| Los Angeles loses the average film festival formalities and slips into something a little more casual, as the annual L.A. Film Festival invades Westwood Village June 21-July 1. In a recent Moving Pictures interview, Richard Raddon, LAFF director, stressed the importance of the festival's approachability to the general public (click here for Moving Pictures Magazine's article, "L.A. Film Fest: Dichotomy Welcome"). Talk to Me, starring Don Cheadle as Ralph "Petey" Greene - the ex-con shock jock that shook up the airwaves in the 1960s - will kick off the festival with a solo screening. Inspired by true events, Talk to Me is the subject of discussion as Joseph Taverney recounts Hollywood's fascination with recreating historical events (click here for "History? Or Hollywood?"). The following days of the festival will provide a plethora of entertainment possibilities, ranging from more film screenings - including Steve Buscemi's latest directorial effort Interview - to live bands and film-based seminars guaranteed to enlighten even the most preeminent movie buff. Since 2001, the non-profit organization Film Independent has produced the L.A. Film Festival, which has provided unknown directors with a stepping stone to showcase their work while gaining filmmaker credibility. -KC Ifeanyi
On-the-spot blog from MPM's ed-in-chief Elliot V. Kotek, June 29th. From-the-Filmmaker articles:
Director Stephane Gauger writes of his inspiration for shooting Owl and the Sparrow, winner of LAFF's Audience Award.
Check out Moving Pictures' reviews of movies screening at the festival:
Does Your Soul Have a Cold?
Delving into the concepts of happiness and belonging, director Mike Mills offers an intimate look at fascinating, yet tragic, lives of individuals on the conflicted forefront of Japan's changing attitude toward depression.
Charlie Bartlett
Charlie Bartlett's sharp attention to the present day prompts critical minds to ponder whether director Jon Poll might be capturing today's young adult generation as well as John Hughes captured the '80s.
The Town That Was
Abandoned after a devastating fire, a town is kept alive by a handful of faithful residents. Moving Pictures' exclusive coverage of Kabluey includes:
Video of MPM's after-screening party for Kabluey which was also mentioned on Variety.com, E! Online and Socialitelife.com A Kabluey after party and red carpet photo gallery On-the-Spot Videos of Moving Pictures' interviews:
Scott Prendergast, Kabluey's writer/director.
Chris Eska, writer/director of August Evening, which won LAFF's Outstanding Performance Award.
John Robinson, actor attending LAFF with two films: indie The Beautiful Ordinary and blockbuster Transformers.
Jon Poll, Charlie Bartlett director.
Jess Manafort, writer/director of Remember the Daze (previously titled The Beautiful Ordinary).
Greg Whiteley, writer/director/producer of the documentary Resolved.
Melonie Diaz, attending LAFF with Remember the Daze (previously titled The Beautiful Ordinary). |
