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The Z Hotel is the official hotel of the Astoria/LIC International Film Festival.
2011 Films
Marianne |
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(Sweden, 100 min) October 15, 2011, 2:30pm Session 1 eGarage - 44-02 23rd street, LIC, NY 11101 (718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Filip Tegstedt Cast: Peter Stormare, Sandra Larsson, Thomas Hedengran, Tintin Anderzon |
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Marianne is a psychological horror drama about a broken family in a small isolated town in the Swedish northlands. Among the pine woods, the lakes, the snowy mountains and the midnight summer sun, the story takes place on the fuzzy border where fantasy and reality meet. 45 year old Krister's wife Eva has just passed away in a car accident, leaving him alone with the 18 year old daughter Sandra who hates him, and a 6 months old daughter who he doesn't really know how to take care of. At night he's plagued with nightmares about what happened the night Eva died, and guilt for the pain he's caused Sandra over the years as an absent father. While asleep he is visited by a woman dressed in green, looking for revenge. Sandra's boyfriend, who's interested in old Swedish folklore, soon realizes Krister is haunted by a Mare – a female creature of the night or a woman possessed. He tries to guide Krister by helping him get rid of her, while Krister tries to regain his family and reestablish order in his life. But having a bad reputation in a small town makes it hard to regain the trust of someone you've let down so many times before. Krister finds himself in a jungle of guilt and anxiety, superstition and nightmares, mental and physical illness, and has to find the best way out. Is the Mare real, or only in his mind? |
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Beneath |
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(USA, 16 min) October 15, 2011, 2:30pm Session 1 eGarage - 44-02 23rd street, LIC, NY 11101 (718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Christopher Fernandez Cast: Kaitie Ty Warren, Max Bogner, Paul Preiss |
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Beneath is a psychological retelling of the classic story of Orpheus and Eurydice. After an affair, Angie pleads for her husband, Justin, to return. When Justin turns up in a coma Angie is driven by her guilt to discover the cause of his illness, save her husband and redeem herself. |
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Stepping Into The Fire |
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(USA, 84 min) October 15, 2011, 10:00am Session 2 Secret Theatre - 44-02 23rd Street LIC, NY 11101 Get Directions |
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STEPPING INTO THE FIRE' is a feature length documentary that tells the story of a seemingly successful man living an unfulfilling life and his journey towards truth and happiness. What if the thoughts, values and philosophies that guided our lives were at the root of our misery and there were ancient and time honored knowledge that could truly heal our soul. This compelling film provides insight into ancient shamanic practices from deep in the Peruvian jungles, and a though provoking commentary on human spirituality and wellness. |
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Smolarze: Charcoal Burners |
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(Poland, 15 min) October 15, 2011, 10:00am Session 2 Secret Theatre - 44-02 23rd Street LIC, NY 11101 Get Directions Directed by: Piotr Zlotorowicz |
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Smolarze is a documentary that follows Marek and Janina, who work as charcoal burners in the Bieszczady Mountains. The film follows the couple day to day and gives us a glimpse into their relationship and the complexities of their lifestyle. |
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Worlds Best Dad |
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(USA, 84 min) October 15, 2011, 12:30pm Session 2 Secret Theatre - 44-02 23rd Street LIC, NY 11101 Get Directions Directed by: Joshua Gross Written by: Matthew Gross Cast: Charlie Ochs, Clifton James, Matthew Gross |
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Matt and Miles haven’t seen each other much since their father passed away but that doesn’t stop Miles from showing up at Matt’s door one day with a plan to honor their old man by launching his ashes into orbit. As they travel across the great American landscape the two brothers get reacquainted through a series of comical breakdowns and unanticipated pit stops en route to their launch site in the Nevada desert.
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Rooz Az No |
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(Iran, 20 min) October 15, 2011, 12:30pm Session 2 Secret Theatre - 44-02 23rd Street LIC, NY 11101 Get Directions Directed by: Navid Azad |
One For Sorrow |
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(USA, 13 min) October 15, 2011, 3:00pm Session 2 Secret Theatre - 44-02 23rd Street LIC, NY 11101 Get Directions Directed by: Linda Brieda |
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12-year-old Calvin steals his mother's bracelet to impress his friend Sarah, but discovers that his actions come with risks and compromises. |
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Fragmentum |
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(Cyprus, 13 min) October 15, 2011, 3:00pm Session 2 Secret Theatre - 44-02 23rd Street LIC, NY 11101 Get Directions Directed by: Yiannis Antonas |
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This short film follows Manolis, a war photographer, who found himself in Cyprus during the 1974 war. Although, he struggles to capture the image that will tell the truth, he also struggles with his inner self and his beliefs regarding the photographic perception. |
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Pluto |
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(USA, 90 min) October 15, 2011, 3:00pm Session 2 Secret Theatre - 44-02 23rd Street LIC, NY 11101 Get Directions Directed by: Ariel Frenkel |
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'Pluto' is the story of a young rich kid who doesn't know what he wants to do with life so he creates a unique hobby of disguising himself and lying to strangers. Avoiding any possibility of following in his deceased father's footsteps, Pluto's new lifestyle worsens his relationships, inevitably heading towards disaster. In this quirky comedy, told through different film mediums and styles, Pluto brings us in to his self-inflicted world of personal trouble and chaos in the most fun way he can. |
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Bound By Haiti |
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(USA, 46 min) October 15, 2011, 10:00am Session 3 Boys and Girls Club - 21-12 30th Road, LIC, NY 11102 ( 718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Jon Bougher and Roman Safiullin |
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Bound by Haiti is the story of Aaron Jackson and John Dieubon - two young international activists forced to deal with the tragedy of the Haiti earthquake first-hand. Raised on a wealthy resort, Aaron has dedicated his life to eradicating intestinal parasites in Haiti. Born and orphaned in Port-au-Prince, John's mission is to inspire a new generation of Haitian children. But when the earthquake of January 12th strikes, Aaron and John must confront the biggest challenge of their lives. The filmmakers, staying in Port-au-Prince on the day of the earthquake, captured the devastation. Featuring rare footage from immediately following the earthquake, Bound by Haiti follows these unlikely friends on a journey for change before and after the most devastating international event of our time. |
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I Rub New York |
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(USA, 18 min) October 15, 2011, 10:00am Session 3 Boys and Girls Club - 21-12 30th Road, LIC, NY 11102 ( 718-433-2733) Get Directions |
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IRUBNY is a film that celebrates the creative energy of the modern day urban environment. Tracing the history of a community art initiative inspired by the artwork of New York City native Carol Caputo, this "touching" documentary reveals how people respond when presented with an opportunity to interact with their surroundings in a new and imaginative way. IRUBNY follows Caputo as she weaves her way through the streets of NYC sharing her contagious energy with strangers, and showing that everyone really is capable of creating art. Thousands of people, armed with materials as simple as paper and crayons, join Carol and rub the streets and buildings in every neighborhood of the city. IRUBNY is a little film with a big idea: community is about relating to each other and to our surroundings. Shot in neighborhoods all over Manhatten, the film melds insightful interviews with footage from Caputo's IRUBNY events. It transcends the barriers of class, gender and social standing by simply detailing the experiences of people of all ages as they share their reactions and their artwork. IRUBNY provides a new perspecttive on art, urban living and community that resonates with any audience.
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Brother Rob |
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(USA, 15 min) October 15, 2011, 10:00am Session 3 Boys and Girls Club - 21-12 30th Road, LIC, NY 11102 ( 718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Sofian Khan |
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Rob Stackhouse is an unassuming former truck driver living in the Florida panhandle. Born a Southern Baptist, he converted to Islam after marrying a black woman from the nation of Islam. Now, years later, he finds himself living just two hours from the notorious Pastor Terry Jones who intends to burn the Koran. The pastor of a small church in Gainesville has stirred up worldwide controversy with his campaign to expose Islam as an evil religion. As he puts it, 'Islam is of the Devil.' The film Brother Rob talks to both men, giving their perspectives on this pressing issue in America.
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Give and Take |
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(USA, 62 min) October 15, 2011, 12:30pm Session 3 Boys and Girls Club - 21-12 30th Road, LIC, NY 11102 ( 718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Carl Kriss |
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Give and Take offers an in-depth look at the diverse backgrounds and experiences of New York subway musicians. The film focuses on a professor named Renard who auditions for Music Under New York, and a homeless man named Douglas who puts an ad on Craigslist for a free guitar. Through interviews and musical performances the story highlights the different perspectives the two men have on art and community. Renard and Douglas' story reminds us of the common need for humans to communicate and connect with each other on a one on one level, whether through music or the relationships we have with each other. |
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Sign Of The Times |
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(USA, 12 min) October 15, 2011, 12:30pm Session 3 Boys and Girls Club - 21-12 30th Road, LIC, NY 11102 ( 718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: David Eisenberg |
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Not again! When someone steals Mike's newspaper from the front stoop, he has to make a choice: he can go and buy a new paper at the corner store...or he can try to catch the culprit. |
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Regretting Fish |
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(USA, 78 min) October 15, 2011, 3:00pm Session 3 Boys and Girls Club - 21-12 30th Road, LIC, NY 11102 ( 718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Brad Saville Cast: Brad Saville, Carmel Amit, David Marcus, Igor Litwinowicz, James Pravasilis, Luis Vega, Madeleine James, Matthew Pilieci, Nick Flint, Penny Bittone, Richard Brundage, Sarah Lemp, Stass Klassen, Tim Schoot, William Apps |
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In the crime thriller Regretting Fish, Fisher Galloway attempts to reform his criminal ways with one final heist to aid his escape. Fisher gets ready to flee New York City after stealing $500,000 in cash from his former employers, the French Drug Cartel. As he makes plans to leave the city, he finds himself employing the help of his ex-fiance, inadvertently subjecting her to the inevitable consequences of his theft. What originated as a means to an end swiftly turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse. As the net tightens around Fisher, he slowly realizes that a criminal can trust no one: not even himself. |
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Coming Soon |
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(USA, 5 min) October 15, 2011, 3:00pm Session 3 Boys and Girls Club - 21-12 30th Road, LIC, NY 11102 ( 718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Raji Barbir |
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What happens when Jesus Christ returns for a second time to His Father's children, only to find himself rejected by his own supposed die-hard followers? |
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The Interview |
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(USA, 6 min 50 sec) October 15, 2011, 3:00pm Session 3 Boys and Girls Club - 21-12 30th Road, LIC, NY 11102 ( 718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Reinaldo Marcus Green Cast: Keith Josef Adkins, Amanda Grossman, Reinaldo Marcus Green |
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When Ty Bedford meets Wallace Landry, he is in for a treat when the interview takes one wrong turn after another. The film juxtaposes innocence and ignorance and the prejudices that underlie both. |
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Apostles of Park Slope |
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(USA, 1 hr 25 min) October 15, 2011, 5:30pm Session 3 Boys and Girls Club - 21-12 30th Road, LIC, NY 11102 ( 718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Jason Cusato Written by: Jason Cusato, Jennifer Kalison Cast: Anthony DeVito, Artie Brennan, Brian McMullan, Chris LaPanta, Chris Harcum, Chris Hayes, Edward Heegan, Joe Corrao, Nik Freni |
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When Mike Callahan loses his mother Mary, the old crew from his neighborhood rallies the troops and takes Mike out to a local restaurant in an attempt to cheer him up. Father Paul, a priest returning to Brooklyn after spending several years in South America rebuilding churches, is invited to join dinner. After some thought Father agrees in the hopes of convincing Mike and the gang to turn to the Lord during their time of loss. What ensues is an unlikely reunion of friends where Father comes to see the true meaning of friendship and where sometimes the word of the Lord has four letters. |
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What's Up? |
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(USA, 8 min) October 16, 2011, 9:30am Session 1 eGarage - 44-02 23rd street, LIC, NY 11101 (718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Kim Sheridan |
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A small film crew looks up at the sky and contemplates what's really going on with our environment. 'What's Up?' is a film whose intention is to encourage viewers to open their eyes and their minds, and to take action to make a positive difference in the world around us. |
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Boy Dancer |
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(Canada, 47 min 52 sec) October 16, 2011, 9:30am Session 1 eGarage - 44-02 23rd street, LIC, NY 11101 (718-433-2733) Get Directions Directed by: Dave Wilson |
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Four boys, aged 7-8 and beginners in dance, come together for the first time to learn hip-hop choreography and freestyle over six sessions in a two-week period. In interviews and video diary entries they share their thoughts and feelings about their personal experiences, working together and being trained by four teachers. Their learning curve takes them from gym floor to stage, costumes and lights. |
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