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21ST ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FULL LINEUP

By Mark Bell | September 28, 2012

The 21st annual Philadelphia Film Festival, running October 18-28, 2012, has announced the full programming lineup, including Silver Linings Playbook and Flight as fest opener and closer, respectively. From the official press release:

The Philadelphia Film Society is proud to announce the full line-up of the 21st Philadelphia Film Festival, spanning from October 18 – October 28 on 7 theater screens throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.
 
The Festival will open on October 18th with acclaimed David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook, which recently won the coveted Audience Award following its premiere at last month’s Toronto International Film Festival, and is already garnering award buzz. Silver Linings Playbook is an intimate, heartfelt, engaging and often hilarious, film about a former high school teacher who returns home, looking to rebuild his life after spending time in a mental institution. The Festival will close on October 27th with Flight, Robert Zemeckis' long-awaited return to live-action filmmaking, which tells the story of a seasoned airline pilot who crash lands his plane after a mid-air catastrophe, miraculously saving nearly everybody on board, and the subsequent investigation into what may have caused the crash.

 
The Festival will also include 5 centerpiece screenings, including: Cloud Atlas, a sci-fi drama with a star-studded cast from visionary directors Tom Tywker, Lana and Andy Wachowsky, adapted from David Mitchell's celebrated novel; Hyde Park on Hudson, Roger Michell’s intimate look into FDR’s extramarital affair with his distant cousin starring Bill Murray as the former President, FDR; Not Fade Away, David Chase’s endearing coming-of-age tale about three young men who form a rock band in the 60’s; Quartet, Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut about four aging retired opera singers; and Stand Up Guys, Fisher Stevens' action comedy starring Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin.

 
"Our programming team did a tremendous job yet again, delivering a stellar program for this year's Festival," said Andrew Greenblatt, Executive Director. "I can't imagine a better Opening Night film for our Festival than Silver Linings Playbook, and I'm thrilled to have legendary director Robert Zemeckis bringing his latest film Flight to Philadelphia for our Closing Night. Both films are sure to be amongst the most talked about and celebrated films of the Fall.”
 
"I am extremely excited about this year's offerings,” says Artistic Director Michael Lerman. “As we enter a new decade of festivals, we strive to become even stronger in the diversity and quality of programming."

 
The 11-day Philadelphia Film Festival, which was programmed by Greenblatt and Lerman alongside the newly named Associate Director of Programming, Jesse Trussell, the newly named Associate Programmer Dilcia Barrera and long-time PFF programmers Tom Quinn and Ryan Werner, will locally premiere over 100 feature length and short films, curated by our programming committee that travels to festival around the world, all year long, to officially select each film in the program.  The full Festival schedule will be released on Thursday, September 27th, available on www.filmadelphia.org/festival and in the Festival Program Guides.
 
Screenings for the 21st Philadelphia Film Festival will take place at the Ritz East (125 S. 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106), the Ritz Bourse (400 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA 19106), the Rave University Six (230 S. 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104), Gershman Y at the University of the Arts (401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 19103), the Zellerbach Theater at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104) and the Prince Music Theater (1412 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102), with outdoor screenings at Shoemaker Green (33rd & Spruce Streets, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 19104) on Friday, October 26th. Tickets will go on-sale for Philadelphia Film Society members on Friday, September 28, and to the general public beginning Monday, October 2nd.  Tickets may be purchased through the Festival website, www.filmadelphia.org, over the phone by calling 267-908-4733, or in-person at the Prince Music Theater Box Office (1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103).

 
21st Philadelphia Film Festival Full Line-up
 
Opening Night Film
Silver Linings Playbook, Director David O. Russell. USA, 2012 (The Weinstein Company)
 
Closing Night Film
Flight, Director Robert Zemeckis. USA, 2012 (Paramount)

 
Centerpiece Screenings
Cloud Atlas, Directors Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski. USA/Germany, 2012 (Warner Bros.)
Hyde Park on Hudson, Director Roger Michell. USA, 2012 (Focus Features)
Not Fade Away, Director David Chase. USA, 2012 (Paramount)
Quartet, Director Dustin Hoffman. USA, 2012 (The Weinstein Company)
Stand Up Guys, Director Fisher Stevens. USA, 2013 (Roadside Attractions)

 
 
 
From the Vaults: Film history comes alive as it was meant to be seen – on the big screen. Come see old favorites bigger than life once again.
Lost Highway, Director David Lynch, USA, 1997 (Focus Features)
Poltergeist, Director Tobe Hooper. USA, 1982 (MGM)
Punch-Drunk Love, Director Paul Thomas Anderson. USA, 2002 (Sony Pictures)
The Shining, Director Stanley Kubrick. USA, 1980 (Warner Brothers)

Signs, Director M. Night Shyamalan. USA, 2002 (Touchstone/Disney)
Wake in Fright, Director Ted Kotcheff. Australia, 1971 (Drafthouse Films)
Yossi & Jagger, Director Eytan Fox. Israel, 2002 (Strand Releasing)
 
Spotlights: Highly–anticipated movies from some of the biggest actors in the business, these films shine a spotlight on top talent from around the world.
A Late Quartet, Director Yaron Zilberman USA, 2012 (Entertainment One)

The Sessions, Director Ben Lewin USA, 2012 (Fox Searchlight)
Shadow Dancer, Director James Marsh. UK/Ireland, 2012 (ATO Pictures)
Shanghai, Director Mikael Håfström. USA/China, 2010 (Radius Releasing)
Wreck-It Ralph, Director Rich Moore. USA, 2012 (Walt Disney Pictures)
 
Masters of Cinema: These new films exemplify the masterful work of world-renowned filmmakers as they continue to thrill and inspire audiences with cutting-edge features.

Beyond the Hills, Director Cristian Mungiu. Romania, 2012 (IFC Films)
Caesar Must Die, Directors Paolo Taviani and Vittorio Taviani. Italy, 2011 (Adopt Films)
The Everything Will Be Okay Trilogy, Director Don Hertzfeldt. USA, 2006/2008/2011
Holy Motors, Director Leos Carax. France, 2012 (Indomina Releasing)
In Another Country, Director Hong Sang-soo. South Korea, 2012 (Kino Lorber, Inc.)
Paradise: Faith, Director Ulrich Seidl. Austria, 2012 (Strand Releasing)

Paradise: Love, Director Ulrich Seidl. Austria, 2012 (Strand Releasing)
Reality, Director Matteo Garrone. Italy, 2012 (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
Something in the Air, Director Olivier Assayas. France, 2012 (IFC Films)
 
World Narratives: Explore the world through film with this diverse selection of international cinema that features distinct perspectives and images from around the globe.
Barbara, Director Christian Petzold. Germany, 2012 (Adopt Films)
Diaz – Don't Clean Up This Blood, Director Daniele Vicari Italy/Romania/France, 2012

Everybody in Our Family, Director Radu Jude. Romania/Netherlands, 2012
Kuma, Director Umut Dag. Austria, 2012
Lore, Director Cate Shortland. Germany, 2012 (Music Box Films)
A Night Too Young, Director Olmo Omerzu. Czech Republic/Slovenia, 2012
A Royal Affair, Director Nikolaj Arcel. Denmark/Czech Republic/Sweden/Germany, 2012 (Magnolia Pictures)
Tabu, Director Miguel Gomes. Portugal, 2012 (Adopt Films)

Terraferma, Director Emanuele Crialese. Italy, 2011
Tey, Director Alain Gomis. France/Senegal, 2012
The Thieves, Director Dong-Hoon Choi. South Korea, 2012
War Witch, Director Kim Nguyen. Canada, 2012 (Tribeca Films)
The Woman in the Septic Tank, Director Marlon Rivera. Philippines, 2011
Yossi, Director Eytan Fox. Israel, 2012 (Strand Releasing)

 
New French Films: The birthplace of cinema, France continues to produce some of the best movies in the world with films that are funny, daring, sexy and uniquely French.
Aliyah, Director Elie Wajeman. France, 2012 (Film Movement)
My Worst Nightmare, Director Anne Fontaine. France/Belgium, 2012 (Strand Releasing)
Sister, Director Ursula Meier. France/Belgium, 2012 (Adopt Films)
Three Worlds, Director Catherine Corsini. France, 2012 (Film Movement)
 
Spanish Language Cinema: Offering gripping stories and unique perspectives, these Spanish-language films explore a multitude of subjects ranging from the culturally specific to the universal.

After Lucia, Director Michel Franco.  Mexico/France, 2012.
Clandestine Childhood, Director Benjamín Ávila. Argentina/Spain/Brazil, 2011 (Film Movement)
Here and There, Director Antonio Méndez Esparza.  Spain/Mexico, 2012
Young & Wild, Director Marialy Rivas. Chile, 2012 (IFC Films)

 
American Independents: Featuring powerful new voices in American cinema, these fresh, gritty films explore a variety of subjects through the filmmaker’s uncompromising vision. All films in this series are a part of the “PFF On Us” free ticketing program.
The Comedy, Director Rick Alverson. USA, 2011 (Tribeca Films)
Gayby, Director Jonathan Lisecki. USA, 2012
Gimme the Loot, Director Adam Leon. USA, 2012 (IFC Films)
Leave Me Like You Found Me, Director Adele Romanski. USA, 2012

An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, Director Terence Nance. USA, 2011
Simon Killer, Director Antonio Campos. USA, 2012 (IFC Films)
Somebody Up There Likes Me, Director Bob Byington. USA, 2012 (Tribeca Films)
 
Greater Filmadelphia: Featuring work from some of our finest homegrown filmmakers, this category brings our city and its talent to the big screen.
Alaskaland, Director Chinonye Chukwu. USA, 2012
The Atomic States of America, Directors Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce. USA, 2011

Detonator, Directors Damon Maulucci and Keir Politz. USA, 2012
From the Shadows, Director Matt Antell and David Hearn. USA, 2012
Future Weather, Director Jenny Deller. USA, 2012
La Camioneta: The Journey of One American School Bus, Director Mark Kendall. USA, 2012
This Time Tomorrow, Director Shane Bissett. USA, 2012
 
Documentary Showcase: Comprising the best in documentary filmmaking, these compelling films feature everything from stirring character studies to fascinating looks at current global issues.

The American Scream, Director Michael Stephenson. USA, 2012
Ballroom Dancer, Director Christian Bonke and Andreas Koefoed. Denmark, 2011
Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives, Directors Sara Lamm and Mary Wigmore.  USA, 2012
Brooklyn Castle, Director Katie Dellamaggiore. USA, 2012 (Producers Distribution Agency)
Call Me Kuchu, Directors Katherine Fairfax-Wright and Malika Zouhali Worrall. USA, 2012

The Central Park Five, Directors Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon. USA, 2012 (IFC Films)
The Final Member, Directors Jonah Bekhor and Zach Math. Canada/USA/Iceland/Italy, 2012
The Law in These Parts, Director Ra'anan Alexandrowicz. Israel, 2011 (Cinema Guild)
Only the Young, Directors Elizabeth Mims and Jason Tippet. USA, 2012 (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
A Place at the Table, Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush. USA, 2012 (Magnolia Pictures)
Portrait of Wally, Director Andrew Shea. USA, 2012 (Seventh Art Releasing)

Room 237, Director Rodney Ascher. USA, 2012 (IFC Films)
Seeking Asian Female, Director Debbie Lum. USA, 2012
Step Up To the Plate, Director Paul Lacoste. France, 2012 (Cinema Guild)
We Are Legion: The Story of Hacktivists, Director Brian Knappenberger. USA, 2012
 
Sight and Soundtrack: Featuring rockumentaries, musician biopics and films that are centered on the unifying power of music.
A Band Called Death, Director Jeff Howlett,Mark Covino. USA, 2012

Beware of Mr. Baker, Director Jay Bulger. USA, 2012
Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey, Director Ramona S. Diaz. USA, 2012 (Cinedigm)
El Medico: The Cubaton Story, Director Daniel Fridell. Estonia/Sweden, 2011
The History of Future Folk, Directors John Mitchell and Jeremy Kipp Walker. USA, 2012
The Sapphires, Director Wayne Blair. Australia, 2012 (The Weinstein Company)

The Zen of Bennett, Director Unjoo Moon. USA, 2012
 
Sports in Motion: Enthralling stories and intense competition are hallmarks of these sports-related films that include documentaries and narratives about athletes on and off the field.
The Good Son, Director Jesse James Miller. USA, 2012
The Iran Job, Director Till Schauder. USA/Iran, 2012
Teddy Bear, Director Mads Matthiesen. Denmark, 2012 (Film Movement)
Waiting For Lightning, Director Jacob Rosenberg. USA, 2012 (Samuel Goldwyn Films)

 
The Graveyard Shift: Horror, action, suspense, and the downright weird, these films will keep you awake during the graveyard shift.
The ABCs of Death, Directors Kaare Andrews, Angela Bettis, Adrián García Bogliano, Bruno Forzani & Hélène Cattet, Ernesto Díaz Espinoza, Jason Eisener, Xavier Gens, Jorge Michel Grau, Lee Hardcastle, Noboru Iguchi, Thomas Cappelen Malling, Anders Morgenthaler, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Simon Rumley, Marcel Sarmiento, Jon Schnepp, Srdjan Spasojevic, Timo Tjahjanto, Andrew Traucki, Nacho Vigalondo, Jake West, Ti West, Ben Wheatley, Adam Wingard, Yudai Yamaguchi. USA / New Zealand, 2012 (Magnolia Pictures)
Antiviral, Directors Brandon Cronenberg. Canada, 2012 (IFC Films)
Dead Sushi, Director Noboru Iguchi. Japan, 2012

Dragon, Director Peter Ho-Sun Chan. China, Hong Kong, 2010 (Radius Releasing)
Here Comes the Devil, Director Adrián García Bogliano. Mexico, 2012 (Magnolia Pictures)
I Declare War, Director Jason Lapeyre. Canada, 2012
John Dies at the End, Director Don Coscarelli. USA, 2012 (Magnolia Pictures)
Thale, Director Aleksander L. Nordaas. Norway, 2012 (XLrator Meida)

 
Short Films
Advantageous, Director Jennifer Phang. USA, 2012
Another Bullet Dodged, Director Landon Zakheim. USA, 2011
The Arm, Directors Brie Larson, Sarah Ramos and Jessie Ennis. USA, 2012.
Belly, Director Julia Pott. UK, 2011.
Bobby Yeah, Director Robert Morgan. UK, 2011.

Brute Force, Director Ben Steinbauer. USA, 2012.
Caine's Arcade, Director Nirvan Mullick. USA, 2012.
Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared, Directors    Rebecca Sloan and Joseph Pelling. UK, 2011.
Family Nightmare, Director Dustin Guy Defa. USA, 2011.

Horizon, Director Paul Negoescu. Romania, 2012.
I am John Wayne, Director Christina Choe. USA, 2012.
It's Not a Cowboy Movie, Benjamin Parent. France, 2012.
The Meaning of Robots, Director Matt Lenski. USA, 2011.
Moxie, Director Stephen Irwin. UK, 2011.
The Procession, Director Robert Festinger. USA, 2012.

Reddish Brown and Blueish Green, Director Samantha Gurry. USA, 2011.
Remote Medical Area, Directors Jeff Reichert and Farihah Zaman.     USA, 2012.
A Short Film About Ice Fishing, Director Jason Shahinfar. USA, 2011.
 
The 21st Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including: Official Sponsors Comcast Xfinity, Philadelphia Magazine, Southwest Airlines and University of Pennsylvania; Premiere Sponsors 6ABC, Cadillac, Dive Visual, Firstrust, Hotel Monaco, Janney Montgomery Scott, Philadelphia Event Planners, Philadelphia Weekly, Sigma Sound Entertainment and TD Bank; Patron Sponsors Allied-THA, Cozen O'Conner, Einstein Healthcare Network, EP Financial Solutions, Glaceau Smart Water, Landmark Theaters, The Nouveau Image, R2L, Panasonic Solutions Company, Prince Music Theater, Rave Motion Pictures, Stella Artois, Titan360, and University City District; Participating Sponsors 95.7 BEN-FM, Amtrak, FlixFling, Glenmede Investment and Wealth Management, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Drexel University Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, and SAG Indie; Community Sponsors Arcadia University, The Art Institute of Philadelphia, Cupcakes Gourmet, Empson USA Inc Wine Importers, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Greater Philadelphia Film Office, Positano Coast By Aldo Lamberti, Pravda Vodka, and WHYY Friends of the Festival Abington Art Center, Abington Friends School, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, The Art Blog, Bryn Mawr College Film Studies, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cinematheque Internationale of Philadelphia, Friends of Rittenhouse Square, Hiway Theater, International House, National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia Independent Film & Video Association (PIFVA), Reelblack, Swarthmore College, William Way Community Center, World Café Live.  

 
Thanks to support provided by the Wyncote Foundation, the Festival has piloted the “PFF On Us” free ticketing program, providing complimentary tickets to all films in the American Independents film category. Tickets are available to the public, as well as in partnership with select organizations, which include:
 
Association Puertorriquenos en Marcha
Art Reach
Big Brothers Big Sisters SEPA
Boys & Girls Club

iPraxis
Mighty Writers
Organizations associated with MEE Productions
Taller Puertorriquenos
 
To register for free tickets, visit www.filmadelphia.org/tickets.

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