SUNDANCE 2010 Unveiled!

Hey World Family,
We hope you are having a great holiday season! Both Falcon and Dove are fine and enjoying some holiday goodies. Although some really fantastic films did not get in this year, Sundance looks to be explorative with their new way of showcasing films, and broad choices of subject matter to interesting country funding collaborations on various projects.

Here's the list, courtesy of Variety
www.variety.com

SUNDANCE 2010 Unveiled

DRAMATIC COMPETITION

"Blue Valentine" - Directed by Derek Cianfrance, written by Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne and Joey Curtis, a portrait of an American marriage that charts the evolution of a relationship over time. With Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Mike Vogel, John Doman.

"Douchebag" - Directed by Drake Doremus, written by Lindsay Stidham, Doremus, Jonathan Schwartz and Andrew Dickler, in which a man about to be married takes his younger brother on a wild goose chase to find the latter's fifth-grade girlfriend. Features Dickler, Ben York Jones, Marguerite Moreau, Nicole Vicius, Amy Ferguson, Wendi McClendon-Covey.

"The Dry Land" - Directed and written by Ryan Piers Williams, in which a returning U.S. soldier tries to reconcile his experiences overseas with his life in Texas. With America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama, Ethan Suplee, June Diane Raphael, Melissa Leo.

"Happythankyoumoreplease" - Directed and written by Josh Radnor, about six New Yorkers negotiating love, friendship and gratitude when they're too old to be precocious and not yet fully adults. Stars Malin Akerman, Radnor, Kate Mara, Zoe Kazan, Tony Hale, Pablo Schreiber, Michael Algieri.

"Hesher" - Directed by Spencer Susser, written by Susser and David Michod from a story by Brian Charles Frank, in which a mysterious, anarchical trickster enters the lives of a family dealing with a painful loss. Toplines Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, Devin Brochu, Piper Laurie, John Carroll Lynch.

"Holy Rollers" - Directed by Kevin Tyler Asch, written by Antonio Macia, concerning a young Hasidic man in the throes of money, power and opportunity who becomes an international Ecstasy smuggler. With Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha, Danny A. Abeckaser, Ari Graynor, Jason Fuchs.

"Howl" - Directed and written by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, a "nonfiction drama" about how Allen Ginsberg created the eponymous poem and the subsequent landmark obscenity trial. Stars James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels.

"The Imperialists Are Still Alive!" - Directed and written by Zeina Durra, about how a French Manhattanite continues her work as an artist in the wake of the sudden abduction of her childhood sweetheart and a blooming love affair. Toplines Elodie Bouchez, Jose Maria de Tavira, Karim Saleh Karolina Muller, Marianna Kulukundis, Rita Ackerman.

"Lovers of Hate" - Directed and written by Bryan Poyser, about how the reunion of estranged brothers is undermined when the woman they both love chooses one over the other. With Chris Doubek, Heather Kafka, Alex Karpovsky, Zach Green.

"Night Catches Us" - Directed and written by Tanya Hamilton, which focuses on the eventful return of a young man to the race-torn Philadelphia neighborhood where he grew up during the Black Power movement. Features Anthony Mackie, Kerry Washington, Jamie Hector, Wendell Pierce, Jamara Griffin.

"Obselidia" - Directed and written by Diane Bell, about the amorous awakening of a lonely librarian with a beguiling cinema projectionist in Death Valley. Toplines Gaynor Howe, Michael Piccirilli, Frank Hoyt Taylor.

"Skateland" - Directed by Anthony Burns, and written by Burns, Brandon Freeman and Heath Freeman, in which dramatic events in early '80s small-town Texas force a 19-year-old skating rink manager to see his life in a new light. With Shiloh Fernandez, A.J. Buckley, Ashley Greene, Brett Cullen, Ellen Hollman, Heath Freeman.

"Sympathy for Delicious" - Directed by Mark Ruffalo and written by Christopher Thornton, which centers on a newly paralyzed DJ who gets more than he bargained for when he seeks out the world of faith healing. Stars Orlando Bloom, Ruffalo, Juliette Lewis, Laura Linney, John Carroll Lynch.

"3 Backyards" - Directed and written by Eric Mendelsohn, in which a quiet suburban town becomes intense emotional terrain for three residents on one strange day. Toplines Embeth Davidtz, Edie Falco, Elias Koteas, Rachel Resheff, Kathryn Erbe, Danai Gurira.

"Welcome to the Rileys" - Directed by Jake Scott, written by Ken Hixon, about a damaged man who seeks salvation by caring for a wayward young woman during a business trip to New Orleans. Stars James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart, Melissa Leo.
"Winter's Bone" - Directed by Debra Granik and written by Granik and Anne Rosellini, which focuses on the dangerous efforts of an Ozard Mountain girl to track down her drug-dealer father while keeping her family intact. With Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Lauren Sweetser, Kevin Breznahan, Isaiah Stone.


DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

"Bhutto" - Directed by Duane Baughman and Johnny O'Hara, written by O'Hara, a look at the life of the assassinated former Pakistani prime minister.
"Casino Jack and the United States of Money" - Directed by Alex Gibney, an investigation into the world of imprisoned super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his cronies.

"Family Affair" - Directed by Chico Colvard, which examines resilience, survival and the capacity to accomodate a parent's past crimes on the road to satisfying the longing for family.

"Freedom Riders" - Directed by Stanley Nelson, about civil rights activists who challenged segregation in the South in 1961.

"Gas Land" - Directed by Josh Fox, which looks at toxic streams, dying livestock, flammable sinks and people with weakened health in the vicinity of natural gas drilling.

"I'm Pat ------- Tillman" - Directed by Amir Bar-Lev, which focuses on the efforts of the family of the pro football star to take on the U.S. government after he was killed by "friendly fire" in Afghanistan in 2004.

"Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child" - Directed by Tamra Davis, a portrait of the celebrated '80s artist.

"Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" - Directed by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, a forthright glimpse into the life and comedic process of the veteran comedian.
"Lucky" - Directed by Jeffrey Blitz, which examines what happens when ordinary people hit the lottery jackpot.

"My Perestroika" - Directed by Robin Hessman, an analysis of the transition of the U.S.S.R. as seen through the lives of five Muscovites who came of age at the time of communism's collapse.

"The Oath" - Directed by Laura Poitras, lensed in Yemen, about two men whose fateful encounter in 1996 led them to Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden, 9/11, Guantanamo and the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Restrepo" - Directed by Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington, for which the two filmmakers accompanied the Second Platoon in a crucial valley to reveal the soldiers' intense labor, fights and camaraderie as they take on the Taliban.

"A Small Act" - Directed by Jennifer Arnold, which spotlights how a young Kenyan, whose life was dramatically changed when a Swedish stranger sponsored his education, later reciprocates by founding his own scholarship program.

"Smash His Camera" - Directed by Leon Gast, which uses the story of notorious paparazzo Ron Galella to examine issues such as the right to privacy, freedom of the press and celebrity worship.

"12th and Delaware" - Directed by Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing, a look at how the abortion battle continues in unexpected ways on an unassuming corner in the U.S.
"Waiting for Superman" - Directed by Davis Guggenheim, which uses multiple interlocking stories to analyze the crisis in U.S. public education.

WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION


"All That I Love" (Poland) - Directed and written by Jacek Borcuch, about four small-town teenagers who form a punk rock band in 1981 during the growth of the Solidarity movement. With Mateusz Kosciukiewicz, Jakub Gierszal, Mateusz Banasiuk, Olga Frycz, Igor Obloza. North American premiere.

"Animal Kingdom" (Australia) - Directed and written by David Michod, which centers upon a 17-year-old boy who, in the wake of his mother's death, is thrust precariously between a criminal family and a detectives who hopes to save him. Stars Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Luke Ford, Jacki Weaver, James Frecheville. World premiere.

"Boy" (New Zealand) - Directed and written by Taika Waititi, a study of how two young brothers reconciles fantasy with reality when their father returns home after many years. Features Waititi, James Rolleston, Te Aho Eketone. World premiere.

"Four Lions" (U.K.) - Directed by Chris Morris, written by Morris, Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, a comedy about some self-styled British jihadis. With Chris Wilson, Kevin Eldon. World premiere.

"Grown Up Movie Star" (Canada) - Directed and written by Adriana Maggs, which spins on a teenage girl left to care for her rural father when her mother runs away. Features Shawn Doyle, Tatiana Maslany, Jonny Harris, Mark O'Brien, Andy Jones, Julia Kennedy. U.S. premiere.

"The Man Next Door" (Argentina), written and directed by Mariano Cohn and Gaston Duprat, about two neighbors who clash over a wall separating their properties. With Rafael Spregelburd, Daniel Araoz, Eugenia Alonso, Ines Budassi, Lorenza Acuna. International premiere.

"Me Too" (Spain) - Directed by Alvaro Pastor and Antonio Naharro, about the unconventional relationship between a 34-year-old college-educated man with Down syndrome and his free-spirited co-worker. With Pablo Pineda, Lola Duenas, Antonio Naharro, Isabel Garcia Lorca, Pedro Alvarez Ossorio. International premiere.
"Nuummioq" (Greenland) - Directed by Otto Rosing and Torben Bech, written by Bech, a contemporary story of how a young man pieces together aspects of his past and gets on with his life while journeying through Greenland's imposing landscapes. Stars Lars Rosing, Angunnguaq Larsen, Julie Berthelsen, Morten Rose, Makka Kleist, Mariu Olsen. World premiere.

"Peepli Live" (India) - Directed and written by Anusha Rizvi, a satire about the media frenzy created when an impoverished farmer announces that he'll commit suicide so his family can receive government compensation. Toplines Riz Ahmed, Arsher Ali, Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak.

"Son of Babylon" (Iraq) - Directed and written by Mohamed Al Daradji, the tale of a young Kurdish boy and his grandmother as they travel through Iraq searching for the remains of their father/son in the wake of Saddam Hussein's fall from power. With Yasser Talib, Shazda Hussein, Bashir Al-Majid. International premiere.
"Southern District" (Bolivia) - Directed and written by Juan Carlos Valdivia, a look at social change that envelopes an upper-class family in La Paz, Bolivia. Toplines Ninon del Castillo, Pascual Loayza, Nicolas Fernandez, Juan Pablo Koria, Mariana Vargas. North American premiere.

"The Temptation of St. Tony" (Estonia) - Directed and written by Veiko Ounpuu, which centers upon a mid-level manager with an aversion to being "good" who confronts life mysteries as he loses his grasp on his once-quiet life. Features Taavi Eelmaa, Rain Tolk, Tiina Tauraite, Katarina Lauk, Raivo E. Tamm. World premiere.
"Undertow" (Colombia-France-Germany-Peru) - Directed and written by Javier Fuentes-Leon, an offbeat ghost story in which a married fisherman on the Peruvian seaside tries to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within the town's rigid traditions. Stars Cristian Mercado, Manolo Cardona, Tatiana Astengo. North American premiere.

"Vegetarian" (South Korea) - Directed and written by Lim Woo-seong, about a housewife whose strange dreams and resulting meat aversion cause trouble with her husband and attract the interest of her artist brother-in-law. Toplines Chea Min-seo, Kim Hyun-sung, Kim Yeo-jin, Kim Young-jae. International premiere.

WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION


"Enemies of the People" (Cambodia-U.K.) - Directed by Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, which recounts the shocking revelations that ensue when a young journalist whose family was killed by the Khmer Rouge befriends the perpetrators of the Killing Fields genocide. World premiere.

"A Film Unfinished" (Germany-Israel) - Directed by Yael Hersonski, in which film found in Nazi archives reveals the means used to stage Warsaw ghetto life. World premiere.

"Fix Me" (France-Palestinian Territories-Switzerland) - Directed by Raed Andoni, in which Andoni seeks different forms of help for a relentless headache in his hometown of Ramallah. International premiere.

"His and Hers" (Ireland) - Directed by Ken Wardrop, in which 70 Irish women offer insights into the relationships between women and men. World premiere.
"Kick in Iran" (Germany) - Directed by Fatima Geza Abdollahyan, about the struggles of the first female Taekwondo fighter from Iran to qualify for the Olympic Games. World premiere.

"Last Train Home" (Canada) - Directed by Fan Lixin, which focuses on the ordeals of a Chinese migrant worker who, along with many others, tries to reunite with a distant family. U.S. premiere.

"The Red Chapel" (Denmark) - Directed by Mads Bruegger, about a journalist without scruples, a self-proclaimed spastic and a comedian travel to North Korea under the guise of a cultural exchange visit to challenge the totalitarian regime. U.S. premiere.

"Russian Lessons" (Georgia-Germany-Norway) - Directed by Olga Konskaya and Andrei Nekrasov, which looks into ethnic cleansing in Georgia revealed by an investigation of Russian actions during the 2008 war. World premiere.

"Secrets of the Tribe" (Brazil) - Directed by Jose Padiha, which examines the scandal and infighting within the academic anthropology community regarding the representation and exploitation of indigenous Indian in the Amazon Basin. World premiere.

"Sins of My Father" (Argentina-Colombia) - Directed by Nicolas Entel, which delves into the life and times of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar through the eyes of his son, who fled Colombia to lead his own life. North American premiere.
"Space Tourists" (Switzerland) - Directed by Christian Frei, a humorous look at billionaires who pay large sums to travel into outer space for fun. North American premiere.

"Waste Land" (U.K.) - Directed by Lucy Walker, which reveals how lives are transformed when international artist Vik Muniz collaborates with garbage picker in the world's largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro. World premiere.

Coal’s Powerful, Tragic History:New Documentary Film “Out of the Ground”

Hello World Family,
Falcon here wishing you a happy week. We hope you had a wonderful weekend. It was wonderful here: Kennywood Park opened, the Pittsburgh Marathon was a HUGE success, the Pittsburgh Symphony had another stellar performance, and the Concert for the Homeless, as well as John Fetterman’s (Mayor of Braddock) event were well received.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to travel to Johnstown for a wonderful documentary film premiere at the Johnstown Heritage Center (which is about to open its new Children’s Museum!).

Out of the Ground is a stunning documentary film journey by first-time film maker/biologist Andrew McAllister. Once again proving that science and art should never be compartmentalized, McAllister delivers a historical perspective that is wise, reflective, sometimes raw, and painfully honest about the tremendous sacrifices made by Americans in Southwestern PA of all ethnic groups as they struggled to build a better life on the surface of the earth by harvesting coal in an unimaginable Hades, bringing prosperity to the Industrial Age and a modest way of life to families in the region.

Andy is Watershed Coordinator for The Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, but did this film truly as a labor of love. His research and interviews with experts and treatment of archived material brings to life the sacrifice and trials of the industry from the late 18th Century through the 1950’s. It is unflinching in its examination of the greed in the U.S., ignorance or inattention to safety and xenophobia in the treatment of some workers. It honors the sacrifice of our ancestors, and shows their courage, willingness to work hard, and their sorrow in incomprehensive loss.

The film was encouraged with support from Andy’s boss, Bruce Golden, Regional Coordinator for WPCAMR. The intoxicating music was performed by the extraordinary guitarist Ken Bonfield, a self-taught artist who uses themes found in Celtic, American Folk, Blues, Jazz, Classical, even Rock and Roll. His pieces flow effortlessly around the archived footage and images of ancestors that are now personal and emotional again. This is not nostalgia, but a humble honoring of our troubled origins, sometimes the first jobs held by our predecessors, and in some dangerous instances, their last.

Every part of the film moves graciously, yet deliberately through the aristocracy and the abject poverty. The history is framed well, and covers the largest bituminous coal region of southwestern PA very well. McAllister presents the work and play of families of the period. It all at once leaves you feeling proud, awed, and sad at our enjoined history.

The film is the perfect length for most competitive film festivals, and should be seen by many people as soon as possible. Falcon and Dove will keep you updated on when and where this extraordinary project can be viewed. Stay tuned…
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

"Knowing" is a Wild Ride, great effects

Hello World Family,
Falcon and Dove here. Happy Spring Equinox! If you are looking for a movie to see this weekend, Knowing is a good one, but it comes with a caution. It is extremely well produced, especially the sound. Summit Films has a winner, unless you have PTSD. I am serious. Don't go if you have had a trauma that involves fire, plane crashes, 9/11, etc. this film is so realistic, we would advise you stay home and hear about it from friends. There are some serious emotional tugs here that could have a heavy impact for those who have already had some rough experiences. Once it is released on DVD, you can pick and choose what to sit through, something that is not an option in a theater.

Now, to review the film. It is well acted, has great cinematography (although Falcon is mixed on a lot of the hand-held shots that might have been better served with a Steadicam), and is a fine screenplay. This film is the kind of story that will bring up some conversation around the coffee pot and the proverbial water cooler. What would you like to know, if you could, abut the future? What should you know? Does everything have a fated quality to it, or is it all chaos? The characters ask these questions repeatedly throughout the film, as well as bring up issues of faith, love, (unification and separation) and what the future holds for us all.

The adults and children are fine actors, the cast is highly diverse and well placed. Nickolas Cage gets criticized sometimes for the films he chooses, but this one really runs the range of emotions; it is an action film, a disaster film, but more than anything else, a self-examination film. He should get props for choosing this project. The personal intimacy and interpersonal communication between characters is at the center of the story. That is what makes Knowing more than just another action packed apocalyptic saga. While we don't see this heading for any major awards outside of perhaps special effects and technical areas, it is worth seeing in the theater...and then go hug the people you love. If they aren't in arm's reach, give them a call, a text, or a happy prayer and thought. Yes, that is how you may feel when you leave this film.

Have a great spring weekend!
Peace
Falcon and Dove

Golden Globe Winners-2009

Hello World Family,
Here are the Golden Globe results from last night's awards. The Falcon and Dove picks are in BOLD that actually won.

Overall, we are very happy with the results. One or two points: We wish Heath Ledger could have been there. We hope his spirit was. Second, we hope Mickey Rourke is really back, and gets some additional roles to show us he really is back at the top of his game. We felt the best delivered thank-you speeches were given by Colin Farrell and Kate Winslet, surprise Best Actress, Drama. (Not really a surprise to anyone who saw her in this film).

We hope those of you that can get to see some of these films, they are really a great group this year.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

FILM

Best Picture-Drama-Slumdog Millionaire

Actress/Drama-Kate Winslet-Revolutionary Road

Actor-Drama-Mickey Rourke-The Wrestler

Picture/Musical or Comedy-Vicki Christina Barcelona

Actress/Musical or Comedy-Sally Hawkins/Happy Go-Lucky

Actor/Musical or comedy-Colin Farrell/In Bruges

Supporting Actress-Kate Winslet/The Reader

Supporting Actor-Heath Ledger/The Dark Knight

Director-Danny Boyle/Slumdog Millionaire

Screenlay-Simon Beaufoy/Slumdog Millionaire

Foreign Language-Waltz with Bashir/Israel

Animated Film: WALL-E

Original Score: AR. Rahman/Slumdog Millionaire

Original Score: The Wrestler

TELEVISION


Actress Anna Paquin-True Blood

Actor, drama-Gabriel Byrne/In Treatment

Series, Musical or Comedy-30 Rock

Series, Drama-Mad Men

Actress, Musical or Comedy-Tina Fey/30 Rock


Actor, Musical or Comedy-Alec Baldwin/30 Rock

Miniseries or Movie made for Television: John Adams


Actress, miniseries or movie: Laura Linney/John Adams

Actor, Miniseries or movie: Paul Giamatti/John Adams


Supporting Actress; Laura Dern/Recount

Supporting Actor-Tom Wilkinson/John Adams

Guillermo Del Toro should Direct THE HOBBIT

Hey everyone!
This is Falcon...I hope you had a great weekend! Okay, this one has crossed my desk one too many times, and there seems to be some negotiating going on that is causing some doubt as to whether GDT will in fact direct JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit', set to be released in 2011, with a kind of Red Book of Westmarch connector film to "Fellowship" in 2012.

I am going to keep this simple: Guillermo should direct the films, period. He is immensely talented. He has a bunch of Oscars, and he is a truly passionate student of mythology and lore.

Yes, I am one of those hard-core Tolkien fans that can barely watch the theatrical version of "The Two Towers" because about 80 minutes into the film it takes a hard right turn into the proverbial woods, breaks an axle, and never comes out of the dark corner of ridiculous revision again. The Battle at Helm's Deep saved me from actually leaving the theatre the first time I viewed it in a press screening. There is a difference between artistic license and derailing the plot. There is plenty in that particular middle-child project that suffered immensely from a misunderstanding, or an uninformed impression of how Middle-earth functions, which led to major plot flaws that should have never happened. Everyone knows it; this is the 9000 pound gorilla in the living room...(wow, I guess that film was the next project, wasn't it?)

I know that in the hands of GDT, The Hobbit would be safe from this kind of chicanery. He is well-informed, creative, sensual, and most of all, sees the wisdom of writers' myth as sacred and would never play with it. He has the skill and tenacity to adapt a book without violating its content.

I have every confidence that he would do these projects justice of the highest measure, if simply allowed to do so.

He seems ready to get started. Hopefully, in the near future, we will her a confirmation of his signing on to direct the films. MGM/New Line/Warner Bros. should be extremely happy to have him, and celebrate this blessing.

Our First Anniversary

Hello friends and family,
Well, it's our first anniversary! Rather than getting out the drinks and party balloons, we are focusing on this year, 2008. It is an important year, politically and environmentally, and we here at The Falcon and the Dove will continue to discuss some of the more difficult issues, and hopefully get answers to some hard questions.

There will be interviews this year with people who are making a difference in our communities and around the world. We hope their information will inspire you to do something significant in your corner of the world this year.

This is a very important year in politics in the U.S. We must make our voices heard in ways perhaps that they never have been. Speak up, or stop whining about what's not right with the world. Participate, don't be a spectator. Do something proactive, not always reactive. My new motto for the year is: "Get a spine, and helps others to do so." For those of you who have always been bold and fearless, I salute you! Your courage, hopefully, will be acknowledged and rewarded.

For many of you, this is the first time you will be old enough to vote in a presidential election. Remember, it's not just the president who makes decisions. Those making some of the greatest impacts in your life are those on the local and regional level, so get out there and tell them what you think, and what you want them to do. After all, there are public servants; they work for YOU! Vote accordingly.

Be strong, vibrant, and dynamic. If you have an opinion about something that can help your community, region, the environment, etc. find out all you can about the subject, and then move forward with that conviction from an informed position. Study, ask questions, and demand a timeline for action. Be persistent.

If you are looking at an opportunity for advancement, this is the year to go for it. Knock on the proverbial door again and again. If they won't let you in, don't be discouraged, go to a different door. Or, as that wise sage Lee Trevino says," if you can't get in the door, break out a window and climb on in..." hehe

We will also be having some fun this year with some of your favorite subjects: movies and film, Oscar predictions and follow-up, pet stories, and craziness from around the world.

Stay strong, my Brothers and Sisters. Keep the faith, and don't let the stupid ones get you down. You are powerful and beautiful, remember that. Share that sentiment with someone you love.

Peace,
Falcon (Dove is studying for mid-terms)