DIXIE CHICKS--SHUT UP AND SING

Monday, October 16-----Although the official Opening Night is not until Friday, with the hugely anticipated screening of Pedro Almodovar’s VOLVER, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival actually began its ambitious program slate this evening, with a number of films being shown this week at the Festival’s year-round cinematheque, the Cinema Paradiso, as a preview of coming attractions.

Screening on Monday evening was the hilarious mockumentary CHALK, written, directed and produced by Mike Akel, an improvisational take on the high school experience, told from the educators' point-of-view. Unfolding over a school year, the Austin-shot film doesn't offer any TO SIR WITH LOVE emotional breakthroughs, but it does show the gradual building of trust and ease between teachers and students (played by students of the filmmakers).

CHALK

Tuesday’s program includes two back-to-back short film programs (at 5pm and 7pm respectively), followed by the debut of the newest documentary gem from two time Oscar winner Barbara Kopple. DIXIE CHICKS---SHUT UP AND SING follows the stormy career of the top selling country music band, particularly following the political firestorm after an anti-Bush comment at a London concert in 2003 by singer Natalie Mains. The film, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, and has been shown at film events in San Sebastian (Spain), Aspen, Woodstock, Rome and London, is being distributed by the Weinstein Company, the new distribution arm by the former Miramax toppers Harvey and Bob Weinstein.

The Dixie Chicks

On Wednesday evening, another shorts program will unspool at 5:00pm, followed by the US Premiere of FAITH LIKE POTATOES, the inspiring true story of a rugged South African farmer, whose manic quest for material success is slowly transformed into a wild love for God and people, as he wrestles with faith, hope, natural disasters and tragic personal loss. The evening at the Cinema Paradiso ends with a repeat screening of DIXIE CHICKS----SHUT UP AND SING at 8:45pm.

FAITH LIKE POTATOES

Thursday, the day before the Official Opening, is full of highlights. At 5:30pm, the Holocaust documentary SZOMSZEDOK VOLTAK (ONCE THEY WERE NEIGHBORS), features chilling interviews of non-Jews who tell tales about their doomed Jewish neighbors in rural Hungary. In the film 13 AT THE TABLE, screening at 7:00pm, legendary Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini (SEVEN BEAUTIES) stars as a divorced middle-aged man, who returns to the family villa in Tuscany where he spent his childhood holidays. While arranging for the sale of the house, memories of his youth flood back, particularly of the beautiful Anna, relentlessly pursued by all his brothers but ultimately won over by him. The film was nominated for the Grand Prix Award at the Tokyo Film Festival.

13 AT THE TABLE

The evening ends on a high note with the Florida premiere of the Sundance sensation A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS, an autobiographical tale of growing up on the mean streets of Queens, New York, written and directed by Dito Montiel. The director copped the Best Director prize at the Sundance Film Festival for his adroit direction of a perfect ensemble cast, including Robert Downey Jr, Chazz Palminteri, Rosario Dawson, Dianne Weist, and rising stars Shia Labeouf and Channing Tatum (star of the summer hit STEP UP). Director Montiel will be present at the screening and at the Pre-Festival Kick Off Party at Taverna Opa, following the film.

A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS

The Fort Lauderdale International Film will run for three weeks, presenting over 200 films, retrospectives and special events. The excitement is already building.

Sandy Mandelberger
Festivals Editor