Category Archives: #SBIFF

#SBIFF, #TheWave, The Wave

#SBIFF The Wave Film Festival ~ France Opens with Microbe & Gasoline (Microbe et Gasoil)

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The Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s (SBIFF) The Wave Film Festival ~ France opened last night at SBIFF’s new home, the Santa Barbara Riviera Theater. French movie lover’s gathered outside while enjoying the expansive, sweeping views from the theater’s front. Once inside, the viewers were treated to a brief introduction from The Wave festival director, Mickey Duzdevich and a cleverly put together, coming of age film, Microbe & Gasoline, written and directed by Michel Gondry. Ange Dargent portrays Daniel (Microbe) with Theophile Baquet as Theo (Gasoline) while Audrey Tautou (Amelie) plays Marie Therese.

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The film’s billing reads:

“Microbe, a shy, aspiring artist, has trouble making friends at school until he meets Gasoline, a likeminded outcast. Together they hatch a plan to build a car and spend their summer on an epic road trip across France. This charming adventure from Michel Gondry (MOOD INDIGO, BE KIND REWIND) has been called his “most satisfying movie since ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND,” reminding us how friendships can help us reach our true potential. Also starring Audrey Tautou (AMELIE, DA VINCI CODE).”

Microbe & Gasoline is every bit of this and more. It delves into the teenage angst in a new and unique manner combining costumes, music and the lush French countryside. Microbe & Gasoline is scheduled to screen again on Friday, July 17th, 7:30PM at the Riviera Theater, 2044 Alameda Padre Serra, Santa Barbara, Calif.

The Wave ~ France continues today with Summertime showing at 5:00PM followed by Neither Heaven Nor Earth at 7:30PM. Individual tickets are $10 with festival passes as a Patron for $250 and Cinephile at $80. For more information click here: Passes.

See you at the movies!

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#SBIFF, #TheWave, The Wave

Seven Days of French Cinema at the Riviera Theater in Santa Barbara

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Dear Cinephiles,

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s ~ The Wave Festival – France is “excited to announce the final 2 films completing out the lineup of 11 amazing and new French Films that will be featured at The Wave Film Festival next week. The schedule, passes and individual tickets are available now at the links below. Join us for this special cinematic journey to France at the Riviera Theatre July 11 through 17th!”

For more information on ticketing, passes  click here : SBIFF ~ The Wave

To view the  program guide click here: Program Guide

See you at the movies!

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(Content provided by sbiff.org)

 

#SBIFF, #TheWave, The Wave

2016 The Wave Film Festival ~ France #SBIFF

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Dear Cinephiles,

At The Wave Film Festivals over that last two years we have visited France twice, Spain, Latin America, and East Asia. From these countries we have seen 44 amazing films that we would not have been able to see otherwise.

The Wave Director Mickey Duzdevich and programmer Whitney Murdy are currently working on yet another exciting line up of 11 new French films of which will be announced shortly.

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Passes are now on sale for the upcoming Wave which will be July 11th through 17th at the Riviera Theatre. Come take another cinematic trip to France with us!

Patron Pass ~ $250
• Reserved Seating
• Access to ALL Film Screenings
• Access to the Passholder Reception (date/location TBA)
• Pass is non-transferable

Cinephile Pass ~ $80
• Access to Eleven (11) Film Screenings (one screening of each film)
• Access to the Passholder Reception (date/location TBA)

Individual Tickets
• Not available for purchase until film schedule is released in early July
• General Admission $10
• Senior/Student $8

Purchase passes here!

(Source: sbiff.org)

#SBIFF, #TheWave, Documentary

Audience Award Winner announced for SBIFF’s The Wave!

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JIN MOYOUNG’S “MY LOVE, DON’T CROSS THAT RIVER” WINS AUDIENCE AWARD AT SBIFF’S THE WAVE FILM FESTIVAL
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SBIFF’s “The Wave Film Festival” concluded this past weekend with Jin Moyoung’s MY LOVE, DON’T CROSS THAT RIVER from South Korea winning the Audience Award sponsored by the Santa Barbara Independent. This Wave highlighted 11 brand new Asian films from South Korea, Japan, China, the Philippines and Taiwan.

MY LOVE, DON’T CROSS THAT RIVER is a South Korean documentary by Jin Moyoung and stars Jung Jaeyoung, Kim Minhee. MY LOVE, DON’T CROSS THAT RIVER out-grossed INTERSTELLAR in its opening weekend in South Korea and went on to become the highest grossing indie/doc in Korean history.

Mickey Duzdevich, The Wave Director, commented, “Jim Moyoung’s documentary is the type of quality foreign film that we strive to bring audiences through the Wave Film Festival. It is so well deserving of the audience award, and there is no question why it is one of the most successful South Korean docs to date.”

An intimate portrait of an elderly couple nearing the end of life, MY LOVE, DON’T CROSS THAT RIVER is as delicate as it is raw. Observing this fragile couple in their South Korean home, director Jin Moyoung’s camera acts as a fly on the wall, capturing a deep love painted through simple acts of affection—from a good-natured leaf fight to a gentle caress of the cheek. No filmmaking tricks are necessary, as the honest and tender feelings expressed by this husband and wife are all that’s needed to tell this story of true love.

“The Wave Film Festival” will return this summer on July 13th through July 17th and will highlight eleven new French Films over its five day run at the Riviera Theatre. Passes go on sale next week at www.sbiff.org.

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#SBIFF

#SBIFF Announces New Board President

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The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced that board member Lynda Weinman has been elected as new board president. The news comes on the heels of the Riviera Theatre becoming the festival’s home and the expansion of their education program.

Lynda Weinman, a multi-hyphenate teacher, writer, entrepreneur, and learning activist, began her involvement with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival as a tribute sponsor through her company lynda.com. Lynda.com then moved on to be a first presenting sponsor before Ms. Weinman herself joined the board of the festival.

As co-founder of lynda.com, Ms. Weinman was responsible for the student-centered teaching philosophy and served as the executive chair of the company until its purchase in 2015 by the LinkedIn Corporation. Before launching lynda.com, she was a faculty member at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and worked as an animator and motion graphics director in the special effects film industry. She also taught at UCLA Extension, American Film Institute, and San Francisco State University’s Multimedia Studies Program.

 

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Pictured left to right: Roger Durling,Executive Director of Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF); Lynda Weinman, newly elected President SBIFF Board of Directors and Bruce Heavin, former co-founder of Lynda.com. (Photo Credit: Unknown)
#SBIFF, #TheWave

#SBIFF The Wave ~ Pan-Asia Full Lineup

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All 11 exciting new Asian films and the schedule have been announced!
We are looking forward to sharing this cinematic journey with you this week. Films start today. Get your passes and tickets to The Wave Film Festival ~ Pan-Asia now!

Full Lineup Here

 

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Ready to take a trip to Asia!

Patron Pass ~ $250
• Reserved Seating
• Access to ALL Film Screenings
• Access to the Passholder Reception
– Engel & Völkers – 1323 State Street
– Tuesday May 10 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• VIP Giftbag
• Pass is non-transferable
Cinephile Pass ~ $80
• Access to Eleven (11) Film Screenings (one screening of each film)
• Access to the Passholder Reception
– Engel & Völkers – 1323 State Street
– Tuesday May 10 – 5:30pm – 7:30pmIndividual Tickets
• General Admission $10
• Senior/Student $8 (available at the door only)

Passes Here

 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

(Source: sbiff.org)

#SBIFF

#SBIFF ANNOUNCES NEW HOME

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The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has found a new home: the historic Riviera Theatre. The Riviera Theatre will allow SBIFF to expand their current slate of education programs, preserve an important historic landmark, and create a cultural hub for all things film.

The decision to make the Riviera the new home was unanimously approved by SBIFF’s Board of Directors in March 2016. The lease was negotiated by SBIFF Board president Mark Scher and board members Bob Brada and Eric Phillips, Jeff Barbakow with Michael Towbes and the Towbes Group, coinciding with the Group’s 60th anniversary.

“As we enter our 32nd year, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival has cemented itself as a part of our great city’s history” stated Mark Scher, President of SBIFF and owner of the Scher Investment Group. “We believe a long-term home at the Riviera Theatre is a pivotal point in the evolution of SBIFF and will allow us the opportunity to greatly expand our programming and bring a real cultural center for film to the Santa Barbara Community.  I couldn’t be more thrilled for SBIFF and the City of Santa Barbara.”

At the heart of SBIFF’s mission is education, and through its programs its staff is able to seek to engage, enrich, and inspire people through film. The Riviera as the new home will allow for expansion in the current programs and the ability to implement new ones, and to ultimately better serve the Santa Barbara community on a year-round basis.

The new theater allows service to more underserved youth and families through programs such as AppleBox Family Films and Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies. Other programs will continue at the Riviera Theatre, including three year-round programs: Cinema Society (an exclusive membership program), the Rosebud Program for Film Students (a program for local college students), and the Wave Film Festival (the mini film festival which will be increased to three times per year). The Showcase, which features innovative independent films, will move to the Riviera from its current location Plaza de Oro.

Renovations will transform the Riviera into a state of the art movie theater, and a cultural hub for all things film. The renovations will include new seats, acoustical upgrades, improved ventilation, structural fixes, enhanced lighting, a new screen and projection system, and a state of the art sound system.

“We are very excited to provide this new home for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the Riviera Theatre”, stated Michael Towbes, Chairman of The Towbes Group. “Over the years we have brought the Riviera campus to an entirely new quality level.  The historic significance of the campus, dating back to its locating on the Riviera in 1913, makes it a very special place for me and the Santa Barbara community.  The upgrades which SBIFF plans to make to the theatre will complete the campus improvements which we began some 40 years ago.  They will greatly enhance the audience experience and honor the legacy of the building.”

SBIFF will continue to provide quality, year-round arts education, provide access to independent and international cinema, and celebrate, nurture, and promote the art of storytelling, as well as the storytellers themselves. Its programs will continue to evoke inspiration and creativity, and will stimulate civic discourse, engagement and exploration.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, festival passes and packages, please visit www.sbiff.org.

About the Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema. SBIFF offers 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and symposiums that transforms beautiful downtown Santa Barbara, CA into a rich destination for film lovers which attract more than 90,000 attendees.

SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community through free programs like its 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies, National Film Studies Program, AppleBox Family Films, 3rd Weekend and educational seminars. In recent years SBIFF has expanded its year round presence with regular screenings and Q&As with programs like Cinema Society, The Showcase and its Wave Film Festivals.

(Source: Press Release provided by Jackson Gibbon, Sunshine Sachs)

#SBIFF, The Wave

2 More Films Added To #SBIFF The Wave Film Festival ~ Pan-Asia

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Two more films have been announced for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s The Wave ~ Pan-Asia Film Festival opening May 11, 2016 at the Riviera Theater located in the scenic hills of the Santa Barbara, California Riviera. The festival now has nine of the eleven new and exciting films lined up. Tickets are available HERE!

Check out the newest films to be added:

THE LAUNDRYMAN

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Directed by Chung Lee
Written by Chung Lee, Yu-Hsun Chen
Starring CHANG Hsiao-Chuan, WAN Qian, SUI Tang, YEO Yann Yann
Country: Taiwan
Runtime: 112 min

The film is an audacious combination of black comedy and action, telling the story of a laundry shop that secretly provides a service other than doing laundry. The beautiful shop owner A-Gu enlists a group of contract killers for hire in the disguise of laundry service. One of these professionals, “No.1, Chingtian Street”, is haunted by the ghosts of his victims. He seeks the help from Lin Hsiang, a medium introduced by A-Gu. It turns out Lin Hsiang is the only one that can also see the ghosts troubling “No.1, Chingtian Street.” She tries to help him get rid of the ghosts, but the laundry shop hides more secrets than she bargains for. And what “No.1, Chingtian Street” runs from is not the ghosts of others but the ghosts from his past.

ZINNIA FLOWER

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Directed by Tom Shu-Yu LIN
Written by Tom Shu-Yu LIN,Wei-Jan Liu
Starring Karena LAM, SHIH Chin-Hang “Stone”
Country: Taiwan
Runtime: 96 min

Wei and his wife, a piano teacher, are expecting a baby in three months. In three months, Ming with be married to Yuo, a cook and the love of her life. Yet all of this ends in a horrible car crash leaving Wei and Ming alone to face the world in emptiness.

Everything that was left behind seems unchanged, but is forever different. They choose different paths, different ways of mourning. Like two mice lost in a labyrinth, Wei runs around in circles, hitting walls, and still ends up where he began. Ming calmly and slowly creeps down a determined path, seemingly moving forward, but towards a fatal dead end. Days go on not feeling like days and the only thing that lets them know that time is still moving forward is the weekly seven-seventh ritual that they both go to up in a mountain temple. It is only there that their paths cross. In a crowd of hundreds of mourners, Wei and Mind notice each other and recognize that pain within the other.

Embarking on separate journeys, Wei decides to visit the homes of all his wife’s piano students, returning their tuition fees for the lessons that will never be taught. Ming decides to go to Okinawa, the honeymoon she and her fiancée will never go to together. In the end, they discover that the only end to their journey is the end of the journey itself, nothing more.

On the 100th day, they travel up to the mountain again for the final ritual. After the last prayer, they meet again, finding both pain and comfort in the other person, a total stranger, but the only stranger who knows what the other has been through. Sunset, on the bus down the mountain, sitting side by side, they weep in silence.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

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(Source: News release sbiff.org)

#SBIFF, The Wave

3 More Films Announced for the #SBIFF The Wave Film Festival ~ Pan-Asia

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Take a five day trip to Asia by seeing eleven brand new Asian films including the recently announced Collective Invention, The Chronicles of Evil, and The Accidental Detective!

Collective Invention

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Written & Directed by Oh-Kwang Kwon, Starring: Cheon-hee Lee, Kwang Soo Lee, Bo-yeong Park, from South Korea with a running time of 92 minutes.

 

“It all starts when idealistic aspiring journalist Sang-won (Lee Chun-hee) accepts an on-spec assignment to investigate what is surely an urban legend: the rumour of a man who turned into a fish after participating in clinical trials for a major pharmaceutical company. It’s only upon interviewing the irreverent Ju-jin (Park Bo-young) that Sang-won discovers the legend is all too real: Ju-jin’s boyfriend Gu (Lee Kwang-soo) is a bona fide fish-man, complete with webbed fingers and a giant fish head. Gu rapidly becomes a media sensation, and an enterprising young human-rights lawyer endeavours to nail the scientists who rendered him a monster — though there are others who feel they deserve the Nobel Prize. It’s only upon reaching the height of his fame that Gu is caught doing something that reminds his fans that, for all his outward weirdness, he is all too human and perhaps not as perfect a role model as the world wants him to be.

Hero or con man? Victim or poseur? The more his renown grows, the more Gu comes to represent whatever is projected upon him.

Riddled with witty twists and goofy detours, Collective Invention examines how popular culture operates by its own capricious logic, and proposes that our best option is to flee the hype and simply get on with life — no matter how wacky that life becomes. – Giovanna Fulvi, tiff

 

The Chronicles of Evil

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Written & Directed by Baek Woon-hak
Starring: Son Hayun-Joo, Daniel Choi, Park Seo-Joon, Ma Dong-Seok
Country: South Korea
Runtime: 102 min

Highly decorated homicide detective Choi Chang-sik has an enviable record and the respect of his peers. Days before a promotion, he dozes off on his way home after a celebratory drink with his colleagues. He wakes up to find that his taxi driver has taken him to a remote mountain trail and has pulled a knife on him. The two struggle, and Choi manages to kill the taxi driver in self-defense. Afraid that the incident would negatively impact his career, he covers up the crime scene and flees. The next day, the taxi driver’s dead body has been strung up on a crane in front of the police station, and Choi is assigned to the case amidst widespread media attention. Realizing that he is caught in a trap, he must now untangle past mistakes to figure out why he was targeted in the first place.

The Accidental Detective

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Written & Directed by Kim Jung-Hoon
Starring: Kwon Sang-Woo, Sung Dong-Il, Seo Young-Hee, Park Hae-Joon
Country: South Korea
Runtime: 120 min

Kang Dae-man is a popular blogger who writes about cold cases, and head of a profiling online forum. But in real life, he runs a comic book shop, is always scolded by his wife and assumes the role of a glorified babysitter. His Sherlock Holmes-level deduction skills are of no use in his daily life. His only joy is hanging around at a local police station and interfering with ongoing police investigations. Nicknamed ‘the White Shark’, homicide veteran detective Noh Tae-su was a legend in his heyday but was demoted many years ago and is now forced to work under his junior. One day, a horrific murder takes place and Dae-man’s friend and Det. Noh’s partner, Joon-su, is framed for the murder. Time of death is clearly given away by the broken wristwatch of the victim, and the murder weapon was discovered wrapped in Joon-su’s clothing. Not wanting to see Joon-su rot in prison for 30 years, Dae-man and Det. Noh have no choice but to partner up and uncover the plot behind the murder. As more bodies surface without any solid connection between them, the two men know that they are running out of time…

Stay tuned for more film announcements!

Patron Pass ~ $250
• Reserved Seating
• Access to ALL Film Screenings
• Access to the Passholder Reception
– Engel & Völkers – 1323 State Street
– Tuesday May 10 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• Access to daily Patron Pass Happy Hours from 6:30pm – 7:30pm
• Pass is non-transferable

Cinephile Pass ~ $80
• Access to Eleven (11) Film Screenings (one screening of each film)
• Access to the Passholder Reception
– Engel & Völkers – 1323 State Street
– Tuesday May 10 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Individual Tickets
• Not available for purchase until film schedule is released in early May
• General Admission $10
• Senior/Student $8

Passes to The Wave Film Festival ~ Pan-Asia are available: Click here!

(Source: Press release courtesy of sbiff.org)

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#SBIFF, #TheWave, Uncategorized

Two films announced for #SBIFF The Wave Film Festival ~ Pan-Asia

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Take a five day trip to Asia by seeing eleven brand new Asian films including the recently announced Mr. Six and Sweet Bean!

 

Mr. Six 

This thrilling new film from gifted auteur Guan Hu (Cow) immerses us in the crime-riddled labyrinth of Beijing’s rapidly changing underworld. Based on actual events, Mr. Six is the story of a fascinating man whose life reflects the history of a nation.
In a welcome return to acting, great Beijing writer-director Feng Xiaogang stars as the mysterious Mr. Six. Many years ago Mr. Six was a notorious gangster. That was back when there was still such a thing as honour among thieves, when criminals earned respect and maintained principles. These days Mr. Six is all but forgotten, a living relic residing in a hutong, or narrow alley.

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Feng Xaiogang as Mr. Six  (Credit: China Lion Film)

One day Six’s son, Xiaobo (Li Yifeng), is abducted by some spoiled punks after scratching their precious Ferrari. Mr. Six, who has been diagnosed with a serious heart condition, realizes that he must do whatever it takes to get his son back and forge a meaningful bond with him while there is still time — even if that means returning to the life he thought he had left behind. Beijing’s new generation of thugs are all flash and no ethics, but Mr. Six, calling on a few friends from his past for assistance, finds that the old ways can still be used to get a difficult job done.

With Guan’s impeccable narrative power behind the camera and Feng’s subtle character-making magic in front of it, Mr. Six sees a panoply of diverse talents come together to tell a gripping story that bridges Chinas old and new. – Giovanna Fulvi, tiff

 

Sweet Bean

Adapted from the novel by Durian Sukegawa, the new film by Naomi Kawase is a graceful ode to the invisible essences of existence — to the beauty and joy we can discover once we learn to listen to nature and feel the life that is coursing through and all around us.

“Sweet Bean” is a delicious red bean paste, the sweet heart of the dorayaki pancakes that Sentaro (Masatoshi Nagase) sells from his little bakery to a small but loyal clientele. Absorbed in sad memories and distant thoughts, Sentaro cooks with skill but without enthusiasm. When seventy-six-year-old Tokue (Kirin Kiki) responds to his ad for an assistant and cheerfully offers to work for a ridiculously low wage, Sentaro is skeptical about the eccentric old lady’s ability to endure the long hours. But when she shows up early one morning and reveals to him the secret to the perfect an — listening to the stories of wind, sun and rain that the beans have to tell — Sentaro agrees to take her on, trusting her strange ability to connect with nature. With Tokue’s new home-cooked an recipe, Sentaro’s business begins to flourish — but along with her smiles and culinary skill, Tokue is afflicted with an illness that, once revealed, drives her into isolation once again.

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Credit – NYTimes.com

Using cookery to explore her perennial theme of communion with nature, in An Kawase also poignantly addresses the discrimination that condemns many like Tokue to live their lives segregated from the rest of society. Beautifully shot and quietly moving, An is a humble masterpiece from a singularly accomplished filmmaker.  – Giovanna Fulvi, tiff

Stay tuned for more on this exciting new Wave!

 

Passes to The Wave Film Festival ~ Pan-Asia  are available now here: http://sbiff.org/product-category/the_wave/

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(Source: SBIFF)