53rd Festival returns to Belcourt Theater, and adds TPAC and Franklin Theatre. THE RETURN OF TANYA TUCKER, a moving chronicle of the country star’s triumphant return to the stage, selected as Opening Night Film
From the film, “The Return of Tanya Tucker.” – Tanya Tucker (L) and Brandi Carlile (R) photo courtesy Sony Pictures Classics.
The 53rd Nashville Film Festival, a week-long celebration of film, music, and culture, will take place in person at Nashville’s premier arts venues through film screenings, panels, and events, September 29 through October 5, 2022.
Live screenings will take place at the historic Belcourt Theater and the Andrew Johnson Theater at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville and the historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, TN. The Nashville Film Festival will present more than 125 film screenings, a selection of post-film Q&As, and in-depth discussions with attending filmmakers.
The 53rd Nashville Film Festival will open with a red carpet premiere screening of THE RETURN OF TANYA TUCKER, the moving new documentary by Kathlyn Horan chronicling the collaboration between Brandi Carlile, Shooter Jennings, and Tanya Tucker for the latter’s triumphant return to the stage. From Sony Pictures Classics, The Return of Tanya Tucker enjoyed a world premiere at SXSW earlier this year; special guests attending Nashville Film Festival’s opening night screening and event will be announced at a later date.
The full slate of films and programs selected for the 53rd Nashville Film Festival will be announced in August.
Beyond the traditional in-person film festival screening, NashFilm will again host events and programs that highlight the many aspects of filmmaking, including a Screenwriting Competition (September 30-October 6); a Music Supervisors Program (virtual panels, workshops, and more, September 29-October 1); the Creators Conference (film industry panels and conversations, September 30 – October -2); and live music performances and new artist showcases throughout the week.
After party at the 50th Nashville Film Festival (Photo courtesy of NashFilm)
Celebrating innovation, music, and the many visions of the human spirit through the art of film, each year the Nashville Film Festival discovers elevates and honors filmmakers, screenwriters, and musicians from Tennessee and around the world while engaging, connecting, and strengthening the Nashville community. VIP Badges are now on sale for the Nashville Film Festival. For more information and to purchase passes, visit www.nashvilefilmfestival.org.
The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally recognized nonprofit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films, and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music, and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States and will host its 53rd festival from September 29-October 5, 2022. For more information, visit www.nashfilm.org.
The 51st Nashville Film Festival’s Special Presentation, O Brother Where Art Thou? Twentieth Anniversary Music Tribute presented by Variety and Peer Music, epitomizes “what the Nashville Film Festival is all about – the importance of film, music, and culture.” Those were the words echoed by the Nashville Film Festival’s Executive Director, Jason Padgitt, as he and Heather Cook, Nashville Film Festival’s Senior Music Event Producer, and Director, Marketing and Brands, peermusic, both introduced the hour and fifty-two-minute special presentation. In my experience, no truer words were ever spoken.
The film, O’ Brother Where Art Thou?, is a loose interpretation of the Homeric epic poem, The Odyssey. O’ Brother Where Art Thou? was directed and produced by the Coen Brothers, Ethan and Joel, and followed their 1990s films Fargo and The Big Lebowski. Fargo received critical acclaim earning the brothers an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay while The Big Lebowski received mixed reviews at release. But no one could have predicted what Entertainment Tonight (ET) had to say about O Brother Where Art Thou? As the film was released in January of 2000, ET claimed it was the worst film of the year. And, since it was a new decade, ET called it the worst film of the decade. And since it was a new century and new millennium….well, you get the idea.
Yet, over the years, the Coen Brothers’ film has become known as a film classic as it deals with racial tensions, poverty, the need for criminal justice reform, greedy evangelicals, and government overreach. In addition, O’ Brother Where Art Thou?, set in the Deep South during the Depression years, quickly turned the tables for the Americana movement musically. O’ Brother Where Art Thou?‘s music was drawn primarily from songs written in the 1920s and 1930s by the Carter family and other older folk songs that have stood the test of time. Surprisingly, the music was selected first (before filming) with Producer/songwriter T-Bone Burnett brought in to oversee the recording and consequently, the dubbing process. And, as history would have it, the genesis of the Americana folk music movement flashed across America’s screens with the soundtrack from O’ Brother Where Art Thou? Americana had always been in the ether but now it becomes official following the release of O’ Brother Where Art Thou? And, with the formation of the Americana Music Association Foundation in June of 2000, new music labels, careers, and performers were spawned.
To propel and heighten the Americana movement into the mainstream, the T-Bone Burnett produced soundtrack from O Brother took home Album of the Year at the 2002 Grammys. In addition, Dr. Ralph Stanley garnered Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “O Death,” and Harley Allen, Pat Enright, and Dan Tyminski (The Soggy Bottom Boys) captured Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “I am a Man of Constant Sorrow.” Moreover, at the Country Music Association Awards, the album took home the Album of the Year (the second soundtrack ever to do so) and Single of the Year Award for “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow.” O’ Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack also won the Academy of Country Music Awards’ Album of the Year and garnered Album of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year with Allison Krause and Gillian Welch on “I’ll Fly Away.” Interestingly, the album continues in popularity today as it has been streamed more than 200 million times since 2006 and has sold ten million album copies.
And, anyone who’s been to Nashville knows every singer/songwriter has a story behind the song he/she is about to sing. You can call it a part of Southern Hospitality. And, Dan Tyminski is no exception. Mr. Tyminiski was the first performer of the tribute and sat on a barstool and spoke about his rendition of “I am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” and then proceeded to perform the song. The acoustics and recording system in the bar was excellent and later in the tribute, Carlene Carter, daughter of June Carter Cash, Tiffany Anastasia Lowe, grandaughter of June Carter Cash, performed “Keep On The Sunny Side.” Carlene Carter mesmerized with her deep, compelling, and resonate voice. Other performances included Dualtone Records & peermusic Recording Artist Kathleen Edwards’ rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” Actor/musician Chris Thomas King performed “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues,” and “Didn’t Leave Nobody but the Baby,” received the vocal excellence of Allison Krause, Gillian Welch, and Emmylou Harris.
Left to right, Emmylou Haris, Gillian Welch, and Allison Krause performing “Didn’t Leave Nobody but the Baby,” during O’ Brother Where Art Thou? Twentieth Anniversary Tribute screening virtually at the 51st Nashville Film Festival, October 1, 2020,
As wonderful as the performers were and are, it was the space in-between with conversations between Variety Executive Vice President, Global Content, Steven Gaydos led with T-Bone Burnett, with actors John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, and George Clooney, with Emmylou Harris, with Actor/musician Chris Thomas King, with Elizabeth Ann Peer, Creative Administrator, peermusic and Peer Family Genealogist, with Rita Forrester, Granddaughter of A.P. and Sara Carter, and with Scott Robinson, CEO/Co-Founder, Dualtone music, that elevated the O’ Brother Where Art Thou? Twentieth Anniversary Music Tribute. A must-see selection!
Reviewed by Larry Gleeson as part of the Opening Night Presentation of the virtual 51st Nashville Film Festival “featuring the finest in films, music, and culture.”
During the Disco Era of the late 1970s, no one was bigger than the Bee Gees (the Brothers Gibb), a band composed of brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb. They seemed to be everywhere – on the radio, in the theatre (with six of ten songs on the second-biggest selling soundtrack of all-time from the 1977 film, Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta), guest appearances on television talk shows, and…..their music was danced to several times a night in disco clubs across the globe.
The film opens with archival footage of the Bee Gees’ performance at the Oakland Coliseum in 1979 at arguably the pinnacle of their career success. From here Marshall explores who the Bee Gees are and what they embodied as performers. The film is very reflective in a non-linear manner. Drawing heavily from voice-over narration, archival footage, along with black and white stills, Marshall etches a portrait of the young Gibb brothers fascinated by the fame and popularity of the Beatles and captures the arrival of the Bee Gees’ first album, “Spicks and Specks,” recorded in Australia.
With a nice touch, Marshall adds Noel Gallagher, of the global supergroup, Oasis, and more recently, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, to provide some insightful commentary on early Bee Gee music as classical 60’s guitar pop sound and the remarkable resemblance to the Beatles. Yet, Gallagher adds a poetic comment citing the vocal gift of brothers singing in harmony – “an added instrumentation that no one else can buy” of the uniqueness of the brothers’ familial harmonized vocals. “You can’t buy it. It’s not like you can go down to the shop and buy it like a Stratocaster and run Buddy Holly through it.” In a direct testimonial, Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers also adds insight into performing and living with brothers and “the heightened emotionality that comes into play.”
In a series of interviews from 1999, the Brothers Gibb open up reflecting on their career as brotherly musicians that spanned four decades at the time of the interviews. Barry, the oldest brother, and fun-loving brother, Robin, had a very public sibling rivalry leading to Robin quitting the band on March 19th, 1969. Brother Maurice dubbed himself “the peacemaker, as he was often made into “the go-between.” Marshall utilizes a montage of newspaper headlines combined with voice-over narration from the brothers to help explain what was happening and how they were feeling about the situation.
Deftly, Marshall repeats an earlier technique in having Noel Gallagher comment on the fraternal dynamic as being a band’s greatest strength and its greatest weakness. The band suffered immensely during this time and seemed to be treading water until reinventing its sound in America with a 1975 album Main Course that topped the Canadian music charts and peaked in the US at number 14. The group’s popularity surged with its 1976, follow-up, Platinum-selling album, Children of the World, and with the 1977 Saturday Night Fever, the roof came off. The run culminated with the 1979 album Spirits Having Flown, a best-selling, chart-topper in the US, Canada, and the UK.
In addition to Gallagher and Jonas, other noteworthy performers interviewed on the music and band were musician/actor/producer Justin Timberlake, Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin, solo performer of Fleetwood Mac heydays, Lindsay Buckingham, Alice Cooper, and band manager Robert Stigwood. Timberlake provided a commentary of the Bee Gee’s vocals as brass instrumentation. Martin spoke to the backlash that derailed the Bee Gee’s phenomenal global superstardom – the first band to achieve the status according to martin. Cooper and Buckingham delivered timely remarks on the music culture during the Bee Gee’s heyday as the “Kings of Disco.” Stigwood addressed the business side of managing the band and the small number of songs radio stations played in rotation – one of the vital components leading to the over-saturation and ultimate backlash of the Bee Gee’s culminating in Chicago disc jockey Chris Dahl blowing up disco tapes and records to a massive crowd at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois.
The backlash took a heavy toll on the band as they never regained their popularity. In a 2019 pensive and soul-searching clip of Barry Gibb walking a narrative, voice-over echoes the price of fame. Perception is reality as Barry often feels alone as his bandmates and brothers have all passed away including youngest brother, Andy Gibb. Andy idolized his brothers and Barry helped Andy get his solo career off the ground. Andy Gibb had an explosive solo career mimicking his brothers’ disco style and his number one Billboard hit, “Shadow Dancing,” could easily pass for a Bee Gees song. Andy Gibb died in 1988 at the age of 30.
The Bee Gees: How Do You Mend A Broken Heart is informative, entertaining, and heartwrenching. Frank Marshall reveals not only the heart and soul of the band and its music but also the power dynamic that shaped and molded the group’s enormous and impactful musical legacy. Highly recommended.
New Model Will Expand Audience Reach and Increase Accessibility While Delivering a Safe & Enjoyable Festival Experience
*Featured photo: St Louis, Missouri, NashFilm fans, Kate and Jan Rogers pose for a photo at the 50th Nashville Film Festival, October 5th, 2019. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson)
The Nashville Film Festival today announced its plans to shift to a virtual model for this year’s event, which will take place from October 1-7, 2020. This year’s festival will be the most accessible version to audiences yet, and both filmmakers and film lovers will be given unique opportunities to connect and enjoy digital screenings, panels, filmmaker Q&As, musical performances, and other original content online.
The festival altered its format to ensure it could produce a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees in light of evolving health & safety protocols related to the coronavirus. The virtual festival will feature more than 200 films and include Creators Conference panels, Q&As and other exclusive content that will bring the magic of the Nashville Film Festival to attendees from the comfort and safety of their homes. As part of the new format, “virtual social” opportunities will connect audience members directly with filmmakers and other film fans to discuss their favorite movies.
Jason Padgitt, NashFilm Executive Director
“Like many other live events around the world, we’ve had to adapt to prioritize the safety, comfort and well-being of our community,” said Jason Padgitt, Nashville Film Festival executive director. “This year has given us an opportunity to think creatively about how we can make the festival more accessible and innovative than ever before, and we are excited to deliver a memorable experience that honors all the reasons we’ve become known as a premier event for content creators and film enthusiasts.”
The festival, which is now in its 51st year, will continue to deliver the world’s best independent films and provide a showcase for Tennessee’s most talented filmmakers. The full program and film lineup will be announced in August 2020.
Updated Virtual VIP Badge options are now available at nashfilm.org.
The 50th Anniversary of the Nashville Film Festival has come and gone. New friends were made. Good times were had. And, most importantly, wonderful films were shared.
The 2019 Nashville Film Festival featured over 300 of the year’s best independent films from all over the world. But the one that captured my heart was Nashville’s own Bluebird, Brian Loschiavo’s mesmerizing documentary about The Bluebird Cafe, an accidental landmark that changed the course of music history with its Sunday audition nights and implementation of the “in The Round” method, whereby, writers sit in the center of The Bluebird singing, taking turns and telling stories. A must-see!
JoJoRabbit opened the festival and set the bar for quality entertainment. The Opening Night Party piggybacked onto Taika Waititi’s moving WWII drama, featuring Scarlett Johansson, Roman Griffin Thomas, and Thomasin McKenzie, with a celebration at The Clementine. Executive Director Jason Padgitt welcomed festivalgoers and without adieu, turned the satge over to some of Nashville’s hot, rising talent. If there’s one thing in particular, Nashville does well, it’s entertain!
Singer/songwriter Lauren Jenkins performs at The Clementine to kick off the 50th Anniversary of the Nashville Film Festival. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson)
Out of the fire and into the ashes, a phoenix rising in the form of the Creators Conference ushered in opening weekend with its combined mojo of professional development and festival-style kinetic energy. Friday, October 4, 2019, Evolve Studio, a start-up venture from brothers, Joel and Jessie Edwards, who shared their exerience and hope working and creating in Nashville, personified the Creators spirit.
Friday night Chuck Berry, directed by Ron Brewer, made its world premiere at the 50th Anniversary of the Nashville Film Festival, Friday, October 4, 2019, Regal Hollywood ScreenX & RPX Cinema – Nashville. Berry, an extraordinary entertainer, ushered in the era of rock-n-roll, with a showmanship that has often been imitated and rarely duplicated. Rock legend, Alice Cooper appeared in the film saying Mr. Berry created a blueprint for what rock-n-roll should be with his pioneering style. Highly recommended!
The Berry Family on the red carpet at the 50th Nashville Film Festival (Photo courtesy of NashFilm)The Berry Family on the red carpet at the 50th Nashville Film Festival (Photo courtesy of NashFilm)
Saturday was highlighted by a keynote panel with HBO’s Len Amato and Evyen J. Klean, providing key insights into how ideas are chosen by the network giant and brought to life. Johnathon Shcaech and Jessica Barth’s #METOO panel, and an all-star comedy panel were just a few highlights from day three.
The girls from NashFilm’s Living Reel Project debuted their song and short created for the festival. The Livin’ Reel Program, gives at-risk teens a hands-on experience in filmmaking and songwriting. During the project, a group of teens dedicates after-school hours to write a song telling the story of their strength and the struggles they have overcome. By the end of their production week, they have a finished song and a short film documenting their entire process. This film is then taken on the road to the Nashville Film Festival and various TV/radio interviews where their work and proven strength within adversity is celebrated.
‘Who’s The Girl? The Ashley Cleveland’ had a sell-out crowd on day four.
Cast of Who’s the Girl? at the 50th Anniversary of the Nashville Film Festival (Photo by Donny Evan)The Music Supervisors at the 50th Nashville Film Festival Opening Night After Party (Photo courtesy of NashFilm)
For Turner, the event allowed for a sense of closure. “The Nashville Film Festival was the perfect place to premiere what’s Eating Ralphie May? Nashville was one of Ralphie’s favorite cities but even more significant is that the premiere took place on the day after the two year anniversary of Ralphie’s passing. Ralphie would have been very proud that we were able to remember and honor him with this amazing film.
For me the premiere allowed me to close some doors and open new ones. I haven’t been back to Nashville since having to do some very painful things like clean out our home, so it felt really nice to return to a town that I love so much to celebrate and create new happy memories.”
Rhinehart echoed, “I thought Nashville’s 50th was the perfect time and place to premiere. Ralphie loved Nashville – and he talks about it in the film. I could tell the audience felt that affinity – so I couldn’t imagine a better fit. Ralphie would have been proud.”
What’s Eating Ralphie May won an audience award and received a third screening with the Best of Fest lineup, Saturday, August 12th. Highly recommended!
Comedian Lahna Turner, left, and Filmmaker Cat Rhinehart on the red carpet, October 7th, 2019, at the 50th Anniversary of the Nashville Film Festival. (Photo credit: Donny Evan)
The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash also screened at 6 pm. posing quality of life issues for many festivalgoers, including myself. I put this one on my list of films to see and it received tearful admiration from more than one fan.
John Carter Cash on the red carpet at the 50th Anniversary of the Nashville Film Festival (Photo by Donny Evan)
NashFilm also hosted the Tennessee premiere of Bluebird with Amy Grant, Tenille Townes, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Callie Khouri, Ruby Amanfu, Tony Arata, Dave Barnes, Steve Buchanan, Gary Burr, Roger Cook, Barry Dean, Tom Douglas, Mark Germino, Don Henry, Claude Kelly, Luke Laird, and more coming out to support the Nashville film. Filmmaker Brian A. Loschiavo welcomed the sold-out house with an outpouring of emotion, “This is so overwhelming to see a spirited group in the room with songwriters and bluebirds as we make our official Nashville premiere. There is a real community in this town (Nashville). Thank you for coming out to hear and see the music and songs. We are family.”
The filmmaking team of Bluebird on the red carpet at the 50th Nashville Film Festival (Photo credit by Donny Evan)The ABC Nashville television series star and producer team on the red carpet for the Tennessee premiere of Bluebird at the Nashville Film Festival (Photo by Donny Evan)
The Screenwriting Competition took place on Tuesday with over 1600 entries. A slew of readers provided a treatment of all the finalists’ work. Mo Morgan took honors in the Narrative Feature and Kelly Anelons took home honors in the Comedy Feature category.
Mo Morgan poses for a photo after receiving the trophy for Best Narrative Feature for his screenplay, Sight, in the 2019 Nashville Film Festival’s Screenwriting Contest. (Photo courtesy of NashFilm)Kelly Anelons poses for a photo after receiving the trophy for her Best Comedy Feature screenplay, Life’s a Beaut, in the 2019 Nashville Film Festival’s Screenwriting Contest. (Photo courtesy of NashFilm)
Eternal Winter took home the Festival Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature. Beautifully shot film complete with powerful acting and strong production values. Highly recommended. Another top narrative feature, in my opinion, was Alice, a bold and audacious drama delving into the female psyche from start to finish. See the full list of Jury winners here.
The closing night party was held at The Valentine in downtown Nashville. The festival continued into Saturday with the “Best of the Fest” films running all day Saturday, Oct. 12. On the list – HollywoodGlee makes Feedspot Top 20 Hollywood Blogs. Thank you, Anuj Agarwal!
Until next time, I’ll see you at the movies!
About
The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally-recognized non-profit organization and cultural event presenting the best in the world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers.
With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States.
*Featured photo: Larry Gleeson, left, with filmmaker Flavio Alves (The Garden Left Behind) at Best of Fest, Saturday, October 12th, 2019, at the 50th Anniversary Film Festival Nashville. (Photo credit: Giuliana Mignone)
Score Composer Chris Lennertz honored with the 2019 EA Music Nashville Film Festival Composer Award
Howard Shore earns Mike Curb Achievement in Film Music Award
Nashville, Tenn. (October 11, 2019) – The Nashville Film Festival, which kicked off Oct. 3 and runs through Oct. 12 announces the “Best of Fest” audience voted award films as the festival continues through the weekend with the closing night party Friday at The Valentine in downtown Nashville and “Best of the Fest” films running all day Saturday, Oct. 12.
Additionally, two music-related awards were announced to honor leadership in music and film. Score composer Chris Lennertz was presented with the 2019 EA Music Nashville Film Festival Composer Award by Electronic Arts Worldwide Executive Steve Schnur.
Lennertz has written music for some of the world’s greatest storytellers. Whether its soaring heroics for Seth Rogen as a hot dog saving the world in “Sausage Party” or the lush orchestral melodies of Steven Spielberg’s Medal of Honor series…a stark, out of tune gospel piano for Mark Ruffalo’s battle with addiction in “Thanks for Sharing” or futuristic dystopian Americana for J.J. Abrams’ “Revolution,” this classic eclectic ability has now become his signature. He has worked in almost every genre imaginable and spent weeks on Billboard charts. He has an Emmy nomination for the cult hit Supernatural, a Grammy for his arrangements on Ozomatli’s album Street Signs, and an amazing eleven BMI awards for blockbusters like Bad Moms, Horrible Bosses, Ride Along, and more. Equally comfortable on the small screen, on stage, and at festivals, Chris has written eclectic scores for Marvel’s Agent Carter and the smash dark superhero epic The Boys with Amazon Pictures. He has recently expanded further into musical storytelling in his collaborations with Tony award winners Alan Menken, Glenn Slater, and David Zippel as well as artists like Kelly Clarkson, Janelle Monae, Lizzo, Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton, Bebe Rexha, and more. His films have grossed well over a billion dollars worldwide. Chris is also one of the most in-demand composers in video games with hits like Medal of Honor, James Bond, The Godfather, and the Mass Effect series. His passion for education and philanthropy plays a major part in his life serving on the board of Education Through Music Los Angeles and The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation as well as Hands Together in Haiti. He personally launched the Symphony of Hope project after the 2011 earthquake to rally the film music community around the cause.
The Nashville Film Festival also announced Howard Shore as the recipient of the Mike Curb Achievement in Film Music Award. This annual award has been awarded to a leader in film music since 2007 and has previously been awarded to legendary artists including Paul Williams, Gustavo Santalolalla and T Bone Burnett. Mike Curb, a long-time supporter of the Nashville Film Festival, is the former lieutenant governor and acting governor of California, and is one of the most prominent figures in the entertainment world.
2019 NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL AUDIENCE VOTES “BEST OF FEST” FILMS
MINUS ONE – Directed by Tanner Peterson. Small towns have big stories. When 16-year old Sophia goes missing, three teens work tirelessly to find her. Adults and police apparently give up, but the school friends push forward to find her. Truth is in short supply. For Chandler some wounds may never heal.
WHAT’S EATING RALPHIE MAY – Directed by Cat Rhinehart. Filmmaker Cat Rhinehart sets out to make a weight loss documentary on the beloved comedian Ralphie May, who is planning on having lap band surgery the following summer. As she spends the year filming Ralphie, along with his wife and two young children, it becomes clear the larger than life comedian has no intention of losing weight. Ralphie’s wife, fellow comedian Lahna Turner, slowly begins to realize her husband isn’t going to change, and no amount of pressure from her, nor past health scares he’s had, can compel Ralphie to change. Midway through filming, Ralphie decides not to have his scheduled weight loss surgery; a devastating blow to his wife and loved ones. A compromise is made, and a personal trainer is sent on the road with Ralphie during his nationwide tour in the hopes to help the comedian lose weight in lieu of surgery. Ralphie’s demanding tour schedule and pressure to lose weight puts a heavy strain on his relationship with his wife, forming a powder keg that blows while the family is on tour together. After a particularly bad fight with his wife, Lahna takes the children and flies back to their Los Angeles home. Ralphie eventually files for divorce, leaving Lahna to deal with the aftermath of trying to keep the family together. On October 6, 2017, Ralphie unexpectedly died during his residency in Vegas. The film revisits Lahna and the children two years later in an epilogue.
THE PLANTERS – Directed by Alexandra Kotcheff and Hannah Leder This is a radical experiment in feature filmmaking. Two women, starring in and making a film with no on-set crew. ‘The Planters’ is a dark comedy about Martha Plant, an air-conditioning telemarketer who sucks at her job, doesn’t like people but likes to bury stolen treasure in exchange for cash donations. While grieving the loss of her parents, Martha finds unlikely friendship in Sadie Mayflower, a Jesus-loving vagrant with multiple personalities. Martha takes Sadie into her home, gives her a stake in her secret treasure-planting business, and helps her work through her mental illness. In exchange, Sadie helps Martha keep her job, find love, and discover her true voice. But when someone starts stealing her treasure, Martha learns that opening herself up can come with unexpected consequences.
MR. JIMMY — Directed by Peter Michael Dowd. In snowbound Tokamachi, Japan, teenaged Akio Sakurai took refuge in his room, escaping to another world with a pair of headphones and a pile of Led Zeppelin records. Moving to Tokyo, Akio worked as a kimono salesman by day, but by night became “Mr. Jimmy,” adopting the guitar chops and persona of Jimmy Page. For 35 years, Akio recreated vintage Zeppelin concerts note-for-note in small Tokyo clubs, until the “real” Jimmy Page stopped by one night, and Akio’s life changed forever. Inspired by Mr. Page’s ovation, Akio quits his “salaryman” job, leaving behind his family to move to Los Angeles and join “Led Zepagain.” Soon cultures clash and Akio’s idyllic vision of America meets with reality.
CHANGING THE GAME – Directed by Michael Barnett. Filmmaker Michael Barnett’s richly textured documentary illuminates an issue both timely and topical, but at its core captures the warm-hearted, courageous characters living within it. Three resilient transgender high school athletes across the United States fight for their sports titles and combat voices of harassment in their pursuit to compete as themselves. We enter the lives of Sarah Rose Huckman, a spunky skier and teen policymaker in New Hampshire, Andraya Yearwood, a fierce track star slaying her competition, and at the center of our story Mack Beggs, a two-time Texas State Champion wrestler who made front-page headlines for dominating girl’s wrestling while pushing to wrestle other boys. Caught in the center of a national debate on transgender civil rights, these athletes channel the endurance they’ve learned from their sports into their ever more public advocacy battles. Those of us who remember feeling helpless and outcasted against the jeers and aggression of high school bullies will marvel at the perseverance each of these dedicated teens shows in the face of unharnessed vitriol from choruses of parents and pundits alike, developing an emotional maturity far beyond anything their young age should require and inspiring people of all ages to live proudly in their truth. Still, a network of support emerges to bolster their resolve, and despite the extreme anger of their opposition, each of these young forces of nature triumphantly overcomes hurdle after hurdle in their individual journey to live as their true selves and pursue what they love.
17 BLOCKS – Directed by Davy Rothbart – In 1999, nine-year-old Emmanuel Sanford-Durant and his family began filming their daily lives in America’s most dangerous neighborhood — just 17 blocks behind the U.S. Capitol. They’ve been filming ever since. Made in a unique collaboration with filmmaker and journalist Davy Rothbart, and spanning two decades, 17 BLOCKS illuminates a nation’s ongoing crisis through one family’s raw, stirring, and deeply personal saga.
CLIMATE OF THE HUNTER – Directed by Micky Reece. Two sisters, Alma and Elizabeth, along with a dog who’s described as a “philosopher,” have come to Alma’s remote house to reconnect with Wesley after twenty years. Alma is recently divorced, Elizabeth is a workaholic in Washington, D.C., while Wesley lives in Paris dealing with a wife recently struck with a fatal disease. When the three come together for dinner it has all the makings of a lovely adult melodrama about loneliness, and the desire to connect and share our lives with someone… but we must add to the mix one otherworldly piece of information: Wesley could be a vampire.
MICKEY AND THE BEAR – Directed by Anabelle Attanassio. It’s April in Anaconda, Montana, and headstrong teenager Mickey Peck (Camila Morrone) is doing what she can to keep her single, veteran father (James Badge Dale) afloat, navigating his mercurial moods, opioid addiction, and grief over the loss of his wife. Secretly, Mickey fantasizes of going to college on the west coast and finally living life on her own terms. When Hank’s controlling, jealous behavior turns destructive, Mickey must decide between familial obligation and personal fulfillment as she puts everything on the line to claim her own independence.
In Shorts blocks, TENNESSEE SHORTS 3 and DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 2 were selected for Best of Fest.
Tennessee Shorts 3
Rallentando!
The Brothers Brothers
Two Thousand Dollar Friend
Trapped
Bum One
I Hate Coffee, A Love Story
Clipped
Five Secrets to Mom
A Common Era
They Came Prepared
Black Friday Man
Wrath
The Ghosting of Elise Montgomery
Documentary Shorts 2
A Lovesong for Latasha
Everything You Wanted to Know About Sudden Birth (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Dani
Inferno
Reality Baby
Ai Baba (Love Dad)
Exit 12
ABOUT NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL
The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally-recognized non-profit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film and partners with the Thompson Nashville to host guests from all over the world. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States and will celebrate its 50th Anniversary October 3-12, 2019. For more information, visit www.nashfilm.org.
NARRATIVE FEATURE GOES TO ETERNAL WINTER DIRECTED BY ATTILA SZASZ
PETER DOWD’S MR. JIMMY TAKES REEL MUSIC DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Nashville Film Festival’s Programming Director Lauren Ponto hosted NashFilm Grand Jury Awards Ceremony at the Regal Hollywood 27 and announced the winners of NashFilm’s Grand Jury Prizes for 2019. Robert Torres handled the animated and VR 360 Competition awards. Mario Ramos, CEO and President of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, presented the MeToo awards. Festival sponsor VR PRG’s David Bennett bestowed a $10000 rental package credit upon the Cinematography Award winners.
Nashville Film Festival Executive Director, Jason Padgitt
“The 2019 Nashville Film Festival delivered on the promise of showcasing the very best in film, music and culture this year. We continue to enjoy an amazing mix of films, filmmakers, events and celebrations while showcasing the best of independent film from all over the world and growing platform for all the talented filmmakers here in Tennessee. We are all extremely proud of this year’s festival and offer a special recognition to all of the incredible Grand Jury Prize winners,” commented Nashville Film Festival Executive Director, Jason Padgitt
Grand Jury Prize Winners
NARRATIVE FEATURE: ETERNAL WINTER Directed by Attila Szász
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: DARK SUNSDirected by Julien Elie
NEW DIRECTOR’S FEATURE: THE GARDEN LEFT BEHIND Directed by Flavio Alves
ANIMATED FEATURE: ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE Directed by Raúl de la Fuente, Damian Nenow
REEL MUSIC DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: MR. JIMMY Directed by Peter Dowd
TENNESSEE FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION: TRIGGER Directed by Warren Smythe and Alexandra Sedlak
DOCUMENTARY SHORT: EXIT 12 Directed by Malcolm Pullinger
NARRATIVE SHORT: THE NEIGHBORS’ WINDOW Directed by Marshall Curry
ANIMATED SHORT: WILD LOVE Directed by Paul Autric
EXPERIMENTAL SHORT: CRUDE OILDirected by Christoper Good
TENNESSEE SHORT: JR ROOT Directed by Jonathan Frazier
TENNESSEE STUDENT SHORT: LOSING FACE Directed by Magdalene Kennedy
COLLEGE STUDENT SHORT: KNOCKING DOWN THE FENCES Directed by Megan Shutzer
YOUNG FILMMAKER SHORT: GREY HEART Directed by Theo Tapliz
EPISODIC PILOT: BOOTSTRAPPED Directed by Stephanie Liang
EPISODIC SERIES: TOP DOG Directed by Julia Tokarz
VIRTUAL REALITY AND 360: ACCUSED # 2: WALTER SISULU Directed by Nicolas Champeaux, Giles Porte
GRAVEYARD SHIFT FEATURE: CLIMATE OF THE HUNTER Directed by Mickey Reece
GRAVEYARD SHIFT SHORT: JEFF DRIVES YOU Directed by Aidan Brezonick
The Graveyard Shift is a dimension of the Nashville Film Festival specializing in genre cinema, rigorous art, unconventional stories, and the strange and unusual. The 2019 Nashville Film Festival Graveyard Shift presented additional awards including:
Best Actress Award for star Mary Buss in Mickey Reece’s film CLIMATE OF THE HUNTER
Best Actor Award went to Richard Speight, Jr. for the Mississippi film DRIVEN.
Honorable Mention Award for Feature Film presented to Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen’s documentary SCREAM, QUEEN! MY NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.
Honorable Mention Award in Graveyard Shift Shorts went to Steven Daniels’ BLOOD SPOOK.
The Graveyard Shift Jury presents a Special Prize to documentary subjects Mark Patton (SCREAM, QUEEN! MY NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET) and Joey Ryan (THIS IS WRESTLING: THE JOEY RYAN STORY) for changing discourses, crafting dialogues, and reshaping public narratives in all communities.
Special Awards also announced at the 2019 Nashville Film Festival included:
VER/PRG Cinematography Award to Hannah Leder & Alexandra Kotcheff for the feature film The Planters
Best Original Song Award to Phil Danyew for the song “You and Me Together” from the film The Planters.
NashFilm has hosted world premieres, celebrities, and some of the most talented filmmakers in the industry over the past week to mark the festival’s 50th anniversary. Festivities continues through the weekend with the closing night party Friday and Best of the Fest Films running Saturday.
Manuel has crafted shining outfits for Elvis, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones, and continues to dress the stars of country and rock and roll music to this day. His rhinestone-studded wears still crowd his Nashville shop, and even at 83, Manuel continues to wine and dine late into the Music City nights with his friends. But Manuel still struggles with his legacy, how he’ll be remembered and how his business can evolve in the face of technology shifts. This documentary profiles a conflicted artist, whose dedication to his craft shows the spoils of his prolific work, but also the damage it can leave in its wake. Featuring intimate footage with country music stars like Loretta Lynn and Marty Stuart, the film dives deep into Manuel’s life and career. All the while, Manuel’s undying optimism and love for life shines through, creating an inspiring portrait of a man obsessed with his craft and living life to its fullest. TICKETS
Inside the Rain | Directed by Aaron Fisher
Oct. 11, 7:00 PM
Oct. 12, 1:00 PM
Facing expulsion from college over alleged conduct violations, a bipolar student indulges his misery at a strip club where he befriends a gorgeous, intelligent, outrageous woman and they hatch a madcap scheme to prove his innocence. “Inside the Rain” is an authentic portrait of bipolar disorder and depression, written, directed by and starring Aaron Fisher, who has this mental health disorder. An authentic and heartfelt portrait of bipolar disorder told with humor and compassion. TICKETS
Lost Transmissions | Directed by Katharine O’Brien
Oct. 11: 6:00 PM
Oct. 12: 2:00 PM
At a party in Los Angeles one evening, aspiring songwriter Hannah (Juno Temple) finds herself at the piano, singing nervously alongside Theo (Simon Pegg), an established music producer with an infectiously joyous spirit. Despite Hannah’s self-consciousness, her talent is evident to Theo, who suggests they get together to record some tracks. But just as their friendship and creative partnership are taking off, Theo suddenly changes. He becomes distant and starts talking about secret messages transmitted through radio static. She chases him through Los Angeles, trying to get him into treatment, and comes face-to-face with the frustrating inadequacies of America’s health care system, all while balancing the demands of her own blossoming career writing songs for Dana Lee (Alexandra Daddario), a shiny, pre-packaged pop star in need of a new hit. Premiered at Tribecca.
Nashville Film Festival’s Programming Director Lauren Ponto hosted NashFilm Grand Jury Awards Ceremony yesterday at the Regal Hollywood 27 and announced the winners of NashFilm’s Grand Jury Prizes for 2019. Robert Torres handled the animated and VR 360 Competition awards. Mario Ramos, CEO and President of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, presented the MeToo awards. Festival sponsor VR PRG’s David Bennett bestowed a $10000 rental package credit upon the Cinematography Award winners.
NashFilm has hosted world premieres, celebrities, and some of the most talented filmmakers in the industry over the past week to mark the festival’s 50th anniversary. Festivities continues through the weekend with the closing night party Friday and Best of the Fest Films running Saturday. See below for a list of awardees.
Grand Jury Prize Winners
NARRATIVE FEATURE: ETERNAL WINTER Directed by Attila Szász
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: DARK SUNSDirected by Julien Elie
NEW DIRECTOR’S FEATURE: THE GARDEN LEFT BEHIND Directed by Flavio Alves
ANIMATED FEATURE: ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE Directed by Raúl de la Fuente, Damian Nenow
REEL MUSIC DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: MR. JIMMY Directed by Peter Dowd
TENNESSEE FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION: TRIGGER Directed by Warren Smythe and Alexandra Sedlak
DOCUMENTARY SHORT: EXIT 12 Directed by Malcolm Pullinger
NARRATIVE SHORT: THE NEIGHBORS’ WINDOW Directed by Marshall Curry
ANIMATED SHORT: WILD LOVE Directed by Paul Autric
EXPERIMENTAL SHORT: CRUDE OILDirected by Christoper Good
TENNESSEE SHORT: JR ROOT Directed by Jonathan Frazier
TENNESSEE STUDENT SHORT: LOSING FACE Directed by Magdalene Kennedy
COLLEGE STUDENT SHORT: KNOCKING DOWN THE FENCES Directed by Megan Shutzer
YOUNG FILMMAKER SHORT: GREY HEART Directed by Theo Tapliz
EPISODIC PILOT: BOOTSTRAPPED Directed by Stephanie Liang
EPISODIC SERIES: TOP DOG Directed by Julia Tokarz
VIRTUAL REALITY AND 360: ACCUSED # 2: WALTER SISULU Directed by Nicolas Champeaux, Giles Porte
GRAVEYARD SHIFT FEATURE: CLIMATE OF THE HUNTER Directed by Mickey Reece
GRAVEYARD SHIFT SHORT: JEFF DRIVES YOU Directed by Aidan Brezonick
Tickets are stillavailable for the 2019 Nashville Film Festival!
ABOUT NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL: The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally-recognized non-profit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States and will celebrate its 50th Anniversary October 3-12, 2019. For more information, visit nashfilm.org.
Another big night on the red carpet at the 50th Nashville Film Festival: Actors Clare Bowen & Charles Esten, Musician; Brandon Robert Young; Hit Songwriters Shane McAnally, Luke Laird; Reggae Artist Gramps Morgan, Legend Kathy Matea, NashFest’s own Jason Padgitt, and more!
Photos by Donny Evan
A FULL HOUSE – RESERVE YOUR TICKETS EARLY
EXPLORE THE WORLD AND NEW IDEAS THROUGH
THESE INTRIGUING FILMS
The Song of Names | Directed by Francois Girard
Starring Tim Roth and Clive Owen Sponsored by the Nashville Jewish Film Festival
Thu. Oct 10, 7:00 PM
Martin Simmonds (Tim Roth) is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his extraordinary best friend, a Polish Jewish virtuoso violinist, Dovidl Rapaport, who vanished shortly before the 1951 London debut concert that would have launched his brilliant career. Thirty-five years later, Martin discovers that Dovidl (Clive Owen) may still be alive, and sets out on an obsessive intercontinental search to find him and learn why he left. TICKETS
Honey Boy | Directed by Alma Har’el
Screenplay by Shia LaBeouf; Starring Shia LaBeouf, Tennessee Premier, Sundance
Thu. Oct 10, 8 PM
Honey Boy tells the story of a young actor’s stormy childhood and young adult years as he struggles to reconcile with his father and deal with his mental health. LaBeouf plays a version of his own father, an ex-rodeo clown and a felon. Har’el’s feature narrative is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between filmmaker and subject, exploring art as medicine through the life and times of a talented, traumatized performer who dares to go in search of himself. TICKETS
Once Upon a River | Directed by Haroula Rose
Thu. Oct 10, 5:00 PM
Fri. Oct 11, 3:00 PM
Based upon the best-selling novel by Bonnie Jo Campbell, Once Upon A River tells the story of a Native American teenager, Margo Crane, in 1970s rural Michigan. Margo is forced to journey on the Stark River in search of her estranged mother played by Lindsay Pulsipher (Hatfields & McCoys, True Blood). As she uses the skills she was taught to hunt, survive and fend for herself, Margo strikes an unlikely friendship. She will need to stay true to herself and create her own sense of family. Also featuring Sam Straley (The Kids Are Alright), Ajuawak Kapashesit (Indian Horse) and Kenn E. Head (ER, Chicago Fire), with original songs by Will Oldham, JD Souther, and Rodney Crowell, Peter Bradley Adams and filmmaker Haroula Rose. TICKETS
Dark Suns | Directed by Julien Elie: Tennessee Premiere
Thu Oct 10, 5:30 PM
Fri Oc 11, 12:00 PM
Shot in stark monochrome, Dark Suns chronicles the hundreds of murders of women, journalists, students, and activists in Mexico since the 1990s, and the insidious culture of cartel violence and state corruption behind them. From the notorious femicides in Ciudad Juárez at the northern border to the murders of journalists in Veracruz in the south, director Julien Elie traces a path of organized and unpunished criminality that involves collusion with governments on both sides of the border. TICKETS
Dorien has everything to be happy: a successful husband, two adorable children and a booming veterinary practice. One day, she discovers her mother’s long-running love affair, her husband’s uncomfortable closeness to a colleague, and a lump in her breast. She needs someone to talk to but no one will listen. Is this truly the life she dreamt of? The Best of Dorien B. is a comedy-drama about a woman who rediscovers herself amid the chaos. TICKETS
Climate of the Hunter | Directed by Mickey Reece
Fri. Oct 11, 9:00 PM
Reece’s narratives and characters are complicated and so very human. And, just as you settle into his film, he tilts it “wonderfully off its axis”. Two sisters come to their remote house to reconnect with a friend after twenty years. When the three get together for dinner it has all the makings of a lovely adult melodrama about loneliness and the desire to connect. But then, Reece adds to the mix: Wesley could be a vampire. TICKETS
Brian Loschiavo’s documentary, Bluebird, made it’s Nashville Premiere last night, October 8th, 2019, at the 50th Anniversary of the Nashville Film Festival, receiving a standing ovation for the filmmakers from a sold out Regal Hollywood ScreenX & RPX Cinema – Nashville theatre audience. Loschiavo’s film is about The Bluebird Cafe, an accidental Nashville landmark that changed the course of music history with its Sunday audition nights and implementation of the “in The Round” method, whereby, writers sit in the center of The Bluebird singing, taking turns and telling stories.
After starting out in 1982 as a traditional, upscale, gourmet restaurant business venture by Amy Kurtland, The Bluebird morphed into Nashville’s most famous songwriters club jump starting and launching the careers of countless artists including Taylor Swift, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Kelsea Ballerini, Kasey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Tenille Townes, Pam Tillis and Jason Isbell to name a few – all of whom appear in the film. The documentary also features interviews and/or performances of these stars inside or about their experiences inside The Bluebird.
The genesis of the film emanated from a conversation approximately two and a half years ago between Loschiavo (Riverside Entertainment) and the Bluebird Cafe Manager, Erika Wollam Nichols. While the venue had been portrayed in Callie Khouri’s ABC hit drama, Nashville, incredulously, no one had made a film about the Nashville “songwriters-in-the-round” at The Bluebird Cafe. Nichols, who had been running the restaurant for more than a decade, felt a film telling the story of the artists and the spirit of the community was important. As one of the cast members eloquently said, “Nashville wouldn’t be Nashville without The Bluebird.”
Technically, the film is a gem. Seamless editing, harmonious non-diegetic background music combined with the film’s mise-en-scene evoked a moment of self-awareness and the suspension of disbelief. Cinematographer Jeff Molyneaux captures artists’ frames with precision belying the challenges he faced. Anyone who has seen the performances of the songwriters-in-the-round at work might imagine a special production set was built to the very minutia detail of the cafe’s interior (as in the ABC Nashville series wth Charles Esten) allowing Molyneaux to set up his shoot. Years from now, film professors will prod their student to explain how the shots were executed in the live, at-capacity space.
Setting aside the spectacular techniques utilized, the film has a spiritual life of its own mirroring the songwriters, The Bluebird personnel, the artists who perform and the physical structure of the venue. With an atmospheric of a living room and a church sanctuary, artists from Faith Hill to Garth Brooks espouse the nurturing nature of The Bluebird. Fifteen year-old Landon Wall is also featured in the film performing in the venue several times as he honed his craft. In addition, Maren Morris hearkens the Holy Ghost in a powerful performance of “My Church” evoking memories of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” And, more than one tear was shed as Tenille Townes and Taylor Swift performed “Jersey on the Wall” and “Better Man,” respectively.
With irrefutable evidence accumulated over the years in the form of testimonies, The Bluebird is hallowed ground. It had been a best kept secret. After its depiction in the ABC Nashville television series, The Bluebird has become a mecca for songwriters and travelers alike from around the globe hoping to get a taste and glimpse of the establishment. It has also made songwriting cool. A groovy profession. Despite Amy Kurland’s effort to safeguard The Bluebird and its legacy by turning it over to the Nashville Songwriters Association International on January 1, 2008, a real estate developer has purchased the strip mall where The Bluebird is located.
A mesmerizing documentary about the Holy Grail of country music, Bluebird is a masterpiece. Best seen on the big screen…. A must-see film! Coming out with a limited release November 15.
Oct. 11, 7:30 PM
