Festival

But for all the bitching, a quick scan of the films ultimately honored speak very well indeed for the integrity of the festival that, contrary to popular myth, Robert Redford did not actually found. The Utah/United States Film Festival was founded in 1978, took place in Salt Lake City, moved to Park City in 1981, and in 1985, Redford's Sundance Institute took over administration. Which is where our chronicle of the winners begins. As DVD versions of the most recent winners become available, we'll let you know right here.

» continue reading "Sundance Winners"

By Sean Axmaker

Adrienne Shelly blossomed onto the indie film scene with her 1989 screen debut in Hal Hartley's debut feature The Unbelievable Truth. In the succeeding years, the diminutive, red-headed actress proved to be very picky about her screen roles, appearing largely in idiosyncratic indie films and guest-starring in East Coast-based TV shows like Homicide and Law and Order. She had come from the stage and continued writing, directing, and performing numerous stage productions in the independent theater scene in New York, and she was making a name for herself as a film director.

(Note: Her final film as director, Waitress, is now out on DVD.)

» continue reading "A Conversation with Adrienne Shelly"

The last day of the Venice Film Festival sees the screening of surely one of the most unusual films in its lineup, Death in the Land of Encantos, by the Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz. Unusual, even if only in terms of length. The film runs around ten hours.

Tilman Baumgärtel asks Lav Diaz, widely recognized as one of the most important filmmakers working in the Philippines today, what has led to such a radical aesthetic and talks with him, too, about the unique blend of documentary and fiction in his latest work.

» continue reading "Lav Diaz: "Digital is liberation theology.""

Interview By Andrew Grant

Joe Swanberg follows up his previous efforts, Kissing on the Mouth and LOL, with the clever and endearing Hannah Takes the Stairs; a film about a recent college graduate and aspiring playwright, struggling to find happiness in her life through various relationships. Swanberg's feature is a collaborative work that involved prominent indie filmmakers such as Mark Duplass, Ry Russo-Young, Todd Rohal, Andrew Bujalski and others. The film opened at SXSW and there Andrew Grant had a moment to speak with Swanberg about his films.

LOL is now out on DVD.

» continue reading "Young Americans: Joe Swanberg LOLs"

"Every novice filmmaker aspires to have their first feature praised by their peers. If they're extremely fortunate, their earliest work will be embraced by critics and well-attended by audiences. Less often, their first feature will even be lauded with awards in their home country and abroad." remarks Jonathan Marlow of Florian Henckle von Donnersmarck whose remarkable new drama The Lives of Others has won several German Lola's and has been nominated by the Academy. Marlow had a chance to talk with Donnersmarck here in San Francisco.

And now the film, which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film, is out on DVD.  

» continue reading "Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck: Among The Lives of Others"

By Jonathan Marlow

On the occasion of the U.S. Premiere of Les Blank’s latest documentary, All in This Tea, at the San Francisco International Film Festival, Jonathan Marlow spoke with the remarkably accomplished filmmaker about his legendary career. What follows is the second of two parts, the first part can be found here.

» continue reading "Les Blank: Another Cup"

By Shannon Gee

Shannon Gee was able to catch the premiere of Guy Maddin’s Brand Upon the Brain! at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival. It was the very first screening of the film with all the elements in place: The live Narrator, there played by Louis Negin, the live score by members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, vocals performed by a “castrato found in the steam baths of Winnipeg” and three Foley artists to provide the silent film’s sound effects.

Brand Upon the Brain! will be screening at the San Francisco International Film Festival -- click here for ticket info.

» continue reading "Maddin on the Brain"

By Cathleen Rountree

The Pervert's Guide to Cinema is currently working the festival circuit -- You can search dates and locations here.

For those of you in the San Francisco Bay area, the film will be screening at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts May 3rd - May 6th. For times and ticket info click here.

» continue reading "Sophie Fiennes and The Pervert's Guide to Cinema"

By Cathleen Rountree

» continue reading "Hirokazu Kore-eda: Syncing Up with the After Life"

By Jonathan Marlow

On the occasion of the U.S. Premiere of Les Blank’s latest documentary, All in this Tea, at the San Francisco International Film Festival, Jonathan Marlow spoke with the remarkably accomplished filmmaker about his legendary career. What follows is the first of two parts.

The San Francisco International Film Festival is underway! Click here for more info.

» continue reading "Les Blank: Tea for Two"