WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT?

• BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL IS APPROACHING…

Seems like one of the major themes evident in this year’s Berlin Film Festival is the effect of globalization on people on both personal and grand scale levels. Some of the films that are anticipated are Stephen Daldry’s THE READER, Lukas Moodysson’s MAMMOTH, and Harald Zwart’s PINK PANTHER II.

THE READER, which was filmed in Germany tells the story of the brief affair between a young man and an older woman at the end of the Second World War and his re-encounter with her after many years. The film is also opening in select theaters in the United States on December 12th.

About the films that have been chosen for the screenings, Festival topper Dieter Kosslick says, “These works tell of meaningful encounters, resistance, as well as traumatic experiences. International crises are reflected in them, but also the hope that a better world is possible. And toward the end of the festival the Pink Panther will save the world again with humor."

To read this article, please visit: www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117997277&cs=1

* Got any news to spread? Send them to eg@filmannex.com and we’ll publish it on our next newsletter!


WHAT'S NEW ON FILM ANNEX?

• MIT WORLD NOW ON FILM ANNEX

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is without question one of the top institutions not only in the United States, but also in the world. Now you can watch the highly influential talks and lectures given at MIT on Film Annex’s online platform.

Laurie Everett, the founder of MIT World describes it as “a primary source of great ideas on the web.” MIT World publishes key presentations by the MIT faculty and guest speakers who are shaping the future. These free, on-demand videos, available 24/7 to viewers worldwide, reflect and extend MIT’s educational mission—to provide the best education in science, technology, and related fields—to engaged learners anytime, anywhere.

Film Annex will be presenting the lectures and talks about film, media, and the arts in general by distinguished people such as Irving Singer and Chantal Akerman.

To visit the Film Annex page of MIT World and watch the videos, visit: www.filmannex.com/MITWorld


WHAT SHOULD I WATCH ON FILM ANNEX?

NASSRASUR (WET SHAVE)

WET SHAVE is a short film by German filmmaker Boris Schaarschmidt, which was screened over 60 national and international film festivals and was awarded many times. Schaarschmidt is a graduate of the prestigious American Film Institute and was one of the few directors at AFI who was given the opportunity to direct two thesis films.

After graduating from AFI, Schaarschmidt made WET SHAVE, a story about a hairdresser who wants to close his shop, but has to deal with a mysterious customer who comes in for a haircut instead.

To watch this film for free, go to: www.filmannex.com/movie/independent/BorisSchaarschmidt/nassrasur_wet_shave/1132


PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION

In this experimental film, Michael Wyshock combines 19th century Russian composer Mussorgsky 's Pictures at an Exhibition, a1874 piano suite, with visuals from Southern Louisiana that he himself arranged with Joseph Sweeney. Modest Mussorgsky, who is known as the Five & a member of 'The Mighty Handful,' did not have any formal training in education at childhood. His Pictures at an Exhibition is one of his most accomplished piano suites.

To watch this film go to: www.filmannex.com/movie/independent/most_recent/pictures_at_an_exhibition/815


WHAT ELSE IS PLAYING? WHAT'S GOOD?

• MILK

From the acclaimed director Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting and Elephant) comes the powerful and inspiring story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk. With a powerhouse performance in the leading role, Sean Penn (Mystic River) and supporting cast Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild), Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) and James Franco (Spider-Man 1, 2 and 3) bring this unforgettable story to the big screen.
Gay Rights Activist. Friend. Lover. Unifier. Politician. Fighter. Icon. Inspiration. Hero. His life changed history, and his courage changed lives.

In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans.

* Check out locations and show times here: movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810041985/details


• WENDY AND LUCY

From the acclaimed filmmaker Kelly Reichardt, the director of OLD JOY, comes the story of Wendy Carroll (Michelle Williams) who is driving to Ketchikan, Alaska, in hopes of a summer of lucrative work at the Northwestern Fish cannery, and the start of a new life with her dog, Lucy. When her car breaks down in Oregon, however, the thin fabric of her financial situation comes apart, and she confronts a series of increasingly dire economic decisions, with far-ranging repercussions for herself and Lucy. WENDY AND LUCY addresses issues of sympathy and generosity at the edges of American life, revealing the limits and depths of people’s duty to each other in tough times.

*Playing in select theaters. For full schedule, visit: www.wendyandlucy.com/n_theaters.html


Seen anything good? Send your reviews to eg@filmannex.com and we’ll publish them on our next newsletter!


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