Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Film Festival hosts epic love story 'Bride Flight' premiere in Sedona Nov. 8


'Bride Flight'

Tale inspired by true story of the 1953 'Last Great Air Race' debuts in festival's cinema series

A forbidden love, an impossible choice and a secret pact are all the ingredients of the epic award-winning drama “Bride Flight” which will premiere in Sedona on Tuesday, Nov. 8 as part of the Sedona International Film Festival’s Tuesday Cinema Series. There will be two screenings of the film at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres.

“Bride Flight” is getting rave reviews from critics and audiences all around the world. Rex Reed from the New York Observer calls the film “lavishly entertaining … fascinating, beautifully acted and magnificently photographed.” Moving Pictures Magazine calls “Bride Flight” a “haunting masterpiece with the power of ‘Doctor Zhivago’!” And the San Francisco Chronicle rates it five stars and calls it “exhilarating!”

Spanning over five decades, “Bride Flight” is inspired by the true story of the 1953 "Last Great Air Race" from London, England to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Eager to escape the damp and suffocating atmosphere of post-war Holland, Dutch beauties Marjorie, Ada and Esther meet each other on the immigration flight to New Zealand, en route to join their future husbands — who are already settled there — for what they hope will be a better life.

On the plane trip overseas — dubbed the “Bride Flight” — the three become fast friends and meet Frank, a young man who is also immigrating to seek a prosperous life in New Zealand. He will come to play a critical role in each of their lives.

In their early years in this new country, their lives become entangled in brief relationships of love, lust and family before losing touch. It is only when the women reunite again fifty years later at Frank’s funeral that they discover how much their lives had become intertwined through their different relationships with Frank.

From the director of the Academy Award-nominated “Twin Sisters”, Ben Sombogaart, comes this epic love story that tells a universal story of forbidden love and secrets held for over half a century.

“The core of the movie for me is that the lives of three women and one man — four intriguing and moving characters — become interwoven,” said Sombogaart. “One important theme is the confrontation with the past. The main characters are in search of happiness. They want to build a new life in a far away country. But they are also fleeing.”

“Just like in my film, ‘Twin Sisters’, they are courageous people who are trying to survive. But can you escape your past? In the end it always catches up with you. That is the tragedy for me.”

“Bride Flight” is a romantic and captivating epic for all ages. Older viewers will recognize the image of the time and the historical facts, younger viewers the experiences of the three twenty year olds. It is a timeless story that touches and moves you, with recognizable emotions and characters. It is about young people in search of adventure, who long for a new beginning, their own existence and who must make important decisions.

The title sponsor for this film premiere event is Events by Showstoppers. The series is also made possible by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Sedona, and the Sedona Community Foundation.

“Bride Flight” will be shown at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members, and will be available starting at 3:00 p.m. that day in the Harkins lobby. Cash or checks only. Film Sedona members can purchase tickets in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, Suite A3, or by calling 282-1177. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.com.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Moving and inspiring drama 'Life, Above All' premieres in Sedona Oct. 11


Inspiring drama 'Life, Above All' premieres in Sedona Oct. 11
Award-winning international film debuts in Sedona Film Festival's Tuesday Cinema Series

The award-winning critical and audience sensation “Life, Above All” premieres in Sedona on Tuesday, Oct. 11 in the Sedona International Film Festival’s Tuesday Cinema Series. There will be two screenings of the film at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres.

A touching and inspiring story, “Life, Above All” made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and went on to play at the Toronto International Film Festival and several other prestigious festivals around the world, winning top awards at several of them. It was also selected as the coveted closing night film for the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival.

The film was also South Africa’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the recent Academy Awards.

“Life, Above All” is an emotional and universal drama about a young girl (stunningly performed by first-time-actress Khomotso Manyaka) who fights the fear and shame that have poisoned her community.

Just after the death of her newly-born sister, Chanda, 12 years old, learns of a rumor that spreads like wildfire through her small, dust-ridden village near Johannesburg. It destroys her family and forces her mother to flee. Sensing that the gossip stems from prejudice and superstition, Chanda leaves home and school in search of her mother and the truth.

“Life, Above All” captures the enduring strength of loyalty and a courage powered by the heart.

Directed by South African filmmaker Oliver Schmitz, the film is based on the international award-winning novel Chanda’s Secrets by Allan Stratton.

Like the novel it is based on, “Life, Above All” is a story about children who have to take on responsibilities much too early in life and never get to experience a normal childhood. It is a universal issue that affects children all over the world. The film is a hopeful tale about the power of friendship, solidarity and loyalty.

Roger Ebert praises “Life, Above All” as “pure human drama … with deep human emotions, evoked with sympathy and love.”

Time Magazine raves, “Alone among the films at Cannes, ‘Life, Above All’ was one that had critics cheering like school kids, in a 10-minute standing ovation, and wiping tears from their eyes. It has the high art and big heart of any award-worthy film!”



The title sponsors for this special film premiere are The Verde Valley Sanctuary and Mary Fisher. The series is also made possible by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Sedona, and the Sedona Community Foundation.

“Life, Above All” will be shown at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members, and will be available starting at 3:00 p.m. that day in the Harkins lobby. Cash or checks only. Film Sedona members can purchase tickets in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, Suite A3, or by calling 282-1177. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.com.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

'Another Earth' makes Sedona debut in film festival series Oct. 4


Another Earth” explores the realm of speculative fiction while taking us on a journey through the deep and mysterious cosmos within the human heart. The Sedona International Film Festival presents the exclusive Northern Arizona premiere of the film on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres.

'Another Earth' makes Sedona debut in film festival series Oct. 4
Award-winning breakout hit from the Sundance Film Festival makes Northern Arizona premiere

If you could meet another version of yourself, what would you say? What if you had another chance at a life just like this one, only different? What would lure you, what would scare you; and what, if anything, would stop you?

These questions and more are explored in Mike Cahill’s intimate and provocative feature “Another Earth”. The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the exclusive Northern Arizona premiere of the film on Tuesday, Oct. 4. There will be two screenings of the film at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres.

“Another Earth” explores the realm of speculative fiction while taking us on a journey through the deep and mysterious cosmos within the human heart. Inside the story’s fantastical concept of an alternate Earth and an unprecedented space quest, lies the stripped down, starkly moving relationship of two people on a far more personal journey — one that navigates through remorse, anger, forgiveness, hope and sheer wonder.

“Another Earth” tells the starkly moving story of Rhoda Williams (Brit Marling), a brilliant young woman searching for a way to right a terrible tragedy. She lives in a world just like ours, except that suddenly — overnight — a mysteriously similar planet (provisionally dubbed Earth 2) has appeared in the sky, like a giant, reflective mirror hanging over us.

For Rhoda, that strange, eerie planet, and the parallel reality scientists say it promises, is her last hope. Lost after a shocking accident halted her dreams of becoming an astrophysicist, she has no sense of the future. Driven in life only by the need to confront her past, Rhoda ends up at the front door of the man whose life she irrevocably changed: renowned composer John Burroughs (William Mapother).

Both disconnected, mistrustful and full of doubts about who they are, they fall into an unlikely — and risky — love affair. But when Rhoda gets the incredible chance to travel to Earth 2, it will expose the hidden truth between them and raises the question: what if the greatest mystery in the vast unknown is ourselves?

“It is a truly unique film,” says the star of the film Brit Marling. “We were interested in provoking peoples’ imaginations, stirring their sense of wonder. It thrusts you into a world where anything is possible, including an alternate reality of you. The other Earth became a way to hold up a mirror to ourselves, our culture, our world and force a confrontation.”

A breakout hit at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Another Earth” won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize for the best film as well as the Special Jury Prize for Dramatic Feature.

The title sponsor of this special film premiere is The Verde Valley Archaeology Center. The Center is dedicated to the care and management of archaeological sites and artifacts found throughout the Sedona/Verde Valley area. With classes, lectures, workshops and exhibits, the Center fosters a deeper understanding of human history through the science of archaeology and the cultural materials that remain. The Center opened its doors in Camp Verde this past May with historic display cases provided by the Tuzigoot National Monument and exhibits provided by the Yavapai-Apache Nation.

The series is also made possible by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Sedona, and the Sedona Community Foundation.

“Another Earth” will be shown at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members, and will be available starting at 3:00 p.m. that day in the Harkins lobby. Cash or checks only. Film Sedona members can purchase tickets in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, Suite A3-4, or by calling 282-1177. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.com.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Romantic comedy 'Young Goethe in Love' premieres in Sedona on Sept. 27


Sparkling cinematography, gorgeous costumes and sets, and ill-fated love — these are the ingredients in Philipp Stölzl’s engaging historical drama “Young Goethe in Love” which makes its Arizona premiere in Sedona on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The film, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival, recreates the early years of Germany’s most famous literary genius: Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe.

Romantic comedy 'Young Goethe in Love' premieres in Sedona on Sept. 27
Film festival presents Arizona debut of charming, intelligent German period comedy

The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the exclusive Arizona premiere of the delightful new German romantic comedy “Young Goethe in Love” on Tuesday, Sept 27. There will be two screenings of the film at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres.

“We are so proud to feature this brilliant, intelligent charmer,” said Sagan Lewis, the film festival’s program director. “It is a comedy that delights the heart and the intellect!”

Sparkling cinematography, gorgeous costumes and sets, and ill-fated love — these are just the ingredients needed to lovingly recreate the early years of Germany’s most famous literary genius: Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. Before Goethe wrote the hugely influential “The Sorrows of Young Werther”, he lived its story of love lost.

It is this period of time that is so affectingly covered in Philipp Stölzl’s engaging historical drama “Young Goethe in Love”.

This lively biopic traces the great author's impetuous early years, including his struggle to become a writer despite his father's disapproval, his haphazard pursuit of a law career, and the intense romance with Lotte Buff (played with great vivacity by Miriam Stein).

Alexander Fehling plays Goethe who takes a job clerking for Judge Kester (Moritz Bleibtreu) in a sleepy provincial court after failing his doctorate. Bored with his menial tasks, he continues to defy his father’s wishes by persisting with his writing. Then one day he meets the lovely Lotte. Sparks fly and — as the courtship progresses — love blooms. Suddenly his life has changed and nothing is the same as before.

However, the young lovers are unaware that her father has already promised Lotte’s hand to another man, so their happiness is short-lived. Goethe’s first romantic experience would forever alter the course of the literary world.

Director Phillip Stölzl (“Northface”) returns to the very wellspring of Romanticism — Goethe’s autobiographical masterpiece “The Sorrows of Young Werther” — and conjures up a beguiling and refreshingly innocent period romance.

Critics and audiences are raving about the film and Alexander Fehling’s portrayal of the title character saying “Fehling is perfect in the role of Goethe, giving a sense of energy and a multifaceted intelligence to his portrayal of the young literary genius. He is at the same time magnetic and charming!”




The title sponsor of this special film premiere is Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa. The series is also made possible by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Sedona, and the Sedona Community Foundation.

“Young Goethe in Love” will be shown at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members, and will be available starting at 3:00 p.m. that day in the Harkins lobby. Cash or checks only. Film Sedona members can purchase tickets in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, Suite A3-4, or by calling 282-1177. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.com.

Friday, September 9, 2011

'Burlesque' returns to Sedona in Cinema Under the Stars on Sept. 20


“Burlesque” — starring Cher and Christina Aguilera — is the story of a small-town girl with a big voice who escapes hardship and an uncertain future to follow her dreams to Los Angeles. Her spectacular voice restores The Burlesque Lounge to its former glory. In honor of the film festival’s seventh anniversary of presenting its Tuesday night series, all tickets to the Sept. 20 outdoor event will be $7.00 each.

'Burlesque' returns to Sedona in Cinema Under the Stars on Sept. 20

Film Festival presents film and concert at Tequa Marketplace to celebrate music and the movies

The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present “Cinema Under the Stars” at Tequa featuring the return of the rousing crowd-pleaser “Burlesque” on Tuesday, Sept. 20. There will be one screening of the film outdoors at the Tequa Marketplace courtyard in the Village of Oak Creek.

A live concert performance compliments of the Celtic Harvest Festival will kick off the evening at 6 p.m. Come early, bring lawn chairs and blankets … and celebrate music and the movies at the festival’s final outdoor film of the season. “Burlesque” will follow the concert at dark.

In honor of the film festival’s seventh anniversary of presenting its Tuesday night series, all tickets to the event will be $7.00 each.

“This is our way of thanking the community and our audience members for their support over the past seven years since we introduced the Tuesday Cinema Series,” said festival director Patrick Schweiss. “This promises to be an extraordinary night of music and film under the beautiful Sedona night skies!”

“Burlesque” — starring Cher and Christina Aguilera — played to rave audience reviews when it premiered last fall.

“The lavish production numbers leave audience members tapping their feet and practically dancing in the aisles, which is why we thought it would be the perfect film finale to our summer outdoor series,” added Schweiss.

Ali (Christina Aguilera) is a small-town girl with a big voice who escapes hardship and an uncertain future to follow her dreams to Los Angeles. After stumbling upon The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but ailing theater that is home to an inspired musical revue, Ali lands a job as a cocktail waitress for Tess (Cher), the club’s proprietor and headliner. Burlesque’s outrageous costumes and bold choreography enrapture the young ingénue who vows to perform there someday.

Soon enough, Ali builds a friendship with a featured dancer (Julianne Hough), finds an enemy in a troubled, jealous performer (Kristen Bell), and garners the affection of Jack (Cam Gigandet), a bartender and fellow musician.

With the help of a sharp-witted stage manager (Stanley Tucci) and a gender-bending host (Alan Cumming), Ali makes her way from the bar to the stage. Her spectacular voice restores The Burlesque Lounge to its former glory, though not before a charismatic entrepreneur (Eric Dane) arrives with an enticing proposal.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the Tequa Marketplace restaurants. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and beach towels.

The Celtic Harvest Festival will kick off the evening with a special concert performance. Tramor (Overseas) is the new traditional music project of John Good. John is well known through out the West, South, Midwest and in his native Wales as a multi-instrumentalist, Welsh piper, singer/songwriter, composer and poet. Veteran of many Celtic festivals and concerts, including Estes Park, Chicago, San Diego and Denver, he brings the subtly different flavor of traditional Welsh music to the Phoenix stage. On this occasion he is aided and abetted by mandolin virtuoso Billy Parker.

The title sponsor for the event is Tequa Marketplace. The series is also made possible by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Sedona and the Sedona Community Foundation.

“Burlesque” will be shown outdoors at Tequa Marketplace in “Cinema Under the Stars” on Tuesday, Sept. 20, with a pre-film concert beginning at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are all $7 each for this special event, and will be available starting at Tequa beginning at 5 p.m. that evening. Cash or checks only.

Tickets can be purchased or reserved in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, 2030 W. State Route 89A, Suite 3A in West Sedona, or by calling 282-1177. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.com.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Arizona Centennial Film Festival Just Around the Corner!

The Prescott Film Festival is thrilled to add to the festivities surrounding the Arizona Centennial Film Festival with the Arizona Centennial Film Festival, (AZCFF.)

AZCFF will be held during the AZ Best Fest September 16 – 18th at Hendrix Auditorium, which will be right next door to the Native American Village, on the campus of Prescott Mile High Middle School.

The festival has spent the last few months combing through the approximately 2,500 films and television shows shot in Arizona over the years and came up with an entertaining cross-section of films from the silent era forward. Here are some of the highlights of the festival;

Historic movie posters on display in the lobby: Local film historian Tom Slaback is loaning the festival part of his vast collection of movie posters from Tom Mix to Murphy’s Romance! All the posters are from films made in Arizona. This will be in the lobby of the theatre, and open for viewing whenever the AZCFF is open.

Film commentaries: Several films will have discussions before or after their screenings:
1. Tom Slaback will talk about: The Law and the Outlaw a silent film from 1913, filmed in Prescott and starring Tom Mix
2. Pride of the Bowery filmed in Prescott in 1940 (Much of it filmed downtown Prescott)
3. Arizona Bound filmed in Prescott in 1941

4. Gayle Gardner worked on the film Wanda Nevada and she will take part in a Q&A after the screening of the film

5. Gail Steiger will discuss his film, Ranch Album, after the screening, along with participants from the film. Made in 1987 the film is a snap-shot of ranch life in Yavapai County that year.

Cowboy Poets:
1. Mike Dunn will give the audience a short selection of Cowboy Poetry before the screening of Murphy’s Romance
2. Gail Steiger will also share some of his Cowboy Poetry before the screening of his film, Ranch Album

Books on movie-poster art throughout the years will be given away in between each film

· If you are in the movie Junior Bonner; even as an extra, attend the September 16th screening and be eligible for a drawing for a free 10-pack of tickets to the Prescott Film Festival in Nov!

Tickets are a $5 donation available only at the door.
ARIZONA CENTENNIAL FILM FESTIVAL
Schedule
Friday September 16:
5:00PM
¡Three Amigos! (104 min): 1986; Coronado National Forest, Old Tucson; Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short

7:15PM
The Law and the Outlaw (45 min): 1913; Prescott; Tom Mix; Yavapai County film historian Tom Slaback discussion

8:45PM
Junior Bonner (100 min): 1972; Prescott; Steve McQueen

Saturday September 17:
9:00 AM
Angel and the Badman (100 min): 1947; Sedona, John Wayne

11:15AM
Pride of the Bowery (61 min): 1940; Prescott, Leo Gorcey; Yavapai County film historian Tom Slaback discussion

1:30 PM
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (90 min): 1989; Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale; Keanu Reeves

4:00 PM
3:10 to Yuma (92 min): 1957; Texas Canyon, Triangle T Guest Ranch, Wilcox, Sedona, Old Tucson, Amerind Foundation; Glenn Ford

6:00 PM
Murphy's Romance (107 min): 1985; Florence, Tubac, Tucson; James Garner, Sally Field
Cowboy Poet Mike Dunn, (Preceding film)

8:30 PM
Wanda Nevada (107 min): 1979; Peter Fonda, Brooke Shields, Henry Fonda; Prescott, Page; Gayle Gardner Discussion

Sunday September 18:
12:30PM
Arizona Bound (57 min): 1941; Prescott; Buck Jones; Yavapai County film historian Tom Slaback discussion

2:15 PM
Lust for Gold (90 min): 1949; Superstition Mountains; Glenn Ford

4:15 PM
Ranch Album - 1987 (65 min): Yavapai County, discussion with Producer/Director Gail Steiger, and any participants from the documentary he can "round up" for the discussion
Cowboy Poet Gail Steiger (Preceding film)



CONTACT:
Helen Stephenson
Prescott Film Festival
(928) 448-7209
helen@prescottfilmfestival.com

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Directing Actor Workshop, September 17 &18

Join us at the Zaki Gordon Institute for:


Directing Actors
September 17 & 18, 9am-4pm
DFM105 CRN 32677
Instructor: Shawn Nelson


ACTING COACH TO THE STARS...


Shawn has been one of Hollywood’s top acting coaches for thepast 25 years, and works with acclaimed actors Sela Ward of ‘CSI NY’ (who thanked Shawn when she accepted both of her Emmys for ‘Sisters’ and ‘Once and Again’), Eva Longoria of ‘Desperate Housewives,’ Tamara Taylor of ‘Bones,’ and day time television star Rebecca Budig - Greenlee Smyth on ABC's ‘All My Children!'


Shawn has had the honor of coaching Diane Kruger of ‘National Treasure 2’ and ‘Inglorious Bastards,’ Lena Headey of ‘Game of Thrones’ and 'The Sarah Conner Chronicles', Stephen Collins of ‘No Ordinary Family’, Efren Ramirez of ‘Napoleon Dynamite,’ and Adir Kalyan of ‘Rules of Engagement,’ Olivia Wilde of ‘House,’ and entertainment icons such as actor/director Tony Goldwyn, Matthew Fox of the hit ABC show ‘Lost,’ Amanda Bynes of the WB’s ‘What I Like About You,’ as well as legendary actress Ann Margaret, Nastassia Kinski, Jayne Meadows-Allen, actress and supermodel Kathy Ireland, country music star / actor Billy Ray Cyrus, superstar vocalists Gene Simmons, Huey Lewis, Carol Lawrence, Marilyn McCoo, Frankie Valli, and many, many others!


Shawn is a guest lecturer at colleges and film schools and is a member of AEA, AFTRA, SAG and the Directors Guild of America (DGA).


Call 928.649.4276 for more information or visit www.yc.edu to register.