2008 Program guide - Victoria Film Festival

INTERVENTION
DIRECTOR: MARY MCGUCKIAN
UK
2007 93 MINUTES 35MM
PRODUCER: JEFF ABBERLEY
Set in an exclusive and fashionable celebrity rehab clinic in New
Mexico, Intervention explores the world of ‘relationship therapy’,
pushing into the light those painful moments of our lives normally
locked behind closed doors. Taken from a short story written by
director Mary McGuckian who, collaborating with an amazing cast,
creates a surprisingly eclectic group of people who fi nd themselves
trapped under one roof with only one thing in common – addiction.
Enter Mark (Rupert Graves), a former porn star-turned-producer,
addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling and sex; Joe (John Sessions), a Kiwi
comedian with a drinking problem; Sara (Sara Stockbridge) a former
model, muse and recovering heroin addict with anger and food issues;
and Harry (Ian Hart), a prescription drug addict from a privileged family.
But under the treatment of counselors Bill (Colm Feore) and his wife
Kelly (Andie MacDowell), friends, family and signifi cant others join
the ‘inmates’ for the family weekend program, where reality and
reconstruction really begins. When Jane (Jennifer Tilly) – Mark’s wife,
Pamela (Donna D’Errico) – Mark’s lover and Kate (Kerry Fox) – Joe’s
best friend, arrive the process of group therapy, rebuilding and
resolving confused relationships becomes all-consuming, taking their
personal meltdowns to the rock bottom before anyone can even hope
to begin again.
Screened with
SHUTTER
Jessica Joy Wise Ontario 16 minutes
The story of a dysfunctional need for love between two photographers
with very different occupations, despite a creeping dread that
humanity is not inclined to love one another.
Monday • February 4 • Odeon • 7:00 PM
UNDER THE SAME MOON
DIRECTOR: PATRICIA RIGGEN
MEXICO / USA
2007 109 MINUTES 35MM
PRODUCER: PATRICIA RIGGEN
WRITER: LIGIAH VILLALOBOS
As evidenced by the rapturous standing ovation the fi lm received
at its Sundance world premiere, director Patricia Riggen and writer
Ligiah Villalobos touch some mighty powerful chords with their
highly accessible story of a woman and her son separated by the
U.S.-Mexico border.
Under the Same Moon tells the parallel stories of nine-year-old
Carlitos and his mother, Rosario. In the hopes of providing a better
life for her son, Rosario works illegally in the U.S. while her mother
cares for Carlitos back in Mexico. When his grandmother passes
away Carlitos embarks on a journey in a desperate attempt to reunite
with his mother.
As Carlitos makes his way from Texas to California, Rosario – unaware
that anything has gone wrong -– continues to mope about her
dead-end situation, entertains the idea of marrying a hunky Chicano
named Paco for green-card privileges, and is treated most unjustly by
her rich, snooty (and not coincidentally, white) employer.
This fundamentally simple, earnest tale about the love between a mom
and her little boy is told in a fresh, unadorned way. The warm and
appealing performances are absolutely absorbing, and the fi lm builds
momentum and emotional heft as mother and son’s tales unfold.
Riggen’s fi lm is not only a heartwarming story; she also offers subtle
commentary on the much-debated issue of illegal immigration.
WORLD PERSPECTIVE
Friday • February 1 • Odeon • 9:30 PM
Tuesday • February 5 • Odeon • 9:30 PM 25