Philly Spotlight
-
Philly Film Hightlight – The Tolltaker
The film, set in the early 1970's, was shot in locations in and around Philadelphia. It combines live action and animation to tell the story of a young boy (Bobby) in Northeast Philadelphia whose father is MIA in Vietnam, and who is hounded by an evil, subterranean demon intent on stealing away the one thing the boy believes will bring his father home...
-
Commentary – Machine Gun Preacher w/ Sam Childers Q & A
The real Sam Childers says the timeline of his actual transformation from this way of living, to becoming a preacher and savior for orphaned children in war torn Sudan, took a heck of a lot longer than how it's portrayed in the film, however, the basis of the story is completely true
-
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE – Sean Durkin & Elizabeth Olsen Q & A
Have you heard about Martha Marcy May Marlene? It’s been a darling of this year’s festival circuit – The title gives the impression four women share top billing, but in actuality newcomer Elizabeth Olsen (cast only two weeks before shooting), is not only the subject of the multiple monikers, she hauntingly carries the full weight of this dark drama; along with some good, creepy assistance by John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone). The film explores the mind altering experience of cult life. A group of mostly 20-something men and women share an old farm house in upper state New York. The initial impression is one of communal, live off the land, find…
-
Interview: SCUD “Love Actually…Sucks”
QFEST 2011 lft to rt: Haze Leung, Scud, Ryo van Kooten Taking inspiration from six different court cases involving crimes of the heart, Scud examines the intense, often self-destructive sexual longings among several well-to-do young Hong Kong residents – gay, lesbian and straight. The film opens with the most scandalous wedding reception ever put on film: a young couple’s marriage ends (in the most dramatic fashion) before it begins. There is the 30-ish married gym instructor who trolls the active bathroom scene for young flesh; a lesbian couple with roleplay issues; a dance instructor who becomes the object of attraction to his much older student; a married painter who falls…
-
CIRCUMSTANCE (Director, Maryam Keshavarz Q &A)
Atafeh and Shireen's friendship escalates to a physical expression of their fondness for each other. These girls are really too young to make judgments on their sexual orientation. This exploration may be done as part rebellion, part experimentation and part comfort...
