Los Angeles Film Festival Unveils 2009 Line up; “Public Enemies” Centerpiece

by Brian Brooks (May 5, 2009)
Los Angeles Film Festival Unveils 2009 Line up; “Public Enemies” Centerpiece
A scene from Michael Mann's "Public Enemies." Image courtesy of Film Independent.

With 200 features, shorts and music videos from 30 countries, Film Independent unveiled details for the 15th Los Angeles Film Festival, taking place June 18 - 28. New to this year’s narrative and documentary competitions are international premieres along with world and U.S. debuts. This year’s narrative and documentary competitions include eight world premieres and three U.S. premieres. Director Michael Mann’s action-thriller, “Public Enemies” will screen as LAFF’s Centerpiece premiere. The fil stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Academy Award(R) winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp).

Other highlights include selections from actors Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal’s Abulante Film Festival, a traveling event spotlighting documentary in Mexico, including the International Premiere of Anais Huerta and Raul Cuesta’s “Rehje.” LAFF’s opening and closing films, as well as panels and other highlights will be announced at a later date.

“The 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival is a celebration of culture, cinema and community: a festival where everyday movie lovers can see films they otherwise might not see, hear first-hand from the artists and filmmakers that inspire them, and get a sneak peek at the great movies of the summer,” said Los Angeles Film Festival Director Rebecca Yeldham in a statement. “It’s a beautiful program, and I can’t wait to share it with our audiences.”


Centerpiece, Narrative and Documentary competition and other section line ups with descriptions provided by the Los Angeles Film Festival:

Centerpiece:

“Public Enemies” (Director: Michael Mann; Writers: Ronan Bennett and Michael Mann & Ann Biderman; Producers, Kevin Misher, Michael Mann; Cast: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Billy Crudup, Emilie de Ravin, Giovanni Ribisi) -  In the action-thriller Public Enemies, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Academy Award(R) winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp)—the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the public.

Narrative Competition:

“Dear Lemon Lima” (Director/writer: Suzi Yoonessi; Producers: Melissa Lee, Jonako Donley; Cast: Savanah Wiltfong, Shayne Topp, Melissa Leo, Beth Grant, Elaine Hendrix, Meaghan Jette Martin, Vanessa Marano, Zane Huett, Eleonor Hutchins) - As sweet and colorful as a snow cone, this delightful happy-sad confection follows an awkward Alaskan teen as she discovers her Yup’ik heritage while rallying her fellow misfits to compete in her school’s Snowstorm Survivor competition. World Premiere

“Harmony & Me” (Director/writer: Bob Byington; Producer: Kristen Tucker; Cast: Justin Rice, Kevin Corrigan, Pat Healy, Kristen Tucker) - Break-ups are never easy, but as twenty- something Harmony learns in this offbeat, eloquent film, there’s nothing like weird family, odd friends, and great music to help you hang on to your pain.

“Hollywood, je t’aime” (Director/writer: Jason Bushman; Producer: Charles Herman- Wurmfeld; Cast: Eric Debets, Chad Allen) - After a spat with his boyfriend, Jerome escapes a wintery Paris in search of his California dreams, finding romance and friendship with the pot dealers, drag queens, and locals of the “real” Hollywood. World Premiere

“Passenger Side” - Canada (Director/writer: Matt Bissonnette; Producer: Corey Marr; Cast: Adam Scott, Joel Bissonnette, Robin Tunney) - Tobey needs a ride from his brother, except he won’t say where to or what for. Family bonds bend but don’t quite break on this comedic trail of lost loves and old grievances. World Premiere

“Turistas” - Chile (Director/writer: Alicia Scherson; Producer: Macarena Lopez; Cast: Aline Kuppenheim, Diego Noguera, Marcelo Alonso) - Abandoned by her husband while on holiday, Carla unexpectedly finds herself vacationing in a national park, alongside a Norwegian backpacker and a former pop star-turned-ranger, in this tale of self-discovery and the laws of nature. U.S. Premiere

“Wah Do Dem” (What They Do) (Co-directors/co-writers: Sam Fleischner, Ben Chace; Producers: Sam Fleischner, Katina Hubbard, Ben Chace, Martha Lapham, Henry Kasdon; Cast: Sean Bones, Norah Jones, Kevin Bewersdorf, Carl Bradshaw) - Max’s dream Caribbean cruise becomes a solitary odyssey after his girlfriend dumps him days before their departure. Now, he’ll have to go with the Jamaican flow in this disarming and incisive debut feature. World Premiere

“Zero Bridge” (Director/writer: Tariq Tapa; Producers: Hilal Ahmed Langoo, Josee Lajoie, Tariq Tapa; Cast: Mohamad Emran Tapa, Ali Luhammed Dar, Taniya Khan) - Teen pickpocket Dilawar wants to escape his dreary life, but a chance encounter with one of his victims upends his plans in this gritty, moving story about life in occupied Kashmir. U.S. Premiere

[Documentary competition and other LAFF section line ups on Page 2]

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posted on May 5, 2009
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