MAMMA MIA!, “Rough and Ready” Shorts: Outfest 2008, Thursday, July 10
by Andre Soares
Synopses from the Outfest 2008 website.
THU 7/10 7:00pm & 9:45pm
DGA 1
Mamma Mia!, Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd
SCR: Catherine Johnson
Set on a sun-kissed Greek island, Mamma Mia! tells the story of Donna (Meryl Streep), a former singer who now runs a small resort, as she prepares for the wedding of her only daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried of Mean Girls, in a breakthrough performance). Sophie could not be more excited about her big day; not only is she getting married to the man of her dreams, Skye (Dominic Cooper, The History Boys), but she will also be meeting her father for the very first time. Some old-fashioned snooping led Sophie to her mother’s diary…and the revelation that her father could be one of three different men: all of whom Sophie has invited to the wedding! Mamma mia!
The film magnificently captures the barely-contained glee that has already made Mamma Mia! a sensation (more than 30 million people worldwide have seen it on stage). Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters and Christine Baranski also dazzle onscreen in this giddy adaptation that sizzles and pops. Voulez-vous ABBA? You’ll swoon, "I do! I do! I do! I do! I do!"
THU 7/10 7:00pm
Fairfax 1
Love My Life, Directed By: Koji Kawano
SCR: Hiroko Kanasugi
Based on the popular comic by Ebine Yamaji, Love My Life is a highly entertaining Japanese romantic comedy about two college girls in love and all the obstacles they encounter. Ichiko, wants to tell her father about her girlfriend, Eri. When she does, her father has the bigger bombshell…Ichiko’s parents are both gay! Love My Life captures the beauty, the joys, the drama and everything in between when you fall in love for the first time.
THU 7/10 7:15pm
Fairfax 2
Citizen Nawi, Directed By: Nissim Mossek
SCR: Nissim Mossek & Ron Ofer
Openly gay social activist Ezra Nawi lives on the edge of danger as he works to improve life for Palestinian farmers in the West Bank. He clashes with soldiers and militant settlers who torment him with homophobic insults, while worrying about his Palestinian partner Faud, who is an illegal immigrant in Israel. When Faud gets sent to jail, the couple’s relationship spirals downward. Citizen Nawi embeds viewers in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, bringing it home through Ezra’s tumultuous personal life.
THU 7/10 8:00pm
DGA 2
Rough and Ready
Shorts Programs
Program Running Time is 79 min
These boys’ shorts are a little messed up — in a sexy-disturbing kind of way. A scientist is strangely attracted to a future version of himself, while another man discovers something scary lurking in his closet. A steamy hook-up unravels into a lecture on monogamy and another guy enjoys watching a one-man soccer game with Metallica blaring. Oh, and two men have sex on a construction site. That’s normal, right?
For a Relationship (above, top photo)
Directed By: Jim Verburg
Canada, 2007, 4 min
Hirsute
Directed By: A.J. Bond
Canada, 2007, 14 min
Just
Directed By: David Maurice Gil
USA, 2007, 12 min
In the Closet
Directed By: Jody Wheeler
USA, 2008, 12 min
Warrior
Directed By: Daniel Zox
USA, 2006, 1 min
The Young and Evil
Directed By: Julian Breece
USA, 2008, 15 min
Bramadero (above, lower photo)
Directed By: Julián Hernández
Mexico, 2007, 21 min
THU 7/10 9:15pm
Fairfax 2
The Universe of Keith Haring, Directed By: Christina Clausen
You have surely seen the work of artist/social activist Keith Haring, whose bold, cartoon-like art has appeared on T-shirts, posters, murals and even the New York City subway. Tracing Haring’s life from a small town in Pennsylvania to the center of the New York art scene, Universe is a thorough and intimate exploration of one of the most popular and significant artists of the 20th century. Featuring appearances from his many friends including Grace Jones, Yoko Ono, David LaChapelle, Andy Warhol and Madonna.
THU 7/10 9:30pm
Fairfax 1
The Secrets, Directed By: Avi Nesher
SCR: Hadar Galron & Avi Nesher
This haunting and lyrical drama explores the place of women and sexuality in Orthodox Judaism. At a Jewish women’s seminary in Israel, Naomi, the devout daughter of a rabbi, meets secular roommate Michelle, and the two become fast friends. The pair agree to fulfill the last wish of a dying woman (Fanny Ardant) and perform Kabalistic rituals on her. In so doing, they awaken within one another forbidden feelings that force them to question their path in life.
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