Filmed with a borrowed camera and featuring a cast almost entirely made up of friends and relatives of the director and his producer/creative-partner Peng Shan, Taking Father Home is the story of a teenager (Xu Yun) from a remote village who travels to the big city of Zigong with nothing but a brace of ducks in a basket on his back to find and retrieve his errant father, who walked out on his family six years before.

Yun learns quickly once he arrives in Zigong, as there’s no shortage of mentor-figures eager to impart advice. Ying’s remarkable evocation of Zigong’s sights, smells, and sounds is breathtaking – showing the mood and character of an entire culture with just the simplest of touches and what seems to be the most basic of dialogue. Taking Father Home is an utterly engaging emotional experience, and Ying has established himself as one of world cinema’s promising young talents.

Description:

A devoted son of Holocaust survivors and ardent critic of Israeli foreign policy, the polarizing American political scientist and author Norman Finkelstein has been called a lunatic and self-hating Jew by some, and an inspirational revolutionary by others. Exploring the deeply complex issues at the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, American Radical is the insightful and enraging documentary that follows Finkelstein around the world as he attempts to negotiate a voice among his impassioned critics and supporters. Uncompromising even in the face of his recent denial of tenure at DePaul University, Finkelstein is revealed as a complex and supremely lonely figure whose self-destructive nature often undermines his academic credibility. A guaranteed argument starter, this potent documentary plunges viewers into the psychological and intellectual underpinnings of a vitriolic personality.

“For us, Finkelstein is the consummate documentary subject: a complex firebrand, principled to the point of self-ruin, at the apex of several of the world’s largest conflicts. A man who has never been asked to appear on mainstream American television, but who regularly appears – always creating controversy – in the international media. At once anti-hero, clown, and merciless scholar, Finkelstein creates as many storms as he enters. And to what end? When radicals collide, does it create understanding? Some would argue that it sometimes does. Others would claim that Finkelstein’s principled but too often bitter advocacy does much to discredit the cause of a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Audiences can decide for themselves.” —directors David Ridgen & Nicolas Rossier

Trailer:

In Theaters

Typecast Releasing is pleased to announce that American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein, the new feature-length documentary film from directors David Ridgen (Mississippi Cold Case) and Nicolas Rossier (Aristide and the Endless Revolution), enjoyed a successful premiere and week-long run in NYC at Anthology Film Archives in February—with Norman Finkelstein and the directors in attendance at opening weekend screenings for Q&A. American Radical will next play in Seattle, WA at the Northwest Film Forum from March 8-11, after which it will have its Los Angeles theatrical premiere at Laemmle Theatres’ Music Hall 3 cinemas in Beverly Hills. The film will be showing there March 12-18, with opening night events on Friday, March 12 sponsored by the Levantine Cultural Center.

* February 11-17, 2010 . New York, NY at Anthology Film Archives
* March 8-11, 2010 . Seattle, WA at Northwest Film Forum
* March 12-18, 2010 . Los Angeles, CA at Laemmle Theatres
* March 23-30, 2010 . New Orleans, LA at Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
* March 28, 2010 . San Francisco, CA at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
* April 15-16, 2010 . Columbus, OH at Wexner Center for the Arts
* April 24, 2010 . Chicago, IL at Chicago Palestine Film Festival

At Festivals

*September 2009 . Chicago Underground Film Festival . Chicago, IL. USA
*September 2009 . DocuDays: Beirut International Film Festival . Beirut . LEBANON
*October 2009 . North of Nowhere Expo . Edmonton, AB . CANADA
*October 2009 . Boston Palestine Film Festival . Boston, MA. USA
*October 2009 . Carleton Cinema Politica . Ottawa, ON . CANADA
*November 2009 . Sheffield International Documentary Festival . Sheffield . ENGLAND
*November 2009 . Copenhagen International Documentary Festival . Copenhagen . DENMARK
*November 2009 . International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam . Amsterdam . THE NETHERLANDS
*November 2009 . Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montreal . Montreal, QC . CANADA
*December 2009 . Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival . Jerusalem . ISRAEL
*January 2010 . Argus Film Festival . Denver, CO . USA
*January 2010 . Atlanta Jewish Film Festival . Atlanta, GA . USA
*March 2010 . KinoTeatr.doc Film Festival . Moscow . RUSSIA
*March 2010 . New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival . New Orleans, LA . USA
*April 2010 . Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine . Buenos Aires . ARGENTINA
*April 2010 . Chicago Palestine Film Festival . Chicago, IL . USA
*May 2010 . Hot Docs Film Festival . Toronto, ON . CANADA
*May 2010 . Planete Doc Review Film Festival . Warsaw . POLAND

Blogger News Network
Reviewed by: Zach Freeman

http://www.bloggernews.net/115486

Though not necessarily tied directly (at least in any way that I can tell) to Wanderers of the Desert (the previous entry in the Desert Trilogy), The Dove’s Lost Necklace serves as part two of poet/director Nacer Khemir’s highly acclaimed series of desert films, culminating recently with the soon-to-be-released-stateside Bab’Aziz. Where Wanderers of the Desert centered around a small, isolated town where mythical occurences (including a man living in a well, an ancient ship appearing in the desert, and a group of wanderers), The Dove’s Lost Necklace takes place in a more realistic (at least ostensibly) location. The story centers around a young calligrapher named Hassan and his young friend Zein.

Where the theme of the first film was transitory and hard to follow, this one is abundantly clear: it’s all about love. Hassan is searching for and attempting to document and memorize the 60 words in Arabic that mean “love.” The younger Zein works as a go-between for lovers who wish to communicate with their female counterparts, delivering messages and gifts to those who are not able to meet. But when Hassan comes across a fragment of a book that is said to be “poisoned,” he becomes enchanted with the story of the search of rPrincess Samarkand and seeks out the rest of the book from which the pages were torn. This leads him on a (relatively) epic journey across the desert, where he meets a mysterious young woman.

Much like the first film, there are many plotlines happening at once, and none are simple to follow. Young Zein is waiting for his father (who he was told is a genie) to return to the city and claim him. He’s also waiting for his monkey friend, who is claimed to be a prince, to be returned to his true form. Hassan’s master makes much of a long-distance Chess game and an assignment to write out the Koran for a prince who subsequently passes on.

There are many beautiful images in the film, including a white horse with its bottom half painted orange and a few night-time shots of the moon that are quite stirring. Again Khemir seems to have bitten off a bit more than he can chew in conveying his message, though. (Or perhaps it just feels that way to a typical western viewer). The ultimate outcome of the film is relatively muddled, though it’s still quite fun getting there.

Zach’s Rating: B
Perfect For: Those looking for a hint of mysticism and myth
Stay Away if: Imagery alone doesn’t do it for you

07 April 2008                                                                                 For Immediate Release

Women are at the heart of the independent film movement in Seattle as in no other city – a fact underscored by the new Seattle Women in Film DVD anthology from 911 Media Arts Center. Distributed by Typecast Releasing, this DVD collection of short works by 21 Seattle filmmakers gathers independent films of startling quality and imagination. Seattle Women in Film shows why the creative community of Seattle is emerging as one of the world’s most interesting places to make film. Featuring some of Seattle’s most respected women filmmakers, this masterful collection is as diverse as the directors themselves, including both laugh-out-loud comedies and experimental dramas, as well as insightful documentaries, animated treasures and films that tap a lyrical vein.

Coming to DVD May 13, 2008.

Pre-Orders accepted after April 15, 2008.

Seattle Women in Film

2008 | Short Film Collection | 150 minutes | United States

Produced By: Adrian MacDonald & 911 Media Arts Center Audio: English

Official Selection!
- New York Short Film Festival, Ann Arbor Film Festival, Miami Short Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival

Seattle’s do-it-yourself ethic and uncompromising artistic sensibilities are at the center of
Seattle Women in Film, an eclectic collection of the best short films by Seattle’s top women filmmakers. Presenting a total of twenty-one works, each by a different filmmaker, Seattle Women in Film features witty, accomplished and imaginative shorts that provide a rare peek into the heart of the Seattle independent film scene. Curated by Seattle’s own 911 Media Arts Center, the Seattle Women in Film collection is sure to impress and inspire, while giving audiences around the globe a glimpse of the Emerald City’s independent filmmaking spirit.

A new DVD edition of Hany Abu-Assad’s award winning film ‘Rana’s Wedding‘ is now available.

“Concise, intelligent docu[mentary]… Dynamically edited… deftly avoids schmaltz in its delineation of grief and its celebration of cross-cultural activism.”
- Ronnie Scheib, Variety

“A riveting documentary, which blazes with a kind of spiritual grace while remaining firmly grounded in a tragic reality…”
- Melissa Levine, Village Voice

“Something else entirely…. Ronit Avni and Julia Bacha never flinch from the brutal tragedies these men and women have endured, thereby capturing the heroism of their nonviolent choice.”
- Hank Shteamer, TimeOut NY

“Assured, thoughtful and clear-eyed… nonviolent resistance could happen here. This film may prompt others to take up the cause.”
- Anita Gates, New York Times

“A moving documentary…”
- Shazna Nessa, Associated Press

“Its a five star-shining, pro-peace-punching, hate-pacifying, trans-border bounding, ciné-humanizing, actively e-volving, power-fully-fulfilling, e-motion-al picture.
Congratz to you and your just visionaries”
- Peter Wintonick, Producer, Critic, POV magazine
“Encounter Point is a must-see documentary that embraces peace… This compassionate, brilliant film goes beyond today’s headlines… revealing what viewers seldom see–the humanity of Israelis and Palestinians.” Jack G. Shaheen, Author, Reel Bad Arabs

“EncounterPoint is a very touching and convincing film with powerful visuals. It shows how human beings are trying to build bridges of understanding despite their personal pain and suffering. This eventually would create a culture of non-violence and of accepting the other. I hope that there are more people like that who would adopt such an attitude to reach a just solution for the Palestinian Israeli conflict.”
-Khairy Beshara, Film Director

“Five stars”
- Betsy Pickle, Knoxville News Sentinel

“Inspiring.”
- Gregg Rickman, San Francisco Weekly

“Each year when I’m asked to single out my own favorites, I’m reluctant to do so lest I be thought to be playing favorites. But this year there are a handful of films that I want to cite simply because they embody, in one way or another, something of the spirit that gave birth to the Tribeca Film Festival. There are documentaries that introduce us to people who have experienced shattering calamities and found a way to go on: Black Sun, From Dust, Kill Gil, and Voices of Bam. Others are about people who know that what they do as individuals can make a difference in the world: Beyond the Call and Encounter Point.”
- Peter Scarlet, Executive Director, Tribeca Film Festival

“I just wanted to let you know briefly how magnificent and important I thought Encounter Point was… Encounter Point, for me, was a very beautiful and constructive use of documentary and I really was profoundly moved and, most importantly, inspired by it. It’s rare to come away from a film about Israelis and Palestinians with that feeling!”
- Nicola Behrman, Creative Director, Stellar Network

“The heartwarming story of four Israelis and four Palestinians who overcome their prejudices, see through their anger, and work together to find a peaceful resolution to the discord between their two nations… A nice message to hear, made even nicer by the fact that it’s true.”
- Joshua David Stein, HuffingtonPost.com

“In Encounter Point, the meetings of Jews and Arabs who barely spoke to each other before are as poignant as their testimony of the losses that brought them to that point.”
- David D’Arcy, GreenCine Daily

“A portrait so unexpected and wrenching that it cuts right through the viewerÕs armor of certainty and prejudice.”
- Michael Fox, J (The Jewish News Weekly)

“One of the few guardedly optimistic films about the Middle East that I have seen in recent years.”
- George Robinson, Jewish Week

“An interesting documentary… [it] promotes a message of hope.”
- Dan Dunn, AM New York

“Astounding. Inspiring. Moving. Sad Beautiful Funny. Afterwards I clapped and hooted with all my might, especially in saying thank you to the 4 peaceworkers- but I also felt so strongly how clapping is good right now but afterwards there is SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE.  Watching the film and feeling and crying (I started AS SOON as it began) is wonderful but the entire point is that the viewer does something and that came across so clearly.  This is all infinite and huge but at the same time so small…  there is so much to be done.
We talked and talked afterwards. People were coming out saying “That was just one of the big experiences that changed my life.”  I hope and believe so.”
- Bard College Senior

“This film is different. I didn’t think such people existed.”
- College student from Jenin

“As an Israeli watching the film, I laughed, I cried… It was great.”
- Young woman from Tel Aviv

“For me, “Encounter Point” was a glimmer of hope amidst the general gloom that hovers over Israel’s prospects for real peace. It raises tough and provocative questions about what “reconciliation” with Palestinians might eventually look like and feel like. No matter what your politics, this powerful work will make you think about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in profound and unsettling ways.”
- Rabbi David W. Nelson, Ph.D., Associate Director, Association of Reform Zionists of America

“I think you did a superb job in capturing different elements in both societies. There were moments in the film when viewpoints were almost painful to listen to. But those voices are part of the reality – on both sides – and they are what make the film honest. The film is not only thought-provoking and a great conversation starter – but it is incredibly touching and moved me to tears several times. I hope we’ll find ways to use it.”
- Yasmin Hamidi, Network of Arab-American Professionals of New York

“Never before has the activist community found such a powerful call. In a world of continually shifting blame for the thousands upon thousands of lost lives, the decades of fear and occupation and the dread of millions that their stories will never have a champion, no one can argue or misrepresent the articulate voices of bereaved family members and wisened peace activists this film alone has captured. Whether you are hardened to the politics of the Middle East or new to the depths of stoicism that dominate this region, you will not be able to dislodge the voice of these activists, calling out from the grave on behalf of their family and friends. There is a voice in the Middle East that can transform the weight of both sides’ bloody history effectively into a demand for peace. Encounter Point has found it.”
- Michael Wallach, Seeds of Peace Board Member
“In teaching the Palestinian & Israeli conflict I have used dozens of documentaries in the classroom over the years and I have never seen a film so powerfully stimulate the moral imaginations of Muslim and Jewish, Arab and Israeli students (as well as many faculty who attended). For those who are convinced that knowing the story of the Other is essential to creating the foundation of a better future, this brave film has the rare capacity to stir dialogue and stimulate thinking long after it is seen. Offering deeply moving portraits of individuals who have struggled beyond their own grief and pain to seek dialogue with the other side this riveting film should be regarded as essential viewing for anyone concerned over the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”
-Ranen Omer-Sherman, Gabelli Senior Scholar of Arts & Sciences, Judaic Studies, University of Miami