New Directors/New Films

Singer/artist Yoko Ono headed down the street to The Film Society of Lincoln Center from her apartment at the Dakota to check out director Koji Fukada's "Hospitalé" during the final weekend of New Directors/New Films, co-produced by the Film Society and MoMA. The 40th installment of the popular fest closed out with Maryam Keshavarz's "Circumstance," about a wealthy Iranian family struggles to contain a teenager's growing sexual rebellion and her brother's dangerous obsession. "Hospitalé" centers on Kobayashi, who lives a quiet life with his wife and children above a small printing factory that he runs. The biggest drama in this neighborhood is the disappearance of the family's pet parrot and the organization of a neighborhood watch committee. But enter Kawaga, who comes to this mundane world claiming to be the son of a wealthy financier who once helped Kobayashi's business. [Photo courtesy of the Film Society of Lincoln Center.]

Rajendra Roy, head of the Film Department at the Museum of Modern Art and "Tyrannosaur" director/writer Paddy Considine grabbed a drink together at MoMA on Wednesday, during ND/NF's Happy Hour, co-sponsored by indieWIRE. Considine's film had its ND/NF premiere shortly after.

Hole made it to the Museum of Modern Art in New York Monday evening for the debut of director P. David Ebersole's New Directors/New Films doc, "Hit So Hard." Courtney Love, Melissa Auf Der Maur (right), Eric Erlandson and drummer Patty Schemel had their first reunion in 13 years for the film, which is a "pull-no-punches portrait of the hell-and-back life of Schemel." The film includes some amazing early footage of the band as well as late Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain. "I had this [footage] in the closet and sent it to [Ebersole]," Schemel told the audience following the screening. "We watched it and he said that it was a great story and said, 'can we do something with this?' and I said, 'sure,' and then I said, 'take good care of this and go tell my story...'"

Former Hole drummer Patty Schemel and her brother Larry who appears in the film "Hit So Hard" at the MoMA premiere. In the film, Patty calls her brother her favorite guitarist, and he was one of the first people the directors showed a cut of the film to. [Photo Credit: Brian Brooks/indieWIRE]

Former Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson made a quick drive by down the press line as he entered MoMA for the screening of "Hit So Hard." [Photo Credit: Brian Brooks/indieWIRE]

Late as only a rock star could be, Courtney Love greets Patty Schemel on the press line while a VH1 host looks on with "Hit So Hard" director P. David Ebersole in the background. [Photo Credit: Brian Brooks/indieWIRE]

The 40th edition of New Directors/New Films, co-produced by both MoMA and the Film Society of the Lincoln Center, kicked off last night with the New York premiere of "Margin Call," starring Kevin Spacey, Zachary Quinto and Demi Moore. Producer, Neal Dodson, director, JC Chandor and actor Penn Badgley were on hand to take part in a Q&A following the packed screening at MoMA. The good looking trio hit up the after party, along with a crop of talent taking part in this year's event. Click here to read an interview with Chandor, where he discusses making the film and bringing it to ND/NF. [Photo by Brian Brooks]

Rose Kuo, executive director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center laughed it up with Museum of Modern Art Film Department Head Rajendra Roy at last night's glam kickoff bash to the 40th edition of New Directors/New Films, co-produced by both MoMA and FSLC. The packed party, held at MoMA, brought in a massive crowd, including the team behind "Margin Call," the event's opening night film. Click here to read indieWIRE's take on ND/NF over the years. [Photo by Brian Brooks]

Film Society of Lincoln Center head Mara Manus with MoMA Film Department head Rajendra Roy earlier this week in New York for the opening of the annual New Directors/New Films series, which spotlights talented first and second time directors. Richard Press' "Bill Cunningham New York" opened the series - a doc about veteran NY Times photographer and long time fashion observer, Bill Cunningham. indieWIRE has our take on some of the best picks of the series, which continues through April 4th. [Photo by Eugene Hernandez]

Two films examining sociological aspects of technological advancements - Ondi Timoner's doc "We Live in Public" and David Lee Miller's "My Suicide" - screened in New York over the weekend ("Public" as the closing night film of New Directors/New Films; "Suicide" as part of the GenArt Film Festival), and the films' directors sat down together at the Apple Store in SoHo for an indieWIRE-presented event. Miller (right) and Timoner (next to him) were joined by "Public" subject Josh Harris (left) and "Suicide" actor/co-writer Gabriel Sunday.

Actress Sylvia Miles ("Midnight Cowboy") again graced the opening of the New Directors/New Films party last week. Not quite clear in the picture was art from a figure that played a part in her career, Andy Warhol's "Flowers" in the background...

MoMA hosted a fab party for the New Directors/New Films series currently underway. The festival is organized with the Film Society of Lincoln Center. From left to right: Alexis Dos Santos (director of "Unmade Beds"), Cherien Dabis (director of "Amreeka"), Laurel Nakadate (director of "Stay the Same Never Change"), So Yong Kim (director of "Treeless Mountain"), Tatia Rosenthal (director of "$9.99"), Rajendra Roy (Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, The Museum of Modern Art), Marian Masone (Festivals Directors. The Film Society of Lincoln Center), Adam Leon (co-director of "Killer"), Jack Pettibone (co-director of "Killer"), Richard Pena (Program Director, The Film Society of Lincoln Center), Jytte Jensen (Curator, Department of Film, The Museum of Modern Art).

Winner of the grand prize at the Sundance Film Festival and then the Full Frame fest this weekend, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal's "Trouble the Water" had a second rousing New York City showing on Sunday night, the final day of New Directors/New Films. Pictured at a post-screening reception are Hurricane Katrina survivors Kimberly Roberts and her husband Scott. The duo seem anxious to get their story out to moviegoers, but insiders involved with the movie remained tight-lipped about distribution plans for the striking new documentary, saying only that they hope for a late summer theatrical release, perhaps in August. Lessin and Deal spoke with indieWIRE about the film back in January.

Israeli director Lior Shamriz (right) joined in on the fun for the New Directors/New Films party Sunday night. The movie tells the story of Imri, who at 19 goes to live in Tel- Aviv, but dreams of moving to Japan... And with him is actor Imri Kahn Shamriz talks with indieWIRE in a interview published earlier today.

The Gen Art Film Festival starts Wednesday, but some of the crew came out for Sunday's New Directors/New Films party at Josephina's restaurant on the Upper West Side. The organization's VP of the Film Division Jeffrey Abramson (left) came to NY from LA for the week long event which spotlights seven films followed by seven parties. Also hanging out Sunday were Gen Art's Caroline Elizabeth Babson and Aaron Levine, senior film content manager.

MoMA hosted the opening party for the New Directors/New Films series Wednesday night in its main foyer with hundreds of people schmoozing the night away (the drink of choice seemed to be Jack on the rocks). We saw flashing in the distance and almost missed this sort of 'official' shot with the director and talent from opening night film, "Frozen River." Going vaguely from left to right (OK, there were a lot of people here...) The Film Society of Lincoln Center's Richard Pena and Marian Masone, MoMA's Laurence Kardish, actors Rajesh Bose and Gargi Shinde, Sony Classics' Tom Bernard, producer Heather Rae, director Courtney Hunt, actors Dylan Carusona and Melissa Leo, SPC's Michael Barker, MoMA's Rajendra Roy and Jytte Jensen.

Hanging out at MoMA for the opening of the annual New Directors/New Films series, film critic-turned filmmaker Godfrey Cheshire (left) chatting up with the Film Society of Lincoln Center head Richard Pena and MoMA film curator Jytte Jensen. Cheshire's "Moving Midway" is screening in the series which spotlights new filmmakers.

There's plenty of love to go around at New Directors/New Films events... MoMA film chief Rajendra Roy gives a smooch to Marian Masone of the Film Society of Lincoln Center at the opening night party for the series at the Museum of Modern Art. MoMA and the Film Society co-host the popular series which spotlights new emerging filmmakers.

After the screening of their film... Director Susanne Bier (left) and actress Sidse Babett Knudsen at the IFC Center in New York last week following the theatrical premiere of their Oscar-nominated film "After the Wedding." Marisa Tomei was there too, but we didn't get that.

OK, the deal is... look... this isn't going to win any prizes or anything, but hey... as someone's mother once said, "it's how you looked..." Director Tariq Teguia ("Rome Rather Than You") wasn't really having it, but we're sure his film is terrific aaaannnnnnd--he was darting out of the Kodak dinner for his screening with Film Society of Lincoln Center chief Richard Pena (he's lookin' like he's up for it though) at New Directors/New Films last week.

"Art of Crying" director Peter Schonau Fog (right) with "Reprise" director Joachim Trier (middle) at the Kodak filmmakers dinner for the New Directors/New Films series in New York. And joining them for the festivities is Jytte Jensen from MoMA.

The hostess with the mostest doing her job... Kodak's Anne Hubbell with "Great World of Sound" director Craig Zobel at a dinner hosted by Kodak (yes, very convenient) at Sapphire--a deelish Indian restaruant in Manhattan's Upper West Side (but maybe a bit slow with the wine, but whatever).

Cows! They're not just what's for dinner anymore... They're more Pop then a McDonald's happy meal and nearly as famous as the New Directors/New Films series, taking place in that ever-so-pop of cities, New York. The series spotlights first and second-time filmmakers on the cusp of their 15 minutes and continues through April 1. Enjoying their shine under Andy Warhol's Holy Bovines are "Day Night Day Night" director Julia Loktev (left) and star Luisa Williams. They're happy because, well... who the hell wouldn't be...

Director Alexis Dos Santos added his own dash of color against Andy Warhol's cow wallpaper that adorned a huge wall at MoMA and forming a poppishly deelish backdrop for the New Directors/New Films opening night party. The series, which spotlights first and second time filmmakers, takes place March 21 - April 1 in New York and is organized by MoMA and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Dos Santos' film, "Glue" was one of the opening films kicking off the series on Wednesday night in Manhattan. Check out indieWIRE's details on this year's series.

"Once" director John Carney steps up to the cows for his portrait which we popped at MoMA Wednesday night. Carney's film is screening in the New Directors/New Films series now underway in New York.

Some directors decided to put their beers down, while others just went ahead and brought them along for the ride. Cows like beer right Kobe beef? "Popping" in at the New Directors/New Films opening night party at MoMA, Craig Zobel ("The Great World of Sound") and Michael Jacobs ("Audience of One") take in their moments with Andy Warhol's cows.

IFC hosted a terrific dinner for "Twelve and Holding," which screened last week during the New Directors/New Films series, at Upper West Side eatery Rosa Mexicano (yes, "Mexicano," not "Mexicana"). Anyway, the restaurant was deelish, and the cast, execs from IFC, press and guests were treated to some damn good Mexican food that even Texans and Californians would appreciate. Seated left to right: "Twelve and Holding" director Michael Cuesta ("L.I.E."), actor Conor Donovan, and actor Linus Roache. Standing left to right: actors Martin Campetta, Jesse Camacho, and Zoe Wizenbaum.

We were exiting the Walter Reade Theater following the screening of "Twelve and Holding" last week at New Directors/New Films when one industry veteran ran up and commented, "you're missing Bingham and Jeff for iPOP!" So, we rushed back in, and there were October Films co-founders Bingham Ray and Jeff Lipsky having a chat (so rude to stick a camera in their faces -- actually we don't "stick...") Ray later headed U.A. and now consults for IFC, while Lipsky later co-headed Lot 47 Films and lately has taken the directors chair with his latest "Flannel Pajamas," which screened in competition earlier this year at Sundance.

Hanging out and having a chat at Indian restaurant Sapphire in Manhattan's Upper West Side before chowing down on some tasty food... New Directors/New Films rogramming committee member Marian Masone (right) with "Twelve and Holding" director Michael Cuesta (next to Masone) and his friend, Pierre Chanteau and Kodak's Anne Hubbell strike a pre-dinner pose. Kodak and ND/NF hosted the dinner for filmmakers and other guests last week.

Film Society of Lincoln Center head Richard Pena and Kodak's Mary Reed played host to filmmakers at Indian restaurant Sapphire in New York's Upper West Side last Wednesday evening during the New Directors/New Films series. Filmmakers and reps from the Film Society, MoMA, Kodak and a couple of lucky journalists enjoyed some tasty Indian buffet while everyone chatted one another up.

The gang from "Things That Hang from Trees" were part of the New Directors/New Films Kodak dinner last week at Sapphire, a yummy Indian restaurant in New York's Upper West Side. Pictured left to right: the film's writer, Aaron Louis Tordini, director Ido Mizrahy and producer Joseph Zolfo at the end of the dinner. Their film screened in the series, which is co-programmed by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Italian director Fausto Paravidino (left) had barely landed in New York before being whisked away to the New Directors/New Films KodakTexas" screened at the festival, and this was his first visit to the United States. Pictured with Paravidino is Russian director Alexey Fedorchenko who also attended the fest for his film, "First on the Moon." His Russian translator Beverly Wilson (background) also gives an eye to the camera.

"Quinceanera" co-director Wash Westmoreland (left) joined the festivities at Josephina's in Manhattan for the filmmaker party celebrating the New Directors/New Films series, produced by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art. Guests dined and drank Monday during the event (no shock there) and met the many filmmakers attending. Westmoreland, who directed the film with Richard Glatzer, is pictured here with NewFest executive director Basil Tsiokos (also a doc programming consultant at Sundance). "Quinceanera" won both the jury and audience prizes for best feature film at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center's Marian Masone (left) poses with director Ido Mizrahy ("Things That Hang from Trees") and Robert I. Douglas ("Eleven Men Out") Monday night at the filmmaker party for the New Directors/New Films series, produced by the Film Society and MoMA.

Monday night was the filmmaker party at Josephina's, a popular venue with the Film Society of Lincoln Center crowd, which co-produces the New Directors/New Films series with the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). "Half Nelson" director Ryan Fleck (left) joined MoMA selection committee member Laurence Kardish (center) and "Half Nelson" producer Alex Orlovsky for a little photo shot.

Filmmakers and film fans were at Josephina's in the Upper West Side Monday night to celebrate New Directors/New Films. "In Bed" director Matiaz Bize (right) hung out with actress Blanca Lewin, who stars in the film, and producer Adrian Solar.

Celebrating their screening on the opening night of New Directors/New Films at MoMA on Wednesday are the cast and crew of "Half Nelson". Pictured with the film's co-star Shareeka Epps are co-writer, editor and co-producer Anna Boden and director and co-writer Ryan Fleck. The duo were last at New Directors with their short film Gowanus, Brooklyn, from which the feature was adapted. The film, which debutedin the dramatic Independent Film Competition at Sundance '06, was the overwhelming favorite among a group of 50 members of the media -- reviewers and writers -- who were surveyed by indieWIRE. It was singled out for best film, actor (Ryan Gosling) and actress (Epps).

At the opening night party for New Directors/New Films Wednesday at MoMA, are film curators Jyette Jensen, Larry Kardish, and Mary Lea Bandy. Chatting with indieWIRE at the party, Jensen expressed great pride in this year's lineup -- co-curated with the Film Society of Lincoln Center -- saying that it was a real return to the roots of the presigious series.

A pair of films kicked off New Directors/New Films this year, including The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros, a 2006 Sundance Film Festival debut that was recently nabbed by Film Movement. Pictured at the opening night party are the film's producer Raymond Lee with Steven Beer from Greenberg Traurig.

At Wednesday's MoMA kick-off party for New Directors/New Films, Ellen Capon and Liz Ogilvie from Docurama enjoy the festivities.