FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE National Press Contact: March 13, 2012 Carol Marshall Carol Marshall Public Relations, Inc. 818/760‐6450 [email protected] Local Press Contact: Profile Marketing & PR Joanne Polin [email protected] 561‐350‐8784 Hillary Reynolds [email protected] 954‐815‐1186 17th PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2012 LINE‐UP * * * “ROBOT & FRANK” OPENS FESTIVAL THURSDAY, APRIL 12; CLOSES WITH “SASSY PANTS” * * * Festival Presents 40 World and U.S. Premiere Feature Films BOCA RATON, FL – The Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) announced its highly anticipated film line‐up for the 17th edition, April 12‐19, 2012, featuring 25 World Premieres, 14 U.S. Premieres and 2 North American Premieres. PBIFF (www.pbifilmfest.org) will present features, documentaries and short films from the U.S. and around the world, including Netherlands, Spain, Argentina, Tanzania, Italy, France, England, Israel, Thailand, Guinea‐Bissau, Portugal, Australia, Canada, Romania and Sweden, and will play host to filmmakers, producers, and actors to represent and discuss their films. “We are excited about this year’s program,” comments PBIFF Director Randi Emerman, “which reflects our ongoing mission to engage with the community, expanding and enhancing its knowledge of the world through the unique lens of independent film.† We encourage people to take this opportunity to enjoy these diversely international stories.ʺ Opening Night kicks off with Robot & Frank, directed by Jake Schreier. Set in the near future, Frank, a retired cat burglar, has two grown kids who are concerned he can no longer live alone.† They are tempted to place him in a nursing home until Frankʹs son chooses a different option: against the old manʹs wishes, he buys Frank a walking, talking humanoid robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health. What follows is an often hilarious and somewhat heartbreaking story about finding friends and family in the most unexpected places. Robot & Frank features an award‐winning cast including Academy AwardÆ nominee Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv Tyler and Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon.† Robot & Frank is a Samuel Goldwyn Films and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions film. Opening Night festivities will take place Thursday, April 12 at Muvico Parisian at CityPlace, followed by a party on the luxurious rooftop of Two City Plaza. The fest will close with “Sassy Pants,” directed by Coley Sohn and starring Anna Gunn, Ashley Rickards, Diedrich Bader and Haley Joel Osment. Bethany Pruitt (Ashley Rickards) is valedictorian of her one‐student home‐school class. Stuck with younger brother Shayne (Martin Spanjers) under their perky but oppressive mother Juneʹs (Anna Gunn) thumb, Bethanyʹs only escape is a teen fashion ʹzine courtesy of her absentee gay dad. Life at dad Daleʹs (Diedrich Bader) mobile home is no picnic either. Despite the close bond she forms with his fun, younger boyfriend, Chip (Haley Joel Osment), Dadʹs self‐loathing, alcoholic outbursts weigh heavy on Bethany. She finds solace selling clothes at a cheap, trendy retail chain Jail Bait, but her petty, cutthroat coworkers cause a new set of ʺreal worldʺ navigation problems. When Bethany learns about Fashion Art Technology Institute, aka F.A.T.I., she sees a chance to break free once and for all and forge her own brighter future. How she gets there will redefine her and her family and maybe even update her wardrobe. Closing night will take place at Cobb Theatres in Palm Beach Gardens on Thursday, April 19, followed by the “It’s a Wrap” party at 51 Supper Club at Downtown at The Gardens. Additional highlights of this year’s PBIFF include: 1 The ever‐popular Weekend of Shorts at the Lakeworth Playhouse (Fri‐Sun), as well as the Voices of Local Films which will screen at Mizner Park Cultural Arts Centre on Sunday, April 15 2 Sunday night, April 15, the festival will present an evening of music videos along with a reception at the famed DeBilzan Gallery in Delray Beach. 3 On Sunday, April 15, at 5pm at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Centre, there will be a Special Presentation of Violins in Wartime, featuring a performance by legendary violinist, Ida Haendel. 4 On Monday, April 16, PBIFF will present the World Premiere of Tiger Eyes, the first of iconic author Judy Blumeʹs novels to be brought to the big screen, directed by none other than her son, Lawrence Blume. Both director and the renowned author are attending. Screenings of this year’s films will be held at Muvico Parisian 20 at CityPlace in West Palm Beach, Cobb Theatres in Downtown At The Gardens, Lake Worth Playhouse in Lake Worth, Debilzan Gallery in Delray Beach and Mizner Park Cultural Arts Centre in Boca Raton. Passes and Tickets are on sale now! Platinum passes are available for $500, which include priority admission to all films, VIP parties and the Silver Screen Splash event; Premiere passes are available for $200, which provide admission to the Opening and Closing night film and party, as well as all regular festival screenings; Gold passes are available for $150, which provide admission to all films and seminars. Individual tickets for special events are also available. Individual screening tickets, which are $10 general admission and $7 for seniors and students will be available in advance at www.pbifilmfest.org or can be purchased at the respective theaters’ box office during the festival. The Palm Beach International Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization supporting film programs in local schools and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of future filmmakers by helping them fulfill their dreams to one‐day work in the world of film. For more information, please call (561) 362‐0003 or visit the festival web site at www.pbifilmfest.org. 17TH PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM LINE‐UP FEATURES Appartamento ad Atene, Italy – FLORIDA PREMIERE Directed by Ruggero Dipaola Cast: Laura Morante, Richard Sammel, Gerasimos Skiadaresis The film takes place in an apartment in Athens in 1943 that provides accommodations for a Nazi German officer during the World War. He and his anxious, sickly housewife and their ten‐year‐ old son live there during the fear and terror of the World War. Best Little Whorehouse in Rochdale, UK – WORLD PREMIERE Directed by Ian Vernon Cast: Jeni Howarth Williams, Denice Hope, Caroline Melliar Smith, Sophia Hatfield Joan has been married for twenty five years to her first love. Sheʹs let herself go, and sex is a rare non‐event. After the untimely death of her husband, Joan needs money to pay the mortgage or lose her home. She hits upon the idea of forming a co‐operative brothel, aided by her two unconventional friends. A brothel with no sex! Broadway’s Finest, USA – WORLD PREMIERE Directed by Stephen Marro Cast: John Lavelle, Adam Storke, Nick Cornish, Lauren Hodges Broadwayʹs Finest is a diverting story about three struggling men who impersonate New York City undercover cops and chase down a notorious drug dealer to get the authentic material they need to create their own cutting edge police drama. Log Line: ʹD.I.Y. is Dangerousʹ Brother’s Keeper, USA – FLORIDA PREMIERE Directed by Josh Mills, T.J. Amato Cast: Alex Miller, Graham Miller, Travis Tritt, W. Earl Brown, Michael Rooker, Ray Wise Identical twins Andy and Pete Goodwynn have been side‐by‐side since the womb. But thatʹs about to change… As their high school graduation nears, Pete plans to marry Maggie, the love of his life, and head off to school to become a preacher. Andy, who wants nothing to do with God, has no plans, no direction, and seemingly no future. But in a cruel twist of fate ‐‐ orchestrated by a rival for Maggieʹs heart ‐‐ Pete finds himself locked away in prison on trumped‐up charges. Will Andy be able to help Pete gain his rightful freedom? Will the brothers seek vengeance on those whose corruption and deceit have taken that freedom away? While revenge may seem sweet, ʺBrothers Keeperʺ is a powerful reminder that only forgiveness can truly heal. Catalunya ¸ber Alles!, Spain – FLORIDA PREMIERE Directed by Ramon Termens Cast: Joel Joan, Gonzalo Cunill, Babou Cham, Jordi Dauder, Belen Fabra, Vicky Pena, Diana Iuliana An ex‐convict, an unemployed immigrant and a successful businessman are the three main characters of this portrayal of inner Catalonia. Three stories showing a conflicting society forced to reinvent itself or collapse. Chocolate Underground, Japan Directed by Takayuki Hamana Cast: Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Fumie Mizusawa When chocolate is banned by the new administration, two friends start a bootlegging operation. Downtown Express, USA Directed by David Grubin Cast: Philippe Quint, Nellie McKay, Michael Cumpsty, Carolyn McCormick, Ashley Springer, Declan Bennett, Jade Synstelien, Chris Eddleton Downtown Express is a story about Russian immigrants in New York City ‐ a father and son drama with music playing a central role. Sasha is a young Russian violinist, and Vadim, his affectionate, overbearing father, a cellist, determined to foster his sonʹs career as a classical musician. When Sasha meets Ramona, a singer/songwriter, joins her band, and falls in love, he careens frantically between two musical worlds and must decide whether to break with his father and forge his own destiny. eMANNzipation, Germany – FLORIDA PREMIERE Directed by Philipp M¸ller‐Dorn Cast: Urs St‰mpfli, Frances Heller, Anna Goergen, Roland Avenard, Michael Schwager Dominik is a man who has lost everything: his wife, son, job, house…even his pride. Financially and emotionally bankrupt, he enters Berlinʹs first and only Maennerhaus ‐ a shelter for battered men. He meets Holger the director of the house and its members. After a psychiatric examination by the youth welfare office he has to participate in the Group Therapy Session of the Maennerhaus in order to get custody of his son Dylan.