More AFI FEST 2006 Premieres
by Andre Soares
From the AFI FEST press release:
In addition, AFI FEST 2006 announces the World Premiere of Karen Moncrieff’s THE DEAD GIRL (USA, Dramatic Feature), an engaging story surrounding the dark mystery of a young woman’s death. As clues are gradually revealed, the lives of seemingly unrelated people begin to intersect. THE DEAD GIRL’s impressive ensemble cast includes: Josh Brolin, Rose Byrne, Toni Collette, James Franco, Marcia Gay Harden, Mary Beth Hurt, Brittany Murphy, Giovanni Ribisi, Mary Steenburgen, Kerry Washington, and Piper Laurie. The film will screen as part of AFI’s Special Presentation series.
Another Special Presentation and North American Premiere at AFI FEST 2006 is UK’s THE HISTORY BOYS directed by Nicholas Hytner. This dramatic feature centers on an unruly class of bright, funny teenage boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a college degree. Bounced between their maverick English teacher, a young and shrewd professor hired to up their test scores, a grossly out-numbered history teacher, and a headmaster obsessed with results, the boys attempt to sift through it all to pass the daunting university admissions process. Their journey becomes as much about how education works, as it is about where education leads. Based on the award-winning play that premiered at London’s prestigious National Theatre, the actors from the stage version also star in the film.
Nicholas Hytner was awarded the 2006 Tony Award for Best Director in a Play for the Broadway production of THE HISTORY BOYS and Richard Griffiths reprises his Tony-Award-winning role in the film.
Seven other Special Presentations have also been added to this year’s Festival line-up.
AIR GUITAR NATION (USA)
Director: Alexandra Lipsitz, Documentary Feature
The Air Guitar Championships have been held for years in Finland while America has been absent from the competitions"¦but no more! Fueled by pure rock energy, this documentary chronicles the unlikely birth of the US Air Guitar Championship and the intense rivalries that develop on the way to the event in Finland.
BUG (USA)
Director: William Friedkin, Dramatic Feature
Probing the blurry lines between paranoia and nightmarish reality, BUG is an intense, mind-bending psychological thriller in which nothing is quite as it seems. Directed by Academy Award winner William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) BUG stars Golden Globe nominee Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr., Lynn Collins, Brian O’Byrne and Michael Shannon.
COME EARLY MORNING (USA)
Director: Joey Lauren Adams, Dramatic Feature
Lucy (Ashley Judd) is a 30-something woman who keeps waking up with a stiff hangover and a guy she doesn’t even want to look at. If coming to grips with why she keeps repeating this pattern isn’t enough, Lucy also begins to realize that she needs to get in touch with her familial past and, more importantly, with the person she has become.
LIES AND ALIBIS (USA)
Directors: Matt Checkowski and Kurt Mattilla, Dramatic Feature
Ray (Steve Coogan) is a reformed grifter who provides cheating spouses with the perfect cover for their affairs. When a seemingly minor job goes wrong, soon assassins and the fearsome Mormon are out for Ray.
MY NAME IS JACKIE BEAT (USA)
Director: Randolph Mark Viverito, Documentary Feature
In this concert-style documentary, the filmmaker follows the life of one of today’s most notorious bad-girl drag performers — Jackie Beat. Backstage we meet Kent Fuher, the man behind Jackie Beat, an incredibly talented performer whose life is ruled by constant doubts and insecurities. As Kent Fuher travels between New York City, Toronto, Los Angeles, Fire Island and then across the Atlantic to Berlin, he constantly questions his life and profession and slowly reveals his personal life.
TV JUNKIE (USA)
Directors: Michael Cain and Matt Radecki, Documentary Feature
Rick Kirkham got his first video camera when he was 14 years old. It became his best friend and confidant. From that point on, he began documenting every facet of his life. Then, after his first break in TV as a dancer on AMERICAN BANDSTAND through various jobs in local TV news to a gig as national correspondent on INSIDE EDITION, Kirkham’s professional life in front of the camera paralleled his personal obsession with it. Editing down 3,000 hours of footage, directors Michael Cain and Matt Radecki tell this unbelievable story that is both a cautionary tale and a gripping portrait of a TV junkie.
VENUS (UK)
Director: Roger Michell, Dramatic Feature
Maurice and Ian, a pair of grizzled veteran actors, , comfortable daily routine is disrupted by the arrival of Ian’s grandniece, Jessie. Maurice (Peter O’Toole) takes the teenager under his wing, but is surprised to discover how very little he actually knows now that his own life is drawing to a close.
Jules Dassin for the Honorary Oscar?
Penelope Cruz AFI FEST Tribute
Emilio Estevez’s BOBBY opens AFI FEST 2006
Films at the 2006 American Film Market
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