LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
100 Films Coming Our Way |
The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, just weeks away from its November 12-15 inauguration, has now completed its exciting schedule of 100 films, plus speakers and related events. Fest organizers promise an action-packed, award-winning lineup of films, videos, filmmakers, and educational events for this major new addition to our areas cultural scene.
Out of Season. "The only advice we can offer the public at this point is get your sleep now," said Film Society President Rob Rector, "because you wont want to miss a thing from November 12 15." The festival kicks off in grand fashion at the Opening Night Gala at the Bottle & Cork on Thursday, November 12, with special guest John Waters, the infamous film director whose latest film, Pecker, will be screened on Friday evening, along with his cult classic, Pink Flamingos. The award-winning Blue Moon restaurant will cater the Gala. Tickets are just $25, which will also include an open bar (courtesy of festival sponsors SKYY vodka, LaBatts beer, and Meridian wine), live music, and a video montage of films to be seen during the three-day movie blitz. Then, its off to the movies. Beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, all 6 theaters of the Rehoboth Mall Cinema will be ablaze with nearly 100 films. Programs will run all day long, Friday through Sunday. On Friday, there will even be late-night Friday the 13th screenings of Pink Flamingos, the original Nightmare on Elm Street, and the latest from Christine Vachon, Office Killer, a black comedy camp killer. Friday will feature a special Czech Block of films, courtesy of the embassy of the Czech Republic, whose cultural attach will be here to introduce the films. Fest organizers have scheduled a blockbuster line-up of the expected big hits of the festival on Friday, so local residents can see them before the weekend crowds arrive. Many of the more than 40 feature-length films will be shown at least twice, giving film fans several opportunities to see them. The schedule is rounded out with a number of fabulous programs of short films, which include Student Academy Award winners as well as regional filmmakers. The program includes films for every community and every age group. All films will be shown at the Rehoboth Mall Cinema. Matinees are just $4, and nighttime features are $6. In addition, several free video programs will be shown at the Atlantic Sands Hotel, at Baltimore and the Boardwalk, from Friday through Sunday. The Sands will also be the site of several panel discussions on Friday and Saturday, led by industry insiders. The festivals 80-page program will be available the week of October 19, so make sure to get a copy and check out all the details of the weekend. The program will be available at most places that you find the Beachcomber and Coast Press, as well as at Lambda Rising and other select locations. The festival concludes with a Closing Night Party in the courtyard outside the theaters following the last show on Sunday eveningaround 9:00. Meet the artists, enjoy a sampling of delicacies from local restaurants and caterers, and wind down with festival organizers in celebration of the first film fest. Tickets for the closing party are $10. For tickets to the Opening or Closing parties, send a check (payable to the Rehoboth Beach Film Society) to P.O. Box 1132, Rehoboth Beach DE 19971. Love and Death on Long Island. AWARD WINNERS The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival is chock-full of major award-winning films; make sure you get to the box office early so you dont miss these gems: Beyond Silence (Germany) Finalist, Academy Award, Best Foreign Language Film Junk Mail (Norway) First Prize, International Critics Week, Cannes Film Festival, 1997 Lilies Winner of Best Film, Canadian Oscars; Best Film, San Francisco & Los Angeles Gay/Lesbian Film Festivals, 1997 Marius and Jeanette (France) nominated for 7 French Cesar Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay Pi Best Director, 1998 Sundance Festival Smoke Signals Winner of the Audience Award and the Filmmakers Trophy, 1998 Sundance Festival The Thief (Russia) Finalist, Academy Award, Best Foreign Language Film; Nominee, Golden Globe Award, Best Foreign Language Film; Winner, 1997 NIKA Awards (Russian Oscars) Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Music Topless Women Talk About Their Lives (New Zealand) Swept the New Zealand Film Awards with Best Picture, Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress and more The Well (Australia) Nominated for 10 Australian Film Institute Awards, 1997, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress Who the Hell is Juliette? (Mexico) Special prize for Best Latin American Film, 1998 Sundance Festival; Best Film, Havana Latin American Film Festival SLEEPERS While the festival is brimming with award winners and films that have received considerable press coverage this year, dont overlook the many other programs that should demand your equal time. Here are a few highlights of some films you shouldnt overlook: Delivered This high-energy, black comedy murder/thriller is set in Seattle. Our pizza delivery boy/cartoonist hero is very disgruntled with his lot in life, and voices his frustrations into his tape recorder as he drives around with his deliveries. When a murderer gets hold of his tape recorder, all the faces behind those frustrations start disappearing. (Fri. Nov. 13, 9:25; Sun. Nov. 15, 3:20) Lilies. Eastside Story A captivating look at filmmaking behind the Iron Curtain, from the 1930s through the 1970s. Where else can you see film clips from such unforgettable musicals as "Swineherd and the Shepherd," and one of Stalins favorites, "Tractor Drivers"? And if you thought Western fashion was bad in the 70s, wait til you catch the East German musical hits of the era! (Sat. Nov. 14, 12:50) Lawn Dogs A precocious but adorable young girl and the hunky 21-year-old guy who cuts their lawn build a friendship out of their own loneliness. (Fri. Nov. 13, 9:10; Sat. Nov. 14, 5:05; Sun. Nov. 15, 3:00) Self Made Hero A quietly amusing tale about a quiet French man who, as WWII is nearing its end, decides to reinvent himself as a war hero, though he has never been in the war. A virtuoso liar, he infiltrates the military command and is promoted into the high ranks of the Resistance. But how long can one keep up a false identity? (Fri. Nov. 13, 7:40; Sat. Nov. 14, 5:00) LAVENDER THEMED Some of the features for the lesbian and gay community include: Lilies Canadian director John Greyson won four Canadian Genies (the equivalent of an Oscar), including for Best Film, with this phenomenal and creative telling of love, jealousy and revenge. Set in a Canadian prison in the early 1950s, it also won audience awards in both the San Francisco and Los Angeles Gay/Lesbian Film Festivals last year for Best Feature. Also, dont miss Greysons latest film, Uncut, which also appears in the festival. (Screening times for Lilies: Sat. Nov. 14, 2:45; Sun. Nov. 15, 7:05) Out of Season Former DC filmmaker Jeanette Buck, now living in sunny California, filmed her feature debut in Cape May, NJ, and were proud to be presenting its Delaware premiere in the festival. Unfortunately, because of a hectic schedule, Jeanette could not be with us for the screening, but she is thrilled to be a part of our festival. The story follows tough girl Micki, who moves to Cape May to care for a dying uncle, and her relationship with the wary Roberta. The way they sort out their emotions and priorities is engaging, credible and charming. (Sat. Nov. 14, 7:10; Sun. Nov. 15, 12:45) The Human Race A personal, gripping and emotional documentary about 9 HIV+ men who race the TransPac from Los Angeles to Hawaii. Many of them have never been in a boat before, let alone racing across the Pacific being chased by Hurricane Delores and tossed about by El Nino. The result is a powerful tale of man, nature and survival, one you wont want to miss. (Sat. Nov. 14, 9:10; Sun. Nov. 15, 7:25) Late Bloomers With the unfortunate lack of new lesbian features this year (the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay festival even had a special filmmaker discussion panel on the lack of new lesbian works) we decided to screen a hit from several years back which has had little exposure. In Late Bloomers, the high school secretary and the girls basketball coach find they have more in common than shooting hoops! (Fri. Nov. 13, 7:00; Sat. Nov. 14, 12:45) Late Bloomers. Love and Death on Long Island A chance encounter with a sophomoric American teen movie has consequences for a stodgy English writer (John Hurt) and his obsession with its star (Jason Priestley). (Fri. Nov. 13, 7:00; Sat. Nov. 14, 1:00) Regular Guys A German comedy of misperceptions about sexual identities. Macho cop Christophe, dumped by his girlfriend, goes on a drinking binge and wakes up the next morning with a naked gay man. Did he or didnt he? Then theres his new partner, Helen, who is believed to be a lesbian. And whats up with his other partner? The Well While this award winning film never steps over the line of lesbianism, Hester is sure up to something in this powerful tale of two lonely women in the eerie, isolated rural Australian outback. Nominated for 10 Australian film Institute Awards, including Best Picture. To keep updated on the festival, check their website at http://www.rehobothfilm.com, where you can get directions to the theater, find out about hotel accommodations, get all the details on programs and speakers, and check in on any last-minute changes. See you at the movies! |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 14, October 16, 1998. |