There are sooo many films at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Which one to choose?!?! It’s hard, I know.
So, to help with the stress, The CVAS has hand selected our top 3 picks! And okay okay, yeah 2 of the 3 are a series of films…but you can catch our drift.
Check out our picks and hopefully we’ll see you there!
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Spirit / Will / Loss
USA, 2014, 74 Minute Running Time
World Premiere
Topics: Disability Culture, Drama, Women
Programs: Breaking Waves, True Stories
Language: English
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Sculptor/painter Katie Dallam entered the boxing ring for her first professional fight and, 140 blows to the head later, suffered major brain damage. (Her life became the basis for the movie Million Dollar Baby). Irish musician Graham Sharpe’s career was on the rise when advancing tinnitus caused a ringing in his ears so bad that it put an end to his rock-and-roll dreams. Sculptor Alice Wingwall experienced complete loss of sight from a degenerative eye disease. Game over for these three, right? Not so fast. Each managed to struggle, innovate, and, ultimately, through their art, transform themselves into someone new. Unlike many films about artists, Erinnisse and Patryk Rebisz’ impressive feature documentary debut refuses to take the conventional path. No pat interviews or feel-good bromides about the transformative power of art. The filmmakers create original images that seek to mirror what Katie, Graham, and Alice are going through. Yes, there will be transformation, but it will be hard-earned. Be aware. It’s a journey that may shine its transformative powers on you as well.
Director(s) will be attending screening(s).
DIRECTOR: Patryk Rebisz, Erinnisse Rebisz
Producer: Erinnisse Rebisz, Patryk Rebisz, Zeberiah Newman
Editor: Erinnisse Rebisz
Cinematographer: Patryk Rebisz
Principal Cast: Katie Dallam, Grahame Sharpe, Alice Wingwall
Filmography: Debut Feature
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AFTER DARK
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TALKING PICTURES
Join us for this chance to engage in a spirited conversation with some of the most gifted talents working in movies today. Past participants have included Javier Bardem, George Clooney, Naomi Watts, Michael Douglas, Jason Reitman, Shirley MacLaine, Alan Cummings, Gary Oldman, Marc Forster and many more.
Talking Pictures: IDRIS ELBA, NAOMIE HARRIS, BONO & THE EDGE TALK MOVIES AND MANDELA
188 Minute Running Time
Program: Talking Pictures
Sunday, January 05, 9:30 AM
Annenberg Auditorium
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IDRIS ELBA, NAOMIE HARRIS, BONO & THE EDGE TALK MOVIES AND MANDELA
Preceded by a screening of MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM
Nominated for three Golden Globes (including Best Actor for Idris Elba and Best Song for Bono and bandmates The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., alongwith Brian Burden), Mandela provides an emotionally riveting overview of five decades in the life of a man who changed the world, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela. In turns a gripping political thriller and engrossing biopic, the film was a labor of love, taking 15 years to make it to the screen. That proves to be a blessing, as Idris Elba is the perfect actor to embody the spirit of Mandela, just as Naomie Harris, his co-star, is perfectly cast as Nelson’s wife and comrade, Winnie Mandela. Join these co-stars, along with composers Bono and The Edge, as they talk about their inspiration in making this stunning tribute to truth, justice and reconciliation.
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Talking Pictures: STEVE COOGAN – THE ONE AND ONLY
143 Minute Running Time
Program: Talking Pictures
Saturday, January 04, 1:00 PM
Annenberg Auditorium
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STEVE COOGAN – THE ONE AND ONLY
Preceded by a screening of Philomena
Followed by a Q&A
Perhaps best known for his hugely popular, award-winning British TV series, Alan Partridge, Steve Coogan is one of the wittiest actor/writers working in entertainment today. Co-staring opposite Judi Dench in this year’s Oscar-buzz hit, Philomena (which he also co-wrote and produced) he is also co-starring (and co-wrote) in this year’s smash British hit: AlanPartridge: Alpha Papa, featured in this year’s Festsival lineup.
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Talking Pictures: WONG KAR WAI – THE MASTER OF IMAGES
131 Minute Running Time
Program: Talking Pictures
Saturday, January 04, 9:00 AM
Annenberg Auditorium
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WONG KAR WAI – THE MASTER OF IMAGES
Preceded by a screening of The Grandmaster
Followed by a Q&A
This opportunity to engage in a conversation with one of the true geniuses of contemporary world cinema should prove to be as provocative as the films Wong Kar Wai has made – among them many of the most memorable and celebrated films of the last two decades. Preceded by a screening of his new Oscar-shortlisted epic, The Grandmaster, the event will feature Wong in conversation about this film, as well as his award-winning hits, including Days of Being Wild, Chunking Express, Ashes of Time, and In the Mood for Love.