What does it take to get celebrated actor John Hurt to appear in a 12 1/2-minute short film? “It’s all about the script,” Michael Davies told The Bristol Evening Post. The British director managed to talk the star into appearing in his film Love At First Sight. “We had a script that he liked. It’s amazing what can happen if you have a good enough script.” KQED’s ImageMakers film series kicks off its 10th season on April 14 with an episode titled “The Golden Years,” which includes the 2012 Academy Award shortlisted film Love At First Sight and two others about love and
aging. Scott Dwyer, who curates the series, described Love At First Sight as a tear jerker, but wouldn’t say more. “I don’t get surprised often,” he said, “but this one did it.” Since its debut in 2002, ImageMakers has featured 315 short films from 31 countries. For many of the films, the series has provided their only U.S. television exposure. The 34 other films airing this season come from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, France, the Czech Republic (a first for the series), Portugal, Bulgaria (another first), Germany, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland.
In May, look for West of the Moon, a film from American director Brent Bonacorso. The wildly inventive and visually amazing film invites comparisons to the work of Terry Gilliam and Tim Burton and may currently be the most celebrated on the international film festival circuit, with 11 awards. Also coming in May, The Candidate asks the question “If you could kill off your most aggravating co-worker and get away with it, would you?” Science fiction fans will recognize actor Robert Picardo, from the Stargate and Star Trek Voyager series.
ImageMakers airs Saturdays at 7:30pm on KQED 9. The new season begins April 14.
(Top to bottom) West of the Moon, Love At First Sight
Watch movie trailers, read filmmaker interviews, vote on your favorite films and send your feedback. kqed.org/imagemakers
More Check, Please!, Please
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A new season of Check, Please! Bay Area begins Thursday, April 26, at 7:30pm on KQED 9.
What do an account executive, cookbook author and renewable energy forecaster have in common? They’re all guests in the premiere episode of Check, Please! Bay Area’s seventh season. In the James Beard and Emmy Award–winning program, local diners are cast as restaurant critics, and each
episode features three Bay Area residents sharing their favorite spots with host Leslie Sbrocco. This new season focuses on discovering hidden gems that don’t make the headlines. Don’t forget to follow Check, Please! on Facebook and Twitter for insider information and giveaways.
Photos: (top to bottom) courtesy films pictured; Check, Please! Bay Area, courtesy Wendy Goodfriend/KQED.
ImageMakers Celebrates 10 Years