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Film Reviews & Previews

REVENGE OF THE MEKONS Filmmaker and Rico Bell of the Mekons in Person at the Playhouse, Royal and NoHo.

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The acclaimed new documentary Revenge of the Mekons charts the unlikely career of the genre-defying collective notorious for being—as rock critic Greil Marcus notes—“the band that took punk ideology most seriously.” Born out of the 1977 British punk scene, the Mekons progressed from a group of socialist art students with no musical skills to the prolific, raucous progeny of Hank Williams. Joe Angio’s exuberant documentary follows their improbable history and reveals how punk’s reigning contrarians continue to make bold, unpredictable music.

Revenge of the Mekons filmmaker Joe Angio will participate in Q&A’s after the 9:55 PM screenings at the Playhouse on Friday, June 19 as well as the 7:30 PM screenings at the NoHo 7 on Monday, June 22 and at the Royal on Tuesday, June 23. Rico Bell of the Mekons will join him for the NoHo and Royal screenings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsTqSsiPMxk

 

CHAGALL-MALEVICH Opens at the Music Hall and Town Center June 19; Lead Actress in Person.

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The artistic and political revolution of early 20th century Russia is mythologized in CHAGALL-MALEVICH, a magical period drama about the uneasy relationship between two artistic geniuses that we’re opening the Music Hall and Town Center on Friday, June 19. Lead actress Kristina Schneidermann will participate in Q&A’s after the 7:15 PM screenings Friday, June 19 at the Town Center and Saturday, June 20 at the Music Hall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enaho11_x8Q&feature=youtu.be

Inspired by the memoirs of Marc Chagall and those of his contemporaries, the film blends fact and folklore to evoke the return of the iconic Jewish artist (portrayed by Leonid Bichevin, “Cargo 200”) to his childhood home of Vitebsk. Having left behind immense success in Paris, Chagall returns to the Russian empire in 1917 hoping to marry the love of his life, Bella Rosenfeld (Kristina Schneidermann); he produces copious paintings and establishes the Academy of Modern Art. A rivalry develops with abstract painter Kazimir Malevich (Anatoliy Belyy), invited to teach at the art school. As Bella rekindles a childhood friendship with military Red Commissar Naum (Semeon Shkalikov), Chagall competes for the affections of his muse and future wife. As the October Revolution sweeps across Russia, historical events intrude on personal struggles and upend the quiet provincial life in Vitebsk.

The 21st Annual Los Angeles Film Festival Begins this Week

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Living in a megalopolis has its advantages, not least abundant cinematic choices. This week Angelenos need only journey to our revivified Downtown to enjoy the the lucky number 21 Los Angeles Film Festival. According to the L.A. Times, this year’s fest features a strong focus on diversity and fresh voices and includes a whole bunch — 45 — of world premieres.

“As the primary exhibition arm of Film Independent, The Los Angeles Film Festival’s mission is to showcase diversity, innovation, and unique visions in independent American and international cinema.

“We are inspired by Los Angeles, a city of abundant creativity, and our programming reflects our city-muse through films, performances and panels. The Festival presents unparalleled access to creative voices through energetic film programming, master classes, live performances and conversations with the most compelling artists working today. Discover new voices, watch the most anticipated titles of the summer, and rekindle the excitement and glamour of storytelling at the Los Angeles Film Festival – only in L.A.

“New this year are competitive sections for independent, feature-length U.S. fiction films; a diverse selection of documentary films from around the world; and a smaller round-up of exceptional international films, curated to showcase break-out global talent. Also newly launched is Nightfall, a robust line-up of genre films by independent filmmakers making their world premieres; and a section exclusively dedicated to discovering the brightest emerging voices in independent filmmaking. 2015 is also the inaugural year of Launch, a section introducing new talent that’s crafting fiction in digital spaces, through a program dedicated to expanded forms of storytelling: web series, music videos and podcasts, the best in independent gaming, and anticipated premieres of TV series.

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“From Inglewood to the Valley, L.A. has been an inspiration for artists to find their voice, tell their story and perfect their craft. Returning for its second year, the highly lauded L.A. Muse section showcases world premieres of films that capture the spirit of Los Angeles. The Festival offers mentorship for high school students with the Future Filmmakers program, including a screening of short films created by high school students.

“The Festival’s signature programs include Master Classes, invaluable talks from prominent artists about their trade; lively discussions at Coffee Talks on the craft of filmmaking by composers, cinematographers, actors, writers, directors, and more; Diversity Speaks, a day-long convention of filmmakers and storytellers of color; the Music in Film Nights at The GRAMMY Museum®, featuring live performances in an intimate venue by some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians; the Spirit of Independence Award; the Glory to the Filmmaker Award in celebration of women filmmakers; and the Filmmaker Retreat, exclusively for feature filmmakers with films world premiering at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival. Films selected for competition, which premiere in the US for the first time at the Los Angeles Film Festival, are eligible for multiple juried and audience awards.”

Expert Panel Discussion Following Friday Evening’s Screening of EVERY LAST CHILD at the Music Hall

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EVERY LAST CHILD is the dramatic story of five people impacted by the current polio crisis in Pakistan. Taking place on the front line of the fight against the disease, it is a story of sacrifice, fearless determination and sorrow in the face of mistrust, cynicism and violence.

The Los Angeles World Affairs Council will conduct a panel discussion following the 7:20 PM screening at the Music Hall on Friday, June 12. Participants include Danielle Perissi, Head of Documentary, Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Executive Producer of EVERY LAST CHILD; Peter L. Salk, MD, President of the Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation; and Gitanjli Arora, MD, Co-Director of the Global Health Education Programs at the UCLA Center for World Health. The discussion will be moderated by Sandra de Castro Buffington, Founding Director of the Global Media Center for Social Impact.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5EFFPKgBR4&feature=em-subs_digest

 

Acclaimed Australian film CHARLIE’S COUNTRY Opens this Weekend. Director in Attendance for Q&A’s.

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Living in a remote Aboriginal community in Australia, Charlie is a warrior past his prime. As the government increases its stranglehold over the community’s traditional way of life, Charlie feels lost between two cultures. His modern life offers him a way to survive but, ultimately, feeling helpless. Finally fed up when his gun, spear and his best friend’s jeep are confiscated, Charlie heads into the wild on his own, to live the old way.

CHARLIE’S COUNTRY director Rolf de Heer will participate in Q&A’s after the 7:30 PM screenings at the Music Hall on Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13. Chris Schwartz, manager of the AFI Conservatory, will serve as moderator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aYLzIFcPk8

TOMMY WISEAU in Person with THE ROOM and THE NEIGHBORS; + free football

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Special 12th Anniversary of THE ROOM– TOMMY WISEAU in PERSON for Q&A AND Premiere of The Neighbors at the Laemmle NoHo – June 12th and 13th and June 19th and 20th at the Laemmle Pasadena Playhouse 7 – TOMMY WISEAU in PERSON.

THE ROOM is an electrifyingly funny cult black comedy audience participation / international cult phenomenon about love, passion, betrayal and lies. Writer/director Tommy Wiseau stars as Johnny, a successful banker who feels so badly wronged by those nearest and dearest to him that he finds himself asking, can you ever really trust anyone?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCj8sPCWfUw

 

Watch the Trailer for the Documentary THE WANTED 18

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Through a clever mix of stop motion animation and interviews, THE WANTED 18, opening June 19 at the Music Hall, recreates an astonishing true story: the Israeli army’s pursuit of 18 cows, whose independent milk production on a Palestinian collective farm was declared “a threat to the national security of the state of Israel.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovnrf3pZ8X0

ONE CUT, ONE LIFE Q&A with Filmmakers Opening Night at the Music Hall

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When seminal documentary filmmaker Ed Pincus, considered the father of first-person nonfiction film, was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he and his collaborator Lucia Small teamed up to make one last film. One Cut, One Life is an intense, unflinchingly honest, and sometimes humorous exploration of the human condition that invites the viewer to contemplate what is important, not only at the end of life, but through all phases of live and creative pursuits.

We open One Cut, One Life at the Music Hall on Friday, June 12. Co-director Lucia Small and executive producer Neal Baer will participate in a Q&A after the 7:20 PM screening that night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maC94kPWbQI