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Director Fred A. Sayeg and Producer Mitchell Cohen attended FLIFF with their film “The Encore Of Tony Duran.”

What do you want to wear?

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Calling the White House, Mr. President.

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Walk This Way!!

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Check out the crazy little comedy About Fifty (originally called Fifty-nothing) a buddy film from writers Drew Pillsbury and Martin Grey.  It’s so much a buddy film that the two writers even decided to star in it.  And you know, they made their performances look easy and more natural than it probably would have been.   It’s playing tomorrow night at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Kick-off party.

A modern comedy that explores the simple truth that it’s never too late to start over again. Even at age 50. We meet two long-time golf-buddies, Adam (Pillsbury), going through a trial separation from his wife of 15 years and Jon (Gottlieb), who is not only losing work to the “young guy”, but also dealing with a “generous” prostate. They decide to take off on a weekend journey to let loose and re-live the Palm Springs get-a-way of their younger days, but meet with unexpected results.

Drew Pillsbury and Martin Grey Gottlieb are Adam and Jon in ABOUT FIFTY

Struggling to fit in with the younger crowd, they find surprising comfort through encounters with women nearer their own age. As the weekend progresses, both are forced to come to a truce with middle life’s predicaments. A film that asks the question, “If fifty is the new thirty then why do my knees ache?” in what may be the world’s first coming of age story about the coming of age.

I enjoyed seeing the predicaments that Adam and Jon get into in this well written comedy that had me laughing and realizing that there is a lot of truth in fiction.  I especially liked the characters played by Wendie Malick as Kate, Anne-Marie Johnson as Erin and Kathleen Noone as Peggy adding a lot of lady to this fun filled move.  Oh, and if you go thinking About Fifty  is about golf, you are using the wrong club.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A good comedy that pokes fun at the after fifty “sex drive”. (B)

The writer/actors and director Thomas Johnston will be at the kick-off event on October 21^st at 7:30 PM.  The film also plays again on October 24^th and October 29^th. Check the schedule at WWW.FLIFF.COM

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FLIFF On-Location: Grand Bahama Island
October 27-30, 2011
Don’t Miss It!

We are pleased to announce that the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival ( FLIFF) On-Location is coming to Grand Bahama Island October 27-30, 2011 at Canal House, Pelican Bay Hotel.

The Festival will feature movies made in The Bahamas, an Underwater Cinematography Workshop by award-winning cinematographer Paul Mockler, Independent Films, Complimentary Outdoor Screenings, International Student Film Competition, and more.

This is the first time the festival will feature an offshore component and will offer a wonderful array of programs and events, including:

Reserve your tickets now…
Click here to complete the reservation form and pick-up your tickets at Canal House, Pelican Bay Hotel (host hotel)

Additional events happening on Grand Bahama include:

• High School Competition (Winner featured at FLIFF)
• Bahamian Film Segment
• Fam Trip for Visiting Filmmakers

FLIFF

SPOOLS OUT STARTING

OCTOBER 21, 2011

26th ANNUAL FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) announced its highly anticipated film line-up for the 26th edition, September 22, 2011, featuring 6 World Premieres, 15 U.S. Premieres and 61 Florida Premieres. FLiFF (www.FLiFF.com) will present features, documentaries, shorts and student films from the U.S. and around the world, including Spain, Italy, France, U.K, Russia, Fiji, and South Africa, Sweden, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, Italy, France, Portugal, over 40 different countries in all and will host filmmakers, producers, and actors to represent and discuss their films. The festival takes place October 21 – November 11.

“We’re looking forward a great festival this year,” comments FLiFF President and CEO, Gregory von Hausch. “The program offers an eclectic array of films; some reflect political and environmental concerns and others range from young love to how to keep love alive after 50. There are knee slapping comedies to edge of your seat thrillers, films that reflect other cultures as well as ours at home, films for families and films about families. There’s a party every night, live concerts, filmmaking seminars and for the first time in three years, films will be presented at three area theater venues. We’ll also launch the Inaugural year for FLiFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island with a four-day fest.”

FLiFF revs up October 21 with screenings at two locations, Sunrise Civic Center and Cinema Paradiso. the line-up includes: There Once Was An Island, a verite-style film directed by Briar March that shows us, first -hand, the human impact of an environmental crisis. Round Trip (Viaje Redondo) from Mexico directed by Gerardo Tort is a tender lavender tale about two women searching for what they want in life and blazing new frontiers together. The East Coast Premiere of About Fifty is a modern comedy that reaffirms it’s never too late to start over again. Directed by Thomas Johnston About Fifty stars Wendie Malick, Drew Pillsbury and Martin Gottlieb. Garcia (from Spain), directed by Jose Luis Rugeles, is laced with comedy yet fraught with peril as a man’s routine existence takes an unexpected turn when his wife is kidnapped.

The official Opening Night on October 22, sends the festival into full gear with the Florida Premiere of The Artist directed by Michel Hazanavicius. Charming and clever, The Artist, pays homage to the age of silent film with all of the glamour and romance of the times as it tells the story of the interlinked destinies between a rising young starlet and a silent movie superstar whose career is on the decline at the advent of the talkies. The film features an all-star cast including: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, Missi Pyle, Malcolm McDowell. Actress Penelope Ann Miller will be presented with a Career Achievement Award and will attend the opening night festivities held at Bailey Hall on Broward College campus followed by the FLiFF Starry Starry Night Gala at The Signature Grand.

Earlier in the afternoon of October 22nd, at 2:00pm, FLiFF will present the Southeast Premiere of My Week With Marilyn, which is based on Collin Clark’s diary account The Prince, the Showgirl and Me, published nearly 40 years after he met Marilyn Monroe on the set but, one week was missing and was published some years later– this is the story of that week. Michelle Williams and Eddie Redmayne portray Monroe and Clark in My Week With Marilyn along with an all-star cast. Also, at 4:00pm, October 22nd Senator George McGovern, the idealistic statesman who came to prominence during another time of war and political division, will receive a Lifetime Achievement in Humanity Award at a special screening of the Oscar-winning film, All The President’s Men, starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. McGovern will do a post-screening Q&A. Both screenings will be held at Bailey Hall on Broward College Campus.

FLiFF’s Centerpiece Film is the re-make of Patrick Leconte’s scrumptiously literate 2002 crime drama, The Man on the Train, starring rock musician Larry Mullen, Jr. and Hollywood veteran Donald Sutherland. At this spotlight event, held November 1 at Cinema Paradiso, Mullen will be presented with FLiFF’s Star on the Horizon Award and will take questions from the audience via a live webcast Q&A. The event will be followed by the Centerpiece Party at the Downtowner Saloon.

FLiFF closes with the Florida Premiere of Like Crazy, directed by Drake Doremus. The passionate, well-crafted story stars Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones as two young people who fall head-over-heals in love but, whose perfect relationship and trust is tested when geography sets them apart for extended periods of time. Like Crazy also stars Jennifer Lawrence, Charlie Bewley, Alex Kingston, Oliver Muirhead, Finola Hughes, Chris Messina, Ben York Jones and Jamie Thomas King. Closing night festivities will take place November 11 at Cinema Paradiso with the FLiFF Wrap Party and Film Awards presentation at The Manor entertainment and restaurant complex.

Additional feature films to be presented during the festival include the Florida Premieres of: David Cronenberg’s A Dangerous Method, the adaptation of Christopher Hampton’s 2002 stage play, portrays the turbulent relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud as they struggle to treat a troubled patient. The film stars Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender and Keira Knightley. Butter, in the tradition of Best In Show and Election, Butter, is a tale of competition at its most cut-throat. The straightforward, albeit merrily twisted, comedy about American life and culture stars Jennifer Garner, and Hugh Jackman. Starring Jennifer Garner as Laura Pickler and Ty Burrell Late Bloomers, directed by Julie Gavras stars Isabella Rossellini and William Hurt as a couple trying to keep their marriage fresh as they gracefully grow older together. Edward Burn’s Newlyweds stars Burns, Kerry Bishé and Caitlin Fitzgerald in a tale of the untold pleasantries that comes with marriage such as the in-laws and extended family. Martha Marcy May Marlene, directed by Sean Durkin stars Elizabeth Olsen as “multi-named lead”, a damaged woman haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, who struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing a cult. Hugh Dancy, Sarah Paulson and John Hawkes round out the cast.

Of the documentaries featured, two are World Premieres, The Legend of Ivan Tors and How To Start a Revolution. The Legend of Ivan Tors showcases the incredible career of the screenwriter who became an anti-violence and animal rights maverick, zoologist, adventurer and almost single-handedly established the South Florida film industry as well as changed the way non-human animals were treated in the entertainment industry. How to Start a Revolution is the remarkable untold story of Nobel Peace Prize nominee Gene Sharp, the world’s leading expert on non-violent revolution.

FLIFF also presents two Florida Premieres: Jessie’s Dad tells the story of Mark Lunsford’s transformation from an uneducated truck driver to a savvy activist after losing his 9-year-old daughter to a convicted pedophile. The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald, chronicles the little-known story of Allied airmen imprisoned at the Buchenwald Concentration Camp in the waning months of World War II.

On October 24, FLIFF will present a tribute to actor Dennis Haysbert at which time the festival will present a Career Achievement Award to the actor best remembered for his role in the Oscar nominated film Far From Heaven as well as hit TV series 24 and The Unit. A Q&A with Haysbert will follow the presentation and a catered reception will be held in his honor at the Seventh Street Wine Company within walking distance of Cinema Paradiso where the event will be held. Dennis Haysbert, will also join Penelope Ann Miller at the Starry Starry Night Gala on October 21.

November 5th FLiFF will present actor Dennis Farina with a Lifetime Achievement Award prior to the Florida Premiere of his new film The Last Rites of Joe May. Directed by Joe Maggio, the film chronicles the last days in the life of an aging, short money hustler who is presented with one last shot at greatness. Farina, whose acting career includes such films as Get Shorty, Crime Story and Midnight Run will discuss his career during a Q&A. A reception will precede the presentation at Cinema Paradiso. Farina will also field audience questions at a screening of the film on November 4th at Sunrise Civic Center.

FLiFF also honors three-time Oscar nominated actress, Piper Laurie (The Hustler, Carrie, Children of a Lesser God) with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a special screening of The Grass Harp; an encore presentation from the 1995 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival for which she earned FLiFF’s Best Actress Award. Piper will autograph copies of her new book , Learning to Live Out Loud, during a 6:00pm reception, after she will discuss her career during a moderated Q&A by notable film historian, Foster Hirsch. The event will be held at Cinema Paradiso followed by party at The Pillars Hotel.

Peter Ford, the son of Glenn Ford and Eleanor Powell will autograph his new book, Glenn Ford: A Life, during a reception at Cinema Paradiso followed by a moderated Q&A and a screening of the original 1957 film starring Glenn Ford, 3-10 to Yuma .

As the festival continues in Fort Lauderdale , the festival will launch it’s Inaugural offshore component, FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island , October 27 – 30, 2011. As a part of the ongoing efforts in film development, the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, FLiFF and the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, will present the festival program at the brand new, state of the art Canal House at Pelican Bay Hotel. The festival will feature an array of programs and events, including: Movies made in The Bahamas, Underwater Cinematography Workshop, American Independent and World Cinema films, complimentary outdoor screenings, an International Student Film Competition , and the Inaugural Grand Bahama Youth Film Competition’ Winner’s Screening; a competition is for young filmmakers (aged 14 to 18 years old). Travel packages are available for residents and tourists.

Screenings of this year’s films, in Broward County, will be held at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise Civic Center in Sunrise and Muvico Pompano 18 in Pompano Beach . Opening Night Film will be held at Bailey Hall on Broward College Campus.

Fast Passes for the fest are available now, and offer a tremendous savings for those who want to attend most films and events . Individual screening tickets, $10 general admission and $8 for seniors and students, and $6 for FLiFF Members. Special film events and parties are separately priced and range from $15 to $85. Details and advance tickets will be available at www.FLiFF.com beginning September 23. or by calling 954-525-FILM.

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is a 501 (3)c not-for-profit organization dedicated to introducing American Independent films, World Cinema and film talent in South Florida and via outreach programs statewide and on Grand Bahama Island.

This is a wonderful film, well produced, wonderfully directed and fantastically acted! It follows several individuals as they struggle to get through what quickly turns out to be a nightmare of a day and it does so with great sensitivity and a good portion of dark humor.