ons stival . - California Film Institute

106
MVFF T u r n i n g 3 0
valley of the docs
children’s filmfest
world cinema
children’s filmfest
Strong Love / Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy TOTAL PROGRAM 96 MINS
Sunday, October 7 11:00 am STRO07S Sequoia
Sunday, October 14 11:45 am STRO14R Rafael
ACTIVE CINEMA MOVEMENT • Not long ago, being born with an acute developmental disability such as Down
Syndrome was a one-way ticket to life in an institution. But as disabled rights have gained ground, this marginalized
population shows that disabled does not have to mean disenfranchised. The dynamic duos in this poignant pair of
documentaries have certainly not let disability prevent them from fulfilling lives. In Alice Elliott’s Body & Soul: Diana
& Kathy (USA 40 mins), a 61-year-old woman with severe cerebral palsy and a woman with Down Syndrome have
been together for 38 years. Their remarkable example of independent living is outdone only by their unrelenting
activism—they jeopardize their Medicare benefits in order to travel the country and lobby for disabled rights. In her
equally inspiring Strong Love (USA 56 mins World Premiere), director Bonnie Burt introduces Holly and Jon, a local
couple with Down Syndrome and many personal achievements, who met as kids and now prepare for their wedding,
their lives graced by family support and their own unconditional love. —Joanne Parsont
• • • Presented in association with Lifehouse
• • •Sponsored by the Pacific Sun
Svein and His Rat (Svein og Rotta) NORwAy 2006 72 MINS
Saturday, October 6 10:00 am SVEI06R Rafael
Tuesday, October 9 4:00 pm SVEI09R Rafael
Director Magnus Martens Producer Dag Alveberg Screenwriters Siv Rajendram, Kristin Ulseth Cinematographer Marius
Johansen Hansen Editor Kirsti Marie Hougen Cast Thomas Saraby Vatle, Luis Engebrigtsen Bye, Celine Louise Dyran Smith,
Benjamin Gulli, Miriam Sogn, Aslag Guttormsgaard Print Source Norwegian Film Institute
In Norwegian with English subtitles • Svein doesn’t understand why everyone hates rats. He loves them, particularly
his pet, Halvorsen. Except for chewing through wiring and rubber tubing, Halvorsen’s a very cool pet. He has a
great life with Svein’s family, and gets to play with Svein’s friend Dan’s pet rat, James Bond. Svein decides he has
to prove that rats are cooler than other pets. His new friend Melissa thinks Halvorsen’s great and encourages Svein
to enter him in the annual pet competition. But Svein’s desire to make his point pushes him to take Halvorsen to
school and the hospital, where rat-haters abound and chaos ensues. When Svein’s parents tell him that if he doesn’t
keep Halvorsen out of mischief, it’s back to the pet store, Svein takes drastic action. Though run-ins with bullies,
romantic bumps, and appliance disasters create obstacles, the love between a boy and his rat stays true. Ages 8+
—Roberta McNair
Things We Lost in the Fire US/UK 2007 117 MINS
Friday, October 12 7:00 pm THIN12R Rafael
Sunday, October 14 2:15 pm THIN14R Rafael
Director Susanne Bier Producers Sam Mendes, Sam Mercer Screenwriter Allan Loeb Cinematographer Tom Stern Editors
Pernille Bech Christensen, Bruce Cannon Cast Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro, David Duchovny, Alison Lohman Print Source
Paramount
Academy Award winners Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro star in director Susanne Bier’s (Oscar-nominated After
the Wedding, MVFF 2006) compelling drama. When Audrey Burke (Berry) loses her husband (David Duchovny)
in an act of random violence, she forges an unlikely relationship with Jerry Sunborne (Del Toro), a down-and-out
addict who has been her husband’s close friend since childhood. Desperate to fill the painful void caused by her
husband’s death, Audrey invites Jerry to move into the room above their garage in the hope that he can help her and
her children cope with their sudden loss. Fighting a daily battle to stay off drugs, Jerry finds a core of inner resilience
in his unexpected role as surrogate parent and friend to Audrey’s children. Though their fragile bond is constantly
tested as they navigate grief and denial, working together they find the strength to move on. US Premiere
• • •Sponsored by Dolby Laboratories
The Three Musketeers (De Tre Musketerer) deNMARK 2006 75 MINS
Thursday, October 11 4:00 pm THRE11S Sequoia
Sunday, October 14 10:00 am THRE14R Rafael
Director Janis Cimermanis Producers Peter Garde, Mikael Olsen Screenwriter Maris Putnins Cinematographer Evalds Lecis
Editors Janis Cimermanis, Evalds Lecis, Rasmus Madsen Print Source Danish Film Institute
CHILDREN’S FILMFEST CLOSING • In English • Ladies, gentlemen, children of all ages, prepare yourself for the
finest puppet animation on earth. This Latvian-Danish-British retelling of Dumas’ classic swashbuckler is so original
and the dialogue so rich that the characters seem to transform themselves from mere cloth into flesh without your
even noticing, and their faces are as expressive as any method actor’s. The feckless D’Artagnan, the evil Cardinal
Richelieu and the brave musketeers Aramis, Porthos and Athos are all in their places—in love, opposition and
friendship. And they’re accompanied by a comic host of characters, including D’Artagnan’s sway-backed but faithful
horse. With luxurious traditional stop-motion animation by some of Europe’s old masters, this marvelous labor of
love is incredibly refreshing to watch, particularly at a time when everyone’s rushing to duplicate today’s fast-paced
computer animation. Ages 5+ —John Morrison
• • •The October 14 screening will be followed by a Children’s FilmFest Closing event at the Marin Youth Center (the MYC). See page 30.
• • •Sponsored by Bellam Self-Storage & Boxes
2007 MVFF TICKETS | 877.874.MVFF (6833)