Please note: films subject to change

CLOSING FILM (tbc)

Across the Universe (USA, 2007) Asian premiere (film may have Thai subtitles)

               ADULT THEMES

Thanks to Sony/BVI Thailand for allowing the Phuket Film Festival to have the Asian premiere of Julie Taymor's new movie which just premièred at the Toronto Film Festival in early September 2007. PFF is only the second film festival in the world to be given permission to play, as one critic said, this "electric, eccentric piece of work." Besides Surf's Up, this is the only movie in the history of  movie theater exhibition in Thailand to premiere outside of Bangkok - a great honor for the Festival and the people of Phuket.

An original musical film, Across The Universe is a fictional love story set in the 1960s amid the turbulent years of anti-war protest, the struggle for free speech and civil rights, mind exploration and rock and roll. At once gritty, whimsical and highly theatrical, the story moves from high schools and universities in Massachusetts, Princeton and Ohio to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Detroit riots, Vietnam and the dockyards of Liverpool. A combination of live action and animation, the film is paired with many songs by The Beatles that defined the time.

If you remember the 60's and the 70's - if you remember the Beatles, this movie is a must see.

Directed by Julie Taymor

Photo © Revolution Studios. All Rights Reserved.

                                                                                                 website with trailer:  Across the Universe link
 

Preserving the Past, Present & Future on Film

The King of the White Elephant (Thailand, 1940) (newly restored copy)

Thai National Film Archivist Dome Sukvong to attend

Reception hosted by Kodak Entertainment Imaging to follow screening - people holding tickets to Workshop and screening invited to attend

King of the White Elephant was the first feature film ever produced in Thailand, which only recently had changed its name from Siam. Three years in the making, the film tells the story of the military victories of King Chakra (Renu Kritayakorn), with elephants substituting for horses on the battlefield. The fact that the film was made in uncharted jungle territory under near-intolerable conditions (including temperatures as high as 140 degrees) is more impressive than the finished result, which seemed terribly primitive to 1941 audiences accustomed to the slick professional features of Hollywood. Though critics carped about its production shortcomings, they praised the cinematography of Prasart Sukum, which was amazingly good under the circumstances. Though the cast was composed entirely of Thais, the dialogue was spoken in English.

Directed by  Sunh Vasudhara   

 Written and Produced by Pridi Bhanomyong   

                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

King of the White Elephant will play with highlights from the Thai National Film Archives of rare films,  a montage of clips from around 40-50 classic Thai films including a never before seen film of HM King Rama VII's trip to Phuket in 1928.

Screening of 'King of the White Elephants' will be part of the 'Preserving the Past, Present and Future on Film' Workshop to be held 12:30 pm, Sunday October 22 at SF cinema @ Jungceylon. Tickets are limited.

                                    - ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Slices of Life (features + shorts)

Romulus, My Father (Australia, 2007)  Asian Premiere

Arclight Sales Agent Gary Hamilton to attend

EasternLight Sales Agent Ying Hamilton to attend

Romulus, My Father is based on Raimond Gaita's critically acclaimed memoir. It tells the story of Romulus, his beautiful wife, Christina, and their struggle in the face of great adversity to bring up their son, Raimond.

It is the tale of a boy trying to balance a universe described by his deeply moral father, against the experience of heartbreaking absence and neglect from a depressive mother. It is, ultimately, a story of impossible love that celebrates the unbreakable bond between father and son.

Director: Richard Roxburgh, director

Novel by: Raimond Gaita

Starring: Eric Bana, Franka Potente, Kodi Smit-McPhee                                        website with trailer:  Romulus, My Father

Film courtesy of Arclight Films

Surveillance (UK, 2007)   Asian Premiere    Alternative Lifestyle selection screening Friday, October 26, 2007

Director Paul Oremland to attend

Surveillance is a fast moving conspiracy thriller set in  contemporary Britain.  

Adam is a teacher. He lives in the countryside and  comes to London to club and pick-up guys on the net. But one of these men carries deadly information about an affair with a gay Royal.

There are those who would stop at nothing to keep  the heir to the throne's sexuality a secret,  including murder.

Director: Paul Oremland

Starring: Dawn Steele, Tom Harper, Sean Brendan Brosnan with Nicholas Jones and Simon Callow

World Premiere

Berlin Film Festival, Feb 2007

Jae-kyung was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Living on easy street, he has no goal in life. He’s to inherit his grandfather’s fortune when he turns 18. However, he’s shocked to learn that his grandfather’s will requires him to graduate from Boram High School, a no-name backward school set in the middle of nowhere, if he wants to inherit his fortune. The only way to inherit his fortune without a certificate from this school is to get expelled.

Now, going to school in the middle of nowhere, he beats up Myung-sik, the top dog of the school, to get expelled. However, what he gets is a warm lecture from Myung-sik’s parents, not an expulsion. He even bribes the principal to expel him, but it’s futile.

Trapped in a place where everything is forgiven, he has no choice but to finish school. Furthermore, love finds its way to the heart of this rude, spoiled boy. He has a crush on the class monitor named Eun-whan and bullies her around to get her attention. He can’t seem to take his eyes off her. Her existence seeps into his heart and shakes up his closed-minded world. He loves her to the point where he doesn’t care about his grandfather’s fortune anymore. Will he be able to win his love?

Director: KIM Tae-gyun

Cast: HYUN Bin / LEE Yeon-hee

Film courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

Focus on Filipino Film

Tuli (Philippines, 2005)    Alternative Lifestyle selection screening Friday, October 26, 2007

Tuli (Filipino for circumcise) is the story of Daisy (Played by Desiree Del Valle) and her life in an isolated Philippine Province. Daisy's father (Played by Bembol Roco) is responsible for the circumcision of almost all the Males in town. Daisy's father is also an abusive drunkard who abuses his wife (Played by Eugene Domingo) and Daisy. Because of this Daisy creates a hatred towards her Father and Men. Daisy's father forces Daisy into a fixed marriage. Daisy doesn't want to marry the Man (Played by Luis Alandy) her Father chose for her. All the while Daisy's best friend (Played by Vanna Garcia) is suffering herself. As is the tradition in this isolated Philippine town Daisy must follow in the footsteps of her Father and become the town's official circumciser. Daisy challenges the status quo and rebels against everything that she hates while a young Man (played by Carlo Aquino) defends her. Tuli is also the story of two best friends who deepen their relationship beyond friendship and a young Man willing to give Daisy everything he's got. In this rite of passage tale Daisy tells you her brutal and painful story...

Directed by: Auraeus Solito

Written by: Jimmy Flores

(Berlin International Film Festival NETPAC Award, CineManila Best Director, Best Picture)

Last Stop for Paul (USA, 2006) "mocumentary" Asian Premiere

 Director Neil Mandt to attend

Charlie and Cliff decide they want to go to the Full Moon party in Thailand. Along the way they travel around the world sprinkling the ashes of their dead friend Paul. As they go from country to country they meet a wide variety of crazy people and have insane adventures.

Directed by: Neil Mandt

Produced by: Marc Carter .... co-producer, Maura Mandt , Michael Mandt, Neil Mandt

Sonoma Valley Film Festival
Best Picture
Sonoma Valley, CA

Santa Cruz Film Festival
Best Picture
Santa Cruz, CA

Solstice Film Festival
Best Picture
Saint Paul, MN

Plymouth Independent Film Festival
Best Screenplay
Plymouth, MA

Illinois International Film Festival
Best of Fest
Westmont, IL

along with many more awards

Director Mani Haghighi to attend

A bare bones synopsis of this film might lead you to expect that it is lethally boring. Four middle aged buddies are returning to Tehran from a trip to the mountains, trying to get back in time to watch an important soccer match on TV. Their homeward journey grinds to a halt when they round a curve in the highway and are confronted by a natural monolith, a 10 foot high, narrow rock formation, projecting straight up out of the ground, overlooking the canyon below. They spend the rest of the movie trying to topple it. Hmmmmm. Not a narrative arc that causes gooseflesh exactly, am I right? What makes this movie almost spellbinding instead has nothing to do with the rock, but everything to do with the etchings of character that unfold as each man reacts to the circumstances, and they all kill a lot of time just doing "guyspeak", largely about their women, past and present. Fleshing out that theme, one might say, are appearances by two of the women in their lives who – either inadvertently or by design – show up at the rock project. They too prove to be intriguing and contrasting personalities. This film, based on a story by Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, is reminiscent of the work of John Cassavetes.

Director: Mani Haghighi

Producer:  Mohammad Atebbai

Asian Film Award in Best Script category

Film courtesy of Iranian Independents

Focus on Filipino Film

Batad (‘Batad sa paang palay’ Philippines, 2006)

 Writer/producer Vic Acedillo, Jr. to attend along with actors Alchris Galura +Nonie Buencamino, and with other cast

Summer (Short Film – 9 minutes UK, 2006)  Asian Premiere   Alternative Lifestyle selection screening Friday, October 26, 2007

According to an ancient proverb, anyone who catches a leaf as it falls from the branch of a tree will be granted their dearest wish. Leung and Will are 16 years of age and friends. Both are aware of this proverb and, the longer the boys try to catch a leaf, the more Leung’s wish becomes apparent.

Director:  Hong Kahou

Starring:   Peter Peralta, Jay Brown

Berlin International Film Festival (Panorama) 2006

Focus on Filipino Film

Sarong Banggi ('One Night' Philippines, 2005)

Director Emman dela Cruz to attend along with lead actor Angelo Ilagan

The drama, an entry at last year’s Cinemalaya film fest, follows Nyoy (Angelo Ilagan), who strikes an unlikely friendship with Melba, an aging hooker (Jaclyn Jose, in one the best performances of her sterling career).

Out on the town with friends on his 16^th birthday, Nyoy meets Melba and the star-crossed pair shockingly realizes that sex, friendship and man’s need for companionship aren’t the only things that link them.

Written & directed by Emman dela Cruz

Starring: Jacklyn Jose@Melba - Angelo Ilagan@Nyoy

Producer James P. Mimikos to attend

A bittersweet road movie about a young man who dares to realize his dream.  He travels to Rome to hear his idol, an opera singer, perform. Instead of joy, he falls victim to a theft that changes and upsets everything in his life.

A series of comic situations follow but he always remains true to himself while living the experiences of his trip – searching and loneliness bring out nostalgic childhood memories – his inherent strength. In the end, one event gives him his 15 seconds of fame.  But,  inside, what was this trip for him?

Director: Panos Angelopoulos

Producer: James P. Mimikos

Starring:  Starring Giuseppe Sulfaro, Marilita Lambropoulou, Daniele Favilli and Barbara Tabita

Cyprus International Film Festival 2007 Audience Award

Focus on Filipino Film

Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, Ang ('The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros' Philippines, 2005)  Alternative Lifestyle selection screening Friday, October 26, 2007

 Producer Raymond Lee and actor Ping Media to attend

Absolutely delightful film, its story centering around Maxi (Nathan Lopez), a beguiling 12 year old boy who wants to be a girl, and his various flirtations, including an unlikely one with a rookie cop on the neighborhood beat. Maxi's Dad and two older brothers are criminal lowlifes capable of very bad deeds, including murder, but they are entirely devoted to Maxi, who cooks and keeps house for them (Mom died a few years before). The feeling is mutual: as Maxi says, there may be a lot of crooked people around, but he's only got one Dad.

The film is chock full of arresting street scenes in metropolitan Manila, and intriguing tensions among the principals. It is most refreshing to see loving, tender feelings binding a marginal family together, rather than the usual melodramatic dysphoria that infects, but does not inform, many movies about the underclass.  An exotic, spellbinding, bounteous bouquet of a film. Won several awards at the Berlin and Cinemalaya Film Festivals, among others, and was nominated for the Grand Jury Award this year at Sundance.

Director: Auraeus Solito  Writer: Michiko Yamamoto  Cast: Nathan Lopez - Maximo

OPENING FILM

Máquina de bailar (Dance Machine Spain, 2007 ) International Premiere

Director Oscar Aibar to attend

Gala disco party to follow screening

Japanese king of the dance machines is bored, no one can beat him.

Meanwhile group of friends led by Dani needs to find 10,000 Euros to  buy a new rare breed albino snake Dani lost while “snake sitting.”

Arcade janitor Johnny, encourages Dani and his friends to enter a Dance Machine contest and from there, through a blend of comedy and drama the story of relationships between friends shows how sometimes when faced with the worst, it brings out the best in us.

Soundtrack is retro disco which keeps audience moving in their seats while enhancing the quirky nature of the film.

Directed by Óscar Aibar   

Writing credits: Óscar Aibar; Borja Cobeaga   contributing writer; Jimina Sabadú   screenplay

Cast: Jordi Vilches@Dani; Santiago Segura@Johnny; Barbara Muñoz@Lara; Eduardo G. Martínez@Óscar; José Corbacho@Fernando; Benito Pocino@Gutiérrez

Good Time Max ((USA - premiere Tribecca Film Festival 2007) Asian Premiere

          ADULT THEMES

Producer Vince Jolivette to attend

Actor James Franco (Spider Man) cowrites, stars in and directs this stunning drama about two intellectually gifted brothers who take drastically different courses in life. One evolves into a successful doctor while the other leads a roller-coaster, drug-fueled existence. But even after growing up and growing apart, they remain inextricably connected to each other.  

Why is the world so good at destroying genius and so bad at honoring it? Actor James Franco co-writes, directs and stars in this stunning drama about two brothers destined for success. Adam, the ""A"" student, follows a predictable path to become a doctor, while Max, the ""A+"" student, never quite finds his niche. As they grow up, they fall easily into their respective roles: Adam the responsible one, Max the immature screw-up. 

 But when Max is forced to flee New York City to escape the drug dealers he's double-crossed, Adam goes with him the two end up driving cross country.. Landing in California, Adam effortlessly resumes his medical career. Max's blustery ego nets him a position with a computer company, but he quickly grows bored and relieves the tedium by becoming the office bad boy-soon, he has his co-workers spending half their time snorting crystal meth in the bathroom. Drug use finally costs Max his job, and his plaintive cry to his boss--"I'm a genius, man! Aren't  there special rules?"--sums up not only his inability to understand how the world works, but how the world routinely fails people like him.  

Meanwhile, as Max fails to find his place in the world, Adam fails to hang onto his own place. Shocked by his inability to meet this challenge, he too descends into drug use as the fates of these two very different brothers remained inextricably tied. Good Time Max Franco and co-screenwriter Merriwether Williams avoid preaching and melodrama in their depiction of a world that likes to think it appreciates genius, when, in fact, it doesn't even know what genius looks like.

Directed by: James Franco

Produced by: Vince Jolivette

Written by: James Franco and Merriwether Williams

Ingu (starring Song Kangho) is a kingpin in a dark world. However, he’s the sweetest husband and dad, full of love for his family. His only goal in life is to build a picturesque house out in the country and live a graceful life with his family. But, there’s a problem. His daughter, going through puberty, is embarrassed about her dad’s job and stays away from him. And his wife nags him constantly to get a stable job. Nonetheless, he tries even harder to keep his syndicate together, thinking that the only way to be a good dad is to work hard and bring home the bacon. However, in reality, his family matters get in the way of his business. To make things worse, he faces a power struggle to overcome a second man in the scene.

Director: Jae-Rim HAN

Cast: SONG Gang Ho / PARK Ji Young / OH Dal Soo

Film courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

WORLD PREMIERE

Vignettes of Cambodian Culture

Six short films by H.M. The King Father of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk and H.R.H. Norodom Boppha Devi

    'Adieu Bokor'                         'Phnom Koulen'

         'Nouvel An'

Along with 'Ironie', 'Beaute de Kep', and 'Arbres, Fleurs, Batiments Royaux'

These films, directed by H.R.H Norodom Boppha Devi (except 'Arbres, Fleurs, Batiments Royaux' which was directed by Norodom Sihanouk) have little, if any, dialogue. Where there is dialogue, it is in Khmer, however no understanding   of language is necessary to enjoy the magnificent images on screen of an ancient culture and heritage in today's modern world.

This collection of short films is a tribute to the wonderfully artistic Royal Norodom family.

Special thanks to H.M. The King Father of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk for allowing the Phuket Film Festival to screen these short films.

A film about the discovery of poetry, love and desire in a system of oppression and discrimination.

The Cuban author Reinaldo Arenas wrote poems and prose of love and sexual freedom in his homeland. Director  Christian Liffers traveled to Cuba and interviewed six men matching their personal stories of being gay against the backdrop set by author Arenas.

Special about this documentary is the music, a range of classical "Boleros to modern Cuban pop to Latin "Reggaeton", the music forms a directed frame for the film.

Directed by Christian Liffers       Original music by Michael Espinosa Rodriguez, Los Transes

Do you remember when you were 9 years old? You have a crush on a teacher, or one of your mother's friends? Or how about one of your cousins?

Before and After Kissing Maria is the poignant tale of

Raul, a young Spanish boy living in a rural part of Spain.

Every year his cousin Maria comes to visit his family in the countryside.

This year, Raul, who always looks forward to his cousin's visit, is determined to kiss the girl he loves.

Written and directed by Ramón Alós
Cast: Fernando Minaya as Raul; Naima Lee Guevara as Maria

What happens when a gang of Form Five Ipoh boys embark on a 100km hike to fulfill a King Scouts requirement but come back on the road to becoming men?

Goodbye Boys is a simple journey with complicated realizations. Set in 1990, Malaysia, it is about a gang of pimply guys with raging hormones, undecided ambitions and formative identities. They set out on a grueling 5-day journey through the Kinta Valley – once the richest tin deposit in the world, now an abandoned plain - that changes friendships and selves.

It’s a group expedition with individual goals. The harsh realization is that although we’re a troop/patrol, we’re not necessarily a ‘brotherhood’. Friends are important but eventually, it’s not always about togetherness. Memorable camaraderie, yes, but each and everyone needs to grow up, get real. Stand on your own two feet, walk your own walk.

Some will return mini-heroes, content with being welcomed by their dream dates at the 5th Form Farewell Prom organized by the Ipoh Convent girls. Others will realize that the expedition is the beginning of other things in life… the need to escape a small town to realize… one’s dreams…

Director + Screenwriter: Bernard Chauly

Cast: Jay Eng as Jin; Nas-T as Glenn; Razif Hashim as Ivan; Farid Ramlee as Aris; David Eng as Leonard; Peter Khor as Wei Heen
Daniel Henry as Xiao; Tommy Kuan as Aaron; Lisa Surihani as Lara

Special thanks to MDeC and Redfilms of Malaysia

Water (features + shorts + documentaries)

ZEN & ZERO (Austria, 2006)  Asian Premiere

Documentary surf trip from L.A. to Costa Rica - a classic, free ride, executed by generations of surfers since the 60ies. When five landlocked Austrians get on that very road, it becomes a different thing: A comedy, a philosophical diversion, an investigation of the myth of the surfer dude itself.

Director: Michael Ginthor

Writers: Michael Ginthor, Philipp Manderla

Santa Cruz Film Festival 2006 won Festival Director's Award, Best Documentary Michael Ginthor

Tahoe Reno International Film Festival 2006 won Festival Prize, Adventure Film

 Surf's Up (USA, 2007) Thailand Premiere Film will be subtitled in Thai.

It's Family Day (Sunday, Oct 21) at the Phuket Film Festival - Bring the Kids for games, and prizes of movie merchandise.

The Phuket Film Festival is a people's film festival...and hey, kids are people too!  So bring the family as the Hollywood blockbuster Surf's Up makes its Thailand premiere - 4 days earlier than in Bangkok!

A stylistically daring CGI feature, "Surf's Up" is based on the groundbreaking revelation that surfing was actually invented by penguins. In the film, a (fake) documentary crew will take audiences behind the scenes and onto the waves during the most competitive, heartbreaking and dangerous display of surfing known to man, the Penguin World Surfing Championship.

Directed by Ash Brannon and Chris Buck

Voiced by: Shia La Beouf; Jeff Bridges, James Woods, and many more

Film  and film merchandise courtesy Sony/BVI Thailand

Lead Actors Mark Hefti to attend

“Tomorrow Is Today”, is a drama about love, loss and survival of the spirit set in a small town on the Jersey shore.

Greg Jerdon (Mark Hefti) is a man who has lost everything, including his will to survive. When he comes to an empty beach to commit suicide, however, his plans are undone when young Julie Peterson (Scout Taylor-Compton) intercedes and saves his life.  

Realizing that his near drowning was not unintentional, Julie begins the quest to save Greg emotionally as well by befriending him. In doing so, she must battle the alcoholic local police chief who wants Jerdon out of town, her over-protective father and unsympathetic stepmother, and a jealous not-so-secret admirer. Despite the obstacles, Julie is determined to give this broken man the gift of hope.  

In doing so, Julie sparks a chain of events that force those around her to face up to the loves they have lost and their fear of the future so that they can open their hearts to truly live. 

This multiple award winning feature film debut from director Frederic Lumiere is a moving and inspiring story about life, loss, and the strength of the human spirit.

Directed by : Frederic Lumiere

 Best Actress - Method Fest

Best of Festival - Trimedia Magma Film Festival

Best Score - California Independent Film Festival

"Sand Dancer" Peter Donnelly to attend and perform on Patong Beach

A refreshing look at life .

Why is a man compelled to create vast art works which vanish in an instant? This documentary explores the very simplest way to live life and looks at how a mans quiet passion for drawing in the sand has reached epic proportions.

Despite being a heavily populated beach, local crowds (usually) leave a vast area of beach to the man known as the 'Sand Dancer', allowing him to go about creating his  masterpieces.

Because of their sheer size, the art can only be seen from above, on the pier. On a very busy beach the public have a deep respect for a man who takes over their beach for three hours and are extremely protective of the art he creates, despite the fact that it will vanish every single day.

Directed by Valerie Reid

Winner  Golden Horse Taipei , November 2006.
Best Documentary Foursite Film Festival in Utah USA 2007

Winner  Excellence Documentary Film Making Magma Film Festival in Rotorua, New Zealand, 2006

Aloha New York is a film about a surf community in the most unlikely of places -- New York City. Through the cycles of energy flowing from the cosmos to the ocean to the urban landscape of New York City, the story of the three surfers who come to New York from various parts of the globe exemplifies the idea that the "Aloha Spirit" -- a Hawaiian belief in being kind and open -- can transform even the most chaotic urban space into an island paradise.

Directed by: Carolina Cruz Santiago

The World Around Us (shorts + documentaries)

Director Davis Guggenheim eloquently weaves the science of global warming with Mr. Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change.  A longtime advocate for the environment, Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way.  "Al Gore strips his presentations of politics, laying out the facts for the audience to draw their own conclusions in a charming, funny and engaging style, and by the end has everyone on the edge of their seats, gripped by his haunting message," said Guggenheim.  An Inconvenient Truth is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry to protect the one earth we all share.  "It is now clear that we face a deepening global climate crisis that requires us to act boldly, quickly, and wisely," said Gore.

Directed by Davis Guggenheim  Narrated by Al Gore    

Academy Awards 2007 won Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song Melissa Etheridge : For the song "I Need To Wake Up".

many other awards

The United Nations (UN) publishes each year a Human Development Report with a ranking of countries based upon a statistical series of social, demographic, economic, medical and educational indicators.

For the fifth consecutive year, Norway has ranked as the first country of the world in terms of human development as defined by the UN Report. At the same time, Niger has ranked as the last and therefore least developed country in the world in “human development” terms.

The purpose of this documentary is to hear directly from the citizens of these two countries. Surprisingly, we found out that although statistics show a certain truth, the people’s self perception about the way they live, feel and think is quite different from what statistics might lead us to believe.

Directed by David Munoz