WINE COUNTRY

23rd NAPA SONOMA Wine Country Film Festival “Anita” by Patrick Morrison September 17 - 20, 2009 - September 24 - 27, 2009 www.winecountryfilmfest.com Festival Info: tickets, prices, venues, etc - page 46 winery@deerfieldranch.com TASTING ROOM 10200 SONOMA HIGHWAY Kenwood, CA 95452 (707) 833-2570 Deerfield Ranch Winery is now a certified organic winery! Opening Night, September 17 Closing Night, September 27 Sea Wall Sideways Thursday September 17 Portrait of Diego DIR: Gabriel Figueroa Flores and Diego López Rivera SCR: Diego López Rivera, Margarita Mansilla CAM: Manuel Álvarez Bravo ED: Ramón Cervantes FEATURING: Diego Rivera, Dolores del Rio, Gabriel Figueroa, Carlos Monsivais 80 Minutes, 2007, Mexico www.latinofusion.com.mx/films/film-catalog-2/58/ Arts In Film This documentary about Diego Rivera was produced by his grandson, director Diego Rivera Lopez, and released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Rivera’s death. Director Rivera Lopez says, “In the 50 years since his death, my father’s image has been obscured by the recent presentation of Frida as a heroine, and now I think its time to put him back in perspective.” The film illustrates the socio-political impact of Rivera’s work on a Mexico emerging from the ruin of civil war. It includes interviews with Rivera’s daughter, Guadalupe Rivera Marin, the writer Carlos Monsivais and the painter José Luis Cuevas. Rivera himself was filmed with flower (Alcatraz) sellers in Xochimilco, in his studio while painting a portrait of Dolores del Río and during the construction of his museum, Anahuacalli. There are also scenes of the Palacio de Bellas Artes’ commemoration of Rivera’s first fifty years as a painter, when more than 500 of his works were shown at that venue. Diego Rivera Lopez, an accomplished writer, director, and producer has won one Gold Ariel and two Silver Ariels, Mexico’s prestigious national film award. Houston We Have a Problem World Premiere DIR: Nicole Torre PROD: Nicole Torre, Eric Mofford CAM: John Tarver ED: Sean Mcallen MUS: Mathew Cooper FEATURING: Matt Simmons 84 Minutes, 2009, USA EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine An extremely intelligent and powerful film about Big Oil’s take on the energy crisis and America’s dangerous appetite for oil consumption. Never thought this would happen, right? With the help of veteran professionals in Houston, America’s oil capital, the film traces the history of oil drilling in America, showing how America came to rely on foreign oil and why it meddled in Middle Eastern politics, and tracks Congress’ empty promises for alternative energy. This all culminates in the call for prioritizing alternative energy sources. Director Nicole Torre has brilliantly gathered exclusive interviews with an A-list cast of Texas oil barons, Wildcatters, and top executives, including the chairman of BP Capital, Sen. Harry Reed, and Middle East adviser Joanne Herring, who was the basis for Julia Roberts’ role in Charlie Wilson’s War. You may just be pleasantly surprised to hear what they have to say. Houston, We Have a Problem is a devastatingly fresh documentary that stands out the in the surge of films that address “green” issues. Torre’s boldness in approaching oilmen shows that the energy problem tends far beyond profit, politics, and party lines. The film is nothing short, as David Clifton, the president of Rational Broadcasting puts it, of “a masterpiece.” 4:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas 4:30pm, Sonoma Cinemas 3 Thursday September 17 LT 22 Radio La Colifata DIR: Carlos Larrondo PROD: Loris Omedes CAM: Carlos Larronda MUS: Manu Chao 90 Minutes, 2007, Argentina Cinema of Conscience LT22 Radio La Colifata is a radio show produced by patients at the Borda Psychiatric Hospital in Buenos Aires. Each Saturday, an array of patients broadcast interviews, musical and poetic performances, and talk shows from the hospital gardens. Sound crazy? Hardly. Shot over the course of a 10-year period, this documentary asks what it means to be insane. Every patient who answers is coherently self-reflective and philosophical; some feel trapped in Borda, and some, as one patient eloquently put it, shun the “sweet chains of mental health.” This is the real story of the people featured in Copolla’s Tetro. LT22’s founder Alfredo Oliviera explains that unlike introverted art therapy projects, the radio station enables patients to connect with the outside world and teaches them how to effectively communicate with others. Moreover, the station provides a surprisingly strong voice for people who may not normally have one. The film documents similar radio programs that have popped up in Europe, and showcases world-famous musician Manu Chaos’s benefit concert and album made in correlation with Radio La Colifata. One of the quirkiest and most creative documentaries you will ever see, with a brilliant use of music, recorded sound, and color. Opening Night Reception and Short Films Program Buen Provecho Mexico, 8 Minutes A day in the life of a restaurant and its team. Half DIR: Drue Metz USA, 2008, 9 Minutes It’s short, it’s clever, it’s artistic, and you’ll want to watch it again. Made in Japan DIR: Ciro Altabas Spain, 2007, 5 Minutes Night and Day DIR: Berin Tuzlic Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2007, 4 Minutes This whimsical and entertaining animated short is about a stick figure that comes to life to overcome the “surface” obstacles of his location to join his true love in the light. Orgesticulanismus Belgium, 9 Minutes Milovan Circus Belgium, 9 Minutes Lightheaded DIR: Mike Dacko USA, 2009, 5 Minutes This short film is deceptively simple, and yet inspires the deepest, most intriguing response. Made of wax in a wax world, human-like figures spring to life when the wick of a candle is lit, and their creative and curious human instincts spur them to a perilous revelatory adventure. 5:35pm, Sonoma Cinemas 6:00pm, Deerfield Ranch Winery Cave 4 Thursday September 17 Three Wise Men DIR: Mika Kaurismaki PROD: Mika Kaurismaki SCR: Mika Kaurismaki, Petri Karra CAM: Raundo Ronkainen ED: Mika Kaurismaki MUS: Panu Aaltio CAST: Kari Heiskanen, Pertti Sveholn, Timo Torikka, Irina Bjorklund 99 Minutes, 2008, Finland World Cinema Sometimes we forget what we have to live for. This Finnish masterpiece by Mika Kaurismaki is raw and engaging. Three mature men, once buddies, cross paths one Christmas Eve in a karaoke bar after some thirty years apart. With each round of drink they push each other’s buttons, tempting their confidences to snare true confessions. Sea Wall DIR: Rithy Panh PROD: Catherine Dussart SCR: Rithy Panh, Michel Fessler CAM: Pierre Milon ED: MarieChristine Rougerie MUS: Marc Marder CAST: Isabelle Huppert, Gaspard Ulliel, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Vincent Grass, Lucy Harrison 116 Minutes, 2008, France http://www.filmsdistribution.com/fd_film.php?id_ film=305 World Cinema Based on a novel by Marguerite Duras, The Sea Wall is the work of Cambodian native and award winning director Rithy Panh. Set in the French Colonies of Indochina (now Cambodia), the film offers a unique portrait of a French widow struggling to keep her land and subsist on Denied grudges, self loathing, and personal insecuria native economy of rice farming. Renowned French acties are unearthed in a montage of vodka, red wine and tress Isabelle Huppert delivers a convincing performance song. Taking each moment apart from the last, the men of this lady of the land, hardlining her children to work express themselves openly and spontaneously. for their best interests, and her own. They all possess a desperation that sits inside like a presWith all cards stacked against her, she relinquishes nothsure cooker waiting to blow. ing to greedy colonialists who threaten to reclaim her land. Without a crop, she cannot earn money and is de6:45pm, Sonoma Cinemas termined to overcome the natural disaster of high water by building a sea wall around her crops. The film offers a profoundly close look at a family atypical to the French diaspora in Southeast Asia and pays tribute to a female character who overcomes the obstacles placed before her. The Sea Wall is beautifully shot in rural location revealing a world most have never seen. 6:00pm: Reception in the Grand Room of the Cave 6:00-8:00pm: Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack cuisine 7:00pm: Live Performance RAD CLOUD 8:00pm: Film, Deerfield Ranch Al Fresco 8:00pm, Deerfield Ranch Al Fresco 5 Thursday September 17 Friday September 18 Fierce Light When Spirit Meets Action DIR: Velcrow Ripper PROD: Mark Achbar, Silva Basmajian, Betsy Carson SCR: Velcrow Ripper CAM: Velcrow Ripper ED: Aniko Fenyvesi FEATURING: Thich Nhat Hanh, Daryl Hannah, Julia Butterfly Hill, John Lewis 90 Minutes, 2008, Canada http://www.fiercelight.org/ Cinema of Conscience Comparing world wide activism to a sleeping volcano, writer, director and photographer Velcrow Ripper makes a strong argument in Fierce Light for the interconnectedness of all humans, and the rising tide of movements promoting peace, human rights, and a sustainable existence on our fragile Earth. Intermixed with gorgeous vistas and artistic compositions are interviews with activists from all over the world. This film offers a positive response to the growing concerns over the future of humanity, touching on many well documented movements, such as: Gandhi’s work for the rights of the untouchable caste in India, Julia Butterfly Hill’s two year long California Redwood tree sit of the late 1990s, and most pointedly, the lesser known struggle to save the South Central Farm of Los Angeles, California. Featuring interviews with Congressman John Lewis, author Alice Walker, actress Daryl Hannah, Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as many other authors, scholars, and activists, the overall message is clear; no one is alone in their worries over the precarious state of our planet and the frailty of the diverse life existing on it, but we still have hope and action in our favor. 400 Years of the Telescope A Journey of Science, Technology and Thought DIR: Kris Koenig PROD: Kris Koenig SCR: Donald Goldsmith, Kris Koenig, Albert van Helden CAM: Scott Stender ED: Kimberly Generous White MUS: Mark Slater 57 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.400years.org/ EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine 400 Years of the Telescope is the must-see cinematic feature for the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. Begin by revisiting Galileo Galilei’s findings in 1609 when he made the first recordings of astronomical observations with his telescope—which makes 2009 the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s history-changing accomplishments. The film weaves together two thematic threads over four centuries: the continued changes in telescope technology and the changes in philosophies that resulted from the scientific advances. Historical reenactments filmed in Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are the bulk of the film’s historical “catching up” while live interviews, equipment showcases and space-taken photographs provide the source for projecting ahead. Scientists reveal what most recent findings say about our universe and our understanding of our place within it. Many astronomers are optimistic about neighbors we may have far from our own planet and they marvel over the fact that we can travel vast distances based on two polished pieces of glass in the telescope. If Superman were in his meteorite pod heading towards earth today, this documentary would have been among the required viewing prior to his landing. 8:40pm, Sonoma Cinemas 11:00am, Sonoma Cinemas 6 Friday September 18 Coal Country DIR: Phylis Geller PROD: Phylis Geller SCR: Phylis Geller CAM: Jordan Freeman, Jay Johnson, Mark Stoddard, Larry Dowling ED: Sam Green MUS: Charlie Barnett 84 Minutes, 2009 http://www.coalcountrythemovie.com/ US Cinema Coal Country, the new film about coal mining, could be considered kin to the film Food, Inc., covering the dirty coal energy issue instead of dirty food issues, and Big Coal probably wishes the movie would just disappear. Eco Cinema Shorts This program takes us on a trip from the Xingu tributary of the Amazon to the tragic Salton Sea, and coast to coast on the trail of America’s Honey Bees. Followed by a discussion with filmmakers, bee-keepers and specialists. A Special Presentation Sponsored by Sunset Magazine. Battle for the Xingu DIR: Iara Lee USA/Brazil, 15 Minutes The Xingu, a tributary of the Amazon, is home to over 10,000 indigenous people who rely on it for survival. The Brazilian government, however, keen to develop the reFor those of us who don’t live in a coal mining region, gion, is proposing what would be the world’s third largest how can we understand the local environmental impacts hydroelectric dam, destroying an entire way of life. of mountaintop removal mining (MTR), or the health Pollen Nation and water problems for both the miners and other local DIR: Singeli Agnew, Joshua Fisher residents? Coal Country takes us inside modern coal mining, from USA, 2007, 25 Minutes Big Coal officials down to Big Coal’s employees, and to This film is the first documentary to delve into the issues those who just witness the effects. behind the bee die-off that has plagued beekeepers the Both sides in this conflict claim that history is on their past two years, but it goes way beyond the headlines to side. Families have lived in the region for generations deliver a clear-eyed message about the fragility and huand most have ancestors who worked in the mines. bris of this industrialized food system. Everyone shares a deep love for the land, but MTR is The Enduring Call tearing them apart. DIR: Fritz Feick Are the people fighting against mountaintop removal really protecting the earth, or do they stand in the way USA, 2009, 30 Minutes of affordable energy for all Americans? What is behind Writer/director Fritz Feick delivers this short film that is promises of “cheap energy” and “clean coal.” Are they an ecological love story set in the “poisoned paradise” of achievable, and at what cost? And what are the alterna- California’s Salton Sea. When eco-activist Katia enlists the tives for our energy future? help of science teacher and ex-boyfriend Kayvon to inJoin us for a discussion after the film with Community vestigate the disappearance of endangered bird species, their passion for each other is rekindled, even while they Partner, EarthJustice. recognize the futile struggle of nature all around them. 12:30pm, Sonoma Cinemas 1:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas 7 Friday September 18 Viva Mandela Shorts! Party DIR: Dalibor Matanic Croatia, 2009, 15 Minutes Throughout this short film by Croatian director Dalibor Matanic, there are undertones of Croatia’s recent brutal war. Today in the absence of border guards, bombs and battlegrounds, young people seem to be without intention or direction. They throw a party. Drugged and numb, one wonders “is this the freedom they enjoy?” A Hero For All Seasons DIR: Cathrine Meyburgh PROD: Anant Singh, Hellena Sprig ED: Catherine Meyburgh 95 Minutes, 2008 Cinema of Conscience Former South African President Nelson Mandela is perhaps the most beloved political leader of all time. His compassion, suffering, and determination have inspired millions all over the world, and he is widely considered the emblem of non-racialism. Set out to document Mandela’s private character, Viva Mandela reveals that it was no different from his public persona; both in and out of the public eye, by his followers and closest friends, Mandela is simply known as “Madiba.” This film follows Mandela’s days as a law student, his rise to a strong political figure in the African National Congress, his imprisonment and release, and his election to President. Learn how Mandela transformed his prison “into a university” and why a generation who had never seen Mandela speak courageously supported him. Hear what Mandela’s closest colleagues and friends, including fellow activists, lawyers, and politicians such as Nobel Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former Progressive MP Helen Suzman, and even his former prison guard have to say about a man whose kindness and moral integrity knows no limits. South African filmmaker Catherine Meyburgh made Viva Mandela in honor of Mandela’s 90th birthday in July 2008. American Soil DIR: Terry Lamb USA, 2008, 26 Minutes An African American family moves from the big city to a rural white area, to find a safe place to raise their children. They discover evidence of an unsolved murder on their property, and then they have to deal with the town’s suspicious sheriff. And everyone has something to hide. A Day Late in Oakland DIR: Zachary Stauffer USA, 2008, 26 Minutes This short documentary by Bay Area filmmaker Zachary Stauffer, investigates the disturbing details of the August 2, 2007 murder, of Oakland journalist Chauncey Bailey, in the broad daylight of downtown Oakland. Using stock news footage, news clippings, and interviews with relatives, journalists, and former members of the group accused with perpetrating the murder, Your Black Muslim Bakery, a chain of corruption and a failure to stand against it, is revealed. 2:05pm, Sonoma Cinemas 3:15pm, Sonoma Cinemas 8 Friday September 18 Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies DIR: Arne Glimcher PROD: Arne Glimcher, Robert Greenhut CAM: Petr Hlinomaz ED: Sabine Krayenbühl FEATURING: Martin Scorsese, Bernice Rose, Julian Schnabel, Chuck Close, Lucas Samaras, Robert Whitman, Eric Fischl, Jennifer Wild 60 Minutes, 2008, USA Arts In Film Produced and narrated by Martin Scorsese. Film historians, cinephiles and film students alert! This film features Martin Scorsese, Bernice Rose, Julian Schnabel, Chuck Close, Lucas Samaras, Robert Whitman, Eric Fischl, and Jennifer Wild who collectively posit the theory that cinema revolutionized human perception of time, space and motion. The film explores the links between cubism and movies; it is a dazzling, opulent treasure trove of early cinema excerpts that spills across the screen. Glimcher assembles a hypothetical collage, counterposing various theories and personal angles on the subject, while the two most discussed juxtapositions— reign at pic’s center. Glimcher’s fanciful montages of the technological revolution tend to widen, rather than narrow, the film’s focus: archival footage of planes, trains and the moving sidewalk that surrounded the Paris Exposition of 1900 summons a world drunk on the spectacle of motion. Love Me DIR: Beda Docampo Feijóo SCR: Beda Docampo Feijóo, Cesar Gomez Copello CAM: Juan Miguel Azpiroz ED: Teresa Font MUS: Xavier Capellas CAST: Dario Grandinetti 95 Minutes, 2007, Spain/Argentina Paseo de España Galician-born Beda Docampo Feijóo, director of numerous Spanish and Argentine films, addresses the theme of a father’s coming to terms with his conscience in this powerful story. Dario Grandinetti, the masterful Argentine actor, plays Pancho, a prestigious chef in a Buenos Aires restaurant. He is engaged to the daughter of his business partner, his restaurant is successful and his career is in full swing. When an abandoned seven year old Spanish girl, who turns out to be his granddaughter, is delivered to his doorstep, the ripple effect produces disastrous consequences in Pancho’s so-called perfect life. Feijoo captures a rare and beautiful dynamic as Pancho’s own becoming is defined by his relationship with his granddaughter. The film is deeply moving and will leave you feeling bittersweet. Preceded By... Solid Waste DIR: Igor Mirkovic Croatia, 2008, 15 Minutes When a man’s wife excommunicates him on suspicion of two- timing her, he is forced to live out of his car. When pushed outside of his normal routine, he does something unexpected. His day-long journey and personal losses shatter his white collar identity and leads to an complete overall of his value system. 4:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas Saturday, Sept. 26 12:30pm Cuvee Napa 4:45pm, Sonoma Cinemas 9 Friday September 18 The Brothers Warner World Premiere DIR: Cass Warner PROD: Cass Warner SCR: Cass Warner CAM: Arlene Donnelly Johnson ED: Kate Amend, Stephan Malik MUS: David Campbell FEATURING: Dennis Hopper, George Segal, Angie Dickinson, Debbie Reynolds, Tab Hunter, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., and more 90 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.warnersisters.com US Cinema “Educate, entertain, enlighten” was the original motto of the Warner Brothers Studios. Now owned by Time Warner, it initially was to produce socially aware films. Four immigrant brothers pooled funds to open nickelodeon theaters, then opened one of Hollywood’s great studios. With the release of The Jazz Singer in 1927, the Warner Brothers brought sound to American films and success to their company, producing films such as Casablanca. The Brothers Warner is about the story behind those stories. Writer-director Cass Warner, granddaughter of Harry Warner, tells the fascinating story of her family’s rise to power, their creative, political, and philanthropic influence, and the tragedy and betrayal that would tear the family—and the company—apart. Includes interviews with family members and film industry luminaries. Ms. Warner won the HBO Films Producer Award at the Savannah Film Festival and founded Warner Sisters, Inc. Preceded By... Dirty Money DIR: Dominque Othenin-Gerard PROD: André Martin, Yves Fortin, Philippe Berthet SCR: Colette Pittier CAST: Antoine Basler, Rosalie Julien, Pascal Vincent, Michel Voïta 107 Minutes, Belgium World Cinema Ah, Switzerland, the land of banking freedom, where the rich and scandalous invest their fortunes—be they legitimate or not. Based on the true story of legendary Swiss police captain Fausto Cattaneo, Dirty Money follows Marc Girard (Antoine Basler), a rough undercover cop who unveils a major international money-laundering scheme. As Girard, an unlikely character of wit, charm, and confidence, ruthlessly infiltrates a tightly closed circle of international white-collar criminals, he soon realizes how strongly the operation is dependent on family and how complicated these blood relations can be. Further, to carry out his dangerous task, Girard must resist the sharp and sultry glances of a beautiful enemy, Sukran (Uygar Tamer), and overcome a crooked politician out to save her own skin. This smart, gripping film opens an entertaining discussion on the opaqueness of the Swiss banking system and its lax laws that enable money laundering to occur even today. Swiss film and television director Dominque Othenin-Girard (After Darkness, Halloween 5, the famed mini-series The Crusaders) graces the Festival with an intelligent, action-packed, and unpredictable story that is altogether funny, touching, and riveting. Dirty Money was exhibited at Cannes. Aurora DIR: Catherine Bennett and Robin Bisco USA, 4 Minutes A dance film that won the Spirit Award at the 2008 Santa Barbara International Film Festival. 6:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas 6:00pm, Deerfield Ranch Winery Cave 10 Friday September 18 I, The Other DIR: Mohsen Melliti PROD: Lorenzo Von Lorch SCR: Mohsen Melliti, Sigalot Alessandro, Savario Di Biagio CAM: Maurizio Calvesi ED: Marco Spoletini MUS: Louis Siciliano CAST: Raoul Bova, Giovanni Martorana, Mario Pupella, Samia Zibidi 80 Minutes, 2007, Italy World Cinema How well do you know your best friend? A strong bond is put to the test in this gripping thriller. Giuseppe, a Sicilian (Raoul Bova) and Yusef, a Tunisian immigrant (Giovanni Martorana) have spent the last 10 years together as fisherman. After years of working under a greedy boss, they now have their own boat and spend long days scouring the Mediterranean. How I Got Lost DIR: Joe Leonard PROD: Massoumeh Emami, Jared Parsons, Sam Mestman SCR: Joe Leonard CAM: Christopher Chambers ED: Sarah Broshar, Sam Mestman MUS: Kaki King CAST: Aaron Stanford, Jacob Fishel, Rosemarie DeWitt, Nicole Vicius, Emily Wickersham, Lily Holleman, Jill Flint 87 Minutes, 2009, USA http://www.howigotlost.com/ US Cinema On September 11, Jake and Andrew got drunk. After they tried to give blood. After they called their parents. A year later, the hangover still lingers. Andrew spends his days on Wall Street, and Jake has given up writing fiction to cover sports. But now Andrew has a plan. It is a plan with no plan. Ditch New York. Hit the road, going nowhere. And Jake follows along, as he always has. But when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Andrew is forced to reveal the real reason for the trip... The fishermen begin a day at sea like any other until Giuseppe hears the radio news announcing a search for an Arab terrorist with the same name as Yusef. Immediately, paranoia grips Giuseppe and he begins to doubt Yusef’s character. Yet the two have been close for so long- On the road and in small town Ohio, Andrew and Jake how could this happen? discover that sometimes you have to get lost to figure out Suspicion builds and tension escalates, and Giuseppe where you’re going. and Yusef see each other in a new, malevolent way. Their boat, once an asylum of brotherhood, is now a floating 8:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas terror-locked limbo of mistrust. Inevitably, both men—the suspicious and the suspect—are victims to the war on terror and its perpetuation of deep-seated prejudice. Astonishingly, this is Tunisian-born director Moshen Meliti’s first feature film. A stunning commentary on post 9/11 fear. 6:15pm, Sonoma Cinemas 11 Friday September 18 Desierto Sur DIR: Shawn Garry PROD: Mauricio Arriagada, Karina Díaz, Andre Garry SCR: Trinidad Jiménez CAM: Hermes Marco ED: Francesc Sitges MUS: Eduardo Caces CAST: Marta Etura, Alejandro Botto, Carolina Varleta 100 Minutes, 2007, Chile http://www.desiertosur.com/eng_director.php CineLatino Director Shawn Garry’s Desierto Sur, an introspective meditation on grief, doubles as an adventure film. After the death of her mother, central character, Sofía (Marta Etura), finds some of her mother’s letters to a secret lover from her past, stamped, “return to sender”, and addressed to a place called Desierto Sur somewhere in the Chilean desert. Sofía becomes convinced that her mother’s final wish was to have her ashes scattered in Desierto Sur. In a state of emotional distress after losing her mother, Sofía surreptitiously sets out to spread Carolina’s ashes in a town no one seems to have heard of, and half a world away from her home in Spain. With only a name and an enigmatic street address, upon arriving in Chile, Sofia is befriended by a petty thief, Nadia (Carolina Varleta), a stowaway on the bus that will take them to the edge of the desert. Later, Sofia accepts a ride from a handsome stranger, Gustavo (Alejandro Botto), who turns out to be a drug smuggler. Sofía’s spontaneous trip to seek closure for her mother’s death becomes a whirlwind adventure with ample lessons on love, life and loss. The Drummer DIR: Kenneth Bi PROD: Peggy Chiao, Thanassis Karathanos, Rosa Li SCR: Kenneth Bi CAM: Sam Koa ED: Isabel Meier MUS: Andre Matthias CAST: Jaycee Chan, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Angelica Lee, Roy Cheung 98 Minutes, 2007, Hong Kong / Taiwan http://thedrummer.emp.hk/enmain.html World Cinema The rebellious son of a Hong Kong gangster is sent away to the Taiwanese hills where he follows his passion for drumming and unexpectedly finds inner peace and spirituality. Always looking for trouble, spoiled Sid (played by Jaycee Chan, son of Jackie) seduces the mistress of Stephen Ma (Kenneth Tsang), a rival gangster to whom Sid’s father Kwan is indebted. To protect him, Kwan sends Sid, a drummer in an amateur band, to the country. Drawn to the sound, Sid comes across a group of professional drummers (the wellknown Taiwanese troupe U-Theatre) and asks to join. The hard tasks of his initiation soften Sid, teaching him patience and inner strength. However, life in the city is not going too well for Kwan and his gang. With fantastic editing, “superb casting,” and an unbelievable display of drumming talent, “action and spirituality blend into a genuine crowd-pleaser” (Hollywood Reporter). The Drummer played at the Sundance (where it was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize), Munich, Seattle, Moscow, Sydney, and Palm Springs International Film Festivals. The film won Outstanding Taiwanese Film of the Year at the Golden Horse Film Festival. 6:00-8:00pm: Food provided by Lata’s Indian Cuisine 8:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas 8:00pm, Deerfield Ranch Al Fresco 12 Saturday September 19 Egon and Donci DIR: Ádám Magyar PROD: Gálicza Andrea SCR: Elemér Magyar ED: Gábor Felföldi, Gergely Gál, Ádám Magyar MUS: Gábor Balázs, Zsolt Macsinka, Péter Sohajda 72 Minutes, 2007, Hungary http://www.egonanddonci.com/index_eng.html World Cinema Egon and Dönci are two lonely inhabitants on a distant solar-system’s tiny planet. Egon is an amateur scientist and explorer who is constantly dogged by his meddling cat, Donci. They take off from their tiny planet and get into all kinds of staggering adventures while exploring the universe in search of a planet with water. They live through every situation in a very peculiar way: Egon and Dönci never talk! They communicate with each other (and with the audience) with syllable sounds and gestures. In this way they are understood by all groups and ages anywhere on planet earth! The movie is thoroughly entertaining and at the same time educational. It teaches us about the planets in our own solar-system and conditions on Planet Earth. This fantastic animated feature is a must see for all ages. Heart of Stone DIR: Beth Toni Kruvant PROD: Beth Toni Kruvant CAM: David Harges, Scott Shelley ED: Anand Kamalakar MUS: Ben Decter FEATURING: Ronald Stone 84 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.heartofstonethemovie.com/ US Cinema The Weequahic High School community of Newark, New Jersey, consisting of students, faculty, an Alumni Association, and a dedicated principal, Mr. Stone, are a dramatic model of generosity and heart; and how they can be implemented to address the failings and social issues of so many inner city schools. Film maker Beth Toni Kruvant delivers her award winning fourth documentary, with passion and a mission; to change the world for the better by sharing these inspirational events. In the film she takes us to Weequahic High School of Newark, New Jersey; home of the Indians and under the administration of principal Ronald Stone. Stone’s mission? The restoration of this inner city high school to its former academic and athletic glory. Before the race riots of the 1960s, before the emergence of the violent gangs, the Bloods and the Crips, Weequahic produced the largest number of students to go on to earn a Ph.D. in the entire country. We meet alumni, students, gang members, teachers, local police, and Newark Mayors, who applaud and support the innovative techniques of Mr. Stone. Their school has begun a massive positive transformation that gives students a future with options. And if the Weequahic community can do it, others can follow. 10:30am, Sonoma Cinemas FREE Sun. Sept. 27, 2:30pm, Napa Expo Merlot 11:00am, Sonoma Cinemas 13 Saturday September 19 How Could I Not Love You DIR: Victor Avelar PROD: Julio Bárcenas, Ángeles Castro, Liliana Pardo SCR: Victor Avelar CAM: Hector Maeshiro ED: Victor Avelar, Lourdes Rébora CAST: Alejandro Belmonte, Siouzana Melikian, Natalia Esperón 82 Minutes, 2007, Mexico CineLatino One could say that Hugo (Alejandro Belmonte) has a one-track mind, and it revolves around his favorite soccer club, the Pumas. Even his schoolwork, beautiful girlfriend Julia, and his family’s trust fall to the wayside. Hugo’s sole ambition is to one day play for the elite team, but he finds himself a bit confused about how to reach his goal. All Hugo can see is the Pumas, and his blinders cause him to fall in with the wrong crowd; he lacks the motivation to pass his classes. His modest, hardworking family is incredibly displeased, except for Hugo’s grandfather, who sees a bit of himself in Hugo and grants him undying love and support. Eventually, Hugo and his father will learn that passion for soccer skipped no generations… Julia has problems of her own, and the couple will soon see that every action comes with a price. This touching, engaging, and spirited film provides a thought-provoking look at Mexican youth. How Could I Not Love You? is the first live-action feature from up and coming director Victor Avelar. The film had its US premiere at Cinequest. Sea of Darkness DIR: Michael Oblowitz PROD: Freddy Braidy SCR: Michael Oblowitz FEATURING: Martin Daly, Peter McCabe, Jeff Chitty, Shaun Thompson, Kelly Slater, Greg Noll, Bruce Raymond, Bob McKnight, Rory Russel 87 Minutes US Cinema A fascinating documentary on the early days and subsequent “dark side” of surfing. In the 1970s, surf culture was greatly intertwined with the freedom, love, and drugs of the hippy lifestyle. Proving that surfing is one of the most powerful addictions on Earth, young surfers from America, New Zealand, and Australia scoured the world to find perfect waves. These thrill junkies, namely Mike Boyum, Peter McCabe, Martin Daly, and Jeff Chitty, discovered paradise in Bali and set up a surf camp, the legendary G-Land. In order to sustain their dangerous habit, the men partook in another activity equally as risky: drug smuggling. What seemed like a dream—never-ending waves, beautiful women, easy money, and the best drugs—quickly shattered for some and got the best of others. Nevertheless, the select group of men featured in Sea of Darkness revolutionized the sport; featured subjects include surfing world champions and the founders of Quiksilver. Michael Oblowitz uses intimate and extremely candid interviews, sharp editing, and original stock footage to tell a bewitching story about a group of young explorers who dared to pursue their passion at all costs. The film premiered at CineVegas and has also played at the Malibu International Film Festival. 12:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas 12:45pm, Sonoma Cinemas 14 Saturday September 19 Food Beware DIR: Jean-Paul Jaud CAM: Joel Pierron - Ammar Arhab ED: Isabelle Szummny MUS: Gabriel Yared 112 Minutes, 2008, France http://www.nosenfantsnousaccuseront-lefilm.com/ EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine Our Disappeared PROD: Juan Mandelbaum SCR: Juan Mandelbaum CAM: Vicente Franco ED: David Carnochan MUS: Gustavo Moretto 99 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.ourdisappeared.com/ Cinema of Conscience/ CineLatino Benefit for Kenwood School’s Edible Garden Following the values and concerns of previous promoters of environmental consciousness like Rachel Carson, French Filmmaker JP Jaud exposes the dangers of uninformed agro-ecology practices and captures the alarm in the hearts and minds of citizens as they learn of the physical and emotional damage that has indefinitely changed the lives of their loved ones in pastoral France. In the small town of Barjac, children are taught to sing assertively about their expectation for an improved health standard for tomorrow. Come meet the individuals of this Renaissance town that came into awareness when a large percentage of its less than 2000 people were suffering considerable side effects from industrial and agrochemical pollution near the school and surrounding farms. The documentary takes you into numerous arenas of discussion and the sorrowful conditions of remorseful damage done as a result of chemical contamination. Watch as concerns are identified and solutions forged in science conferences, political policy debates, town hall farmers’ meetings, in the class room and among families. The ripple effect shows the contagiousness of the heightened consciousness and sets new eating and farming habits in motion while the setting of a new food source standard is made ever more available. This documentary provides an entry point for those unfamiliar with Argentina’s political and bloody past during 1977-1983. The film chronicles Argentinian Juan Mandelbaum’s return after thirty years. It is his memory and admiration for an old friend Patricia Dixon that inspired his quest for knowledge. Mandelbaum revisits the sociology department at his university where he finds Patricia’s name among the “disappeared” alumni. There is news footage of Juan Peron’s return to power, interview clips with officials including Henry Kissinger and commemorative accounts of the military’s fierce hunt for the leftist activists who were taken and silenced. The scars left by those who were silenced—Argentina’s “disappeared”—are shared by surviving generations and loved ones in the film. Join us after the film for a discussion with some of these relatives. 3:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas 2:15pm, Sonoma Cinemas 15 Saturday September 19 Another Kind of Music DIR: José Gutiérrez Razura PROD: Antonio Arellano, Sugey González SCR: José Gutiérrez Razura EDIT: Pablo Valadez, Alberto Ponce MUSIC: Sutra 85min, 2008, Mexico CineLatino In director Jose Gutierrez Razura’s third film, we are introduced to the lives of some extraordinarily average characters. Jorge, played by Ruben Padilla, is a young man without motivation. He spends his days lounging around, listening to depressing alternative rock music on his massive set of headphones, halfheartedly attempting to find employment. Joaquin, played by Carlos Hoeflich, is attempting to write a novel about his favorite traditional Mexican singers, romanticizing the past, while ignoring the needs of present girlfriend Adriana (Marisol Padilla). Jorge and Joaquin are neighbors in an apartment complex. Jorge lives with his mother, and Joaquin lives with his girlfriend Adriana. To Joaquin’s chagrin, Jorge prefers to hang out with Adriana, who, though a little bit older, is the object of his passive affection. Jorge is pulled out of his headphone dominated world, and away from his thoughts of Adriana, when he meets Karina (Mely Ortega), a local girl at a restaurant. Jorge’s attraction to Karina gives him the motivation to change his routinely lazy behavior, while Joaquin’s quest to re-glorify his favorite oldies drives Adriana further away. Though all of these relationships seem doomed from the beginning, they end up impacting each others lives for the better. Don’t Let Me Drown DIR: Cruz Angeles PROD: Ben Howe, Lars Knudsen, James Lawler, Maria Topete, Jan Van Hoy SCR: Cruz Angeles, Maria Topete CAM: Chad Davidson ED: Andrew Hafitz MUS: Daniel Belardinelli CAST: E.J. Bonilla, Gleendilys Inoa, Damián Alcázar, Ricardo Chavira 100 Minutes, 2009, USA US Cinema In an intriguing time for New York City and all of the world, director Cruz Angeles’ feature film takes a very intuitive look inside friendships and families to view the developments resulting from 9/11. Cruz focuses on ways families cope when facing the incomprehensible aftershocks of loss caused by catastrophe. Don’t Let me Drown is an adequate title for a story about the psychodynamics of finding one’s identity among the ruins of troublesome times. In a Brooklyn high school, Lalo is a Mexican immigrant whose father, a member of the 9-11 clean up crew, dusts off his ashy clothing every night when he comes home from the job site. Stephanie lost a smart and much-loved big sister in 9/11, and her father is dangerously incapable of finding peace with his eldest daughter’s absence. The sparks of hope begin when Stephanie and Lalo meet and find trust in each other’s eyes, and eventually each other’s arms. With major obstacles for them to overcome, they must keep their bond a secret as both sets of parents disapprove of the interracial couple. These incredibly convincing performances will leave you nourished and hopeful at the sight of these courageous hearts claiming their peace of mind. 4:25pm, Sonoma Cinemas 5:30pm, Sonoma Cinemas 16 Saturday September 19 Leap of Faith World Premiere Fast Lane to Farmstead DIR: Michael J. Walsh PROD: Alexandra Austin CAM: Michael J. Walsh ED: Ted Sullivan, Jon Stewart MUS: Edward Thacker 52 Minutes, 2009, USA EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine Euforia DIR: Alfonso Corona PROD: Alfonso Corona SCR: Alfonso Corona CAM: Arturo de la Rosa ED: Oscar Figueroa CAST: Humberto Zurita, Ana Serradilla, Fernando Lujan, Ernesto Yañez 100 Minutes, 2009, Mexico CineLatino Pat Cocoran (Humberto Zurita) is a former rock star who is still in shock that his glory days are twenty years past. Because Pat cannot face reality, he spends the vast amount of his time dreaming about rock heroes of old and nostalgically recalling his own experiences as a charismatic front man, the “Chameleon.” This is the first creative collaboration on a documentary film for Producer Alexandra Austin and Director Michael Walsh, veterans of film and television. Fittingly, their film revolves around the collaborative effort of another pair; Eric Smith and Pascal Destandau. Through intimate interviews on their farm in Healdsburg, this film explores the motivations and reasoning behind Eric and Pascal’s decision to leave behind their urban lives as successful businessmen, to become goat farmers. After an unsuccessful reunion gig, Pat is saved from a near-death experience by the beautiful arborist Ana (Ana Serradilla), and soon after, the two embark on a transformative road trip. The pair journeys through Mexico, encountering spirituality, death, deception, and desire— but can this chameleon embrace real change, adopt selfTrading in long commutes, consumerism, and the urban awareness, and learn to accept life’s inevitable truths? rat race for a 3 1/2 acre farm, named Pugs Leap, and Award-winning Mexican director Alfonso Corona uses 35 goats, became a journey of self-discovery and social the inspiration of Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and the conscience for the couple. With the help of their goats, psychedelic aura of the 1960s to create an ethereal, mind Eric and Pascal produce their own artisan cheese, which and soul-bending trip through a washed-up musician’s they sell locally. quest to regain his lost splendor. Their partnership and lifestyle is a model not only for Euforia had its world premiere at Cinquest in March, unsustainable local living, but making a life choice and actder the festival’s theme of “transformation in mind, body, ing on it everyday. and soul.” The film also played at the San Diego Latino 6:00pm: Reception and Cheese Tasting Film Festival and Egypt’s El Sawy International Festival, 7:00pm: Film where it won the Best International Feature Film Award. 6:00pm, Deerfield Ranch Winery Cave 6:05pm, Sonoma Cinemas 17 Saturday September 19 The Rainbowmaker DIR: Nana Djordjadze PROD: Oliver Damian SCR: Irakli Kvirikadze, Maria von Heland CAM: Walther van den Ende ED: Ville-Matti Vasama MUS: Paul M. van Brugge CAST: Merab Ninidze, Anna Antonowicz, Chulpan Khamatova, Nino Kirtadze 94 Minutes, 2008, Georgia/Germany http://www.therainbowmaker.de/ World Cinema The Rainbowmaker is an absolutely stunning film, a magical tale about one man’s deep love for his family. When Dato (Merab Ninidze) returns home from jail, he faces overwhelming expectations to live up to. Thanks to Grandpa Giorgi (Ramaz Chkhikvadze), Dato’s children imagine him as a superhero with immense powers. As soon as the children lay eyes on Dato, however, they reject him as a mere man, a bedraggled meteorologist. Troubled Water DIR: Eric Poppe PROD: Finn Gjerdrum, Stein B. Kvae SCR: Harald Rosenlow Eeg CAM: John Christina Rosenlund ED: Einar Egeland MUS: Johan Soderquist CAST: Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen, Trine Dyrholm, Ellen Dorrit Petersen 90 Minutes, 2008, Norway/Sweden World Cinema Norwegian director Erik Poppe delivers this dark character-centric drama of extreme close ups, flashbacks, and emotive organ music that creates a perfectly brooding environment for a guilt ridden penitent and a bereaved victim. Leading man, Pal Sverre Valheim Hagen, plays Jan Thomas Hansen, a gifted organist trying to create a new life for himself after being released from prison for a crime he committed as an adolescent. Taking a job as a church organist, he soon becomes involved with the pure hearted priest Anna and her son Jens, who are unaware of the crime in Jan’s past. Though Jan proclaims his innocence, there is a distinctly guilty aspect to his character. His crime involved the disappearance of a little boy. The missing boy’s mother, Agnes, cannot forget Jan’s crime. To make matters worse, Dato’s beloved wife Elene is about to run away with a crooked circus performer, and Lady Death tempts Grandpa with her frequent, flirtatious visits. However, a whimsical accident grants Dato an extraordinary power—the ability to control the weather! Played by award nominee Trine Dyrholm, Agnes beCelebrated Georgian director Nana Djordjadze won the gins stalking Jan when she learns of his release, in an Caméra d’Or at Cannes for Robinsonada or My English obsessive and crazed pursuit of the truth, believing that Grandfather. Her 1996 film, A Chief in Love was the first he killed her son. The film is set to organ music which and only Georgian film to be nominated for an Acad- breathes life into these tragic characters and events. emy Award. Djordjadze, a three time visitor to the Napa Poppe succeeds in creating a film that ponders good and Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival, has also served on evil, guilt and innocence, loss and recovery, and the najuries for both the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals. ture of forgiveness. Preceded By... A Special Tasting of Georgian Wines and Cooking Demonstration of Georgian Cuisine. Food provided by Lata’s Indian Cuisine 8:20pm, Sonoma Cinemas 8:00pm, Deerfield Ranch Al Fresco 18 Sunday September 20 Karearea: the Pine Falcon Chance of a Lifetime DIR: Sandy Crichton PROD: Sandy Crichton SCR: Sandy Crichton CAM: Sandy Crichton ED: James Leonard, Tim Woodhouse MUS: Nick Marsh 49 Minutes, 2008, New Zealand http://karearea.com/ EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine Shorts! Featuring the finest talent from Croatia, Slovakia and USA this international program shines a beacon of light on a new wave of filmmakers. Morana DIR: Simon Boojevic Narath Croatia, 2008, 14 Minutes This animated short from Croatia tells the story of a futuristic traveler, self reliant and prepared, who traipses through a high desert mountain landscape. His senses provide him orientation from the wind and nearby animals. While resting, he has a terrible nightmare and upon waking, we wonder, did he reach his destination? This film is a moving drama of one species’ struggle to adapt to a changed world, and one photographer’s last chance to see these incredible birds of prey in action. The Pine Falcons are struggling to survive in the commercially logged pine plantations of the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island. A war is waged everyday between the forestry workers and the falcons. As workers interviewed in the film attest, when they approach nest sites, the male falcons dive in, talons drawn. Though these are not large creatures, they are capable of flying at speeds up to 230 km/hr, have eyes that see eight times better than the average human, and are a formidable adversary. Along with daring attacks on workers, the film includes footage of never before seen survival behaviors of this typically secretive animal. 7:30am: Bird Watching Walk: Our Second Annual Deerfield Ranch Bird Walk will be guided by Ken Wilson and ornithologists of the area. 9:00am: Film Compact Only DIR: Pamela Green USA, 2008, 15 Minutes A lazy take-out order turns into a front row seat at the movies when he drives to a parking lot to eat up his favorite take-out from a nearby Hawaiian restaurant. Completely taken in amusement over antics among fellow parkers in the lot, Al devours as much eyefood as he does chicken take out in his consumptive splurge. The Lunch Box DIR: Lubomir Mihailo Kocka Slovak/USA, 2009, 35 Minutes Jozef, an older machinist in Eastern Europe, is used to his daily routine. Every day looks the same, measured by his perfunctory work, the rhythm of the day, and his regular habits. One day, however, when his wife suffers a stroke, his system collapses and from now on nothing will be the same. 9:00am, Deerfield Ranch Winery Cave 10:30am, Sonoma Cinemas 19 Sunday September 20 American Bullfighter DIR: Alex LeMay PROD: Ramiro Gonzales, Alex LeMay, Michael Reynolds, Mike Russell, Dan Welcher CAM: Alex LeMay, Roger Martinez ED: Kevin Leeser, Mike Russell MUS: Christopher Greene, Chris Olson 82 Minutes, 2004, USA/Spain US Cinema What’s on Your Plate? DIR: Catherine Gund PROD: Tanya Selvaratnam CAM: Miklos, Jil Cowburn, John Foster, George Motz ED: Nancy C. Kennedy MUS: Adam Crystal FEATURING: Sadie Hope-Gund, Safiyah Kai Russell Riddle 73 Minutes, 2009, USA http://www.whatsonyourplateproject.org/ EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine This enthralling documentary by and about Alex LeMay traces his entry into the arena of bulls as a means of ex- Benefit for Dunbar School’s Edible Garden ploring and defining himself. A unique, kid-friendly documentary on organic farmHis personal narrative is humble, inviting, and matter of ing and eating healthy in a big city. Friends Sadie and fact. The film follows Alex and his fellow students from the Safiyah, two New York City seventh graders, are tired of American Bullfighting Academy in San Diego to ranches yucky school lunches and want to know what is in them in Mexico, Spain and Portugal where they practice their Their quest leads them all over to learn about where and technique with live bulls. how food grows, and how and why it is prepared, packThe film includes the history of bullfighting, scenes of aged, and served the way that it is. protests against what some believe is animal cruelty, and It’s a fresh and inspiring look at America’s food culture; ultimately what it takes to be a real Matador. Alice Waters says, “This movie can have a real impact on Will Alex gain the respect of the Spanish crowd and other Matadors at a real bullfight? Will he master technique and perform with artfulness, dramatic gestures and grace in the ring? Preceded By... the way we think about what we’re eating.” Director Catherine Gund (mother of Sadie) is an Emmynominated producer, director, writer, and organizer. Her work has played at international film festivals, on PBS and the Sundance Channel. Preceded By... Interpretation DIR: Lin Oeding USA, 2008, 8 Minutes Out Here in the Fields: The Field on Beach Lane DIR: Alec Hirschfeld Award winning short by Sacramento-born writer, director and stuntman. Oeding brings theory to a scene of USA, 2009, 15 Minutes confrontation. Although each moment seems to stand on Part of a family farm in the resort town of East Hampton, improvisation and immediacy, Oeding implies success in New York becomes protected and provides the neighborbattle is a delicate interplay of strength and awareness. hood with locally grown food. 11:00am, Sonoma Cinemas 12:15pm, Sonoma Cinemas 20 Sunday September 20 Unveiled Views DIR: Alba Sotorra Clua SCR: Alba Sotorra Clua ED: Gerard Gil MUS: Xavi Macaya FEATURING: Alma Suljevic, Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, Eren Keskin, Moshgan Saadat, Nahid Siddiqui 52 Minutes, 2008, Spain http://www.albasotorra.com/english/Unveiled_ Views.html Cinema of Conscience In this documentary, director Alba Sotorra Clua takes us on an insiders’ tour of the art and lives of five Muslim women in five different countries. Aided by the stirring original music of Xavi Macaya, this cinematic journey invites one to ponder, what is art? What is its significance? Is art always a political act? In the lives of Clua’s five female protagonists the answer to the last question is undoubtedly, yes. Clua’s protagonists are: a minefield worker, a film maker, a lawyer, a poet, and a dancer. Driven to their art and occupations, despite the fact that in their countries the politicization of the Islamic faith has repressed artistic and human freedoms for their gender, these women prove that the human need to create art is irrepressible. For example, Rakhshan Bani of Tehran, Iran, is a film maker that keeps the credo “look, observe, and discover”, often pushing censorship rules to the limit in order to be true to her art. Theirs are stories of hope, heroism, pride, and finding strength through self-expression, revealing the faces and talents beneath the veils. Sea of Change West Coast Premiere DIR: Jamie Taucher PROD: Jamie Taucher SCR: Jamie Taucher MUS: Dave Shipely, Willie and Lobo 82 Minutes EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine Filmmaker, adventurer, and sustainability activist Jamie Taucher takes a journey to Mexico’s Sea of Cortez on a quest for Earth-friendly fishing. Though the Sea was a body of water that Jacques Cousteau once called the “world’s aquarium,” new technologies in fishing are now straining its resources and habitats. For example, after one night working on a shrimp fishing boat, Jamie discovers that for every one pound of shrimp caught, eight to 12 pounds of other sea creatures are also caught and released back into the ocean, dead! Sea of Change explores community-based efforts that intend to rein in overfishing, and calls for a collaboration of fishers, corporations, and conscious citizens to help restore the consumer’s healthy relationship with this precious Sea. Preceded By... A Sheltered Sea: Southern Passage DIR: Bill Bayne 2009, 23 Minutes Produced by Glen Ellen’s April and Glenn Bucksbaum, this film highlights the activities taking place in the South Coast Region from Point Conception to Mexico. It features the collective benefits and challenges of creating a network of underwater parks, or Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), that protect and sustain marine ecosystems and shows how MPAs can positively effect all people, from environmental groups to the fishing industry alike. 1:15pm, Sonoma Cinemas 2:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas 21 Sunday September 20 Which Way Home PROD: Rebecca Camissa MUS: Pax Wassermann, Madeleine Gavin 82 Minutes, 2009, Mexico/USA http://whichwayhome.net/ CineLatino In Partnership with La Luz Bilingual Center Director Rebecca Cammisa received a Fulbright Scholar Grant to make Which Way Home, a documentary that follows several Central American and Mexican children immigrating unaccompanied to the United States. Of the immigrants who cross the Mexican border into the US, children traveling alone make up five percent. Most travelers migrate by riding the tops of freight trains, and it is so common that government aid trucks will follow with medical supplies and water. Cammisa journeys with travelers as young as nine years old, and each child has a unique, heartbreaking story. Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai PROD: Lisa Merton, Alan Dater CAM: Lisa Merton, Alan Dater ED: Mary Lampson, Tom Haneke, Jim Klein MUS: Samite 80 Minutes http://takingrootfilm.com/ EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine This documentary traces the life journey of one of Africa’s most successful contemporary leaders, Dr. Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Laureate and recipient of WCFF 2004 Humanitarian Award. Dr. Maathai takes environmental and human rights activism in Kenya to levels unprecedented in a world thirsty to receive her wisdom. True to a hero in search of a grail, Dr. Maathai travels far from Africa in her youth to fuel her understanding of life with an international perspective. She returns to Kenya, Capturing the staggering determination of migrant chil- completes her doctorate, and devotes her life to protectdren, the grief of their parents, and the suffering these ing her country’s natural and human resources. children endure both at home and on the road, Which Dr. Wangari’s major accomplishments during the 1970’s Way Home “[injects] passion, honesty, and heart into Green Belt Movement got trees planted, forests growing, a topic that certainly needs more attention drawn to it” firewood in kitchen stoves and subsequently strength(Cinematical). ened the movement for democracy in her country. Cammisa’s 2002 documentary Sister Helen was wildly successful, receiving, among many prizes, the Sundance Film Festival’s Documentary Directing Award and a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary Film by the Directors Guild of America. Which Way Home was produced by John Malkovich’s production company, Mr. Mudd. The film has played at the Los Angeles, Tribeca, New York International Latino, and HotDocs Film Festivals. 4:30pm, Sonoma Cinemas 2:25pm, Sonoma Cinemas 22 Sunday September 20 3 Women “The cream of the current Iranian crop” -Variety DIR: Manijeh Hekmat PROD: Manijeh Hekmat SCR: Naghmeh Samini, Manijeh Hekmat ED: Mosstafa Khergheh Poush MUS: Heydar Sajedi CAST: Niki Karimi, Pegah Ahangarani, Maryam Bubani. Reza Kianiani, Atila Pesiani, Babak Hamidian, Shahrokh Fortanian 94 Minutes, Iran World Cinema A stunning film about the generation gaps between three Iranian women that “ranks among the cream of the current Iranian crop” (Variety). Minou (played by Niki Karimi, Iran’s most famous actress) is a feisty carpet expert whose college-aged daughter Pegah (Pegah Ahangarani) has been missing for two days. Minou’s ailing mother (Maryam Boubani) soon goes missing as well-along with a precious carpet that belongs to the National Carpet Museum. Persian carpets are incredible symbols of beauty and craftsmanship, and weaving them is traditionally a task that is passed along through women in an Iranian family. Minou’s search for her mother, daughter, and carpet leads her to discover parts of their lives and personalities that she never knew, and forces her to examine her own hardened character. On their parallel journeys, all three generations—the young, the youth of the Iranian Revolution, and the traditional—will encounter a rug that links them to the past and helps them understand the present. With “impeccable, docu-like lensing” and “nuanced performances that combine vitality and melancholy,” Three Women is a “strong, naturalistic drama” (Variety) that takes a mesmerizing look at Iranian women today and the delicate traditions that are slowly being lost. Rembrandt’s J’Accuse DIR: Peter Greenaway PROD: Remke Wolting, Bruno Felix SCR: Peter Greenaway CAM: Reinier van Brummelen ED: Elmer Leupen, Irma de Vrie MUS: Giovanni Sollima, Marco Robino FEATURING: Peter Greenaway, Eva Birthistle, Jodhi May, Emily Holmes, Jonathan Holmes, Michael Teigen, Natalie Press 90 Minutes, 2008, Netherlands/UK/Poland/Canada http://rembrandt.submarine.nl/ Arts In Film The great director-contrarian Peter Greenaway in his new cine-essay reveals the mysteries hidden in plain sight in one of the most famous painting of all time, Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. Where most see only a great work of art, Greenaway dissects the Dutch masterpiece to uncover an indictment, a conspiracy and a murder mystery sweeping across the ruling elites of Amsterdam’s Golden Age. Hosting the proceedings like a well-mannered 21st century judge, Greenaway “investigates’ each of the painting’s 34 characters, their poses and costumes, as well as the picture’s setting and lighting, to discover clues to Rembrandt’s fascinating take on, and indictment of, the power struggles of 17th century Amsterdam. With actors restaging certain scenes and Greenaway’s clever intellectual side-notes, the film will change how you view art, and the world. 6:00pm, Deerfield Ranch Winery Cave 4:50pm, Sonoma Cinemas 23 Sunday September 20 Heart of Time DIR: Alberto Cortéz PROD: Ana Solares, Alberto Cortés SCR: Hermann Bellinghausen, Alberto Cortés CAM: Marc Bellver ED: Lucrecia, Gutierrez Maupomé, Alberto Cortés 90 Minutes, 2009, Mexico www.latinofusion.com.mx/films/new-releases/68/ CineLatino In the picturesque Chiapas mountains, amidst a Zapatista village populated by free Indigenous Mayans, a beautiful young woman, Sonia, is coming of age. She is betrothed in the traditional manner to Miguel, a valuable young community leader she has known since childhood. Her future seems set until one day, as she meanders along a jungle path, she finds herself staring into the eyes of a handsome rebel fighter, Lieutenant Julio, and falls deeply in love. Sonia’s revolution of the heart threatens the wills and convictions of everyone around her and puts the security of her community, and the entire insurgent army, in danger. So begins director Alberto Cortés’s extraordinary tale, a rare and intimate look into the heart of the Zapatista revolution in Chiapas, Mexico. Cortes crafts a unique approach to storytelling—a confident mix of romantic drama, Greek chorus, and political intrigue—to relate a multifaceted tale of an epic liberation struggle that spans centuries, from the age of slavery to today’s era of digital media. As Cortés depicts, with striking authenticity, a community that is constantly reinventing the rules of tradition and revolution, he also reveals that the roots of struggle for political freedom are ultimately born out of the tangle of desires to live with a free heart. Capitalism: A Love Story PROD: Michael Moore FEATURING: Michael Moore 105 Minutes, 2009, USA http://www.capitalismalovestory.com/ Cinema of Conscience On the 20-year anniversary of his groundbreaking masterpiece Roger & Me, Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story comes home to the issue he’s been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world). Originally announced as a direct follow up to Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) after President Bush was elected to a second term, Michael Moore gradually decided that his film would focus more on corporate America, until the 2008 financial crisis. Now his new documentary examines the disastrous effects of corporate profiteering. “It is the perfect date movie,” say Moore. “It’s got it all: lust, passion, romance and 14,000 jobs being eliminated every day. It’s a forbidden love, one that dare not speak its name. Heck, let’s just say it: It’s capitalism.” The filmmaker scored a $100 million hit with 2004’s Fahrenheit 9/11, which centered on the Bush White House’s actions after the Sept. 11 attacks. Moore won an Academy Award for his 2002 gun-control documentary Bowling for Columbine. With both humor and outrage, Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story explores a taboo question: What is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism? 6:45pm, Sonoma Cinemas 9:00pm, Sonoma Cinemas 6:30pm, Sonoma Cinemas 24 Sunday September 20 Events  Marketing  Biz Dev  iPhone Apps "Connecting YOU to New Customers” Call us for a free consultation Let us be your resource for Success! 707-6379033 www.lilycreativegroup.com Zen DIR: Takahashi Banmei ED: Kikuchi Junichi MUS: Uzaki Ryudo, Nakanishi Haseo CAST: Kantaro Nakamura, 127 Minutes, Japan World Cinema With each frame, director Takahashi Banmei’s film exudes the same subtle, patient wisdom that Zen Buddhism has come to represent throughout the world. This biopic drama of the life and times of Master Dogen, the founder of Japanese Zen Buddhism, is treated not as a how to manual, nor merely a chronological reenactment, but an artful display of religion and culture, and how they intermingle in the story of one man’s life. The man, played by Kabuki actor Nakamura Kantaro, in his film debut, is Master Dogen, who led an incredible life, 750 years ago. As a young man, Dogen left his homeland of Japan for China, in search of true Buddhism, and the path to enlightenment. He finds Ju-ching (Zheng Tianyong) under whose tutelage he achieves enlightenment, and travels back to Japan to spread the teachings of this “true Buddhism.” In Japan, Dogen is under constant threat from other Buddhist sects who view him as a heretic. Dogen and his growing following of monks are forced to relocate there temple a number of times, moving deeper into the mountains. The beautiful images of Japan’s natural environment, and the Zen principles woven throughout, make this film a feast for the eyes, as well as the mind. 6:00pm-8:00pm - Food provided by Yeti Restaurant REFILL— NOT LANDFILL One of only 1000 businesses in the Nine-County Bay Area to be a Certified Green Business. • Up to a 50% off less than full retail • 100% Satisfaction guaranteed • Free delivery/shipping from San Rafael to Sonoma with a $50.00 minimum order 1620 Mendocino Ave, Suite B, Santa Rosa Phone: 707-542-6970 / Fax: 707-536-9631 www.cartridgeworldusa.com 8:00pm, Deerfield Ranch Al Fresco 25 An Official Hotel of the 23rd NAPA SONOMA WINE COUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL The Wine Country Film Festival wishes to thank the 3425 Solano Avenue Napa, CA 94558 (707) 253-8600 www.napavalleymarriott.com Tourist Office of Spain for sponsoring our third annual Paseo de España An Official Hotel of the 23rd NAPA SONOMA WINE COUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL The Largest Selection of Whirlpool Bathtubs in a Single Showroom Anywhere in the World! 3555 Round Barn Blvd. Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (707) 523-7555 www.winecountryhilton.com “Come put your tootsies in our Tubz” Fremont - 400* 4840 Davenport Place Fremont, CA 94538 510.770.8686 Sacramento - 200* 830 National Drive, Suite 120 Sacramento, CA 95834 916.575.9100 Oakdale - 100* 441 Gregor Road Oakdale, CA 95361 209.845.9115 For hours of operation, visit us at www.tubz.net. *Number of “hands-on/feet-in” tubz on display A Proud Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival Sponsor A Proud Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival Sponsor See you in Cannes Stephen!! Thursday September 24 Li Tong DIR: Nian Liu PROD: Grady Granros SCR: Nian Liu CAM: Tim Metzger MUS: Grady Granros CAST: Zhicun Zhao, Kang Yao 75 Minutes, 2009, China World Cinema In writer director Nian Liu’s debut feature film, we are introduced to Li Tong, a young girl living in present day Beijing. Li Tong, played by the talented and adorable new-comer Zhicun Zhao, cannot be more than ten years old, but she is already a precocious troublemaker. With one parent out of the country, and the other too busy working to notice, Li Tong’s lonely self-dictated existence becomes more pitiable. When she loses her bus pass, she commences a fascinating walkabout journey through Beijing. Through old alleyways, lavish contemporary shopping districts, and past an artificial sky, her walk reveals a city where varying degrees of poverty and wealth hold sway, pitting against each other necessity, compassion, and traditional cultural values. Preceded By... Empty Nest PROD: Daniel Burman, Diego Dubcovsky SCR: Daniel Burman ED: Alejandro Brodersohn MUS: Nico Cota, Santiago Rios CAST: Oscar Martínez, Cecilia Roth, Arturo Goetz, Inés Efron, Eugenia Capizzano, Osmar Nuñez, Ron Ritcher, Carlos Bermejo, Jean Pierre Noher 92 Minutes, 2008, Argentina http://www.bavaria-film-international.de World Cinema Goethe once wrote that “few people have the imagination for reality.” One of these people is Leonardo (Oscar Martinez), a renowned playwright in Argentina whose grown children leave him and his wife Martha (veteran actress Cecilia Roth) with the house to themselves. Soon, as he and Martha are finally forced to confront the gaps in their marriage, Leonardo finds himself increasingly unable to distinguish his fantasies from his reality. Leonardo is captivated by his beautiful, mysterious dentist Violeta, and Martha devotes herself to academics, a pursuit she exchanged for motherhood many years before. Culminating in an astonishingly beautiful moment in the Dead Sea, Empty Nest explores the inevitable loneliness and change of an aged marital bond. The film’s sensational plot is tricky, playful, and intellectually stimulating. Clearly inspired by Fellini and Woody Allen, young director Daniel Burman uses bittersweet humor and unexpected twists to soften and entertain. Hailed by critics as “an unmissable film” (TN Show), “Burman to perfection” (Clarin), “discreetly stylish” (Screen Daily), “quietly witty and sharply observed” (Now Magazine), Empty Nest has played at the Toronto, Miami, Hamptons, Vancouver Jewish and San Francisco Jewish Film Festivals. It won Best Cinematography and Best Actor (Martinez) at the San Sebastian Film Festival. Old Fool Who Moved the Mountains DIR: Joanna Vasques Arong China/Thailand/Philppines, 2008, 30 Minutes The title refers to an ancient Chinese fable of an old man coined a fool for attempting to move the mountains that blocked his house. It is also one of the stories found in Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book, about the fight against the mountains of imperialism and feudalism. Today, it is the name of a small, nondescript bar, owned by musician Gouzi and located in the heart of Beijing, which has been marked for demolition. Gouzi’s vision is to create a thriving independent music scene in Beijing. 2:00pm, Cuveé Napa 4:00pm, Cuveé Napa 28 Thursday September 24 The Good Life DIR: Andrés Wood PROD: Andrés Wood, Diego Dubcovsky, Mamoun Hassan, Gerardo Herrero SCR: Mamoun Hassan CAM: Miguel Ioann Littin Menz CAST: Aline Kuppenheim, Roberto Farâs, Eduardo Paxeco 98 Minutes, 2008, Chile CineLatino Andres Wood’s The Good Life is a thought provoking montage of interwoven Chilean life stories based on true occurrences. We follow each of the four characters through trials and tribulations and find an inevitable compassion for them in their life predicaments. Wood’s careful eye aims to highlight the windows of opportunity for self improvement and self expression they reach. We meet Theresa, a divorced sex educator whose daughter’s pure creative confidence in starting a novel The Good Life quenches her own thirst for compassion from others and softens her stark independence with a calm assurance. Edmundo, a hairdresser who lives with his mother, struggles to overcome a resounding wave of grief since his father’s passing. When encountering a new love interest, he is faced with the option of making a more independent future for himself. The third and most multi-layered character of all is a clarinetist, Mario. He endures disappointment and identity loss when he must take a job with a military band and accidentally loses possession of his clarinet. In the meantime death looks at him in the face as his identity and dream seem unrecoverable. These emotionally tangible characters grow and risk in their hope for feeling. Wood’s selection of these pointed and universal scenarios translate into manageable analogies that leave his audience with a chewable bite of illustrative life experience to fuel creative enlightenment on any personal level. The Invention of Lying PROD: Dan Lin, Oly Obst, Lynda Lobst SCR: Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson CAM: Tim Suhrstedt ED: Chris Gill MUS: Tim Atack CAST: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Patrick Stewart 2009, USA http://the-invention-of-lying.warnerbros.com/ US Cinema Be the first to see Ricky Gervais’ new flick! From Ricky Gervais, the award-winning creator and star of the original BBC series The Office comes this new romantic comedy. The story takes place in an alternate reality in which lying—even the concept of a lie—does not exist. Everyone—from politicians to advertisers to the man and woman on the street—speaks the truth and nothing but the truth with no thought of the consequences. But when a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark suddenly develops the ability to lie, he finds that dishonesty has its rewards. With the entire world now hanging on his every word, there is only one thing Mark has not been able to lie his way into: the heart of the woman he loves. Stars Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman and Martin Starr 6:30pm: Cooking demo with Chef Marco of Gaia Restaurant 6:30–8:30pm: Food provided by Lata’s Indian Cuisine 7:15pm: Live Performance WHOLE WORLD PERCUSSION 8:00pm: Film 8:00pm, Napa Valley Expo Al Fresco 6:00pm, Cuveé Napa 29 Thursday September 24 Friday September 25 The Maid DIR: Sebastian Silva PROD: Gregorio González SCR: Sebastian Silva, Pedro Peirano CAM: Sergio Armstrong ED: Danielle Fillios MUS: Pedro Soubercaseaux CAST: Catalina Saavedra, Claudia Celedón, Mariana Loyola, Andrea García-Huidobro, Alejandro Goic, Agustín Silva 95 Minutes, 2008, Chile CineLatino Maid is the story of Racquel (Catalina Saavedra) who has served as the maid for the Valdes family for 23 years. Neither truly a member of the family nor simply a servant, she inhabits a vague space somewhere in between. Threatened when the family decides to bring on extra help, Raquel engages in a series of increasingly desperate acts to hold on to her position in this insightful comedic drama about family, class, and self-discovery. Saavedra is riveting as a servant whose unblinking focus on her routine masks a profound loneliness. While Silva could have easily followed the character’s neuroses to their darkest conclusions, his optimism prevails with the arrival of a third back-up maid, Lucy (a wonderful Mariana Loyola), who gives the film an unexpected jolt of life. The film won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, and a Special Jury Prize for Catalina Saavedra’s performance and as well as numerous awards around the world. La Nana screened to sold out audiences at New Directors/New Films. Pachamama DIR: Toshifumi Matsushita PROD: Keiko Komori SCR: Toshifumi Matsushita CAM: Gustavo Soto Nuñez, Guillermo Ruiz, Carlos Crespo, César Pérez Hurtado MUS: Luzmila Carpio CAST: Francisco Gutierrez, Christian Huaygua, Luis Mamani, Fanny Mosques 104 Minutes, 2008, Bolivia CineLatino Japanese born writer and director Toshifumi Matsushita gives us El Regalo de la Pachamama, a tale set and filmed in Bolivia with a nonprofessional, though not untalented, group of actors. The story focuses on an adolescent Quechua, Kunturi (Christian Huaygua), living with his parents and grandparents in Uyuni, a small settlement on the edge of a vast salt lake. The people off Uyuni work tirelessly, harvesting salt and planting quinoa, the only crop that will grow there, according to Kunturi’s grandmother, while pachamama, or the mother earth, watches over them. In a society that is quickly changing due to the forces of modernity, Kunturi’s father, Sauci (Francisco Gutierrez), still leads one of the few remaining salt caravans through the Andes Mountains, a duty which had been passed down in their family for generations. In place of his aging grandfather, who is no longer able to secure the salt bricks to the backs of their llama herd, Kunturi accompanies his father on the “Salt Trail” for the first time, and sadly what Sauci admits might be the last time. Even as this annual three month trek on the salt trail may be having its last days, the cultural importance of this tradition is amply represented in Kunturi. On this journey he learns about loss, betrayal, the interconnectedness of all people, first love, and perhaps most importantly, how to listen to his heart. 8:00pm, Napa Valley Expo Merlot Hall 1:30pm, Cuveé Napa 30 Friday September 25 Creative Nature World Premiere DIR: John Andres PROD: Rick Edrich SCR: John Andres CAM: Christopher Bierlein ED: Keith Lustofin FEATURING: William Morris 81 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.creativenaturefilm.com/ Arts In Film Director John Andres’ stunning documentary focuses on contemporary glass artist William Morris and his personal integrity with the intangibles of impulse and inspiration posited at the center of his creative story. “I believe that there is no such thing as a creative thought —it is something we cannot know or feel,” states Mr. Morris. Removing “reason” from creation the portrait of Morris is one of a Zen practitioner in a meditative dance that results in works informed by sacred knowledge. A true artist, he has intuitively stepped away from oven, block and blower when he has nothing left to say, “like anything that I’ve done, it kind of has a life of its own.” Preceded By... Autumn DIR: Özcan Alper PROD: F. Serkan Acar CAM: Feza Çaldiran CAST: Onur Saylak, Raife Yenigül, Megi Kobaladze, Serkan Keskin, Nino Lejava, Sibel Öz, Cihan Çamkerten, Serhan Pir 103 Minutes, 2008, Turkey World Cinema Autumn is a time for change. Released after 10 years in prison as a socialist advocate, Yusef (Onur Saylak) returns to his home village near the Black Sea. Yusef is sick, and there is little to do in such an isolated place. On a trip into town, Yusef meets Eka (Megi Kobaladze), a lovely Georgian prostitute who is nearly as lonely as Yusef. Though the two grasp at love, Eka longs to return home and Yusef is haunted by his days in prison. With only his aging mother and old friend Mikail (Serkan Keskin) as companions, Yusef’s life in the mountains continues to slowly pass and a melancholy winter arrives. Graceful, languid, and exquisitely shot, Autumn captures both Yusuf’s weak spirit and the defeated hope of socialism; the bitter aftertaste of imprisonment and the ongoing debate over Turkey’s F-type prisons are prevalent dark undertones. Young Turkish writer-director Özcan Alper has been highly lauded for this stunning feature debut. Autumn has received numerous international festival awards, including three at the Golden Boll Film Festival in Adana, Turkey, Best Director at the Sofia International Film Festival, and the Netpac Jury Award at the Eurasia Festival. The film also swept the Turkish Film Critics’ Association (SIYAD) Awards, winning Best Film, Best Script, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Actor (Sayluk). It has played at Bangkok, Montreal, and Cinequest, among others. Unconquered: Allan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family DIR: Bryan Beasley USA, 2009, 33 Minutes Recently released as prisoners of war, Sam and Blossom Haozous passed down oral traditions of the Apache people to their son Allan House, molding his artwork, and helping him become one of the 20th century’s most important artists. Allan then passed the family experiences down to his own sons who are the next generation of Native American artists. 3:45pm, Cuveé Napa 31 6:00pm, Cuveé Napa Friday September 25 Pradolongo DIR: Ignacio Vilar PROD: Marina Farinas, Ignacio Vilar SCR: Carlos Asorey, Javier Gancedo, Ignacio Vilar CAM: Alberto Diaz, Bertitxi Diaz ED: Guillermo Represa MUS: Zeltia Montes 100 Minutes, 2008, Spain www.pradolongo.net EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine The Rainbowmaker DIR: Nana Djordjadze PROD: Oliver Damian SCR: Irakli Kvirikadze, Maria von Heland CAM: Walther van den Ende ED: Ville-Matti Vasama MUS: Paul M. van Brugge CAST: Merab Ninidze, Anna Antonowicz, Chulpan Khamatova, Nino Kirtadze 94 Minutes, 2008, Georgia/Germany http://www.therainbowmaker.de/ World Cinema The Rainbowmaker is an absolutely stunning film, a magical tale about one man’s deep love for his family. When Dato (Merab Ninidze) returns home from jail, he faces overwhelming expectations to live up to. Thanks to Grandpa Giorgi (Ramaz Chkhikvadze), Dato’s children imagine him as a superhero with immense powers. As soon as the children lay eyes on Dato, however, they reject him as a mere man, a bedraggled meteorologist. To make matters worse, Dato’s beloved wife Elene is about to run away with a crooked circus performer, and Lady Death tempts Grandpa with her frequent, flirtatious visits. However, a whimsical accident grants Dato an extraordinary power—the ability to control the weather! Celebrated Georgian director Nana Djordjadze won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes for Robinsonada or My English Grandfather. Her 1996 film, A Chief in Love was the first and only Georgian film to be nominated for an Academy Award. Djordjadze, a three time visitor to the Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival, has also served on juries for both the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals. Preceded By... A Special Tasting of Georgian Wines and Cooking Demonstration of Georgian Cuisine. Food provided by Lata’s Indian Cuisine Set in Spain, this endearing story of friendship follows three individuals from their shared youth into a coming of age. Throughout the film the award winning music lifts the viewer into a vicarious journey at Pradolongo, the secret peaceful lake the three steal away to after school. Symbolic of their bond of innocence and trust, Pradolongo on the hillside is where they go to play, swim and talk about their lives in the town below. The two boys, Martino and Armando share a special common affection for Raquel. She is sweeter and smarter than any other girl they know, but soon their ripening sexualities place them at odds with one another over her. They resolve to tame their desire and save their friendship by making a pact that she is off limits to either of them. Both the fate of the friendship and the future of Pradolongo are called into question. The film provides a bird’s eye view of the neighborhood’s dilemma about the future identity of the hillside. Martin joins a group supporting a traditional farming culture producing organic foods by forming a collective among local property owners. Armando’s father is president of a slate exporting company that is competing for the land Despite the challenges the region faces, we see continuities among generations and overall hopefulness for the future. 6:30pm, Napa Valley Expo Merlot Hall 8:00pm, Napa Valley Expo Al Fresco 32 Friday September 25 Saturday September 26 Black Dogs Barking DIR: Mehmet Bahadir Er, Maryna Gorbach PROD: Mehmet Bahadir Er SCR: Mehmet Bahadir Er CAM: Sviatoslav Bulakovskyi ED: Maryna Gorbach, Mehmet Bahadir Er MUS: Alp Erkin, Çakmak-Baris Diri CAST: Cemal Toktas, Volga Sorgu Tekinglu, Erkan Can, Ayfer Dönmez, Yatlan Ertugrul 88 Minutes, 2009, Turkey World Cinema Directors Mehmet Bahadir Er and Maryna Gorbach’s debut film brings us into the lives of two best friends caught up in the unsavory world of dirty business in Istanbul, Turkey. Working as parking lot security for the “Boss” (Erkan Can), Volga Sorgu as Celal Aydin, and leading man Cemal Toktas as Selim Kavraz, want to go into business on their own, and plan to put in a bid for a mall parking security job. Selim, the calm, thinking, silent type, and Celal, aka Caca, the short tempered and comedic sidekick, get financial support for their venture from the shady mob boss Mehmet (Murat Daltaban), while ruffling feathers with their own “Boss”. In a world where mall security is not only about safety, but sustaining the boundaries of social class, current head of mall security, Sait (Ergun Kuyucu), with a team of ferocious black dogs at his command, will stop at nothing to retain his position, and more importantly his livelihood. As Sait says, “there is no good or bad on the streets. There is only bread, that’s all”. To Sait, Selim and Celal, two up and coming entrepreneurs, are the enemy. Documentary style cinematography, and natural streetwise dialogue draw us into the day-to-day existence of Selim and Celal as if it were reality, and thus the consequences of their dog-eat-dog world are all the more shocking. The Last Script: Remembering Luis Buñuel The Real Surrealist World Premiere PROD: Gaizka Urresti, Luis Angel Ramirez CAM: Pepe Aston, Christian Garnier, Pablo Marquez ED: Gaizka Urresti MUS: Miguel Ångel Remiro CAST: Jean Claude Carriere, Juan Luis Bunuel 90 Minutes, 2009, Spain Arts In Film Take a nostalgic journey through the life of Luis Buñuel, one of the most important Surrealist filmmakers of the 20th century. With his son Juan Luis Buñuel and screenwriter and dear friend Jean-Claude Carrière as your guides, you will travel through the places where Buñuel lived and worked over the course of his long career. Your tour will begin in Calanda, Buñuel’s Spanish hometown and will end in Mexico City, where he died in 1983. In Madrid, you will meet his closest friends from university, poet Federico García Lorca and Salvador Dalí. Afterwards, you will stop in Paris, where Buñuel fell in with the Surrealist crowd and made his first film, An Andalusian Dog. You will then follow Buñuel’s success and hardships to Hollywood, New York, Mexico, and back to Europe, and observe the evolution of his unique style. Interviews with Buñuel and discussions with people who knew him best both professionally and personally will fuel your trip. The Last Script is an intimate portrait of a fascinating character who was not only an innovator of cinema language and the Surrealist movement, but additionally was an internationally renowned and timeless filmmaker. A must see for all film lovers and filmmakers! 8:00pm, Cuveé Napa 10:30am, Cuveé Napa 33 Saturday September 26 The Matador PASEO DE ESPAÑA: Saturday, September 26 Celebration of Spanish Culture with Films, Food, Wine, Music and Dance Presented in part by the Tourist Office of Spain, L.A. Spain at Home, Vía Láctea Filmes, Bausan Films, Catalan Film, Bavaria Films, Antonio Saura, José Luis de Damas, Messidor Films DIR: Stephen Higgins, Nina Seavy PROD: Nina Seavy, Stephen Higgins CAM: Christopher Jenkins, James Morton-Haworth ED: Ian Rummer MUS: John Califra FEATURING: David Fandila 75 Minutes, 2008, USA/Spain http://www.matadorthefilm.com/ Paseo de España Yes. This film is about exactly what the title suggests; everything you ever wanted to know about the bullfighter and bullfighting, except, perhaps, who makes those gorgeously intricate costumes. The producing and directing team follow the up-andcoming bullfighting star David Fandila, or as he is professionally known, El Fandi, from 2003 to 2005. El Fandi quests to become one of the greatest bullfighters of all time, by completing one-hundred corridas (fights) in one season, typically a five month span. Traveling and fighting in Spain and Latin America, El Fandi and his family make sacrifices for his career, a sport that has been part of the Spanish culture for centuries, and in the Fandila blood for several generations. The film also explores the movement against bullfighting, including footage of protests, and interviews with journalists who consider it an archaic tradition that should be stopped. However, for El Fandi, it is his passion. This humble twenty-four year old icon of his sport acknowledges the brutality inherent in his work, and defends it for its cultural, artistic, and symbolic significance, while maintaining that everyone’s right to their opinion. Animal cruelty or art? There is no denying that there is something viscerally seductive about this “dance of death” between man and beast. Paseo Schedule: 11:00am: The Matador–Merlot Hall 2:00pm: Paella Class with Chef Raquel$10 for the class 2:05pm: A selection of Spanish Shorts–Merlot Hall: Two-Year Guarantee, Tickets Please, Socarrat, Because There Are Things You Never Forget 3:00pm–5:00pm: Paseo “Stroll”—sample food and wines from the regions of Spain 3:00pm- 9:00pm: Custom Culinary Concepts presents Spanish Menu: • • • • Monchego infused grilled polenta Canape topped with a red onion reduction and finished with Serrano ham Crisp, clean Summer Spanish salad with roasted red peppers and Jicama finished with an orange marmalade vinaigrette Tender, flakey gourmet empanada stuffed with succulent chicken, spinach and Rosemary chevre- garnished with spiced chutney 3:30pm: The Anarchist’s Wife–Merlot Hall 8:00pm: Ashes from the Sky (under the stars!) (see page 38 for film description) 11:00am, Napa Valley Expo Merlot Hall 34 Saturday September 26 Forest of Music DIR: Ignacio Vilar SCR: Ignacio Vilar CAM: Juan Morgade, Frederico Ribes ED: Guillermo Represa CAST: Patxi Bermúdez, Rosa Cedrón, Xan Cerqueiro, Eduardo Coma 80 Minutes, 2003, Spain Paseo de España Deep in the Galician forest, a woman’s voice floats through the mist and bagpipes rustle the leaves. Following the lovely sound, a camera enters a room in the monastery at Xagoaza and finds its source: an intimate recording with the world-famous band Luar na Lubre. A group of talented musicians inspired by the Celtic history and culture of Spain’s Galicia region set out to capture and reproduce the immense natural spirit of the Galician community. Musician and composer Mike Oldfield discovered their work and Luar na Lubre, whose songs are instrumental or sung in Galician, made a record deal soon after that. A Forest of Music journeys through captivating performances and recordings, and wonderfully documents each band member’s part in such a unique sound. We are introduced to the musicians through their melodic contributions, yet we are blessed with a plethora of harmony to enjoy. From the first frame, one can see this is a documentary unlike any other, a fresh compilation of outstanding cinematography, a gorgeous soundtrack, and the spirit of an ancient culture that is being impeccably preserved. Director-writer Ignacio Vilar debuted as a director in 1996, and his most recent film is Pradolongo (2008). The Photograph DIR: Nan T. Achnas PROD: Nan Achnas, Shanty Harmayn, Paquita Widjaja–Afief, Natacha Devillers SCR: Nan Achnas CAM: Yadi Sugandi ED: Sastha Sunu MUS: Aksan Handayani, Titi Sjuman CAST: Lim Kay Tong, Shanty Harmayn, Lukman Sardi, Indy Barends 94 Minutes, 2007, Indonesia http://www.thephotographmovie.com/ World Cinema Two lonely characters find peace in each other. Sita (Shanty) is a spunky escort who is strapped for cash. Her menacing boss is demanding more money, while Sita struggles to send her earnings home to help her ailing grandmother and young daughter. Nearly homeless, she moves into the studio of Chinese immigrant Johan (Kay Tong Lim), a portrait photographer. Sita, who lives only for the future, soon becomes aware of Johan’s strange rituals and slowly learns about the devastating past that haunts his present. Their bond strengthens as sick Johan tirelessly searches for an apprentice to carry on his work. Writer-director Nan Triveni Achnas uses poignant humor and an excellent dramatic pace to tell this important, unique story. Hailed a “tender and contemplative drama” (Hollywood Reporter) and “beautifully acted” with “rich” cinematography (The New York Times). The Photograph won the Award of the Ecumenical Jury and the Special Prize of the Jury at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. It was also screened at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in coalition with the Global Film Initiative, and many international film festivals including Minneapolis-St. Paul, Louis Vuitton Hawaii, Gasparilla, and Göteborg. 12:30pm Merlot Hall 1:45pm Cuvee Napa 35 Saturday September 26 Richard Gere is My Hero World Premiere DIR: Tashi Wangchuk, Tsultrim Dorjee PROD: U. Dolma, D. Yangzum SCR: Tashi Wangchuk, Tsultrim Dorjee CAM: Tsultrim Dorjee ED: Tashi Wangchuk, Tsultrim Dorjee MUS: Arun Shama CAST: Tenzin Younden, Sonam Tsering, Dechen Yangzom 90 Minutes, 2007, USA US Cinema The Anarchist’s Wife DIR: Marie Noëlle, Peter Sehr PROD: Marie Noëlle, Peter Sehr SCR: Marie Noëlle CIN: Jean-François Robin ED: Luis de la Madrid MUS: Zacarias Martinez de la Riva CAST: Maria Valverde, Juan Diego Botto, Nina Hoss, Ivana Baquero, Jean-Marc Barr, Laura Morante 113 Minutes, 2008, Germany, France, Spain World Cinema An epic story of love, politics, and devotion beginning This film is a heartwarming, character-driven romantic in 1937 and set primarily in Madrid during the Spanish comedy with political undertones by Tibetan Bay Area Civil War and World War II. Manuela (María Valverde) is the beautiful, privileged wife of Justo (Juan Diego Botto), filmmakers Tashi Wangchuk and Tsultrim Dorjee. who is known as the “Voice of the Revolution” for his The story follows a group of young Tibetan friends living anti-Fascist radio announcements that give hope to the in Mcleod Danj, India, headquarters for the Tibetan govRepublican defense. ernment-in-exile. Nyima, who calls himself Richard after the actor Gere, has dreams of also becoming a famous Manuela is fiercely loyal to her husband, but Justo is a firm idealist and leaves his pregnant wife and daughter actor and helping his beloved motherland. to fight Franco’s Fascists. Nevertheless, Manuela wants While Nyima and his friends go on whirlwind adventures nothing but to preserve her family and never gives up through the city, a love triangle almost detours them hope of reuniting with Justo. from meeting their goal of performing in the Tibetan Youth Congress drama competition. Through the esca- After many long and difficult years, the couple meets pades of Nyima and his friends, Wangchuk and Dorjee again in France. Though the separation disaffected their show us how the many layers of life—including the ro- marriage, their love remains tender and each hold on to the ideals that defined them early in Madrid. The Anarmantic and the political—can be imitated in art. chist’s Wife had its American premiere at Sundance, and Preceded By... also played at the Seattle International Film Festival. The film won the Berhard Wicki Film Award at the Munich Kavi Film Festival, and was nominated for the Golden Spike at DIR: Gregg Helvey Spain’s Valladolid Film Festival. India/USA, 2009, 18 Minutes Since co-founding P’Artisan Filmproduktion in 1988, diKavi is a boy in India who wants to play cricket and go to rectors Marie Noëlle and Peter Sehr have collaborated school, but instead he is forced to work in a brick kiln as on many film projects, including Love the Hard Way a modern-day slave. Kavi must either accept what he’s (2001) with Adrian Brody. always been told, or fight for a different life. 2:30pm, Napa River Inn 3:30pm, Napa Valley Expo Merlot Hall 36 Saturday September 26 No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos World Premiere DIR: James Chressanthis PROD: James Chressanthis, Tony Frere, Kian Soleimanpour, Zachary Kranzler SCR: James Chressanthis CAM: Anka Malatynska ED: Elisa Bonora MUS: Jeffery Kite FEATURING: Karen Black, Peter Bogdanovich, John Boorman, Vilmos Zsigmond, Laszlo Kovacs, ASC, Sandra Bullock, Graeme Clifford, Allen Daviau, ASC, Richard Donner, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Ellen Kuras, ASC, Tatum O’Neal, etc. 86 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.laszloandvilmos.com/ Arts In Film This exceptional documentary follows the lives of renowned cinematographers Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond, from escaping the 1956 Soviet invasion of Hungary to the present day. Barely escaping with their lives, they fled to America and eventually settled in Hollywood where after years of struggle in ‘B’ movies they moved to the forefront as cinematographers of the ‘American New Wave,’ changing American and world cinema with films like Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Deer Hunter. Commentary is provided by Laszlo and Vilmos and by their actor and director collaborators and fellow cinematographers including Dennis Hopper, Owen Roizman, ASC, Barbra Streisand, Peter Bogdanovich, Sandra Bullock, Haskell Wexler, ASC, Sharon Stone, John Williams, and Jon Voight, among others. The film looks at the curious parallels between the stories of their best films and incidents of their own lives. Along with their artistic development, it is also the story of their loyalty and love for each other. With Vilmos Zsigmond and director James Chressanthis in person. Blue Gold: World Water Wars DIR: Sam Bozzo PROD: Sam Bozzo SCR: Sam Bozzo ED: Sam Bozzo MUS: Hannes Bertolini FEATURING: Maude Barlow, Tony Clarke, Jim Olsen, Vandana Shiva, Danielle Mitterrand, Michael Kravcik, Wenonah Hauter, Virginia Setshed, Ryan Hreljac, Terry Swier, Peter Warshall, Oscar Olivera, Ric Davidge, Robert Glennon 90 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.bluegold-worldwaterwars.com/ EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine Blue Gold reveals not so much an “inconvenient truth”, but rather terrifying facts regarding the fresh water supply of the planet. Sam Bozzo begins the documentary with the horrifying effects of dehydration on the human body, and then delves into the frightening tale of the environmental, political, and economic issues that could spawn wars over fresh water in the next fifty years. The film is divided into three pieces. The first, “The Crisis”, explores environmental issues, such as the fact that of the three percent of water on the planet that is fresh, most is polluted beyond use, and the human impacts of urbanization, industry, and over population of watersheds. The second piece, “The Politics”, investigates how government and economics have changed our relationship to water, most disturbingly the trend toward the global privatization of water, literally in some cases extending to the ownership of raindrops. Finally, “The Way Forward” offers hope for how we can fix the problems by making water a right instead of a commodity, and changing the way humans think about and manage water, so that we support and practice sustainability. This is an amazing eye- opening view into the dilemma over this singularly important resource. 4:35pm, Napa River Inn 3:45pm, Cuveé Napa 37 Saturday September 26 America’s Wine: The Legacy of South of the Moon Prohibition DIR: Antonio DiVerdis PROD: Antonio DiVerdis SCR: World Premiere DIR: Carla Worfolk PROD: Carla Worfolk, Kari Birdseye CAM: Ray Santiago ED: Kai Yu 108 Minutes, 2008, USA US Cinema In 1920, National Prohibition passed with the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution but the resulting consequences of Prohibition and its repeal in 1933 by the 21st Amendment continue to impact wine industry rules, regulations and the everyday lives of Americans. Along with informative, rare and engaging interviews, the documentary brings to life never-before-seen archival photographs and film clips of the old wine families. Directed by Carla De Luca Worfolk, the documentary is the first film ever commissioned by the University of California’s Bancroft Library at Berkeley. Join Ms. Worfolk, her former CNN colleagues Larry Woods, narrator; Kari Birdseye, producer; and her father, John De Luca, former President and CEO of Wine Institute, for a Wine Tasting and Reception before the film’s premiere screening and discussion. There will be a Wine Tasting and Reception with Special Guests Cooking Demo by Buitoni Lively Discussion followed by the Film Stephen Ryder CAM: Bruno Philip ED: David Di Francesco MUS: Silent Blue CAST: John Ralston, Jake McLeod, Moya O’Connell, Daniel Richard Giverin 108 Minutes, 2008, Canada http://www.southofthemoonmovie.com/ World Cinema Magazine Sponsored by Solano An epic coming of age story with dramatic plot twists, South of the Moon is an emotional catharsis for viewers of young Coleman Hawkins. Initially awkward in his adolescence, he begins to graduate to higher levels of inner strength and becoming. Recognized for its tailored musical score, this film takes a uniquely expressive approach to the trials of growing up. Coleman’s uncle treasures a rock solid bond with the boy that his own parents can’t seem to achieve. In his dreams Coleman can’t break the suspicion that he is not who he thinks he is. As his life picks up its pace and a promising future comes knocking, his time to catch up on some of the mysteries of his family’s past is shortened. Director Antonio DiVerdis is successful in creating Coleman’s poetic deliverance as the boy takes strides towards his independence while tragedy, disappointments and broken lives emerge from a distant past. 6:00pm, Cuveé Napa 6:00pm, Napa Valley Expo Merlot Hall 38 Saturday September 26 Tengri (Blue Heavens) A Nomadic Love Story DIR: Marie Jaoul de Ponnchville PROD: Emmanuel Schlumberger, Frank Müller, Talaibek Baponov SCR: Azmat Kadyraliev, Marie-Jaoul de Poncheville, JeanFrançois Goyet CAM: Assan Imanaliev, Sylvie CarcédoDreujou ED: Catherine Quesemand MUS: Nikolai Marousitch, Birgit Løkke CAST: Albina Imacheva, Llimbek Kalmouratov, Hélène Patarot, Taalaikan Abazova, Nikolai Marousitch 104 Minutes, 2008, Kyrgyzstan/France/Germany World Cinema French writer and director Marie Jaoul De Poncheville, having spent twenty years traveling, reporting, and creating documentaries of Central Asia, gives us Tengri, a visually stunning love story. Into the fertile green steppes of Kyrgyzstan comes the vagabond Temur (Ilimbek Kalmouratov) with a tragic and mysterious past. In search of his father and a place to start over, Temur arrives in a small farming settlement forgotten by time. There he meets the beautiful Amira (Albina Imacheva), who suffers from an abusive marriage. Amira’s husband Shamshi (Busurman Odurakaev), a mercenary in the war waging in Afghanistan, is rarely at home, and that time is usually spent with the other men getting drunk on vodka. Tengri, the oldest known Turkic word, meaning the God of Blue Sky, works in the film as the incarnation of the infinite possibilities of life, if one is willing to risk everything. Strict Muslim tradition, and a male dominated society, crush the romantic hopes of the poetry reciting Amira, and a forbidden romance soon develops between her and the more worldly and sensitive Temur. Will their love survive the persecution of a traditional nomadic Kyrgyz and Muslim society? Only the heavens know. Ashes from the Sky DIR: José Antonia Quirós PROD: Loris Omedes SCR: José Antonio Quirós Dionisio Pérez, Ignacio Del Mora ED: Fernando Pardo CAST: Celso Bugallo, Gary Piquer, Clara Segura 92 Minutes, 2008, Spain Paseo de España In the small town of Asturias, Spain, there may be electricity and running water but is there hope for a better tomorrow? This story unfolds in a town where pollution is the central cause of stunted vegetables and infertility. Frederico, a member of the town’s older generation, decides to mount a campaign to raise environmental awareness. He gains momentum and support for his cause among the town folk and from Ferguson, a Scottish travel writer who shares his point of view. Director Jose Quiros exhibits respect for this rural community and the necessity for interdependency in a town’s push towards activism. As the activists gain strength in intelligence and numbers, they attempt to spread awareness beyond their tiny town. The movie is the first environmental feature narrative from Spain. Nomination - Best Screenplay 2009 Goya Awards Preceded By... Chat Noir Dir : Fibla Amselem 12 Minutes, Spain Based on the short story, One of the Missing by American writer Ambrose Bierce. 6:30–8:30pm: Food provided by Custom Culinary Concepts 6:50pm, Napa River Inn 39 8:00pm, Napa Valley Expo Al Fresco Saturday September 26 Sunday September 27 9 ½ Dates DIR: Tamás Sas PROD: Ádám Neményi SCR: Norbert Köbli, Tamás Sas MUS: Róbert Gulya CAST: Iván Fenyö, DIR: Casey Hayward PROD: Keith Newman CAM: Patricia Kovács, Andrea Söptei, Viktória Szávay Casey Hayward ED: Casey Hayward MUS: Eric Arvai, Andre Girbou 90 Minutes, 2008 World Cinema This funny and insightful film explores the single woman’s everlasting search for a mate. David Debreceni (Iván Fenyö), a dashing, chauvinistic, egotistical darling of Budapest society and famous writer, has had no trouble finding women, but he has difficulty keeping them—he is constantly being dumped for his infidelity. David’s publisher gives him an assignment: he must date 10 girls in 10 days and write a book about it. 68 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.hostetlerfilm.com/ Arts In Film David Hostetler: The Last Dance Award winning documentarians, producer Keith Newman and cinematographer/director Casey Hayward, deliver a stylized portrait of world-renowned sculptor/ painter David Hostetler, set to a jazz piano soundtrack. Jazz enthusiast Hostetler, who self-consciously declares that all artists are selfish, has made his art his one true Renowned Hungarian director Tamás Sas weaves togeth- love, intuitively choosing the female form as the lifelong er a captivating story with a young and lovable cast that subject of his curvaceous wood carvings. is sure to be a very satisfying cinematic experience! Sas His motivations, creations, and philosophy on art and life won multiple awards for his 1998 film Presszó. are examined in this retrospective look at his sixty year 8:15pm, Cuveé Napa long career, as he continues work on a piece he has prematurely titled, “The Last Dance”. Preceded By... Master Class A Celebration of Cinematography Presented by the legendary Oscar winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC and two time Emmy nominee, James Chressanthis, ASC. The program showcases scenes from the cinematographers’ bodies of works. Vilmos continues his dedication to education that he and Laszlo Kovacs have so tirelessly provided over the years. Vilmos is known for his use of natural light and vivid use of color on features such as The Long Goodbye (1973) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). A Gift From A Talking God: the Story of the Navajo-Churro DIR: Peter Blystone USA, 2009, 30 Minutes The Navajo people say “sheep is life.” Originally brought from Spain nearly 400 years ago, this animal has been cultivated by the Navajo, Pueblo and Hispanic people for its pelts, meat, milk, horns and wool. In spite of their value they were near extinct, brought back to sustainability by dedicated shepherds and preservationists. 10:30am-1:30pm, Cuveé Napa 11:00am, Napa River Inn 40 Sunday September 27 Ingredients World Premiere DIR: Robert Bates PROD: Brian Kimmel, Debra Soh CAM: Brian Kimmel ED: Robert Bates 66 Minutes, 2009, USA http://www.ingredientsfilm.com/ EcoCinema Sponsored by Sunset Magazine The Billboard From Bethlehem Cinema of Conscience Bruce Barrett, in his debut film, tackles an ancient conflict with new hope. The owner of American Billboard Company joins forces with The Combatants for Peace, a group of former Palestinian and Israeli soldiers, to create a billboard. With historical footage and commentary, this film condenses the essentials of the conflict into a digestible format, and gives it faces and voices. As the director asks, “When you think about the Holy Land, do you think about religion or people?” He offers us this extraordinary opportunity to choose the latter. Join us for a discussion and dove release following the film. Preceded By... A Benefit for Valley Oak High School’s Edible Gardens Today in America, youth obesity is at an all-time high, food seems to be getting less healthy but more expensive, and the average lifespan of our children is projected to be less than our own. What do we do next? Ingredients explores the workings of sustainable food systems in the United States—from farms to kitchens—and how community support of local agriculture can revitalize our economies and our health. Featuring interviews with farmers and renowned chefs Greg Higgins of Higgins Restaurant, Peter Hoffman of Savoy, and Alice Waters of Chez Panisse, the film emphasizes the importance of taste and nutrition, and the value of eating something not frozen and shipped, but fresh and local. Discover a new movement where the earth, health, and community are intertwined. Ingredients premiered at the Globians Documentary Film Festival in Berlin. Writer, director, and editor Robert Bates has won awards in San Francisco, New York, Washington, DC, and Honolulu. Bates has collaborated with producer and cinematography Brian Kimmel for over 10 years, including work on the PBS series The Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter. The film is narrated by Emmywinning actress and former Cheers star Bebe Neuwirth. I Don’t Know When and I Don’t Know Where Sarajevo DIR: Berin Tuzlic Bosnia and Herzegovina/USA, 2007, 5 Minutes An abstract visual narrative of a struggle for power. Pour DIR: Geoff Ryan USA, 2009, 8 Minutes Walking home from work on a rainy day, an Iraq War veteran tries to survive in the land he fought to defend. Open Air DIR: Shira-Lee Shalit USA, 2008, 12 Minutes Two women attempt to continue existence despite the sniper shooting at them day in and day out. 12:30pm, Napa Valley Expo Merlot Hall 41 1:00pm, Napa Valley Expo Al Fresco Sunday September 27 Septembers DIR: Carlos Bosch PROD: Carlos Bosch, Tono Folguera, Loris Omedes SCR: Carlos Bosch CAM: David Fernández Miralles, Walter Ojeda ED: Ernest Blasi Ana Rubio MUS: Gorka Benítez CAST: José Antonio Gardoqui, Jurig Klimenko, Estefanía Maestre 113 Minutes, 2007, Spain Paseo de España This documentary examines the lives of eight prisoners all sharing unique singing talent in the Festival of Song, an annual event for Spain’s Soto de Real penitentiary occurring every September. Over the course of a year Bosch walks along with prisoners and captures a glimpse of their personal lives inside and out of prison. In an environment where personal expression is a very rare commodity, Bosch aims to uncover the genuine passion and redemptive value of the songs from singers’ point of view and shed light on the subjects that motivate the singers to express themselves. Bosch makes the undeniable discovery that emotional endurance is the highest currency in a prison setting. As these prisoners are faced with an often uncertain departure date, they witness early releases granted to their neighboring inmates, hoping the opportunity might be theirs one day. Pirate for the Sea DIR: Ronald Colby PROD: Ronld Colby SCR: Ronald Colby CAM: Ronald Colby ED: Brian Kowtowski MUS: Aldo Shllaku FEATURING: Paul Watson, Farley Mowat, Robert Hunter, Martin Sheen, Patrick Moore, Shatyn Van der Gulik 102 Minutes, 2008, USA Cinema of Conscience Take this outstanding and dramatic tour of Paul Watson’s lifelong crusade to enforce international law and protect marine wildlife. This self-styled “Rambo” and whalewhisperer took on the challenge of defending whale sanctuaries and biodiversity in the furthest reaches of abandoned ocean expanses. Ron Colby’s narrative tale defines the portrait of this extremist among environmentalists and explores new dimensions in personal power. Woven throughout is actual footage from Paul’s daring confrontations with deep sea poachers, legal systems, and international publics. The Director provides evidence of Paul’s continuous battles to stop UN Charter violations in fishing and gaming practices and reveals a conviction stronger even than the man himself. Having countless times looked in the eye of death and danger to be miraculously spared, Paul has been said to posses “the Paul Watson factor” much like a life force that has kept his flame burning for decades. Through oral histories poignantly sequenced to expose this hero of the sea’s vast character, you will find that your own definition of “self determination” will succumb to the shock waves of his violent acts driven by a conscience certain of its justified authority. 1:45pm, Cuveé Napa 3:30pm, Napa River Inn 42 Sunday September 27 An Unlikely Weapon The Eddie Adams Story PROD: Susan Morgan Cooper, Cindy Lou Adkins SCR: Susan Morgan Cooper CAM: Isaac Hagy ED: Isaac Hagy MUS: Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens FEATURING: Eddie Adams, Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings, Gordon Parks, Bill Clinton 85 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.anunlikelyweapon.com/ Arts In Film You have seen the photo. It was taken on February 1, 1968 during the Tet Offensive, the Viet Cong’s attack in Saigon in the midst of the Vietnam War. South Vietnam’s Police Chief executes a handcuffed visitor in the middle of a Saigon street, and Eddie Adams documents it. Though the photo was credited with dramatically fueling antiwar sentiments in the United States, it haunted Adams his whole life. In Susan Morgan Cooper’s fascinating documentary, An Unlikely Weapon, we see why the photo was so significant to Adams, its subjects, and the war. But Cooper also provides a strong sense of the brilliant man behind the camera, Adams himself, and tracks his long career in which he photographed 13 wars, six American presidents and hundreds of celebrities. A stubborn, cranky perfectionist who was never satisfied with his work, Adams gravitated toward documenting wars; however, he wrote that “still photographs are the most powerful weapon in the world.” To quote Esquire: “If this documentary is playing in a city near you, go.” An Unlikely Weapon premiered at the Palm Springs Festival, won Best Documentary at Avignon, and also played at the Newport Beach Film Festival among others. It is narrated by Kiefer Sutherland. 16 To Life World Premiere DIR: Becky Smith PROD: Becky Smith, Denise Mann SCR: Becky Smith CAM: Quyen Tran ED: Eleanor Infante MUS: Cathi Black CAST: Hallee Hirsh, Mandy Musgrave, Theresa Russell, Shiloh Fernandez, Jaime Gomez, Will Rothhaar, Emily Foxler, Nicholas Downs, Carson Kressley, Pamela Dunlap, Gabrielle McNally, Ryan Gourley, Brendan Dunphy, James Serpento, Mike Cornelison 118 Minutes, 2008, USA http://www.16tolifethemovie.org/ US Cinema Magazine Sponsored by Napa Valley Life This sweet and smart coming of age comedy is award winning writer director Becky Smith’s (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) first feature film. The protagonist, middle America teenager Kate (Hallee Hirsh), is stuck working on her “sweet sixteen, never been kissed” birthday. Though Kate’s day is pretty sucky, she learns some life lessons on love, family, and rule breaking, and it ends brilliantly. It is a birthday no one will soon forget. Special guest Theresa Russell who plays Kate’s boss won Best Supporting Actress at the Method Fest. There will be a Salute to Theresa Russell after the film. And a short recital by Theresa (yes she is a jazz singer too) and her partner Mike Melvoin. 4:00pm, Napa Valley Expo Merlot Hall 4:00pm, Cuveé Napa 43 Sunday September 27 Typeface Arts In Film At the crossing of wood type and web design lays the Hamilton Wood Type Museum, an archive of over one million pieces of type and a haven for many urbanites who turn to the old craft for inspiration. Despite enthusiasts’ push for the preservation of this obsolete technique, the Museum struggles in a declining economy.! Preceded By... Virtually a Virgin DIR: Péter Bacsó PROD: Gábor Kálomista, György Sánta SCR: Péter Bacsó CAM: Tamás Andor, Zsolt Tóth ED: Mano Csillag CAST: Júlia Ubrankovics, Attila Tóth, Gergely Kaszás, Ferenc Hujber 105 Minutes, 2008, Hungary World Cinema Lifetime achievement award just prior to his passing at age 80. His conscience was anything but retired when he wrote and directed this contemporary drama about Boroka; a girl turned whore who is tough enough to endure the very rocky road life has cut out for her. Time and time again Bacso creates scenes which beg the audience to live in the moment with his characters and realize his views on life’s spectrum of possibilities. Set in Budapest, Boroka acquires an inheritance at age 18 and blows it on an expensive hotel room with her boyfriend, Janos. Allured by the luxurious lifestyle Janos becomes opportunistic when he realizes that Boroka is desirable to older men. After renting her out for pocket change, he makes a deal to sell her to a “permanent manager” in exchange for a Harley Davidson. Boroka’s journey is a delicate and vicious one of brutal sacrifice laced up in fleeting moments of godlike compassion. Without a friend in the world and a brute for an employer she plays the roles asked of her until she makes a break. Once self-directed, she comes across Morice in a lucky encounter that leads her to shelter, genuine trust and eventually a break out from the sex trade underworld that had stunted her imagination. To see Boroka able to leave her dark past behind and take revenge in stride, we realize the director’s grand gesture to seize his opportunity to promote an invincible optimistic hope so late in his life. Freedom On The Fence DIR: Andrea Marks, Glenn Holsten 2009, 40 Minutes This is a documentary project about the history of Polish posters and their significance to the social, political and cultural life of Poland. Examining the period from WWII through the fall of Communism, the film captures the paradox of how this unique art form flourished within a Communist regime. It contains interviews with older and younger generations of poster artists, examples of past and current poster work, and commentaries from both American and Polish scholars and artists on the significance of the Polish poster as a cultural icon. 5:45pm, Cuveé Napa 6:00pm, Napa River Inn 44 Sunday September 27 Cut Loose DIR: Jan Verheyen PROD: Peter Bouckaert SCR: Bram Renders CAM: Harman Wolfs ED: Philippe Ravoet MUS: Melcher Meirmans, Merlijn Snitker, Chrisnanne Wiegel CAST: Achmed Akkabi, Johan Albert, Pepijn Albert, Stany Crets 101 Minutes, 2008, Belgium World Cinema Have you ever been forced to support something you stand for in theory? Did you have the guts to do it? Meet Tom Naegels, a talented journalist unhappily working for a right-wing tabloid in Antwerp, Belgium. He is about to settle into a predictable life with his longtime girlfriend Tinne, when he meets a beautiful Pakistani asylum seeker Nadia, and his dying grandfather insists on euthanasia. Tom (Pepijn Caudron) has always considered himself liberal-minded, but with his growing interest and involvement in the immigrant community and his love for his grandfather, he must put his beliefs into practice. Not only does Jan Verheyen’s film open discussion about these controversial issues, but Cut Loose also humorously explores social consciousness and questions the responsibility that individuals, especially idealistic young people have to turn their words into action. Based on the novel of the same name by the real Tom Naegels, Cut Loose is a charming, creatively constructed story of one man who dares to confront “big issues” as well as how to his live his own life. Verheyen is a heavyweight in European cinema, and this film has played at major international film festivals, including Cairo, Montreal, Cinequest, and Hamburg. Sideways - New Japanese Napa Valley Version PROD: Toru Miyazawa, Kazutoshi Wadakura SCR: Alexander Payne (story), Rex Pickett (story) CAM: Gary Waller ED: Jim Munro CAST: Rinko Kikuchi, Kyoka Suzuki, Fumiyo Kohinata, Katsuhisa Namase 120 Minutes, 2009, Japan World Cinema Filmed entirely on location in Napa Valley and L.A. with an all-American crew, our Closing Night World Premiere is the Japanese “re-imagination” of the 2005 Academy Award-winning film of the same title, Sideways. The story is a heart-warming tale of two old friends—Michio (Fumio Kohinata) and Daisuke (Katsuhisa Namase) who venture out on a weeklong road trip, ending up in the Napa Valley. There they serendipitously meet up with an old heart throb Mayuko (Kyoka Suzuki), whom Michio tutored during his exchange student days 20 years past, and her free spirited friend Mina (Oscar Nominated Rinko Kikuchi, for Babel) raised in America. Directed by Japanese American born Cellin Gluck, Sideways is beautifully photographed by Garry Waller, Oscar nominated for his visual effects work on Poltergeist II. The New York Times calls this Sideways “one of the most intriguing” of cross cultural experiments. 6:30pm: Reception and tasting of wines featured in the film with cast and crew 6:30–8:30pm: Food provided by Custom Culinary Concepts 7:00pm: On stage Ceremony and Interviews 8:00pm: Film 7:45pm, Cuveé Napa 8:00pm, Napa Valley Expo Al Fresco 45 Sunday September 27 How To Festival NSWCFF is intimate, affordable and offers an inspiring, educational and entertaining program of films (121 films from 33 countries), Master Classes, Salutes to acclaimed and emerging actors, receptions, outdoor presentations delicious food, wine and beverages. Tickets A Chemical Reaction DIR: Brett Plymale PROD: Paul Tukey, Timothy Rhys 99 Minutes, 2008, Bosnia and Herzegovina/Germany/France/Iran 79 Minutes, 2009, USA US Cinema This is the story of one of the most powerful and effective community initiatives in the history of North America. It started with one lone voice in 1984. Dr. June Irwin, a dermatologist, noticed a connection between her patients’ health conditions and their exposure to chemical pesticides and herbicides. With relentless persistence she brought her concerns to town meetings to warn her fellow citizens that the chemicals they were putting on their lawns posed severe health risks. Her persuasive arguments and data to back her findings eventually led the town of Hudson to enact a by-law that banned the use of all chemical pesticides and herbicides. The mightiest chemical companies in North America fought the tiny town and eventually the case made it to the Supreme Court. Eventually the entire province of Quebec enacted a ban and Home Depot stopped putting the dangerous pesticide products on their shelves. A Chemical Reaction is an inspiring story of overcoming great odds and demonstrates the power of people coming together to effect great change in our society. All individual films are available for purchase online: www.winecountryfilmfest.com or at the “door” day of show (cash only) General Admission: $7 - $25 Outdoors :$12.50 - $25 Sonoma Pass, Napa Pass and NSWC Film Club Membership are also available online Create Your Own Schedule You can create your own personal schedule and get up to date news at: www.winecountryfilmfest.com 8 Outdoor Movies Bring a jacket—nights are cool • Low back chairs okay Support our local vendors, wineries and our Al Fresco Host Winery Deerfield Ranch Winery – please no outside food or drinks Venues DEERFIELD RANCH WINERY: SEPT 17 – 20, 2009 Grand Room of the Cave & Outdoors 10200 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, CA 95452 SONOMA CINEMAS: SEPT 17-20, 2009 200 Siesta Way, 95476 (Fiesta Plaza Shopping Cente, just north of Sonoma) NAPA RIVER INN: SEPT 26 AND 27, 2009 Hatt Hall, 500 Main St Napa CA 94559 NAPA VALLEY EXPO: SEPT 24 – 27, 2009 575 Third Street Napa CA 94559 MERLOT HALL: SEPT 24 – 27, 2009 Napa Valley Expo 575 Third Street, Napa CA 94559 CUVEE NAPA: Sept 24-27, 2009 Grand Cru Room , 1650 Soscol Ave Napa CA 94559 8:15pm, Hatt Hall Thank You Festival “Core” Team: NSWCFF Executive Director Justine Ashton • NSWCFF Founder/Director Stephen Ashton • Assistant to the Director Aly Holmes • Special Events Director Dustin Middleton • Director of Hospitality Erica Shane • WebMaster Damian Nix • Intern Extraordinaire Hunter MacNair • Program film notes by Asalle Tanha, Miranda Dodson, Erica Shane, Justine Ashton • Film Curators and Previewers: Stephen Ashton, Justine Ashton, Jim Allen, Renata Allen, Martin Aguilera, Tom Kennelly, Susan Kennelly • In Person Tribute Research: Avram Goldman and Connie Mygatt • Special thanks to Matthew Steinhausen, Rocio Monforte, Craig Smith, John De Luca, Chris Middleton, and to those we may have missed. 46 Index Feature Films 3 Women ............................ 23 9 ½ Dates ........................... 40 16 To Life ............................. 43 400 Years of the Telescope . 6 A Chemical Reaction ......... 46 American Bullfighter ......... 20 America’s Wine: ................. 38 Anarchist’s Wife, The ......... 36 Another Kind of Music ...... 16 An Unlikely Weapon ......... 43 Ashes from the Sky ........... 39 Autumn ............................... 31 Billboard From Bethlehem 41 Black Dogs Barking ............ 33 Blue Gold ............................ 37 Brothers Warner, The ....... 10 Capitalism: A Love Story . 24 Coal Country ........................ 7 Creative Nature .................. 31 Cut Loose ............................45 David Hostetler: .................40 Desierto Sur ........................ 12 Dirty Money ....................... 10 Don’t Let Me Drown .......... 16 Drummer, The .................... 12 Egon and Donci ................. 13 Empty Nest ......................... 28 Euforia ..................................17 Fierce Light ........................... 6 Food Beware ...................... 15 Forest of Music ................... 35 Good Life, The .................... 29 Heart of Stone .................... 13 Heart of Time ..................... 24 Houston We Have a Problem 3 How Could I Not Love You 14 How I Got Lost ................... 11 Ingredients .......................... 41 Invention of Lying, The ..... 29 I, The Other ........................ 11 Karearea: the Pine Falcon 19 Last Script, The ................... 33 Leap of Faith ........................17 Li Tong ................................. 28 Love Me ................................ 9 LT 22 Radio La Colifata ....... 4 Maid, The ............................ 30 Matador, The ...................... 34 No Subtitles Necessary ..... 37 Our Disappeared ............... 15 Pachamama ........................ 30 Photograph, The ................ 35 Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies ................................... 9 Pirate for the Sea ...............42 Portrait of Diego .................. 3 Pradolongo ......................... 32 Rainbowmaker, The ....18, 32 Rembrandt’s J’Accuse ....... 23 Richard Gere is My Hero .. 36 Sea of Change .................... 21 Sea of Darkness ................. 14 Sea Wall ................................ 5 Septembers ........................42 Sideways ............................45 South of the Moon ............ 38 Taking Root: ........................ 22 Tengri (Blue Heavens) ....... 39 Three Wise Men ................... 5 Troubled Water .................. 18 Typeface ..............................44 Unveiled Views ................... 21 Virtually a Virgin ................44 Viva Mandela ........................ 8 What’s on Your Plate? ....... 20 Which Way Home .............. 22 Zen ....................................... 25 Lunch Box, The .................. 19 Made in Japan ...................... 4 Milovan Circus ..................... 4 Morana ................................ 19 Night and Day ...................... 4 Old Fool Who Moved the Mountains ........................... 28 Open Air .............................. 41 Orgesticulanismus ............... 4 Out Here in the Fields: ...... 20 Party ...................................... 8 Pollen Nation ........................ 7 Pour ..................................... 41 Solid Waste ........................... 9 Unconquered: .................... 31 Special Events Opening Night Reception and Short Films Program ........... 4 Opening Night Festivities .... 5 Coal discussion ..................... 7 Eco-Cinema shorts and and talk on plight of honey bees ...... 7 Food by Lata’s Indian Cuisine 12 Discussion with relatives of Argentina’s “disappeared” 15 Reception & Cheese Tasting 17 Food by Black Tie Events ... 18 Bird watching walk & film 19 Food by Yeti Restaurant .... 25 Napa Opening Festivities .. 29 Georgian wines and cooking demonstration ..................... 32 Paseo de España: Celebration of Spanish culture with films, food, wine, music & dance 34 Food by Custom Culinary Concepts ............................. 39 Master Class: A Celebration of Cinematography with Vilmos Zsigmond & James Chressanthis 40 Short Films A Day Late in Oakland ........ 8 A Gift From A Talking God . 40 American Soil ....................... 8 A Sheltered Sea .................. 21 Aurora ................................. 10 Battle for the Xingu .............. 7 Buen Provecho ..................... 4 Chat Noir ............................ 39 Compact Only .................... 19 Enduring Call, The ............... 7 Freedom On The Fence ....44 Half ........................................ 4 I Don’t Know When and I Don’t Know Where Sarajevo ...... 41 Interpretation ..................... 20 Kavi ...................................... 36 Lightheaded .......................... 4 47 Salute to Kate Russell ........43 Closing Festivities following the film Sideways with the cast & crew .....................................45 Thank You to our Sponsors Double Platinum Sponsors Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsors Special Thanks and Appreciation To: The Japan Foundation, Tourist Office of Spain Los Angeles, Consul General of Mexico, AFM/AFI, City of Napa, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox Japan Santa Barbara Film Festival, Cannes International Film Festival, MovieMaker Magazine, Napa River Inn, Green Mountain Coffee —NSWCFF Official Coffee Company, El Pueblo Inn, Ceja Vineyards, Robert Mondavi Winery, Berlin International Film Festival, Pugs Leap, Slow Food Film Festival, Sonoma Cinemas, Variety, Classic Party Rental, Valley Oak High School, Japan Airlines, City of Napa, Napa Downtown Association, Cameo Cinema, La Luz Bilingual Center, San Francisco Chronicle—SF Gate.com, Eco Cinema Greece, Dunbar Elementary School, Kenwood Elementary School, Custom Culinary Concepts, River Terrace Inn, CinemAmbiente, Chase Bank, Spain at Home, Gaia Restaurant, Vintage Sweet Shoppe, Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack, Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, Talon Tours, Sonoma Valley Bank, Wine Country This Week, Tubz, Lata’s Authentic Indian Cuisine, Rad Cloud, Black Tie Event & Catering, Raymond & Co Cheesemongers, Barinaga Ranch, Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese, New Belgium—NSWCFF Official Beer Company, Marriott Fairfield Napa Valley, Lily Creative, Mama Bear, PRE—NSWCFF Official Beverage Company, Yeti Restaurant, Napa Valley Register, Kenwood Press, Sonoma Index Tribune, Sonoma Valley Sun, St. Helena Star, Calistoga Chamber of Commerce, Sonoma Chamber of Commerce, Napa and Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Valley Bank, Glen Ellen Village Market, Kenwood Market, Party, Tents & Events, KQED, Napa Valley Expo, Wine Country Party & Events, and to those supporters we may have missed…. A HUGE HUGE Thank You!! 48 www.winecountryfilmfest.com