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2008 Year in Review: Movies | Afterellen.Com 2008 Year in Review: Movies | AfterEllen.com Welcome to AfterEllen.com! Like 17k Follow @afterellen LOGIN | JOIN NOW! AFTERELLEN.COM TV MOVIES PEOPLE COLUMNS MUSIC VIDEO COMMUNITY LADY KNIGHTS IN SHINING ARMOR WEB Home » 2008 Year in Review: Movies Posted by AfterEllen.com Staff on December 15, 2008 Tweet Like 0 RECENT COMMENTS I might watch American Horror Posted by Mary 2008 will always be known as an historic year — for the passing of gay marriage laws in two About: Afternoon Delight: Clea DuVall joins "American Horror Story," Ellen DeGeneres on self-acceptance states (and the tragic reduction of those rights in four), for the election of the nation’s first (5) president of color, and for the downturn of the economy. Oy! Years from now, when we talk about 2008, it’s likely that we’ll be discussing these events, Posted by Bisera rather than any specific lesbian film that came out. About: Feminist Friday: The World’s Worst Excuse for Not Lezzing Out (4) But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a banner year for lesbian cinema. While there were still extremely few mainstream movies with notable lesbian/bi characters, the She's weird and badass Posted by Ms Mae overall quality of representation was decidedly — and dramatically — on the rise. About: Lana Del Rey goes gay for Jaime King in her 2008 saw an encouraging dearth of murderous, victimized or man-hating lesbian characters in new music video (12) any level of production (from smaller indie flicks to big-budget movies). LINDA PERRY??? Women of color were better represented than in many years past, gross stereotypes were Posted by Woobert avoided, and new talents emerged. About: Morning Brew - Fri. July 20: Cat Cora gets inducted to Culinary Hall of Fame, a new single from The greatest barometer of this progress was the number of 2008 releases that didn’t need to be NiRé AllDai (2) qualified with “well, it was good for a lesbian movie.” They stood amongst the better releases of the year, gay or straight. Huh? Posted by Angel One film that embodies this was The Edge of Heaven, a masterful, beautifully constructed About: “The Real L Word” recap: Episode 302 – "Leap German/Turkish film from Fatih Akin (Head-On). The movie told a complex tale of four central of Faith" (24) characters and the intricate ways in which their lives intersected. Nurgül Yesilçay played Ayten, a fiery Turkish revolutionary who falls in love with a German girl (Patrycia Ziolkowska), and a good third of the movie centered on their romance and the couple’s eventual difficulties once FIND US ON FACEBOOK Ayten found herself hauled off to jail in Istanbul. Create an account or log in to see what your friends like. As I stated in the film’s review, the movie was one of the year’s absolute best: AfterEllen.com on Facebook It’s wonderfully refreshing to see a multi-ethnic lesbian couple at the center of a film that Like 17,254 isn’t billed as a “queer movie,” and to see that their sexuality is a non-issue... It’s a http://www.afterellen.com/movies/2008/12/yearinlesbianfilm[7/21/2012 12:08:07 AM] 2008 Year in Review: Movies | AfterEllen.com fantastic film in its own right, so the fact that a lesbian relationship factors in so prominently is icing on the diversity-minded cake. Nurgül Yesilçay (left) and Patrycia Ziolkowska in The Edge of Heaven Facebook social plugin Surely, another of 2008’s biggest cinematic stories was the theatrical release of lesbian novelist- turned director Shamim Sarif’s two films: I Can’t Think Straight and The World Unseen. Both films were adapted from Sarif’s novels of the same name, and both are lesbian-centric romances headlined by Indian-North American actresses Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth. In our exclusive interview with the filmmakers, Sarif and her partner/producer Hanan Kattan outlined the huge trial-by-fire they endured making their first film (Straight), and the enormous successes and accolades they’ve garnered with the very well-received Unseen. While the verdict was a bit mixed on Straight, the beautiful, understated Unseen earned Sarif serious praise at film festivals of all descriptions, including Toronto International and BFI London. Lisa Ray (left) and Sheetal Sheth in The World Unseen Photo courtesy: Regent Releasing It’s not an exaggeration to count these films among the most important of the year — they represent not only some of the best work from such a multicultural perspective, but they are the very first steps of an emerging cinematic force. Sarif and Kattan are filmmakers to watch out for — the next few years may very well see a breakout hit from them on par with the success of Brokeback Mountain, the so-called Holy Grail of queer filmmaking. In fact, it wouldn’t be too hard to imagine them topping the 2005 Oscar contender some day. Tweet Like 0 1 2 3 4 LAST Tags: Water Lilies The Women When Kiren Met Karen IMDb WAP The World Unseen Caramel Vivere Milk http://www.afterellen.com/movies/2008/12/yearinlesbianfilm[7/21/2012 12:08:07 AM].
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  • Having a Gay Old Time: Lesbian Film-Maker Shamim Sarif | Film | Guardian.Co.Uk
    7/2/12 Having a gay old time: lesbian film-maker Shamim Sarif | Film | guardian.co.uk Having a gay old time Novelist turned film-maker Shamim Sarif has two films, both based on her books, coming out tomorrow. She tells Rachael Scott how this one-two punch came about Rachael Scott guardian.co.uk, Thursday 2 April 2009 16.19 BST Unusual routes ... scene from The World Unseen Having two of your novels turned into films is remarkable. Seeing both films released on the same day is amazing. That they're cross-cultural, lesbian, romantic dramas makes it extraordinary. The World Unseen But such is the experience of novelist turned film-maker Production year: Shamim Sarif. The World Unseen, which opens tomorrow, is a 2007 Countries: Rest of the poetic love story about two Indian women in 1950s South Africa; world, UK the other film, I Can't Think Straight, is a contemporary love Cert (UK): 12A Runtime: 110 mins story involving a Palestinian Christian and an Indian Muslim. Directors: Shamim Sarif Both star one-time Bollywood actor Lisa Ray alongside Cast: David Dennis, American-born Sheetal Sheth. Lisa Ray, Nandana Sen, Parvin Dabas, Sheetal Sheth So when only three lesbian-themed films were given a theatrical More on this film release in the UK last year, how did Sarif manage to get both of hers into cinemas at exactly the same time? "Pure determination," she says. Being a gay, British-born Indian Muslim, she says, has far from hindered her career – if anything her race and sexuality equipped her with the drive and conviction needed to succeed the industry.
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  • Uk Films for Sale Efm 2017
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  • Despite the Falling Snow PDF Book
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  • I Cant Think Straight Free
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  • Shamim Sarif Is an Award-Winning Novelist, SHAMIM SARIF Screenwriter and Director for Film and TV
    riter and director Shamim Sarif is an award-winning novelist, SHAMIM SARIF screenwriter and director for film and TV. She is also a long-time advocate for the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community. W Her new book, The Athena Protocol, is a feminist thriller released by HarperCollins in October 2019 as the first in a Young Adult series. The book is currently being developed for the screen. Shamim’s most recent feature as writer/director is Despite the Falling Snow, which released in the US in March 2017. The movie stars Rebecca Ferguson and Charles Dance and is based on her acclaimed second novel set in Cold War Moscow, published by St Martin’s Press and Hodder. The movie garnered 13 awards. Her first feature film as writer/director, I Can’t Think Straight won 11 awards. Her follow up movie The World Unseen based on her award-winning book, debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival before garnering 23 awards internationally. Her third film, a documentary called The House of Tomorrow, was shot on location in Jerusalem. Shamim’s next film project is Polarized; a contemporary love story between two women from very different sides of small town America. She is also working on a musical of I Can’t Think Straight and developing a number of TV and film projects. She directed hit Canadian/British TV show, Murdoch Mysteries, in fall 2019. An accomplished speaker, Shamim has spoken at TED events worldwide, at the INK Conference in India and DLD in Munich. Corporate speaking events have included Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Citibank and Disney.
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  • 2009 Celebrating Life in Pictures
    Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival October 8-18, 2009 Celebrating Life in Pictures www.clipTampaBay.com PRODUCING SPONSORS Tampa CONTENTS: International Festival Sponsors ......................................................2 Gay & Lesbian Welcome ................................................................3-5 Film Festival Ticket Information ................................................... 6 Executive Director: Immediate Past President: Venue Information .................................................. 6 Chuck Henson Christopher Constantinou Parking Information ................................................ 6 Festival Manager: Program Committee Chair: Renee Cossette Jill J. Stevens Host Hotel Information ........................................... 6 Director of Programming: Marketing Chair: Gala Party Information .............................................7 Margaret Murray Mariruth Kennedy Assistant Director of Programming: Technology & New Media Chair: Surge Men’s Party Information ...............................7 Amy Nestor Jonathan Aller Sugar Women’s Party Information .........................7 Board President: Planning Chair: John J. Thomas Gene English Friends with Benefits .............................................. 9 Vice President: Development Chair: Film Index ................................................................10 David Gonzalez Ken Hodges Secretary: Volunteer Coordinator: Festival Schedule at a Glance ............................ 30-31 Kris Johnson Bill Kanouff FILM DESCRIPTIONS: Treasurer:
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  • PIFF Prague Independent Film Festival Announces 2016 Award Winners
    PIFF Prague Independent Film Festival Announces 2016 Award Winners Prague, Czech Republic – 21 August, 2016 – Prague Independent Film Festival (PIFF) announced the award winners on the 18th of August at Lucerna Cinema from the Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Animation, Experimental, Comedy and Horror categories. The first edition of Prague Independent Film Festival took place on 15-18 August in cinemas Evald, Atlas and Lucerna. The film festival accepted international submissions from all over the world and has received 291 films of which 33 were selected by an international jury. Over the course of four days, the Prague Independent Film Festival screened films from USA, UK, Spain, Russia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Lebanon and Germany. Most of the films were Czech Republic premieres. The opening film of the festival was “Rocco Has Your Name” (Rocco tiene tu nombre), a Spanish film by Italian director Angelo Orlando who also wrote the screenplay for this film which won the prize for Best Screenplay. Michele Venitucci played the leading role of Bobo and was awarded Best Actor. Rocco Has Your Name is a psychological drama which leaves room for imagination and for different interpretations of the events depicted in the film. The director/screenwriter Angelo Orlando is also an award winning actor; he has acted in the films of Federico Fellini, Massimo Troisi, Mario Monicelli and was awarded the David di Donatello. The Best Feature Film award was given to “Despite the Falling Snow - a film adaptation of the best-selling novel by Shamim Sarif who also directed the film. The film is a heart breaking espionage story set against the Cold War about love and betrayal.
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  • Calamity Jane Sing- A-Long (PG)
    Number 8 Summer 2016 Hoorah! Summer is on the way and there’s a vibrant programme of films, activities and events to keep you entertained. Event highlights this season include the RSC’s Hamlet via satellite with a brilliant performance from Paapa Essiedu in the title role, Pershore Operatic and Dramatic Society’s dazzling production of the Cole Porter classic Anything Goes and Chandos Symphony Orchestra performing at Ciné Concert: The Battle of the Somme. There’s a great selection of films to come with The Jungle Book (PG), the inspiring Florence Foster Jenkins (PG), Jane Austen adaptation Love & Friendship (U) and the moving Son of Saul (15). Plus there’s the opportunity to raise your voice and join in at the Calamity Jane Sing- a-Long (PG). Come along and join us to celebrate the start of the summer holidays at our screening of Disney’s Zootropolis with tickets just £2. The film fun continues throughout the summer with The Secret Life of Pets (cert tbc) the hotly anticipated The BFG 2D & 3D (cert tbc) and Ice Age: Collision Course (cert tbc). Enjoy the sunshine! Emma Bangham Programme Manager EVENTS Krazy Kat Theatre Company presents The Very Magic Flute Meet a lost Prince chased by a dragon, a mysterious Queen of the Night, a kidnapped Princess, a lonely Bird-Man, and don’t forget the magic flute and bells. Sounds like a recipe for a new Krazy Kat extravaganza, yet who can you trust, as things are seldom what they seem… Multi award-winning Artistic Director Kinny Gardner creates a whole new take on Mozart’s classic, with beautiful puppets, magical transformations, and fully integrated sign language.
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  • DAVID MARTIN - Editor
    DAVID MARTIN - Editor THE WORLD UNSEEN Director: Shamim Sarif. Producer: Hanan Kattan. Starring Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth. Enlightenment Productions. I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT Director: Shamim Sarif. Producer: Hanan Kattan. Starring Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth. Enlightenment Productions. MOVING WALLPAPER Director: Tony Smith. Producer: Mark Hudson. Starring Ben Miller, Lucy Liemann and Dave Lamb. Kudos Film and TV. LILIES Director: David Moore. Producer: Chrissie Skins. Starring Brian McCardie, Catherine Tyldesly, and Leanne Rowe. World Productions. (Avid) SHELLSEEKERS Director: Piers Haggard. Producer: David Cunliffe. Starring Vanessa Redgrave and Maximillian Schell. Gate Television Productions. (Avid) THESE FOOLISH THINGS Director: Julia Taylor-Stanley. Producer: Paul Sarony. Starring Lauren Bacall, Anjelica Huston and Terence Stamp. Porpoise Productions. (Avid) BAILEY Director: David Devine. Producer: Derek Rappaport. Starring Jennifer Tilly, Tim Curry, Jon Lovitz. Devine Entertainment. (Avid) 4929 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 259 Los Angeles, CA 90010 ph 323.782.1854 fx 323.345.5690 [email protected] DAVID MARTIN - Editor THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE Director: John Hay. Producer: Tracey Adam. Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Dougray Scott. Lex Filmed Entertainment. SCHOOL FOR SEDUCTION Director: Sue Heel. Producers: Steve Bowden and Christine Alderson. Starring Kelly Brook, Dervla Kirwan, Margi Clarke and Emily Woof. Ipso Facto Films and AV Pictures. (Avid) ARRANGED MARRIAGE Director: G.D. Jayalakshmi. Producer: Pam Haigh. Starring Archie Panjabi. Jayamac Productions Ltd. Short. (Avid) A SHORT FILM ABOUT JOHN BOLTON Writer/Director: Neil Gaiman. Producers: Adam Bohling, David Reid and Matthew Vaughn. Starring: John O’Mahony, Marcus Brigstocke and Jonathan Ross. SKA Films. THE RED, WHITE AND BLUES Director: Mike Figgis. Producer: Shirani Sabratnam.
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  • Uk Films for Sale
    UK FILMS FOR SALE CANNES 2015 weareukfilm.com @weareukfilm UK FILM CENTRE, PAVILION 117 VILLAGE INTERNATIONAL - RIVERA, CANNES 47 Meters Down TAltitude Film Sales Cast: Vanessa Kirby Vicki Brown +33 4 97 06 86 26 Genre: Thriller [email protected] Director: Johannes Roberts Market Office: Grand Hotel, Le Dauphin Status: Pre-Production Home Office tel: +44 20 7478 7612 Synopsis: Twenty-something sisters Kate and Lisa are gorgeous, fun loving and ready for the holiday of a lifetime in Mexico. When the opportunity to go cage diving to view Great White sharks presents itself, thrill-seeking Kate jumps at the chance while Lisa takes some convincing. After some not so gentle persuading, Lisa finally agrees and the girls soon find themselves two hours off the coast of Huatulco and about to come face to face with nature's fiercest predator. But what should have been the trip to end all trips soon becomes a living nightmare when the shark cage breaks free from their boat, sinks and they find themselves trapped at the bottom of the ocean. With less than an hour of oxygen left in their tanks, they must somehow work out how to get back to the boat above them through 47 meters of shark-infested waters. 6 Desires: DH Lawrence And Sardinia TThird Films Genre: Documentary Sam Haillay +44 7866 559 541 Director: Mark Cousins +44 7866 559 541 Status: Completed Home Office tel: [email protected] Synopsis: In 1921, DH Lawrence and his wife Frieda von Richthofen journeyed to Sardinia, where they spent the winter travelling.
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  • Press Kit Awards
    PRESS KIT AWARDS 2 PRESS QUOTES ‘The World Unseen is...a sincere, beautifully realized vision of love and resistance in an intolerant world. Sarif does a fantastic job — especially for a first-time director— of bringing her story to the screen’ AfterEllen.com ‘Comparable to Brokeback Mountain in its poetic use of colour and sweeping landscapes, The World Unseen establishes Sarif as not only as an engaging storyteller but as an innovative filmmaker who is redefining the genre.’ Seattle G&L Film Festival ‘The World Unseen is a touching love story... In her directorial debut, Sarif makes the transition from novel to big screen utterly seamless, depicting romantic love that transcends its racist, sexist and homophobic surroundings.’ IndieExpress.com ‘I was literally on the edge of my seat. Go see this great movie. You’ll be rewarded with nearly two hours of great film-making and acting as well as an uplifting story that you’ll look back on fondly.’ Mark’s List ‘[Lisa] Ray is particularly remarkable as a woman who is truly torn between familiar oppression and a freedom so unthinkable that it frightens her. The film’s happy ending is graceful, absent of grandiosity or too much finality. It offers genuine reassurance, convincingly suggesting that one small individual action, while not a panacea, can be the difference between hope and despair.’ Justout.com ‘Slow burning and sensual, The World Unseen contains what must be one of the steamiest screen kisses of this year’s Festival, but is much more than that. It’s a moving exploration of forbidden love blended with a fascinating account of a shameful period in modern history.’ Melbourne Queer Festival ‘An engaging and beautifully executed story...’ Jasmyne Cannick, PAFF Los Angeles ‘...a rare combination of intricate character study and engaging narrative.’ British Film Institute ‘...a compelling and complex story...done with grace and style.
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