It is award season in Australia again and the time for the small number of people in the Australian film industry to come together and pat each other on the back for a mostly mediocre job well done. The most prestigious of the three major award ceremonies that occur over the next month is the L’Oreal Paris Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards. It is the ceremony that attracts big names and they like people to know that. Russell Crowe hosted last year. Who cares if he isn’t actually Australian?
"His hesitation to enjoy life out of fear of further discontent is endearing while at the same time tragic because he will never realize his potential while he believes there is none."
Every season we folks here at ioncinema.com like to extract 20 options for your viewing pleasure from the thick list of weekly offerings. The season we had several of our regular contributors involved with a 2 tier voting process giving us 20 films worth you spending your hard earned cash on. Films such as Casino Royale or A Good Year didn’t make the cut and choices like Shortbus and The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes just barely weere on the cusp of being included in our top 20. So today we present picks 20 thru 11 and be sure to come back tomorrow as we count down our top 10 positions.
Squeaking and grinding, the wheel has begun to turn. The traditional Hollywood production path for profit and success is being turned and manipulated in ways that are at once feared and counted on. The Ground Truth is the first foray into writing and directing for Patricia Foulkrod , primarily known for producing more mainstream films like Crazy Like A Fox (2004). “Truth” will be shown in limited theatrical release, possibly as little as six US cities then will follow up with a nationwide series of screenings in homes, churches, hospitals, libraries and other community centers on October 11, the four-year anniversary of the authorization to use military force in Iraq. This concept of nearly “guerilla distribution” is new, but not unheard of. In early 2006 Steven Soderbergh utilized the concept for his reality appearing Bubble (2006). Focus Features CEO James Schamus said one of the main goals of the brief theatrical run is to drive home video sales. Organizations will be offered bulk rates on the Universal-distributed DVD, and Focus will continue promoting the film after its theatrical release has ended.
CITIZEN DOG
Thailand, Dir: Wisit Sasanatieng, 2004
Montreal Premiere
+ Pod’s a simple country boy from rural Thailand, and as he sets out for a new
life...