SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST 3-7 November 2010
www.sheffdocfest.com


Among the 130 film line-up at this year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest - which includes 15 World Premieres, 26 UK Premieres, 5 European Premieres and 1 International Premiere - are 3 feature docs which look at the art of cinema.

Belair (UK Prem) (Brazil 2009 Dirs Noa Bressane and Bruno Safadi 80min)
THURS 04 NOV / 14:15
Noa Bressane and Bruno Safadi’s Belair is about an extraordinary chapter in Brazil’s cinematic history. At a film festival in 1969, directors Julio Bressane and Rogerio Sganzerla met and fell in love with each other’s work. They went on to form a production company together, giving it the kitsch title of Belair, after the suburb in Los Angeles. In the first half of 1970, during a repressive military dictatorship which heavily censored art, Bressane and Sganzerla made half a dozen feature length experimental films with Sganzerlas wife, the avant garde actress Helena Ignez. Audacious in both style and content, the Belair films were too much for the times, and were unreleased, instead becoming the stuff of legend. Julios daughter Noa and Bruno Safadi delve into Belairs archives, hearing from Bressane and a host of others about this remarkably intense period of creative output. A treat for all cinephiles.

...but Film is My Mistress (UK Prem) (Sweden 2010, Stig Björkman, 66mins)
WED 03 NOV / 18:30
Ingmar Bergman remains one of cinemas most celebrated directors, famous for his style, and the intelligence of his piercing films. This wonderfully rich documentary takes us behind the scenes of eight Bergman films, and directly into his film-making process. “We were all playmates”, recalls Bergmans muse actress Liv Ullman, who looks back with fondness of the great adventure on the many films they made together. Indeed what is surprising given the bleakness of the Bergman oeuvre is the bonhomie clearly evident on his sets. “I feel its part of a directors duties to be in a good working mood. And to generate a feeling of enjoyment surrounding the work itself”, says Bergman, whose voice is heard throughout, as are those of a number of great directors who he has influenced, including Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen and Lars Von Trier. A total joy for any Bergman fan, this doc also serves as a memorable introduction to those less familiar with the legend.

The Miscreants of Taliwood (Australia 2009, Georges Gittoes, 90mins)
THUR 04 NOV / 20.15
Australian George Gittoes has carved an unlikely career travelling to war zones in search of art and culture. Now he has arrived at one of the most dangerous of all: Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier. In the ancient capital Peshawar, the films that the Taliban most want to destroy are being made. Cheesy and overblown even by Bollywood standards, their themes reflect the violent conflicts at the heart of Pakistani society. Gittoes launches himself into ‘Taliwood’ by self-funding two dramas, which take him and his frightened crew into the mountains where Bin Laden lurks. Peppered with comical and surreal scenes this is nonetheless a deadly serious film. With Gittoes as guide we are immersed in an industry in which everyone exists under fear of death, from the women modestly appearing on screen to the men running the DVD stalls. At times difficult to watch, this is an utterly astonishing foray into Pakistan’s heart of darkness.


For further information, screeners, images and accreditation requests and contact:
Sarah Harvey, 020 7703 2253 / sarah@sarahharvey.info / 07958 597426
or Helene Muron, assistant@sarahharvey.info


Notes to editors:


Notes to editors:
About Doc/Fest
For full programme see: www.sheffdocfest.com

Now in its 17th year, Sheffield Doc/Fest will be held 3-7 November 2010. Sheffield Doc/Fest is the UK's premiere documentary film event. It is the place to see world and UK premieres of the best creative documentaries from the cinema, television and online arenas, and to hear from and meet filmmakers at Q&A sessions. Highlights of the film programme, which last year featured over 120 features and shorts, are honoured with an award programme including the Sheffield Special Jury, Innovation, Green, Youth Jury, Inspiration, Student Doc and Audience Awards.

All films are open to the public and a limited number of free standby tickets are available to students and senior citizens (excluding opening night). Some industry sessions and masterclasses will also be available to the public.

Ticket types and prices: SINGLE FILM TICKET PRICES:
£6.90 / £5.50 concessions
Book at Showroom Box Office (online, in person or by telephone)

OPENING NIGHT: Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work + Q&A with Joan Rivers
WED 03 NOV / 19:00 / SHOWROOM CINEMA
£20.00 / £18.00 concessions (including film, Q&A and Reception)
WED 03 NOV / 22:00 / SHOWROOM CINEMA
£10.00 / £8.00 concessions
FRI 05 NOV / 19:00 / SHOWROOM CINEMA
£15.00 / £13.00 concessions

PUBLIC SESSIONS AND MASTERCLASSES:
£8.00 / £7.00 concessions
Joan Rivers: The Making of A Piece of Work – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
£10.50 / £8.50 concessions
Book at Showroom Box Office (in person or by telephone)

TEN/DOC PASS:
Ten/Doc pass holders are entitled to 10 individual tickets, with a limit of 2 tickets per screening, subject to availability
£55.00 / £45.00 concessions

DOCDAY:
WED 03 NOV / 09:30 / THE CRUCIBLE STUDIO
£15.00 per person
Book through Doc/Fest – T: 0114 276 5141 / E: chris@sidf.co.uk
DFG DAY:
THURS 04 NOV / 09:30 / THE CHAPEL
£38.00 per person
Book at Showroom Box Office (in person or by telephone)

STANDBY TICKETS:
If you are unable to buy tickets in advance because the initial public allocation has been sold, there will be a standby queue on the day of the events in order to fill any empty seats. In that situation, seats will be issued on a first come, first served basis. Please note, the queues will form outside the screens, not in the Box Office.

CONCESSIONS:
Concessions apply to claimants, children under 15, senior citizens and students. You will need to provide proof of entitlement.

International film programme from:
1. USA
2. UK
3. Canada
4. India
5. Brazil
6. Chile
7. France
8. Congo
9. China
10. Sweden
11. Denmark
12. Turkey
13. Tunisia
14. Lebanon
15. Israel
16. Palestine
17. Iran
18. Slovenia
19. Singapore
20. Ireland
21. Australia
22. Germany
23. The Netherlands
24. Romania
25. Poland
26. Norway