FILM:
After The Last Round
WORLD PREMIERE Few other sports encompass the theatrical displays of human struggle, strength, and violence that have come to define boxing. Fighters hone their bodies to peak physical conditions in order to survive the battle and reap the rewards. In this sport, fame and glory comes at a price many are willing to pay, but few realize the consequences. The line between athletic achievement and self-destruction is sometimes blurred. From fighters coping with the long-term physical effects to those still seeking championship glory, AFTER THE LAST ROUND uncovers the personal triumphs and heartbreaking outcomes of those who have chosen a life between the ropes.
FILM:
Blessed Is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh
In 1944, 22-year old Hannah Senesh parachuted into Nazi-occupied Europe with a small group of Jewish volunteers from Palestine. This was the only military rescue mission for Jews during World War II. BLESSED IS THE MATCH tells Hannah's story, from her bourgeois childhood in Budapest, to her immigration to Palestine, to her capture and execution in Hungary. Hannah is brought to life through her poignant letters and poetry as well as the writings of her mother Catherine. With beautiful music and detailed reenactments, BLESSED IS THE MATCH shows us the lasting influence of an idealistic and courageous young woman who was determined to save the spirit and dignity of her people amidst the horrors of the Holocaust.-Christy Zwicke
FILM:
The Brothers Warner
At the no-rules dawn of American film, four Jewish immigrant brothers from Poland made their mark on motion picture history. Jack, Harry, Albert and Sam, through the type of vision and audacity that creates industries from ideas, formed the most enduring studio in Hollywood. Lovingly crafted by Harry's granddaughter Cass and using fascinating archival and personal footage, THE BROTHERS WARNER moves from the silent era and first talkie (THE JAZZ SINGER) through the Golden Age of Hollywood. During this period the studio maintained a courageous philosophy of using film to “educate, entertain and enlighten,” addressing pressing social justice issues of the day. Ultimately, however, THE BROTHERS WARNER is a family drama of operatic sweep, with an untimely death and vicious sibling rivalry, set against the backdrop of American film history. With commentary from Dennis Hopper, Haskell Wexler and others.-Mahil Senathirajah
FILM:
Going Home
WORLD PREMIERE On May 12, 2008, Brian Wilson performed his new album, That Lucky Old Sun, live in the legendary Capitol Records Studio A before releasing it on September 2, 2008. Directed and edited by George Dougherty, GOING HOME documents the making of That Lucky Old Sun, as well as Wilson's return to his original record label, Capitol Records, which produced all of his 1960s music with the Beach Boys. An examination of his lifelong personal and creative relationship with Southern California's surf culture and beach life, GOING HOME attests to Wilson's musical genius. In fact, his spiritual approach to rock and roll and his ability to connect with the audience at a deep emotional level have made Wilson one of the most influential composers of the twentieth century. -Lucia Ricciardelli To celebrate the world premiere of GOING HOME there will be an exclusive Q&A with Brian Wilson and director George Dougherty immediately following the screening where they will take your questions.
FILM:
The Invocation
WORLD PREMIERE “What religion is God?” one of the speakers posits in the film Invocation. Some of the concepts and questions explored in this documentary include spirituality, true happiness, peace as the presence of harmonizing good rather than the absence of conflict, and the answer to who has the exclusive on God. Invocation is a travelogue, taking the viewer through our ideas and ideals of the spiritual and the material. The film presents images of religions and traditions around the world as well as interviews with a range of noted religious leaders (including Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama), profound thinkers and philosophers, gifted writers such as Pico Iyer, musicians, actors and celebrities (including Martin Gore and Jim Carrey), and everyday people. All are grappling with some of the questions we face daily—particularly in today's world. The take-home message is that we can remove darkness only by light and that individually we can make a difference. -Felicia Marie Tomasko
FILM:
Pray the Devil Back to Hell
A true story of grassroots activism and bravery, PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL chronicles the chaos of Liberia's bloody civil war and the ordinary women (both Muslim and Christian) who came together to sit in silent protest outside the Presidential Palace. During stalled peace talks, these brave women took on the warlords who were holding their country hostage. Armed with only white T-shirts and their own courage, they were determined to force a resolution and put their country and its government on the road to peace. Sometimes outrageous, sometimes funny and often deeply moving, PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL honors the human spirit and the power each of us has to make our world safer.-Nanci Herbst
FILM:
Speed & Angels
SPEED & ANGELS is a documentary about chasing dreams, about the importance of family ties, about the fine line that separates life from death, about the power of will—but ultimately, it is a movie about the passage from adolescence to adulthood and the process of self-discovery that this journey entails. Since their childhoods, Jay and Meagan have dreamt of becoming fighter pilots. SPEED & ANGELS captures these young naval aviators in their efforts to realize their childhood dreams. Filmmaker Peyton Wilson immortalizes Jay and Meagan's fascination with the F-14 Tomcat through extraordinary aerial footage and striking cockpit photography. From dogfights in the Nevada desert and night landings on aircraft carriers to wartime deployments to Iraq, this documentary promises to enthrall its audiences by transporting them to Jay and Meagan's world of speed and angels.-Nanci Herbst
FILM:
They Killed Sister Dorothy
Dorothy Stang, the “Angel of the Amazon,” a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, lived, worked — and died — for the Amazon basin rural poor. An American from Ohio, a naturalized Brazilian citizen and a pioneer for sustainability before that term became popular, Dot had worked in the rainforest of Brazil since the 1970s. In 2005, on her way to a community meeting, Dot was gunned down. This very moving documentary shows not only what she struggled to save, but the extraordinary trial for her murder, including interviews with the accused and their brazen lawyers. It is an important glimpse into the Brazilian legal system, showing how difficult it is to achieve justice, but how ultimately justice can prevail. Audience and Jury Awards-winner, SXSW Film Festival. -Betsy R. Cramer
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