I got this press release in and thought I'd pass it along to all you Los Angelinos that wanted to go and take a look see. With movies like Joanou's latest and a produced Orson Welles screenplay and a chance for all of you to see A SLIPPING DOWN LIFE... Well... I just had to let you get a look. So here ya go...
LOS ANGELES INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ITS 5TH ANNIVERSARY, April 15 - 20, 1999
OPENS WITH PHIL JOANOU’S ENTROPY AND CLOSES WITH GEORGE HICKENLOOPER’S THE BIG BRASS RING
Festival to present 25 World Premieres
March 9, 1999 (Los Angeles) Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Founder and Festival Director Robert Faust announced this year’s eclectic and exciting program line-up for the LOS ANGELES INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (LAIFF) which runs April 15 - 20, 1999.
Opening the festival will be the World Premiere of Phil Joanou’s sophisticated romantic comedy ENTROPY, starring Stephen Dorff, Lauren Holly, Hector Elizondo, Bono, and U2. Written and directed by Phil Joanou, the film is produced by Brad Epstein, Phil Joanou, Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Elie Samaha. ENTROPY is a bittersweet story of meditation on love and loss, which ultimately triumphs as a cautionary tale for the lessons to be learned from loving too deep, too fast.
The Festival will close on April 20 with the highly anticipated World Premiere of George Hickenlooper’s THE BIG BRASS RING, written by Hickenlooper and F.X. Feeney and based on Orson Welles’ screenplay with Oja Kodar. This political drama revolves around an independent political candidate’s campaign in a tale about loyalty, brotherhood, and the fate of integrity in modern day politics. Starring Academy Award winning actor William Hurt and Academy Award nominees Miranda Richardson, Nigel Hawthorne, and Irene Jacob. THE BIG BRASS RING is produced by Donald Zuckerman and Andrew Pfeffer and executive produced by Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short, John Thompson, Willi Baer, Boaz Davidson, Samuel Hadida,
The growing popularity of the LAIFF has made it necessary for the Festival to add another day to its programming, increasing to six days in its fifth year of operation. This year the LAIFF will showcase over 100 shorts, features, documentaries and music videos and will take place at the DGA, Laemmle Sunset 5 and the Harmony Gold Preview House. This year the Festival will host 25 world premieres, with six LAIFF alumni returning to premiere their new films, along with 21 new filmmakers making their debut, including six first-time women feature directors.
Other highlights at LAIFF ‘99:
· As part of the fifth year celebrations, the LAIFF will present a number of special events including a retrospective screening series of indie films that have emerged over the last four decades which have helped shape the landscape of current American independent cinema.
· Spotlighting new musical talent, the LAIFF will again host its annual pre-festival Indie Music Night on Wednesday, April 14. A hugely popular event, the music program will be held at the new venue the Troubadour to accommodate its rapidly growing audience.
· The 1999 program line-up will also include over 15 informational seminars covering a wide range of topics on filmmaking; from the legal aspects of producing and financing independent films, to film production and distribution.
· LAIFF will also continue to host the popular annual New Media Forum as well as an expanded Music Video Showcase.
LAIFF is recognized as one of America’s premiere discovery film festivals where filmmakers can platform their films and provide an opportunity for industry executives, media and filmgoers alike to support emerging filmmakers and talent. LAIFF Founder and Festival Director Robert Faust proudly acknowledges that over 40% of filmmakers who have premiered their films at the LAIFF have secured distribution, representation, or future film deals. In 1998, LAIFF’s Opening film Shadrach, was acquired by Columbia-TriStar; Artisan picked-up rights to Bennett Miller’s digitally shot documentary feature The Cruise; director Scott Ziehl (Broken Vessels) signed a two-picture deal with Miramax; and director Adam Collis (Mad Boy, I’ll Blow your Blues Away...Be Mine), went on to direct 20th Century Fox’s Sunset Strip for producer Art Linson.
Commenting on the festival, Sundance Channel president Larry Aidem stated, "Sundance Channel is proud to play such an integral role in bringing Los Angeles some of today's most important new talent. The festival is growing at an astounding rate, giving filmmakers the ideal opportunity to showcase their work in the heart of the industry."
Advisory Board member Eric Stoltz who was the recipient of last year’s “Indie Supporter” Award goes on to say, "The L.A. Independent Film Festival has truly become a serious and vital venue for independent filmmakers. It's great that there's an important outlet in addition to Sundance and Toronto to debut films and have them viewed by buyers."
"Each year, the Festival has just about doubled in size. This year we have added an extra day of programming to accommodate both the filmmakers and filmgoers enthusiasm for the Festival. That says a great deal from both a business perspective, in terms of buyers and the industry, as well as the general film going-public, about the demand for this type of fresh, innovative film programming," states Festival Founder and Director Robert Faust.
The 1999 LAIFF program line-up is presented in association with Sundance Channel and Media One, as well as Founding Sponsors the Eastman Kodak Company and the Directors Guild of America and Platinum Sponsors Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Dockers Khakis. This year the festival is expected to draw over 25,000 filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and industry professionals.
In addition to the Opening and Closing night World premieres, the 1999 LAIFF line-up is as follows:
THE ACCIDENT (West Coast Premiere)
A rare documentary memoir of what happens when one’s childhood nostalgia collides
with the reality of its imperfections.
Written, directed, and produced by Joseph F. Lovett
BELLYFRUIT (World Premiere)
A gripping unflinching look at the harsh reality of teenage motherhood.
Directed by Kerri Lee Green and Written by Janet Borrus, Maria Bernhard, Susannah
Blinkoff, Kerri Lee Green. Cast: Kelly Vint, Tamara Bass, Tonatzin Mondragon,
Bonnie Dickenson, Michael Anthony Pena, T.E. Russell.
BETTER LIVING THROUGH CIRCUITRY (World Premiere)
A documentary on the techno-rave culture.
Directed by Jon Reiss. Featuring: The Crystal Method, Roni Size, DJ Spooky, Electric
Skychurch, Jason Bently, Wolfgang Flur of Kraftwerk, DJ Keoki, Meat Beat
Manifesto, Carl Cox, Frankie Bones
BLUE RIDGE FALL (World Premiere)
A tale of loyalty amongst friends that spins a web of deceit and murder.
Written and directed by James Rowe. Cast: Peter Facinelli, Jay R. Ferguson, Rodney
Eastman, Chris Isaak, Amy Irving, Tom Arnold, Heather Stephens, Will Estes
CHERRY (World Premiere)
A beautiful, twenty-nine-year-old virgin seeks loveless sex for procreation purposes
only.
Produced & Directed by Jon Glascoe & Joseph Pierson and Written by Terry Reed
Cast: Shalom Harlow, Jake Weber, Laurel Holloman, Donovan Leitch, Aleksa
Palladino, Heather Matarazzo, David McCallum
CHUTNEY POPCORN (World Premiere)
A heartfelt lesbian love story offering a rare look at the tension between traditional
East-Indian and American cultural traditions.
Directed by Nisha Ganatra and Written by Nisha Ganatra & Susan Carnival. Cast:
Nisha Ganatra, Jill Hennessy, Nick Chinlund, Madhur Jaffrey, Sakina Jaffrey, Cara
Buono, Ajay Naidu
COMING SOON (World Premiere)
A blushingly honest glimpse into the fashionably madcap world of a Manhattan
teenager and her quest for carnal satisfaction.
Directed by Colette Burson and Written by Colette Burson and Kate Robin. Cast:
Bonnie Root, Gaby Hoffman, Tricia Vessey, Ryan Reynolds, Mia Farrow, Ryan
O’Neal, James Roday, Yasmine Bleeth, Splading Gray, Peter Bogdanovich, Kevin
Corrigan
THE DREAM CATCHER (World Premiere)
A classic on-the-road story of two teenage runaways.
Directed by Ed Radtke and Written by Ed Radtke & M S Nieson. Cast: Maurice
Compte, Paddy Connor, Jeanne Heaton, Larry John Meyers, Joseph Arthur, Sean Hill
EXISTO (World Premiere)
A politically satirical rock and roll musical comedy about freedom of speech and art for
art’s sake.
Directed by Coke Sams and Written by Bruce Arntson & Coke Sams. Cast: Bruce
Arntson, Jackie Welch, Jim Varney, Gailard Sartain, Mark Cabus, Mike Montgomery,
Jenny Littleton
THE FLORENTINE (World Premiere)
A pending marriage forces a group of friends to reflect on their lives.
Directed by Nick Stagliano and Written by Damien Gray & Tom Benson Producers:
Chris Penn, Steven Weisman, Tom Benson, Nick Stagliano Executive Producers:
Francis Ford Coppola, Cindy Cowan, Fred Fuchs. Cast: Jeremy Davies, Michael
Madsen, Chris Penn, Luke Perry, Tom Sizemore, Virginia Madsen, Mary Stuart
Masterson, Hal Holbrook, James Belushi
A GOOD BABY (World Premiere)
A hypnotic murder mystery set against the spectacularly moody backdrop of the
western
North Carolina mountains.
Written & Directed by Katherine Dieckmann. Cast: Henry Thomas, David Strathairn,
Cara Seymour, Danny Nelson, Allison Glenn, Jayne Morgan, Danny Vinson
HIT AND RUNWAY (World Premiere)
A hysterical comedy about two writers struggling to meet a deadline.
Directed by Christopher Livingston and Written by Jaffe Cohen & Christopher
Livingston
Cast: Michael Parducci, Peter Jacobson, Kerr Smith, Judy Prescott, John Fiore, J K
Simmons, Hoyt Richards
HOT IRONS (World Premiere)
A documentary of the thriving African-American hair design industry in Detroit.
Directed by Andrew Dosunmu & Produced by Angela Hughes
JUMP (World Premiere)
A ferocious black comedy about one man’s contemplation of suicide.
Written & Directed by Justin McCarthy. Cast: Richard Belzer, Harvey Fierstein, Jessica
Hecht, James LeGros, Hal Linden, Amanda Peet, Mark Rosenthal, Samia Shoaid, Ione
Skye
THE LIFESTYLE (World Premiere)
A shocking documentary portrait of the thriving, misunderstood swinger lifestyle.
Directed by David Schisgall & Produced by Dan Cogan. Executive Producers: James
Schamus, Ted Hope, Mary Jane Skalski
THE LOVE MACHINE (World Premiere)
A brilliant satire of sexual fantasies on the internet.
Written & Directed by Gordon Eriksen. Featuring: Marlene Forte, Gary Perez, Tomo
Omori, Jun Suenaga, Elizabeth Wunsch, Chip Garner
MONEY BUYS HAPPINESS (World Premiere)
A biting black comedy about a bickering couple’s struggle to push a piano fifty blocks.
Written & Directed by Gregg Lachow. Cast: Megan Murphy, Jeff Weatherford, John
Holyoke, Cynthia Whalen, Cathy Sutherland, Michael Chick, Caveh Zahedi
NO VACANCY (World Premiere)
A madcap misadventure set in a surreal motel fantasyland.
Written & Directed by Marius Balchunas. Excutive producer Ron Shelton. Cast:
Christina Ricci, Lolita Davidovich, Timothy Olyphant, Robert Wagner, Ryan Bollman,
Joaquim De Almeida, Gabriel Mann, Steven Schub
POP & ME (World Premiere)
A documentary about a father and son’s round the world trip interviewing other fathers
and sons.
Director: Chris Roe Story By: Chris Roe, Richard Roe, Erik Arnesen, Jesse Negron,
Juliann Jannus, Mark Kornweibel
PUPS (World Premiere)
A searing portrait of the escalation of gun-related violence amongst teens.
Writer/Director: Ash. Cast: Cameron Van Hoy, Mischa Barton, Burt Reynolds, Adam
Ferrar, David Alan Graf, Kurt Loder, James Gordon
SATURN (World Premiere)
A reformed derelict tries to make something of his life while caring for his sick father.
Written & Directed by Robert Schmidt. Cast: Mia Kirschner, Scott Caan, Leo
Burmester
THE SETTLEMENT (World Premiere)
A black comedy about two corrupt insurance agents who scheme to secure a two
million dollar insurance policy.
Written & Directed Mark Steilen. Cast: Kelly McGillis, John C. Reilly, William
Fichtner
A SLIPPING DOWN LIFE (West Coast Premiere)
A melancholic story of an open-hearted heroine and her sexy, rock star hero. Adapted
from the Anne Tyler novel.
Written & Directed Toni Kalem. Cast: Lili Taylor, Guy Pearce, John Hawkes, Sara
Rue, Irma P. Hall, Tom Bower, Shawnee Smith, Veronica Cartwright, Bruno Kirby
HARRY NOTE: A SLIPPING DOWN LIFE is absolutely fantastic. If I were a distributor, I wouldn't wait till it was showing in your backyard... Go get this film, it's fantastic.
SNAPPED (World Premiere)
A small-time hustler and his jaded ex-girlfriend hide out from a notorious hitman.
Directed by Jesse Feigelman & Written by Ian Chorao, Jesse Feigelman. Cast: Gaby
Hoffman, David Wheir, Johnny Zander, Seymour Cassell, Simon Rex
SOMETIME IN AUGUST (World Premiere)
A tale of two lovers playing a simple love game that deepens into an emotionally fatal
bout
with madness.
Written & Directed by Caio Ribeiro. Cast: Michael Medeiros, Sylva Kelegian, Glenn
English, Terry Keane, Lois Markle, Meir Moskowitz, Samuel Ribeiro, Collette Sible
SPEEDWAY JUNKY (U.S. Premiere)
A coming-of-age story about loyalty, courage, and a young boy’s fight to hold on to his
dream while surviving on the streets of Las Vegas.
Written & Directed by Nickolas Perry Executive Producer: Gus Van Sant. Cast: Jesse
Bradford, Jordan Brower, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Daryl Hannah, Tiffani-Amber
Thiessen, Patsy Kensit, Justin Urich, Adrienne Frantz, Patrick Renna, Warren G.
SWEET UNDERGROUND (World Premiere)
A group of LA misfits wrestle with their demons.
Written, Directed & Produced by Dorsay Alavi. Cast: Matthew Flint, Cindy Lou
Adkins, Kevin Patrick Walls, Tracy Grant, Alex Demir, Mellisa Lechner, Seymour
Cassell
The Los Angeles Independent Film Festival is a program of the L.A. Film Collaborative, a non profit organization dedicated to supporting emerging filmmaking talent across the country by creating opportunities for exhibition and production assistance.
Tickets and passes to the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival will be available from March 15 by calling: 1-888-ETM-TIXS or visit the Website: .
