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MIFF 11 Starts July 11
by Esther J. Perne Bigger schedule, more films, definitely more What's the eleventh all about? First, the films — dozens of them, from 20 different countries provide viewers the unique opportunity to richly indulge in watching from noon to midnight or simply to enjoy a selected few. For filmgoers who want to more actively participate, to mingle, meet and talk with writers, producers, directors, actors and musicians, special events, receptions, and parties are scheduled during the festival, and there will be impromptu occasions to mix with the special guests, too. MIFF 2008 begins with an Opening Ceremony and screening of Man on Wire, the story of Philippe Petit's tightrope walk between the Twin Towers at The World Trade Center in New York City, a documentary that won the World Cinema Documentary Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Mid-week, the Centerpiece Gala will feature the preview premiere of A Sense of Wonder, the story of author Rachel Carson, author of the pioneer environmental book Silent Spring. Actress Kaiulani Lee, star of the one-woman show, which was shot on Maine's Southport Island around Carson's actual cabin, will be in attendance. Other environment spotlight films include: A Road Not Taken, tracing the solar panels President Jimmy Carter had installed in the roof of the White House in 1979 that were taken down under President Reagan in 1986 and acquired/installed at Unity College in Maine in 1991; Fail Better Farm follows a young couple, "farmers-in-residence," at an idyllic farm on the Maine Organic Farmers Association grounds in Unity; Owning the Weather tells the story and examines the future of weather modification in the United States; and Keepers of the Trail follows an odyssey led by Maine and Labrador guides Garrett and Alexandra Conover as they head north during a Maine thaw. Two unique programs at MIFF are the Fireflies Youth Program and the Maine Student Film & Video Festival. Fireflies aims to offer an alternative to much of the mainstream film and television media for children. The 2008 Program will feature films from four other countries, a Soccer Film Event of six captivating short films, and The Famous Inventor's Show, a hands-on workshop for producing a short video. Suggested ages for watching the films are indicated on the program and include as young as 3 year olds. The Maine Student Film & Video Festival, the 31st annual event, will be held in conjunction with Fireflies. Among celebrities that may be at MIFF, two known guests will be French actress Isild Le Besco, presenting À tout de suite and Charly, and Chadian writer/director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun presenting Daratt.
The MIFF 2008 Mid-Life Achievement Award will go the actor, writer, director, producer John Turturro, one of the strongest and most unique voices in the independent film world. Films representing his acting and directing will be featured throughout the festival. These include Romance and Cigarettes, The Big Lebowski, Do the Right Thing, Illuminata, and Mac. The closing night film will be A Man Named Pearl, about self-taught South Carolina topiary artist Pearl Fryar's reaction to a racist remark, "Black people don't keep up their yards" by fashioning an extraordinary garden that became the economic engine of his area. No mention of MIFF is complete for potential filmgoers without including the setting, the location, the rewarding destination. Both the Railroad Square Cinema and the Opera House are interesting, historic buildings, there are many shops and restaurants convenient to both locations, and there will be a lot of downtown events scheduled during MIFF — in particular the Farmers' Market on Thursday and the Downtown Art Show on Saturday, July 19. For tickets and full details on the Eleventh Annual Maine International Film Festival, visit www.miff.org. | ||
