Synopsis & Film Details
A Passion for Film
2nd Fresno Film Festival, May 5-7, 2006
Celebrate the Passion for Film with friends at the Tower Theatre – featuring wine tasting by Dunning Vineyards, music by the Kevin Hill Trio, and the beginning of our silent auction by many of the Valley’s most celebrated artists.
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2006
PROGRAM #1 — 7 p.m
Opening night feature film, a moving, quirky, and highly entertaining chronicle of the life and times of John Peterson, the last line of Midwest farmers, who lost his family’s homestead during the farm crisis of the 1980’s only to triumph as the leader in the contemporary organic movement. Directed by Taggart Siegel, 2005, USA 83 min.
Animated short “Badgered”, the tale of a grumpy badger who just wants the world to let him sleep. Oscar Nominee for Best Short Animated Film. Directed by Sharon Colman, 2005, USA; 7 min.
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2006
PROGRAM #2 — 2 p.m.
The latest from legendary filmmaker Carroll Ballard (The Black Stallion, Fly Away Home) follows the extraordinary adventures of Xan, a 12-year old in South Africa, who when a crisis forces the family to move to Johannesburg, sets out by himself to return his pet cheetah Duma to the wild. A rare and beautiful family film, one that adults will want to see on their own. 2005, USA; 100 min. Directed by Carroll Ballard.
A whimsical animated short film. Winner of the Annie Award for Best Animated Short. Directed by Bill Plympton. Narrated by Paul Giametti, 2005, USA; 7 min.
PROGRAM #3 — 5 p.m.
4 Oscar-nominated short documentaries. The program is rated R.
PROGRAM #4 — 8 p.m.
Merchant Ivory’s last film starring Ralph Fiennes and Natasha Richardson, co-starring Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave. This is the story of a relationship between a disillusioned former U.S. diplomat and a White Russian countess reduced to a sordid life in the city’s bars. The story revolves around “The White Countess” the elegant nightclub created by the diplomat to shut out the chaos and tragedy that surround him. Directed by Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, 2005, UK/USA; 135 min.
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2006
PROGRAM #5 — 1 p.m.
Louis Malle’s 1957 masterpiece of suspense and film noir starring Jeanne Moreau. Scheming lovers Julien and Florence engineer the “perfect murder” of her husband. This stunning debut film won the then 24-year-old Malle the prestigious Prix Delluc, France’s highest film award. Directed by Louis Malle, 1958, France; 88 min.
PROGRAM #6 — 3 p.m.
5 Oscar-nominated animated and live-action short films.
PROGRAM #7 — 5 p.m.
“My Favorite Flick and Why I Love It“
A lively panel discussion for film lovers everywhere. Admission is free.
Panelists:
Jeff Booth, owner of The Movies video store;
Jon Carroll, president of Fresno Reel Pride;
Sasha Khokha, director of Calcutta Calling and Uprooted: Refugees of the Economy;
Darrin Navarro, independent film editor
PROGRAM # 8 – 7 p.m.
Sophie Scholl – The Final Days
Winner of Best Director and Best Actress awards at Berlin International Film Festival, as well as Germany’s submission this year to the Foreign Language Academy Awards, this taught and gripping drama recreates the last six days of Germany’s famous anti-Nazi heroine. Julia Jentsch gives a brilliant performance as Sophie, the sole female member of an underground resistance movement mounted by college students called the White Rose. Directed by Marc Rothemund, 2005, Germany; 120 min
FILM SPONSORS
T & D Willey Farms
(The Real Dirt on Farmer John)
FRESNO FILMWORKS SPONSORS
Carol Bequette • Camerad, Inc. • Fig Garden Books • Lillian Faderman • Jazz Fresno • Coke and James Hallowell • Phyllis Irwin • KJewel • Mason’s Picture Frames & Art Gallery • Miles, Sears and Eanni • The Mitchell Trust • The Movies • P. James Nugent, M.D. • think inkless
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS – SILENT AUCTION
Phil Bowers • Michael Garcia • Steve Dzerigian • Dal Henderson • Phyllis Irwin • Susan Harris • Amy Kohl • Karen LeCocq • Joel Pickford • Rollin Pickford • Dixie Salazar • Richard Silva • Howard Statham • Kathy Wosika
The silent auction will continue throughout the festival and the winners will be announced after the Sunday night closing film.