THE HEROIC TRIO

from 25th Maine International Film Festival Program Guide

by watervillecreates

THE GANG OF FOUR

China 1993 - DCP - 88 minutes, in Cantonese with English subtitles

Director: Johnnie To

Screenplay: Sandy Shaw

Producers: Ching Siu Tung, Johnnie To

Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, Maggie Cheung

Print Courtesy: Janus Films

The supernova star power of Hong Kong cinema icons Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh (newly resurgent after knocking everyone out, literally and otherwise, in EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE), and Anita Mui propels this gloriously unrestrained action extravaganza from genre maestro Johnnie To, who injects its 1993 martial-arts mayhem with a blast of comic-book lunacy. THE HEROIC TRIO are the knife-throwing, shotgun-toting, kungfu-fighting super-heroines who must overcome their dark pasts in order to defeat an evil, baby-snatching eunuch who is terrorizing Hong Kong. Eye-popping motorcycle stunts, brain-exploding skeletons, infant cannibals, and kinetically choreographed wire work are all part of the delirium in this unstoppably entertaining cult favorite, a kick-butt showcase for three of the coolest women warriors to ever hit the screen. —Ken Eisen

Sunday, July 10 3:30 P.M. | RR1

Thursday, July 14 3:15 P.M. | RR2

Vengeance Is Mine

USA 1984 - DCP - 118 minutes, in English Director, Screenplay: Michael Roemer Cast: Brooke Adams, Trish Van Devere, Jon DeVries, Ari Meyers Print Courtesy: The Film Desk

Never heard of Michael Roemer’s 1984 VENGEANCE IS MINE, starring Brooke Adams (DAYS OF HEAVEN, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, CUBA)? “Never got a proper theatrical release; never got the rapturous—or even fair or serious—reviews it deserved; never, therefore, experienced the paying art-house audiences that would have clogged a theater lobby arguing about what the hell they just saw. This is a masterpiece of direction”— Wesley Morris, New York Times. Here’s your chance to at last see it, in this premiere of a new 2K restoration, a New England-set story that follows Adams’ Jo as she meets some neighbors from her family’s Block Island home, and winds up traveling back with them, perhaps hoping to somehow heal long-festering childhood wounds. That’s not so easily done…but she has now also entered the troubled life of the neighbors. “Roemer is known for only two films, both masterpieces: NOTHING BUT A MAN (1964) and THE PLOT AGAINST HARRY (1971). The rediscovery of a third Roemer (final) feature as good as the others is a cause for celebration, and something of a miracle.”– A.S.

Hamrah, Screen Slate. —Ken Eisen

All Special Events are Free and Open to the Public

Opening Night Party | Waterville Rocks START MAKING SENSE

If David Byrne is one of the geniuses of modern times, then Start Making Sense is a tribute to genius. The musicians in this 7-10 piece Talking Heads Tribute take pride in faithfully recreating the music of Talking Heads entire career. Together they bring much of the Heads unique live show to the stage, with front man Jon Braun as a spot-on David Byrne, giving you a “once in a lifetime” experience. Prepare yourself for a rockin’, funkin’, danceable celebration of the new-wave art punk you loved from the 80’s!!!

Rain Venue: Waterville Opera House

Take 4 Ensemble

Friday, July 8 8:30 P.M. HEAD OF FALLS WATERVILLE

Monday, July 11 7:00 P.M.

GREENE BLOCK + STUDIOS 18 MAIN ST WATERVILLE

Through a combination of live music and synchronous film, this program reflects on our community’s dependence on water as a resource, commodity, and defining feature of Maine’s landscape and culture. The program considers the strength, vulnerability, and transience of our water systems while celebrating the beauty and importance of Maine’s water landscapes in all seasons. The performance will explore the natural and human impacts that transform the Kennebec River and inform our understanding of water. The film component of the program was collected and designed by Luke Fatora to pair with selected musical pieces on the program. The performance will include Take 4’s original arrangements of music ranging from traditional Scottish and Irish tunes to Argentinean tango, Spanish lullabies, and Italian motets.

Art in the Park FUN WITH FLIP BOOKS

Thursday, July 14 3:00 P.M. HEAD OF FALLS WATERVILLE

Explore animation with Waterville Creates and discover the magic of flip books! In celebration of the Maine International Film Festival, learn the classic technique of creating a flip book—combining hand-drawn art and the science of optical illusion. This delightful activity is fun for all ages. The book “Lights! Camera! Alice” by Mara Rockliff will be read aloud to participants as they build and create. Presented in partnership with the Waterville Public Library and the Colby College Museum of Art.

Retrospective—25 Years of MIFF Photography

CURATED BY JOHN T. MEADER

Retrospective—25 Years of MIFF Photography explores the history of the Maine International Film Festival, providing a glimpse into the breadth and character of the event as seen through the eyes of festival photographers. The photographs were selected from more than 40,000 images taken over the past 25 years. There are filmmakers, movie stars, MIFF staff, volunteers, festival attendees, and special events. Photographic prints will be exhibited in the lobby of Railroad Square Cinema, and a digital display will run at the Waterville Opera throughout the festival featuring 25 new images each day. We hope the exhibition informs, inspires, and stirs memories through a quarter century of creative photography. Featured photographers: Martin Aucoin, Holden Cookson, Patrick Groleau, Deanne “Dede” Herman, Niko Hample, John Meader, Lucas Pelotte, and Charles “Chuck” Robinson.

Making

Unity Foundation salutes the dedicated staff and volunteers of the Maine International Film Festival!

Our mission is to support mission-driven nonprofits in Maine through capacity-building initiatives, organizational assessment, programmatic grantmaking and nonprofit management education. Our goal is to promote strong, sustainable nonprofits that reliably serve Maine communities.