Dedicated to Elmer Bernstein (1922-2004)

It was with great sadness that we recently marked the passing of Elmer Bernstein, the legendary Academy Award-winning composer and great friend and mentor to the Film Festival.

Elmer was a longtime Woodstocker whose artistry, integrity, and personal kindness will forever live on in the magnificent scores he composed over a career that spanned more than half a century. Known as one of the titans of Hollywood’s golden age, Bernstein was nominated fourteen times for an Oscar, having written the scores for more than 200 films including The Ten Commandments, The Man with the Golden Arm, The Magnificent Seven, To Kill a Mockingbird, True Grit, The Great Escape, , and The Age of Innocence. Elmer remained on the cutting edge of his profession into his eighties. In 2002, he was nom- inated for an Oscar for his brilliant score for Far from Heaven.

We join the world in celebrating the man and his music and are thankful to have known him.

“For over a hundred years, Woodstock has been a place of dreams and magic. It was a place of dreams for visual art, for crafts, for music, for popular music, for theater, for political philosophy, for alternative lifestyles, and it is entirely fitting that Woodstock should become a place of dreams and magic for films at this

time.” (ELMER BERNSTEIN, COMPOSER, WFF HONORARY CHAIR,

FRIEND, MENTOR) Catskill MOuntain Foundation

TABLE OF CONTENTS Join us for our Fiercely Independent

The Woodstock Film Festival is a not-for-profit, 501 (C)(3) organization with a mission to present an annu- al program and year-round schedule of film, music, and art-related activities that promote artists, culture, inspired learning, and diversity. The Woodstock Film Commission promotes sustainable economic develop- ment by attracting and supporting film, video, and media production. Contact info FILMS & EVENTS

Woodstock Film Festival, Inc. Narrative Features PO Box 1406, Woodstock, NY. 12498 25 e. [email protected] w. www.woodstockfilmfestival.com 47 Documentary Features

62 Animated Films INFORMATION 65 Shorts 7 Introduction

80 Youth Initiative Woodstock, Hunter & Rhinebeck Box Office Location: 8 Woodstock Film Festival 103 Mill Hill Road, 81 Special Events 10 Acknowledgments (Routes 212 & 375 in Woodstock) Woodstock, NY. 12498 t. 845 679-6997 (box office) 82 Music 12 Sponsors & Contributors List t. 845 679-4265 (administration) e. [email protected] 13 Thank You Tickets and up to date schedule info 84 Panels are available online at www.woodstockfilmfestival.com 14 About Woodstock Film Festival 87 Schedule **ALL INFORMATION IN THE PRE-FESTIVAL PROGRAM IS 16 Sponsors SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 18 Advisory Board

21 Letters

23 Maverick Awards

44 Woodstock, Hunter & Rhinebeck

86 Ticket Information

95 Hospitality Sponsors

96 Print Source Contacts

92 Local Support

94 Listings

99 Souvenirs

100 How to Get Their

101 Maps

5

INTRODUCTION

Just five years ago two independent filmmakers, following their dreams and encour- aged by community and filmmaker support, launched a grass film festival in the beautiful arts colony of Woodstock, New York. Magic seemed to fill the air as make-shift screening venues sprung up at galleries and community centers and lines of people waited to see great indie films they couldn’t see elsewhere. The Woodstock Film Festival was born.

As the years went on, the festival grew and matured, doubling and tripling in size, establishing itself as an important arena for emerging filmmakers. It provided just the right mix of industry know how, A- list participants and high quality filmmaking, in a friendly, casual setting, conducive to creativity, excit- ing opportunities and a good time!

As the Woodstock Film Festival reaches its 5th Anniversary, we are thrilled and astonished by the accom- plishments of the festival itself and by those of the filmmakers around us.

The art of filmmaking continues to grow and reshape itself, breaking new grounds, reaching new heights. As we look around us, awed by the success indie documentaries and narrative are having all over the world, we are humbled now, more than ever, to be able to offer a platform for these brave new voices of the filmmakers of today and of tomorrow.

During these next few exciting days you will have the oppor- tunity to meet, talk, watch and listen to some of the best voices of today’s independent filmmaking. We urge you to take full advantage of the outstanding program, and to celebrate the beauty, the thought, the bravery and artistry that is weaved within the works presented here. These filmmakers are trying to make a difference. So lets all empower and encourage them to do just that. Because a good work of art, be it film, music, painting, dance or a book, can and should change our perceptions, our habits, our beliefs, our world.

To all the tremendous volunteers, staff members, board members, hosts, sponsors, industry, audi- ences and community supporters – a huge, heartfelt thank you!

Without you the Woodstock Film Festival could not have continued to flourish!

To the wonderful towns of Woodstock, Rhinebeck and Hunter – thank you for being gracious hosts to the festival and its participants.

To everyone, during your stay with us, do visit the fabulous shops, the many galleries, restaurants and stunning natural beauty that for more than a century has made the Hudson Valley Catskills a true visitors haven.

See you at the movies!

Meira Blaustein

Laurent Rejto

7 WOODSTOCK, HUNTER & RHINEBECK

WOODSTOCK HUNTER RHINEBECK Just two hours from , Only thirty minutes from Woodstock, Rhinebeck, ninety miles north of NYC Woodstock is the cornerstone of the reemer- Hunter is a scenic area steeped in American in Dutchess County, is often the focus of gence of the Hudson Valley Catskills as a cen- history and folklore. Including two incor- features in and New York ter for the arts, culture, alternative lifestyles, porated villages, Hunter and Tannersville, Magazine. An idyllic community, it is situat- eclectic shopping, and great restaurants. The and the hamlets of Haines Falls, Elka Park, ed on the Hudson River, is easily reachable town has always been known for its illustri- and Lanesville, this spectacular area was a by car or public transportation, and offers ous inhabitants—writers, musicians, artists, mecca for tourism in the late 19th century, relaxed yet sophisticated country living. filmmakers, and other creative folk—and first when three railroads brought in hundreds With its myriad of shops, antique stores, gained notoriety in the early 1900s when res- of visitors and Hudson River School restaurants, and cultural venues—including idents were “greeted” by the arrival of free- painters translated onto canvas the sublime Upstate Films, historic Rhinebeck becomes thinking bohemians and city dwellers. beauty of the area. increasingly more attractive each year to The Byrdcliffe Arts Colony, founded at Today, Hunter is home to a world-class those seeking a second home or a weekend the turn of the century by artisan philoso- ski area, Hunter Mountain, and a cultural getaway. phers who settled on the mountainside above arts organization, the Catskill Mountain Historically speaking, Rhinebeck owes Woodstock to create a Utopian society based Foundation, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit. The its culturally diverse background to the on arts and crafts, continues as an active, CMF offers a variety of programs year- Sepasco Indians, Dutch settlers, the working artists colony with a year-round pres- round, including live performances of Underground Railroad, and Chief Justice of ence of music, theater, writing workshops, music, theater, and dance; gallery exhibits New York and Chancellor Robert Livingston martial arts, sculpture, painting, and pottery of fine arts and crafts; a two-screen movie (contributor to the Declaration of classes. theater; a bookstore, the annual Mountain Independence), among many others. The Music has always been a popular part of Culture Festival; Elderhostel programs; stu- Hudson River National Historic Landmark the town’s mystique, and in the late sixties, dio arts education programs; a working District, in which Rhinebeck is located, has resident musicians such as , The natural agriculture farm and educational been home to scions of business and indus- Band, and (who recorded in facility; and a farm market featuring region- try, presidents, and statesman who built what is now the Tinker Street Cinema) placed al produce and specialty foods. Located in their mansions along the Hudson River. Woodstock on the rock n’ roll map. The leg- nearby Maplecrest, Sugar Maples Center for Many of these estates are today open to vis- endary 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Arts and Education is a school for students itors, just across the majestic Hudson River, Festival remains etched in pop history, defin- of all levels, offering an extensive fine arts Rhinebeck’s close proximity to Woodstock ing a generation and Woodstock’s counter- and crafts curriculum within state-of-the- enables visitors to easily visit both locations cultural nature. art facilities. during a short stay and both Rhinebeck and From this wellspring of creativity, the Hunter also boasts many fine lodging Woodstock reward their visitors with a Woodstock Film Festival bloomed in the new establishments, from lovingly restored memorable and magical experience. millennium as a natural outgrowth of the B&Bs to fine resorts and hotels. Dining town’s innovative spirit. The WFF carries on options range from old-fashioned diners the tradition, bringing together filmmakers, and delis to funky eateries and fine restau- musicians, writers, and artists to share in the rants. of Woodstock’s cultural heritage.

8 Printing Services

PRE-PRESS PRESS DEPARTMENT BINDERY

Full Service: Post Cards Rack Cards Brochures Playbills Posters Flyers Business Cards Envelopes Letterhead

Catskill Region Contact: Steve Friedman (518) 263-4908 x230 New York City Contact: Ellie Cashman (212) 593-6430 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

FESTIVAL STAFF EXECUTIVE STAFF Executive Director/Cofounder Meira Blaustein Director of Development/Cofounder Laurent Rejto BOARD OF DIRECTORS Office Manager Amy Witkus Meira Blaustein,Laurent Rejto,Joan Mack,Eva Marie Office Staff Emma McCarthy Graham,Nicholas Adler,Cyrus & Nancy Adler, Don Kirstin Steffen, Carmody,Tony Conza,Stuart Hammerman,Rose Koplovitz, Nathaniel Edelman(intern) Ilene Marder Executive Director Assistant Amber Plaut FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING Features Ryan Werner (Head Programmer) Tom Quinn (Co-Programmer) Meira Blaustein Shorts Laurent Rejto Signe Baumane Youth Initiative Dana Dorrity,David Epstein,Marjorie Leopold Screeners Meira Blaustein,Anne Canzonetti,Jeff Economy, Nathaniel Edelman,Nikki Goldbeck,Joan Mack, Emma McCarthy,Barbara Pokras,Barbara Sicuranza FESTIVAL OPERATIONS Operations Producer Pamela Cederquist Operations Manager Arnold Sitruk Assistant Manager Shelly Tumen Personnel Coordinator Anne Canzonetti Technical Development Diana Cassidy Hospitality/Food Services Paula Gillen Mason Dunbar SPECIAL EVENTS Events Coordinator Lauri Andretta Opening/Closing Events Victoria Langling Fundraiser Lisa Protter FESTIVAL SERVICES Guest Relations-Industry Nikki Goldbeck,Joan Mack Guest Relations-Filmmaker Gail Nussbaum,Barbara Silver Hospitality Paula Gillen Registration Tracy Cohen-Kamien Transportation Gary Bielski Security Armondo Bilancione,George DeWitt MARKETING Graphic Design (programs, brochures, ads)Naomi Schmidt Publications Laurent Rejto,Kirstin Steffen,Chris Cavanagh Publication Editing Barbara Ross,Tom Cherwin Poster Design Ford Crull Database & Internet Development Diana Cassady (Viva La Data) Website Laurent Rejto PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT Technical/Equipment Jeff Kantor Lead Projectionist(video) Jim Dodge Communications/Radio/Walkie-Gods Greg Carttar,Char Harner Pipe and Drape Phillip Levine Print Trafficker Jeff Economy Set Design Josef Treggor Assistant Set Designer Drew North MEDIA RELATIONS Media Relations Director Ilene Marder Media Relations Deputy Chris Cavanagh Media Relations Assistant Claudia Aleman National PR Firm Dan Klores Communications Photography Ben Caswell (lead),Mizuyo Aburano,Gregor Trieste Video Ian Ellerby,Dutchess Community College crew Logo Trailer Jayson DeBellis and Orion

10 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

K.L McKenna

Barry Feinstein

Tonner Dolls Mary Anne Erickson

Fundraiser Thank You’s Fundraiser Auction Donors Committee Please help us show our appreciation to auction donors by supporting their work and their establishments.Visit our auc- tion donors online at http://woodstockfilmfestival.com/auction.htm Michael and Oliver Kita Fine Catering Lauri Andretta 42nd Street Eilise Pittelman Lenny Kislin Robert Tonner Doll Co. Tamara Lang Paula Gillen Meira Blaustein Aidan Quinn Ellen Chenoweth Martha Frankel Roz Balkin Margery and Irwin Sarah Chodoff (music) Sara Carmody Allure Aveda Ellen Lewis Ruffino Wines Gaffin of Schieffelin and Co. Nikki Goldbeck Andrea Barrist Stern Elliott Landy Mary Anne Erickson Sanchia Playfair AmeriBag Stuart Jay Rothkopf Rose Koplovitz Annabella Sciorra Emerson Inn & Spa Moet & Chandon Santos Solomon Alexander Shingler Richard J.Merck,CPA Gail Nussbaum Annie Nocenti Exhale - Mind Body Spa Molson Beer Sphinx Productions Allure Aveda Ruffino Wines Donna Parisi Barbara Tischler Hastie Forged and Fired Gallery Movement Center Anaconda Sports Tanqueray Vodka Lisa Protter Barry Feinstein Gary Ward New Video Steve Heller’s Fabulous Annabella Sciorra Terry Yason Blue Man Group The Golden Notebook NY Knicks Furniture Barry Cherwin,Auctioneer Tony and Yvonne Conza Bob Berman Harriet Iles NY Nets Sunflower Natural Foods Ben Caswell (photos) Westwood Metes & Breathe Fitness Hillside Manor Peter Decker Market Bobby Carnavale Bounds Cabin Fever Outfitters Holiday Inn in Kingston P.J.McGlynn’s Steakhouse Terrapin Restaurant Colony Liquors William B.Higginson Ceres Press Hunter Mountain Ski Planet Noise Records Total Tennis The Emerson Inn & Spa Woodstock Percussion Chris Stein Resort Portia Munson Ulster Performing Arts Center Gadaletos Seafood,New The Hurley Ridge Wine & Raissa Bump Paltz Uma Thurman Colony Liquors Spirits Randall Rissman Geoff Harden & World Criterion Video IXL Health & Fitness The Red Onion (music) WDST - 100.1 FM Dana B.Jewelry Joe Pesci Rekha Das James & Joan Quigley Willow Mixed Media David Baldwin of HBO Josh Nussbaum The Richard B.Fisher Joan Mack Wiltwyck Golf Club David Blaine Joyce Arons Center for the Lauren & Michael Julia Santos-Solomon Performing Arts at Woodstock Copperworks Rosenthal David & Nikki Goldbeck K.L McKenna Bard College Woodstock Framing Mason Dunbar Docurama Kathy Ruttenberg Richard and Sherry Gallery Moet & Chandon Elliott Landy Dreamweavers Ken Regan,Camera 5 Gottschalk Woodstock Golf Club Molson Beer Earth,Glaze & Fire Laura Levine Robert DeNiro Woodstock Tennis Club

11

VOLUNTEERS

VOLUNTEERS (AS OF 8/30)

Nancy Abrams Jean-Michael Desjardins Darlene Kelley Carly Repko Frenchy Adami George DeWitt Richard Kelly Vanessa Roberts Vanessa Ahern Jim Dodge Kate Kent Liz Roche Claudia Aleman Joy A. Dryer, Ph.D. Tris Korol Suzanne Rotondo Josh Alkoff Kathy Duda Chloe Kramer Tara Ryan Ed Allyn Kara Duffus Cynthia Kudren Amanda Schaper Evelyn Alvarez Barbara Ellman Jacalyn Kukle Siobhan Schneidman Anthony Amico Jacky Elmo Jane Laiken Judy Schultz Pandora Apuzzo Renee Englander Justin Lang Angelique Schuster Betsy Arlantico Thomas Evans Susan Latham Laurie Schwartz Kelly Ashcroft Elissa Federoff Shirley Levy Becky Sellinger Susan Avery Joe Feldman Craig Linet Yvonne Sewall-Ruskin Chrisso Babcock Alejita Jacobs Feliciano Pat Loggia Greg Silver Michele Baker Ted Finkle Julia Lukacher Bill StittJosh Smith Josie Baucom Barbara Fox Heather MacLean Taima Smith Ross Beckman K Francis Christine M. Maggio Beth Snodgrass Deeber Berk Denise A. Furlong Janielle Mahan Jasper Speier Lu Ann Bielawa Carol Galione Patty Manfrates Judith Steinfeld Nathan Bielski Christopher Gallo Caitlin Markes Bill Stitt Alicia Bock Clark Garnier Debra Markes Theresa Sullivan Amanda Bonavita Michael Gaworski Heather Marrin Erica Taylor Annie Borgenicht Bob Glassman Anastasia McCarthy Noah Telson Glenn Brown Iris Glassman Ashleigh McCord Sarah Thomas Stephan Burlingame Susan Goldman Jim McElroy Juan M.Torres Amanda Burton Billy Goldstein Mark McKenna Johanna Trimboli Brian David Cange Matt Goodell Deborah McMenemy Rachel Troy Alan Carey James Gorcesky Lauren McTague Will Ulmer Eileen Caron Scott Goren Deborah Medenbach Becky Vanderloop Patricia Carucci Gerrit Graham Jessica Medenbach Judith Velosky-Martell Deborah Catalano Shelley Graham Jack Milgram Betty Vera Kris Catalano Alan Grayson Barry Miller Marie Villavecchia XueDi Chen Judy Grayson Madeleine Molyneaux Jesse Vinicor Barry Cherwin Paula Green Patrick Morales Gypsy (Rosanne) Vinicore Chimi Choden Kristi Habedanck Ellen Naney Heather Vomero Larry Christopher Richard Haffar Vicky Natland Glenn Warnock Linda Clark Lee Hairston Oliver Noble Missy Weeks Eve Cohen David Hanzl Novak Pamela Weisberg Tracy Cohen-Kamien Nicole Heidbreder Keith Palese Ilana Weiss Kate Corkery Hannah Heinrich Steven Parisi Carol Werner Joe Cosgrove Edwina Henderson Claudia Parker Michael Werner Marilyn Costello Leslie Hill Hillary Partridge Michael White Evan Crane Myrna S. Hilton Kathy Pauker Donna White-Davis Lisa Cutten Julie Hough Laurence Paverd Elly Wininger Serena da Conceicao Jamie Hull Laura Pepitone Myrah Wize Megan Daly Hilary H. Huntington Lisa Perez William (Bill) Wurst Melissa Davis Julie Intellisano Chase Pierson Leah Wyszomirski Shelley Davis Allison Irwin Stephanie Pincar Kathy Yanas Denise DeBellis Dianne Jabbour Michael Platsky Lydia Zamm Tim Deery Kate Jacobson Barbara Pokras Merrie Zaretsky Lorraine Della Penna Louis Jargow Pamela Power Lisa Zarowitz Nathan Dembin Katy Jordan Marv Pritchard Gail Zwiebel Allison Demorest Risa Kamien George Radel Lynn Dennison Laura Kandel Deborah Ramsden Dent Lauren Kassirer Danielle Reisigl

12

THANK YOU

Special Thanks

Mark Braunstein Haskell Wexler Liz Garbus Sabine Hoffman Ira Schreck Lydia Dean Pilcher Sara Finmann Adam, Daniel and Julian James Schamus Mara Medoff Sherry & Rick Gottschalk Amy Gossels Jason Makowski Mark Urman Signe Baumane Annie Nocenti Jeffrey Abramson Martha Frankel Stephen Hays Anthony Katagas Joan Quigley Marvin Seligman Steven Beer Bill Plympton John S. Lyons Mary Ann Hult Stuart Jay Rothkopf Carol Ricken John Sloss Maurice Hinchey Susana Meyer Clark Strand Judy Arthur Melisse Seleck Tamara Lang David D’Arcy Julie Fontaine Michael Lang Ted Wright David Dinerstein Kate Pierson Michelle Byrd Thelma Adams David Fenkel Katharine McKenna Mike Stock Town of Hunter David Gingras Katherine Meyer Mitch Pollack Town of Rhinebeck David Kwok Keith Weckstein Pamela Yates Town of Woodstock Diana Cassidy Ken Regan Pat Lieske Victoria Langling Doreen Ringer Ross Kevin A. Cahill Paul Hoffman Ward Todd Eamonn Bowles Kevin Hartman Perdita Finn Wayne Walrath Ellen Barry Lauri Andretta Peter Finn William B Higginson Ellen Chenoweth Lemore Syvan Rie Norregaard Woodstock Guild Elma Cremin Leon Gast Robert Peacock Woodstock Playhouse Ford Crull Linda Livingston Ron Nyswaner Woodstock Police Gill Holland Lisa Gossels Ron Suman Yvonne Conza Grover Crisp If we forgot to thank you, please our oversight and know that your help and support is very much appreciated.

Hospitality Thank Yous Amy Menell Gabrielle Kleinman Lori Ylvisker Avis & Greg Gebhart Genny Abbot Maria Brown Bar Scott and Peter Grace Bowne Marita Lopez-Mena Schoenberger Gypsy Vinicor/Cottages at Mark Braunstein & Katherine Brynn Kelsey Rockcut Ledge McKenna Carla Smith and the Woodstock Habib Gardee/Bearsville Inn Marlyn Parks Guild Holli & Ed Gersh Martin Torres & Joe DiThomas Carol Ricken Holly Beye Matt Rudikoff & Lola Cohen Debi DiPeso Holly Coe Mitchell Milner Deborah Ramsden Jacalyn Kukle Nancy Caigan Dennis & Abby Bressack Jack Baran & Linda Leeds Neil & Ilene Rubinstein Diane Collelo Jane Laiken & Billy Goldstein Patti Kurtz/Woodstock Inn on Dick & Susan Goldman Janet Nelson the Millstream Don Wright & Ronnie Shushan Johanna Tirmboli Peter Cantine & Eric Doreen Mar Joy & Bob Hausman Mann/Bearsville Suites Elaine Jaffe Joy Dryer and Sol Moro Randy & Barbara Rissman Elise and Steve Pittelman Joyce Beymer Steve & Elise Pittleman (check that they aren't on Ellen & Allen Zerkin Judy Dahl/Black Bear Cottages Ellen Bitterman and Richard Judy Steinfeld Barbara's list-- once is enuf) Caggiano Kate Pierson/Lazy Meadows Suzanne Rotondo and Kristi Habedanck Ellen Shapiro Lauri & Jay Andretta Tom & Elly Jackson Eve & Art Cohen Laurie Schwartz and Nathan Evelyne Pouget/Blue Pearl Guest Brenowitz Village Green B & B Cottage Linda & Bruce Bodner Woodstock Lodge

13

ABOUT WFF The Woodstock Film Festival celebrates new and establi- As a not-for-profit, 501 (C) (3) organization, our mission is to present an annual program and shed voices in independent year-round schedule of film, music, and art-related activities that promote artists, culture, film with screenings, inspired learning, and diversity. The Woodstock Film Commission promotes sustainable eco- nomic development by attracting and supporting film, video, and media production. seminars, workshops, and Every fall, film and music lovers from around the world gather here for an exhilarating vari- concerts, throughout the mid- ety of films, concerts, celebrity-led seminars, workshops, a closing-night awards ceremony, and superlative parties. Visitors find themselves in a relaxed, receptive atmosphere surrounded by Hudson Valley. some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Over one hundred feature films, documentaries, and shorts, including premieres from the U.S. and abroad, will be screened, with many filmmakers present for Q & As. Specific programs Founded by filmmakers Meira include the Feature Showcase, In Competition Narratives and Documentaries, Shorts, Youth Initiative, Focus on Music, Exposure, and more. Blaustein and Laurent Rejto, The festival has drawn rave reviews the festival is centered in the nationwide from filmmakers, industry “In an ideal world (and Woodstock’s denizens members, film lovers, and the media. In specialize in Utopian visions), these all-too- historic colony of Woodstock, its yearly “Top Ten Film Festival common celluloid celebrations shouldn’t just give New York, with additional Getaways,” Film Festival Reporter wrote, out-of-towners a chance to schmooze; they “Sure, you’ve heard about the historic should reflect and enhance the communities that events and screenings taking rock shows, but film is the reason to spawn them. And in that respect, as it nears the place in the nearby towns of come to Woodstock.” The festival is also five-year mark, Woodstock is becoming one of proud to be listed in the travel guide the most distinctive festivals on the Rhinebeck and Hunter. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. circuit.”(Stephen Garrett, Time Out New York)

Youth Initiative

In addition to providing classes, internships, and career opportunities for local schools throughout the year, the WFF presents A Day at the Roundtables at the annual festival. This career day style event allows middle and high school students from the region to learn about filmmaking in one-on-one open EDUCATION exchanges with leading industry members. Educational events include the Youth Initiative Past participants have “Career Day,” workshops, outreach, classroom included presi- curricula, internships, and work opportunities. dent, producer Bingham Ray; “Career Day” guest have featured six Oscar win- Exposure ners including the late legendary composer Elmer Continuing an Academy Award winners cine- Bernstein, and documentary filmmaker Leon Gast extraordinary matographer Haskell Wexler lineup of (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), (). provocative composer Elmer Bernstein (To programming, the Kill a Mockingbird), documentary Woodstock Film Festival presents Exposure, featuring films from around filmmaker Leon Gast (When We the world with an emphasis on social, Were Kings), screenwriter political, and environmental matters. Zachary Sklar (JFK); and Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia); and other representatives from diverse fields including casting, edit- ing, producing, and more. This is an outstanding opportunity for students interested in film and media. Films by high school students are also presented as part of the festival’s Youth Initiative.

14 ABOUT WFF

YEAR ROUND PROGRAMMING WOODSTOCK FILM COMMISSION

As part of its dedication to year- Since its inception, the Woodstock round programming, the Film Commission has acted as a con- Woodstock Film Festival pres- duit for preproduction, production, ents monthly screenings and and postproduction for filmmaking in scheduled workshops, includ- the Hudson Valley/Catskill region. In conjunction with the film festi- ing the “Can Film Festival,” Pamela Yates and Haskell Wexler (2004) val, the commission attracts filmmak- which features free screenings ers from all over the region and pro- where canned or boxed food is the price of admission, to vides support throughout the year to benefit local food pantries. Featured films have included The features, independent features, print, media, short films, and TV ads. Weather Underground, Farmingville, and Off the Charts. Recent films that have been shot locally The festival also tours all year long, with films and other include the recent Ghost Dance, The Thing programming in five counties, including “ About My Folks (starring Paul Reiser and on the Air,” a copresentation with WAMC–Northeast Public Peter Falk), Down to the Bone (2004 Radio in Albany. Featured events included the Garbage, Sundance Award Winner), Patch (starring Gangster & Greed Youth Forum; Medium Cool with Haskell Melissa Leo and Deborah Harry), Personal Wexler and Pamela Yates; and “Alternative Explorations for Velocity (2002 Sundance Award winner), Films That Matter.” Wendigo, Pagans, and many more. Beginning this December, the WFF will present bi- monthly screenings in at The Two Boots Pioneer Theater 155 East 3rd Street in NYC. Film of the Hudson Join us October 13-17, Valley/Catskills then come back to visit Films with local ties are a significant or to shoot your film in the part of the WFF. The Hudson beautiful Hudson Valley/Catskills is a hotbed of cre- Valley/Catskills. ative energy and home to many established and emerging filmmak- ers. Film production in the Hudson For more info, visit Valley/Catskills also attracts film- www.woodstockfilmcommission.com makers from around the world. The Woodstock Film Commission, under the auspices of the Woodstock Film Festival, promotes economic development by highlighting local talent and attracting outside film, video, and media produc- tion to the region.

Focus on Music To honor its musical heritage, the WFF has made music an integral part of its programming. WFF’s Focus on Music showcases films about music and on musicians while actively exploring its role in film. Many of the films empha- size music as a powerful tool for expression and conflict resolution. Through workshops, seminars, and live concerts featuring musicians with links to films in the festival, the WFF emphasizes film scoring.

Each year, the festival also produces a special complimentary CD featuring music from festival films.

15 SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

MAJOR SPONSORS

KEY SPONSOR

SUPERSTAR SPONSOR

16 SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

COMPLIMENTARY CD SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORS

98.1

EVENT SPONSORS

TRANSPORT SPONSORS

EVENT SUPPORT EQUIPMENT/TECHNICAL AWARD SPONSORS HOSPITALITY SPONSORS con’d SPONSORS AIVF Discmakers 3rd Street R&D Production Svcs. Deising’s Bakery Center for Photography at Docurama Woodstock Canus Major Productions Kodak Gadaletto’s Seafood Gigi Trattoria Viva La Data Lowel Light Hickory BBQ Showbiz Software Lachmans Bakery Mediarights.org STATE AND LOCAL SUPPORT Lox of Bagels NYWIFT OFFICIAL WATER SPONSOR Ulster County Legislature Mother Earth Yasgur Farms Bottled H20 FOUNDATION SUPPORT Ulster County Chamber of Mirsa Smoked Salmon Commerce The Dyson Foundation HOSPITALITY SPONSORS Old Chatham Sheepherding Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Company Experimental Television Center Adriano Limousine (music) The Woodstock Film Black Bear Deli Orchard Hazelnuts The Perry and Martin Granoff Festival event is made Foundation Bread Alone Price Chopper Supermarkets possible with public Brices Discount Beverages funds from the New St. Claire’s Organic Sweets Burts Electronics (music) York State Council on Stone Pony Deli the Arts, a State Catskill Mountain Organic Coffee Agency Cibo Foods Stonyfield Farm Country Heritage Farms Sunfrost Market (pumpkins)

17 ADVISORY BOARD

Elmer Bernstein Griffin Dunne dozen other projects at various stages of Half-Norwegian, half North Carolinian feature film composer Director,Producer,Actor development. In addition, he has reformed lawyer and former adjunct (HONORARY CHAIR) Griffin Dunne is a director, (Addicted to recently partnered with UK-based professor at NYU Graduate Film School, 2004 would have been Elmer Love, Practical Magic, Lisa Picard is Paradigm Hyde Films (www.phfilm.com), Gill worked at the French Film Office. Bernstein’s 53rd anniversary as a feature Famous) producer, (Chilly Scenes of a gap lender/financier to independent He was on the jury for shorts at film composer. His name will always be Winter, Baby it’s You, Running on Empty, films worldwide, as a strategic investor. Sundance and selection committee for synonymous with creativity, versatility After Hours) and actor (Marie and Bruce, the , Student Division. and longevity. He wrote music for over American Werewolf in London, After His music label sonaBLAST! Records’ Actor,director,Author 1 200 major film and television scores and Hours). As a screen writer he co-wrote first release, Mark Geary’s “33 ⁄3 Grand As Director, Chelsea Walls — As Actor, ” hit top 40 in Ireland. was nominated fourteen times for an with Adam Brooks the Academy Award Street Training Day (nominated for Best- Academy Award for such films as Far nominated short, Duke of Groove and Spin for Dreamworks. Supporting Actor Oscar) Snow Falling on Michael Lang - Producer,Promoter From Heaven, The Age of Innocence, To Kill Cedars, Hamlet, Joe the King, Great Producer, Promoter updated A Mockingbird, and The Magnificent Martha Frankel Expectations, The Newton Boys, The As the founder of Woodstock Ventures, Seven, among others. He was awarded Entertainment Journalist Velocity of Gary, Gattaca, Search and Michael is best known as the producer the Oscar for best for Martha Frankel is an entertainment Destroy, Reality Bites, White Fang II, and promoter of the Woodstock Music Thoroughly Modern Millie. journalist who has interviewed everyone Floundering, Quiz Show, Alive, Rich in & Arts Festival (1969, 1994 & 1999). Love, Waterland, White Fang, Midnight In addition to his core business of Judy Arthur from Robert DeNiro, and Public Relations consultant Elizabeth Taylor to Lee Attwater and Clear, Mystery Date, Dead Poets Society, event production and music manage- Judy Arthur directs public relations and Mike Tyson for magazines as diverse as Dad, Explorers, Before Sunset, Taking ment he is currently working on the marketing campaigns for the entertain- The New Yorker, Fashions of the New Lives, and most recently Before Sunrise. production of a film based on the ment industry and cultural, interna- York Times, Cosmopolitan, the original novel The Master and Margurita by Sabine Hoffman - Editor tional, and public affairs. She has Details, as well as many other interna- Mikeal Bulgakov. Other film credits Sabine Hoffman’s credits as film editor been a public relations executive at tional magazines. She is a past winner include Bottle Rocket, the debut film of include Rebecca Miller’s new film The PolyGram Films, Orion Pictures, and of a NYFFA Award in creative nonfic- director and actors Luke Ballad of Jack and Rose (to be released HBO, directing campaigns for numer- tion, was the 1997 Philip Morris Fellow Wilson and Owen Wilson. by IFC in Spring 2005) She also edited ous Academy Award winning films. at The MacDowell Colony, and the 2003 Artist-in-Residence at SUNY Mrs Miller’s Personal Velocity, winner of Stephen Nemeth - Rhino Films Eamonn Bowles Ulster. the 2003 Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, Stephen Nemeth formed and heads up President,Magnolia Pictures the Award for Best Cinematography and the film division of iconoclast record Eamonn Bowles is president of Leon Gast - Filmmaker the John Cassavettes Award. Other label Rhino Records. Nemeth produced Magnolia Pictures, Guerrilla:The Taking Leon Gast - Filmmaker credits include Morgan J. Freeman’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, directed of Patty Hearst, A League of Ordinary Producer, director, editor and writer of Desert Blue and Hurricane Streets (winner by (Universal Pictures), Gentlemen, Ong Bak, Capturing the When We Were Kings, the Academy of Audience, Best Director and Best Why Do Fools Fall in Love, directed by Friedmans, Read my Lips, Late Marriage, Award winning documentary of the Cinematography Award at the 1997 Gregory Nava (Warner Bros.) and and Control Room. Prior to Magnolia he 1974 heavyweight championship bout ), Alex Sichels All others. The Hollywood Reporter was president of Shooting Gallery in Zaire between champion George Over Me (a Teddy Award Winner at the Independent Producers & Distributors Pictures, Croupier, A Time For Drunken Foreman and underdog challenger Film Festival), Katja Essons Ferry Issue, named him one of the top ten Horses, Last Resort, The Day I Became A Muhammad Ali. Other film credits Tales (nominated for an Academy Award most prolific producers in Hollywood. Woman, Eureka, among numerous oth- include Hell’s Angels Forever, The in 2004), Bill Jennings Harlem Aria Prior to joining Rhino in 1993, Nemeth ers. He has also served as senior vice Movie, Celia Cruz: (Audience Award winner at Urbanworld worked as an independent producer president of acquisitions and marketing Quantanamera, and Only Love. New York, and ) and as an agent at the William Morris with Miramax and as head of distribu- and Rodney Evans’ upcoming Brother to Agency. Executive Producer tion at The Samuel Goldwyn Company. Stephen Hays - Brother (Special Jury Prize winner at Stephen Hays is partner and co-founder Sundance 2004 and the Showtime Jeremiah Newton Ellen Chenoweth - Casting Director of Seneca Capital, a New York-based Award ). Sabine also serves on the NYU Industry Liaison As Film and Television Industry Liaison Select credits include Mona Lisa Smile, hedge fund, and has eighteen years Advisory boards of WERISE and the for the largest film school in America, Intolerable Cruelty, Confessions of a experience on Wall Street. Over the last Fusion Film Festival. NYU’s Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film Dangerous Mind, , Bandits, decade, he has invested in numerous Gill Holland - Producer and Partner, and Television, Mr. Newton created The The Man Who Wasn’t There, Meet the film projects and recent credits include Directors Series that takes place twice a Parents, O Brother, Where Art Thou? : Co-Producer They Are LaSalle Holland week involving the latest Hollywood, Diner, Avalon, Broadcast News, Arlington Among Us (Allison Eastwood, Bruce Nominated for Spirit Award for Producer independent, documentary and foreign Road, Liberty Heights, The Horse Boxleitner); Co-Executive Producer of the Year 1998, Gill Holland produced feature films. Mr. Newton also adminis- Whisperer, Affliction, Lolita, Wag the Dog, Drop Dead Sexy (Crispin Glover, Jason Sundance winning Hurricane Streets, the trates the Mentor Program, which finds Bridges of Madison County, Nobody’s Fool, Lee, Pruitt Taylor Vince); Executive FOX sit-com Greg the Bunny, “Spring industry mentors for film and TV stu- Disclosure, Six Degrees of Separation, A Producer Loggerhead (Kip Pardue, Forward,” and Emmy-nominated Dear dents. His writing credits include work Bronx Tale, Terms of Endearment ... , Bonnie Hunt) and Jesse, among others. He produced three Executive Producer Confess.com (Eugene volumes of cineBLAST!, the short film on I Shot Andy Warhol. Byrd, Melissa Leo, Ali Larter) . Stephen video compilations. is presently involved in a half-

18 ADVISORY BOARD

Annie Nocenti - Screenwriter,Editor Aidan Quinn – Actor,Producer Liev Schrieber - Actor Fisher Stevens Annie Nocenti is a screenwriter, film Aidan Quinn’s most recent film is Liev Schrieber has quickly established Actor,Producer,Director journalist, and was the editor of both Cavedweller. Other recent projects himself as one of the most versatile Fisher Stevens is an accomplished actor, High Times magazine and Scenario, a include Song for a Raggy Boy (WFF actors of his generation through his abil- director and producer. In addition to screenwriting magazine. 2003), Plainsong, and Evelyn. He has ity to effortlessly play roles ranging from performing both on the stage and in appeared in over 35 independent and classical Shakespearean to contempo- numerous television series, Stevens has Ron Nyswaner - Screenwriter,Director studio features including Desperately rary film. Among his film credits are, starred in a wide range of feature films, Ron Nyswaner wrote the for, Seeking Susan, An Early Frost, Avalon, At moist recently, The Manchurian candi- such as Reversal of Fortune, The Flamingo and co-produced, Soldier’s Girl, directed Play in the Fields of the Lord, Benny and date, The Sum of All Fears, Kate & Kid, Short Circuit, Only You, and most by Frank Pierson, which premiered at Joon, Legends of the Fall, and Michael Leopold, Spring Forward, The Hurricane, recently, Miramax’s Undisputed. In the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. He Collins. and A Walk on the Moon. He is currently 1996, Stevens co-founded GreeneStreet wrote the screenplay for Philadelphia, directing Everything is Illuminated. Films, a New York-based independent the first major studio film to confront Bingham Ray - Producer production company, with John Penotti. AIDS and homophobia, for which he Bingham Ray is the former presi- Zachary Sklar – Screenwriter Since then, the company has produced was nominated for the Golden Globe, dent of United Artists (Bowling for Zachary Sklar is a screenwriter, journal- and financed a number of critically Writers’ Guild, BAFTA and Academy Columbine, Assassination Tango, Nicholas ist, author, and editor. He is best known acclaimed films, such as In the Bedroom, Awards. Nickleby, City of Ghosts). As co-founder as co-author (with Oliver Stone) of the Pinero, Swimfan, The Chateau, and Lisa Currently, Nyswaner is writing A Academy Award-nominated screenplay of October Films, he distributed Picard is Famous. Stevens made his fea- Trial By Jury for director Sam Raimi, and for the film JFK. He is currently working ture film directorial debut with independent films such as Secrets & The Leni Riefenstahl Story for Jodie on several screenplays. GreeneStreet’s Just a Kiss. Foster. He has just finished his first Lies, Breaking The Waves, and The book, Blue Days, Black Nights: A Memoir Apostle. John Sloss - Actor of Love and Loss. loss Law Office & Cinetic David is an accomplished film and stage Peter Saraf - Producer John Sloss has acted as Executive actor. He has appeared in many inde- Sarah Plant - Composer . Peter is currently producing Liev Producer for over thirty feature films pendent and studio films including Map Sarah Plant was Associate Music Schreiber’s Everything Is Illuminated. He including, most recently, Pizza, Land of of the World, LA Confidential, Simon Director, arranger, and flutist for Ang was executive producer of ’s Plenty, A Home at the End of the World, Birch, Dolores Claiborne, The River Wild, Lee’s Oscar-nominated Eat Drink Man critically acclaimed Adaptation starring November and Far fromHeaven (WFF Silkwood, and many more films. He is Woman. Feature and documentary cred- Nicholas Cage. As producer, his credits 2002). Other credits include John best known for his work with director its include Shoot George, Juliette of the include The Truth About Charlie, Sayles’ City of Hope, , The , including Limbo, Passion Herbs (PBS), Entwined, Spotted Puppets Mandela, Ulee’s Gold, Courage and Pain, Secret of Roan Inish, Lone Star, and Men Fish, , , Brother (Canal+), Brothers and Others: The Into the Rope and Storefront Hitchcock. With Guns; ’s Before From Another Planet. and Return of the Impact of 9/11 on Arabs and Muslims in Sunrise, SubUrbia ,The Newton Secaucus Seven. America (CBC, Hallmark, Swiss TV), Steve Savage - President, New Boys,Waking Life and Before Sunrise; Guillermo Gomez-Peña, (PBS), and Going Video ’s of Disco; Lemore Syvan, Producer Organic (PBS) and Bravo Profiles: Julie Steve is president and co-founder of ’ Mr. Death; Brad Lemore’s most recent films include Taymor (Bravo). Scores include New Video, a New York based DVD Anderson’s Happy Accidents and Session King of the Corner, directed by Peter American Museum of Natural History company. New Video has released a 9; and Kimberly Pierce’s Boys Don’t Cry. Riegert and Rebecca Millers The Ballad biodiversity films, museum art installa- catalog of over 1,500 titles under The As an attorney, John Sloss represents of Jack and Rose starring Daniel Day- tions and a commission for Bill T. Jones History Channel, A&E, NBC and IFC clients in all aspects of motion picture Lewis and Catherine Keener. In post Dance Company. Her work has been imprints. Since 1999, New Video has financing, production and distribution, production is Duane Hopwood, direct- performed at the Kennedy Center, BAM, distributed a catalog of over 100 inde- including motion picture producers, ed by Matt Mulhern starring David Carnegie Recital Hall, and the Spoleto pendent and classic documentaries directors, writers and broadcast net- Schwimmer and Jeanine Gerofalo and Festival. under their Docurama label. For works, as well as professional sports Shall Not Want directed by Laurie preschoolers the company offers a teams. Collyer starring Maggie Gyllenhaal. Bill Plympton - Animator series of classic children’s books on Previous films include John Sayles Casa Bill Plympton’s animated films include DVD under the Scholastic brand. de Los Babys, his latest feature Hair High, which won www.docurama.com Rebecca Miller’s Personal Velocity (grand the Gold Jury Prize at the Fant-Asia fes- www.newvideo.com prize winner at 2002 Sundance Film tival in Montreal, and the short film Festival). She heads the production Guard Dog, which won the Best Short company Elevation Filmworks. Prize at Anima Mundi and a special prize at the Hiroshima Animation Festival. Past projects include , I Married a Strange Person, and The Tune. His short films have been seen widely around the country, high lighting many animation festivals, and on DVD in the Plymptoons and Mondo Plympton collections.

19 20 LETTERS

21

MAVERICK AWARDS mav·er·ick adj. 1. Being The 2004 Maverick Awards independent in thought and ceremony will by Emceed by action or exhibiting such Mikhail Horowitz & independence. 2. One who Gilles Malkine. refuses to abide Horowitz and Malkine have been delighting by the dictates audiences for years. Their original, zany, and imaginative verbal acrobatics and mal- of a group. adaptations of old tunes with new lyrics have left onlookers laughing until they’re gasping for breath. Their satirical takes on The fiercely independent world currents consistently hit the mark, as Woodstock Film Festival do their rap versions of such literary clas- matography, and animation – and, for the took the name for its sics as Moby Dick, Homer’s Odyssey, Alice’s very first time this year, editing. award – The Maverick – Adventures In Wonderland, and Waiting for Past recipients include the features from the original Godot. They perform songs on subjects as Assisted Living, Wendigo, Recoil, The Woodstock arts colony of the early 1900s, diverse as the lack of affordable health care, Dreamcatcher, and Interview with the Assassin, where the first of many Maverick Festivals the blues origins of Macbeth and Hamlet, and the documentaries A Boy’s Life, Spellbound, took place each summer. These festivals cele- political unreality and surreality, the scant Passages, and Freestyle. In Competition finalists, brated independence, social responsibility, likelihood of sex after death, and the legacy all first-time feature filmmakers, are selected and good times, all in honor of the creative of orthodox Jewish cowboys. Or, you may be by a committee headed by Ryan Werner, spirit. The Woodstock Film Festival is proud treated to the granddaddy of all disaster- head of theatrical distribution at Wellspring. to carry on this tradition of celebrating and motif songs, or a faded and frayed remem- The WFF Maverick Award for Best honoring the work, dedication, spirit, energy, brance of a fiery night in the 60s, or a rendi- Animated Film is presented by Bill and inspiration of those who make feelings tion of Joyce Kilmer’s poem “Trees” as it Plympton (How to Kiss, 25 Ways to Quit visible and thoughts concrete, who make might be recited by Blackbeard the Pirate. Smoking, Mutant Aliens, The Tune, Hair High). sense out of sensations, who shine light into Plympton is recognized as one of America’s darkness, and who nuance the obvious. foremost illustrators, cartoonists, and anima- New Award - Excellence in The Honorary Maverick Award is pre- tors. His highly successful short films have Editing! sented to an individual whose life and work won countless prizes and have appeared with For the first time ever the Woodstock Film is the very definition of the word “maverick.” frenzied frequency at film festivals, on televi- Festival will recognize the art of film edit- Past recipients include , sion, and online. ing. The WFF Maverick Award for Tim Robbins, D. A. Pennebaker, and Chris Excellence in Editing will be presented in The Haskell Wexler Award for Best Hegedus, and Les Blank. This year’s honoree the categories of Feature Narative and Cinematography is judged by Haskell will be announced in September. Documentary. On the jury are Sarah Flack Handcrafted trophies and prizes are Wexler, A.S.C. (Bound for Glory, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Coming Home, Who’s ( in Translation, The Limey), Sabine awarded for Best Feature Narrative, Best Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Secret of Roan Hoffman (Personal Velocity, Brother to Feature Documentary, Best Short Inish). Wexler is a five-time Academy Award Brother, The Ballad of Jack and Rose) and Documentary, Best Short, and Best Student nominee and a recipient of a star on Doug Abel (Fog of , : Some Film. Other awards are presented for cine- Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Kind of Monster, The Awful Truth). JURY FEATURES: DOCUMENTARIES SHORTS: STUDENT SHORTS: Thelma Adams Liz Garbus Gill Holland Jeremiah Newton (Film critic,US Weekly) (Academy Award nominated filmmaker. (producer, Hurricane,Desert Blue,Spring (industry liaison,) The Farm,Angola USA,The Nazi Officer’s Forward,Snow Days,Martin & Orloff,The Fisher Stevens Wife,The Execution of Wanda Jean, Fittest,Loggerheads) Gill Holland (actor/director/producer,Just a Kiss, Girlhood) (producer, Hurricane,Desert Blue,Spring Famous”,“Pinero,Swimfan, Uptown Girls) Larry Fessenden Forward,Snow Days,Martin & Orloff,The Brett Morgen (filmmaker,No Telling,Habit,Wendigo) Fittest,Loggerheads) Ira Deutchman (Academy Award nominated filmmaker, (Producer, Brothel,Interstate 60,Ball in the On the Ropes,The Kids Stay in the Picture) Rachel Sheedy House,Center of the World,Way Past Cool) (franchised agent,Don Buckwald Agency CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jackie Glover with emphasis on New York independent Haskell Wexler, A.S.C. (Director of Documentary Programming, film,building the careers of many of the HBO) indie film world’s stalwarts.

22 MAVERICK AWARDS

The 2004 Woodstock Film Festival 5th Anniversary Honorary Maverick Award will be presented to the illustrious director, writer, producer Mira Nair, a fearless explorer of the human heart. “The Maverick has long been a symbol of the Woodstock arts colony, representing an individual whose life and work is based on independent vision and social activism,” said WFF director and co-founder Meira Blaustein. “We are so proud to honor the work of Mira Nair, who fearlessly combines independence and risk-taking with social con- sciousness and continues the tradition of those who make feelings visible, who make sense out of sensations, who shine light into darkness.” “To be a maverick, to be recognized for being fiercely independent is a great honor. world. to express myself my way is an imperative for my work. It is the only way I know,” said Ms. Nair. Born in India, Nair began her artistic career as an actor before turning her attention to directing, producing and screenwriting. She found success as a documentary filmmak- er, winning prestigious awards for So Far From India, India Cabaret and The The Maverick Awards are handcrafted by Laughing Club of India. Nair’s feature film Steve Heller, a self-taught artist who works in credits include the critically acclaimed wood, found metal, and Cadillacs from the Salaam Bombay, Mississippi Masala, 1950s. He shows at his gallery, Fabulous Hysterical Blindness, Kama Sutra: A Tale Furniture, in Boiceville, NY. of Love, The Perez Family, Monsoon Wedding, and the newly released Vanity Fair. Her films have won accolades and mul- tiple awards at major film festivals all over the

ANIMATION: SHORT DOCS: EDITING: MAVERICK AWARD SPONSORS Bill Plympton Lee Hirsch Sabine Hoffmann (Academy Award Nominated filmmaker / (filmmaker,Amandla! A Revolution in Four (editor,The Ballad of Jack and Rose, animator,Hair Hight,Eat,Mutant Aliens, Par Harmony) Personal Velocity,Brother to Brother,Ferry The Tune,Plymptoons) Tales) Leon Gast Signe Baumane (Academy Award winner,When We Were Sarah Flack (filmmaker / animator,Five F*cking Kings,One Love,Hell’s Angels Forever,The (editor, Lost in Translation,Swimfan,Full Fables) Grateful Dead Movie,B.B.King:Live in Frontal,The Limey) Africa) Debra Solomon Doug Abel (animator,Lizzie McGuire,the Movie) Rebecca Cammisa (editor,Metallica:Some Kind of Monster, (filmmaker,Sister Helen) :Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert McNamara,Pootie Tang)

23

NARRATIVE FEATURES All information is Subject to change. Please visit www.woodstockfilmfestival.com for the most up to date information including SCHEDULES, added screenings, and OTHER EVENTS.

26 p.s.

27 THE MACHINIST

28 THE WOODSMAN

29 DEAR FRANKIE

30 ADMISSIONS

31 THE AGE OF INNOCENCE

31 BLACKBALLED: THE BOBBY DUKES STORY

32 CAVEDWELLER

33 CHAIN

34 CHORISTS (LES CHORISTES)

35 COSMOPOLITAN

36 THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY

37 DOWN TO THE BONE

38 ELEPHANT SHOES

38 THE FITTEST

39 JAILBAIT

40 KING OF THE CORNER

40 KONTROLL

41 ONG BAK: THE THAI WARRIOR

42 OUR MUSIC (Notre Musique)

43 PIZZA

44

45 SPEAK

46 UNDERTOW

46 UNKNOWN SOLDIER

25

NARRATIVE FEATURES OPENING NIGHT FILMS

WOODSTOCK

Louise Harrington (Laura Dylan Kidd’s first film, Linney), a divorced, thirty-something BIO Roger Dodger, won the admissions officer at Columbia p.s. Lion of the Future Award at the 2002 Venice University’s School of Fine Arts, is intelli- International Film Festival, Best Feature Film gent, pretty, successful, and… unfulfilled. Directed by Dylan Kidd at the inaugural , Best That is, until a graduate school application USA / 2004 / 97 minutes First Feature from the National Board of crosses her desk and she arranges to inter- Tinker Street • 10/14 • 7:30pm & 9:30pm Review and the New York Film Critics Circle view the young painter who sent it in. When and several Independent Spirit and IFP Scott Feinstadt (Topher Grace) appears, he Main Credits: Gotham Award nominations. For his indelible Director Dylan Kidd bears an uncanny resemblance to Louise’s work as Roger Swanson in that film, Producers Robert Kessel high school boyfriend and one true love, an John N. Hart received the Best Actor Award artist who died in a car accident twenty years Jeffrey Sharp from the National Board of Review. Anne Chaisson earlier. Within hours of the interview, Louise “When I read the novel, I realized that Executive Producer Michael Hogan and Scott have embarked on a passionately Louise Harrington was as fascinating a puzzle Screenwriters Helen Schulman uninhibited older woman/younger man affair. Dylan Kidd as Roger Swanson in Roger Dodger,” says But is Scott merely a reminder of Louise’s lost Cinematographer Joaquin Baca-Asay Kidd, drawing out some surprising affinities love? And is he just trying to wheedle his way Editor Kate Sanford between the two works. “These two films into the Ivy League? Music Craig Wedren form a sort of ‘cinema of arrested develop- Adding to the romantic intrigue are Principal Cast ment.’ They involve characters with all the Topher Grace Louise’s best friend from high school, Missy Lois Smith trappings of adult life the wardrobe, job suc- (Marcia Gay Harden), who shows up to claim Gabriel Byrne cess who gradually reveal themselves to be the affections of the boy; Louise’s codepen- Marcia Gay Harden locked in place emotionally.” Paul Rudd dent ex-husband, Peter (Gabriel Byrne); her cynical mother (Lois Smith); and her fresh- out-of-rehab brother (Paul Rudd). Torrid and tender, serious and sexy, p.s. Courtesy of Newmarket Films features a career performance from Laura Linney (Mystic River, You Can Count on Me) and a breakthrough leading-man turn for Topher Grace (Traffic, That 70’s Show). p.s., based on Helen Schulman’s novel of the same name and shot entirely in New York City, is a romantic fable about getting a sec- ond chance at first love.

26

NARRATIVE FEATURES OPENING NIGHT FILMS

RHINEBECK.

Trevor Reznik has not slept The Darian Gap, Brad for a year. His every waking minute has BIO Anderson’s first feature become an unremitting nightmare of film, screened in competition at the 1996 confusion, paranoia, guilt, anxiety, and THE MACHINIST Sundance Film Festival. Because of that film, terror, each of which provides part of the he was honored by Variety in 1997 as one of escalating series of clues that will lead to the Directed by the “Ten Leading New Independent Directors source of his mysterious affliction in this USA / 2004 / 98 minutes to Watch”. In 1998, his film Next Stop inventive psychological thriller by Brad Wonderland, featuring Hope Davis and Anderson (Happy Accidents, Session). Upstate Films 1 • 10/14 • 7:00pm , was picked up at CMF 1 • 10/16 • 8:00pm Sundance by Miramax. It won the Grand Prix “Trevor Reznik has a truly epic Main Credits: and Audience Award at the Deauville Brad Anderson Festival and the Excellence in Filmmaking case of insomnia. And if the Executive Producers Carlos Fernandez Award from the National Board of Review. Antonia Nava decline of his physical and men- In 2001, Anderson had the unusual Screenwriter(s) Steven Fechler tal health weren’t bad enough, experience of having two of his films simulta- Nicole Kassell he’s also lost the respect of his neously hit theaters, both to overwhelming Producer Julio Fernandez critical praise: the romantic comedy Happy coworkers, who shun him after Screenwriter Scott Alan Kosar Accidents (IFC Films) and the psychological his maladies lead to a horrific Cinematographer Xavi Giménez thriller (USA Films). Editor Luis de la Madrid industrial accident. In the days His television direction includes Music Roque Banos that follow, Trevor is convinced Principal Cast episodes of Homicide, HBO’s The Wire, they want him fired ... or worse. Jennifer Jason Leigh and the FX hit The Shield. Aitana Sanchez-Gijon As the increasingly distraught John Sharian Michael Ironside Trevor, Christian Bale is a study Larry Gilliard in nightmarish paranoia in Brad Courtesy of Anderson’s gritty psychological Paramount Classics

NARRATIVE FEATURES CLOSING NIGHT FILM

WOODSTOCK , an indispensable BIO Nicole Kassell makes her fixture of American cinema for the past feature directing debut twenty years, delivers one of his finest per- THE WOODSMAN with The Woodsman. Kassell is a recent gradu- formances in The Woodsman, a harrowing and ate of the NYU Graduate Film Program, moving tale of one man’s attempt to reenter Directed by Nicole Kassell where she wrote, produced, and directed society. USA / 2004 / 85 minutes three short films. Jaime won the 1999 DGA After twelve years in prison, Walter Tinker Street • 10/17 • 5:30pm & 7:45pm Best Female Student Filmmaker Award, and moves into a small apartment across the her thesis film, The Green Hour, was honored street from an elementary school, gets a job at Main Credits: with the Warner Bros. Pictures Film Director/Screenwriter Nicole Kassell a lumberyard, and mostly keeps to himself. Production Award and was an official selec- Producers He finds unexpected solace in Vicki (Kyra Damon Dash tion of the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. Her Sedgwick), a tough-talking woman who Kevin Bacon screenplay for The Woodsman took first prize Brook Lenfest promises not to judge him by his history. But Dawn Lenfest in the 2001 Slamdance screenplay Walter cannot escape his past. A convicted Cinematographer Xavier Pérez Grobet competition. sex offender, he is shunned by his sister, lives Editor Brian A. Kates in fear of being discovered at work, and is Lisa Fruchtman hounded by a suspicious police detective Music (Mos Def). And, after befriending a young girl Principal Cast Kevin Bacon in a neighborhood park, Walter must also Benjamin Bratt grapple with the terrible prospect of his own Mos Def Eve reawakened demons. The Woodsman is an unnerving, ultimate- ly hopeful portrait of compulsion and hard- won redemption, based on a play of the same name. Courtesy of Newmarket Films

28

NARRATIVE FEATURES centerpiece screening

Dear Frankie is a heartwarming and Shona Auerbach began her often humorous tale of nine-year-old BIO career as a stills photographer but, Frankie and his mom, Lizzie, who have aware of the creative limitations, decided been on the move ever since he can remem- that she wanted to work with moving ber. To protect her son from the truth, Lizzie images. She studied film at Manchester has invented a story to satisfy Frankie’s curios- University, and cinematography at Leeds ity. She regularly writes Frankie a letter from completing her MA at the Polish National his make-believe father who works aboard a Film School in Lodz. It was during this peri- ship traveling to exotic lands. However, Lizzie od that she made her 35mm directing debut soon finds out his ‘father’s’ ship will be arriv- DEAR FRANKIE with the short film Seven. This was named ing in a few days. Now, Lizzie must choose Directed by Shona Auerbach Best Short Film at the British Short Film between telling Frankie the truth and hatching UK / 2004 / 104 minutes Festival in 1996. a desperate plan to find the perfect stranger to Tinker Street Upstate Films 2 She has directed a number of successful play the perfect father. 10/16 • 8:00pm 10/17 • 6:15pm commercials before making her feature direct- ing debut with Dear Frankie. Unusually, as Main Credits: Director Shona Auerbach well as directing, she also acted as her own Producer Caroline Wood Director of Photography. Screenwriter Andrea Gibb Cinematographer Shona Auerbach Editor Oral Nottie Ottey Original music Alex Heffes Principal Principal Cast Gerard Butler Sharon Small Jack Mcelhone Mary Riggans Jayd Johnson Directed by Shona Auerbach, Dear Sean Brown Frankie stars Emily Mortimer (Young Adam, Lovely and Amazing, Bright Young Things), Courtesy of Gerard Butler (Tomb Raider 2, Timeline, the Miramax Films forthcoming Phantom of the Opera), and Jack Mcelhone (Young Adam) as Frankie. Sharon Small (About a Boy, Kiss), Mary Riggans, Jayd Johnson and Sean Brown co- star.

NARRATIVE FEATURES

Evie (Lauren Ambrose) – Melissa Painter seventeen, brilliant, disarm- BIO attended New York ingly direct, and with a fish- University’s Graduate Film out-of-water sense of humor – Program, where she received a may or may not be on her way teaching assistantship in writ- out the door of her childhood ing, directing actors, and home and on her way to col- advanced editing. lege. Emily, her older sister, has Her 35mm short, Jump, savant syndrome and is severely mentally premiered at the New York Film Festival in impaired. The two sisters have an odd bond. ADMISSIONS 1996, and went on to Sundance, Bilbao, Neither girl sees the world through everyday EAST COAST PREMIERE Edinburgh, and many other festivals. eyes, and Evie cannot quite wrench free from In Competition Wildflowers, a film about children of children the perpetual childhood her sister inhabits. of the 60s, which was developed at the Her mother (Amy Madigan) is always too busi- Directed by Melissa Painter Sundance Institute Filmmakers / ly mothering one to notice the other. James, USA / 2004 / 92 minutes Screenwriters Lab with Daryl Hannah and the gorgeous next-door neighbor, may or may Tinker Street CMF 1 Clea DuVall, was her first feature. The film not succeed in his pursuit of Evie. 10/16 • 3:00pm 10/17 •3:30pm screened at numerous film festivals and took Admissions is the story of a girl who just Main Credits: the Best Narrative price at South by wants to be a “good person” – a refreshing Director Melissa Painter Southwest. It enjoyed a limited theatrical anachronism in today’s teenage—culture, Producer Annette Vait release in Los Angeles, New York, and San and who messes up brilliantly in her attempts Screenwriter Dawn O’Leary Francisco, and was released on video by at it. It is about how the worst troubles can Cinematographer Paul Ryan Monarch Video, and was purchased for cable be caused by the best intentions, how one Editor Robert Frazen by the Rainbow Network. Admissions, with family’s secrets are finally revealed as the Music Martin Tillman Lauren Ambrose, Amy Madigan, and result of a white lie, and ultimately, how the Principal Cast Lauren Ambrose , is her second feature. She Scott Adsit reconciliation between a mother and daugh- Christopher Lloyd just completed principal photography on ter lets a girl grow up. Amy Madigan location in Montana for her third feature, Taylor Roberts With Admissions, Melissa Painter returns John Savage which she wrote and directed: Steal Me, the to Woodstock with a follow-up to her 2000 story of a young kleptomaniac who has a feature film, Wildflowers. mother fixation.

30

NARRATIVE FEATURES

In honor of THE AGE Elmer Bernstein OF INNOCENCE Directed by Martin Scorsese Martin Scorsese directs this Original Score by Elmer Bernstein stunning adaptation of Edith USA / 1993 / 139 minutes Wharton’s novel about time- Tinker Street less love and aching loss. 10/15• 2:30pm Interwoven with passion, sacri- fice, and intrigue, The Age of Innocence tells the story of a man caught between two women and two worlds. Daniel Day-Lewis and star as the illicit lovers. This five-time Academy Award—nominated film also features .

Elmer Bernstein received on of his fourteen Academy Award Courtesy of nominations for this score, Sony Pictures Entertainment which features several memo- rable original waltzes.

BLACKBALLED: THE BOBBY DUKES STORY

Directed by Brant Sersen USA / 2004 / 91 minutes Bearsville Theater CMF 2 former teammates, Bobby joins forces with 10/16 • 2:45pm 10/17 • 5:30pm an unlikely ally, assembles a band of misfits, and attempts to erase the figures of his taint- Main Credits: Director Brant Sersen ed past.. Producer Darren Goldberg Blackballed features Rob Corddry as Screenwriters Brant Sersen Bobby Dukes. Rob currently serves as a cor- the Billboard Top 100 Videos chart and Brian Steinberg respondent for Comedy Central’s Emmy remained there for eight weeks. Shortly after- Cinematographer Johnathan Goldsmith Award-winning The Daily Show with Jon ward, Brant was commissioned to direct the Editor Chris Lechler Stewart. documentary Sick of It All: The Story So Far. Music Bob Warner Pablo Rieppi Filmed in Liberty, New York. While involved in these projects, he directed two music videos for DJ Ming & FS, both of BIO Brant first achieved critical success which received heavy rotation on MTV’s AMP. with his documentary Release, which BlackBalled marks Brant’s narrative fea- Banned from the world of paintball for premiered before a sold-out audience at the ture film debut. The film, shot predominant- ten years, Bobby Dukes, the former 1999 New York Underground Film Festival. ly in a cinema verité style, is largely impro- Hudson Valley champ, has returned to Acquired for worldwide distribution by vised and showcases the comedic timing of reclaim his title. Faced with rejection by his Victory Records, Release debuted at no. 28 on its accomplished ensemble cast.

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The Showtime original picture trust and love of her two older daughters Cavedweller tells the story of a passion- CAVEDWELLER without damaging her already tense relation- ate woman whose chaotic present and dis- Directed by ship with Cissy. turbing past collide when she returns to her USA / 2004 / 120 minutes The film is directed by Lisa Cholodenko, native Georgia to win back the love of the Tinker Street Upstate Films 1 who wrote and directed the critically two little girls she left behind. The film stars 10/15 • 7:00pm 10/16 • 5:30pm acclaimed High Art and Laurel Canyon. The Kyra Sedgwick, Aidan Quinn, Sherilyn Fenn, screenplay for Cavedweller is by Anne Main Credits: Jill Scott, Regan Arnold, Vanessa Zima, and Director Lisa Cholodenko Meredith and is based upon the novel by Kevin Bacon. Executive Producers Orly Andelson Dorothy Allison. Kyra Sedgwick plays Delia, who escaped Kyra Sedgwick David Yudain her abusive marriage and abandoned her two Robert Halmi, Jr. BIO Lisa Cholodenko started working in young daughters by joining a rock group that Producer Michael Levine film as an assistant editor on studio was touring through her hometown. As a Screenwriter Anne Meredith features such as Boyz N the Hood and To Die singer/songwriter with the group, Delia makes Cinematographer: For. Drawn to New York’s independent film a new life for herself and has a third daughter, Editor Amy E. Duddleston scene, she attended ’s Cissy, with lead singer Randall Pritchard. Principal Cast Kyra Sedgwick graduate film program where she made two Aidan Quinn Sherilyn Fenn highly regarded short films, Souvenir and Jill Scott Dinner Party. Her first feature, High Art, won Vanessa Zima Kevin Bacon the 1998 Screenwriting Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2002, her sec- Courtesy of ond feature, Laurel Canyon, was screened in Showtime Independent Films the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes, the Sundance and Toronto film festivals, and gar- nered IFP Spirit Award nominations for its lead performances. Cholodenko has also directed episodes of Six Feet Under and After Randall’s death in a car accident, Homicide: Life on the Street. Delia decides to take the angry, grieving Cissy with her to Georgia. Delia’s hope is to regain custody of the children she left behind, now in their teens, so that she can make a better home for them all. But to do this, Delia must confront the demons from her first marriage, the hostility of her ex-hus- band’s family, and her own doubts about her past decisions. She also has to win back the

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“This experimental feature/doc succeeds in being both mesmeriz- ing and thought-provoking as it explores geographical and emo- tional displacement.” (Jeff Economy)

New York filmmaker CHAIN BIO ’s work Directed by Jem Cohen includes Benjamin Smoke (2000), USA / 2004 / 99 minutes As regional character disappears and Lost Book Found (1996), Instrument, with the corporate culture homogenizes our sur- band Fugazi - 1999, Amber City (1999), and Bearsville Theater Upstate II 10/15 •7:00pm 10/16 • 7:00pm roundings, it’s increasingly hard to tell Buried in Light (1995). Both Chain and where you are. In Chain, malls, theme parks, Benjamin Smoke premiered in the Berlin Film Main Credits: Director Jem Cohen hotels, and corporate centers worldwide are Festival’s Forum section. Cohen’s work is in joined into a monolithic “superlandscape” Producers Mary Jane Skalski, the collections of the Jem Cohen that shapes and circumscribes the lives of and the Whitney Museum of American Art, Cinematographer Jem Cohen two women. One is a businesswoman study- and has been featured on PBS, the Sundance Editors Jem Cohen ing the international theme-park industry; Channel, the BBC, and ARTE. Cohen has David Frankel the other is a young drifter, living and work- worked extensively with musicians, including Features Miho Nikaido Mira Billotte ing illegally on the fringes of a shopping Vic Chesnutt, R.E.M., Godspeed You! Black mall. Emperor, and Sparklehorse, among others. Courtesy of Antidote Films A good bit of the film was shot in upstate New York!

MORE CHOICES. MORE LATITUDE. MORE POSSIBILITIES. Introducing the expanded KODAK VISION2 Film family. Now you can choose from more film stocks than ever. Expand horizons. To learn more, visit kodak.com/go/vision2. THE FUTURE IS WIDE OPEN. ademarks. e tr tman Kodak Company, 2004.

© Eas Kodak and Vision ar KODAK VISION2 Motion Picture Films. What’s next.

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Clement Mathieu, an unemployed BIO is a classical music teacher, is hired as a supervisor at CHORISTS guitarist, a graduate of the Ecole a boarding school for troubled youth. Normale de Musique in , and winner of Immediately upon his arrival, he witnesses (LES CHORISTES) several international music competitions. how the boys constantly act up and torture In 1991, he was hired by would-be teachers. Rachin, the school direc- EAST COAST PREMIERE of Galatée Films., where he acted as associate tor, resorts to harsh punishments and a strong Directed by Christophe Barratier producer on Children fist in an attempt to keep the pupils in line. French / 2004 / 95 minutes of Lumiere, Les Enfants Optimistic and positive-minded, Mathieu In French with English subtitles de Lumière, chooses alternate methods of punishment for Tinker Street Upstate Films 1 Microcosmos, Himalaya 10/14 • 5:30pm 10/16 • 6:30pm and Winged Migration. In 2001, he Main Credits: Director Christophe Barratier directed his first film, Producers Arthur Cohn a short subject based Jacques Perrin on Maupassant’s story Screenwriters Christophe Barratier Les Tombales and star- Philippe Lopes-Curval ring Lambert Wilson Cinematographers Carlo Varini (AFC) Dominique Gentil and Carole Weiss. the rowdy children so that they don’t have to (AFC) Broadcast on Canal+ face Rachin’s whip. Gradually he earns the Editor Yves Deschamps and FR3, it was a students’ trust, and he decides to start a Music selection at the school chorus to introduce the students to his Principal Cast Gerard Jugnot Clermont-Ferrand Festival. François Berleand musical passion. His class takes to the exper- Jean-Baptiste Maunier Produced by Galatée Films and cowrit- iment, the musical structure begets discipline Jacques Perrin ten with Philippe Lopes-Curval, Chorists is among the students, and the overall life at Marie Buñel Barratier’s first feature film. school improves. Rachin, jealous of Mathieu’s Philippe du Janerand Jean-Paul Bonnaire success, quickly disbands it, but word about Maxence Perrin the chorus gets out to the school’s board, who request a concert. However, without Rachin’s Courtesy of permission to rehearse, many obstacles stand Miramax Films in Mathieu’s way. Will he and his chorus be able to pull off the concert that the school’s future hinges on?

Chorists was recently chosen as the french entry for the 2005 Academy Award.

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Nisha Ganatra’s first feature film, COSMOPOLITAN BIO Chutney Popcorn, received much Directed by Nisha Ganatra acclaim, garnering Best Feature Film awards USA / 2004 / 53 minutes at the Outfest Los Angeles and English and Hindi subtitles film festivals and Audience Awards at the Town Hall Berlin International Film Festival, Newport 10/16 • 4:45pm Film Festival, Paris International Film Festival, Preceded by Sangam and Madrid International Film Festival. In addition to Cosmopolitan, Nisha recently Main Credits: Nisha Ganatra returns to Woodstock Director Nisha Ganatra completed production on Cake, a romantic comedy starring Heather Graham. Her past with Cosmopolitan, in which a suddenly- Producers Brian Devine Jason Orans work includes Fast Food High for Susan single bachelor, an attractive neighbor, and Jen Small Cavan (Stealing Harvard, Superstar, a popular women’s magazine are the ingredi- Cinematographer Matt Clark Brain Candy) and Real World New York ents of a delicious romance that pays homage Screenwriter Sabrina Dhawan to classic Bollywood cinema while spinning a (based on a story by for MTV and the Road Rules/Real World Akhil Sharma) modern love story that is uniquely its own. Challenge. Nisha is in development for fea- Music Andrew Lockington ture films with Jane Startz Productions (Ella From the director of Chutney Popcorn and the (songs by Chris Rael Enchanted, Tuck Everlasting, The Baby writer of Monsoon Wedding, Principal Cast Roshan Carol Kane Sitter’s Club, The Mighty). Maghur Jaffrey Purva Bedi

“Cosmopolitan mixes the bittersweet comedy of real life with the intoxicating magic of rediscovered love.”

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They say America is the land of opportu- THE DEFINITION BIO Robert Margolis is an actor, direc- nity, but it’s also the land of elusive OF INSANITY tor, and playwright born in New York dreams. The Definition of Insanity is an City. He has also worked as a psychoanalyst, intimate character study of Robert (Robert NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE a groundskeeper, and a building superintend- Margolis), an actor moving past his prime Directed by ent. As an actor, Robert has had leading roles who is still chasing that one great role. His life Robert Margolis and Frank Matter in numerous independent feature films. He begins to unravel as he struggles to survive in USA / 2004 / 85 minutes has also been the recipient of a Fulbright a competitive and often-brutal environment, Tinker Street Upstate Films 2 Fellowship for study abroad and is a member without realizing how his obsession affects 10/16 • 1:00pm 10/17 •1:00pm of the . He is the father of the people close to him. Like many artists liv- Main Credits: four-year-old Dylan Margolis, who makes his ing on the fringe, Robert faces the existential Directors/Producers/Screenwriters/Editors: acting debut in The Definition of Insanity. questions: How much of his life does he want Robert Margolis Frank Matter Frank Matter was born in Basel, to sacrifice to art? And at what point is it time Cinematographer Frank Matter in 1964. After school, he worked as a journal- to move on? When he meets legendary film Music Paula Atherton director (playing himself), Amy Fairchild ist and magazine staff writer. In 1991, he that question is answered in an unexpected Principal Cast Dawn Marie Anderson, researched and cowrote the concept for the Kelli K. Barnett, Peter Bogdanovich, widely discussed Swiss TV documentary way. Kathryn Fallon, Jimmy Lee Gary Jr.,Tom Gill, The Definition of Insanity is a tragicomic John Greiner, Hristo Hristov, Gerry Janssen, Unzucht; he was also the assistant director on film about big dreams and everyday rituals, Derek Johnson, Jake Josefson, Amanda Kay, that film. In 1993, he moved to New York, Frank Krias, Bruce Levy, David Maquiling, humiliating defeats and little triumphs, and Dylan Margolis, Robert Margolis, where he began to work as a writer and sound the inexplicable optimism—some might call David McMahon, Jonas Mekas, Suzan Perry engineer and then to write and direct his own it delusion—that keeps us going. films. His works have been shown at festivals in Locarno (Switzerland), New York, Montreal, Ankara, and Calcutta, to name just a few, as well as in museums and theaters throughout the world.

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In upstate New York, Irene (Vera DOWN TO BIO Debra Granik studied at the Farmiga) struggles to raise two sons, THE BONE Massachusetts College of Art, keep her stale marriage together, and In Competition Brandeis University, and Edinburgh manage a secret cocaine habit. Directed by Debra Granik University before attending the Graduate Film Isolated in a dead-end job at a strip mall USA / 2004 / 101 minutes Program at New York University, Tisch School on the edge of town, Irene isn’t sure when she Tinker Street Upstate films 2 of the Arts. Snake Feed, her first short film at went from high school partying to skimming 10/14 • 2:45pm 10/16 • 4:00pm NYU, won Best Short at Sundance (1998), off the grocery money to supply her growing and she was later invited to attend the habit. Main Credits: Sundance Institute Filmmakers/Screenwriters Director Debra Granik Desperate to alter her life, she puts her- Lab to develop the script for Down to the Bone. Producers Susan Leber self in rehab, hoping she can reshape the Anne Rosellini While in development on Bone, Granik com- world she has made with her husband, Steve Screenwriters Debra Granik pleted her second short film, Side by Side, and (Clint Jordan). But once she’s back home, the Richard Lieske was the director of photography and codirec- distance between them seems to widen, and Cinematographer Michael McDonough tor on Thunder in Guyana, a feature documen- Irene ends up falling into an affair with Bob Editor Malcolm Jamieson tary currently on the festival circuit. Down to Music East River Pipe, JOMF, (Hugh Dillon), a nurse and former addict she Low,Tortoise and Slug the Bone is her first feature film. Granik cur- met in rehab. Principal Cast Vera Farmiga rently has several projects in development, Bob’s attention and affection revives her Hugh Dillon including two documentaries. pushed-aside life, but all too soon she realizes Clint Jordan Caridad “La Bruja” they have more in common than she bar- de la Luz gained for. Jasper Moon Daniels Taylor Foxhall

Sunday, October 17, 11 am at The Center for Photography at Woodstock, New York Women In Film and TV presents a case history study of Debra Granik’s Down to the Bone, a dig- ital film shot entirely in Woodstock and surrounding Ulster County areas. The story concerns a young mother’s hidden cocaine habit, and her quest to come clean and create a bet- ter life for herself and family. This feature is a rare hybrid of reality and fiction. It developed from Granik’s Sundance Award winning short, Snake Feed, which starred the real— life person the story is based on Down to the Bone uses pro- fessional actors in the leading roles and nonprofessionals in the supporting roles. (see panels for more info)

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ELEPHANT SHOES

Elephant Shoes was produced by U.S. PREMIERE BIO One Man Band Films, an independ- Directed by Christos Sourligas ent film production company founded by Canada / 2004 / 79 minutes award-winning filmmaker Christos Sourligas. WCC Upstate Sourligas´s short films include Vomit Boy, The 10/16 • 7:30pm 10/17 • 3:00pm Last Supper, and Park Ex., which was awarded Alexis and Manny are a “twelve-hour” Main Credits: couple whose turbulent love affair is the Canadian Multicultural Award by the Director/Producer Christos Sourligas told over the course of a half-day. Their Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. Screenwriter Christos Sourligas romance begins with a chance meeting on the Sourligas has recently optioned another fea- Cinematographer Luc Montpellier, CSC street, then is fast-forwarded to Manny’s ture-length comedy script, slated for produc- Editor Joseph Bohbot apartment, where they share an unforgettable tion in 2005, to a Montreal-based film com- Principal Cast Stacie Morgain Lewis, Greg Shamie one-night stand that feels like a lifetime. pany.

THE FITTEST Since mankind has evolved out of WORLD PREMIERE the caves and into tract homes, what In Competition has survival of the fittest come to Directed by The Crook Brothers mean? This question is hilariously USA / 2004 / 88 minutes and disturbingly examined in The Upstate Films 2 Town Hall Fittest, a darkly comic tale of survival in 10/16 • 9:30pm 10/17 • 5:15pm suburbia. Freddy Grant desperately wants to have a child but his defective Main Credits: Producer(s) Angela Grant sperm keeps him from getting his wife, Grace, pregnant. As his infertility puts Co—producer(s) Andy Baez,Wendy Writer-director team Joshua and Couteau increasing strain on their marriage, Freddy BIO Jeffrey Crook (their real last name) Director(s) Joshua & Jeffrey Crook strikes up an affair with his co-worker Jill, grew up in Brooklyn, NY, the sons of novelist Screenwriter(s) Joshua & Jeffrey Crook who is involved in an on-again, off-again rela- Howard Crook. Together they have written Cinematography: John Barrett Ashmore tionship with Freddy’s sadistic boss, Al. and directed two feature films, Sucker Punch Principal Cast Jason Madera Insecurity and a biological imperative lead to Angela Grant and The Fittest. In an August 2002 review, some bad choices and Freddy’s world begins Christina Caparoula Variety wrote that Sucker Punch will be properly Chris Ferry, Josh to unravel. Crook, Peter Blitzer, appreciated as a subversive variant on the gangs- Wendy Couteau ta movie by that genre’s target audience. An auspiciously wry roll in the gutter is had by all. “The Crook Brothers give Darwin a new spin in Sucker Punch also screened at the Indievision this dark comic tale of suburban lust. Infertility Film Festival, where it won Best Actor for the turns to infidelity when office drone Freddy, film’s star, Paris Campbell. wounded by his wife’s rejection when she learns In addition to their feature films, the he can’t conceive, turns in solace to an illicit Crooks have produced almost a dozen com- affair — with his boss’ mistress. Freddy’s bad mercials (several of which they also directed) choices pile up until he has to learn to eat, or be and two television pilots. The Crook brothers eaten. Fans of the Farrelly Brothers will appreciate are currently in development on their third this wickedly funny story that’ll have you laughing feature film. They reside in New York City.

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“A haunting opening score sets the tone, pulling us deep into the bowels of a maximum security prison in this gripping psycho—sexual tug-of-war where Jake, a “lifer” asserts his dominance over Randy, an ethereal young man facing twenty-five years. Brilliant performances and artful angles lead

JAILBAIT In Competition pacing never falter, and Pitt and Adly-Guirgis Directed by Brett C. Leonard allow the relationship between Randy and Jake to grow organically and with great USA / 2004 / 89 minutes nuance. Jailbait is a major achievement, an Upstate Films 2 Town Hall The correctional system intimate film that feels larger than life. 10/15 • 7:30pm 10/16 • 9:30pm has been the inspiration for many Main Credits: notable films over the years, from the BIO Jailbait winner of the Grand Jury Director/Screenwriter Brett C. Leonard chain gangs of to classic Producers Dan O’Meara Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the Linda Moran prison–break films like Escape from Alcatraz, Lake Placid Film Festival in 2004) marks Rene Bastian but rarely has prison life been illustrated with Brett C. Leonard’s filmmaking debut. His Corbin Day Brett C. Leonard the candor and emotional realism of stage works include: Guinea Pig Solo, New writer/director Brett C. Leonard’s Jailbait. The Cinematographer John J. Campbell York’s Public Theater and Labyrinth Theater Editor Ron Len film craftily uses the confinement of a prison Company; Scotch and Water, New York’s Music Ed Tomney cell to intensify the emotional stakes between Parkside Lounge and London’s New Principal Cast Michael Pitt prisoners Jake (Stephen Adly-Guirgis) and Company; The Memory of Love’s Refrain, New Stephen Adly-Guirgis Randy (Michael Pitt), as they confront not Laila Robins York’s Interart; and Roger and Vanessa, only ugly truths about each other, but about London’s Latchmere Theatre and Royal themselves. Leonard’s deft touch and careful Academy of Dramatic Art.

is a proud sponsor of the

WGA Indie 2004 Your script. Your film. You’re covered.

Working together to protect your independence. Woodstock For more information, give us a call at (212)767-7800 or visit us at Film Festival www.wgaeast.org/lowbudgetfilms

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NARRATIVE FEATURES KING OF THE CORNER NEW YORK PREMIERE Directed by Peter Reigert USA / 2004 / 93 minutes Tinker Street Upstate Films 2 10/15 • 7:30pm 10/17 • 4:15m Main Credits: Director Peter Reigert Producer Lemore Syvan Screenwriters Gerald Shapiro A seasoned cast, clever dialogue and dark humor infuse the story of Leo Cinematographer Maurico Rubinstein Spivack, a middle aged man on the verge of losing everything. Color is Editor Mario Ontal used to good effect in the cold. blue boardroom where Leo fights for his Music Al Kooper life, and a funeral scene is memorable for its off the wall humor, gentle Featuring Peter Reigert, , Eli Wallach , Beverly Rossellini) is running out of patience, and his co–written with Gerald Shapiro based on D’Angelo, , Dominic judgment is becoming blurred. Leo has met Shapiro’s collection of short stories, Bad Jews Chianese, Jake the enemy and it is himself, but through a twist and Other Stories. Hoffman of fate and the wisdom of his rabbi (Eric Peter Reigert has appeared in Bogosian), he achieves self-redemption and is BIO more than thirty films, including A social comedy about the dangers of allowed a second chance. Animal House, Local Hero, Crossing Delancey, navigating life without a compass, King of Featuring music by rock n’ roll legend Al The Mask, and Traffic. Television credits include the Corner paints a portrait of Leo (Peter Kooper, Peter Riegert’s directorial debut is a , Barbarians at the Gate, and the Riegert), his family, and his world. His father humorous, honest, and multi-faceted look at final episode of . His short film By (Eli Wallach) is dying, his daughter is growing how one man turns his midlife crisis into a Courier was nominated for an Academy up, his protégé is after his job, his wife (Isabella midlife opportunity. King of the Corner was Award in 2000.

KONTROLL New York Premiere Directed by Nimrod Antal USA- / 2003 / 107 minutes Hungarian with English subtitles “Shot at night in the stations and tunnels of Tinker Street Upstate Films 2 the Metro, Nimrod Antal’s 10/15 • 3:00pm 10/17 • 5:00pm hyperkinetic Kontrol exploits every fear of Main Credits: the underground, with its live tracks, rat- Director Nimrod Antal tling carriages, narrow platforms and Producers Tamas Hutlassa nighttime population of wackos, weirdos Nimrod Antal Bulcsu is an undercover officer who and the simply strange.” Screenwriters Jim Adler Nimrod Antal checks tickets in the Budapest Metro–not (Ray Bennett, The Hollywood Reporter) the most popular job on the planet! Cinematographer Editor Istvan Kiraly He and his rag tag crew deal with outra- Music Neo geous excuses from the public, inventive Nimrod Antal started his film studies BIO Principal Cast Sandor Csanyi pranks from their nemesis, after-hours antics, at the Film Workshop of Pasadena Csaba Pindroch and a possible serial killer. Art Center in 1991. After moving to Hungary Zoltan Musci Sandor Badar At the same time, Bulcsu’s personal life he studied at the Hungarian Academy of Zsolt Nagy is in turmoil, and his only solace comes from Drama and Film, from which he graduated as Eszter Balla Lajos Kovacs a kindly driver and her sexy bear-costume- a film director in 1995. Kontroll is his first full- clad daughter. length feature film. Courtesy of THINKfilms

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One dark night, a former native of a rural Thai BIO Born in 1962, Prachya Pinkaew village has his men steal the head of the ONG BAK: graduated in 1985 from Technology town’s Ong Bak (Buddha statue) to win favor THE THAI WARRIOR Nakornratsima College, where he majored in with ruthless Bangkok crime boss Khom architecture. He began his career in 1990, U.S. Premiere Tuan. The locals regard the theft as a catastro- working at Pack Shot Entertainment, first as Directed by Prachya Pinkaew phe, and seek a champion to retrieve their art director and later as creative director. In Thailand / 2003 / 105 minutes lost treasure. They find their man in Ting 1992, he became director for music videos Tinker Street CMF 1 (Tony Jaa), an orphaned youngster raised at 10/15 • 9:45pm 10/17 • 5:30pm and since won several Best Music Video the local temple and schooled by Pra Kru, a Awards at the Golden Television awards in kindly monk, in the ancient system of Muay Main Credits: Thailand. In 1992, Prachya had the opportu- Director Prachya Pinkaew Thai: Nine Body Weapons. Executive Producer Somsak nity to direct his first feature film, The Magic Ting travels to the mean streets of Techaratanaprasert Shoes, which was followed in 1994 by his sec- Bangkok, where he’s forced to compete in Producers Prachya Pinkaew ond, Romantic Blues. illegal street fights, taking on both local and Sukanya Vongsthapat Since 1998, he has been focusing on foreign opponents to win the head of Ong Bak Screenwriter Suphachai Sithiamphan producing. He is the head of an independent from the pitiless underworld kingpin. Cinematographer Natawut Kittikun production house, Baa-Ram-Ewe, which has Editor Thanat Sunsin a distribution deal with Thai Major Studio, Music Atomix Clubbing Sahamongkolfim International Company Principal Cast Tony Jaa Petchthai Wongkamlao Limited. Prachya has produced many popular Pumwaree Yodkamol Thai films, including the vampire movie Body Rungrawee Borrijindakul Chetwut Wacharakun Jumper (2001); the action comedy Heaven 7 Wannakit Siriput (2002); the horror movie 999-9999 (2002); (Official Competition in the Puchon Fantastic Courtesy of Film Festival 2003); and the musical Magnolia Pictures Hoedown Showdown (2002). This year, he pro- duced the art house comedy Sayew, the hor- ror drama The Unborn, and the artistic drama Fake. Prachya has just been promoted to be the director of the Thai Film Association.

“In a small peaceful Thai village of Nong Pradu, the sacred festival of Ong-Bak is held but once every 24 years. When an unscrupulous businessman steals the head of the ceremoni- al Buddha, young Ting ventures into the seamy Bangkok underworld to track down the thief and reclaim the town’s treasure. Along the way, the warrior-in-training uses his tradition- al Muay Thai fighting skills to overcome his adversaries and dish out divine retribution. Extraordinary feats of Thai martial arts and Jackie Chan-style stunts are showcased in this

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Shot and Reverse Shot is a Woman (1961), Vivre sa Vie (1962) Imaginary: Certainty Les Carabiniers (1963), Contempt Reality: Uncertainty (1963), Band of Outsiders (1964), The Principle of Cinema: Alphaville (1965) and Go Towards and Shine it (1965), brought him international on Our Night fame. At this time, Godard was the Our Music most discussed director in the world, Part poetry, part journalism, part provoking extreme responses, both philosophy, Jean-Luc Godard’s Notre Musique OUR MUSIC positive and negative. is a timeless meditation on war as seen (Notre Musique) From 1966 to 1968, his films increasingly through the prisms of cinema, text and Directed by Jean Luc Godard showed the influence of ‘60s radical politics and the image. / 2004 / 79 minutes currents which exploded in the May ‘68 riots: Largely set at a literary conference in In French, English and Spanish Masculine-Feminine (1966), Two or Three Things I Sarajevo, the film draws on the conflagration with subtitles Know About Her (1966), (1967, starring of the Bosnian war, but also draws on the Upstate 1 his second wife, Anne Wiazemsky), Weekend Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the brutal treat- 10/16 • 8:30pm (1967) and Le Gai Savoir (1968). ment of Native Americans, and the legacy of Main Credits: His subsequent films include Numéro Deux the Nazis. Director, Screenwriter Jean-Luc Godard (1975), Ici et ailleurs (1976) and Every Man for Notre Musique is structured into three Producer Jean-Paul Battaggia Himself (1979, starring Isabelle Huppert). In 1982, Zyba Galijasevic Dantean Kingdoms: “Hell,” “Purgatory” and he began working on his trilogy of the sublime-Passion Cinematographer Julien Hirsch “Heaven.” Jean-Christophe (1982), First Name: Carmen (1983, where he stars In the film, real-life literary figures Beauvallet as himself), (1985), and his controversial Hail Mary (including Arab poet Mahmoud Darwich and Principal Cast: Sarah Adler, Nade (1985) -all concerned with feminine beauty and Dieu, Rony Kramer, Georges Aguilar, Spanish writer Juan Goytisolo) intermingle Leticia Gutierrez, Ferlyn Brass, Simone Eine, nature. After his neo noir Detective (1985), Godard with actors; and documentary meshes with Jean-Christophe Bpuvet, Elma Dzanic, and Miéville produced Soft and Hard (1986), the TV Juan Goytisolo, Mahmoud Darwich, fiction. Jean-Paul Curnier, Pierre Bergounioux, film Grandeur et Décadence d’un Petit Commerce de Notre Musique also follows the parallel Gilles Pecoueux Cinema (1986), Soigne ta Droite (1986) and King stories of two Israeli Jewish women, Judith Courtesy of Wellspring Media Lear (1986). Lerner (Sarah Adler) and Olga Brodsky (Nade He followed with Nouvelle Vague (1990), Dieu); one drawn to the light and one drawn Germany 90 Nine Zero (1991), Hélas pour moi towards darkness. (1993), Forever Mozart (1996), and his highly Through evocative language and images, BIO For five decades, Jean-Luc Godard has regarded eight-hour series Histoires du cinéma (1997- Godard explores a series of conflicting forces: explored the frontiers of film, constantly 98). death; life reinventing and reinvigorating himself. Since mak- Godard’s next project is an omnibus film, dark, light; ing his debut in 1954, he has made ninety short Paris, je t’aime, in which he joins a number of inter- good; bad and feature films. national directors-including the Coen Brothers, negative, positive; In 1960, he made his feature debut with Mike Figgis, , Mira Nair, Tom Tykwer, real; imaginary; Breathless, his tribute to the American gangster and Anne-Marie Miéville-in making activists; storytellers movie, shot without a script in a freewheeling style, a short film about a Paris arrondissement. vanquished; victor; with an innovative use of the jump cut. Breathless While Godard’s reputation as a reclu- criminals; victims; electrified audiences and helped establish what sive figure is well known, he has displayed a suicidal; hopeful came to be called the French New Wave. His next humorous self-awareness both outside and shot, reverse shot. film, Le Petit Soldat (1960), was the first of eight inside his films. These opposing movements are eternal. movies he directed which starred his wife, Anna They are the two faces of truth. Karina. His subsequent films, including A Woman

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PIZZA Directed by Mark Christopher USA / 2004 / 93 minutes Bearsville Theater Upstate Films 2 10/15 • 2:30pm 10/17 • 11am Main Credits: he takes pity on her and Director Mark Christopher invites her along for a Producer(s) Jake Abraham night of oddball pizza Holly Becker Caroline Kaplan stops, dancing, blunt Celeste Peterka conversation, and the Christopher’s shorts were theatrically distrib- Executive Producer(s) Howard Gertler kind of humiliations only teenagers can inflict. uted by Strand Releasing and Frameline. His Tim Perell John Sloss By night’s end, neither will be the same. debut feature film, 54, produced by Miramax, Gary Winick starred Mike Myers, Ryan Phillippe and Salma Screenwriter: Mark Christopher BIO Mark Christopher’s award-win- Hayek. In addition to writing and directing, Editor(s) Michelle Botticelli ning short films have screened at all Christopher produced the film’s soundtrack, Brian A. Kates major international film festivals, including Principal Cast: Ethan Embry along with the number one single Read My Kylie Sparks Sundance, Toronto, New York and Berlin. Mind. Pizza is a return to Christopher's Julie Hagerty Alkali, Iowa, starring Mary Beth Hurt, won indie filmmaking roots. In addition to writing Judah Friedlander the Golden Teddy for best short at Berlin as for the screen, Christopher has written sever- well as top prize at the USA Film Festival, al one hour television pilots for CBS. On the eve of her 18th birthday, friend- short-listing it for the Oscars. The Dead Originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa, less Cara-Ethyl is ‘burning to live.’ When Boys' Club also received several best short Christopher received his MFA from Columbia handsome off-beat pizza man Matt shows up, awards in international film fests. University after living in Lisbon, Portugal and

NARRATIVE FEATURES

This funny, offbeat movie is a mythical Pinter’s The Room and The Dumb Waiter), con- portrayal of former President Richard temporary politics (Tanner ‘88) and contem- Nixon’s struggle to cope with the death of porary literature (). his political career after Watergate. Altman’s work with actors is legendary. ’s adaptation of the one- His use of music has broken ground in films man stage play about former president as different as McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Richard M. Nixon features a high-powered Nashville, and Kansas City. He has been performance by Philip Baker Hall (Magnolia) applauded for the technical innovation of as the unraveling president. The dramatic dia- multi-layered soundtracks and for his pio- logue takes place in Nixon’s personal office neering use of the zoom lens. While his sub- shortly after his resignation—brought about jects and themes have been diverse, he has by the Watergate scandal—where the fallen SECRET HONOR often cast an irreverent eye on the institu- leader, in a drunken frenzy of self-justification Director: Robert Altman tions, mores and foibles of American life, and resentment, comments acerbically on the matching that with an encompassing, unsen- USA / 1984 / 90 minutes various personalities and situations he timental humanism. Tinker Street encountered and bemoans his fate. His tar- 10/14 • 12:00pm Altman has received five Academy Award gets include presidents of the distant past, nominations for Best Director (Gosford Park, the Kennedy family, and leaders from other Main Credits: Short Cuts, The Player, M*A*S*H, and Screenwriter(s): Donald Freed and countries as well as anyone who ever doubt- Arnold Stone Nashville) and three for Best Film (M*A*S*H, ed him in his quest to attain ultimate power. Cinematography: Pierre Mignot Nashville and Gosford Park). The only one who emerges unscathed is Featuring: Philip Baker Hall In 2003 he made the critically acclaimed Nixon’s mother, whom he continued to wor- The Company, starring Neve Campbell, ship even after her passing. Altman uses his Malcolm McDowell, and the versatility as a director to keep the film’s sin- Wedding, Short Cuts), as well as one with a Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. His four-episode gle location from becoming claustrophobic solitary cast member (Secret Honor); films cel- sequel to the 1988 television series, Tanner and stagnant. By cutting between Nixon him- ebrating male camaraderie (M*A*S*H, ‘88, written by Garry Trudeau and starring self and a security monitor that is taping his Split), and those exploring women’s Cynthia Nixon and Michael Murphy, airs on drunken tirade, Altman blurs the line consciousness (Images, Three Women, Come the Sundance Channel in October, 2004. In between reality and fiction even more strik- Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy November 2004 he directs an opera of his ingly, rendering a Nixon with a very human Dean) He has inverted, satirized and enriched 1978 film, A Wedding, at Chicago’s Lyric and yet “televised” face. Filmed while the genres like the western (McCabe and Mrs. Opera. director was a visiting professor at the Miller), the gangster melodrama (Thieves Like University of Michigan, Secret Honor remains Us), the detective film (The Long Goodbye, the Other awards include: at Cannes, the an insightful and interpretative glimpse into biography (Vincent and Theo) and the English Palme D’or/Best Film (M*A*S*H), and Best the mind of one of America’s most notorious drawing-room whodunnit (Gosford Park). His Director (The Player); the New York Film presidents. source material has included comics (Popeye), Critics Circle, Best Film (The Player, the theater (Streamers, Fool for Love, Harold Nashville), and Best Director (Gosford Park, BIO Throughout his extraordinary career, The Player, Nashville); the Robert Altman has surprised, enter- “...A cinematic tour-de- Grand Prix, Best Film (Short Cuts); the British tained and challenged audiences with force....[Hall’s] contribution is a Academy Award (BAFTA) for Best British Film vibrant, freewheeling films that stretch the legitimate, bravura perform- (Gosford Park), Best Director (The Player) and boundaries of the medium. ance...” Best Foreign Television Series (Tanner ‘88); Altman’s more than thirty features bear opening night of the New York Film Festival witness to an extraordinary creative range: Included in the New York Times (Short Cuts, A Wedding); and an Emmy for films made with enormous casts (Nashville, A “10 BEST FILMS OF 1985” Best Director (Tanner ‘88).

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NARRATIVE FEATURES

The feature debut of director/co—writer makes her feature Jessica Sharzer, Speak is the tragicomic story SPEAK BIO directorial debut with Speak. She of a smart, spirited high school freshman who holds an M.F.A. in film and television from has been stunned into silence by an unspeak- NEW YORK PREMIERE New York University’s Tisch School of the able event. Based on the award-winning In Competition Arts. Her thesis film, The Wormhole, received novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak Directed by Jessica Sharzer the Student Academy Award Gold Medal in echoes its heroine’s stubborn honesty and USA / 2003 / 92 minutes narrative, among other prizes. Other directing sardonic humor as it follows her journey from CMF 2 Bearsville Theater credits include the short film Fly Cherry, writ- traumatized isolation to brave disclosure. 10/16 • 8:30pm 10/17 •1:30pm ten by actress Michele Greene and starring Sharzer vividly renders a teenager’s world, Main Credits: Sharon Lawrence; and the five-hour series displaying a brightness and sensitivity that is Director Jessica Sharzer Making a Scene: Advance Scene Study with perfectly matched to character and story. Producers Fred Berner Suzanne Shepherd, featuring Joan Allen, Bebe Matthew Myers Unfolding over the course of the school year, Neuwirth, Athol Fugard, Danny Glover, and Screenwriters Jessica Sharzer Speak captures the absurdities and torments Annie Young Frisbie the late Gregory Hines. of high Cinematographer Sharzer is slated to adapt and direct school, where speaking up can lead to trou- Music Christopher Libertino Lizzie Simon’s memoir My Bipolar Road Trip ble for students and teachers alike. But for Principal Cast Through 4-D for HBO Films. She has also the film’s protagonist, expressing herself is Hallee Hirsh adapted and will direct Turgenev’s First Love Elizabeth Perkins the only way to confront a shattering experi- Eric Lively at Universal Studios, and her original screen- ence, and thus cope with it. Robert John Burke play Pretty Lies is currently in development. D.B. Sweeney Courtesy of Showtime Independent Films

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NARRATIVE FEATURES UNDERTOW Directed by USA / 2004 / 107 minutes CMF 1 Tinker Street 10/15 • 7:00pm 10/17 • 3:00pm

Main Credits: Director David Gordon Green Executive Producers Alessandro Camon John Schmidt Producers Edward R. Pressman Terrence Malick Lisa Muskat Screenwriters Joe Conway David Gordon Green Set in a contemporary South BIO David Gordon Green was born in Cinematographer Tim Orr untouched by time, Undertow is a dra- Arkansas and raised in Texas. He Editor Zene Baker matic thriller about two brothers who run studied filmmaking at the North Carolina Steven Gonzales away from home to guard a secret following School of the Arts and has directed several Music Phillip Glass Michael Linnen the death of their father and the arrival of short fiction and documentary films. His David Wingo their greedy, troubled uncle. debut feature, George Washington, played at Principal Cast Jamie Bell Featuring: Jamie Bell, Devon Alan, Josh the Toronto Film Festival in 2000, where it Devon Alan Josh Lucas Lucas, Dermot Mulroney, Shiri Appleby, shared the Discovery Award. His second Dermot Mulroney Leigh Hill, Robert Longstreet, and Kristen film, , received a Special Jury Shiri Appleby Leigh Hill Stewart. Prize for Emotional Truth at the 2003 Robert Longstreet Sundance Film Festival. Undertow is his third Kristen Stewart feature. Courtesy of United Artists

UNKNOWN SOLDIER

In Competition Ellison, known as L, is a Directed by Ferenc Toth smart, carefree eight- USA / 2004 / 78 minutes een-year-old who has Town Hall Upstate Films been brought up by his 10/15 • 3:00pm 10/16 •12:30pm proud and loving father, Main Credits: Sam, since the death of his Ferenc Toth has been writing screen- Director/ScreenwriterFerenc Toth mother when he was five. Father and son BIO plays and fiction since leaving the Producer Sean Bachrodt share a relationship that fulfills and nourishes business world for a creative career many Cinematographer Steve Carillo them both, and that insulates L from many of years ago. He’s worked on several independ- Editors Frank Reynolds the world’s harsh realities. But when tragedy Sam Neave ent films in New York City, most recently as a strikes, L’s life changes drastically. As he faces Music Peter Calandra producer on the critically acclaimed, multi- Principal Cast Carl Louis basic issues of survival, L confronts his ple-award-winning feature Manito, Unknown Randy Clark future, and the decisions he makes in desper- Soldier is Ferenc’s directorial debut. Postell Pringle ation will change him forever. He is an Layla Edwards Carl Garrison Unknown Soldier on a cold and unforgiving battlefield—the streets of Harlem.

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