Newport Beach Film Festival
TODAY
FEATURE FILMS
* EDWARDS ISLAND 7 CINEMAS
11 a.m.
“The Basket”
United States, 1999
Dir.: Rich Cowan
Prod.: Rich Cowan
Cast: Karen Allen, Robert Karl Burke, Peter Coyote, Amber Willenborg
Running time: 105 minutes
A picturesque Pacific Northwest community, still reeling from World War
I, turns into a social battleground when new school teacher introduces a
new game called basketball.
1 p.m.
“Comanche”
Dir.: Burt Kennedy
Running time: 29 minutes
True story of gallant 7th Cavalry horse that was the lone survivor of
Little Big Horn battle. Attended by director and cast
“Harrington’s Notes”
Huntington Beach, 2000
World premiere
Dir.: John Mark Maio
Prod.: William Malkin
Cast: Melissa Lewis, Jeffrey Vandenburgh
Running time: 101 minutes
Naturalist and environmental activist turns against the tradition of his
ancestors to become a successful strip-mining entrepreneur
3:15 p.m.
“Turn the Page”
Sweden, 2000
Dir.: Johan Sandberg
Running Time: 12 minutes
A middle-age stripper with young daughter to support gets desperate
“Under the Sun”
Sweden, 1998
Dir.: Colin Nutley
Prod.: Colin Nutley
Cast: Helena Bergstrom, Rolf Lassgard, Johan Widerberg
Running time: 118 minutes
Oscar-nominated this year for best foreign film
5:30 p.m.
“Starry Night”
United States/Britain,1999
Dir.: Paul Davids
Prod.: Hollace and Paul Davids, Felicity Newman, Anil Urmil
Cast: Abbott Alexander, Sally Kirkland, Lou Wagner, Lisa Waltz
Running time: 102 minutes
Modern fable begins in 1885, as Vincent van Gogh paints “The Potato
Eaters” in Holland.
7:45 p.m.
“Great Expectations”
United Kingdom, 1946
Dir.: David Lean
Prod.: Anthony Havelock-Allan, Ronald Neame
Cast: Alec Guinness, Valerie Hobson, John Mills, Jean Simmons, Anthony
Wager
Running time: 118 minutes
Attended by cinematographer Guy Green and other cast and crew members.
Ranked fifth on the British Film Institute’s list of Best 100 British
Films; called the greatest of all films of Dickens stories.
o7 Gala
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Land Rover, Newport Beach
(Ride to Land Rover via double-decker bus from Edwards Island Cinema)
How much: Movie and gala, $30f7
10 p.m.
“The Intern”
United States, 1999
West Coast premiere
Dir.: Michael Lange
Prod.: Galt Neiderhoffer, Daniela Soto-Taplin, Etchie Stroh
Cast: Kathy Griffin, Peggy Lipton, Ben Pullen, Joan Rivers, Dominique
Swain
Running time: 90 minutes
Screened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Attended by director.
Story of Jocelyn Bennett, overworked and underpaid intern, and her
Cinderella-like ascent from the mailroom to the boardroom at ultra-hip
fashion magazine, Skirts.
* ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
SHORT FILMS
10 a.m. to noon
“In God We Trust”
United States
Dir.: Jason Reitman
Robert reads the words In God We Trust on a quarter when he gets hit by a
truck
“Exo-Skeleton”
United States
Dir.: Greg Pyros
Time to put some meat on those bones
“Who’s Dancin’ Now?”
United States
Dir.: Judy KinbergSchoolchildren enrolled in the National Dance Institute
ANIMATION
Noon to 1 p.m.
“The Making of Interplay’s ‘Messiah’ ”
Creator: David Perry
Video-game developer Perry discusses his latest game, as well as the
industry’s growth and crossover into films.
1 to 2:30 p.m.
SOUND AND VISION
o7 An international restrospective of seven decades of works that fuse
animation with music.f7
“Sound and Vision Opening”
England, 1980
Creator: Ian Emes
Animation based on the art of M.C. Escher
“Spiritual Constructions”
Germany, 1927
Creator: Oskar Fischinger
Wildly bizarre film originally played the silent movie theater circuit to
piano accompaniment
“What’s Opera, Doc?”
United States, 1957
Creator: Chuck Jones
Reduction of Wagner’s 14-hour “Ring of Nibelung” to six minutes, with new
lyrics.
“Pas de Deux”
Canada, 1967
Creator: Norman McLaren
Study of grace between two ballet dancers
“French Windows”
England, 1974
Creator: Ian Emes
Surreal tour de force set to Pink Floyd’s instrumental “One of These
Days”
“Bolero”
Italy, 1976 Creator: Bruno Bozzetto
Whimsical fantasy on evolution of life, set to Ravel’s compositions
“Furies”
United States, 1978
Creator: Sara Petty
Pet Cubist abstractionism cats run and play in rhythm to music.
“Seaside Woman”
England, 1980
Creator: Oscar Grillo
Charming Caribbean fantasy set to upbeat reggae-influenced song Linda
McCartney recorded with Wings.
“Lakme”
France, 1993
Creator: Pascal Roulin
Two computer-animated hands with long fingers symbolize variety of
animals
“1001 Nights”
Japan, 1998 Creator: Amano Yoshitaka
Love story from ancient Arabian folk tales
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
“Computer Animation Showcase”
Roundup of the very best computer animation art in the world and a sneak
peek into the future, including never-seen footage from upcoming
releases.
3:30 to 5 p.m.
o7 “Academy Award Live Action Short Films,” with three of this year’s
Oscar nominees.
f7
“My Mother Dreams The Satan’s Disciples Are In New York”
Dir.: Barbara Schock and Tamara Tiehel
Mother/daughter/biker comedy about a Midwestern housewife who travels to
Manhattan for the first time.
“Kleingeld” (“Small Change”)
German language, English subtitles
Dir.: Marc-Andreas Bochert, Gabriele Lins
Tragicomedy of businessman and panhandler
“Killing Joe”
Dir.: Mehdi Norowzian
Assassination of JFK brings family’s anger and desire to a boil
5 to 7 p.m.
“It’s a Family Thing”
Dramatic shorts, comedies and suspense films, peeling back truth of
family life
“Every Day Here”
United States
Dir.: Fraser Bradshaw
In aftermath of a hateful fight, a woman and her son are confronted by
their hate and fear
“Allerd Fishbeins in Love”
United States
Dir.: Danny Greenfield
Lack of coordination, nausea, bar mitzvahs -- comedy about the first big
crush
“Paradosis”
United States
West Coast premiere
Dir.: Trevor Jenkins
Old man’s nutcracker becomes center of story about love, charity and
tradition
“David Proshker”
United States
Dir.: Larry Eisenberg
Young boy’s obsession with his father’s past
“Babie”
United States
Dir.: Jonathan Michals
Fired from an “incredibly exciting” job, the filmmaker takes a trip to
Pittsburgh to catch up with an old friend
“Something Close to Heaven”
United States
Dir.: Dustin Lance Black
Boy’s struggle with sexual awakening in small Texas neighborhood during
1986 Kadafi crisis
“Vigilance”
United States
Dir.: Daniel Lawrence
Man tries to catch angel of death who has come for his dying father
7 to 9 p.m.
o7 “Hollywood Shorts Film Festival”Special presentation of L.A.’s
emerging directors and their productions, with short subject, film, video
and animation works. Q&A; follows with the filmmakers hosted by Kimberley
Browning.
f7
“Luz,” United States
Dir.: Jose Javier Martinez
Young girl’s animated adventure leads her through her village streets, to
another dimension
“Crickets and Potatoes”
United States
Dir.: Graham Streeter
Existentialism and intellect collide over dreaded Christmas dinner
“Frank in Five”
United States
Dir.: Graham Streeter
Frank becomes a star in groovy disco world.
“Chuck”
United States
Dir.: Alex Turner
Dark comic psychological tale set in mid-’60s of door-to-door salesman
and his mysterious obsession
“A Short Wait Between Trains”
United States
Dir.: Rick Wilkinson
Four World War II Negro soldiers return home to discover their battle is
not ended
“Absence,” United States
Dir.: David Rosenthal
Lonely man meets enchanting apparition in the forest
“Angel’s Baby”
United States
Dir.: Jeff Fisher and Cornelia Ryan
Two lonely people. Two angels who need a vacation. Could love be just
around the corner?
“L.A.dies Room L.A.”
United States
Dir.: Eric Simonson
Brief encounter in ladies’ room becomes obsession for two women in L.A.
restaurant
“Stalker Guilt Syndrome”
United States
Dir.: Jonah Kaplan
Man’s walk home from New York subway shows what guys are really thinking
“True”
United States
Dir.: Charles Stone III
Interpersonal communication is centerpoint of special moment between
close friends.
9 to 11 p.m.
“Super, Super 8, 2000”Southern California premiere
Eclectic selection of handcrafted Super 8 wonders; portions with live
musical accompaniment
Untitled Animation
By Mark Fox
A puppet’s voyage into a mystical world; live music
“Spring Flavor”
By Ken Paul Rosenthal
Hand-processed visual poem.
“After Morning”By Kelly O’Brien
Struggle a woman faces “the morning after”
“Degree Zero”
By Te-Shun Tseng
Accompanied by live music
“No Time for Shopping”By Reed O’Beirne
Documentary of the World Trade Organization protests in Seattle; live
music
“The Diggins”
By Christian Bruno, Natalija Vekic
Pure beauty of couple in love
“Pervert in the Pool”
By Martha Colburn
An animated film composed of paper cutouts
“Tabernacle”
By Tony Gault
Man’s reconciliation with world around him
“Take me home”
By Matt Hulse
Frenetic journey seen through filmmakers’ eyes
Untitled
By Patrick Nguyen
A love story
10 p.m.
o7 Shorts Party Bash!
f7
--------------
SUNDAY
FEATURE FILMS
* EDWARDS ISLAND 7 CINEMAS
11 a.m.
“Tom’s Midnight Garden”
United States/United Kingdom, 1998
Dir.: Willard Carroll
Prod.: Charles Salmon, Adam Shapiro, Tom Wilhite
Cast: Joan Plowright, Greta Scacchi, James Wilby
Running time: 107 minutes
Attended by director
Boy goes back to childhood home
1 p.m.
“Manuelita”
Argentina, 1999
U.S. premiere
Dir.: Manuel Garcia Ferre
Prod.: Carlos Mentasti
Cast: Rosario Sanchez Almada, Pelusa Suero
Running time: 86 minutes
Woman gives up glamorous life abroad, returns home to love of family and
friends
3:15 p.m.
“Ave Maria”
Mexico-Spain, 1999
Dir.: Eduardo Rossoff
Prod.: Andrea Kreuzhage, Eduardo Rossoff
Cast: Damian Alcazar, Demian Bichir, Juan Diego Botto, Ana Ofelia
Murguia, Alfredo Sevilla, Tere Lopez Tarin, Ana Torrent
Running time: 102 minutes
Attended by director
Inspiring fable of faith, love and freedom, with hero in the tradition of
Joan of Arc.
5:30 p.m.
“Sweet Smell of Success”
United States, 1957
Dir.: Alexander Mackendrick
Prod.: James Hill II
Cast: Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison, Burt Lancaster
Running time: 96 minutes
Attended by Tony Curtis and other cast and crew members
Vicious, no-holds-barred portrait of Manhattan gossip columnists’ world,
based on “Tell Me About It Tomorrow”
o7 Post-premiere gala
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Daily Grill, 957 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach
How much: Movie and gala, $30
Phone: (949) 644-2223
f7
7:45 p.m.
“Catfish and Blackbean Sauce”
United States, 1999
West Coast premiere
Dir.: Dhi Muoi Lo
Prod.: Chi Myoi Lo
Cast: Mary Alice, Kieu Chinh, Lauren Tom, Paul Winfield
Running Time: 107 minutes
Grand Prize for Best Feature Film and Audience Choice Award at 1999
Florida Film Festival and 32nd annual Worldfest Houston International
Film Festival
Theatrical release scheduled June 2.
10 p.m.
“Shi Ri”
Korea, 1999 U.S. premiere
Dir.: Kang, Jegyu
Prod.: Jackie Kwak, Kang Jegyu
Special agents of South Korea’s top intelligence service investigate
death of arms smuggler
* ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
SHORT FILMS
10 a.m. to noon
“Dreamer”
“Coming to Light”
Noon to 2 p.m.
“The Asian Cinema Series”
“The Best of NYU”
Selection of award winners
“Sky Above, Heaven Below”
United States
Dir.: Chi Chi Chang
With a dream, you can fly
“Rosewater”
United States
Dir.: Kimi Takesue
Man struggles to cultivate beauty in surreal urban world
“The Water Ghost”
United States
Dir.: Elizabeth Sung
Mystical encounter with spirit trapped under waters of forbidden lake
“Ice Fishing”
United StatesDir.: Alexandra Kondracke
While dealing with his mother’s attempts to find a husband, lonely boy
finds reality
“Secret Asian Man”
United States
Dir.: Mike Sakamoto
Fame, success and self-determination -- a street musician realizes
American dream
“Sound Asleep”
United States
Dir.: Pagan Harleman
Intimate portrait of love and loss
INDEPENDENTS
2 to 4 p.m.
o7 “Dances With Films”
If you’re at all famous, take heed of Festival of the Unknowns’ creed:
“No Stars! No Politics! No Sh*t!”; Q&A; follows, hosted by Leslee Scallon
and Michael Trent f7
“Annie Paul”
United states
World premiere
Dir.: Michael Levine
Man, 30, achieves his dream audition as Annie
“Clown Car”
United States
World premiereDir.: David Garrett
Two clowns breakdown in desert with nothing to live on but cream pies and
seltzer water
“Cream Puff”
United States
Dir.: Jared Seide
Exploration of craving for power of intimacy and grace of love beyond
affliction
“Requiem”
United States
Southwest premiere
Dir.: Roy Unger
In dark future where love is a crime, man rages against machine
“A Hollow Place”
United States
Dir.: Joseph Anaya
Working as maid, nurse and cook to bed-ridden, wealthy old man, woman
struggles to escape from oppression
“The Light of Darkness”
United States
World premiere
Dir.: Michael Cargile
Pretty white woman runs out of gas in middle of nowhere, is confronted by
a homeless black man. Neither will forget encounter.
“Sway”
United States
World premiere
Dir.: Mickael Kreuzriegler
The Amazon, 1938: Jungle fantasy of danger, romance, and seduction
“Titler”
United States
World premiere
Running time: 5 minutes
Everything nobody wants to see all at once
SHORT FILMS
4 to 6 p.m.
o7 Kimberley Browning, executive director of the “Hollywood Shorts Film
Festival,” hosts a lineup of eight comedic, dramatic and animated
award-winning short films.
f7
“Oil and Vinegar”
United StatesDir.: Mike Blum
A bottle each of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and their culinary tragic
love story
“The King and Me”
United States
Dir.: Pamela Dresser
If you were the illegitimate child of Elvis Presley, would you really
want to know?
“Living Forever”
United States
Dir.: Gary Goldberger, Peter Reynolds
Young boy meets a man and gives him the secret to longer life
“The Unique Oneness of a Christian Savage”
South Africa
Dir.: Jennifer Uzzi
Two boys and their interracial friendship against the backdrop South
African civil unrest
“Boing”
United States
Dir.: Jeff Daly
Young boy discovers a beautiful animated world with the stroke of a
crayon
“La Femme Balloon”
United States
Dir.: Dan Lopez
Tribute to French cinema; the wonders and horrors of being in love.
“Still Revolutionaries”
United States
Dir.: Sienna McLean
Award-winning documentary examines roles of women in Black Panther civil
rights organization during 1970s uprisings
“The Deep”
France
Dir.: Olivier Klein
Eleven men and women miners and three children are stuck after an
explosion with no rescue in sight
FEATURE SPECIALS
6 to 8 p.m.
“Impala”
“Backroads”
8 to 9 p.m.
“Awakening”
“Five Feet High and Rising”
United States
Dir.: Peter Sollett
Sexual awakening of 12-year-old boy in New York City’s Lower East Side
“Araby”
United States
Dir.: Dennis J. Courtney
Boy’s romantic quest through Dublin streets becomes religious
pilgrimage; based on James Joyce short story
9 to 11 p.m.
o7 Two hours of totally twisted hits; Q&A; follows with fellow twistoid,
Scott Forrest of “Smash Cuts!”
f7
“Shock Asylum”
United States
Dir.: Dan Dinello and Paul Dinello
Black comic tale of routine psychological evaluation gone horribly awry
“Life History of a Star”
United States
Dir.: Jennifer Gentile
Fun in the desert
“Crime Scene Cleaners: The New Entrepeneurs”
United States
World premiere
Dir.: David J. Sperling
Dark comedic look at company that specializes in cleanup of homicides,
suicides and accidental deaths
“Dig a Hole, Find a Finger”
United States
Dir.: Evan Bergman
Emmy and Obie award-winning writer John Ford Noonan’s study of two women:
poetic yet harsh examination of personal courage and mental illness
“What’s Up?”
United States
Dir.: Maria Bowen, Chris Clements, Michelle Giancola and Julie Goldman
Not all the struggles in life are glorious
“Night Deposit”
United States
Dir.: Monica Mitchell
Because you can’t always get to the bank
“Das Clown”
United States
Dir.: Tom E. Brown
Sparkles, 2-foot-tall antique clown doll comes to life one story night
but is not the loving son owner wanted
“Martha Colburn’s Twisted Animated Series Bonus”
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