The Philadelphia Film Festival, organized by The Philadelphia Film Society, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and is once again reeling in the heavy-hitting darlings of the worldwide cinema circuit. From October 20 through November 3 on eight screens throughout the city, 145 films from 35 countries will play to cinephiles and novices alike. A few of this year’s themes include: New French Cinema, Sight & Soundtrack, Sports in Motion, and The Graveyard Shift. There are some noteworthy procurements including opening night’s Like Crazy, directed by Drake Doremuss, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, and the closing night film, The Descendants, directed by Alexander Payne (Sidewalks) and starring George Clooney. Make sure to check out the FREE panels!

Over the next two weeks I’ll be watching new films, interviewing directors, attending panels and parties, all in the name of reporting back to you, but in the meantime here are my “Top 10 Picks” for films you should see based on industry buzz (please note the films are in alphabetical order and not listed in order of preference).

 

The Destiny of Lesser Animals

Directed by Deron Albright, Ghana/USA, 89 min.

Sunday, October 30

7:30 p.m.

International House

3701 Chestnut Street

Thursday, November 3 

7:30 p.m.

Ritz East B

125 S. 2nd Street

Modeled in part on Akira Kurosawa’s classic Stray Dog, this moving crime drama is also the tale of one man trying to find his way home. With a beautiful sense of place and a refreshing pace, The Destiny of Lesser Animals delivers a rare look at contemporary Ghana.

Insider Tip: The director and lead actor are based in Philadelphia.

Watch trailer here.

 

 

I'm Carolyn Parker

Directed by Jonathan Demme, USA, 93 min.

Monday, October 24

7:45 p.m.

Ritz East A

125 S. 2nd Street

Lauded director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Beloved) had produced a fantastic new documentary chronicling five years in the life of New Orleans’ native Carolyn Parker, a single mother in the city’s Ninth Ward neighborhood, as she challenges local government in an attempt to rebuild her life post-Katrina.

Insider Tip: Demme will be present to introduce his film.

Watch trailer here.

 

Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears

Directed by Mike Todd, USA, 72 min.

Saturday, October 22

4:45 p.m.

Prince Music Theater

1412 Chestnut Street

Sunday, October 23

9:25 p.m.

Ritz East A

125 S. 2nd Street

Olympic gold medalist Joe Frazier is an international sports figure, but for much of his career his legend has been eclipsed by his rivalry with Muhammad Ali. This documentary brings Smokin’ Joe’s story to light for the first time and explore his experience with prejudice, fatherhood, and giving back to his beloved adopted city of Philadelphia. It is more than just a boxing film, it is the story of a son's love and admiration for his father and the Black experience in 20th and 21st Century America. 

Insider Tip: This screening is the film’s world premiere.

Watch trailer here.

 

Kevin

Directed by Jay Duplass, USA, 36 min.

Sunday, October 30

3:00 p.m.

International House

3701 Chestnut Street

Like Philadelphia, Austin is a music town full of supreme talents—often independent and not known outside of the city—whose impression is deeply felt by its residents. In the early 1990’s musician Kevin Gant’s folk-alternative style was an early muse for director Jay Duplass who sought to track down the elusive artist more than a decade after Gant disappeared in 1995.

Watch trailer here.

 

Like Water

Directed by Pablo Croce, USA,

Sunday, October 23

5:10 p.m.

Ritz East A

125 S. 2nd Street

Tuesday, October 25

5:00 p.m.

Prince Music Theater

1412 Chestnut Street

UFC fans know of Anderson Silva as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. The longest-reigning Middleweight Champion, he is a legend in his own right. With a title derived from a Bruce Lee quote, first-time director Pablo Croce explores Silva’s training regimen and Zen-like philosophy—which may or may not keep him in the spotlight.

Watch trailer here.

 

Live At Preservation Hall: A Louisiana Fairytale

Directed by Danny Clinch, USA, 69 min.

Wednesday, October 26

5:45 p.m.

Rave Theater

4012 Walnut Street

Sunday, October 30

12:20 p.m.

Ritz East A

125 S. 2nd Street

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has brought the homegrown jazz sounds of the French Quarter to the rest of the world for over fifty years. This documentary follows the band as they embark upon a special collaboration with Louisville’s blues-rock quartet My Morning Jacket for a one-night-only performance. The film captures an amazing sonic experience but also presents a symbolic change of the guard with the elder musicians passing down their traditions to the a new generation.

Watch trailer here.

 

Losing Control

Directed by Valerie Weiss, USA, 116 min.

Saturday, October 22

7:00 p.m.

International House

3701 Chestnut Street

Monday, October 24

7:45 p.m.

Rave Theater

4012 Walnut Street

Wednesday, October 26

7:00 p.m.

Bryn Mawr Film Institute

824 W. Lancaster Avenue

This touching romantic comedy written and directed by scientist/filmmaker Valerie Weiss tells the story of Sam (Miranda Kent), a young scientist who is striving in vain to reproduce an experiment she began four years ago. When her boyfriend Ben (Reid Scott, the adorable doctor on The Big C) proposes, Sam decides she needs to experiment to ensure that he is “The One”.

Insider Tip: The director is a native of Philadelphia.

Watch trailer here.

 

The Real Rocky

Directed by Jeff Feuerzeig & Mike Tollin, USA, 51 min.

Friday, October 21

8:00 p.m.

Ritz East A

125 S. 2nd Street

Wednesday, October 26

5:00 p.m.

Ritz Five

214 Walnut Street

While nearly all Philadelphians know the story of Rocky, few however know the story of former heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner, hailing from nearby Bayonne, NJ. This documentary recaps Wepner’s life story, detailing the remarkable similarities to one Rocky Balboa. Wepner’s career as an unaccomplished heavyweight reached international renown when he was awarded a title shot against Muhammed Ali—and went toe-to-toe with Ali for fifteen rounds. The film fantastically details the Bayonne Bleeder’s astonishing career. 

Watch trailer here.

 

Remigration

Directed by Barry Jenkins, USA, 18 min.

Friday, October 21

5:00 p.m.

Rave Theater

4012 Walnut Street

Sunday, October 23

Noon

Rave Theater

4012 Walnut Street

Monday, October 24

4:30 p.m.

Ritz East B

125 S. 2nd Street

Exceedingly talented director Barry Jenkins (Medicine for Melancholy) wrote and directed this short speculative fiction film set in a future San Francisco that is entirely upper-class. The city then launches a ‘remigration’ program to bring scarce working-class families back to the city that pushed them out—because they need workers. Former engineer Kaya, his wife Helen a former teacher, and their sick daughter Naomi are faced with a crippling decision to stay in the hinterlands or return to a city they no longer know. This film was part of ITVS’s Futurestates a series of 11 short film exploring “possible future scenarios through the prism of today’s global realities.” 

Watch trailer here. 

Streets

Directed by Jamal Hill, USA, 90 min.

Friday, October 21

5:00 p.m.

Prince Music Theater

1412 Chestnut Street

Tuesday, November 1

10:10 p.m.

Ritz East B

125 S. 2nd Street

Streets is the dramatic tale of Nicole (One Life to Live’s Nafessa Williams), a teenager who begrudgingly moves to Philadelphia from the wealthy suburbs when her mother gets divorced and takes a high-profile job with the city’s District Attorney’s office. As Nicole explores the city’s streets, newfound friends put her in the middle of an escalating drug war and in the crosshairs of her mother’s own investigation. The film stars a cast of young charismatic actors including rappers Meek Mill, Omilio Sparks and Gillie Da Kid. Philadelphia plays a prominent role in the movie, featuring locations from Walnut Street to Washington Avenue.

Insider Tip: This film was produced by prominent community activist Charlie “Mack” Alston and directed by a Philadelphia native.

Watch trailer here.

 

 

Philadelphia Film Festival

October 20 through November 3, 2011

Various times and locations

Tickets and info at filmadelphia.org