LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Guests Being Finalized for Rehoboth Festival |
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 premiere 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 InformationFor 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. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 13, September 21 2001. |