‘Terms and Conditions May Apply’ (2013) is an acutely relevant documentary that anyone who uses any communication tool whatsoever-internet, computer, tablet, phone, etc.- must see. It is an accurate nail-biting suspense of a very real situation all of us buy into and sign up for every day, and yet neglect to really think about. Director Cullen Hoback’s thesis in ‘Terms and Conditions’ is a vital piece of journalism reminding us of the essence of freedom th...
‘The Iceman’ (2012) is based on the true story of Richard Leonard "The Iceman" Kuklinski, a veritable sociopath who led parallel lives- a brutal contract killer and a devoted family man- until his arrest in 1986. Richard was an American hitman who joined the mafia as a contract killer for the DeCavalcante crime family in New Jersey and the Five Families in New York. Directed by Ariel Vromen, the film stars Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Ray Liotta, Chris Evans, David Schw...
Director Paul Osborne’s film ‘Favor’ (2013) is a dark dramatic satire about two best friends who help each other with a series of favors. ‘Kip’ (Blayne Weaver) lives a seemingly perfect male chauvinist life with a well-paying ‘suit’ job, a hot stay-at-home wife and a sexy mistress on the side. One day, tragedy hits the calm in Kip's life, sending everything into a domino-effect series of chaotic events until it all seems anything but perfect. Enter...
"Battle for the Elephants" (2013) by director John Heminway screened recently at the 16th Sonoma International Film Festival.
In this stunning and emotionally harrowing film that gives a voice to the endangered elephant, we follow journalists Bryan Christy and Aidan Hartley between Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and China as they attempt to penetrate into the psychology of the Chinese and their reasoning behind the ongoing slaughter of these majestic animals for their ivory tusks, even at ...
Directed by Stanley J. Orzel (‘4 Assassins', 2012), ‘Lost for Words’ (2013) is a lyrical love story between an American ex-Marine ‘Michael’ (Sean Faris) and a Chinese ballerina ‘Anna’ (Grace Huang) amidst the varying and vast backdrop of Hong Kong. ‘Lost for Words’ held its world premier in March at the 37th Hong Kong International Film Festival and its U.S. premier in April at the 16th Sonoma International Film Festival.
I interviewed...
FILM & Wine from Sonoma, CA to the Atipodes.
When it comes to film festivals there are now thousands today, as if it is the goal of every city or town in the world to have one in order to slap a cultural stamp on its identity. While almost every city in the world now boasts its own film festival (and some cities have multiple) few cater to both cinema and wine together. Let’s face it, the worlds of film and wine are not that different- both require passion and art, a lot of ...
Everyone has heard of the beloved Irish band ‘U2’, but few have heard about their most devoted cover band. ‘Unforgettable Fire’ is one of the longest running U2 tribute bands in the world, having performed for over 18 years. The new documentary film ‘Unforgettable Fire: The Story of a U2 Tribute Band’ (2012) delves into the lives of these passionate U2 devotees. Directed by Michelle Regina, the film explores the multi-faceted lives of the band member...
During the 16th Annual Sonoma Film Festival (April 10-14, 2013)- where fine films and wines are observed in unison- a story that encapsulates both novelties in one is something to celebrate. For this reason, French winemaker Gauillaume Bodin’s film ‘La Clef des Terroirs’ (2011) should be mentioned as this month it will be released on DVD in France and America. The film held its international premier at the 27th Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Relevant to the situat...
"Oh, some are fond of Spanish wine, and some are fond of French." John Masefield (1878-1967), Captain Stratton's Fancy.
“Drink wine, and you will sleep well. Sleep, and you will not sin. Avoid sin, and you will be saved. Ergo, drink wine and be saved.” Medieval German saying.
A film festival in wine country Sonoma would not be complete without films about wine. ‘A Year in Burgundy’ (2012) continues its festival circuit at the 16th edition of the ...
‘As the best wine doth make the sharpest vinegar, so the deepest love turneth to the deadliest hate’. -John Lilly (1553-1606)
One of the best (and most fitting) films to screen at the 16th annual Sonoma Film Festival was the French wine-drama ‘Tu Seras Mon Fils’ (‘You Will Be My Son’, 2011). The film is a drama of Shakespearean proportions with nail-biting twists and turns creating as much tension and unpredictability as a vineyard’s year.
Di...
**STAY TUNED for a plethora of news this coming week from the 16th annual Sonoma Film Festival. Film reviews, wine news and filmmaker interviews... all COMING UP!**
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-SONOMA OFFICIAL PRESS-
SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED:
Sonoma, CA (April 14, 2013) - The Sonoma International Film Festival truly came of age as their 16th edition came to a close Sunday night following five spectacular days that featured a wide variety of films from around the world, infused with gourmet food and phenomenal wine, serving up a bountiful cinematic feast.
“This has been an extraordinary year,” said SIFF Executive Director Kevin McNeely. &ldq...
The Sonoma International Film Festival (April 10-14) will open its 16th edition with ‘The Iceman’, directed by Ariel Vromen and starring Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Ray Liotta, Chris Evans and James Franco.
‘The Iceman’ (2012) is based on the true story of Richard Leonard "The Iceman" Kuklinski, a paradoxical character who led parallel lives- contract killer and family man- until his arrest in 1986. Richard was an American hitman who joined th...
Iceland’s official Oscar entry for 2012 ‘The Deep’ (Djúpið
Iceland, 2012), directed by native Icelander Baltasar Kormákur (‘Contraband’, 2012; 'Two Guns', 2013), tells the true story of a seemingly impossible survival after a terrible sea squall off the coast of Iceland. In 1984, a fishing boat named ‘Breki’ took to sea and was completely destroyed during a disastrous storm. All souls on deck perished, save one- ‘Gulli...
-Official Sonoma Press-
16th Sonoma Film Fest Lineup
OPENING NIGHT FILM
The Iceman, USA Directed by Ariel Vromen Notoriously unrepentant Mafia hitman Richard Kuklinski was arrested in 1986 for murdering over 100 men in the course of three decades (although he may have killed twice that number). Appearing to be living the American dream with their devoted husband and father, Kuklinski's wife and daughters were apparently oblivious to his real profession. Directed by Israeli-born Ariel Vr...
-Official Sonoma Film Festival Press-
16th Annual Sonoma Film Festival Film Highlights:
A range of epicurean films includes Lo Zucco: The Wine of the Son of the King of the French, a U.S. Premiere from Italy about the Duke of Aumale who, exiled from France, settled in Sicily where he applied the agricultural precepts of Virgil; A Year in Burgundy, a look at a full wine-making year in the Burgundy region of France in 2011; and Spinning Plates, recent Audience Choice Award winner...
SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL COMES OF AGE AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 16TH EDITION * * *
* * * FEST HONORS MARY-LOUISE PARKER, JOINING DEMIÁN BICHIR FOR SPOTLIGHT AWARD TRIBUTE
Sonoma, CA (March 22, 2013) - The Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF) is proud to announce the line-up for the upcoming 16th edition, which runs Wednesday, April 10, through Sunday, April 14. Considered one of the nation’s top destination film festivals, SIFF presents over 100 ...
16TH SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO OPEN WITH:
ARIEL VROMEN’S “THE ICEMAN” AND
CLOSES WITH NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OF “A MONKEY ON MY SHOULDER”
FEST TO HONOR ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE DEMIÁN BICHIR WITH SPOTLIGHT AWARD:
The Sonoma International Film Festival (April 10-14) is proud to open their 16th edition with The Iceman, directed by Ariel Vromen and starring Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Ray Liotta, Chris Evans and James Franco, and will present ...
