POUNDCAKE, WITCHHUNT, KASSIM THE DREAM, OF ALL THE THINGS: AFI FEST 2008

by Andre Soares | | Leave a Comment     

 

The synopses are from the films’ press releases.

For tickets and more information visit the AFI FEST 2008 website.

Kassim the Dream by Kief Davidson

KASSIM THE DREAM - a film by KIEF DAVIDSON

SCREENS: 7 p.m. on November 8 and 12:30 p.m. on November 9 at the Arclight Hollywood.

West Coast Premiere. In Documentary Competition.

Kassim “The Dream” Ouma — the Junior Middleweight Champion of the World — was kidnapped at age 6 in Uganda and trained to be a rebel soldier.

He became an army soldier and was forced to commit many horrific atrocities making him both a victim and a perpetrator. He soon discovered the army’s boxing team and realized the sport was his ticket to freedom. After 12 years of warfare, Kassim defected from Africa and arrived in the US. Homeless and culture shocked, he quickly rose throughthe boxing ranks.

Now at 27, he seems to have obtained the American Dream with his jovial nature, fame and hip hop lifestyle. As he trains for his next world title fight against Jermain Taylor in Arkansas, keeping his demons out of the ring becomes even more difficult. His desires to reunite with his family in Uganda intensify when Kassim’s only hope for a safe return is a military pardon from the President and government responsible for his abduction. KASSIM THE DREAM tells his compelling story.

Dennis Lambert in Of All The Things

OF ALL THE THINGS - a film by JODY LAMBERT

SCREENS: 9:40 p.m. on November 2 and at noon on November 4 at the ArcLight Hollywood.

West Coast Premiere. In Documentary Competition.

OF ALL THE THINGS is the most unique comeback story of the year. Authoring a diverse array of pop gems such as “Ain’t No Woman Like The One I’ve Got,” “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Don’t Pull Your Love,” “Baby Come Back” and “Nightshift,” Dennis Lambert was one of the most successful and diverse songwriter/ producers of the ‘70s and ‘80s, his works were chart-toppers in almost every genre of music — at one point four of his songs were simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a feat previously accomplished only by The Beatles. In 1972, Dennis even released his own solo album effort which promptly disappeared into obscurity. That was then.

Today, he’s a 60-year-old family man in semi-retirement and selling real estate in Florida. And that obscure 1972 solo album? It flopped everywhere except . . . The Philippines. A Filipino concert promoter tracks down Dennis in hopes of having him commit to a concert tour. He agrees.

OF ALL THE THINGS is an entertaining, hilarious and touching pop/rock/country/R&B documentary that follows Dennis on his whirlwind tour as he rediscovers his passion for music — a two-week adventure that takes him from the comforts of Boca Raton to a sold-out show at Manila’s famous Araneta Coliseum for thousands of fans he never knew he had. Some lives deserve an encore.

Poundcake by Rafael Monserrate

POUNDCAKE - a film by RAFAEL MONSERRATE

SCREENS: 7 p.m. on November 5 and 12:15pm on November 7 at Arclight Hollywood.

World Premiere. Narrative Feature Competition

POUNDCAKE is an upbeat comedy starring Oscar nominee Kathleen Quinlan and Jay O. Sanders as Carol and Cliff Morgan - who on the night before Thanksgiving, gather their three grown children, Robby, a late night radio DJ, his hypochondriac younger brother Charlie and their adopted sister Brooke at their favorite Chinese restaurant, The Golden Buddha for an announcement. After 30 years of marriage, Cliff and Carol are getting a divorce. Now the Morgans must spend what may be their last Thanksgiving together as a family, in as civilized a manner as possible. Set in Buffalo, NY in the late 1980s with an authentic soundtrack from the era, POUNDCAKE is a warm slice of family dysfunction.

 

Witchhunt by Dana Nachman and Don HardyWITCH HUNT - a film by DANA NACHMAN and DON HARDY

SCREENS: 7:10 p.m. on November 2 and 3:15pm on November 3 at the Arclight Hollywood.

US Premiere. In Documentary Competition.

Bakersfield, 1984 an overzealous DA goes after 34 parents/families in Kern County and wrongfully accuses and convicts them of child molestation. Some served sentences from 6 to 20 years of hard prison time in some of California’s worst places.

WITCH HUNT is the documentary feature film that uncovers this atrocity and follows these stories which ultimately damaged these families forever.

WITCH HUNT had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September to sold out crowds and standing ovations for the filmmakers and the subjects.

Executive produced and narrated by Sean Penn.

 

THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX, JOHNNY MAD DOG: bfi London Film Festival 2008

Pittsburg Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008

DOUBT to Open AFI FEST 2008

Homo Horror: Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008

AFI FEST 2008 Premieres

UNTIL THE LIGHT TAKES US: Norwegian Black Metal at AFI FEST 2008

THE SOLOIST Cancelled: AFI FEST 2008

Artivist Film Festival 2008

Irish Film Festival of Los Angeles 2008

RELIGULOUS, GIGANTIC, STILL WALKING: Toronto Film Festival 2008

by Andre Soares | October 29, 2008 | Filed Under American Cinema / Hollywood, Documentary, Film Festivals, Los Angeles Screenings 

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