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#NBFF

@GrubTribe Producers Gain Acceptance to Newport Beach Film Festival (#NbFF) with Pascal Olhats Documentary

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The Newport Beach Film Festival accepted “La Tradition” for an April 23th screening at their 2016 event. The movie charts the evolution of Pascal Olhats’ influence on the fine dining scene in Southern California. The title of the film is the name of Olhats’ first ground-breaking Newport Beach restaurant.
“Some people will do anything to get close to my food!” said Olhats, the colorful subject of the film. “GrubTribe got the idea to bring cameras. Why not? I always welcome people with good taste!”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled,” said the film’s director, Jeff Fliegler. “Pascal is one of my personal heroes, and it was such a great experience to tell his story. For the past year, we’ve been following Pascal and all the chefs he’s mentored to get the footage for the film. We captured some fascinating stories and sentiments.”

 

The documentary biopic reveals the man, the myths, the restaurants, the disciples and the culinary creations behind this internationally recognized master.

 

The movie was produced by the team behind the foodie site GrubTribe.com. It’s their first documentary effort, but they’ve been producing chef, restaurant and culinary demonstration videos since 2014. The team also manages a video production company called Mycena.

 

The movie follows the story of Olhats’ rise to greatness, the people he elevated, the food he crafted, and his evolving influence on the Orange County fine dining scene. It’s a touching, informative and sometimes hilarious view into the world of a local master.

 

“The movie is not just about food,” said GrubTribe co-founder Phil Dunn. “It’s about how one person can bring a community together and spread prosperity through personal craft. Pascal has that rare ability to connect people through wonderful creations and a spirit of brotherhood.”

Tickets for La Tradition are available here: TICKETS

(Press release courtesy of La Tradition & GrubTribe)

#LAFilmFest

#LAFilmFest set for June 1-9, 2016 @ArcLightCinemas

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The 22nd edition of the LA Film Festival will take place June 1 – June 9, 2016 at ArcLight Cinemas. The LA Film Festival’s mission is to showcase diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision in independent American and international cinema.

“We are thrilled to open with Lowriders, a culturally vibrant film that explores familial relationships within a second-generation Mexican family in East LA. Made by filmmakers of color, Lowriders embodies our mission of shining the light on unique voices,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain. “Spirit Award winner Ryan Coogler honors us as Guest Director – we had Fruitvale Station at the Festival in 2013 and are so happy to have him back this year as our Guest Director.”

 

“We can’t imagine a more fitting recipient of the Spirit of Independence Award than Ava DuVernay and her distribution company Array Releasing,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “In addition to being a brilliant filmmaker, Ava is a passionate, forward-thinking distributor, helping unique and diverse voices find their audiences. Array bought Takeshi Fukunaga’s Out of My Hand at last year’s Festival, a film that we celebrated at this year’s Film Independent Spirit Awards.”
Lowriders

Lowriders (Photo credit: Justin Lubin)

Set against the vibrant backdrop of East LA’s near-spiritual car culture, Lowriders follows the story of Danny, a talented young street artist caught between the lowrider world inhabited by his old-school father and ex-con brother, and the adrenaline-fueled outlet that defines his self-expression.

 

“It is such an honor that the LA Film Festival has chosen Lowriders to open this year’s Festival,” said producer Brian Grazer. “From their humble beginnings to their modern-day status as works of extraordinary art, these aren’t simply cars…they hold the imagination of the people and culture that create them. Danny’s coming-of-age story is one of a son, a brother and a visionary, and we cannot wait to share Ricardo’s film with the world.”

 

“We are always looking to partner with filmmakers who are incredibly passionate about their projects,” said producer Jason Blum. “When Brian brought the idea for Lowriders to Blumhouse, we got excited by the opportunity to work with Imagine and Ricardo on this powerful story, which is a unique look at two generations at a crossroads. The LA Film Festival is a wonderful event, and we look forward to being a part of this year’s unique lineup.”

 

Pictured left to right: Ava DuVernay (Photo courtesy of GlamourUK); Ryan Coogler (Photo courtesy of LA Film Festival)

Guest Director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed) will attend the 15th annual Filmmaker Retreat. A signature program of the Festival, the Filmmaker Retreat brings together all the feature directors in this year’s Festival along with seasoned filmmakers and Film Independent Board Members who attend as honored artists. The Filmmaker Retreat is an opportunity to build community among the Festival’s filmmakers before the Festival kicks off on June 1. Past Guest Directors of the Festival include Rodrigo García, Lisa Cholodenko, David O. Russell, Mira Nair, Kathryn Bigelow, George Lucas, William Friedkin, 
Sydney Pollack, Guillermo Del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón.

 

Writer/director/producer/distributor Ava DuVernay (Middle of Nowhere, Selma) and her colleagues at Array Releasing will be awarded the Spirit of Independence Award. The Spirit of Independence Award is given to individuals who advance the cause of independent film, champion creative freedom or make a significant contribution to the preservation and proliferation of independent voices. Array Releasing is an LA-based film collective dedicated to the amplification of images by people of color and women. The collective’s film releases to date include: 2015 LA Film Festival winners Out of my Hand and Ayanda, Ashes and Embers, Mississippi Damned, Middle of Nowhere, Kinyarwanda, Restless City, Vanishing Pearls, Big Words, Better Mus’ Come and I Will Follow.

 

“In 2013 we launched a series of LA Film Festival posters designed to celebrate LA artists. Native Angelena Carolyn Castaño joins the ranks of acclaimed artists Ed Ruscha and the late Noah Davis as the 2016 poster artist,” said Mary Sweeney, Film Independent Board Chair. “Castaño’s work reflects and celebrates her deep roots and experiences in the powerful Latina culture of Los Angeles. Film Independent and the LA Film Festival support and celebrate the diversity of unique artistic voices.”

 

Carolyn Castaño’s work in painting, drawing, video and mixed-media installations has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, most recently at the 56th International La Bienniale di Venezia, LACMA’s Fútbol: The Beautiful Game, the Pasadena Museum of California Art and at the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Rufino Tamayo in Mexico City. Her site-specific installation at the Los Angeles International Airport will be unveiled in June 2016. Castano earned a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and her MFA from UCLA.

 

Festival passes are on sale to Film Independent Members starting today, April 5. Passes go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, April 12. The full line-up will be announced on Tuesday, April 26. Individual tickets go on sale to Members on Tuesday, May 5 and to the general public on Tuesday, May 10. Please visit lafilmfestival.com for more information.

 

(Source: Press release courtesy of LA Film Festival)

#SLOFilmFest

Hear #TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz with Ann-Margret

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TCM host and commentator Ben Mankiewicz opens up Ann-Margret in a animated conversation during the 22nd annual SLO Film Fest, on Friday, March 25, 2016 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. (Photo Credit: Kevin J. O’Connor/Hollywoodglee)

TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz sat down for a conversation with legendary screen icon Ann-Margret at the 22nd annual SLO Film Fest at the art-deco Fremont Theater. The affable Mankiewicz cajoled and prodded the actress, often referred to a “sex kitten,” revealing the starlet had considerable talent to go along with her striking looks and energetic on-screen flair. Tune in for Ann-Margret’s personal story of Hollywood lore with plenty of anecdotes and an inside look into what helped shape the film siren into the star she became!

#TCM

TCM Announces Screen Legend Burt Reynolds For Live from the 2016 #TCMClassicFilmFestival Interview

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Turner Classic Movies (TCM) announced today that renowned actor Burt Reynolds is set to attend the 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival, taking place in Hollywood April 28 – May 1, to participate in a sit-down interview about his life and career. In addition to the interview, Reynolds will be on-hand to introduce a screening of The Longest Yard (1974), for which he received a Golden Globe® nomination for Best Actor. The interview will be taped Saturday, April 30 in front of a live audience of festival pass holders at The Ricardo Montalbán Theatre.

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(Photo Credit: Ravepad.com)

“For more than five decades, Burt Reynolds has been both a superstar and a force to be reckoned with on screens around the globe, having ranked among the top ten box office attractions in the world on 13 different occasions,” said TCM host Robert Osborne. “He is one of the great talents of our time and a true film icon thanks to such now-classic movies as Deliverance (1972), The Longest Yard (1974) and Smokey and the Bandit (1977). I’m thrilled our fans will be able to hear him discuss his life as a movie star, the classic films he’s had the privilege of working on and the talented artists he’s worked alongside.”

 

Each year, the TCM Classic Film Festival features an extended interview taped in front of a live audience for telecast on TCM under the Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival banner. In 2010, the first TCM Classic Film Festival welcomed two-time Oscar® winner Luise Rainer, who was 100 at the time. In 2011, Peter O’Toole was the featured guest, followed in 2012 by actress Kim Novak. In 2013, Oscar-winning actress Eva Marie Saint participated, followed by Academy Award®-winner Alan Arkin in 2014, and last year, Academy Award®-winner Sophia Loren was featured as was Norman Lloyd.

 

Reynolds joins an already exciting roster at this year’s festival, including previously announced appearances by director John Singleton for the 25th anniversary screening of his coming-of-age classic Boyz N The Hood (1991), Carl Reiner with an extended conversation and screening of Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) Elliott Gould with screenings of his Golden Globe nominated performance in M*A*S*H (1970), The Long Goodbye (1973) and Eva Marie Saint who will be on hand to introduce a screening of the political comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming (1966).  Actor Stacy Keach will be discussing John Huston’s gritty look at the world of small-time boxing in Fat City (1972) and French actress Anna Karina will be introducing Band of Outsiders (1964), Jean-Luc Godard’s riff on gangster films. Tickets and passes.

burt-reynolds-turtleneck(Photo Credit: GQ Magazine)

 

About Burt Reynolds

 

Burt Reynolds is an Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winning actor and director. In addition to receiving an Oscar nomination and winning the Golden Globe Award for Boogie Nights (1997), Reynolds was also honored by The New York Film Critics, The Los Angeles Film Critics, The Chicago Film Critics and The National Society of Film Critics with Best Supporting Actor awards for his memorable role in that film. Some of his more recent film works include Hamlet & Hutch (2014), Elbow Grease (2015), The Shadow Fighter (2016) and the web series Hitting The Brakes, debuting this spring.

His feature films include Deliverance (1972), The Longest Yard (1974), Gator (1976), Hooper (1978), The End (1978), Starting Over (1979), Sharky’s Machine (1981), Breaking In (1989) and, of course, Smokey and the Bandit (1977). He also directed four feature films.

 

Reynolds has also enjoyed an auspicious career on television, as an actor, director and producer. Among his finest endeavors in this medium is the hit series Evening Shade (as star, executive producer and, more often than not, director). For this series, he won his ninth People’s Choice Award as Favorite Male Performer in a New Television Series, the 1991 Emmy Award for Best ­Performance in a Comedy and the Golden Globe Award for the same category. His additional television credits include Riverboat, Gunsmoke, Hawk, Dan August and B. L. Stryker. Additionally, he hosted the Academy Awards Telecast, The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live and a series of specials titled Burt Reynolds’ Conversation With. He also starred in, directed and produced the CBS television movie The Man from Left Field (1993).  He also directed and starred in TNT’s most ambitious project: Hard Time, a 6-hour movie thriller trilogy.

Reynolds made his Broadway debut in Look, We’ve Come Through with director Jose Quintero. In addition, he has directed eight productions, and starred in two, at the Jupiter Theatre, which he founded in Jupiter, Florida. He also appears in his one-man show An Evening with Burt Reynolds.

His numerous achievements have been recognized by being named America’s Favorite All Around Motion Picture Actor (People’s Choice Award) for a record six consecutive years; the Most Popular Star for five years running; Star of the Year (National Association of Theatre Owners); and # 1 Box Office Star for five years in a row, still an unmatched record.

 

Burt Reynolds commitment to his profession and devotion to education can perhaps be best exemplified by the program he created to give college students scholastic credit and wages for their work while ­obtaining an education at the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre located in Tequesta, Florida.

Reynolds created a chair at Florida State University by donating generous endowments as well as Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, Florida. His memoir But Enough About Me reached The New York Times Best Seller List just after publication and he received the prestigious “Children at Heart Award,” for his humanitarian efforts benefiting and aiding the children of Chernobyl.  In September 2015 he was the inaugural recipient of the Richard Farnsworth Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award from the Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures, calling it “better than an Oscar!”

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Passes for the 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival are on sale now. Fans are able to purchase them through the TCM Classic Film Festival website. As the number of passes available is limited, fans are encouraged to purchase their passes as soon as possible: http://filmfestival.tcm.com/attend/

The “Spotlight” Festival Pass: $1,649 – Includes all privileges available to “Classic” and “Essential” passholders, priority entry to all screening events; plus entry to the exclusive opening-night party following the red-carpet gala screening at TCL Chinese Theatre; meet-and-greet events with TCM friends, including Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz; and a limited edition TCM Classic Film Festival poster.

The “Essential” Festival Pass: $749 – Includes all privileges available to “Classic” passholders, plus entry to the opening-night red-carpet gala screening at TCL Chinese Theatre and official TCM Classic Film Festival collectibles.

The “Classic” Festival Pass: $599 – Includes access to all film programs at festival venues Thursday, April 28 – Sunday, May 1 (does not include admittance to the opening-night red-carpet gala screening at TCL Chinese Theatre or the opening-night party); access to all Club TCM events, panels and poolside screenings at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; an opening-night welcome reception at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; and the closing-night event.

The “Palace” Festival Pass: $299 – Includes access to all screenings and events at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre (excluding the opening-night red-carpet gala) and the Egyptian Theatre Friday, April 29 – Sunday, May 1, as well as poolside screenings at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

(Excerpted from press release courtesy of TCM Pressroom)

#SBIFF, The Wave

#SBIFF’s “The Wave” Film Festival Returns

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SANTA BARBARA, CA (March 2016) – The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) has confirmed the dates for the next two editions of the “Wave Film Festival”. The first segment will run from Wednesday, May 11th through Sunday, May 15th, and will highlight new Pan-Asian films. The second segment will run from Wednesday, July 13th through Sunday, July 17th, and will highlight new French films. Each Wave Festival will take place at the historic Riviera Theater.

The surrounding grounds near the Riviera Theater.
Entry way of the Santa Barbara Riviera Theater. (Photo credit: sbmerge.com)

“With increasingly diverse lineups each year, The Wave has become a pivotal tradition of SBIFF,” stated Mickey Duzdevich, director of the Wave Film Festival. “The Pan-Asian and French film canons are filled with countless classics, and we have no doubt that this year’s lineup will continue to dazzle and inspire audiences.”

In addition, SBIFF has announced Wednesday, February 1st through Saturday, February 11th as the dates for the 32nd annual festival.

“Though we are just wrapping up this year’s festival, we are already looking forward to what 2017 has in store for us in Santa Barbara” said Roger Durling, Executive Director of SBIFF. “We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished thus far, and we plan to make our 32nd installment the best festival yet.”

In addition to screening numerous films over the years, including countless US and World Premieres, SBIFF is known for programs such as the prestigious Tribute honor which counts Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Alicia Vikander, Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Sylvester Stallone among recipients, and the acclaimed Panel Series, where accomplished industry guests come together for lively and revealing discussions, which make the festival a key stop in the award season race.

Passes and tickets for each wave will be available once the lineup is announced. SBIFF passes are offered at 25% off beginning August 1st.

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.

(Press release courtesy of SBIFF Press Office)

#TCM

@TCM to Honor Academy Award® Winning Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola

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Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will honor acclaimed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola during a handprint-footprint ceremony at the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX® on Friday, April 29, 2016 as part of the 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival. Coppola has been a Hollywood icon for more than 50 years having directed such classics as The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now (1979), The Conversation (1974) among countless other classics and is an Oscar®, Golden Globe® and BAFTA® award winner. Renowned for his generosity with other filmmakers, Coppola has served as a fierce promoter and mentor to others, championing the work of directors George Lucas, John Milius and Sofia Coppola and actors Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Harrison Ford, James Caan and Diane Lane.

 

“Without a doubt, Francis Ford Coppola is one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation,” said TCM host Robert Osborne. “His Academy Award®-winning directing, producing and writing contributions have given audiences some of the most memorable films of the last half-century, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate his distinguished career, and our appreciation of what he’s added to our lives, than with this honor.”

 

This marks the sixth consecutive year TCM has featured a hand and footprint ceremony at the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX®. In 2011, Peter O’Toole was the honoree, followed by Kim Novak in 2012, Jane Fonda in 2013, Jerry Lewis in 2014 and Christopher Plummer in 2015.

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Actor Christopher Plummer outside the TCL Chinese Grauman Theater in Hollywood California moments before his hand and foot printing ceremony during the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival. (Photo Credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)

 

Francis Ford Coppola is best known as the five-time Academy Award-winning director of such epic films as the Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now (1979). Born in Detroit in 1939, Coppola grew up in Queens, New York.  Bedridden with polio as a child, he developed an interest in film after being given a toy movie projector.  A prolific theater and film student at Hofstra College and UCLA, he first made his mark as the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind Patton (1970), and followed it up with the Godfather films, Apocalypse Now and The Conversation (1974).  These films have consistently been listed among the greatest films ever made.

 

As the maverick founder of his company, American Zoetrope, he personally nourished the careers of talents such as George Lucas, Carroll Ballard, John Milius, his daughter, Sofia Coppola, and actors including Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, James Caan, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, Matt Dillon and Diane Lane.  Zoetrope-produced films have received sixteen Academy Awards and seventy nominations.

 

As a writer, director, producer and technological pioneer, Coppola has created a body of work that has helped to shape contemporary American cinema.  Francis Coppola created and presides over an international business empire that includes wine, resorts, and publications, as well as film.

 

 

 

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Passes for the 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival are on sale now. Fans are able to purchase them through the TCM Classic Film Festival website. As the number of passes available is limited, fans are encouraged to purchase their passes as soon as possible.

 

The “Spotlight” Festival Pass: $1,649 – Includes all privileges available to “Classic” and “Essential” passholders, priority entry to all screening events; plus entry to the exclusive opening-night party following the red-carpet gala screening at TCL Chinese Theatre; meet-and-greet events with TCM friends, including Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz; and a limited edition TCM Classic Film Festival poster.

 

The “Essential” Festival Pass: $749 – Includes all privileges available to “Classic” passholders, plus entry to the opening-night red-carpet gala screening at TCL Chinese Theatre and official TCM Classic Film Festival collectibles.

 

The “Classic” Festival Pass: $599 – Includes access to all film programs at festival venues Thursday, April 28 – Sunday, May 1 (does not include admittance to the opening-night red-carpet gala screening at TCL Chinese Theatre or the opening-night party); access to all Club TCM events, panels and poolside screenings at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; an opening-night welcome reception at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; and the closing-night event.

 

The “Palace” Festival Pass: $299 – Includes access to all screenings and events at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre (excluding the opening-night red-carpet gala) and the Egyptian Theatre Friday, April 29 – Sunday, May 1, as well as poolside screenings at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

(Source: TCM Pressroom)

#SLOFilmFest

Surf Nite at SLO Film Fest: OCEAN DRIVEN

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Our internationally renowned “Surf Nite in SLO” is back for its 11th year with a new documentary about Big Wave surfer Chris Bertish and the day that changed big wave surfing forever. The famed Maverick’s champion and professional speaker will travel from his home in South Africa to join Maverick’s pioneer, Jeff Clark on the stage of the historic Fremont Theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo on Friday, March 18 after the Central Coast premiere of “Ocean Driven,” scheduled for a 7:30 PM screening. A few tickets are still available here: http://slofilmfest.org/tickets-passes/

Directed by Santa Cruz filmmaker Nadia Tarow and Adrian Charles from Cape Town, OCEAN DRIVEN is a true and gripping story that chronicles the devePoster_Image_Bluelopment of South African big wave surfer Chris Bertish. At Mavericks, a famed surf break just south of San Francisco, his refusal to let seemingly insurmountable obstacles stand in his way culminates with his winning the world’s most prestigious big wave surfing contest in the largest waves ever seen in a competition. “Ocean Driven” is a tale of overcoming obstacles and fears, redefining what is possible, and inspiring viewers to never give up in pursuit of their dreams.

Bertish travels the world as a motivational keynote and Ted-X guest speaker, and is also the author of “Stoked!” We are delighted to host such an accomplished and articulate sports hero at Surf Nite in SLO.

Local surf legend, “Pismo” the surfing goat will also be in attendance with owner Dana McGregor. A short film will illustrate Pismo’s amazing talents as a surfer, and the celebrity goat will meet his fans and “sign” copies of McGregor’s new children’s book, “Goatee, the Surfing Goat.”

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Also in attendance will be Gary Linden, VP of the Big Wave World Tour, along with more big wave surfers TBA. Beer and wine will also be available in the Fremont Theatre lobby beginning at 7pm, with an After-party in the Hollywood & Vines Festival Tent (behind the Fremont Theatre.)

MANY THANKS TO OUR LOYAL SURF NITE SPONSORS:
Apple Farm, City of Pismo Beach, Cliffs Resort, Creeky Tiki, Mother’s Tavern, Q104.5, Quality Suites of San Luis Obispo, Saint Archer Beer, Sea Venture Resort, SLO Wine Country, and Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort.

See you there!

(Press materials from slofilmfest.org)

#SLOFilmFest

Opening Night Film at the 22nd SLO Film Fest 2016

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Markus Horn, A German pianist/composer, mesmerized the audience on a baby grand piano with an original musical score accompaniment to the classic German Expressionist silent film masterpiece, Nosferatu (link to my full review) at the Spanos Theatre on the Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo campus, Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Nosferatu was presented by SLO Film Fest sponsors BHE Renewables, Union Bank and KZOZ. Film goers arrived early to witness this exciting and noteworthy event and to cast ballots for original art works in competition for for Official SLO Film Fest Poster status.

(Photo Credit: Kevin J. O’Connor/HollywoodGlee)

Throughout the evening’s film Horn brilliantly matched the photographic score in creating a dream like atmosphere for the minimalized intertitled narrative. Horn’s intense symbiosis of film and music culminated in a rousing, standing ovation by an enraptured audience at the film’s end.

(Photos courtesy of San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce)

(Featured photo provided courtesy of San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce)

 

#SLOFilmFest

Opening Night Party at the SLO Film Fest

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SLO Film Fest kicked off with an Opening Night Party in the new Hollywood &Vines Festival Tent, located directly behind the historic Fremont Theatre in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo. The Black Market Trio provided live jazz music.

An added feature this year to the festival’s venue, the Hollywood & Vines Tent will serve as hospitality headquarters and a meeting place for filmmakers, media and passholders. In addition, the tent will host several parties including Surf Nite Meet-and-Greet, Surf Night After-Party, a Saturday Happy Hour and Sunday’s Closing Night Party. The tent is being generously sponsored by dozens of local Central Coast restaurants, wineries, breweries and more. For more details on daily/nightly access click here: http://slofilmfest.org/

(Photo Credit: Kevin J. O’Connor/HollywoodGlee)

#SLOFilmFest

FILM REVIEW: Nosferatu

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The complete 2006 digitally restored version of Nosferatu the surreal German Expressionist classic silent film by renowned director, F.W. Murnau, served as the Opening Night film for the 22nd SLO Film Fest with a new piano soundtrack performed live by German composer and pianist, Markus Horn. Most recently, Horn has performed his musical talents to another silent German film, Metropolis, directed by Fritz Lang. Interestingly, Horn created this composition in the Spanos Theater specifically for Nosferatu . Nosferatu, is similar in a stylistic vein to the classic example of German Expressionism, the 1922 silent film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, with its use of unusual, odd-looking characters, geometric mise-en-scen and its abundant use of light and shadows in its storytelling. A storied production, Nosferatu, an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” was shot in 1921 and released the following year in 1922. It is very similar to “Dracula,” retaining its core characters of Jonathan and Nina Harker and the Count while omitting some of the secondary characters. A court ruling ordered all copies of the film destroyed after Prana Film, a short-lived, silent-era German film studio was unable to get the rights to the novel, was sued Bram Stoker’s widow and eventually declared bankrupted in defending itself from copyright infringement. A few copies of the film survived as the studio undauntedly had gone forward with the production changing names and details from the original novel. For example, Count Dracula became Count Orlok, played brilliantly by Max Schreck (Schreck in German translates to terror, fitting for the roles Max Schreck undertook throughout his acting career) and the term vampire became nosferatu. In addition, Count Orlok doesn’t create new vampires. Instead he killed his victims with the town folk blaming the deaths on a black plague. And, while Count Dracula was weakened by sunlight, Orlock sleeps by day as any exposure to sunlight would cause his death. In the end, Count Orlok meets his demise in drinking the blood of a young maiden, Mina, who sacrifices herself by allowing Orlok’s copulation while enticing him to do so into the day’s sunrise culminating in Orlok’s death.

 
Murnau prided himself on utilizing various angles in his productions and Nosferatu’s cinematographer, Fritz Arno Wagner, delivers. Several shots capture the eye including a film ending low angle shot of a castle in ruin representing the demise of Count Orlok. In addition, several shots on board the ship of stacked wooden coffins and the frenzied scrambling of ship rats as a coffin is opened and its contents spilled become etched in memory. All this withstanding, the evening belonged to Markus Horn, as he mesmerized the audience with a soundtrack that brilliantly matched the photographic score in creating a dream like atmosphere for the minimalized intertitled narrative. Horn’s intense symbiosis of film and music culminated in a rousing, standing ovation by an enraptured audience at the film’s end.

 
This version of Nosferatu with the Markus Horn accompaniment and a run-time of 94 minutes left the audience wanting more. Much more. An exceptional opening film. Highly, highly recommended.

 

 

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