Haiku Tunnel
Salem Cinema: Fri. 21 @ 4:15 pm (88 mins) • Q&A Following
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Haiku Tunnel is a frenetic office comedy about Josh, a neurotic male secretary who is a terrific temp but a horrible perm. When his new boss (a tax attorney who just may be Satan) gives him 17 very important letters to mail out, he doesn't mail them.  When the White-Out finally hits the fan, Josh must face a lifetime of personal demons. "It's unpretentiously low-tech and humorously offbeat." –(J. Hoberman, Village Voice) "You Will Laugh! Haiku Tunnel has nothing to do with Japan, poetry or even tunnels. It's an office comedy that hits all the fun stops from giggles to guffaws!" –(Peter Travers, Rolling Stone)
		http://www.sonyclassics.com/haiku/

		IN ATTENDANCE WITH FILM JOSH KORNBLUTH (Actor, Writer, Co-Director)

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Lost Boys of Sudan
Historic Elsinore Theatre: Fri. 21 @ 6:40 pm (87 mins) • Q&A Following
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The documentary Lost Boys of Sudan follows two Sudanese refugees on an extraordinary journey from Africa to America. Orphaned as young boys in one of Africa's cruelest civil wars, the boys survived lion attacks and militia gunfire to reach a refugee camp in Kenya along with thousands of other children. From there, remarkably, they were chosen to come to America. Safe at last from physical danger and hunger, a world away from home, they find themselves confronted with the abundance and alienation of contemporary American suburbia. AWARDS Winner of an Independent Spirit Award and nominated for two Emmy awards. Emmy Nominee : National Academy of Television Arts & Science Best Documentary, San Francisco International Film Festival : Golden Gate Award Best Documentary, Heartland Film Festival : Crystal Heart Award
		http://www.lostboysfilm.com

		IN ATTENDANCE WITH FILM MEGAN MYLAN (Director and Co-Producer)

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Touch the Sound
Salem Cinema: Sat. 22 @ 10:15 am (99 mins) "Captioned for the Hearing Impaired"
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This documentary journey follows Evelyn Glennie, a Grammy-winning classical percussionist who also happens to be profoundly deaf.  The “visual poetry” of this film “overturns conventional notions of human hearing”  (Stephen Holden, The New York Times) and explores the connections among sound, rhythm, time, and the body.  Director Thomas Riedelsheimer (Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working With Time) maps a world of the senses, of transcendent images and evocative sounds, following Evelyn and her remarkable story through California, New York, England and her native Scotland. Original music by Glennie and Fred Frith. AWARDS Best Documentary, Bangkok International Film Festival Best Sound Design, German Film Awards : Lola Leipzig DOK Festival : Golden Dove Award Locarno International Film Festival : Critics Week Prize Best Documentary, Scotland : BAFTA Award
		http://www.shadowdistribution.com/touchthesound/

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Going Through Splat: the Life and Work of Stewart Stern
Grand Theater: Sat. 22 @ 12:15 pm (104 mins) • Q&A Following
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Stewart Stern is probably the best screenwriter you’ve never heard of.  He crafted a magnificent career writing such classic films as The Ugly American, The Outsider, and, perhaps most famously, Rebel Without a Cause (from which Nicholas Ray denied him credit for decades). Despite the fact that his uncle was Adolph Zukor (founder of Paramount) and his cousins were the Loews (who controlled MGM), Stern crafted his own stunning career without their help, ultimately garnering Academy Award nominations for writing on Teresa (1951) and Rachel, Rachel (1968).  Using candid interviews from Sally Field, Tony Curtis, Dennis Hopper, Robert Wagner, Eva Marie Saint, and even his close friends Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Going Through Splat examines the life of a Hollywood screenwriter who walked away from the industry in his prime.

		IN ATTENDANCE WITH FILM JON WARD (Producer, Director)

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Nine Good Teeth
Salem Cinema: Sat. 22 @ 6:15 pm (80 mins) • Q&A Following
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In this documentary, director Alex Halpern ferrets out the most painful aspects of his family mythology in an irreverent and uncompromising portrait of his 104-year-old Italian-American grandmother, Mary Mirabito Livornese Cavaliere.  Halpern reveals his “Nana” to be a fiercely independent woman who dispenses homespun wisdom in a series of unflinching conversations with her persistent and equally outspoken grandson. As she divulges family secrets and rivalries (late night visits from Jack Kerouac, illicit love affairs and the occasional murder), Mary confronts her own mortality with candor and courage while remaining the rock on which the rest of her family relies. AWARDS Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary, Director's View Film Festival Audience Award Thessaloniki Documentary Festival: Images of the 21st Century Best Documentary Sonoma Valley Film Festival : Cinema Epicura President's Award, Ajijic (Mexico) Festival Internacional de Cine http://www.ninegoodteeth.com

		IN ATTENDANCE WITH FILM ALEX HALPERN (Director)

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The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
Historic Elsinore Theatre: Sun. 23 @ 11:00 am (83 mins)
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This remarkable movie is the true story of a Bohemian St. Francis and his remarkable relationship with a flock of wild red-and-green parrots. Mark Bittner, a dharma bum (per Gary Snyder: "A homeless seeker of truth"), former street musician in San Francisco, falls in with the flock as he searches for meaning in his life, unaware that the wild parrots will bring him everything he needs.  “That rare documentary that has romance, comedy and a surprise ending that makes you feel like you could fly out of the theater.” (San Jose Mercury News) AWARDS Outstanding Documentary Feature, the Humane Society : Genesis Award Christopher Award, National Humanitarian Award
			http://www.wildparrotsfilm.com/

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Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story
Historic Elsinore Theatre: Sat. 22 @ 6:30 pm (94 mins)
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An adaptation of one of English literature's most anarchic classics - The Life And Opinions Of Tristram Shandy – this film brings together the cream of British comedy talent and perfectly captures the spirit of the novel - a celebration of the wonderful, unfathomable chaos of life itself. A Cock And Bull Story is an energetic, laugh-out-loud adaptation of a book which is unadaptable, and this is wrapped round by an affectionate and equally hilarious account of what it's like trying to make a film - especially when the two lead actors are constantly vying with each other for attention. AWARDS Nominated for five British Independent Film Awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor and Best Technical Achievement
			http://www.tristramshandymovie.com/

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“The Bill Plympton Show"
Salem Cinema: Fri. 21 @ 7:00 pm (120 mins)
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The Bill Plympton show will be a multimedia event. Bill will show a biography of his life and talk about his early years in Oregon, then show some of his classics, such as "Your Face" and "25 Ways to Quit Smoking". Also, he will screen his newer films including the Oscar Nominated "Guard Dog", "The Fan and the Flower", the new Kanye West music video "Heard 'Em Say", the Hair High trailer, clips from the Drew Carey Green Screen Show and the Cartoon Network special "The 12 Tiny Christmas Tales", AND the exciting west coast premiere of his new follow up short "Guide Dog". The show will be complete with illustrations and anecdotes, along with a free drawing for each person in attendance! AWARDS The Fan and the Flower Best Animated Short Subject : Annie Award Guard Dog Best Animated Short, Toronto World Comedy International Film Festival
			http://www.plymptoons.com

		IN ATTENDANCE WITH FILM BILL PLYMPTON (Animator)

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The Ghost Riders
Grand Theater: Sat. 22 @ 7:45 pm (60 mins) • Q&A Following
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The Ghost Riders documents the Bigfoot Memorial Ride, a 300-mile horseback journey across the snow-covered plains of South Dakota.  The two-week ride over rough terrain, which helps the Lakota Nation "wipe the tears" shed for the massacre of Lakota men, women, and children at Wounded Knee in 1896, is very difficult, with temperatures hovering around zero. Director Vincent Blackhawk Aamodt and narrator Benjamin Bratt follow several youth from the Lakota Nation as they honor their ancestors with a physically- and emotionally-taxing journey that will begin to mend the sacred hoop. AWARDS The Alanis Obomsawin Best Documentary Award 2004 ABC/DGA Directing Fellowship Program

		IN ATTENDANCE WITH FILM VINCENT BLACKHAWK AAMODT (Director)

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Moolaadé
Historic Elsinore Theatre: Sun. 23 @ 1:15 pm (124 mins)
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Moolaadé (sanctuary) takes on the volatile issue of female circumcision. Set in a small African village, four young girls face a ritual “purification” that involves the sometimes-lethal practice of genital mutilation.  They flee to the house of a strong-willed woman who once managed to shield her own daughter from circumcision. The writer/director Ousmane Sembene, sometimes called the father of African cinema, is “the greatest living director,” according to art film pioneer Dan Talbot.  About Moolaadé, Roger Ebert says “This was for me the best film at Cannes 2004, a story vibrating with urgency and life. It makes a powerful statement and at the same time contains humor, charm, and astonishing visual beauty.” AWARDS Prize of the Ecumenical Jury & Un Certain Regard Award, Cannes Film Festival Jury Award, Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival Special Jury Award, Marrakech International Film Festival Best Foreign Language Film, National Society of Film Critics Awards (USA)

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Children of Heaven (Bacheha-Ye aseman)
Salem Cinema: Sun. 23 @ 10:45 am (90 mins)
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Nominated for an Academy Award as the Best Foreign Film of 1998, this Iranian film follows two very poor children, Ali and his sister Zhara. After a blind street peddler accidentally steals Zhara’s shoes (and fearing a beating if their parents find out), Ali and Zhara concoct a plan by which she will wear Ali's sneakers to school in the morning and he will wear them to school in the afternoon. Unfortunately, Ali ends up being late to school every day and his principal threatens to expel him. In a final act of determination, Ali enters a race to win the third-place prize: a new pair of sneakers. Majid Majidi’s acclaimed film is an example of a current trend in Iranian cinema where children are used as central characters in order to circumvent censorship issues. His later film, The Color of Paradise, about a little blind boy, also won international critical praise. AWARDS Winner of 7 Awards at the 15th Fajr International Film Festival for Best Film, Diplome for Best Non-professional Actor, Best Editor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Makeup Artist, The Association of Critics & Screenwriters Best Film Best Film, 27th Rashd International Film Festival Award from the Critic Association, First Film a the House of Cinema Winner of 4 Awards at the 21st Montreal Festival for World Films for Best Festival Film, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, Grand Prix des Ameriques, Public Prize from the International Critic Federation
			http://www.cinemajidi.com/children/
	Best Film, 23rd International Festival of FIlms for Children and Young People: Lucas Award Best Asian Feature Film, 11th Singapore International Film Festival : Silver Screen Award Winner of 2 Awards at the Warsaw 11th International Film Festival for Best Film and Audience Award Best Foreign Film, Newport International Film Festival

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Innocent Voices (Voces Inocentes)
Salem Cinema: Sat. 22 @ 9:15 pm (120 mins)
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Based on the true story of screenwriter Oscar Torres's embattled childhood in 1980s El Salvador, Luis Mandoki's Innocent Voices is the poignant tale of an eleven-year-old boy, Chava, who suddenly becomes the "man of the house" after his father abandons the family in the middle of a civil war. Armed only with the love of his mother and a small radio that broadcasts a forbidden anthem of love and peace, and faced with the impossible choice of joining either the Salvadoran army or the FMLN rebels, Chava finds the courage to keep his heart open, and his spirit alive, in his race against time. AWARDS Best Picture, Seattle International Film Festival : Audience Award Best Picture, Berlin International Film Festival : Crystal Bear Award Best Feature Film Award & Best Actor, San Diego Film Festival Stanley Kramer Award, Producers Guild of America Golden Laurel Awards Best Picture, Jury and Audience Award, XicanIndie Film Festival Winner of 3 Silver Ariels at the Mexico Ariel Awards for Best Makeup, Best Special Effects, Best Supporting Actress
			http://www.innocentvoicesmovie.com
	Freedom of Expression Award, National Board of Review Best Foreign Film, San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Audience Award, Filmfest DC Audience Award for Best Dramatic Feature, Heartland Film Festival

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Hank Williams: First Nation
Grand Theater: Sat. 22 @ 3:00 pm (92 mins) • Q&A Following
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2006 Academy Award Nominated Documentaries
Historic Elisnore Theatre: Sat. 22 @ 10:00 am (132 mins total)
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Winner of the 2006 Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject

This exploration of the lasting impact of radio broadcasting legend Norman Corwin's work focuses on his landmark 1945 piece, "On a Note of Triumph," which aired on the evening of VE Day.

Academy Award Winner, Best Short Documentary 2005

http://www.normancorwin.com/

The Mushroom Club

The Mushroom Club examines the terrible personal toll on ten people following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima sixty years ago. Directed by Steven Okazaki, who previously won an Academy Award for his 1990 short documentary film Days of Waiting and was nominated for Unfinished Business (1985).

The Death of Kevin Carter: Casualty of the Bang Bang Club

After shooting an award-winning photograph that captured the full horror of starvation in the Sudan, South African photojournalist Kevin Carter found himself tormented by doubts about the ethical implications of his work.

• Best Documentary, Los Angeles International Shorts Festival • Best Documentary, Tribeca Film Festival San Francisco International Film Festival : Golden Gate Award • Best Documentary, UC Berkeley Student Academy Awards : Gold Medal

http://www.kevincarterfilm.com/

God Sleeps in Rwanda

The 1994 Rwandan Genocide left the country nearly 70% female, handing Rwanda’s women an extraordinary burden and an unprecedented opportunity.  A poignant story of loss and redemption, God Sleeps in Rwanda captures the spirit of five courageous women as they rebuild their lives, redefining women’s roles in Rwandan society and bringing hope to a wounded nation.

http://www.godsleepsinrwanda.com

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Indiekid Film Shorts
Grand Theater: Sat. 22 @10:00 am (70 mins) • Q&A Following
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This program of short films celebrates the idea that kids have an amazing capacity to create, comprehend, and change the world around them.   Hosted by Indiekid Films, this set of short films by and about young people uses techniques as diverse as stop motion, animation, and live action.

Showing films created anywhere from Estonia to China to South Africa and to the Americas, this program gives an all-too-infrequent look at films created by both children and adults around the world for a timeless, borderless audience.

INDIEKID FILMS CO-FOUNDER SHAWN BOWMAN OF PORTLAND WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE

http://indiekidfilms.com/

IndieKid Film Program:

Concert for a Carrot Pie
directed by Janno Poldma and Heiki Ernits

Grandma’s baking, a blind bunny is on the loose, and two fruit flies look for love.  With a musical accompaniment of cats, the great carrot hunt and festivities begin.  This charming animated work comes from Estonia

Camel and Cactus
Crafted by young stop motion animators in China, this short fable relates a mutual friendship between unlikely individuals and the benefits of helping others.

Open a Door Yolanda
She may live on the other side of the world, but she loves all the things we do, like trucks, chickens and making her friends laugh.  A South African story of forgiveness.

For a Coconut
Directed by Mathieu Labaye & Sonia Vidakovic

Using paper, string and bottle caps, kid filmmakers in Belgium tell the story of the great Adurie who protects all animals. One day, war breaks out between monkeys and lions.

Special People
Directed by Justin Edgar

A story about a filmmaker on the verge of a nervous breakdown, whose latest project with a cynical bunch of disabled kids who might just push him over the edge.

Bird Beat
Directed by Geoff Adams

The ritual hierarchy at a backyard bird feeder, accompanied by saxophone ensemble. After spending countless hours watching flying feats of fancy out his window, animator Adams decided to script his own interpretation.

Chalk Painting
Directed by: Narineh Daneghyan

Absorbed in their work, two children share in the creative process of drawing and admiring. The world around them stands still, recognizing the importance of art.

Insect Poetry
Directed by Marilyn Zornado

Made after-hours at the Vinton Studios this 6-minute, visually rich film is an homage to poetry and the related arts of calligraphy and bookbinding. The Poems were written by Marie Meme Meyers, of Portland, Oregon.

Hope the Fish Bites
Directed by Marielle Leifsen, Beathe Smeland, Kittil Barstad, Espen Telhaug of Finland.

Gudrun and her cat go fishing at the Seljord Lake. Under the ice, odd creatures are waiting. One of them is the huge and dangerous Seljord Monster.

The Brave Cat
Directed by the children of La Matatena

Is this cat really as brave as he suggests in the stories he’s telling?  Crafted by a La Matatena worshop in Mexico which teaches animation to at risk kids.

Cat O’ Nine Tales
 
Written and animated by the wayward pirate “Mr. Fillabuster” of the esteemed pirate ship Pollywog, this story chronicles the sea faring voyages of a crafty stow-away kitty.

 

This program is hosted by Indiekid Films, folks who believe that everyone around the world, regardless of age, should be able to see and create great movies.  Take it to the street little people!
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Australian Summer (7 min.)
Directed by Luke Eve

Two men, one alleyway and a whole world to explore

In attendance from Australia -  Luke Eve began his career working as a freelance photographer.  In 1999, he teamed up with partner Nicola Daley to form a boutique production company, More Sauce.  This innovative company bounded ahead in its first 18 months, getting a number of national advertisements and creative music videos under its belt.  He has a number of feature films in development both as a producer and a director.  He was recently invited to do an internship with This is That Productions in New York City.  His film Australian Summer was the winner of this year’s Tropfest.   

 Afloat (5 min.)
Directed by Erin Hudson

This film travels underwater and above water to create a gentle meditation on growing old, feeling youg, and living life.  

In attendance with film - Erin Hudson is a filmmaker pursuing her graduate degree in documentary film and video at Stanford University.  She has directed and produced three short films:  Rotation, Afloat and Unhitched.  Unhitched, co-directed with Ben Wu, received a 2005 Student Academy Award.  Currently, Erin is producing her thesis film about women long-haul truck drivers.

 Unhitched (12 min.)
Directed by Ben Wu and Erin Hudson

Unhitched is a portrait of a community that has transformed travel trailers into permanent homes.  Through the residents’ experiences, this film illustrates the value of having a place to call home while expanding our notions of community. 

 
Ursa Dream (6 min.)

Ursa Dream is a hand painted and drawn animated film, telling the story of a young girl’s introduction to the power and potential dangers of creative self-expression. 

 
Spin (I min.)
Written and directed by Jamin Winans

A mysterious DJ is sent to a busy city block to mend a series of tragic events that occur in our everyday lives.

 
Mini Cine Tupy (10 min.)
Directed by Sergio Bloch and Marcos Mota

In Portguese with English subtitles

This delightful short shows how a trash gatherer in Sao Paulo, one of the world’s largest cities, set up a small movie theater made from materials found in the garbage to show free movies to neighborhood kids.

 
Top of the Circle (4 min. 38 sec.)

Directed by Shaz Bennett

In this beautifully raw, experimental documentary, Shaz Bennett has finally found the top of a circle exploring the cycle of life and death – and bacon bits.  Premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

 
Little Red Jiving Hood (11 min.)
Written and directed by Ben Hillman

You know the story.  But not quite like this.  This musical retelling of the age-old classic takes place in a surreal world where houses have bagels for windows and trees sing scat.

 
Preacher with an Unknown God (16 min.)
Directed by Rob VanAlkemade

Sundance Winner 2006

On the road with Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping. 

 
Chickens in the City (7 min. 21 sec.)
Directed by Christie Heming

The film is a chicken-level view of backyard coops in San Francisco.  When is the last time you looked YOUR dinner in the eye?

 
Dear Sweet Emma (5 min. 17 sec.)
Directed by John Cemak

Animation

As the search is given up for Emma’s latest husband Tucker, a private look reveals that Emma has a secret and an uncontrollable dark side.

 
Young Artie Feldman (5 min.)
Directed by Erik Moe

Fifetten-year-old Artie Feldman, a precocious wheeler-dealer with all the instincts of a killer talent agent, brokers jobs in the San Fernando Valley fast-food industry. 

 
His Ocean (3 min.)
Directed by Frazer Bradshaw

A visually pausing and personal reflection about a man dealing with loss.

 
End of Summer (2 min. 25 sec.)
Directed by Frazer Bradshaw

A little girl comments about what 9/11 means to her.

Tickets for all Salem Film Festival events at the Salem Cinema and the Grand Theater are CASH or FILM FESTIVAL PASS only.

No Salem Cinema passes, gift certificates, coupons, or CineBucks may be used.