The first part of the HBO TV series MILDRED PIERCE (2011) screened in the Sala Grande today in Venice during the 68th Venice Film Festival, out of competition. Based on the novel of the same name by writer James M. Cain, director Todd Haynes directs its second adaptation after the 1945 version which starred Joan Crawford. Todd Haynes' adaptation has been nominated for several Emmy Awards (still pending), despite the bland reception from critics that the 1945 film noir version was bette...

Opening Night Film:PHOTOS OF ANGIE7pm - Thursday, July 14th This haunting yet hopeful documentary tells the story of Angie Zapata, a transgender teen who was murdered in rural Greeley, Colorado in 2008. The film moves between the trial of her killer, Angie's brief life and self-discovery told through family and friends, and the fruition of national hate crime legislation with Angie's case very much in the foreground as it was the first time that a transgender murderer was successfully prosecut...

Last night, closing out day 4 of the San Francisco International Film Festival, Christine Vachon of Killer Films delivered the State of Cinema Address. Christine has personally produced over 60 films, including I'm Not There, Boys Don't Cry, One Hour Photo, and the 2010 HBO mini series Mildred Pierce. The annual Address is billed as assessment of cinema + culture + society. Here's a little summary. The style of the talk was the type where Vachon would ask a question, sort of state that she ...

Last night, closing out day 4 of the San Francisco International Film Festival, Christine Vachon of Killer Films delivered the State of Cinema Address. Christine has personally produced over 60 films, including I'm Not There, Boys Don't Cry, One Hour Photo, and the 2010 HBO mini series Mildred Pierce. The annual Address is billed as assessment of cinema + culture + society. Here's a little summary. The style of the talk was the type where Vachon would ask a question, sort of state that she didn'...

Acclaimed Producer and Author to Reflect on Independent Cinema and Its Continuing Evolution San Francisco, CA - The San Francisco Film Society announced today that acclaimed producer of independent cinema Christine Vachon will deliver the annual State of Cinema Address at the 54th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 21-May 5) at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas on Sunday, April 24 at 9:00 pm. Vachon will speak on the current state of independent film and the role of p...