The 32nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLiFF), which began Oct. 27 and runs through Nov. 19 takes on the subtitle this year of “A Vacation from Ordinary Film.” There is plenty more to come, including Karen Allen's appearance on Saturday, Nov. 18, when she receives a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Program Guides are available at theaters or you can download a digital copy at https://issuu.com/kenpernadesign.com/docs/2017_ff_book_main_
What's On This Week, And What's Upcoming:
On Saturday, Nov. 18, FLiFF presents a Lifetime Achievement Award to actress Karen Allen (Animal House, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Scrooged) at the 6:30pm Florida Premiere of her short film, A Tree. A Rock. A Cloud at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale.
Friday, Nov 10: FLiFF’s Centerpiece Film is the madcap heist comedy "Serious Laundry." When a young man gets seduced into helping with the removal of a dead body, he must discover the truth behind the corpse before he loses his life or gains a fortune. Join the filmmaker and cast at its 7:30pm Southeast FilmPremiere and Party at Sunrise Civic Center Theater. Attending are Director/composer/ cinematographer Ken Webb and stars Jason Zednick, Michele Richardson, Tatiana Grey, Michael Gentile, Jeffrey Alan Solomon and Malcolm Mills. View the trailer: https://youtu.be/vIrD--D2AWY
Saturday, Nov 11: In honor of Veterans Day, FLiFF and The City of Sunrise present the film, Kelly’s Heroes, plus snack and drink free of charge starting at 11:30am at Sunrise Civic Center Theater. A Caribbean Sidebar of films follows with $1 per ticket sold to be donated to the Caribbean relief effort. Three films will be presented: Cargo (Bahamas) directed by Kareem Mortimer is inspired by true events of a father who turns to trafficking human cargo to the U.S. to raise money for his son’s education. Jeffrey, from the Dominican Republic, directed by Yanillys Perez, is about a boy from the streets of Santo Domingo who dreams of becoming a reggaeton singer but must first overcome the tough realities of the world around him. I AM BOLT, from Jamaica, directed by Gabe Turner & Benjamin Turner, is a documentary about “The fastest man in the world.” The day culminates with a Caribbean-style party.
Saturday, Nov 18: FLiFF presents a Lifetime Achievement Award to actress Karen Allen (Animal House, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Scrooged) at the 6:30pm Florida Premiere of her short film, A Tree. A Rock. A Cloud at Savor Cinema. Based on the short story by groundbreaking southern American writer Carson McCullers, the film is Karen Allen’s debut as a film director. A Tree. A Rock. A Cloud takes place at a roadside café in the early morning in the Spring of 1947. A young boy and an older man meet by chance. The man relates a luminous tale of personal heartbreak and loss, and of his hard-won understanding of the nature of love.
At 8 p.m., Executive Board member, Steve Savor, welcomes Lifetime Achievement honoree Karen Allen to magnificent Villa DePalma with a Toga Party in honor of her past role in Animal House. There will be live entertainment by Otis Day and the Knights who debuted in the film! Open Bar, great food and some Savor Surprises await those who attend. Toga Attire is mandatory!
Sunday, Nov 19: FLiFF’s Closing Night film is the North American Premiere of After You’re Gone. This witty satire centered around the world of ballet is directed by Anna Matison. Popular Russian actor Sergey Bezrukov delivers an award-winning performance as the renowned and arrogant Russian ballet genius, Aleksey Temnikov. Join Matison and Bezrukov for their 4:00pm premiere and FLiFF’s Closing Night Party at Bailey Hall.
Here are 25 more must-see films.
Films Based on True Stories
The Upside (Florida Premiere)
Starring Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart and Nicole Kidman is about an unexpected friendship between a billionaire and ex-con. Directed by Neil Burger. From the USA.
The Darkest Hour
Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman stars as Winston Churchill as he faces one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. Directed by Joe Wright. From the U.K.
The Cutlass (North American Premiere)
A trip to a remote beach house turns to horror as a young woman finds herself in the grasp of an unpredictable and dangerous man. Attending is director Darisha J. Beresford. From Trinidad and Tobago.
The Earth is Flat (World Premiere)
An Amish boy's artistic brilliance creates a perfect storm for that child to enter into an unthinkable illusion. Writer/director Sam Wickey (an Amish man) and producer Kasha Fauscett attend their The World Premiere. From the USA.
Heaven’s Floor (Florida Premiere)
A nail-biting biopic of a photographer who chases adventure in the Canadian Arctic and finds herself on the line between life and death when she becomes stranded on sea ice in the frozen north. Writer/director, Lori Stoll will attend her Florida Premiere. From USA-Canada.
Quest (Florida Premiere)
A humble teacher puts his reputation on the line to help an abused 12- year-old who is incapable of trusting. Director and subject of the film, Santiago Rizzi, attends his Florida Premiere. The film fulfills a promise to his teacher, Tim Moellering. From the USA.
The Young Offenders (Southeast Premiere)
Director Peter Foott’s charming and consistently funny movie about Ireland’s biggest cocaine seizure in 2007. From Ireland.
Mysteries & Thrillers
Waiting For You (U.S. Premiere)
Starring celebrated French actress Fanny Ardant stars in this mystery filled with dangerous secrets and painful truths. Attending is director Charles Garrad. From France.
At the End of the Tunnel (Florida Premiere)
Argentinian director Rodrigo Grande crafts a tight, vicious crime thriller about a wheelchair-bound computer tech. When finances compel him to rent out the top floor of his house, he unearths a scheme by a gang of hoods next door to tunnel under his house and rob a local bank. From Spain-Argentina.
The Midnighters (Southeast Premiere)
A former safecracker just released from prison after 35 years now has a life-altering decision to make: accept his new life playing out the string in a world he no longer understands… or risk his life by utilizing every bit of his old street skills. Attending is director Justin Fort. From the USA.
Muse (Southeast Premiere)
A painter's life is forever changed when a mythical and deadly spirit from Celtic lore becomes his muse and lover. Attending are director John Burr and star Riley Egan. From USA.
Comedies
A Hustler’s Diary (U.S. Premiere)
Swedish director Ivica Zubak blends humor and gravity in a story about seizing life’s opportunities. Directed by Ivica Zubak. From Sweden.
Lovers (United States Premiere)
Five main characters are connected in a spiral driven by the reasons of love. Attending are director Matteo Vicino and producers Alessia fumo and Stefano Pucci. From Italy.
Mogli E Marito (U.S. Premiere)
Forced to be in their partners’ shoes and everyday routine, a husband and wife see their relationship from a completely different perspective. Directed by Simone Gadano. From Italy.
Newton (Southeast Premiere)
India has BIG problems…as the world’s largest democracy, running a clean election is not a piece of Shahi Tukra. Directed by Amit V Masurkar. From Estonia.
Pinsky (Southeast Premiere)
In the wake of a bad breakup and the death of her grandfather, Sophia Pinsky moves back home under the martial law of her Russian grandmother and is forced to reevaluate the terms of her adult life. Director Amanda Lundquist,and stars Rebecca Karpovsky and Ara Woland. From USA.
The Spy and the Poet (Florida Premiere)
One of the funniest films of the festival: Lonely secret service officer meets a mysterious gypsy woman. It soon comes clear that it is a trap set by the Russian intelligence. Directed by Toomas Hussar. From Estonia.
Train Drivers Diary (Southeast Premiere)
A 60-year-old train driver is about to retire holding the infamous record of 28 kills during his career in this this dark comedy from director Milos Radovic. From Serbia-Croatia.
Documentaries
ACORN in the Firestorm
A riveting look into a heated scandal of the 2000s, the explosive political collapse of the longstanding nonprofit group ACORN. The political thriller shines an unquestionably fascinating light on our troubled present. Director Reuben Atlas, live via skype Q&A. From the USA.
Cries From Syria (Florida Premiere)
Exposes the real humanitarian crisis unfolding in Syria and in refugee camps around the world. Oscar nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky is to attend.
Intent to Destroy (Florida Premiere)
Award-winning filmmaker, Joe Berlinger (Brother’s Keeper, Paradise Lost) crafts an emotional and thought-provoking look at Armenian Genocide during WWI and the Turkish government’s denial that it ever happened. From Armenia / USA.
Julian Schnabel: A Private Portrait (Florida Premiere)
Vhronicles the personal life and career of the celebrated artist and filmmaker. Written and directed by Italy’s Pappi Corsicato. From the USA.
Larger Than Life: Kevyn Aucoin Story (Florida Premiere)
Explores every corner of the renowned makeup artist’s rich, beautiful and complicated life. Features Cher, Brooke Shields, Isabella Rosselini among other top models and actors. Director Tiffany Bartok and producer Jayce Bartok will attend. From the USA.
Two More Not To Miss
The Thin Yellow Line (Florida Premiere)
Five men, hired to paint the median line of a road connecting two villages in less than 15 days, will acknowledge that there is a thin line between right and wrong; between laughter and crying; between life and death. This seemingly simple, beautiful film will move you suddenly, out of the blue, and remain with you for hours after the final credits. Directed by Celso Garcia. From Mexico.
King of Peking (Southeast Premiere)
With a twinkling of homage to Cinema Paradiso, this sweet, often funny, frequently suspenseful is an ode to the relationship between a man and his son. Attending is director is Sam Voutas. From China-Australia-USA.
FOR MORE FILMS, EVENTS, SPECIAL GUESTS and to PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS visit: www.FLiFF.com For the box office call: 954-525-FILM (3456).
Program Guides are available at theaters or you can download a digital copy at https://issuu.com/kenpernadesign.com/docs/2017_ff_book_main_
VENUES AND DATES
Bailey Hall: Nov 19
At Broward College Campus, 3501 SW Davie Rd, Davie, FL 33314Cinema Paradiso-Hollywood: Oct 27 - Nov 19
2008 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33020 / 954-342-9137Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: Nov 3
1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33014 / (954) 797-5531Museum of Art: Nov 16
1 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 / (954) 525-5500Savor Cinema: Oct 27 - Nov 19
503 SE 6 Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 / (954) 525-FILM (3456)Sunrise Civic Center: Nov 10 - 12
10610 W Oakland Park Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33351 / (954) 747-4600The Sun Dream Yacht - Chairman’s Cruise: Nov 5, 10:30AM
2950 NE 32 Ave, Ft Lauderdale 33308 / (954) 765-1450FLIFF TICKETS
Advance tickets for most films: $12 General Admission, $10 Seniors, $9 Military & Students, $8 FLIFF Members. $15 for tickets at the door.
Special Screenings $15 - $30 depending upon the event; Many include pre or post receptions.
