Running January 18th – 23rd, the 2003 Slamdunk Film Festival will screen seven feature films, led by the World Premiere of “YOU’LL NEVER WIEZ IN THIS TOWN AGAIN,” the directorial debut of Pauly Shore. This semi-autobiographical slapstick story follows Pauly playing himself as a man who loses everything he knows and has to work his way back into entertainment industry graces. The film features cameos from over 35 film and music stars, including Ellen DeGeneres, Andy Dick, Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Tommy Lee, Chris Rock, Todd Bridges, Tom Sizemore, Sam Rubin, Carrot Top, Montel Williams, Tommy Chong and his mother Mitzi Shore.
The festival will introduce a new spotlight event called the CENTERPIECE SCREENING on Monday Jan. 20th at 12 noon, which will recognize films that take the risk of exploring controversial social issues. The 2003 CENTERPIECE SCREENING will honor the chilling story of “ZERO DAY,” the first feature by filmmaker Ben Coccio. The film follows high school friends Andre and Cal, as they declare war on their classmates and plan a terrifying assault on their school.
The line up also includes the World Premiere of “MAN OF THE YEAR,” the comedy by Straw Weisman starring John Ritter, James Wilder, Khrystyne Haje, Lin Shaye, and Dan Ponce. Shot in one night and in one location, the film utilized 20 digital cameras, and 24 actors to tell the story of a most unusual Hollywood party set at the ultra-modern home of a wealthy industrialist who is on the verge of closing a deal that will make many of the partygoers very rich. As the night progresses, the party mood darkens as loyalties are tested, and betrayal turns violent.
“RISING LOW” is the documentary by Mike Gordon, bass player for the rock band PHISH. The film follows the poignant musical tribute to Allen Woody, bass player for GOV’T MULE, who tragically died in August of 2000. His band mates rose through the devastation to recruit some of Woody’s favorite legendary players to record an album in his honor. Over 24 of music’s heroes answered the call, resulting in the two-volume CD “The Deep End.” The list includes Phil Lesh (The Grateful Dead), John Entwistle (The Who), Bootsy Collins (James Brown, P-Funk), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Mike Watt (fIREHOSE), and Jack Bruce (Cream). The film became a yearlong effort that interlaces footage of studio performances, interview and metaphysical musings that reveal the mysteries of the bass player’s art.
“MY DINNER WITH JIMI” is a film by Bill Fishman (“Tapeheads”) starring George Wendt (“Cheers”), John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), and Academy Award nominee Justin Henry (“Kramer vs. Kramer”) set in the seminal rock and roll world of the 60s. The film chronicles the true story of the fateful night in 1967 when Howard Kaylan (lead singer of The Turtles) met his idols, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, and how it changed his life forever.
The shorts program will showcase 27 short films and animations, and again include the popular COMEDY SHORTS lineup.
For the full schedule, visit the Slamdunk website.
