SWIFF LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

PATRICIA ROZEMA, Writer/Director

Patricia Rozema was born in Kingston, Ontario, to Jan and Jacoba Rozema, Dutch immigrants who came to Canada after the Second World War. The family soon moved to Sarnia, Ontario. “I grew up in a fairly feminist household,” Rozema says. “My father MASTHEAD & BEHIND THE SCENES has always loved really strong women, and my mother was one. The whole family had a respect for these sort of noble, vocal women and their opinion mattered very, very much.” Rozema became an associate producer on the program The Journal for two years at the CBC. She started freelancing as an assistant director on many productions and writing as The South Western International Film Festival (swiff), to be held every first weekend in many scripts as possible while taking filmmaking courses. One of Rozema’s many scripts November, aims to establish Sarnia-Lambton as a cultural hub for Southwestern Ontario. secured her a grant and she began production of her first short film, PASSION: A LETTER In addition to a rich cinematic experience, the festival will offer visitors a chance to interact IN 16MM (1985). Her debut feature I’VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING (1987) won with the artists. There is also a special focus on youth participation and diversity. the Prix de la Jeunesse at Cannes in 1987. A poll sponsored by the Toronto International Under the guidance and leadership of Executive Director Ravi Srinivasan, SWIFF is a Film Festival in 1993 recognized this film as one of Canada’s top 10 films of all time. Rozema has made six feature films and worked extensively in television, penning the Golden Globe collaborative effort featuring local businesses and community members. winning GREY GARDENS, starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, and directing HBO’s IN TREATMENT, starring Gabriel Byrne. Rozema is regarded as one of our country’s Executive Director – Ravi Srinivasan, Festival Programmers – Ravi Srinivasan, Jennie Chu most respected and original voices working in film and television. Short Film Programmer – Hallie Switzer, Music Programmer – Trevor Steinman, Ravi Srini- vasan, Marketing Director – Marty Oblak, Creative Director – Zenon Turczyn, Programme Guide Design – Paul Bauchamp, Marty Oblak, Programme Guide Contributors – Jennie Chu, Hallie Switzer, Levi Webb, Graphic Designers – Paul Beauchamp, Devon Mackinnon, Marty Oblak, Lisa Smith, Finance – Lesli De Carolis, Michael Lutz, Website Programmer – AARON HUGGETT, Writer/Director Michael Pereira, Technical Production Services – Matt Mason, Video Production – Zenon Turczyn, Eddy Lichty Photographers – Jen Nicholson, Bill Thompson, Social Media Director Born in Sarnia, and raised in Oil Springs, Huggett sold his first script at the age of fourteen. His filmmaking garnered – Julie Lichty, Social Media content – Julie Lichty, Kyle Stark, Lindsey Cepek, Sponsorship international attention when his 2005 film, FLICKER, took home Director – Lindsay Bujaki, Educational Coordinator – Meghan DiBrita, Opening Night a Best Supporting Acting prize at the New York International Reception – Memorable Moments, Production Coordinators – Shaun Hood, Mark Meeks, Independent Film Festival. He is co-founder of Stand, a cooperative dedicated to the Erin Macneil, Levi Webb Production Staff – Eddy Lichty, Kirk Lichty, Olivia Cataford, Jeremy prevention of bullying, domestic violence and teen suicide. Huggett’s historical fiction film, Lataweic, Erica Procunier RED RYAN, shot in Lambton County, is in post-production and will preview at SWIFF on – Jack Blum, Gilad Cohen, Sharon Corder, Steve Gravestock, Donna Stewart, Advisors Friday evening. Huggett is our SWIFF screenwriting workshop instructor and we’re Deanna Wong, Magali Simard, Kerri Craddock, Mary Doyle, Peter Kuplowsky, excited that he’ll be sharing his knowledge and experience with the community. Michael Lerman, Andrei Tanasesc Board of Directors – Gregory Bernard, Evelyn Dillon, Paul Doyle, Jennifer Nicholson, Sunday November 8th, 8:30am – 2:00pm Matthew Watson Screenwriting Workshop Thank you to The Imperial Theatre, The Judith & Norman ALIX Art Gallery and REEL CANADA for their continued support. 30 DAYS for $30 80 Phenomenal Classes per WEEK including HOT yoga!

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www.agoyafitness.com | 519-704-1315 message from message from The Mayor executive director

MIKE BRADLEY RAVI SRINIVASAN MAYOR Executive Director CITY OF SARNIA South Western International Film Festival

I am delighted to roll out the official red carpet for the Inaugural South Western Tonight is the start of something new, exciting and special for Lambton County. International Film Festival. It’s an opportunity to build on the Arts/Culture community that has been burning bright through institutions such as Theatre Sarnia, Art Walk, CineSeries and JNNAG. With Ravi’s vision of building on the rejuvenation and renaissance of downtown Sarnia into a cultural and entertainment centre, the community will have the opportunity to see first-class SWIFF and the programming that we’ve put together in our first year would not have cinema productions, featuring some of the brightest and best in the Canadian film industry, been possible without selfless dedication, passion and enthusiasm from its contributors, highlighted by our own Patricia Rozema, screen writer and director of the debut film, supporters, partners and sponsors. While we sit back and enjoy stories from Canada and “Into The Forest.” beyond, I hope the films and filmmakers we bring to the area will help us better understand each other and the people around us, and maybe the generation behind us will become The Festival is an exciting and dynamic event, spotlighting new voices and will inspired and enriched in the process. We look forward to seeing you throughout the entire offer first-rate films that will engage and entertain the audience with their stories. weekend and the years to come!

Congratulations to everyone involved in making this festival a success and to many years of future success.

Yours sincerely, Sincerely, Mike Bradley, Mayor of Sarnia Ravi Shinivasan SWIFF IN THE COMMUNity Filmmaking Workshops

To kick-start the festival year, SWIFF, in partnership with the National Program REEL Friday November 6th, 8:30am–2:00pm CANADA, is presenting FREE Canadian films for high school students to raise awareness of Documentary Workshop with CHARLES OFFICER. and appreciation for Canadian filmmaking, Canadian stories and Canadian culture. Students from St. Patrick’s, St. Clair, SCITS, Northern, North Lambton, Alexander Mackenzie and Charles Officer’s first feature NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY was theat- LCCVI high schools have all been invited to participate, making this a true county-wide affair. rically released in 2009. The Film garnered 10 Genie (Canada’s The teachers will be prepped with discussion questions and information about the films to Academy Award) nominations, where Charles was recognized for use in their classrooms to further the program in coherence with their own curriculum. his achievement in direction and original screenplay. He completed FUELLED BY PASSION, THE RETURN OF THE JETS, a one-hour documentary produced by the CBC about the Following the screening, students will have the opportunity to engage with an artist from the Winnipeg Jets return to the National Hockey League for the 2011-12 season. Charles’ latest film to learn about its creation and about opportunities in the film industry outside Lambton project, produced by the National Film Board of Canada, is a documentary entitled UN- County. ARMED VERSES, which explores youth and race-related issues in the city, in the aftermath of the shooting of Trayvon Martin in the United States.

SWIFF will offer educational workshops led by industry professionals who will share their knowledge and inspire the local community. We’ve partnered with the Lambton County / Saturday November 7th, 8:30am–2:00pm Kent District School Board’s Specialist High Skills Major Program. This program is designed Producing Workshop with WILLIAM WOODS. to provide students with both in-class and out-of-classroom training and experiences related Will graduated from York University with a master’s degree in to their post-secondary career of choice. environmental ethics and started his film career in 2011. He has since produced three feature films. IN RETURN is a romantic This program will place at least five high school students into our Documentary and comedy which won the audience choice award at Cinefest and Green Bay. He’s produced Producing workshops. Participants in the Producers workshop will learn the art of story five short films, Saturday Night Special (Bravo!), Aldrus (Bravo!), AFK (Bravo!), STILL AND creation and focusing an idea into a concise and entertaining pitch. RELAX, I’M FROM THE FUTURE. Will’s latest project , MEAN DREAMS, is a compelling coming of age drama starring Bill Paxton, Colm Feore and Josh Wiggins. On Sunday afternoon, The Imperial Theatre will host SWIFF Pitch! Each participant in our filmmaking workshop will be invited to pitch their film concept in ontfr of a live audience and a panel of judges. The winning pitch will receive a two month online mentorship with Presented by: Producer William Woods. ADMISSION IS FREE! OPening NIght Film Closing NIght Film

Thursday November 5th, 7:30PM fails, for people unaccustomed to living Sunday November 8th, 7:00PM ling character-piece is driven by excellent Into The Forest without it, scarcity breeds suspicion and 99 HOMES performances from Garfield and Shannon, delusion. Battling extreme loneliness and faced with a supporting role by Laura Dern. Patricia Rozema, Canada (2015) with the imminent threats of starvation, illness Ramin Bahrani, USA (2014) When our morals and ethics are at play, English and intruders, the young women must double English it forces us to ask ourselves one crucial 112 min SW Ontario Premiere down on discipline and creativity in order to Runtime: question: How far would you go to save Runtime: 101 min Rating: 14A ensure that they see the next day. Rating: 14A Producer: Ramin Bahrani, Ashok Amritraj, your home? Producer: Niv Fichman, Andrew Garfield, Justin Nappi, Kevin Turen Ellen Page, Aaron L. Gilbert Patricia Rozema is one Screenplay: Ramin Bahrani, Writer/Director Screenplay: Patricia Rozema of Canada’s most accom- Amir Naderi, Bahareh Azimi Ramin Bahra- Daniel Grant Bobby Bukowski Cinematographer: plished and internationally Cinematographer: ni’s films have Editor: Matthew Hannam Editor: Ramin Bahrani recognized filmmakers. premiered and Principal Cast: Ellen Page, Evan Rachel Principal Cast: Andrew Garfield, Wood, Max Minghella, Callum Keith Rennie Rozema, who was born Michael Shannon, Laura Dern screened at in Kingston, Ontario, Venice, Cannes, and raised in Sarnia, in a Patricia Rozema became one of the breakout Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield) is an honest, Sundance, Berlin Dutch Calvinist immigrant stars of the Toronto New Wave with the classic unemployed single father struggling to stay and Toronto. He family, has distinguished herself as a writer and film I’VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING afloat when his family’s home is foreclosed on has won numerous awards, such as the director for both film and television. In addition (playing at SWIFF Friday afternoon), which won by a ruthless real estate broker, Rick Carver FIPRESCI prize for best film (MAN PUSH to I’VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING, her the coveted Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1987 (Michael Shannon). Dennis and his mother and CART, LONDON; GOODBYE SOLO, theatrical features as director are WHEN NIGHT Cannes Film Festival. Later that year, it was son are forced out onto the streets, where he VENICE). He collaborated with Werner IS FALLING (1995), MANSFIELD PARK (1999), voted one of Canada’s ten best films ever. must succumb to desperate measures in order Herzog on his short film PLASTIC BAG KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL (2008) to support his family. When Rick offers Dennis and directed a music video for Sigur Rós. Rozema’s latest work, based on Jean and INTO THE FOREST (2015). a job, he begins working for the very man who In 2010 legendary American film critic Hegland’s novel of the same name, takes *Q&A with director Patricia Rozema took everything from him. He finds himself Roger Ebert proclaimed Bahrani “the place in the near future, as a massive power immediately following the film. questioning his own integrity as he is dragged director of the decade.” 99 HOMES is outage overwhelms all of continental North into Rick’s dirty business of foreclosing on the his latest feature film. America and sets off a fight for human survival. Presented by: disenfranchised. Acclaimed director Ramin Sisters Nell (Ellen Page) and Eva (Evan Rachel Bahrani (At Any Price, Goodbye Solo, Chop Presented by: Wood) gradually become aware that nature is Shop) creates a timely morality tale set against not a natural habitat for most humans. Men and the backdrop of the US financial crisis that is women are dependent on electricity for most of both thrilling and compassionate. This compel- their needs, and on information. When power SWIFF Retro

Friday November 6th, 1:00PM actress, and is regarded as an important I’VE HEARD THE MER- milestone in both queer cinema and the MAIDS SINGING development of the Canadian film industry.

Canada (1987) Patricia Rozema, Patricia Rozema is English one of Canada’s most Runtime: 81 min Rating: PG accomplished and Producer: Patricia Rozema, internationally Alexandra Raffe, Don Haig recognized filmmakers. Patricia Rozema Screenplay: Rozema, who was born Cinematographer: Douglas Koch in Kingston, Ontario, Editor: Patricia Rozema Principal Cast: Sheila McCarthy and raised in Sarnia, in a Dutch Calvinist immigrant family, has distinguished herself Patricia Rozema’s debut feature film — a as a writer and director for both film and charming, whimsical story about a waifish television. In addition to I’VE HEARD THE daydreamer with artistic aspirations — MERMAIDS SINGING, her theatrical features won the award for best first feature at as director are WHEN NIGHT IS the Cannes Film Festival and went on to FALLING (1995), MANSFIELD PARK (1999), become one of the most profitable Canadi- KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN an films ever made. I’ve Heard the Mer- GIRL (2008) and INTO THE FOREST (2015). maids Singing centres on the engaging and whimsical Polly Vandersma (Sheila McCar- thy), a naive and “organizationally impaired” Presented by: temporary secretary and amateur photog- rapher in Toronto. Polly tells the story of her unwitting involvement in art fraud to a video camera stolen from her workplace. Though timid and gauche on the outside, she leads an intense inner life. The film received ten Genie Award nominations, winning for best actress and supporting SWIFF First Friday SWIFF First Friday

Friday November 6th, 7:00PM In the ‘70s Alan Friday November 6th, 9:00PM of composure. Panahi offers an image of HURT Zweig went to film JAFAR PANAHI’S TAXI progression through a limited space that school at Sheridan is occupied by limitless hope. Alan Zweig, Canada (2015) College. While Jafar Panahi, Iran (2015) English living in Toronto Farsi w/ English Subtitles SW Ontario Premiere SW Ontario Premiere Jafar Panahi 84 min working on his 82 min Runtime: Runtime: was born in Rating: 14A craft, Zweig spent Rating: PG Producer: Peter Gentile time in the trans- Producer: Jafar Panahi Mianeh, Iran. Screenplay: Alan Zweig port department on film sets and driving Screenplay: Jafar Panahi He has directed Ian Kerr, Jafar Panahi Cinematographer: cab. Today, he’s regarded as one of our Cinematographer: the feature films Jonathon Cliff, Chris Romeike Editor: Jafar Panahi THE WHITE Editor: Robert Swartz finest documentary filmmakers. His film Principal Cast: Jafar Panahi BALLOON Principal Cast: Steve Fonyo WHEN JEWS WERE FUNNY won Best Canadian Feature in 2013. HURT, his (1995), THE Jafar Panahi has once again demonstrated MIRROR (1997), THE CIRCLE (2000), Denounced as a Terry Fox copycat and seventh feature documentary, won the the vitality of filmmaking with Taxi, his third film CRIMSON GOLD (2003), OFFSIDE unable to generate many donations, Steve Platform prize at TIFF 2015, the first since being convicted of “making propaganda (2006), THIS IS NOT A FILM (2011), Fonyo faced an uphill battle until he ran past International juried competition at against the system.” Despite being placed CLOSED CURTAIN (2013) and JAFAR the spot where Fox had been forced to stop. the festival. under a six-year house arrest and receiving a PANAHI’S TAXI (2015), which won the Suddenly, publicity picked up, donations 20-year ban on writing scripts, directing films, coveted Golden Bear at the 2015 Berlin poured in and by the time he reached the *Q&A with director Alan Zweig immediately giving interviews or leaving the country, Panahi International Film Festival. Pacific Ocean, he had raised $13 million for following the film has still managed to distribute new content. cancer research and was named to the Order Now we get to witness Panahi’s confinement of Canada. The next 30 years were marred being transported throughout Tehran in the Presented by: with petty theft, larceny and drug addiction front seat of his own taxi cab. In the film, until the Order of Canada was rescinded in Presented by: which contains aspects of both documentary 2010. That’s where acclaimed documentary and fiction, spectators are provided a tour of filmmaker Alan Zweig picks up the story in Iran’s political and social discourse through one of the most raw and powerful documen- the expression of the passengers. Despite the taries of this century. Hurt is an examination often dispiriting conversations of oppression not just of addiction and mental illness but and censorship, Panahi is an undefiant image also of the “kick you to the curb” mentality that we have with celebrity culture. SWIFF Fam Jam

Saturday November 7th, 1:00PM surpassing Star Wars to become the high- E.T est-grossing film of all time and it stands to- day as one of the most creative and daring Steven Spielberg, USA (1982) films that brought sci-fi to the entire family. English Runtime: 115 min Rating: PG Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, Steven Spielberg the most Screenplay: Melissa Mathison commercially Allen Daviau Cinematographer: successful Editor: Carol Littleton filmmaker in Principal Cast: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote Hollywood history, was born Decem- ber 18, 1946, in After a gentle alien becomes stranded Cincinnati, OH. A lifelong cinema buff, he on Earth, the being is discovered and began directing his first short movies while befriended by a young boy named Elliott. still a child. He won Academy Awards for Bringing the extraterrestrial into his Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan suburban California house, Elliott introduces and has been nominated for 12 Oscars. E.T., to his brother and his little sister, Gertie (Drew Barrymore), and the children decide to keep its existence a secret. Presented by: Soon, however, E.T. falls ill, resulting in government intervention and a dire situation for both Elliott and the alien. As Elliott tries to keep the alien under wraps and help him figure out a way to get home, he discovers that the creature can communicate with him telepathically and it becomes Elliott’s mis- sion to get E.T. home. Released on June 11, 1982, E.T. was a blockbuster, SWIFF Spotlight SWIFF First Feature

deathly uncomfortable intimacy between his Saturday November 7th, 7:00PM Saturday November 7th, 9:00PM ing and honest portrait of a young man characters with an unforgettable ending that IN HER PLACE JAMES WHITE coping with the loss of a loved one. will have people talking. Christopher Abbott (“Girls”) and Cynthia Albert Shin, Canada/South Korea (2014) Josh Mond, USA (2015) Nixon (“Sex and the City”) give raw and Korean w/ English subtitles English vulnerable performances, along with a Runtime: 115 min Raised in SW Ontario Premiere surprising supporting role by Scott “Kid Rating: 14A Newmarket, On- Runtime: 85 minutes Producer: Albert Shin, Igor Drljaca, Niki tario, Albert Shin Rating: 14A Cudi” Mescudi. Shin, Hyun Chan Yoon studied film at York Producer: Antonio Campos, Sean Durkin, Screenplay: Albert Shin, Pearl Ball-Harding University. His Melody C.Roscher, Max Born, Eric Schultz JOSH MOND is a Cinematographer: Moon Myoung Hwan Screenplay: Josh Mond first film, POINT New York–based Editor: Albert Shin Matyas Erdely Cinematographer: filmmaker. He has Principal Cast: Ji-hey Ahn, Hae-yeon Kil TRAVERSE, was Editor: Matthew Hannam directed several released in 2009. Principal Cast: Christopher Abbott, music videos such Inspired by Korean culture’s strong stigma Shin is a producing partner with Igor Drljaca Cynthia Nixon, Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi as “Kids in Love” against adoption, In Her Place stars Kil in the production company TimeLapse by Mayday Parade Hae-Yeon and Ahn Ji-Hye as a mother and Pictures, which produced IN HER PLACE James White (Christopher Abbott), a troubled and commercials daughter living on a farm in an unnamed as well as Drljaca’s 2012 film KRIVINA and hard-partier in his twenties struggles with the for Island Def Jam, Atlantic Records and town. When the teenage daughter becomes 2015’s THE WAITING ROOM. loss of his estranged father when his mother’s Foot Locker. He produced Martha Marcy pregnant, a woman arrives from Seoul to (Cynthia Nixon) terminal cancer suddenly May Marlene (11), and Simon Killer (12). propose a secret adoption, conditional on begins to spread rapidly. James continues *Q&A with director Albert Shin immediately Josh Mond was the recipient of the 2010 her staying with them for the duration of to self-destruct, but is forced to confront his following the film Annenberg Film Fellow grant from the the pregnancy. demons as he watches his mother slowly de- teriorate. This intimate coming-of-age drama of Sundance producers’ lab. His Directorial debut, JAMES WHITE, won the Audience Jay Weissberg of Variety notes that “Ca- James’ reckless debauchery is juxtaposed with his tender relationship with his mother. James Award at Sundance Film Festival in 2015. nadian helmer Shin, working for the first Presented by: time in his ancestral land, has co-written a must take control of his life when he finally Presented by: script of discreet probity and quietly chill- realizes that he is losing the person closest to ing tension, about three unnamed women him. This impressive first feature by writer-di- whose psychological profiles are given equal, rector James Mond, producer of Martha Marcy nonjudgmental weight.” Shin has created a May Marlene and Simon Killer is a powerful and at times devastating look at a family’s ongoing battle with cancer. James White is an unflinch- Saturday November 7th, 10:00pm – 2:00am Trinity Lounge, 164 Christina Street North

Toronto psychedelic, surf-rock band LUAU OR DIE accompanied by classic Sergio Leone Spaghetti western – A FIST FULL OF DOLLARS. It promises to be a unique cinematic experience!

Tickets available at Imperial Theatre box office or at The Trinity Lounge door Saturday Night - $10.00 General Admission

Presented by: SWIFF Female Spotlight

Sunday November 8th, 1:00PM filmmaker, but with a subtle approach books Chevalier Tsangari also manages to capture humour in Greece’s economic displacement as we movies Athina Rachel Tsangari, Greece (2015) witness the elite and in the background & Greek w/ English Subtitles imagine how the rest of the impoverished are like apples and oranges. SW Ontario Premiere society are spending their time. Runtime: 99 min Rating: 14A they both are fruit, Producer: Athina Rachel Tsangari, but taste completely different. Maria Hatzakou Athina Rachel -Stephen King Screenplay: Athina Rachel Tsangari, Tsangari was born Efthimis Filippou in Greece and Cinematographer: Christos Karamanis studied theatre at Editor: Matt Johnson, Yorgos Mavropsaridis New York Universi- Principal Cast: Yorgos Kentros, Panos Koronis, Vangelis Mourikis, ty before obtaining Makis Papadimitriou her M.F.A. in film production at the Director Athina Rachel Tsangari’s Chevalier is University of Texas. Her 2010 film ATTEN- an odd and hilarious look at six men vying BERG received critical acclaim around the for position in an absurd competition of ma- world, including being named best film at chismo while their yacht undergoes repairs. the 2010 AFI Film Festival. CHEVALIER is The men are on a fishing excursion when her latest film. they discover a mechanical issue with their luxurious yacht, and quickly moor in a safe harbour to make repairs. While stuck there, Presented by: they kill time by playing “Chevalier,” a game designed to determine who is “best in every- thing.” The winner earns a trophy ring from its previous holder — and no one is to get off the boat before the outcome has been determined. It’s a study of male antagonism seen through the eyes of a brave and original GOLD SPONSOR

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