel Messeeh, Nathalie Najem, and Anne Paschetta (France, Qatar)—North American Premiere In his feature debut, French-Egyptian filmmaker Namir Abdel Messeeh sets out to investigate the phenomenon of supposedly miraculous Virgin Mary apparitions in Egypt’s Coptic Christian community. But when the secular director faces opposition from skittish producers and his Coptic family, Namir turns the camera on his wonderfully smart-alecky mother and reimagines his film as a touching, uniquely hilarious portrait of family and heritage. In Arabic, French with subtitles. Wavumba Directed by Jeroen van Velzen, written by Jeroen van Velzen and Sara Kee (Netherlands)—North American Premiere Mysticism and color reign in this stunning documentary steeped in the fishermen lore of Kenya. Revisiting a childhood fairy tale of a spirit-filled island with the magic to either bless or curse a fisherman’s journey, Dutch filmmaker Jeroen van Velzen explores his memories via Masoud, a real-life legend of shark fishing. His glory days long gone, Masoud relives his youth through grandiose stories told with swaggering pride and heartbreaking nostalgia. In English, Swahili with subtitles. The World Before Her Directed by Nisha Pahuja (Canada)—World Premiere Weaving together the seemingly opposing stories of the Miss India beauty pageant and a fundamentalist Hindu camp for girls, director Nisha Pahuja illuminates the situation of women across contemporary India, drawing surprising parallels in the way women are perceived and the opportunities that are afforded them in both modernizing and traditional cultures. The World Before Her is a riveting, thoughtful profile of the fundamental contradictions of a country in transition. In English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati with subtitles. VIEWPOINTS Babygirl Directed and written by Macdara Vallely (Ireland, USA)—World Premiere, Narrative For as long as she can remember, Bronx teenager Lena has watched her mom Lucy squander her life on a series of deadbeat men. When Victor, her mom’s latest boy toy, starts hitting on Lena, she sets up a trap to expose Victor for the creep he is… but the plan backfires. Macdara Vallely crafts a heartfelt drama about the emotional highs and lows in the moment between childhood and adulthood. Benji Directed by Coodie and Chike (USA)—World Premiere, Documentary In 1984, 17-year-old Ben Wilson was a symbol of everything promising about Chicago: a sweet-natured youngster from the city’s fabled South Side, and America’s top high school basketball prospect. His senseless murder on the day before his senior season devastated the city of Chicago and sent ripples of anguish nationwide. A stirring portrait of a phenom admired both on the court and off, Benji tells the story of a legend who might’ve been. Burn Directed by Tom Putnam and Brenna Sanchez (USA)—World Premiere, Documentary Detroit is burning. Meet the men and women charged with saving the once-roaring American city that many have written off as dead. With vast stretches of forsaken buildings left as kindling, they face one of the worst arson rates in the world. From executive producer Denis Leary, Burn drives us straight into the heart-pounding fire and introduces us to the characters and controversies that make up the most overworked and underequipped firehouse in the country. Caroline and Jackie Directed and written by Adam Christian Clark (USA)—World Premiere, Narrative When Caroline throws a surprise birthday party for her sister Jackie, what starts as an evening with friends devolves into a night that will change everything, as their bond is tested by the emotional mayhem only sisters can wring. Injecting his dinner-party-gone-wrong story with genuine tension, first-time filmmaker Adam Christian Clark strips away the layers of Caroline and Jackie’s fraught relationship right up until the film’s raw and moving conclusion. Certain People (Katinkas Kalas) Directed by Levan Akin, written by Lisa Östberg (Sweden)—World Premiere, Narrative A small group of friends—upper-class, art world bohemians in their thirties—gather at Katinka’s summer house to celebrate her birthday. Suddenly during dinner, Katinka’s brother arrives with Linda, a blonde game show hostess whose brusque and liberated manners are entertaining and fresh… at first. During the course of the evening Linda stretches the group’s invisible social rules of hospitality. Contempt starts to grow, and hidden prejudices flare up. In Swedish with subtitles. Consuming Spirits Directed and written by Chris Sullivan (USA)—World Premiere, Narrative Nearly 15 years in the making, Chris Sullivan’s Consuming Spirits is a meticulously constructed tour de force of experimental animation. Shooting frame by frame in 16mm, Sullivan seamlessly blends together a range of techniques into a distinct, signature visual style. In the process, he constructs a hypnotic, layered narrative, a suspenseful gothic tale that tracks the intertwined lives of three kindred spirits working at a local newspaper in a Midwestern rust belt town. Cut Directed by Amir Naderi, written by Amir Naderi, Abou Farman, Shinji Aoyama, Yuichi Tazawa (Japan)—U.S. Premiere, Narrative Award-winning Iranian filmmaker and TFF alum (Vegas: Based on a True Story) Amir Naderi travels to Tokyo to tell this striking, fiercely unconventional tale of a struggling young filmmaker, Shuji. Desperate to create great cinema, Shuji obtains financing for a few utterly forgettable pictures from his brother—who got the money from the mob. Now Shuji must repay his debts and test his love of the movies by working as a human punching bag for yakuza thugs. In Japanese with subtitles. Death of a Superhero Directed by Ian Fitzgibbon, written by Anthony McCarten (Ireland, Germany)—U.S. Premiere, Narrative Donald is a teenager with extraordinary talents, wild daydreams, and a bright future as an artist of fantastical graphic novels. But when Donald discovers that a very real enemy is trying to kill him, an unorthodox psychologist tries to help him find the light in an otherwise dark world. Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Andy Serkis star in this exceptionally honest drama about discovering life, love, and death. A Tribeca Film release. El Gusto Directed and written by Safinez Bousbia (Algeria, Ireland, UAE)—North American Premiere, Documentary A rhythmic cocktail of European and Arabic traditions, chaabi music was the heart and soul of cosmopolitan Algiers in the 1940s, but the war of independence with France tore apart the peaceful Muslim and Jewish communities that came together to play this unique music. A group of over-the-hill but still fiery musicians reunites after five decades apart in this spirited, gorgeously shot documentary about music’s power to transcend cultural boundaries. In French, Arabic with subtitles. Fairhaven Directed and written by Tom O’Brien (USA)—World Premiere, Narrative Jon is well past his glory days on the football field and searching for meaning in the small town of Fairhaven. When his friend Dave comes home for his father’s funeral, the limits of friendship are tested as the past is uncovered. This thoughtful meditation on love, loss, and minor triumphs reminds us that sometimes the most important things in life are the little moments we cherish forever. The Fourth Dimension Directed by Harmony Korine, Alexey Fedorchenko, and Jan Kwiecinski, written by Harmony Korine, Alexey Fedorchenko, Jan Kwiecinski, Oleg Loevsky, and Yaroslava Pulinovich (USA, Poland, Russia)—World Premiere, Narrative A motivational speaker named Val Kilmer (played by Val Kilmer) delivers a sermon at a roller rink. A Russian scientist builds a time machine in his apartment. Four friends stumble upon an abandoned village in the Polish countryside. All are in search of the fourth dimension—whether they know it or not. Weird, ominous, cool, compelling: These three short films could only be inspired by the creative vision of Harmony Korine and Vice Media’s Eddy Moretti. In English, Polish, Russian with subtitles. Francophrenia (or: Don’t Kill Me, I Know Where the Baby Is) Directed by Ian Olds and James Franco, written by Ian Olds and Paul Felten (USA)—North American Premiere, Narrative James Franco stunned the film world when he committed to a regular gig on General Hospital, but the Oscar®-nominated actor had a clever trick up his sleeve. While shooting a key GH episode, Franco brought along a film crew. TFF award winner Ian Olds (Fixer, 2009) then repurposed Franco’s behind-the-scenes footage into an experimental psychological thriller set amid the spectacle of a celebrity’s escalating paranoia, creating a mind-bending exploration of identity. Journey to Planet X Directed by Josh Koury and Myles Kane (USA)—World Premiere, Documentary By day Eric Swain and Troy Bernier are a couple of mild-mannered, middle-aged desk jockeys from Florida, but their wildest dreams come to life after hours when they get together to make fantastical sci-fi movies with the help of a green screen, amateur actors, and retro-futuristic computer graphics. As they embark on their most ambitious production yet, this hip and heartwarming documentary shows how boundless imagination can hilariously stretch the limits of DIY moviemaking. On The Mat Directed and written by Fredric Golding (USA)—World Premiere, Documentary Achieving greatness in high school wrestling requires a level of devotion unmatched perhaps by any other sport. That greatness has become a yearly expectation at Lake Stevens High, winner of seven Washington state championships in the past 10 years. Narrated by Lake Stevens wrestling alum Chris Pratt (Moneyball), this riveting documentary follows the team over the course of a season as they fight through injuries and academic issues to maintain their school’s legacy. Resolution Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Scott Moorhead, written by Justin Benson (USA)—World Premiere, Narrative Michael is committed to getting his best friend Chris to sober up and put his life back on track. But what begins as an attempt to save his friend’s life quickly takes an unexpected turn as the two friends confront personal demons, the consequences of past actions, and forces beyond their control. Expertly balancing dark humor, heart, and thrills, Resolution is an utterly unique cinematic experience that defies genre classification. Room 514 Directed and written by Sharon Bar-Ziv (Israel)—North American Premiere, Narrative When a young, idealistic military investigator confronts an elite soldier with accusations of unnecessary violence against a Palestinian man in the Occupied Territories, her quest for justice ends up having far-reaching consequences. Director Sharon Bar-Ziv’s feature debut is a gritty minimalist drama that provides a raw, direct look at the psyche of contemporary Israeli culture as shaped by the effects of the ongoing conflict. In Hebrew, Russian with subtitles. Rubberneck Directed by Alex Karpovsky, written by Alex Karpovsky and Garth Donovan (USA)—World Premiere, Narrative Months after a one-night-stand-gone-nowhere with a sexy coworker, sad-sack Boston scientist Paul still finds himself increasingly consumed with obsessive thoughts toward his uninterested colleague. As his impulses become increasingly irresistible, and the repercussions of his actions snowball, the tension mounts. Indie stalwart Alex Karpovsky directs this slow-burn psychosexual character study. Sexy Baby Directed by Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus (USA)—World Premiere, Documentary In the age of runaway social media and “sexting,” raunchy rap songs on pop radio and hardcore pornography at the click of a mouse—what’s it like to be a woman? A girl? A teenage boy? A parent? Following a middle-aged former porn star, a young woman undergoing a controversial surgery, and a 12-year-old girl who’s growing up faster than her parents can handle, Sexy Baby is a startling look at America’s increasingly sex-saturated culture. Stones in the Sun (Woch nan Soley) Directed and written by P. Benoit (USA, Haiti)—World Premiere, Narrative In the 1980s, in the midst of increasing political violence, a young couple, two sisters, and a father and son are driven from Haiti to New York, where they must confront the truths of their interlocked pasts. In her impassioned, penetrating feature film debut, Haitian director P. Benoit steers clear of clichés about immigrants and refugees, authentically tapping into the reality of the unique Haitian-American experience. In English, Haitian Creole with subtitles. Supporting Characters Directed by Daniel Schechter, written by Tarik Lowe and Daniel Schechter (USA)—World Premiere, Narrative In this funny and authentic take on modern relationships, best friends Darryl (Tarik Lowe) and Nick (Alex Karpovsky) are a film editing duo hired to rework a movie in crisis, only to find themselves increasingly consumed with reworking their own personal lives. While Nick begins to question his stable relationship after receiving attentions from the film’s flirtatious starlet, Darryl finds himself falling hard for tempestuous dancer Liana (Melonie Diaz). Town of Runners Directed by Jerry Rothwell (UK)—World Premiere, Documentary Over the past two decades the small, rural Ethiopian town of Bekoji has been the unlikely home to numerous Olympic champion long-distance runners, whose athletic success has paved the way for a generation of young Ethiopians searching for a better future. With a keen artistic eye, TFF award winner Jerry Rothwell (Donor Unknown) follows two teenage track hopefuls who face the challenge of growing up and striving for greatness in a developing nation. In Amharic, Oromo with subtitles. Turn Off the Lights Directed by Ivana Mladenovic, written by Ivana Mladenovic and Bianca Oana (Romania)—World Premiere, Documentary After years behind bars, three young men begin to rediscover lives of aggression and excess in their raucous Roma community. Among them is Alex, a captivating figure with a disturbingly blasé attitude toward violence, women, and guilt. In this absorbing documentary, offering a rare peek into contemporary Roma culture, Alex and his fellow ex-cons reconcile the outside world with the gray-shaded areas of morality with which they all struggle. In Romanian with subtitles. Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Of Verona, Imagine Dragons round out bill for inaugural Woodies Fest, set for March 15 at SXSW. By James Montgomery Machine Gun Kelly Photo: Jerod Harris/ WireImage After roughly 156 announcements (but who’s counting?), mtvU has unveiled the full and final list of performers for the 2012 Woodie Awards Festival … with a few last-minute additions, of course. Dev, MGK, Of Verona and Imagine Dragons will join already-announced acts like fun., A$AP Rocky , Kimbra and Chiddy Bang at the inaugural Woodies Fest, set for March 15 in Austin, Texas, during the South by Southwest music festival. The Woodies Fest kicks off at 1 p.m. CT at Red River and East 1st Street in Austin and is open to both SXSW badge-holders and uncredentialed (but certainly no less valid) music fans alike … though, if you can’t make it down to Austin, don’t fret: The Woodies Fest will also stream live on Woodies.mtvU.com and leads up to the 2012 Woodie Awards themselves. On Sunday, March 18, the best moments from the Woodies will be featured in a 30-minute special, airing on MTV and mtvU at 8 p.m. ET. Voting is now under way in all Woodie categories — including Woodie of the Year and the coveted Best Video Woodie — and will remain open until March 9. Voting in the Breaking Woodie category will continue during the live show on March 15. Fans can cast ballots in all categories through the Woodies’ website or on their mobile phones at M.MTV.com or by texting VOTE to 66333. Standard message and data rates may apply. Here’s the schedule of performers for the Woodies Fest: 2:00 p.m. ET/ 1:00 p.m. CT – Ed Sheeran 2:35 p.m. ET/ 1:35 p.m. CT – Kimbra 3:00 p.m. ET/ 2:00 p.m. CT – A$AP Rocky 3:35 p.m. ET/ 2:35 p.m. CT – Gary Clark Jr. 4:00 p.m. ET/ 3:00 p.m. CT – Machine Gun Kelly 4:35 p.m. ET/ 3:35 p.m. CT – Of Verona 5:00 p.m. ET/ 4:00 p.m. CT – Dev 5:35 p.m. ET/ 4:35 p.m. CT – Wallpaper. 6:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. CT – Chiddy Bang 6:35 p.m. ET/ 5:45 p.m. CT – Imagine Dragons 7:15 p.m. ET/ 6:15 p.m. CT – fun. 8:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. CT – Walk The Moon 9:00 p.m. ET/ 8:00 p.m. CT – Childish Gambino, Santigold, and Steve Aoki The Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Machine Gun Kelly And Kendrick Lamar Related Photos Related Artists Machine Gun Kelly Dev Imagine Dragons
‘I remember, ‘You’re nothing without this person,’ ‘ she says during documentary, airing at 10 p.m. ET/PT today (March 6) on MTV. By Jocelyn Vena Demi Lovato in “Demi Lovato: Stay Strong” Photo: MTV Demi Lovato certainly inspires her fans to be who they are and make no apologies for it. During her MTV special, “Demi Lovato: Stay Strong,” airing at 10 p.m. ET/PT today (March 6) on MTV, the singer/actress opens up about her connection to her Lovatics, and how they inspire her as much as she inspires them. “Every time someone asks me for a picture or an autograph, even if I’m having a bad day and I’m in a bad mood, I remember, ‘You’re nothing without this person,’ ” she says during the documentary. “They make it special.” At a tour stop, one fan tells Lovato that she inspired her to not wear her wig and just embrace who she is. The young woman tells the singer, “Keep being awesome.” Later during her performance, Lovato recalls meeting the fan and invites her to come onstage to sing. “Give it up to my friend who inspired me earlier,” she tells the room of screaming Lovatics, with her special fan at her side. Her fans are a big part of “Stay Strong,” voicing their own testimonials about how they found strength in Lovato, her story and her music. “My fans have been really receptive towards me. They’ve really welcomed me into their arms after everything I’ve been through, so I’m really thankful for them,” she told MTV News. “They also stand by my side and support me no matter what, which is an amazing feeling.” She’s set to welcome fans into her life when “Stay Strong” debuts today (March 6) at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, followed by a live Q&A with the star during “The After Show” at 11 p.m. ET/PT. “I’ve just been working at it a day at a time and have been trying to continue to fight my hardest,” she told MTV News. “And I’ve had my ups and downs, and I’m still trying, but overall, it’s been a really great journey, and I’m thankful for everything that I’ve been through.” Don’t miss “Demi Lovato: Stay Strong,” debuting at 10 p.m. ET/PT today (March 6) on MTV. Related Videos Exclusive Previews Of ‘Demi Lovato: Stay Strong’ Related Photos The Evolution Of: Demi Lovato Related Artists Demi Lovato
‘I was most definitely nervous about opening up to the cameras,’ Lovato admits of documentary airing Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. By Jocelyn Vena Demi Lovato Photo: MTV Demi Lovato will let fans into her life when her documentary “Demi Lovato: Stay Strong” premieres March 6 on MTV. Cameras follow Lovato as she tours, goes back to visit the Illinois rehab center where she was treated, and opens up in great detail about her life post-treatment. While Lovatics got a preview of what’s to come from the trailer that dropped a few weeks back, the full picture of Demi’s struggles and her life right now will be revealed when the “Stay Strong” airs Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Lovato talked to MTV News this week about why she signed on for the doc. “I was most definitely nervous about opening up to the cameras,” she said. “And I was very hesitant to say certain things, but once I was around them for a while, I felt more comfortable and really opened up towards them.” The special goes deep. Demi talks candidly about her issues, from being diagnosed with bipolar disorder to struggling with both cutting and eating disorders. The singer/actress hopes the documentary can help anyone else dealing with similar kinds of pain. “My goals for my fans? It’s to really inspire people,” she said. “That’s all I hope to accomplish. If there is a young girl at home dealing with the same issues that I’m dealing with, I want to be able to reach out to her and tell her that it’s going to be OK. “You know, I speak about a lot of serious issues and I really hope to get awareness out there about the issues that I dealt with,” she continued. “But at the end of the day, I just want people to see what it’s like to be in my shoes. I kind of talked about the journey that I’ve been on and I just want people to take away a positive message. It gets better, you know?” The special is named after a pair of tattoos Demi has on her wrists that read “Stay Strong.” The tats are a tribute to the fans that Lovato said sent her that very message while she was in treatment. Don’t miss “Demi Lovato: Stay Strong,” debuting Tuesday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Related Videos Exclusive Previews Of ‘Demi Lovato: Stay Strong’ Related Photos The Evolution Of: Demi Lovato Related Artists Demi Lovato
Program executive produced by U2 guitarist airs on MTV March 2 at 8 p.m. By MTV News Staff U2 guitarist the Edge has addressed many social issues through music. He tackles a new epidemic — the growing number of homeless youth — in the MTV documentary “The Break,” for which he serves as executive producer. “The Break” premieres Friday, March 2, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Today, over 1.5 million youth in America have found themselves living in various states of homelessness stemming from all sorts of circumstances. “The Break” introduces viewers to three young people who refuse to give in to the despair and overwhelming weight that landing on the outskirts of society has placed upon them. The documentary delves deep into the journeys of these three young individuals as they take steps to rebuild their lives once they are provided with the tools and guidance necessary to emerge out of homelessness and rejoin society. First, viewers will meet Nancy, a 20-year-old woman who was involved in abusive relationships and has been homeless for two years. Nancy will need to regain her independence and change the behavior that has held her back throughout her life. Then viewers will be introduced to Rob, a talented drummer who came to New York with dreams of becoming a star. After a downward spiral, Rob will have to clean up his act in order to get a fresh start and rebuild his life. Lastly, Ava ran away from her conservative home after clashing with her family over her lesbian lifestyle. With the opportunity to receive training and experience, the academically gifted young woman will be inspired to pursue her dream of becoming a police detective. Providing the trio with support is Anne Mahlum, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Back on My Feet. The organization uses running as a vehicle to promote the self-sufficiency of the homeless population, providing them with support and resources to help them get closer to their goals. Back on My Feet helps Ava, Nancy and Rob finally have access to the opportunities to create functional, healthy lifestyles. In addition to producing the program, the Edge also wrote the original song “No Home Like Place” for the documentary. Related Artists U2
Diddy is the third hip-hop artist to win an Academy Award , following in the footsteps of Eminem and Three 6 Mafia. The music mogul won the Best Documentary Academy Award for his role as executive producer on the film “Undefeated,” which follows the trials and tribulations of an all-black high school football team. This guy is really doing his thing! He also recently announced his new network Revolt! RELATED: Diddy Announces REVOLT Music and News TV Network [VIDEO] Celebs Hit The 2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet & After Parties [PHOTOS]
‘In Memoriam’ montage also pays tribute to Steve Jobs, Sidney Lumet, Jane Russell and more fallen stars. By Ryan J. Downey Whitney Houston honored at the 84th Annual Academy Awards Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Billy Crystal introduced this year’s “In Memoriam” montage with personal, heartfelt words about two Academy Awards producers who passed away in 2011, one of whom was Laura Ziskin, who produced on films like “Spider-Man” and “As Good as It Gets.” Esperanza Spalding , backed by the Southern California Children’s Choir, sang a restrained and powerful version of “What a Wonderful World” as the clips played. The audience was asked to hold their applause until after the montage concluded, which they respectfully abided by. This prevented the morbid “applause-meter” phenomenon of years past, which seemed to unwittingly measure one fallen industry person’s popularity against another. The montage included a number of producers, costume designers, sound technicians and other departed industry folks, in addition to writers, directors and film stars. Among those honored were Whitney Houston and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs , who was awarded a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Special Merit Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles earlier this month. The montage also included Jane Russell (who died shortly after last year’s Academy Awards), Farley Granger (who starred in two Alfred Hitchcock films, including “Strangers on a Train”), Hal Kanter, Jackie Cooper (the former child actor who also famously played newspaper boss to Christopher’s Reeve’s “Superman”), Sidney Lumet (director of classic movies like “Serpico,” “Network” and “Twelve Angry Men”) and Oscar winner Cliff Robertson (best known to modern audiences as Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben). The “In Memoriam” at the 84th annual Academy Awards closed with a clip of Elizabeth Taylor as “Cleopatra.” The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night’s big winners and the best red-carpet fashion . Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars. Related Photos Oscars 2012: The Main Show Related Artists Whitney Houston Esperanza Spalding
