The 2011 Season of the Town Hall Feature Film Seminar
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Nov 22: RARE EXPORT: A CHRISTMAS TALE (Oscilloscope Pictures) On the eve of Christmas in northern Finland, an archeological dig unearths Santa Claus. This particular Santa, however, isn't the one you want coming to town. When most of the town's children go missing, Pietari and his father, a local hunter named Rauno, come into possession of the mythological being. Rauno's clan of hunters attempt to cash in on the opportunity by selling Santa back to the misguided leader of the multinational corporation sponsoring the dig. What ensues is nothing short of a wildly humorous nightmare -- a fantastically bizzare polemic on modern day morality. |
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Dec 20: APPLAUSE (Koncern Films) Recovering alcoholic stage actress, Thea Barfoed has gone through turmoil. Having divorced her husband, Christian, and relinquished custody of their two boys during her heavy drinking days, Thea wants to start over. Thea uses her inner actress’s charm and manipulation to convince her ex-husband that she is fully recovered and capable of being a good mother to their children; however, she hasn’t completely convinced herself. On stage, Thea plays the binge drinking, ostentatious Martha in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Ironically, her stage character bears an uncanny resemblance to her personal life. As her alcoholism and past regrets hang in the balance, Thea must decide whether to confront her inner demons or to let the show go on.
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Feb 7: CERTIFIABLY JONATHAN (FILMDADA) A comedy/mockumentary that weaves in and out of the bi-polar world of Jonathan Winters, where reality and fantasy collide. Jonathan Winters, 80-year-old comic genius, is also a gifted painter who dreams of having his work hang in the Museum of Modern Art. The filmmakers show his work to a famous art critic who believes Jonathan is "the missing link between Miro and Dali" and he convinces the museum to give Jonathan a show-but only if he paints three new paintings. Jonathan launches into a creative frenzy, but disaster strikes when his favorite painting is stolen along with his sense of humor. Without his humor, Jonathan can't paint and is about to lose the opportunity of a lifetime. Jonathan sets out on a quest to get his mojo back, with the help of Sarah Silverman, Howie Mandel, Nora Dunn, Ryan Stiles, Tim Conway, Robert Klein, Kevin Dunn, Gary Owens, and the Arquettes. Starring: Jonathan Winters with appearances by: Jefrey Tambor, Sarah Silverman, Rob Reiner, Howie Mandel, Jimmy Kimmel, Nora Dunn, Tim Conway, Patricia Arquette, David Arquette. Written by: Anders Frithiof August & Martin Pieter Zandvliet. Directed by: James David Pasternak. Run Time: 86 minutes |
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Feb 28: DESERT FLOWER (Fox Searchlight) From the Somali desert to the world’s catwalks. When Waris Dirie’s DESERT FLOWER appeared in 1998, the world was shocked. The former supermodel tells her breathtaking life story, describing her incredible journey from a nomadic life in the deserts of Somalia to the world’s most famous catwalks. Starring: Liya Kebede, Sally Hawkins, Tim Spall & Juliet Stevenson. Based on the best-selling novel by Waris Dirie & Cathleen Miller. Screenplay by: |
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March 14: EMPIRE OF SILVER (Arc Light Films) Based on historic events around the 1911 Boxer Rebellion, a saga about a family of banking merchants. A young man must decide whether to follow his ruthless, autocratic father's path or find his own when he is obligated to assume the role of heir to a banking empire. Starring: Aaron Kwok, Lei Hao, Jennifer Tilly. Writen by: Christina Yao, Cheng Yi. Directed by: Christina Yao. Run Time: 113 minutes. English subtitles |
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March 28: MEETING SPENCER (Paladin Studio) After a series of Hollywood flops, famed director Harris Chappell (Jeffrey Tambor) returns to New York to relaunch his Broadway career. But Chappell's triumphant comeback begins to spiral out of control into a wild night of comic misadventure after meeting struggling actor Spencer (Jesse Plemons) and his old flame Didi (Melinda McGraw). Starring: Jeffrey Tambor, Melinda McGraw, Jesse Plemons, William Morgan Sheppard, Caroline Aaron, and Mark Harelik. Writen by: Andrew Kole, Andrew Delaplaine and Scott Kasdin. Directed by: Malcolm Mowbray, Run Time: 105 minutes |
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April 11: THE COLORS OF THE MOUNTAIN ( Film Movement) The Colors of the Mountain, the debut film from filmmaker Carlos César Arbeláez, winner of the New Directors Award at this year’s San Sebastian International Film Festival. A modern-day portrayal of daily life in a remote part of the mountains Columbian countryside, set around the friendship between Manuel and Julián. One day, while playing a game of football, they kick the ball into a minefield. Accompanied by Poca Luiz, they do everything they can to recover their prized belonging, an essential part of their everyday lives and dreams. Starring: Hernán Mauricio Ocampo, Nolberto Sánchez, Genaro Aristizábal, Hernán Méndez, Natalia Cuellar. Written and Directed by: Carlos César Arbeláez. Run Time: 88 minutes. Spanish with English subtitles |
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April 25: LEBANON, PA (Reconstruction Pictures) Will, a charming 35-year-old Philadelphia ad man, heads to Lebanon, Pa. to bury his recently deceased father. He forms an unexpected friendship with CJ, his bright, newly pregnant 17-year-old cousin. As Will becomes interested in CJ’s married teacher and CJ confronts her conflicted father, both struggle with formidable decisions about the path their lives will take. Starring: Josh Hopkins, Samantha Mathis, Mary Beth Hurt and Christopher Mann. Written and Directed by: Ben Hickernell. Run Time: 100 minutes |
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May 9: THE FIRST GRADER (Six Sense Origin Pictures) Based on a true story—In a small, remote mountain top primary school in the Kenyan bush, hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the Kenyan government. One new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge, an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life. He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an education so long denied— even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds. |
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May 23: LOVE ETC. (Walnut Hill Media) is a witty, poignant and humorous exploration about the universal stages of love, depicted through five real stories over the course of one year in New York City. Young, old, gay, straight – everyone has experienced love – and the joy and frustration that come with it. From teen romance to a decades-long marriage; newlyweds to a recent divorcee, and even a bachelor so frustrated in his search that he chooses to have children without a partner, LOVE ETC. documents the intimate journeys of engaging characters aged 18-89 who reflect the city’s diversity, and takes an honest look at life's most challenging pursuit. Featuring: ALBERT, 79 & MARION, 89 “Lasting Love”. ETHAN, 41 “Starting Over”. CHITRA, 28 & MAHENDRA, 29 “Getting Married”. SCOTT, 52 “Single”.GABRIEL, 18 & DANIELLE, 18 “First Love”. Written & Directed by: Jill Andresevic. Run Time: 90 minutes |
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Jun 6: BRIDE FLIGHT (Music Box Films) A lavish romantic drama that charts the lives of three women who escape the gloom of post-WWII Holland for what they hope will be a better life in New Zealand. Ada, the shy but sensual farm girl, Marjorie, who dreams of a big family, and Esther, a Holocaust survivor who aspires to be a fashion designer, become fast friends during the long flight taking them to their waiting husbands. Upon arrival, they part ways to start their new lives, but their paths continue to cross with chance meetings leading up to a reunion fifty years later. |
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June 27: A LITTLE HELP (Freestyle and Secret Handshake Entertainment) Jenna Fischer and Chris O'Donnell star in this coming of age tale about thirty-something growing pains and strange second chances. Laura (Fischer) is fed up with her dentist job, her workaholic husband Bob is never home, and her 12-year-old son won't stop texting. To top it off, when her sister's husband confesses his lifelong love for her, it sets off a chain reaction of lies and complications that sends Laura into a full-blown meltdown. Now she'll need more than "a little help" to get by. Featuring: Jenna Fischer, Kim Coates, Lesley Ann Warren, Aida Turturro and Chris O’Donnell. Written & Directed by Michael Weithorn. Run Time 105 minutes. Rated R |