2008 Los Angeles Film Festival (June 19 - June 29)
2008 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FULL PROGRAM LINE-UP – Universal Pictures’ WANTED to Screen as Opening Night Film – – Sacha Gervasi’s ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL to Screen as Centerpiece Premiere– – Universal Picture’s HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY to Screen as Closing Night Film –
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Film Festival announced the full program line-up for the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival (Thursday, June 19 - Sunday, June 29), including the Opening Night film, Closing Night film, and Centerpiece Premiere. This Festival’s Guest Director and Artist in Residence will be announced shortly.
“I am proud of the Festival’s on-going growth within the community, and pleased that we continue to attract world-class filmmakers like Guillermo Del Toro and Timur Bekmambetov,” said Festival Director Rich Raddon. “The Los Angeles Film Festival celebrates the best in filmmaking as well as discovering new voices from around the world.”
“We’re proud to be bringing a wonderfully diverse slate of films and events to Festival audiences,” said Los Angeles Film Festival Director of Programming Rachel Rosen. “This year’s program has everything from family films to a for-adults-only swear-a-long which provides audiences with a chance to discover a range of work, and meet and interact with some superbly talented filmmakers.”
“This year’s Festival displays a collection of vibrant and diverse films that maintain Film 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival Announces Full Program Line-Up – Page 2 Independent’s spirit, quality, and originality,” said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent, the year-round filmmaker organization that produces the Festival. “The Festival is a chance for the film industry and filmgoers to have direct access to each other, which for Film Independent is an important on-going objective in building an interest for diverse films in art houses and multiplexes alike.”
Universal Pictures' WANTED, from director Timur Bekmambetov, will kick off the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival as the Opening Night film on Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mann Village Theatre. Wanted stars James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann, Common, and Angelina Jolie.
Based upon Mark Millar’s explosive graphic novel series and helmed by stunning visualist director Timur Bekmambetov—creator of the most successful Russian film franchise in history, the Night Watch series—Wanted tells the tale of one apathetic nobody’s transformation into an unparalleled enforcer of justice. In 2008, the world will be introduced to a hero for a new generation: Wesley Gibson.
25-year-old Wes (James McAvoy) was the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known. His boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend ignored him routinely and his life plodded on interminably. Everyone was certain this disengaged slacker would amount to nothing. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die in his slow, clock-punching rut. Until he met a woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie).
After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad’s death by unlocking his dormant powers. As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself.
With wickedly brilliant tutors—including the Fraternity’s enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman)—Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted. But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. And as he wavers between newfound heroism and vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny.
Universal Picture's HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY, from writer/director Guillermo del Toro, will close this year’s Festival on Saturday, June 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the Mann Village Theatre. The film stars Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Jeffrey Tambor, and John Hurt. With a signature blend of action, humor and character-based spectacle, the saga of the world’s toughest, kitten-loving hero from Hell continues to unfold in Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Bigger muscle, badder weapons and more ungodly villains arrive in an epic vision of imagination from Oscar®-nominated director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy).
After an ancient truce existing between humankind and the invisible realm of the fantastic is broken, hell on Earth is ready to erupt. A ruthless leader who treads the world above and the one below defies his bloodline and awakens an unstoppable army of creatures. Now, it’s up to the planet’s toughest, roughest superhero to battle the merciless dictator and his marauders. He may be red. He may be horned. He may be 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival Announces Full Program Line-Up – Page 3 misunderstood. But when you need the job done right, it’s time to call in Hellboy (Ron Perlman).
Along with his expanding team in the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense— pyrokinetic girlfriend Liz (Selma Blair), aquatic empath Abe (Doug Jones) and protoplasmic mystic Johann—the BPRD will travel between the surface strata and the unseen magical one, where creatures of fantasy become corporeal. And Hellboy, a creature of two worlds who’s accepted by neither, must choose between the life he knows and an unknown destiny that beckons him.
The Festival also announced that Sacha Gervasi’s critically acclaimed documentary ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL will screen as the 2008 Centerpiece Premiere on Thursday, June 26 at 8:30 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre. The outdoor film premiere will include live musical performances and special guests. The film features Steven “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner.
A totally uncool twist of fate left pioneering Canadian metal band Anvil foundering in obscurity, despite the impact of its second album, 1982's Metal on Metal, on the then- burgeoning metal scene. Covering two years of tireless touring and the recording of Anvil’s 13th album, former roadie Sacha Gervasi perfectly captures the humor and pathos of two middle-aged guys who still just want to rock and we never stopped believing that stardom could be just another gig away. Part comedy, part cautionary tale, Anvil! The Story of Anvil is an anthem to people who can’t give up on their dreams without one last fight.
The Los Angeles Film Festival is honored to premiere the work of such acclaimed directors as Timur Bekmambetov, Guillermo del Toro, and Sacha Gervasi. ABOUT THE 2008 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL Westwood Village is home to Film Independent’s Los Angeles Film Festival, which runs from Thursday, June 19 – Sunday, June 29. Festival-goers will experience the best of American and international cinema, enjoying more than 230 feature films, shorts, and music videos, as well as Coffee Talks, Poolside Chats, and other special star-studded events. Westwood Village will showcase films and events among various venues, all within walking distance of each other, with ample, convenient parking and easy access to shopping and dining, setting the stage for the biggest Festival yet.
Over the course of 10 days and 11 nights, the public is invited to take advantage of world premieres including independent films and major studio releases, as well as tribute screenings, outdoor movies, celebrity-filled red carpets, and more. Screenings and special events will be held in Westwood at the following locations: Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater At The Geffen Playhouse, AMC Avco 4, The Italian Cultural Institute, The Landmark, Landmark's Regent Theatre, Majestic Crest Theatre, Mann Festival Theatre, Mann Village Theatre, Hammer Museum, Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum, and W Los Angeles – Westwood. Additional offsite event screenings will take place at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood and the California Plaza on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is supported by Premier Sponsors – Target and American Express OPEN(SM) – and by Principal 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival Announces Full Program Line-Up – Page 4 Sponsors – Kodak and IFC. Promotional support is provided by Schawk. Special support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner and WireImage is the Official Photography Agency of Film Independent. The W Los Angeles – Westwood and the Hotel Palomar are the official hotel partners of the Festival.
Festival passes are available for the general public beginning May 21. Individual tickets are available through phone and online sales beginning June 2. The Festival Ticket Office, located at 1020 Westwood Boulevard, will be open to the public beginning Sunday, June 8, selling both passes and individual tickets. For event information and tickets, call 866.FILM.FEST (866.345.6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com. Film notes, images, and trailers will be available for viewing at LAFilmFest.com beginning May 21. The Target Red Room – filmmaker and press lounge – will be located at 1027 Westwood Boulevard.
The 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen more than 230 feature films, shorts, and music videos. This year the Festival received more than 5000 submissions from filmmakers around the world with the final selections representing several World, North American, and U.S. premieres.
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT Film Independent is a non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.
With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent also offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.
Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo. For more information or to become a member, visit www.filmindependent.org
