By Rachel Galvin
For the 37th time,the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) will be shining aspotlight on cinemafrom around the world. Thisyear,there will be more than 150 filmspresented from Nov. 4 13. That isalot of filmmakerscoming to South Floridatoo!
The number of daysin the festival hasbeen cut back but they make the most out of every day with some fabulousparties:
The kick off begins Nov. 4 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with the opening night film,?American Dreamer,? starring Peter Dinklage,Shirley MacLaine and Matt Dillon.
- On Nov. 5,there isa party at Villade Palma,Steve Savor?s ever expanding mansion. Called Secretsof the Sea Soiree,the event combinesforceswith Winterfest and will include music, open bar,food,special guestsand other surprises.
- The Centerpiece event and film will screen Nov. 10 at the Amaturo Theater and featuresthe U.S. Premiere of the French film ?Ride Above.?Complimentary Provocativo and wine, passed horsd?oeuvresand music by BossaNovaBand will be featured.
- On Nov. 12,FLIFFtakesLasOlasBeach Oceanside Park by storm with FLIFFOn The Beach,a memorable fete under the stars featuring multiple bandsincluding live music by The Santori Show Band,open barsand a buffet.For its20th anniversary, they will show ?Blue Crush?on agiant screen. Private cabanas are available to rent.
- Closing night is Nov. 13 and will be alittle bit country. Taking place at The Bergeron Green GladesRanch,thisevent encouragesWestern wear and will include barbeque,open bars, Wild West performers,rodeo girlsand country western bands. It also will feature the premiere of "Yellowstone" Season 5.All proceedsbenefit the Boysand GirlsClub of Broward County.
?Although the festival isonly 10 daysthisyear,FLIFF37 packsa punch with more outstanding entertainment,more celebrity and filmmaker gueststhan ever before,more over the top parties, premieres,and Q&Asand receptionsheld at some of the most amazing venuesand charming theatersthroughout Broward County,?said Gregory von Hausch,president and CEOof FLIFF.
The list of prolific filmmakerswho will be in attendance istoo long to even list,and the actorsinclude famousfaceslike Rae Dawn Chong, Zoë Bleu Sidel, Jenny Lorenzo,Taryn Manning,Dylan Penn and Hopper Jack Penn,VanillaIce,Anthony Molinari and many more. (Subject to change).The thing about FLIFF,you never know who will show up... Look at page 2,to see the kickoff party pictures. There will be an additional party featuring the new season og "Below Deck," which isto be announced.
Ready to party?For more information, visit www.fliff.com.
Pictured
(L to R): Rae Dawn Chong, Vanilla Ice, Taryn Manning & Hopper Penn with Sean Penn (photos provided)
By Rachel Galvin
On Sept.22,the Ft. Lauderdale Intl.Film Fest (FLIFF) had their kickoff party where they revealed the new poster and commerical,aswell asrunning some trailersthroughout the party,which washeld at Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale.FL.
The poster wasrevealed digitally on the big screen in the theater.The concept for the poster wascreated by Valeria Orraca,acommunicationsstudent at FloridaInternational University.After the concept wascreated,it wasthen designed by Jeff Davisof Jeff DavisCreative.The trailer wascreated by Greendoor Productionsonce again thisyear.
Gregory von Hausch,FLIFFpresident & CEOspoke at length about the eventsand filmsto come and Chairman Steve Savor spoke especially about the parties.Membership chair Lisa Grigorian,also spoke about being amember.
The event had abeach theme and beach ballslittered the floor and patio and stage,which made for a fun atmosphere,along with other beachy props.They served up hot dogsand hamburgers,among other itemsand the Vivian Girlsperformed numbersfrom the 70s, 80sand beyond.
You never know who will appear at a FLIFFevent,and thisnight wasno different,asaward-winning actor CubaGooding Jr. made a surprise brief visit to the party.
know more about what is happening at the fest?
On previous page, Gregory von Hausch speaks; Vivian Girls performs, Cuba Gooding Jr. takes selfies & more!
This page: (L to R): IS founder Rachel Galvin with friends old and new. Lisa Grigorian, membership chair, speaks; Jose Vasquez laughs it up w it h Rachel; Cuba Gooding Jr. takes selfie w it h Skip Margerum & friend; FLIFFphotog. Irwin Levenstein sits for a spell with fellow photog. Rachel; Steve Savor, Chairman, talks about all things party related; Nuccia McCormick & friends having fun.
It'stime for Halloween,for dressing up in costume,being scary...Acting isalot like being in disguise. What disguisesdo you like best?What type of rolesdo you enjoy playing?What costumesdo otherswant you to wear?Knowing the answer to that last question is important.What isyour branding?What do people brand you as.Are you the girl next door?The professor?The drug addict?The sexpot?Who you are defineswhat you wear and how you act. Knowing the type people fit you into helpsyou to market toward that type and know what you can submit for that you are more likely to get Of course,it doesnot hurt to try to go against type too.
By Rachel Galvin Sinnersdescended
upon The Foundry in Wilton ManorsSept. 2-4 to see what awaited them at the Sin Film Festival.What they found wasplenty of horror films,horror loversand more. Grindhouse guru William ("Bill") Grefe made an appearance with actor Doug Hobart,who played Tartu in "Death Curse of Tartu," which wasshown at the fest.Grefe and Hobart had quite the story to tell (See more on page 6) They were slated to have Richard Elfman (singer/ songwriter composer Danny Elfman'sbrother) join the festivitiesfor avirtual Q&Afollowing hisfilms"Aliens,Clowns& Geeks" and "Forbidden Zone,and Fred Olen Ray do a Q&Afollowing his"Evil Toons." There also wasan awardsevent with the awardstitled after the seven deadly sins.
These were just afew thingshappening at Sin Film Fest,the third rendition of the event,put together by Jason Hignite and David Chapman. You can see more about it in the last issue of Independent Streak Magazine,aswell.
Thisyear'swinners(or should I say "Sinners") included the following:
- Gluttony (Best Excess):"All Consumed"
- Lust (Best Obsessive): "#nofilter"
- Wrath (Best Rage):"Vamp Nite"
- Sloth (Best Director): Daniel DelPurgatorio ("Bug Bites")
- Greed (Best Performance): AnielaMcGuiness ("73 Minutes")
- Pride (Best Film):"It'sHell Getting Old"
- Envy (Audience Choice):"73 Minutes"
Formoreinformationonthefestival,visit https://sinfilmfest.com.
Below: Bill Grefe & Doug Hobart; some of the cast and crew of "73 Minutes;" winners Lou Simon & Aniela McGuiness; talk about sore winners!
Grindhouse guru, independent director William ("Bill") Grefe wasa featured guest at the Sin Film Festival.Following the screening of his classic film ?Death Curse of Tartu? (1966),he was available for aQ&A with cast member Doug Hobart,who played Tartu. The pair went back and forth telling talesof what it took to make the low budget film and more about other projects they were involved in. Hobart talked a lot about the makeup he wore in the film, saying it washisown creation and came from a dream.It took him three hours,he said,to put it all on. Grefe said he wrote the film in 24 hoursand shot it in seven days. He added that filmmaking isactually much easier today,however.?It?sano brainer
today,from atechnical standpoint. Back then,the cameraweighed 200 lbs.Everything you see in there (in the film) isdone in 1- 1 ¼ takes. Nowadays,you just let the camera run through 5,10,15 takes.I had to get thisinto the can immediately because to do the final mix where you do the music and effects...all that took forever.It took uslike two weeks.?
He told a funny story about working with areal alligator in ascene. The scene wassupposed to be an alligator clamping down on agirl?s arm He got hisanimal handler to get him a?tame alligator ?When he told the actresshow he planned to do the scene by putting her arm in a hole and using a fake one for the alligator to bite on,she said,?No way.?He then proceeded to demonstrate how easy it would be. But he found it wasnot so easy after all. ?I laid down and,fortunately,we had the alligator?smouth wired shut with piano wire. I laid down and ?bam!? he rolled on me and started beating me with histail.?He and hisanimal handler tried to stop the alligator from thrashing. Meanwhile,the girl ran away. It wasamiracle,he said,that he got the actressto eventually do the scene.
He also talked about other projectshe had worked on and how an agent begged him to put an actor into arole in one of hisfilms,but the actor wasso bad and did not speak English well,so he did not hire him. That actor turned out to be Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Grefe began hiscareer in the film world in the 1960sand hashad quite a prolific career since. Known for coming in under budget,Grefe learned athing or two but mostly seemed to have alot of luck ashe fell into successwhile working asawriter for the movie ?Checkered Flag" originally.That iswhere he got quite the break in an interesting way. The director on set collapsed the first day and the investorspanicked.
Thinking the writer would know most about the film,they turned to him to save the project. But he knew nothing technically.But he did it. After that point,he joined the school of Hard Knox and hiscareer began in earnest.
Hislow budget grindhouse filmshave garnered quite a cult following.You can find a listing of hiscreditson IMDB.com.
Grefe wasalso featured previously in Independent Streak back in October 2015. Youcanfindthearchiveson www.independentstreakmagazine.com.
The Treasure Coast International Film Festival presented many short and feature filmsfrom October 11 16 The host hotel wasthe Holiday Inn.
Among the eventsthat are took place legendary Miami-based casting director Ellen Jacoby washonored with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award.She has cast everything from "The Birdcage" to "Ace Ventura" and "Something About Mary, and beyond,having worked in the businesssince the 1980s. She hasemployed more than 300,000 actors and performersthrough the years. Jacoby was slated to present a casting seminar and Q&Asession, talking about the challengesin casting today and giving tipson what a casting director looksfor in an audition.
In addition,two-time Academy Award-nominated Carol Connorswasslated to receive the 2022 TCIFMAFVisionary Award. Connorsisknown asa pioneer in music for film and television, having sung such songsas"To Know Him isto Love him," and "Gonna Fly Now," from "Rocky" and Disney's"The Rescuers." She hasalso been nominated for five Emmys,one Grammy and two Golden
Globes.You can see her in the Showtime documentary "Spector" later this year.She also has completed a documentary about her own career and life Connorsisalso known for dating icons like Elvis.She wasalso on the schedule to participate in a seminar on Women in Music & Film and share her personal storiesin arare performance and Q&Asession. Formoreinformationoneventsat thefilmfestival,visit www.tcifilmfest.org.
ShortsProgram: ?LocalsSouth Florida Filmmakers?
Cashbar andlimitedfoodmenuavailable.Filmmaker Q&Aimmediately afterthescreening.
Saturday, 11/12 | Miami Beach Bandshell
7275 CollinsAve,Miami Beach,FL33141
8 p.m. Screening
ShortsProgram: ?In the mood for awkward?
Filmmaker Q&Aimmediatelyafterscreening.
Sunday, 11/13 | O Cinema South Beach
1130 Washington Ave,Miami Beach,FL33139
3 p.m. Screening
ShortsProgram: ?Next Generation?
Filmmaker Q&Aimmediatelyafterscreening
Sunday, 11/13 | O Cinema South Beach
1130 Washington Ave,Miami Beach,FL33139
By Rachel Galvin
The Miami Short Film Festival returnsNov 11 13 bringing awide array of short filmsand music videosfor film loversto enjoy. Below isthe schedule of events(subject to change).
7 p.m. Screening
ShortsProgram: ?Film Smoothie?
Official AwardsCeremonyafterQ&A.
Info.subject to change. Formoreinformation,visit www.miamishortfilmfestival.com.
Friday, 11/11 | Deering Estate Courtyard and Fig Garden (outdoor event)
16701 SW 72nd Ave,Miami,FL33157
Doors:6:30 p.m.,Showtime:8 p.m. ShortsProgram: ?Rebelswith acause?
OpeningNight Gala.Includescocktail reception,livemusicandred carpet.Filmmaker Q&Aafter thescreening.
Saturday, 11/12 | Miami Beach Bandshell
7275 CollinsAve,Miami Beach,FL33141
4 p.m. Screening
By Rachel Galvin
With ajump to the left and astep to the right, Barry Bostwick isdoing the Time Warp again all over the country with hisRocky Horror PIcture Show 47th Anniversary Spectacular Tour.The prolific actor,who played Brad Majorsin the 1975 cult classic, started off histour on Oct. 1 at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center in Pompano Beach,Florida. He started off the night with ameet and greet with loyal fans,offering up an autographed poster of the film and a photo op.One fan thanked Bostwick,saying the film changed hislife. Another told storiesof how she went to see it way back in her high school days. Othersbrought propsto sign like albumsand dollsfrom the film. Next,he went where alarge crowd had gathered to watch the film,some dressed up,but a lot of them being ?virgins.?He riled them up before the film began by acknowledging the bawdinessof the film while mentioning its long-lasting impact.
When asked what he thinksof the longevity that the film hashad, Bostwick said in an interview with thisreporter,?People will say,
?Thismovie changed my life.?And I?ll say,I don? t know if that wasour intention.Our intention wasto entertain you. But,it?sbeen a joy and an honor to have that be a byproduct of the Rocky Horror experience.?
He said he decided to do the tour because of the strugglesthat shadow castshave experienced during the pandemic. ?I?m really sort of doing it because the shadow castsaround the country have had a very hard two yearswith COVID and a lot of them have lost their home theaters.It?sgotten a lot more expensive to do it since Disney got the movie from 20th Century Fox,and I want them all to,asbest asthey can,stay together and keep the Rocky Horror world of inclusion and self-discovery alive. And that?sreally why I?m doing it. I really enjoy meeting the shadow castsand getting to know them better,and I get to go to citiesI?ve never been to and probably never would go to,like Kalamazoo or Boise,cause I don? t do touring shows theatrically,you know. I?ve seen so much of the United Stateswith this experience.?
Bostwick getsa chance to meet alot of hisfansby attending conventionsas well.?I did aconvention about three monthsago in Raleigh and there were two thousand kidsin the audience,and I swear,10 of them were over the age of 24.It waslike awhole new generation discovering and enjoying thisthing,thishappening. And what astonishesme
most isthat these audiencesjust keep coming back young and younger,and the new generation,which I would probably say isthe third generation of Rocky Horror,isjust asenthusiastic asthe first generation was!?he said.
When asked what hisfavorite moment waswhen he made the movie originally,he said,?Probably my favorite moment wasan accident. When I wasat the door and proposing to my wife-to-be [Susan Sarandon asJanet],I dropped the ring at her feet.Everybody thinks that that wasplanned,but it wasjust me being clumsy and probably nervous.And so when I reached down and got the ring then brought it back up,that wasmy favorite moment because it wasso spontaneous and goofy.?
The most challenging part??Doing the floor show in size 12 wet high heelson awet stage and not breaking my ankle or pushing anybody back into the pool,?he said
Of course,Bostwick hashad quite a career after playing Brad Majors. He went on to play in many well known moviesand TVshows, including everything from showslike?Spin City" and "Cougar Town," to "The Potwins," and beyond.
?I think one of my favorite roles,one that few people talk about,is when I played George Washington in aminiseries["George Washington" in1984].That waschallenging because there wasan awful lot on my shouldersto portray such an icon,the most godlike man,and bring him back down to Earth ashe waswritten about in a book called TheIndispensableMan. That wasprobably the most challenging thing I?ve ever done,because I know that people who knew George Washington in histime and in hislife and hislifestyle,I knew that they would be very upset if I didn? t live up to at least some of the factsof hislife.And I think we were successful in portraying him in the long form of television.It wasvery well received.And I think I only got the part because I was6?4?and George was6?3.?[I laughed and remarked that I never knew George Washington wasthat tall.] Yeah,and MarthaWashington wasactually 4?11?and so when they cast Patty Duke,she wasfive foot tall,so the size relationship wasspot on,?he said.
And Bostwick isstill busy in the industry.He talked about hisnext project,saying,?There?sa movie they're trying to get out called ?Daruma,?they're trying to get that into Sundance thisyear. There'sa movie called ?Lady Parts?that they?re trying to finish up.And around Christmastime,I alwayshave anumber of Christmasmoviesthat are re run,either on Hallmark or Lifetime or Netflix ?
Back to Rocky?asked hisadvice on what people should focuson if
they are playing hisiconic role asBrad in the shadow cast,he said,?My advice would be,above all,just have fun. None of that should be taken seriously.And make sure that the patch on the jacket that he [Brad] wearscoming in isthe original design.He can buy it on eBay. He can buy the patch online.When I try to find some of those bitsand pieces of costume,I have avery hard time finding awindbreaker like he [Brad] had that hasthat long stupid collar on it. But it?sthose kindsof detailswhich I think make the character stand out.?
HIsadvice for would-be actorsin general??Live a full life and bring it to your work.?
Virgin Alert! TheRockyHorror PictureShow beganasa playandwas adaptedfor filmin1975.Theplot isa funnytributetothesciencefiction andhorror"B"moviesof the1930s-60s.Theplot followsthe newleywedsBradandJanet astheyget stuckat aneeriemansionand areconfrontedwitha veryoff cast of characters,includingDr.Frank'N' Furter,a madtransvestitescientist.BradandJanet,beingsufficiently straight-laced,haveneverseensucha thingasthiscrazinessbefore. Theyareunsurehow tohandlewhat happensnext,asthegooddoctor unveilshisnewest creation,a perfectly-formedspecimen,a man... namedRocky.Thedoctor isenthralledwithhisnewest creation.Inthe meantime,heworkshardtocorrupt BradandJanet thebest wayhe knowshow.
Thefilmiscampat itsbest and,sinceit hasbeenshowing, each screeningisaccompaniedbya shadow cast whoactsout what is happeninginthefilm,whiletheaudienceyellsout commentary throughout andutilizespropsduringkeypointsinthefilm,suchaswhen it israining,theyput a newspaper overtheir head...or possiblysquirt water.Thefilmisplentyof fun...quiteanexperience!
The fans came pouring into the Pompano Beach Cultural Center on Oct. 1, including many VIPs who got to meet Barry Bostwick, like this reporter (pictured bottom right with the man himself). Inside the theater, people dressed up and participated in a costume contest before the show too. The winner was dressed as Frankenfurter (pictured next to the person dressed as Rocky).
Those who have done a48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) understand the stressof it. It is nerve-wracking trying to write,cast,film and edit amovie in 48 hours.Not only that,but there are alwayscertain elementsyou have to employ in the film. Thisyear,the required elementsincluded having a character named Sam or SamanthaJeminez who isa photographer,aprop that isgrapesand using the line "I have good newsand bad news."
Once the filmswere submitted and judged,then they could be shown and winnerscould be selected. See the list here of awardsfrom the year'sevent.
Congratsto Cathleen Dean for putting on the 48HFPonce again!
Didyoumissit thisyear?Thereisalwaysnext year.For moreinformation,visit www.48hourfilm.com/en/miami-fl.
1ST PLACE: BEST FILM OF2022
Double Exposure by Frameless
2ND PLACE: BEST FILM OF2022
Breathe by Nearsighted Productions
3RD PLACE: BEST FILM OF2022
SNAPSHOT by Team Insomniac Films
AUDIENCEFAVORITE: GROUP A
Double Exposure by Frameless
Honorable Mention
Aloha Love by ACTBroward
BEST WRITING
Double Exposure by Frameless BEST EDITING
The Deb by Pink Table Productions BEST DIRECTING
Double Exposure by Frameless
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Double Exposure by Frameless
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Breathe by Nearsighted Productions
BEST MUSICAL SCORE
Faux togenic by CM Productions BEST ACTOR
Sebastian Gonzalez I Know it's Not New Year's by DigitalWater
Laurie Tanner Seedless by Chloe's Peeps
Queen's Fate by MonopolyDog Films
SNAPSHOT by Team Insomniac Films
Aloha Love by ACTBroward
Breathe by Nearsighted Productions
Double Exposure by Frameless
BEST USEOFPROP
Double Exposure by Frameless
Shutterbug by Zany L80 Pictures
The Debt by Pink Table Productions
SNAPSHOT by Team Insomniac Films
If you have been to the popular Van Gogh experience,you have seen it, the immersive 360 degree projectionsshowcasing imagery and sound all around you. Well,thistechnology has gone on to be used for other exhibitionswith other artists,and now,in BocaRaton,Florida,The Wick Theatre hasused something similar in their newly renovated Museum Club.
The simple and elegant Museum Club at The Wick,located within The Wick Theatre building,exudesold world charm.It isreminiscent of an old school supper club complete with two level seating and asmall stage.Although the club tipsitshat to yesteryear,it also fully embracesthe future with thisnew state-of-the-art immersive technology with its360-degree projections.
When Kimberly and Marilyn Wick visited the Van Gogh experience down in Miami,they were inspired to employ something similar in this space. The projectionscan be changed to transform the space to anything and anywhere,from astarry night to a sunny beachside,from Italy to Paris. It makesfor aunique space perfect for intimate events.
But,they took it a step further and created a documentary to display here, called ?Ascot!?It isfilled with imagery, videosand narration unveiling the story of ?My Fair Lady,?including how it was made from the original tale of 1913
George Bernard Shaw play
?Pygmalion,?turned into the Lerner and Loewe Broadway play in 1956 and turned into a movie in 1964.
Audrey Hepburn wasin the leading role in that film,but the part wasalso played by Julie Andrewsand many othersin the variousrenditionsof the play. Hepburn did not sing the famous songslike ?I Could Have Danced All Night?herself,but rather used avoice-over actress,Marni Nixon, to dub over.Detailssuch asthisare revealed in the film,aswell as how the costumeswere made and all the insand outsof the processof creating the classic.
During the presentation of ?Ascot!?the spotlight movesabout to point out mannequinsplaced around the room,each one wearing one of the carefully preserved dressesfrom ?My Fair Lady.?Marilyn Wick hascostumesfrom countlessBroadway playswithin her costume museum (Costume World),the largest collection in the world.Thisisa new way to showcase the costumes,by implementing them into a show like this. ?I alwaystry to take the next step,and leave the other theatersto catch up,?said Wick.
The ingenuity behind the experience that isthe Museum Club wason display at an opening galaevent on Sept.23 for mediaand others. Besidesthe film and a few statementsfrom Kimberly and Marilyn Wick,there were afew songssung piano-side by local singersclad in more ?My Fair Lady?costumes. Once witnessing the show,guests could have adrink in the attached bar,which also exuded an old-world sensibility.
For those who want to experience the space for themselves,they can rent it for their next event.The Museum Club islocated inside The Wick Theatre,at 7901 N.Federal Highway in BocaRaton,Florida. For details,visit https://thewick.org/museum-club.
Celebrating all thingsvirtual, the Miami Web Fest iscoming back to town. They tout themselvesasoffering a window to the future to those who attend,with a glimpse at new media.The event kicksoff on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at Backyard at Marseilles Hotel,1850 CollinsAve.in Miami Beach. On Friday, Nov. 18,they continue with screeningsat Silverspot Cinema,300 SE3 St.in Miami, followed by an after party at Minnow Bar at Angler'sHotel, 660 Washington Ave.in Miami Beach.On Saturday, Nov. 19,enjoy film panelsagain at Silverspot througout the day followed by another after party,thisone at Rooftop at Esme,1438 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Sunday (Nov. 20) is "Sunday Fun Day" and they do it up right with a pool party at
MarseillesHotel,1741 Collins Ave.in Miami Beach.Thisis followed by an awardsgala at 8 p.m.(with red carpet starting at 6 p.m.) at Silverspot once again. Nov.20 will include aconcert featuring many performers, taking place at Toejam Backlot, 150 NW 21 St in Miami
The event wasfounded by award-winning filmmaker and actor Bryan Thompson but he hasassembled quite a team as hisboard,aswell asjudgesto help him bring the event into fruition every year.
Want to know more about the fest?Visit https://miamiwebfest.com.
Did you know there isaHollywood Film Festival?We're not talking Tinsel Town here; you know,that place out west with the big Hollywood sign?No,we are talking about Hollywood,Florida.That isright. There isaHollywood in the Sunshine State too,and they have afestival of their very own. Well,this year'sfest takesplace Nov. 5 12. The fest wasfounded by Minh Collins. Evidently,it will include remote screenings.
They do not have the selectionsup quite yet on their website.But you can check it out and look into their social mediasitesviawww.floridahollywoodfilmfestival.com.
Bryan Thompson
On October 7,at a special event,Miami Dade College?s(MDC) renowned Miami Film Festival unveiled the line up for the 9th Annual Miami Film Festival GEMS,which will take place Nov. 3-10 at the Tower Theater (1508 SW 8th St,Miami,FL).Guestscould mingle and reconnect while having a drink of wine and enjoying some tasty Cuban horsd'oeuvres. There wasaquick performance by Latin dancersand then NicolasCalzada,the Interim Executive Director,and festival programmer Lauren Cohen announced the festsline-up,showing trailersfor many of the films.
The fest will feature filmsfrom 13 countries,the most ever in aGEMS lineup.The fest openswith Rian Johnson?s"GlassOnion: AKnivesOut Mystery," which featuresthe last performance of the now-late Angela Lansbury.There will be two Centerpiece Screenings?the ensemble drama"Women Talking," starring FrancesMcDormand,Claire Foy,Rooney Maraand others,aswell as"The Whale," which hasBrendan Fraser in his much-talked-about leading role asan obese man.The closing night film will be Steven Spielberg?s"The Fabelmans," which isbasically afilm about hislife.
Among the personal honoreesat GEMS
presented to cinematic artists whose exemplary work shines new wonderson the continuing evolution of motion pictures. Past acting recipientsinclude AndraDay and AldisHodge. The festival will hold two special screenings."White Noise," written,directed and produced by Noah Baumbach: At once hilariousand horrifying,lyrical and absurd, ordinary and apocalyptic, "White Noise" dramatizesa contemporary American family'sattempts to deal with the mundane conflictsof everyday life while grappling with the universal mysteriesof love,death,and the possibility of happinessin an uncertain world. The other special screening isof a film that isalso getting a lot of buzz,asit hasto do with the inception of the Me Too movement. It iscalled "She Said," and iscreated by director Maria Schrader. Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan star asNew York TimesreportersMegan Twohey and Jodi Kantor,who broke one story and shattered the yearsof silence,and subsequently altered American culture forever.
Steven Spielberg's "The Fabelmans" is the closing
2022 isRaúl Castillo ("The Same Storm," "Cha ChaReal Smooth," "We the Animals"),who will receive the Art of Light Award and will attend a screening of "The Inspection," where he starsas the sympathetic superior,Drill Sergeant Rosales,adeeply moving film inspired by writer/director Elegance Bratton's personal story about ayoung gay Black man,rejected by hismother and with few options,who decidesto join the Marines.The Art of Light Award is
Five filmsbeing presented asSpecial Presentationsin the GEMS 2022 selection are official submissionsto the 95th Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category,having received acclaim at Cannes,Berlin and other world film festivals:
- "Alcarràs"?Written and directed by CarlaSimón,a dramaabout afamily of peach farmersin a small Cataloniavillage whose liveschange when the owner of their estate diesand the sale of the land suddenly threatenstheir livelihood.
- "Close"?Written and directed by LukasDhont,centered on an intense friendship between two 13-year old boysthat suddenly getsdisrupted,offering an emotionally bold portrait of friendship and love,identity and independence,and heartbreak and healing.
- "Corsage"?Written and directed by Marie Kreutzer,afictional account of a year in the life of EmpressElisabeth of Austria,
Brendan Fraser in "The Whale"-
idolized for her beauty and her inspiring fashion trends,who must fight to maintain her public image in the wake of her 40th birthday.
- "Decision to Leave"?Written, directed and produced by Park Chan wook,a tragedy and mystery woven into a film where a detective digsdeeper into the investigation and findshimself trapped in a web of deception and desire.
- "Holy Spider"?
Written and directed by Ali Abbasi,the story of a female journalist who descendsinto the dark underbelly of the Iranian holy city of Mashhad to investigate the serial killingsof sex workersby a man who believeshe iscleansing the streetsof sinners.
"The Quiet Girl"?Written and directed by Colm Bairéad,the story of aquiet,neglected girl who issent away from her dysfunctional family to live with foster parentsfor the summer. She blossomsin their care,but in thishouse where there are meant to be no secrets,she discoversone.
"Saint Omer"?Written and directed by Alice Diop,the story of a young novelist who attendsthe trial of Laurence Coly,a young woman accused of killing her 15-month-old daughter by abandoning her to the rising tide on a beach in northern France. But asthe trial continues,the wordsof the accused and witness testimonieswill shake Rama'sconvictionsand call into question our own judgement.
Also,don't missGEMSPreview Night on October 27,featuring Billy Corben's"God Forbid:The Sex Scandal that Brought Down aDynasty."
In thisrevealing documentary,Giancarlo Granda,former pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel,sharesthe intimate detailsof his seven year relationship with acharming older woman,Becki Falwell, and her husband,the Evangelical Trump stalwart Jerry Falwell
Photos by Rachel Galvin
Toget thefull line-upof filmsat thefest,visit www.miamifilmfestival.com.
