From January 6 to 17, 2011 fest will run and this year has the amazing program screening 40 of the 65 submissions to Oscar in the foreign language category; just for these movies I wish I could go. But there are other that seem interesting in the 193 films from 68 countries, with 9 world premieres, that will be screened like the ones that will open and close the fest. Opening Gala: Potiche, François Ozon, France
Closing Film: The First Grader, Justin Chadwick, UK and Kenya
Among the Special Presentations three sections called my attention:
The Gay!La (Hers) that will showcase Leading Ladies by Daniel Beahm and Erika Randall Beahm, USA which is a musical
The Gay!La (His) that will showcase great Mine Vaganti (Loose Cannons), Ferzan Ozpetek, Italy
Special Presentation: Le Hérisson (The Hedgehog) by Mona Achache, France
The fest will honor many people and films; among them we have Michael Douglas, Ben Affleck, Danny Boyle, The Social Network, Robert Duvall, Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Javier Barden, Jennifer Lawrence, and Carey Mulligan.
In general most of the films are known to the blog but if you feel like learning about the 193 films please go here.
New Voices/New Visions
These are the 12 features that are in competition in this section
40, Emre Sahin, Turkey
Adem (Oxygen), Hans Van Nuffel, Belgium
As if I Am Not There, Juanita Wilson, Ireland (interesting but surely hard to watch)
Der Albaner (The Albanian), Johannes Naber, Germany
Buna! Ce Faci? (Hello! How Are You?), Alexandru Maftei, Romania
Diciotto Anni Dopo (Eighteen Years Later), Edoardo Leo,Italy
Mavro Livadi (Black Field), Vardis Marinakis, Greece (seems is gay not lesbian interest, still has very nice visuals – check trailer @MOC)
Metro Cuadrado (Square Meter),Nayra Ilic, Chile
Pájaros de Papel (Paper Birds), Emilio Aragón, Spain
Smukke Mennesker (Nothing’s All Bad), Mikkel Munch-Fals, Denmark
Sound of Noise, Ola Simonsson and Johannes Stjärne Nilsson, Sweden
Svinalanjorna (Beyond), Pernilla August, Sweden (yes, is the one with Noomi Rapace)
To read about each film go here. I really dislike when festivals do not specify if film is lesbian or gay and join them with the label ‘Gay/Lesbian’ they shouldn’t do this as films have very different audiences. Nevertheless if you feel like checking the 18 films listed under the joint label please go here. One film absolutely calls my attention: Little Sparrows by Yu-Hsiu Camille Chen, Australia, 2010 that I really hope has lesbian interest.
Hi Storyteller. Thanks for your post on Twitter reminding me to double check for some of your recommendations. I'm hoping/planning to be in Palm Springs for the first half. I remember teasing you last year that you should try to make it out. Sorry that didn't work out. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf you notice you've seen any of the films or have heard something special beyond what you already mentioned (very helpful) please do let me know
BTW - looks like blogger messed up your hyperlink around "193 films please go here"
Rich (aka @seattlefilmblog)
Hi Rich, been enjoying following you in Twitter and like your new blog in design and your POV. I was thinking about going this year to PSIFF but something got in between about another festival so there is always hope that I'll make it next year.
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned about the link, got scared as yesterday I noticed that 1,000+ posts had no format! Was able to fix them automatically (or so I thought). But you're right the link had problems, think I fix it and now is working. Thanks for the very helpful tip.
Have seen some of the foreign language films, but still have many to go (still due to the holidays have many films that haven't done the review). Know about films in the many selections (some come from La Biennale); but yes, haven't been able to watch them. Lucky you that you will watch many.
Will take another look and maybe I'll be able to suggest more movies for you as believe have a better idea of what you might like thanks to your blogs.
Storyteller