3RD ANNUAL NEW HOPE FILM FESTIVAL
Program Guide
JULY 6-15, 2012
Sponsored By
CONTENTS
Cover Image: NHFF 2012 Official Selection “Grounded,” Directed by Kevin Margo
Feature Column: A Reappraisal of Jane Russell.....4 2012 Schedule.....5 Documentary Films.....11 Feature Films.....21 Short Films.....26 Members and Visitors Guide.....28 Student Films.....36 Mid-Atlantic Films.....43
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Feature Column “Ain’t There Anyone Here For Love?” A Reappraisal of Jane Russell by Sarah Leventer, March 2012
Posters for Jane Russell’s first film, The Outlaw, made it seem the viewer was in for a two hour appreciation of the actor’s breasts. Her body was so outrageous, claimed director Howard Hughes, that he needed to design a special cantilever bra just for her. Hughes’s claim and the film’s publicity campaign came to define Russell’s persona—she was (and is) known as a sex symbol but rarely got her due as a deft, witty performer. Russell enters The Outlaw by beating Billy the Kid (Jack Beutel) to the ground, and in her best performances, including The Paleface with Bob Hope and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with Marilyn Monroe, she
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anticipates tough, funny women from Tina Fey to Angelina Jolie. Russell’s performance alongside Monroe also set a template for female buddy comedies up to the present day; however, Russell’s influence on films like Bridesmaids has gone largely unacknowledged by cultural gatekeepers, who maintain The Hangover is Bridesmaids’s closest model. The marketing of Bridesmaids as “the female version of The Hangover” was problematic for a host of reasons, not the least of which is that it suggested that the concept of female friendship was so novel that it was without cinematic precedent. Critical and
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industry discussions assumed the only comparable film available was made by men, for twelve-year old boys; it also assumed that Bridesmaids’ most noteworthy aspect was not its female friendships, in and of themselves, but the ways they imitated “male” relationships, in that female characters acknowledged the existence of sex, drinking and senses of humor. The “Bridesmaids Phenomenon” represents a pretty egregious erasure of a long history of female-driven comedy, including the film that Bridesmaids structurally references, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Gentlemen follows a deceptively conventional (Continued p. 10)
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2012 Schedule TIME
SHOW
VENUE
FILMS
Retro Sensations
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
For Goodness Shakes Strumpet Black Mask Silver Patriot
11:00 AM
Youth Disease and Hope
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Another Journey Heartland Run Running Through RETT
2:00 PM
Stories from New York
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Easy Street Ordinary Joe
5:00 PM
Remembering the Holocaust
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Only a Number Dancing on a Volcano
8:00 PM
A Rogue in Londinium (18+)
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Liking Men A Rogue In Londinium
10:30 PM
Flights to Asia (18+)
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Shinya Kimura Kiyumi’s Poetry Dalai Mongol
12:00 PM
Mothers & Daughters ($6 matinee)
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Bump Chin Up Life Through A Lens Project Hopeful I Am Alive
2:00 PM
An Artist’s Perspective
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Sudden Nature Don’t Know, We’ll See
4:00 PM
Saving the Planet
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Carbon for Water YERT
Friday, July 6 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 7
Sunday, July 8
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2012 Schedule (Continued) TIME
SHOW
VENUE
FILMS
Monday, July 9 7:00 PM
Broken on All Sides New Hope Arts Center The Lonely Bones - 2 Stockton Avenue, Broken On All Sides New Hope
Tuesday, July 10 7:30 PM
Brush (Tickets available through The County Theater)
The County Theater 20 East State Street, Doylestown
Ad & Subtract The Piece-Coin (La Piece) Brush
Wednesday, July 11 6:30 PM
For Love of Art ($6 matinee)
New Hope Arts Center Awful (Atroz) - 2 Stockton Avenue, Axis of Light New Hope
8:00 PM
For Love of Dance ($6 matinee)
New Hope Arts Center Can’t Dance - 2 Stockton Avenue, Nrityagram: For Love of Dance New Hope Time Dances On
6:45 PM
GLTB Showcase
New Hope Arts Center Little Ones - 2 Stockton Avenue, Anecdote New Hope The Grove
9:00 PM
The Cost of Creativity
New Hope Arts Center Not Dark Yet - 2 Stockton Avenue, The Last Race New Hope The Cost of Creativity
6:45 PM
Knocking on the Devil’s Door
New Hope Arts Center Hath No Man - 2 Stockton Avenue, Knocking On The Devil’s Door New Hope
9:00 PM
Steve Phoenix: The Untold Story (18+)
New Hope Arts Center The Ballad of Sandeep - 2 Stockton Avenue, Steve Phoenix: The Untold Story New Hope
Thursday, July 12
Friday, July 13
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2012 Schedule (Continued) TIME
SHOW
VENUE
FILMS
11:00 AM
Student Film Marathon ($6 matinee)
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
All for Love Delivery Boy Elevator European Son Faceless Fishing in Esperanza Getaway Keeping Time Monday Morning The Darkness is Close Behind Brother’s Keeper
1:00 PM
A Boy’s Life ($6)
Stephen J. Buck Cluck Memorial Theater Empire: The Whitewater Story 180 W. Bridge St., New Hope
2:00 PM
A Better World
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
3:15 PM
Blame It On Immigration
Stephen J. Buck A Good Son Memorial Theater Blame It On Immigration 180 W. Bridge St., New Hope
4:00 PM
Seven Years Underground
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
6:00 PM
Local Film Showcase
Stephen J. Buck The Tattoo Life Memorial Theater New Project Benjamin Parry 180 W. Bridge St., New Halloweenville Hope
6:00 PM
From Nomad to Nobody
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Let Us Talk From Nomad to Nobody
8:00 PM
The People You Know
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Waiting for the Turning of the Earth The People You Know
Saturday, July 14
No Greater Pain Street Journeys
No Head Seven Years Underground
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2012 Schedule (Continued) TIME
SHOW
VENUE
FILMS
No One Will Know
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Heavy Departures Static Grounded No One Will Know
11:30 AM
The Pact
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Squeaky Business The Back Tenant The Pact
2:00 PM
Awards Ceremony (by invitation only)
New Hope Arts Center - 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope
Saturday, July 14 10:00 PM
Sunday, July 15
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Be Who You Are 9
“Ain’t There Anyone Here for Love?” A Reappraisal of Jane Russell (Continued from p. 4)
narrative—two young women travel to Europe looking for love—that just barely covers the film’s transgressive content. In fact, what Bridesmaids does with poop jokes (subvert viewer expectations) Gentlemen does at every layer of its construction. At the height of the “vacuuming in pearls” era, Gentlemen parodies male desire and courtship, features financially independent, frank women and proclaims the bonds of female friendship (not marriage) as central to women’s lives. In fact, the film’s final shot finds the women at a double wedding, gazing not at their newly-acquired husbands, but at each other. If Russell and Monroe do not escape the male gaze in Gentlemen, they are certainly subjugated by it, and as indicated by the film’s ending, know how to work it for personal gain. Bridesmaids, which ends with the two main female characters dancing together (not their romantic partners) at one’s wedding, could not exist without a film like Gentlemen, and Jane Russell’s performance is crucial to the film’s success. Russell is droll, tender and fully aware of
the subversive nature of her performance, as evidenced by her musical solo, “Ain’t There Anyone Here for Love?” In this sequence, she surrounds herself with scantily-clad male gymnasts and manipulates them like pieces of furniture; she bends around, with and under them, and lustfully admires them so they become her sexual objects. Along with this complete reversal of cinematic objectification, Russell seems fully aware that she is playing to different kinds of audiences; male spectators (within the film and in the audience) are treated to Russell’s Adonises as well. In 1953, at the height of homophobic paranoia and Hollywood censorship, Russell and director Howard Hawks satirize male objectification of women, create a space for male homosexual desire and do it all with a wink. Here, as in her first moments on screen, Russell is a wickedly selfpossessed woman, a quality she did not get to embody often enough in her work. Her performance in Gentlemen, though, powerfully suggests her contribution to film history, her formative influence on comedians like Kristen Whig, and the reasons why
the way we talk about female-centered films has to change. A world that considers itself so postfeminist that it can negate women’s presence as long, as it does it with a wink (i.e. diet soda companies who proclaim their drink is “Not for Women”) would do well to remember what a truly subversive wink looks like and what mouthy women like Russell are capable of. Sarah Leventer is a writer and film critic working toward her PhD in American Studies at Boston University.
Festival Tip: Check out Sarah Leventer’s movie reviews on New Hope Film Fest’s official blog!
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2012 Lineup Documentary Films
LET US TALK (LEH WI TOK) Directed by John Lavall
Sierre Leone, USA
Can a single voice over the radio move listeners beyond the pain and anger of recent memories—violence that pits neighbors against one other, the exploitation of child soldiers, and the displacement of millions? For the people of Sierra Leone, struggling to heal after more than a decade of war, the answer is the simple Krio phrase Leh Wi Tok (Let Us Talk). Leh Wi Tok is a documentary about radio pioneer Andrew Kromah and his efforts to grow an independent network of community-based radio stations in his home country. Amidst flagrant and persistent political harassment, as well as financial and technical woes, Kromah literally put his life on the line to bring information to his listeners and to offer a platform for disparate and often unheard voices.
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SEVEN YEARS UNDERGROUND Directed by Jason M. Solomon
USA 87 Minutes
In 1964, after spending a year in a protracted legal battle, co-club owners Howard and Elly Solomon were finally granted a cabaret license and the Cafe Au Go Go opened its doors. Six weeks later, with mounting legal bills and depleting funds, the couple were quickly going out of business. With options dwindling, they made a desperate, late minute attempt to keep the club open by reaching out to popular comedian Lenny Bruce. But two days into Lenny's performance, he was arrested and booked for obscenity charges, along with Howard and Elly. That historic arrest, and the international press it garnered, would put the Cafe Au Go Go on the entertainment world map.
AXIS OF LIGHT Directed by Pia Getty UK 60 Minutes
Seen through the work of eight leading artists of the Middle East, Axis of Light is a poignant and absorbing observation of the beauty and mystery of the Middle East. Through their beautiful works, human faces so often overshadowed by conflict and war are revealed.
DANCING ON A VOLCANO Directed by Gary Merz Chile, USA 74 Minutes
The afternoon sun softly illuminated the embassy office located on Avenue de la Motte Picquet. The correspondence on the desk were dated 1939. At this desk sat Armando Marin. He had recently arrived in Paris from Chile to assume the duties of Consul General. The last appointment of the day was a young Jewish woman seeking visas for members of her family. Her name was Nadja Hammermann. Struck by Nadja's self-assuredness and remarkable beauty, Armando agreed to help her in exchange for a kiss. That kiss would forever change their lives. For Nadja, it became a burden of guilt, which she would carry for more than 70 years. For Armando, it would affirm his destiny: to save hundreds of refugees from the Nazis.
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DON’T KNOW, WE’LL SEE Directed by Lucy Massie Phenix
USA 62 Minutes
Don’t Know, We’ll See explores the poetry and mystery of the creative process in the life and work of a master clay artist, Karen Karnes, a pioneer of the 20th century craft movement. She worked with unbroken focus for over 60 years until a fire destroyed her home and studio; the kiln, full of luminous pieces, was the only structure left standing.This film is about discovery and the evolution of form: a single sculptural piece and a body of work over a lifetime.
FROM NOMAD TO NOBODY Directed by Michael Buckley
Canada 55 Minutes
Shot on location in Tibet and in northern India, this film is a personal take on the plight of Tibetan nomads, who are being forcibly relocated by Chinese officials–shifted off their traditional grazing lands into concrete ghettos, where they are marginalized.
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Festival Tip: 2012 Ticket Prices Advance Tickets Members $9.00 Non-Members $10.00 Matinee $5.00 Member Matinee $4.60 At the Venues Student $10.00 Senior (65+) $10.00 Patron $12.00 Matinee $6.00
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Note: Prices are for New Hope Arts Center and Stephen J. Buck Memorial Theater venues only. Tickets for the July 10 show at The County Theater are available per the theater’s standard pricing.
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HALLOWEENVILLE Co-Directed by Gary Cohen and Paul Kaye
USA 62 Minutes
Each year the river town of Lambertville, New Jersey attracts more than 3000 people to witness an incredible and outrageous celebration of Halloween. Halloweenville documents the 2010 event, with narration by Deborah Reed (Troll 2) and music by Garland Jeffreys.
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KNOCKING ON THE DEVIL’S DOOR Directed by Gary Null
USA 95 Minutes
The nuclear reactor catastrophes at Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and now at Fukushima, Japan, remind us that a heinous specter hovers over the health and security of millions of people worldwide. Not only does the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation remain, but every nuclear station sits as a ticking bomb awaiting meltdown and terrorist attack.
ONLY A NUMBER Directed by Steven Besserman
USA 64 Minutes
This is a true story of the struggle to survive, to love and to remember. Director Steve Besserman’s mother is a Holocaust survivor with dementia, and in this beautiful and moving documentary, Besserman explores her memories through visiting the places where his parents suffered and fell in love.
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ORDINARY JOE Directed by Carlo Gennarelli
USA 78 Minutes
Meet Joe Sciacca, a beer drinking, blue-collar roofer and Vietnam War veteran from Long Island, New York. Contrary to appearances, this ordinary Joe has a life purpose that proves to be anything but mundane. Driven by complex motives, Joe annually returns to Vietnam, traveling its back alleys and country roads, where he seeks out the poor, diseased and disabled, then delivers to them his own brand of aid and hope. By adopting a do-it-yourself attitude, this brash New Yorker has become an unlikely champion to a far away and seemingly forgotten people.
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RETT: THERE IS HOPE Directed by Jason Rem
USA 53 Minutes
The story behind Rett Syndrome is complicated. It involves a devastating genetic affliction that starts with young girls and includes incredible family dynamics, ground breaking treatment, care and science. The film focuses on three Rett girls and their families, the Rett Syndrome Research Trust's efforts to find a cure and the optimism surrounding treatments and forward thinking scientific breakthroughs.
RUNNING THROUGH: THE JORDAN CULBREATH STORY Directed by A.D. Pearson
USA 39 Minutes
Diagnosed with two, micro-rare, fatal blood diseases, All-American, All-Ivy, Princeton University football star Jordan Culbreath battles life and death with the hope of recovery and a miraculous return to football.
STREET JOURNEYS Directed by Tracy Christian KENYA, USA 58 Minutes
Orphaned children escape the perils of Nairobi street life and rediscover their spirit through the power of theater and the love of Kenyan actress Anne Wanjugu.
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THE COST OF CREATIVITY Directed by Jon Biddle
USA 50 Minutes
Mania can be a storm of ideas. Depression can feel like a void. Bipolar disorder pushed filmmaker Jon Biddle to the extremes of both. In his documentary The Cost of Creativity, Biddle delves into the video and photo archives of his past, uncovering the portrait of a young artist, a struggling son, a manic boyfriend, and a true friend. Part archival film, part road movie, and part impressionistic, experimental memoir, The Cost of Creativity blends music, images, words, and memories, forcing the filmmaker to look in the mirror and reconcile the inner demons of living with bipolar disorder.
THE GROVE Directed by Andy Abrahams Wilson
USA 62 Minutes
More Americans have been lost to AIDS than in all the U.S. wars since 1900. But few know of the existence of the national AIDS memorial, a seven-acre grove and sanctuary hidden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The Grove shows how one community responded to its overwhelming grief, and how the seeds of a few visionaries blossomed into something larger and more provocative than they could have imagined. How do we mark a time of unimaginable loss? And what does it mean to be a national memorial?
YERT - YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL ROAD TRIP Directed by Ben Evans
USA 112 Minutes
YERT (Your Environmental Road Trip) is a groundbreaking adventure and a celebration of the American spirit in the face of adversity–a thought-provoking, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious documentary about the courage of creative individuals, groups, businesses and leaders of this country who are tackling the greatest environmental threats in history. Called into action by the ever increasing threats of planetary catastrophe, Mark Dixon, Ben Evans and Julie Dingman Evans upended their lives, pooled their collective life-savings, and set off on a first-of-its-kind, 50-state, year-long journey of discovery to personalize sustainability and to answer a critical question: are we doomed?
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Feature Films
A ROGUE IN LONDINIUM Directed by Whitney Hamilton USA 131 Minutes
An artist named Richard Rhys is suspected of perpetrating the Ripper crimes in Victorian London. Through a twist of fate, he is introduced to a wealthy socialite, Victoria Thornton. His charm awakens her dormant sensual desires and a great love affair begins. But soon Rhys encounters an inventor who is being paid to collect images of murder victims.
BLAME IT ON IMMIGRATION Directed by George Parrilla USA 136 Minutes
Blame It On Immigration is a vivid depiction of one woman's decision to become an American resident at the cost of her own personal values through marrying illegally for money instead of traditionally for love. The film tackles an issue every immigrant coming to America faces, namely how badly do I want to become a resident and at what cost. The story touches upon real issues faced and decisions made by immigrants every day in their attempts to become residents—in some cases, by any means possible. Immigration is a hot topic within our society, making this film especially timely and thought-provoking.
DALAI MONGOL Directed by Levi Chen Mongolia, USA 50 Minutes
Dalai Mongol takes viewers on an enchanting journey through the beautiful landscapes of Mongolia as a man and woman, on separate spiritual quests, yearn to find themselves and one another. The film's only dialog comes in the form of Grammy award winning musician Levi Chen's serene and majestic notes and from songs on his latest album. Dalai Mongol's blend of nature and music narrate an inspiring and timeless tale of faith, triumph and love despite all odds.
Festival Insight: Emanating from a 1710 land grant, the New Hope area has a storied history. It began as a trading post and ferry terminal, and by the 1940s, New Hope's reputation in the arts, spurred by the multitudes of playwrights, directors and actors who traversed its bustling streets, became legendary.
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Discover the Mystery and History of New Hope For reservations call Adele Gamble at
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Festival Tip: Advance ticket sales end at midnight before each show for the purpose of creating an accurate will-call list, which prevents overbooking.
BRUSH Directed by Shiyan Zheng AUSTRALIA 83 Minutes
On the eve of moving into their new studio, Aaron, a struggling young painter, proposes his plans of giving up his art to pursue a normal life with his fiance, Beth. Beth convinces Aaron to keep doing what he loves, but not before becoming disillusioned by the loss of passion in their lives. She soon engages in an affair with a mysterious art dealer, Silas, seeking to fill her emptiness. Upon secretly discovering this, Aaron's reality is shattered, leading him to delve into the darkest depths of his mind to find a way to keep her.
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NO ONE WILL KNOW Directed by Raj Reddy
USA 86 Minutes
A once happy young couple must work together to cover up a murder at their own engagement party. Their secret is safe as long as they can stick together. Will they make it through the night? One house. One party. One dead body.
Festival Tip: New Hope Film Festival takes place at three Bucks County venues, two in New Hope and one in Doylestown. The venues are: New Hope Arts Center 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope (corner of Stockton and Main Street) Stephen J. Buck Memorial Theater 180 W. Bridge Street, New Hope (at New Hope-Solebury High School) The County Theater 20 East State Street, Doylestown (at the corner of East State Street and Main Street)
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Festival Insight: Official Guide layout and editing by D. F. Whipple For advertising, contact publicity@newhopefilmfestival.com
THE PACT Directed by Matt Toronto USA 75 Minutes
Their love lives in shambles, two brothers make a pact: no women for a year! The pact holds them under an almost magical spell as they take turns trying, but failing, to break it.
THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW Directed by Elizabeth Spear USA 77 Minutes
What you don't know about the people closest to you can't hurt you - until the drinking games begin. One weekend with old friends might change things forever.
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Festival Insight: The directors of New Hope Film Festival have over 150 years of experience. Here are their bios: D. F. Whipple (Founder, Chairman and CEO) A 1992 graduate of The Lauder Institute, a Wharton MBA/MA program, Whipple spent his early career with multinational corporations, where he specialized in finance, trading and information technology, before pursuing a lifelong interest in film. Once a child actor, he spent 18 months as a part-time student at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts while also launching two businesses. He is the author of three novels. Marianne Speiser (Executive Director - Communications) A long-time resident of New Hope, Marianne brought extensive public relations experience to the festival. She leads the festival’s outreach, media and fundraising efforts and sits on the festival’s jury, as well. An artist herself, she has composed music for television, regional theater, off-Broadway productions and film. (Continued p. 27)
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Short Films
CARBON FOR WATER Directed by Evan Abramson
In Kenya's Western Province, waterborne illness remains a daily–and lifethreatening–reality. Carbon For Water introduces audiences to the inspiring people who face these hardships and explores one company's innovative solution for improving the health of millions of Kenyans and the environment in which they live.
Kenya, USA 22 Minutes
NO GREATER PAIN Directed by Desiree Holm Mothers in Charge is a Philadelphia organization that assists women who have lost children due to violence and raises awareness of violence and justice issues. This is their story.
USA 30 Minutes
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Festival Insight (Continued from p. 25): Thom Michael Mulligan (Executive Director - Submissions) Thom has over 30 years of experience in film, television and theater. Although he lives in Southern California and lends New Hope Film Festival a distinctly Hollywood spirit, Thom has deep roots in New York, New Jersey and New Hope. As co-producer with writer, director and actor Joey Lanai, Thom earned four Best Picture awards for his debut feature film, Callous, a film that is now in distribution. Danny Sailor (Director - Submissions) Danny Sailor is NHFF’s resident film historian and movie buff. Ask him an obscure question about a movie and you may find he not only knows the film, but also has a copy in his home, where he maintains a library of over 2,000 titles. Danny is the festival’s top movie screener and has significant influence over the final selection of films. Filmmakers, be nice to Danny.
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Festival Membership Families and Individuals Tom and Alycia Scannapieco Mayor of New Hope Laurence D. Keller J. Robert and Barbara Hillier Lodging 1870 Wedgwood Bed & Breakfast (Charter Member) Art’s Fox and Hound Bed & Breakfast Black Bass Hotel (Charter Member) HollyHedge Estates (Charter Member) Inn at Lambertville Station (Charter Member) Porches on the Towpath B & B (Charter Member) The Stockton Inn (Charter Member) Restaurants, Nightlife & Food Eagle Diner New Hope Giant Food Store (Charter Member) Giuseppe’s Pizza & Family Restaurant & Bar Havana New Hope (Charter Member) Karla’s Restaurant and Bar Lilly’s Gourmet Marsha Brown Restaurant Martine’s RiverHouse Restaurant & Bar McDonald’s of New Hope Nina’s Waffles Triumph Brewing Company (Charter Member) Zoubi Restaurant Boutiques & Shops Jos Finkle & Son, Inc. Liberty Village Premium Outlets New Hope Auto Sales (Charter Member) Peddler’s Village Rice’s Market Sartoria Custom Clothier & Formal Wear The Silverman Gallery Professional Services Addison Wolfe Real Estate Allstate Insurance, Ed Wizimirski Cannon, Hellen I., Kurfiss Sotheby’s Cavella & Associates, PLLC, Intellectual Property Country Concierge, LLC, Fred Volare David J. Witchell at 25 South Doylestown Hospital First Federal of Bucks County J. R. Maxwell Builders, Inc. Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Real Estate Lisa James Otto Country Properties
The Mayor of New Hope supports
NEW HOPE FILM FESTIVAL
Mayor Laurence D. Keller is a lifetime supporter of the arts in the New Hope community.
Professional Services (Continued) National Penn Bank New Hope Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Professional Landscape Services, Inc. (Charter Member) Rainbow Assurance, Inc., Title Insurance Agent, PA/NJ Ryan Fuller, Agent at Signature Insurance Services, LLC Solebury School, Day & Boarding, Grades 7-12 Steve Talerico, CPA New Hope 609-379-0954 Susan Pajer - Wells Fargo Advisors Team Capital Bank, Doylestown, Pennsylvania The First National Bank and Trust Company of Newtown Wells Fargo Advisors, William Sands, Jr.
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A GOOD SON Directed by Juan Gil Garcia Mexico, USA 20 Minutes
A young man from rural Mexico with secret aspirations of being a drag performer is forced to choose between his parents and his dreams.
ANOTHER JOURNEY Directed by Julia Maserjian USA 15 Minutes
In the 1980's more than 25,000 young Sudanese children were forced to flee their rural villages as heavily armed troops attacked. Four of these boys, now young men, tell their stories.
AWFUL (ATROZ) Directed by Francisco Alvarez Spain 10 Minutes
Atroz is a curmudgeon teddy bear who lives to flee from his owner, Luna, a girl who harasses him at every moment.
SILVER PATRIOT Directed by Kari Nissena USA
Murder runs wild in this black and white film noir.
25 Minutes
BUMP Directed by Marc Dickerson USA 7 Minutes
Feeling dejected and unnoticed, a young woman takes extreme measures to get the attention she feels she deserves.
CAN’T DANCE Directed by Richard Uhlig USA 15 Minutes
When a lonely widower drinks his wife's ashes, the results change the rest of his life.
CHIN UP Directed by Michelle Walson USA 14 Minutes
Days before Wendy Bloom will undergo corrective jaw surgery, her surgeon suggests an additional, purely cosmetic procedure to enhance her chin, throwing Wendy into an existential crisis about her appearance and lackluster love life.
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Cupcakes and more.
Festival Tip: If you’re on a budget, check out NHFF’s $6 matinees!
Our cupcakes come in a variety of sizes and flavors. They’re great for parties, celebrations and weddings. See our website for our complete cupcake menu.
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The Directors of this Festival ardently thank our sponsors and patrons for your generous support of New Hope Film Festival and independent film.
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CLUCK Directed by Michael Lavelle Ireland 20 Minutes
Feathers are ruffled when a new arrival at the orphanage threatens to upset the pecking order.
DEPARTURES Directed by Ali Y. Akarcesme USA 12 Minutes
A Turkish woman finally realizes her dream of migrating to the states and being reunited with her husband. But problems await.
EASY STREET Directed by Russell Greene USA 23 Minutes
A young, Southern lawyer goes to New York for a job interview with the country's most eccentric and intimidating federal judge.
GROUNDED Directed by Kevin Margo USA 8 Minutes
One astronaut's journey through space and life ends on a hostile, exosolar planet.
Porches on the Towpath
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KIYUMI’S POETRY Directed by Satoru Sugita Japan 30 Minutes
Every time Kiyumi writes a poem, her friend Sayuru embroiders one leaf on a book cover that she will use for their book of poetry.
LIKING MEN Directed by Heather de Michele USA 6 Minutes
After a traumatic rape, a woman embarks on a restless odyssey of healing.
NEW PROJECT BENJAMIN PARRY, THE FATHER OF NEW HOPE Directed by Kim Bjorheim USA 10 Minutes
This short documentary portrays the rise of Benjamin Parry's career and his influence on the early New Hope community. 32
NO HEAD Directed by Gabriella Loutfi USA 3 Minutes
Music video about a man who envisions his headless mannequin to be a beautiful blonde bombshell of a woman.
NOT DARK YET Directed by Brian Paccione USA 21 Minutes
After completing a substance abuse program, Ringo faces the last thing that stands between his future and the past: his father.
NRITYAGRAM: FOR THE LOVE OF DANCE Directed by Nanette Melville USA 26 Minutes
Nrityagram is a dance company that contributes to a growing appreciation for Indian classical dance in India and around the world.
RUN Directed by Shelagh Mcleod UK 20 Minutes
Tragedy changes a fifteen year old boy's life forever. Which path will he take? Fight or flight?
SHINYA KIMURA Directed by Henrik Hansen USA, Japan 3 Minutes
Shinya Kimura is a documentary that showcases a Japanese man’s art of custom motorcycle building.
Festival Tip: Tickets are sold on a per show basis. By not offering passes, we aim to encourage a selective approach. New Hope Film Festival presents a rich and diverse mixture of genres and points of view, so there’s something for everyone at our annual event.
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SQUEAKY BUSINESS Directed by Cheryl Cabrera USA 6 Minutes
As a hobby photographer, Dave wishes to win a pet photo contest. Too bad his dog, Allie, only has playtime on her mind.
STRUMPET Directed by Wolfgang Lehmkuhl USA 14 Minutes
On the cusp of a murderous storm, a lonely traveler takes shelter in an old hotel. 34
SUDDEN NATURE Directed by Isaac Kerlow Singapore 20 Minutes
A young couple prepares for a picnic, evoking the allegorical, abstract world of man versus nature.
THE BACK TENANT Directed by Kenneth Wajda USA 8 Minutes
A woman stops by to inquire about a house for rent, but the owner is seriously not interested in her becoming his tenant.
THE LAST RACE Directed by Jeremy Cumpston Australia 28 Minutes
An intensely emotional drama that follows a group of people all facing their own death. One needs an organ transplant.
THE PIECE COIN (LA PIECE-COIN) Directed by Marc Joly-Corcoran Canada (Montreal) 15 Minutes
The story of an old man who tries to buy a coffee with a pierced coin (French Franc) on the morning of 9/11.
Festival Tip: To watch preview, read blogs, visit Facebook pages and discover other resources pertaining to NHFF’s official selections, visit the Festival’s blog and follow the link from the Tickets page on New Hope Film Festival’s website.
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Student Films
AD & SUBTRACT Directed by Laura Stephens USA 4 Minutes
The world of a junior accountant explodes with resumes after he learns that his boss put an ad in the paper to replace his job.
ALL FOR LOVE Directed by Matthew Ripley UK 19 Minutes
A voice-over narrative from the perspective of a young man who meets, dates, then is rejected by a young woman.
ANECDOTE Directed by Ahmed Ziari USA 15 Minutes
A young man faces the challenge of his life after a tryst with an older man.
BLACK MASK Directed by Filipe F. Coutinho USA 29 Minutes
Jimmy McNamara is an ex-writer and ex-WW II vet who receives a call from Vivian, his ex-fiance and current night club singer.
BROTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S KEEPER Directed by N. W. Douglas Canada 15 Minutes
Rocked by the near-drowning of his older brother Adam, teenager Micah holds vigil by Adam's bedside.
DELIVERY BOY Directed by Benjamin Berger USA 9 Minutes
A pizza delivery boy makes deliveries to an ex-girlfriend while his lonely father-and-boss becomes convinced heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s looking for a job.
ELEVATOR Directed by Thomas Holcombe II USA 3 Minutes
Sometimes the elevator doors don't open. This is what happens inside that elevator car.
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EMPIRE: THE WHITEWATER STORY Directed by Daniel Doran USA 90 Minutes
This film tells the story of a group of high school boys who use New York waterways to find the things that we all search for in life.
EUROPEAN SON Directed by Tyler Zelinsky USA 27 Minutes
Daniel Baker’s attempted suicide is delayed by a chance encounter with a fellow suicidal on the Golden Gate Bridge.
FACELESS Directed by Tyler Zelinsky USA 14 Minutes
A con man with the supernatural ability to take on other people's identities confronts fate when he steals from the wrong people.
FISHING IN ESPERANZA Directed by Anders Flatlandsmo Argentina 13 Minutes
A journey to the deep rivers of the Amazon, to a small community called Esperanza, where life is still in harmony with nature.
Good oysters produce pearls really good oysters ascend to our raw bar
Festival Insight: The Official Guide’s design, layout and editing is a contribution of D. F. Whipple
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FOR GOODNESS SHAKES Directed by Tyler Mertens USA 6 Minutes
Two young ladies in the 1920's go in search of milkshakes, which have recently become illegal.
GETAWAY Directed by Alyssa Evans USA 4 Minutes
He thought getting the money would be the hard part. She knew it would be getting away.
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HATH NO MAN Directed by Linus Koh Australia, Singapore 15 Minutes
An Australian World War II veteran walks into a church and as he sits down, he reminisces of his time in the war.
HEAVY Directed by Jessica Nicholas USA 8 Minutes
A preacher keeps his wife alive throughout her several suicide attempts, but to save her soul, he must sacrifice his own.
HEARTLAND Directed by Hai-Tao Wu USA 14 Minutes
Coping with the loss of a child, a couple finds the strength to overcome their tragedy by helping other children.
I AM ALIVE Directed by A. James Marcolin USA 14 Minutes
What if the line between life and death is thinner than we think? Are we really sure about what our eyes see?
KEEPING TIME Directed by Joshua Jacobs USA 5 Minutes
Investigating the value of creative experiences, Keeping Time details an individual's evolving relationship with music.
Festival Insight: New Hope Film Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder, D. F. Whipple, started New Hope Film Festival as a private arts corporation in 2008 and the company began operating in 2009. He quickly recruited artists to help him run a truly independent film festival with a mission of discovering and nurturing overlooked filmmakers from around the globe.
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LIFE THROUGH A LENS Directed by Ellenor Argyropoulos Australia 16 Minutes
Struggling with her family's identity, Rose must conquer her fears of rejection or continue living her photographic fantasy.
LITTLE ONES Directed by Marc Parees USA 23 Minutes
A couple had to decided whether to purchase a vacation home or adopt a child. They chose the vacation home. Now their life is an exercise in nurturing instincts gone wrong.
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MONDAY MORNING Directed by Meghan Hughes USA 13 Minutes
Rose has not seen her two grandchildren in years, but an unexpected event places the kids on her doorstep.
PROJECT HOPEFUL Co-Directed by Kelsie Kiley and Grace Johnson USA 13 Minutes
A couple in Illinois with seven biological children chose to double the size of their family in a most inspiring way.
STATIC Directed by Mel Miskell Australia 11 Minutes
Sia has returned home in an emotional twilight, paralyzed by a secret she can't confront.
THE DARKNESS IS CLOSE BEHIND Directed by Sheena McCann USA 20 Minutes
A teenage boy anxiously watches over his meth cook father and his little brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;but his vigilance is wearing thin.
THE TATTOO LIFE: THE RICH CAHILL DOCUMENTARY Directed by Jon Reino USA 24 Minutes
This film profiles Rich Cahill, a tattoo artist, painter, musician, and protester in nearby Frenchtown, New Jersey.
TIME DANCES ON Directed by Sophia Kruz USA 39 Minutes
Jim Kruz discovered he was attracted to other boys his age when he was around 13 years old, yet being brought up in a devout Catholic home in 1950s Detroit, being gay wasn't an option.
WAITING FOR THE TURNING OF THE EARTH Directed by David Evan Giles Australia 23 Minutes
It is not everyday that you meet a man on the beach in his pajamas. It is even less often that you find he has brought his bed with him. A gentle film about life, death and forgiveness, starring two of Australia's best loved actors. 41
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Festival Tip: A 10% discount on advance tickets is available when you patronize NHFFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sponsors and members.
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Festival Insight: The offbeat artwork for NHFFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2012 promotional poster is the work of New Hope art apprentice Jessy Leigh.
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Mid-Atlantic Films
BROKEN ON ALL SIDES: RACE, MASS INCARCERATION & NEW VISIONS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN THE U.S. Directed by Matthew Pillischer USA 68 Minutes
More African Americans are under correctional (prison) control today than were enslaved in 1850. Why? This movie explores mass incarceration across the U.S. and the intersection of race, poverty, and the criminal justice and penal systems.
STEVE PHOENIX: THE UNTOLD STORY Directed by Bill Haley USA 93 Minutes
A small time cable TV reporter with dreams of the big time stumbles into a story far stranger than he ever imagined. It takes him on a journey into an underground world of subversion, talk radio and garage bands. Along the way, he discovers the shocking truth about fame, friendship and the American way.
THE BALLAD OF SANDEEP Directed by Derek Frey USA, UK 28 Minutes
After his IT job is outsourced to Bangalore, Sandeep Majumdar (Deep Roy) sets up a remote access in his apartment, tricking his former company into believing that he is really working from India.
THE LONELY BONES Directed by Kevin Walker USA 30 Minutes
Johnson Cemetery is the final resting place for over 120 members of the United States Colored Troops, the African American soldiers who fought valiantly for the North during the Civil War. Yet today, the legacy of these soldiers lies buried beneath dirt, debris and the detritus of the drug trade: Johnson Cemetery, long neglected, has essentially become a needle park. This documentary ties the plight of this cemetery to larger issues confronting urban America.
Festival Tip: NHFFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s films are not yet in distribution and remain unrated. However, because we strive to be family and parent friendly, we post parental advice with our online ticket listings based on feedback we get from our screeners and judges. If you have concerns about a show, we recommend you either contact the festival for additional information or err on the side of caution.
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