The SXSW Festival gets started this weekend in Austin. There are tons of films slated for viewing and we at AICN will be covering the whole affair for those of you who can't make it down here. Several notable films will be having big premieres here with lots of cast and crew attending among them EdTV, Desert Blue, and Abilene. Jack Hill and Quentin Tarantino will be presenting several of Hill's cult classics throughout the fest including SPIDER BABY, SWITCHBLADE SISTERS, and FOXY BROWN. Father Geek here can't wait for SPIDER BABY, I've had the poster for 25 years, but have never seen this cult classic on the big screen. Here's a couple of little films that you could lose in all the hussle and bussle, but shouldn't. Don't forget this Festival is about discovering little diamonds in the rough, and these jewels are worth seeing...
It was announced that the independent film A Day in Black and White has been chosen as an official selection of the South By Southwest Film Festival. The festival is in Austin, Texas from March 12-20. A Day in Black in White will be shown as part of the Narrative Special Screenings on:
Sunday, March 14 2pm Alamo Wednesday, March 17 12:30pm Dobie
A Day In Black and White was shot in New York City and stars Harold Perrineau (HBO’s OZ, William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, Smoke) Lonette Mckee (He Got Game, Malcom X, The Cotton Club) Anthony DeSando (Kiss Me Guido, Party Girl, Urban Legends) and Francie Swift (Fall, The Scarlet Letter, The Cowboy Way).
An early morning discussion between two friends - one white and one black - sets the story in motion on a trip that covers the racial terrain of New York City. A mixed cast of characters love, fight, “dis” and laugh as they trek through a day of interconnecting encounters. The characters wrestle with “those things that we think, but never say,” hashing-out the black quarterback issue, the demise of the white cab driver, interracial dating, the battle of rock versus disco, affirmative action and hairdos.
Utilizing humor and drama Desmond Hall’s A Day in Black and White brings issues of race relations to the forefront, and forces the audience to confront their own beliefs. Assumptions are questioned and beliefs are turned inside- out.
A Day In Black and White is the first feature film for Writer/Director Desmond Hall. Hall went to film school at Film/Video Arts Academy and attended the Director’s Workshop at the Acting Studio. He has written four screenplays and directed two short. Hall has been a writer in the advertising industry, responsible for writing numerous television commercial campaigns, including Planet Reebok, NY Telephone, and TV Guide. Desmond Hall’s next film, Get Up, Stand Up, is set to go into production this Fall.
A Day In Black and White was written and directed by Desmond Hall and produced by Jon Gold. Peter Konczal was the Director of Photography, Music was by Grammy winning producer Loris Holland and casting was handled by Adrienne Stern.
The World Premiere of the independent film Macbeth in Manhattan will be at the South By South West Film Festival which is in Austin, Texas from March 12-20. Macbeth in Manhattan will be screened as part of the Narrative Feature competition. Screening times for Macbeth in Manhattan at the festival are:
Sunday, March 14 3:45pm Dobie 3 (Competition screening) Thursday, March 18 9:45am Paramount Saturday, March 20 11:30am Dobie 3
Macbeth in Manhattan was shot entirely in New York and stars Gloria Reuben (ER, Timecop, Nick of Time) as Lady Macbeth / Claudia, John Glover (Love! Valour! Compassion!, Payback) as the Director and, as The Chorus, Harold Perrineau Jr. (OZ, The Edge, William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet).
A production of Macbeth is plagued by the curse of “The Scottish Play,” and soon it’s difficult to tell where the play ends and reality begins. Controversy ensues when Max (David Lansbury) loses the coveted title role to rival actor William (Nick Gregory) and ends up playing Macduff. Max’s lover, Claudia (Gloria Reuben), is cast as Lady Macbeth. Jealousy swells and a modern day version of Macbeth is ignited.
David Lansbury has appeared in Scent of a Woman; Gas, Food, and Lodging; Gorillas in the Mist and the independent feature A Stranger in the Kingdom with Martin Sheen. Nick Gregory recently played the lead in Henry Jaglom’s Last Summer in the Hamptons. Plus, in his feature film debut, Beau Bridges’ son Jordan Bridges played Malcom. Macbeth in Manhattan also features local New York personalities, including Lisa G as herself.
Macbeth in Manhattan is the first feature film for Writer/Director Greg Lombardo who previously served as Artistic Director for The National Shakespeare Company. He is currently developing his second feature Looking for Bigfoot.
Macbeth in Manhattan was directed and co-written by Greg Lombardo and produced and co-written by Joe Gagen. Executive producers are Richard Hegner and Betty Hegner of Amber Waves Inc. Victoria Lang and Pier P. Piccoli of PLus Films are co-producers.
