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As the 128-page
official program is ready to go to press, plans are rapidly being
finalized with films, guests and special programs for the 4th annual
Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival. Films will screen at the
festival November 8 - 11 at the Movies at Midway, and an Opening Night
Gala will kick off the festival on Wednesday, November 7 at the Bay
Center in Dewey Beach.
What is emerging is a
festival with more guest directors than ever, and a great mix of the
best films from around the world. “Many of the films that have been
selected have been nominated for an Oscar, or have won major awards at
some of the most significant festivals in the world, including Venice,
Cannes, Berlin, Sundance and Seattle,” says Festival Director and
Programmer Barry Becker.
Some Fresh Faces
In the film line-up are a crop of debut films from new directors who
will be at the festival to premier e their works. Included are Stray
Dogs, with director Catherine Crouch, which stars
actress/producer/writer Guinevere Turner (Go Fish, American Psycho) in a
Tennessee Williams-like story set in Appalachia about the last night of
a bad marriage; Skeleton Woman, with director Vivi Letsou in attendance,
a very magical folk tale beautifully filmed along the coast of
California; and Riders, with director Doug Sadler from Maryland, who was
recently named one of the 25 new independent filmmakers to watch by
Filmmaker magazine. Also in attendance will be veteran film director
Bobby Roth with his new film, Jack the Dog, which recently premiered at
the Seattle International Film Festival, and film producer Andrew
Fierberg (Hamlet) with his new work, The Next Big Thing. Director P.J.
Posner will also be on hand for that film. Other invited guests are
being finalized as we go to press. There will be several opportunities
to meet and interact with the directors, from Q + A following the films
to filmmaker breakfasts and panel discussions.
Archival Works
The festival will also present at least three works from the past,
including Ingmar Bergman’s award winning Wild Strawberries, Charlie
Chaplin’s The Gold Rush, and Oscar Micheaux’s Body and Soul. Film
Professor Marie Travis of The George Washington University will be on
hand for the latter two films to discuss them and their place in film
history. The Gold Rush is the “official” version now put out by the
Chaplin estate, the director’s cut, if you will, with voice-overs by
Chaplin himself. It’s a rare opportunity to see this version of the
film classic.
Of Gay and Lesbian
Interest
There are a number of films of interest to the gay and lesbian
community in the festival, and all are expected to be big hits. Included
are Hedwig and the Angry Inch, an outrageous musical that is playing in
art houses now to rave reviews, which won several major awards at
Slamdance; Come Undone, a very moving French coming of age film;
Lifetime Guarantee, one of the most moving, funny and engaging
documentaries in the festival, starring singer Phranc in her new
reincarnation as a Tupperware lady (yes, it’s true, and yes, you must
see it!); Adventures of Felix, an award winning road movie about
discovery and family, set in France; History Lessons, the latest from
prolific director Barbara Hammer; and Burnt Money, set in Argentina,
about two notorious bank robbers who are lovers.
For More Information
For the latest details on the films, guests, special programs, Opening
Night Gala and Closing Night Party, accommodations, sponsors, and much
more, check the festival website www.rehobothfilm.com.To
get a festival program, e-mail rbfilm@dmv.com
or call 302-645-9095. Programs should be available by early October.
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