Small and large, movies take over Santa Fe.
The Seventh Annual Santa Fe Film Festival begins on Wednesday with its largest and most impressive slate to date. In addition to the nearly 200 feature films, documentaries and shorts, being presented between Dec. 6-10, are several panels and special events, including the National Geographic-sponsored All Roads Photography Exhibit, chronicling the ever-changing cultural landscapes of underrepresented minorities from around the globe, and Lighting Magic, a lighting workshop for film led by Santa Fe Film Festival Luminaria and UCLA Kodak cinematographer in residence László Kovács.
A fine collection of films previously unreleased in New Mexico, such as Tom Tykwer's (
Run Lola Run
)
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
and Pedro Almodóvar's (
All About My Mother
,
Talk to Her
)
Volver
, are joined by a lengthy roster of independent flicks and unveilings of celluloid, including the North American premiere of
Miss Potter
staring Renée Zellweger. The result is a diverse roster making up a total of eight different series, each boasting to be a "minifest" in its own right.
Whether your tastes are international, experimental, commercial or strictly Southwest, this year's Fest has something for all, including special panels, workshops and symposiums.
For highlights of this week's upcoming revelry, read on or go to
for complete information. See
for theaters and film festival showtimes (times for individual films are not included, but can be found at
).
EYE ON THE WORLD
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Santa Fe has always been a haven for globetrotters, and this Fest celebrates our penchant for international fare better than any before it. SFFF's "Eye on the World" series features an array of eclectic morsels, each with its own distinct spice. From Oscar hopefuls to overseas box office record breakers, these imports are worth their salt:
Family Law
Argentina's official submission for the foreign film Oscar is
Family Law
, a semiautobiographical piece by writer-director Daniel Burman (
Lost Embrace
) about a family of lawyers. What the film lacks in drama it makes up for in personality, with a compassionate account of the ties that bind fathers and sons.
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Ten Canoes
Australia's
Ten Canoes
bills itself as the first feature ever made in an Aboriginal language. Anthropology and entertainment mix in this authentic recanting of a cautionary tale set 1,000 years ago. Humor is added to the inherent complexity of aboriginal storytelling through the use of a jovial English narrator. Shot in black and white, the cinematography was inspired by 1930s photographs by anthropologist Donald Thompson.
Cave of the Yellow Dog
The magical
Cave of the Yellow Dog
follows a cherry-cheeked Mongolian girl on a quest to save man's best friend. When her father accuses a stray dog of attacking their sheep, the instincts of loyalty between a child and her pet blossom into a life lesson for all.
The Host
Scary movies have reached their zenith in South Korea, where the highest-grossing film of all time is a
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monster flick replete with biological warfare and psychological terrorism.
The Host
by Joon-ho Bong is a scream.
Into Great Silence
Winner of a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival,
Into Great Silence
shares the mystical realm of the Carthusian Monks of Grande Chartreuse. Immersed in the Alps and ruled by strict traditions, the monks find solace in the deep silence of their surroundings.
Climates
A formidable example of the cinematic possibilities of high-def, director Nuri Bilge Ceylan beautifully incorporates the changing seasons of nature with those of a love affair. Isa and Bahar
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(played respectively by the director and his wife) are a couple on the verge, be it of destruction or sublime happiness. The subjects of a keen and understated study of human behavior, the pair flicker from Rome to Istanbul to the Black Sea on a jet stream of ambivalence, their intimate confusion mirrored through unforced metaphors and mood-flickering closeups.
LUMINARIA TRIBUTES
This year's Luminaria tributees represent craftsmen of the highest order. László Kovács began his illustrious cinematic career documenting the 1956 Hungarian revolt. He went on to shoot such legendary hits as
Easy Rider
,
Five Easy Pieces
,
Paper Moon
and
The Last Waltz
. He is currently a professor at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and chairman of the education committee of the American Society of Cinematographers. The Fest will screen
Frances
(Jessica Lange, Kim Stanley), the
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story of a Hollywood starlet gone mad, and
The King of Marvin Gardens
(Bruce Dern, Jack Nicholson) in tribute.
Gregory Nava has set himself apart in Hollywood as a champion of Hispanic themes. Responsible for bringing the heartbreaking story of singer Selena to the screen, Nava was also a writer on Julie Taymor's
Frida
starring Salma Hayek. He continues his quest to bring Mexican life into the mainstream with his upcoming film
Bordertown
(Jennifer Lopez). The Fest will screen Nava's heartbreaking drama
El Norte
, the story of two Mayan peasants fleeing Guatemala on the treacherous road to America.
ART MATTERS
The "Art Matters" series focuses on profiling artists and the artistic process. Whether the subject is a self-taught guitar player (
Dangerous Highway
) or Bob Dylan himself (
Tangled Up in Bob
), these works revolve around what sets a performer, music maker or craftsman apart from a layman:
Cinematographer Style
Ever watch a movie and realize you're spending more time admiring the glamour lighting than the action? Then you're probably keen for camera and will be quite entertained by the industry pointers and Hollywood anecdotes conveyed by the more than 100 cinematographers represented in this doc, with SFFF honoree László Kovács among them.
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Darkon
When one thinks of grown-ups dressing up in medieval costumes and pummeling each other, it usually involves the WWF. Not so in Baltimore, where a full-contact fantasy game called
Darkon
has gripped normal citizens, turning them into lords and monsters before our very eyes. Whether it's fetish or foolery, the players take their game of choice very seriously.
We Like to Drink, We Like to Play Rock 'n' Roll
Get up-close and personal with the myth of the rock star with local Lexie Shabel's
cinéma vérité
exploration of The Unband. They are three dirty rascals from the east side whose penchant for partying outweighs anything in their path, and they also plays music from time to time. Get reckless with free beer tasting 45 minutes before each screening at the Santa Fe Brewing Company. Sponsored by Modern Drunkard Magazine and KBAC.
Stomp! Shout! Scream!
A cross between Creature from the
Black Lagoon
and
Beach Blanket Bingo
, Jay Edwards' nod to 1966 is fantastically silly and vivacious. Be prepared to laugh and cringe at the dreaded Skunk Ape and rock out to the surfer anthems.
I Will Avenge You, Iago!
If you've ever thought actors were self-absorbed, dramatic prigs,
I Will Avenge You, Iago!
is here to prove you absolutely right. When your profession is to manufacture drama, it's bound to seep into your personal life, perhaps in bouts of infidelity, jealousy or…murder!? The secret world of thespians is thick with intrigue in this unpredictable film about the beautiful people we love to hate.
SOUTHWEST SHOWCASE
New Mexico is bursting at the seams with cinematic offerings, and here is just a smattering of some of the many worthwhile films featuring and made in the Southwest in the "Southwest Showcase":
The Naked Ape
Three boys on the verge of manhood get their kicks and some coaching from two lovely ladies from Taos. When a car full of pubescent lads takes off cross-country, the last thing they expect is
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for things to get serious. They learn all too quickly that life is about appreciating what comes your way.
Cinderellas of Santa Fe
Next time your favorite barista, waitress or housekeeper does a good job, stop and consider there may be a lot more to her than meets the eye. By day, these women make ends meet as part of the blue-collar work force; by night, they are champions of artistic expression, forging new cultural pathways while the rest of us sleep.
Dr. Teller's Very Large Bomb
The inspiration for Stanley Kubrick's
Dr. Strangelove
, Edward Teller was the original champion of the hydrogen bomb. Teller's tenacious quest to create the most powerful bomb in the world fueled the arms race with Russia and therefore the Cold War. For the first time, the scientist speaks solemnly about the effect his mission had on the world and why he felt compelled to keep going.
Far Side of Jericho
The three widows of a notorious band of thieves flee from villains, mystic Indians and a posse out for blood in this world premiere of a New Mexico-made western. With their husbands hanged, the ladies are the only ones who know the whereabouts of the hidden loot, and they're not about to be beat out by the opposite sex.
GOVERNOR'S CUP CHALLENGE
The New Mexico towns of Taos, Pie Town, Roswell and Las Cruces provide the backdrop for four shorts competing for this years Governor's Cup. The Cup provides a chance to highlight artists of promise, leading the next generation of filmmakers in our state.
MAKING IT REEL
"Making it Reel" presents a searing collection of documentaries that lift the veil on unrelenting humanitarian issues overseas and at home.
A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash
examines the state of the world's oil reserves while more personal accounts like
Hand of God
portray survivors of Catholic clergy abuse. Below are just two more in an impressive collection of docs being shown this year:
Uganda Rising
A chilling account of Uganda's 25-year civil war as experienced by its children, this Canadian-based production garnered one of 10 coveted Audience Awards at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto and was named "Pick of the Festival" at the Victoria Amnesty International Documentary Festival. It is a harrowing account of the country's more than 40,000 orphaned children facing the daily threat of death or forced induction into the rebel army.
Beyond the Call
A mortgage broker, cardiologist and construction worker make up an inspirational triumvirate on their own personal mission to save the world. They call themselves Knightsbridge, and through mysterious financial backing, Ed Artis, Jim Laws and Walt Ratterman travel the globe from Afghanistan to the Philippines distributing food, medical supplies and appliances to those in need. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, where the quirky, good-natured threesome were hailed as "part Mother Teresa, part Indiana Jones."
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
The festival's nod to the thrilling group of American filmmakers working outside the studio system, "Independent Spirit" supports the courageous film freaks who risk life, limb and sanity to make a film they believe in. After all that, they still have to figure out a way to get people in the seats. Do yourself a favor and put this series at the top of your list. "Independent Spirit" also includes a "Cavalcade of Animation" and "The Mind's Eye," a series of shorts ranging from the satiric to the apocalyptic. Here are a few picks to start you off:
Disappearances
Kris Kristofferson stars as Quebec Bill in writer-director Jay Craven's adaptation of the award-winning novel by Howard Frank Mosher. A long winter leaves Quebec Bill on the verge of destitution. To save his cattle and his family, he resorts to his family's
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traditional occupation of whiskey smuggling. Through a difficult and mysterious trek across the wilderness, Quebec Bill and his son Wild Bill discover an elusive past and make memories fit to become legend (see
).
Expiration Date
The Silvercloud men have all died on their 25th birthdays, killed in unfortunate accidents by milk trucks. Charlie is next in line and making preparations for his demise until an eccentric blonde named Bessie and her narcoleptic dog Roadkill get in the way. Voted Best Feature at the American Indian Film Festival.
First Snow
First Snow
is a chilling ride down a dark and twisted road-you won't know what hit you till you're flat on your back. When a traveling salesman (Guy Pearce) receives some ominous news from a fortune-teller, he throws caution to the wind and revisits the ghosts of his past.
First Snow
was shot in the great expanses of the New Mexico desert.
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GALA
The 2006 Festival scored some of its fanciest "Gala" films ever, with big stars and big parties to boot. Don't miss the opening night bash at the Cowgirl after
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
or Friday's special presentation of Mexico's
Pan's Labyrinth
followed up with a nightcap at the Ore House.
Miss Potter
The centerpiece film for this year's Fest features Oscar winner Renée Zellweger in the title role of the North American premiere of
Miss Potter
, the story of Beatrix Potter, author of the beloved children's book
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
. Half English period drama, half fantastical fun,
Miss Potter
's upper-class life lends itself well to daydreaming, and her painted characters come to life before her eyes. Co-starring Ewan McGregor as the man who champions her cause and makes her book and her life a success.
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Venus
All-time great Peter O'Toole stars as Maurice, a veteran actor enjoying his twilight years in serenity among his friends. But when an impetuous teenager, Jessie, enters his life, the placid sheen of certainty is shattered and the two embark on a friendship that will change them both forever. Maurice resolves to refine and culture up the young lady as she informs him of the new order of social standards and progressive thinking. The result is a delightful marriage of generations co-starring Vanessa Redgrave and Richard Griffiths and introducing Jodie Whittaker as the young Jessie.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ALL ROADS FILM PROJECT
Launched in 2004, the All Roads Project is a platform created by National Geographic for indigenous and minority cultures to share their vibrant stories through photography and film. Santa Fe plays host once more to this glorious collection of international images through an exhibit of photographs and a slate of exceptional documentaries from Dec. 6-10 inside the Forum Tent at the College of Santa Fe.
Films featured this year include
Devil's Miner
, a visually stunning depiction of life for a 14-year-old boy in the mines of Bolivia, and
Women Hold Up Half the Sky
, a look inside the values of the female sex from a woman's perspective, to be shown with
Jaisalmer Ayo! Gateway of the Gypsies
, a rare depiction of a vanishing nomadic people from the Thar Desert of northern India.
