Exploring the Messy Depths of the Human Mind
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The CIFF DAY 12 / SUNDAY / 3.30.2014 Exploring the Messy Depths The BUZZ The Buzz is your source for the latest festival highlights of the Human Mind and best bets for films each day. You can also catch “The Buzz” video program with Meaghan Earley on t began with a single scene Facebook or YouTube. For more information visit floating through Richard www.clevelandfilm.org/social. Shepard’s head: a convict WHAT’S BUZZING AT THE 38TH CIFF Ipreparing for his release from Sunday, March 30, 2014; Day 12: prison and relishing the prospect When a skinhead with a violent past is of collecting on the debts those on released from prison, the last place he expects the outside owe him. When he sat to find a new home is in a multi-ethnic family. down to write it, Shepard knew See how it transforms him in “Heart of a Lion” that he had found gold. The rest of at 9:25 a.m. “Dom Hemingway” flowed out as See “The Ferry” at 12:15 p.m. in a special naturally as breathing. encore screening. Don’t miss your chance a It takes skill and experience to second time! reach that level of writing synergy. Maybe you think you know the story of Shepard, who has been in the Matthew Shepard, the young man whose brutal murder changed a nation and led to business since 1990 and who almost Even if much of the general public doesn’t know his name yet, A-List actors and Hollywood heavyweights like Jude Law and Richard E. Grant are lining laws against hate crimes, but the truth is, you graduated from NYU (there was up to work with director Richard Shepard. “Dom Hemingway” is the CIFF Closing Night film. probably don’t. See “Matt Shepard Is a Friend of just that one pesky science class…), Mine,” which is screening at 2:15 p.m. has both. His work on the pilot episode He has his own ways of dealing with things Travel back to Vietnam during the final days of the television series “Ugly Betty” earned and most of the time they get him in trouble.” of the war, as soldiers try to figure out how to him an Emmy and a Directors Guild of The synergy didn’t stop with the creation obey their orders, and their consciences. Find America award, and he has been involved in of the script. Although initially surprised out how far they can go in this powerful the creation and development of many other when Jude Law expressed interest in playing documentary at 3:25 p.m. award-winning and household-name shows. Dom, Shepard was swiftly won over after the Experience “OJ: The Musical” at 7:15 p.m. His films are lower-profile only because they two met. “I knew from those first few pints Follow Eugene Olivier on his quest to make a musical about the O.J. Simpson “trial of the tend to be too cerebral for summer popcorn with Jude that his vision of what Dom should century.” fare. A-list actors, however, jump at the chance be was exactly what I wanted. He became a Find out the latest information about these films and other to work with Shepard. collaborator . And then we got to a point festival events by picking up The Daily, reading the festival Whether delving into offbeat comedy where we were reading each other’s minds website and, of course, seeing as many films as you can. (“The Linguini Incident”) or crime thriller about what would make sense for Dom to do, (“Mexico City”) or hybrids of both (“The and it was incredibly fun to be part of that.” Matador,” “The Hunting Party”), Shepard’s The result is a portrait of a flawed, volatile CLOSING NIGHT AWARDS films are unflinching character studies which man with hidden depths, who “uses language find both their comedy and their drama in as much as his fists to gain attention.” In spite Everyone in attendance at any of the films showing the messy complexity of the human mind. of his disagreeable side, Dom is someone in the last round is invited to join us for the Closing “There’s a great tradition of smart, slightly-off audiences will want to root for. Night dessert reception and awards presentation crime thrillers,” he explains, “movies with a “Dom is a devilish rascal of a man,” program around The Fountain at Tower City Center. The reception will include a brief program announcing criminal undertone, yet are really about Shepard points out, “yet deep down he has the winners of the American Independents Competition, fascinating human characters.” a real beating heart that starts to beat again George Gund III Memorial Central and Eastern Shepard’s deft handling of this tradition is by the end of the movie.” —Lara Klaber European Film Competition, Greg Gund Memorial what makes the titular anti-hero of his latest Standing Up Film Competition, Nesnadny + Schwartz film, safe-cracker Dom Hemingway, so Documentary Film Competition, Local Heroes SHOWING DOM HEMINGWAY Competition, the ReelWomenDirect Award, and the compelling. “Despite Dom shooting himself in TODAY is playing today at 7:00 p.m. Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award. the foot at every turn,” he says, “you like him. Festival Updates A Story of Inspiration att Shepard has become a Added Screenings: household name. In 1998, Sunday March 30th 21-year-old Shepard was The Yank 9:40 am Mbrutally beaten and left for dead in Antarctica: A Year on Ice 11:45 am Wyoming. His name is now linked to the The Ferry 12:15 pm Hate Crimes Prevention Act, commonly The Sax Man 4:45 pm known as the “Matthew Shepard Act.” Late Additions: “Matt is an iconic symbol of the LGBT community,” says director Sunday March 30th Last Days in Vietnam 3:45 pm Michele Josue. Her feature film “Matt To Be Takei 5:00 pm Shepard Is a Friend of Mine” documents Check for the latest festival updates the life of Matthew Shepard and leaves Blake Laura Watilo Photo: on Twitter or Facebook. Or visit the fame of his death in the past. Michelle Josue (left), director of “Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine,” with www.clevelandfilm.org/festival/updates Judy and Dennis Shepard, Matt’s parents (center). The film was sponsored Josue attended boarding school with by Judy Shepherd (right). Shepard in Switzerland. He was a few years older than her, so Josue says she watched the other young person, story of his death “unfold from a distance.” he just happened “I watched the media take over and strip to be gay. His story Matt of his humanity,” Josue says. Over 15 years is universal because Challenge Match later, Josue crafted her film to generate interest Josue says, “So many The Challenge Match is the CIFF’s annual fundraising campaign, and the only time of in this charming man whose life was taken out young people feel the year that we ask for your support (we do of hatred. scared and different.” not send out solicitation letters at any time). “The desire to make this film has always been “Matt Shepard Is The challenge to you – our audience – is to raise $100,000, which will be matched by building inside of me,” Josue explains. “I wanted a Friend of Mine” Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. to wait until I was ready, members of his family paints a beautiful were ready and we were able to talk about him portrait of a young Help us exceed our goal of $100,000 Michele Josue became friends in a vulnerable way.” She pauses and adds, “I man who was A $10 DONATION QUALIFIES YOU FOR with Matthew Shepard (right) wanted to be ready to do it.” known for years when they went to school together ONE OF THESE FABULOUS PRIZES!! at an international boarding school THEATRE: This is a theatre lover’s dream Even when she felt ready, the director main- as nothing but a in Switzerland. package! Enjoy dinner for four at La tained her fears and doubted herself often. The symbol, and a symbol Strada and tickets to see tap dance balance between emotional intensity of such a of the effects of hate nonetheless. legend Maurice Hines in “Tappin Thru Life” at The Cleveland Play House. heavy, grief-ridden subject and having to com- We can all learn something from Matt plete an artistic endeavor, was not easy for Josue. Shepard’s death but even more from his life. CINEMA PARADISO: Indulge in unlimited movies for the rest of the year at any of But she was determined to tell her friend’s story. “Ignorance and hate are very much a part of their locations with a Cleveland Cinemas “Matt’s story inspires people to be more com- our society,” says Josue. She adds hopefully, Season Pass! passionate,” says Josue. “It’s very easy to judge “Though times are changing.” —Molly Drake PICTURE PERFECT: Combine your love of what you don’t know.” Shepard was like any art and your love of Cleveland and enjoy a collection of three images from local SHOWING MATT SHEPARD IS photographer Nanekia Morgan of Nijome TODAY A FRIEND OF MINE Arts plus a membership for The Cleveland Museum of Art. is playing today at 2:15 p.m. THE SOUND OF MUSIC: Treat yourself to the best show in town with dinner at Maxi’s Bistro and two tickets to The Cleveland THE Orchestra. ONLINE OUR WINNING SEASON: You’ll enjoy tickets to 2014 Indians, Cavaliers and Browns games, autographed gear from Visit The Daily online edition at the Cavs, dinner and merchandise from www.clevelandfilm.org/festival/the-daily.