“Magnificent!…must not be missed. I could heap praises on it forever.” — The Stranger
“Fascinating…Deneuve’s disorientation comes to stand for that distance we all feel in the West when forced to think about the reality behind the headlines and news reports.” — FILM4
“An unusual, personal film…defies description.” — Seattle Times
AFD/Typecast is offering a reduced price on all “I Want to See” DVD pre-orders. Your DVD will ship in time for you to have it by the September 20th release date!
Cleverly blurring the lines between documentary and fiction, directors Khalil Joreige and Joana Hadjithomas (A Perfect Day) create a mesmerizing, thought-provoking travelogue following legendary French actress Catherine Deneuve (Potiche, Belle de Jour) to the southern regions of Lebanon so she can see first-hand the devastation caused by Israel’s bombing campaign in the summer of 2006.
DVD Features Filmographies Typecast Trailers Language: Arabic & French | Subtitles: English
“Director Julian Schnabel puts his
unmistakable dreamlike stamp on the film.” — USA Today“The Beauty of Julian Schnabel, he creates art that inspires discussion for World leaders.” — Huffington Post
“Courageous and groundbreaking.” — The Independent
The story of a Palestinian girl coming of age amidst the Arab-Israeli conflict, Miralis one of the first large-scale American films to deal directly with the war between Israel and Palestine. Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), the film stars Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), Alexander Siddig, Vanessa Redgrave, and Willem Dafoe. Available today from our AFD website!
More info: http://www.arabfilm.com/item/552/
—$29.99
Iraq in Fragments
We’ve reduced the price of Iraq in Fragments on Blu-ray! American director James Longley spent more than two years filming in Iraq to create this stunningly photographed, Oscar-nominated documentary of the war-torn country as seen through the eyes of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.More info:
Also, just a quick reminder that there are only a few more weeks to take advantage of our July sale on DVD copies of The English Sheik & the Yemeni Gentleman and A New Day in Old Sana’a, two of the only films ever made in Yemen! More info and discount prices included below.
Yemen has been making headlines lately, as the Yemeni people fight for a representative government. Through the month of July, we’re offering a discount on two of the only films ever made in Yemen—works that not only represent the Yemeni people, traditions, and culture, but that also show the breathtaking beauty of the country.
“An unadulterated view of the true Yemen (with a) clarity and
precision often lacking in or misinterpreted by foreign media.” — MSA News
When a British-born Yemeni man living in London travels back to his family’s homeland for the first time, he takes as his guide an eccentric Englishman who has been living in Yemen for the past 16 years. Together they explore Yemen—its people, its culture, and traditions.
“Weaves a fairytale of unrequited love, bundled together with an anecdote
or two suffused with local color… indulges in a bit of magical realism.” — Toronto Daily Star
This charming film tells the passionate tale of the handsome young Tariq, who is about to marry the daughter of a prominent and powerful judge. Late one night Tariq wanders into the heart of the ancient city of Sana’a, where he sees a beautiful young woman dancing in the street. He falls in love with her at first sight and then must choose whether to follow his heart or to protect his family’s honor.
The Austin Film Society is putting on the Essential Cinema series, “Children Of Abraham/Ibrahim 5: Films Of The Middle East And Beyond.” This series brings human faces and individual stories to the statistics and overwhelming images coming from the Middle East, and features two Typecast titles. The series runs Tuesday nights at 7 PM from February 15 to March 29, 2011 at The Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar (1120 S Lamar) in Austin, TX. There will be a free screening of 12 ANGRY LEBANESE on Thursday, February 17th at UT’s Avaya Auditorium, featuring a Q&A with Typecast Films very own John Sinno! (see below for complete details).
For complete film descriptions, visit www.austinfilm.org.
February 15 – BLISS (Mutluluk) Austin Premiere
Directed and produced by Abdullah Oguz. Turkey, 2007, distributed by First Run Features, 35mm, 1.85:1, color, 105 min. Turkish with English subtitles
SPECIAL PRESENTATION – Free and open to the public
February 17 – 12 ANGRY LEBANESE Documentary by Zeina Daccache, Lebanon, 2009
Q&A with John Sinno (Oscar-nominated Producer [IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS] and Arab Film Distribution founder & CEO) Co-sponsored by the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (UT at Austin), the Arabic Flagship Program and AFS at UT’s Avaya Auditorium (ACES 2.302, 201 E. 24th St.)
February 22 – THE WHITE MEADOWS (Keshtzar Haye Sepid) Austin Premiere Co-presented by the Global Film Initiative as part of the Global Lens 2011 film series.
Directed, produced, and written by Mohammad Rasoulof. Iran, 2009, distributed by Global Film Initiative, DigiBeta, color, 92 min. Farsi with English subtitles
March 1 – WWW: WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD Austin Premiere.
Directed and written by Faouzi Bensaïdi. Morocco, 2006, distributed by Global Film Initiative, 35mm, color, 94 min. French & Arabic with English subtitles
March 8 – PASSION (Bab el makam) Austin Premiere
Directed by Mohamed Malas. Syria, 2005, distributed by Typecast Films, digibeta, color, 98 min. Arabic with English subtitles
March 22 — CLOSED DOORS (Al abwab al Moghlaka) Austin Premiere
Directed and written by Atef Hetata. Egypt, 1999, distributed by Typecast Films, 35mm, color, 105 min. Arabic with English subtitles
March 29 — BLOOD RELATION Austin Premiere Co-presentation of AFS and Austin Jewish Film Festival
Documentary directed and written by Noa Ben Hagai. Israel, 2009, DVD distributed by Israeli Films, color, 75 min. Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles
Admission is FREE for new or current AFS members and $8 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased online at www.austinfilm.org. Online ticket sales close at 3 PM on the day of the screening for each film. Remaining tickets are available at the theater on the day of the screening.
An opus in three parts, Iraq In Fragments offers a series of intimate, passionately-felt portraits: A fatherless 11-year-old is apprenticed to the domineering owner of a Baghdad garage; Sadr followers in two Shiite cities rally for regional elections while enforcing Islamic law at the point of a gun; a family of Kurdish farmers welcomes the US presence, which has allowed them a measure of freedom previously denied.
American director James Longley spent more than two years filming in Iraq to create this stunningly photographed, poetically rendered documentary of the war-torn country as seen through the eyes of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.
Winner of Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Editing awards in the 2006 Sundance Film Festival documentary competition, the film was also awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 2006 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, was named Best Documentary at the Chicago International Film Festival, and was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2007 Academy Awards.
Women across the Arab world are redefining their role as leaders in Islam. In director Brigid Maher’s insightful documentary film, Veiled Voices , three influential women Islamic leaders are profiled—along with their families and the communities in which they serve: Ghina Hammoud in Lebanon, Dr. Du’ad Saleh in Egypt and Huda al-Habash in Syria. Filmed over the course of two years, Veiled Voices reveals a world rarely documented, exploring both the public and private lives of these women.
As a divorced woman, Ghina Hammoud faces a personal challenge in gaining legitimacy as a leader, since divorce is controversial in communities throughout Lebanon. In Egypt, Dr. Su’ad Saleh must continually fight for public recognition by the Egyptian religious authority at al-Azhar—the famous Cairo mosque and university founded in the 10th century. Huda al-Habash in Damascus enjoys both institutional support and the support of her husband as she teaches women in Syria and lectures all over the Middle East, helping others “move…from ignorance to knowledge.”
The three personal stories featured in Veiled Voices give insight into how Muslim women are increasingly willing to challenge the status quo from within their religion, promoting Islam as a powerful force for positive transformation in the world.
Despite the devastation and political upheaval in Lebanon after the July 2006 Israeli invasion, the Beirut Marathon Association chose to move forward with their November event. However, five days before the race was set to begin, government minister Pierre Gemayel was assassinated. The country went into three days of national mourning, with thousands gathering in downtown Beirut as an expression of both grief and unity.
After much deliberation, the Marathon Association again decided to go ahead with their event. When further political hurdles and delays materialized, there was mounting concern that the Lebanese people might be fearful of taking part in the marathon—yet more than 22,000 people showed up to participate in the 5km, 10km and 42km races, with “For the Love of Lebanon” as the event’s inspirational theme.
In her insightful and inspiring documentary about the staging of the 2006 Beirut Marathon, director Deborah Harse perfectly captures the chaos, determination and ultimate rewards of keeping the annual Lebanese event alive in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Sometimes love isn’t pretty… especially when it’s your parents.
We’re excited to announce plans to release My Name is Smith, the first feature film (previously unreleased) from independent filmmaker James Allen Smith (Floored), which will premiere at Austin Film Festival later this month!
Filmmaker James Smith spends a year exploring his eccentric Massachusetts parents as age and health issues threaten to challenge the existence and habits they know so well. What is revealed is a fascinating document of the struggles and triumphs of many families in America as the Smiths endure the trials of disappointing careers, alcohol abuse, religious fundamentalism, obesity, and shattered ideals. However, the true revelation is the humor and grace with which the subjects face their troubles and their relationships, resulting in a beautiful and sensitive portrayal of commitment, love, and infectious optimism.
The film’s poignant moments, complicated relationships, and original characters are woven into a colorful and humorous fabric of the present, illuminated by fascinating revelations from the past. Ultimately, the filmmaker’s observations reveal an unlikely discovery — a love story like no other.
American Radical has won the Cinema Politica Audience Choice Award for 2009!
“American Radical is one of our favourite films and we are delighted to see that our audiences agree! We will be giving out the award to the film’s directors, Nicolas Rossier and David Ridgen this summer…”
Find out more at the official Cinema Politica site here.
Winner Best Director of Documentary Asian First Film Festival
Winner Netpac Award Berlin International Film Festival
Winner Special Jury Prize Sundance Film Festival
Typecast Releasing is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dear Pyongyang!
The daughter of a leader of the pro-North Korean movement in Japan, Yang Yonghi was separated from her brothers at a young age when they were sent to North Korea under a repatriation campaign. However, as the economic situation in the North deteriorated, the brothers became increasingly dependent for survival on the care packages sent by their parents. The film shows Yang’s visits to her brothers in Pyongyang, as well as conversations with her father about his ideological faith and his regrets over breaking up his family.
Providing a rare glimpse into North Korea, Dear Pyongyang provides the viewer with a haunting and profound vision of one of the most isolated countries on earth.
American Radical North American Theatrical Screening Dates:
* 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 23-29, 2010 . Montreal, QC at Cinema du Parc
* April 24, 2010 . Chicago, IL at Chicago Palestine Film Festival
* May 23-26, 2010 . Vancouver, BC at Pacific Cinematheque
* June 3, 2010 . San Francisco, CA at Roxie Theater
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 next went on to play in Seattle, WA at the Northwest Film Forum and then had its Los Angeles theatrical premiere at Laemmle Theatres’ Music Hall 3 cinemas in Beverly Hills, with opening night events on Friday, March 12 sponsored by the Levantine Cultural Center. The film had a successful two-week theatrical run in Montreal, QC at Cinema du Parc and will next be showing at Pacific Cinematheque in Vancouver, BC from May 23-26 after which it will be screened at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco on June 3, with a panel discussion following both screenings there.
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
VIEW TRAILER:
REVIEWS:
“‘American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein’ is a cautiously respectful documentary portrait of a political firebrand who presents himself as a beacon of moral truth in the murk of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” —Stephen Holden, New York Times
“Surprisingly entertaining…a compelling portrait of a difficult man.” —Mark Cohen, The Jewish Daily Forward
“With impressive restraint, the fascinatingly thorny ‘American Radical’ is less interested in the validity of Finkelstein’s ideas—seriously mounted, if inflammatory—and more in the topsy-turvy life of today’s professional academic. Amazingly, that choice doesn’t result in a boring movie.” —Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
“‘American Radical’…presents a more balanced portrait of Finkelstein, who, when his passion doesn’t carry him off on a wave of anger, is shown to be thoughtful, intelligent and deeply melancholy.” —George Robinson, The Jewish Week
“A blood-boiling, very good documentary.” —Mark Keizer, Boxoffice Magaine
“(Norman Finkelstein’s) conclusions can be debated, his methods can be deplored, but as (‘American Radical’ directors) Ridgen and Rossier take pains to point out, a man so rigorously committed to putting an end to oppression ought not be so easily dismissed, even if coming to grips with such a challenging figure may be finally as difficult as getting to the bottom of the Arab-Israeli conflict itself.” —Andrew Schenker, Slant Magazine
“A guaranteed argument starter…an engaging portrait of an academic whose work is both fueled and undermined by his vitriolic personality.” —Chicago Reader
“A fascinating, well-rounded portrait of Finkelstein that simultaneously informs, inspires and infuriates…the filmmakers ride a delicate line, assembling a warts-and-all portrait that shows why Finkelstein is deeply respected and equally reviled.” —Mark Achbar, director of ‘The Corporation’ and ‘Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media’
Director Brigid Maher will be in attendance at the Middle East Studies conference screening of her new documentary film, VEILED VOICES. Maher’s film will be shown at 4:15pm on Sunday, November 22 at the 2009 Middle East Studies conference, to be held in Boston, Massachusetts from November 21-24.
VEILED VOICES investigates the world of Muslim women religious leaders through the eyes of three women in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Filmed over the course of two years, Maher’s film reveals a world rarely documented, exploring both the public and private worlds of these women Islamic leaders. Other Typecast titles being screened at the Middle East Studies conference this year are AMERICAN RADICAL: THE TRIALS OF NORMAN FINKELSTEIN, directed by David Ridgen and Nicolas Rossier, REMNANTS OF A WAR, from director Jawad Metni and the latest feature from Lebanese director Jocelyne Saab, DUNIA: KISS ME NOT ON THE EYES. Go here to find the full film schedule for this year’s MESA conference in Boston.
