Reggio Film Festival Announces Call For Entries

ONLINE THE RULES FOR THE REGGIO FILM FESTIVAL 2013
The rules to register your short-movies at the 12th edition of the Reggio Film Festival are now online.

The authors from every country of the world are invited to send their works related to the theme of this year: RED.

Furthermore there is the OPEN CATEGORY section, for short-movies not related to the theme.

The deadline to submit your short movies is May the 31th, 2013

Click here to register your short movie: http://www.reggiofilmfestival.com/

Mexico's Bernal Leads Cast of Nominated Chilean Film

Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal plays Rene Saavedra, an advertising executive, who is asked to create a campaign to defeat Augusto Pinochet during a 1988 referendum. Visit the website www.nothemovie.com. The film, directed by Pablo Larrain, was nominated Jan. 10 in the Best Foreign Language Film category for the Academy Award. It received the International Confederation of Art Cinema Award at Cannes, the National Board of Review USA for best foreign language film and the Audience Award at the Sao Paulo International Film Festival. This is the first Chilean film nominated for an Academy Award.

2013 Academy Award Foreign Language Film Submissions

FWSCI country films are frozen out of this year's Academy Awards, with a decidedly cold-climate collection of countries making the short-list of nominees. Short-list films are from Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, Romania, Switzerland. Jan. 10 is when we find out what the actual nominees will be for Best Foreign Language Film. None of the nominees from our eight Sister Cities countries made the short list, which was announced In December. The submissions from our Sister Cities countries were: China - "Caught in the Web," directed by Chen Kaige Germany - "Barbara," directed by Christian Petzold Hungary - "Just The Wind," directed by Benedek Fliegauf Indonesia - "The Dancer," directed by Ifsa Isfansyah Italy - "Caesar Must Die," directed by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani Japan - "Our Homeland," directed by Yong-hi Yang, and Mexico - "After Lucia," directed by Michel Franco. Swaziland had no entry. I'll try to keep track of DVD and local showings of these films in North Texas. Germany's "Barbara" is now playing at the Angelika Dallas.

African Cats

Disney’s “African Cats” tells a somewhat universal tale for African
wildlife and will remind most adults of the Sunday nights and the
“Wonderful World of Disney.”

The setting is Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and follows the lives of
two female cats – a cheetah named Cita and a lioness named Layla.

While the setting is far north of Mbabne, Swaziland (one of Fort Worth’s
Sister Cities), there are some similarities in wildlife and terrain.

I realize the danger in saying Swaziland is like Kenya. It’s like saying
Houston is like Dallas/Fort Worth and El Paso.

But for me, the most important parallel is educating others about wildlife
and ecological conservation across Africa. My oldest son, age 5, was
mesmerized – as was my mother-in-law. And that is perhaps the best part of
this documentary. It can galvanize across the generations.

Beautiful cinematography and an interesting storyline are melded together
in this film. It also comes with educational materials that can be
downloaded from the Disney Nature website.

Swaziland is home to cheetahs, lions, elephants, hyenas and many other
animals featured in this film.

Swaziland too is home to several species that are threatened. The Black
Rhino is critically endangered (the species is in imminent risk of
extinction in the wild.). Marley’s Golden Mole and the African Wild
Dog/Painted Dog are two Swazi animals listed as endangered (the species is
facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.).

For information about Swaziland nature reserves, visit the Swaziland
National Trust Commission web site.

This Just in … 4.19.2011

This week’s DVDs & Blue-ray. If we can’t watch ‘em in the theater, we’ll
watch ‘em at home. Look for them at Amazon, Netlfix, RedBox, Blockbuster
and CDUniverse.

Gritos de muerte y libertad
Directors: Gerardo Tort, María Fernanda Suarez; Starring: Diego Luna, Lumi
Cavazos, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Cecilia Suárez
Synopsis: Prominent historians, writers, directors and leading actors come
together to produce the historical miniseries to commemorate Mexico's
bicentennial. Gritos de Muerte y Libertad depicts Mexico's struggle for
independence against Spain in 13 half-hour episodes. With a star-studded
cast and lavish set and costume design, the miniseries is the definitive
portrayal of Mexico's prominent heroes and key historical moments integral
to winning the country's freedom.

http://www.amazon.com/Gritos-Muerte-Libertad-Diego-Luna/dp/B004IF4EVY/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1303182578&sr=1-1

Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster
Director: Wilson Yip,  Starring: Donnie Yen, Lynn Hung, Simon Yam, Sammo
Hung, Darren Shahlavi
Synopsis: International superstar Donnie Yen reprises his iconic role as
the real-life kung fu Grandmaster Ip Man, widely known as the man who
brought Wing Chun to the world with the help of his star pupil, Bruce Lee.
Master Ip, a new arrival in British-occupied Hong Kong, wants to open a
martial arts academy to teach his unique Wing Chun style. A corrupt group
of martial arts masters, led by Master Hung (Sammo Hung) refuses to allow
him to teach in peace until he proves himself as a kung fu master. Ip s
troubles continues when he is forced to enter a brutal King of the Ring
boxing match against Twister, a Western-style boxer who insults the Chinese
locals, in a East versus West knock-down, drag-out fight to the finish.

http://www.amazon.com/Ip-Man-Legend-Grandmaster-Collectors/dp/B004I1AGTM/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1303183451&sr=1-1

The Princess Blade
Director: Shinsuke Sato; Starring Yumiko Shaku, Hideaki Itô, Yôichi Numata,
Shirô Sano, Kyûsaku Shimada
Synopsis: In the near future, Japan is ruled once more by a monarchy. But,
rebels opposed to this rule seek to overthrow the government. The House of
Takemikazuchi, a band of assassins is hired by the government to suppress
the rebels. As a conspiracy from within signals the shadowy organization's
impending demise, Yuki, the last of the Takemikazuchi bloodline befriends
one of the rebels and seeks revenge against the group's leader.

http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Blade-Yumiko-Shaku/dp/B0000E6FON/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1303184046&sr=1-1

Tokyo Gore Police
Director: Yoshihiro Nishimura; Starring: Eihi Shiina
Synopsis: In the near future, the Tokyo Police Corporation is locked in a
bloody war with the "engineers." These genetically modified super-criminals
can bio-fuse their open wounds with weapons, turning self-mutilation into a
combat form. Ruka, the daughter of the police chief's murdered right-hand
man, is now the top engineer hunter. With cold-blooded efficiency she cuts
through the psychotic engineers and tracks down their home base, a truly
bizarre fetish club. Nothing keeps her from her sworn duty, even when she
finds out the truth behind her father's death.

http://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Gore-Police-Eihi-Shiina/dp/B001I82RVS/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1303184594&sr=1-1

Vision - From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen
Director: Margarethe von Trotta , Starring: Barbara Sukowa
Lushly shot in original medieval cloisters of the fairytale-like German
countryside, Vision is the profoundly inspirational portrait of Hildegard
von Bingen, a woman who has emerged from the shadows of history as a
forward-thinking and iconoclastic pioneer of faith, change and
enlightenment. A visionary in every sense of the word, this famed
12th-century Benedictine nun was a Christian mystic, composer, philosopher,
playwright, poet, naturalist, scientist, physician, herbalist and
ecological activist. Reuniting with recurrent star Barbara Sukowa, New
German Cinema auteur Margarethe von Trotta brings the story of this
extraordinary figure to cinematic life. In a staggering performance, Sukowa
portrays Hildegard's fierce determination to expand the responsibilities of
nuns within the order, even as she fends off outrage from some in the
Church over the visions she claims to receive from God. She was truly a
woman ahead of her time.

http://www.amazon.com/Vision-Life-Hildegard-von-Bingen/dp/B004KCAYXC/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1303184746&sr=1-1

Goemon
Directed by Kazuaki Kiriya
Snyopsis: Crafted with over 2500 visual effects, the director of Casshern
weaves action with Japanese history and folklore into a moving masterpiece
evocative of the classic Robin Hood tale.

Once a lethal ninja, Goemon put down his sword to master the art of robbing
the nobility to share the stash with the less fortunate. On one such
escapade, he swipes an artifact that, if opened, will unleash misfortune of
a massive scale. Hunted by an infamous henchman and former ally, Goemon
tears a torrential path to assassinate the king. With a conscience clouded
by conspiracy, Goemon struggles to save his friends—and an entire
nation—from the grips of poverty and corruption.

http://astore.amazon.com/funreleaseschedule-20/detail/B004DMIIUU

Claymore: Complete Series Box Set
Directed by Todd Haberkorn
Synopsis: A brutal scourge stalks the land. Yoma, monsters driven by a
hunger satisfied by only one quarry – Humanity. The dark breed knows but a
singular foe: Claymore. Human-Yoma hybrids of extraordinary strength and
cunning, the Claymores roam from skirmish to skirmish delivering salvation
by the edge of a blade.

Thus begins the twisting tale of Clare, one such sister of the sword driven
by pain in both victory and defeat. A child silent and suffering hidden in
her past, Clare’s march toward vengeance unfolds along a path marked by
violence, solitude and scorn. In a land where even the predator is prey,
the haunted hearts of hunter and hunted alike wear the scars of the age.

http://astore.amazon.com/funreleaseschedule-20/detail/B002Y0KR66

Darker Than Black: Complete Season One (Classic)
Directed by Tensai Okamura
Synopsis: A new and deadly breed of covert agent walks the streets. Known
as Contractors, these assassins and spies wield bizarre supernatural powers
to carry out the dirty work of others. They thrive in the underworld,
between rumor and reality, their loyalties always in question. One among
these operatives is more mysterious than the rest - The masked killer
BK201, the Black Reaper. His true identity and intentions remain unknown,
but as his path weaves through the shadows and alleys of Tokyo, blood is
spilled on both sides of the law. It's a new age of confusion, and the
rules of engagement have changed.

http://astore.amazon.com/funreleaseschedule-20/detail/B004GZZH6W

30th Annual Hong Kong Film Awards

The film "Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame" won six awards at the 30th Hong Kong Film Awards on April 17, but the Best Picture Award remained elusive and instead went to "Gallants," a tribute to kung fu films of the '70s.

Detective Dee nabbed the Best Director Award for Tsui Hark, Best Actress Award for Carina Lau, plus awards for art direction, sound, visual effects, costume and makeup design.

"Gallants" won awards Best Supporting Actor for Teddy Robin Kwan, Best Supporting Actress for Susan (Yin Yin) Shaw, and best original film score.

Nicholas Tse won Best Actor for his role in "Stool Pigeon," pulling off an upset over front-runner Chow Yun-fat in "Confucius."

The best Asian Film Award was presented to Japanese Director Tetsuya Nakashima's "Confessions."

'Even the Rain' at the Modern

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth hosts "Even the Rain," starring Mexican Actor Gael Garcia Bernal. The film is by Spanish Director Iciar Bollain.

In the film a Spanish crew has landed in Bolivia to shoot a movie about Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas and the following impact on natives. As the shoot unfolds a water crisis develops. We learn that little has changed in the exploitation of others.

The film shows at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, April 15; 5 p.m. Saturday, April 16; noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 17.

The cast includes Luis Tosar, Karra Elejalde and Cassandra Ciangherotti.