Acts Of Worship
Saturday, Sept. 14, 7:15 pm, Micheltorena School
SCREENING ADDED Wednesday, Sept. 18, 9 pm, Zen
Dir. Rosemary Rodriguez, 2001, USA, 16 mm, 94 min.

A grittily naturalistic story of addiction that refuses easy black and white answers. Alix is a crack and heroin addict who inhabits the dingy shadow -world of Manhattan's Lower East Side. Entren-ched in her life on the streets, Alix engages in whatever necessary to satisfy her endless pursuit of the next fix. When Alix overdoses, her sometimes boyfriend leaves her for dead in the hallway. Dinga, who is an aspiring photographer and an ex-addict, discovers Alix and takes her in. The film's chiaroscuro is painted in the tenuous balance between the two women, each identifying with parts of herself in the other, struggling with the contradictory feelings that drive her addiction.

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Tete A Tete
Dir. Charles Johnston, 2001, Canada, 16 mm , 16 min.
A drug addict finds himself during a musical duet with a mysterious next-door neighbor.

Bastoni - The Stick Handlers
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 11 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Kazuhiko Nakamura, 2002, Japan, 86 min.
West Coast Premiere

Funny and tragic, this tale about the porn industry has smart sensibilities and honest reality. This is a very naughty movie that speaks to the confusion sex causes in our lives. Two married adult video stars are grappling with the birth of their first baby. When exes get involved and work gets in and out of the way a sad and poignant story is told. Kink and Sweat are the main characters in this film.

Better Luck Tomorrow
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 7:00 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Justin Lin, 2002, USA, 35 mm, 101 min.

Ben Manibag, an ambitious high school senior in Orange County, will do anything to beef up his college applications. What begins as a series of minor scams with his friends soon escalates to crime, drugs and eventually murder. Director Justin Lin (Shopping for Fangs) has made another smart, satirical and wickedly scandalous story about contemporary Asian America. This film caused a major sensation when it premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, setting off heated debates about imagery of Asian Americans in film. After a protracted bidding war, the film was bought by MTV Films, making it the first Asian American feature to be acquired by a distributor at Sundance. This film won't be released until next year so be the first to see it.

The Big Weird Normal
Monday, Sept. 16, 9 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Zach Passero, 2002, USA, 35 mm, 86 min.
World Premiere

Follow the adventures of two nocturnes, Astro and Marmalade, who live their days after the sun has set. They know all sorts of strange characters - Clarance and his dog, who claims to be a super hero; Weegee and his ghost possessor Bean, who has control over Weegee's hand; and Satellite, a 13 year old willing alien abductee. They set off on their adventure to be married, but soon become the focus of a tabloid television show making them a threat to the ideals and morals of the nation. Lynch mobs ensue turning Marmalade's and Astro's innocent game into a race for their lives.

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Control
Dir. Ryan Kennedy, 2002, USA, Video, 10 min.

A young man is shanghaied and surgically programmed into a battleship video game.

The Broken Wings Of Elijah Footfalls
Monday, Sept. 16, 9:00 pm, Los Feliz Theater 1
Friday, Setp. 20, 8:00pm, Micheltorena School
Dir. Gabriel Judet-Weinshel, 2002, USA, 35 mm, 42 min.
Los Angeles Premiere

This extraordinary film about learning how to love is filled with the potency of myth. An ancient old man pulls flaming chariots through streets and forests carrying our beautiful hero and lonely street juggler Elijah Footfalls. When Elijah dis-covers a vagabond circus troupe his love affair begins with Nina, a fire-breather. The film speaks of the internal transformations of the characters more than their precise actions. This is one of the most beautiful, lyrical films made in years and is absolutely something not to miss. Catch the director and lead actor Gabriel Judet-Weinshel juggling around the festival.

+ SHORTS

Pretty Ladies: A Super8explosion!
Dir. Catherine Crouch, 2002, Video, USA, 29 min.

A mythical tale of desire and want tinged with the humor of Flannery O'Connor. A gorgeous and striking use of Super 8 film.

Dimensionless Woman
Dir. Anita Salomone

Bug
Monday, Sept. 16, 11 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, 2001, 35 mm, USA, 90 min

On Los Angeles' Eastside, Silver Lake to be specific, an eclectic group of individuals are propelled by a series of cause-and-effect chain reactions to a common destiny. These quirky characters humorously remind us that all actions have consequences: a nutty restaurant owner who is afraid of germs, lovers brought together by a fortune cookie and a blue-collar worker determined to save all living things. The film stars Jamie Kennedy, Brian Cox, Michael Hitchcock, Sarah Paulson, John Carroll Lynch and Ed Begley Jr.

Cheerleader Ninjas
Saturday, Sept. 14, midnight, Vista Theatre
Dir. Kevin Campbell, 2002, Video, USA, 96 min.
West Coast Premiere

When an evil mastermind wants to take over the world with Internet zombie domination software, it's up to the Cheerleader Ninjas to save the day! Danger and flatulence explode as the Happy Valley High Cheerleaders and their drooling computer geek allies face off with the bad ass Kung Fu Catholic Schoolgirls, led by none other than a unrequited male-cheerleader. This hilarious movie will live up to all your "B" movie expectations including the "B" for boobs. Starring Kira Reed ("Red Shoe Diaries," The Playboy Channel) and Miami Dolphins cheerleader Renee Deemer.

Chinatown
Sunday, Sept. 15, 7:30, AFI/Mark Goodson Theater
Dir. Roman Polanski, 1974, 35 mm, USA, 131 min.

This year we present a John Alonzo tribute screening of Chinatown, the ultimate film noir, considered by many to be the apex of the 1970s American film renaissance. The story, ostensibly, is simple: A private dick investigating an adultery case stumbles upon a scheme that sucks him into a vortex of incest and murder. With a stellar cast and crew at the height of their careers: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Diane Ladd, Roman Polanski, Robert Towne and Robert Evans.

Christiane F (aka We Children From Bahnhof Zoo)
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Uli Edel, 1981, 35 mm, USA, 138 min.

Shocking in its day, the film revolves around tape recordings narrated by 14-year-old Christiane F. who lives in Berlin where she is swept into the drug scene.

Chop Chop
Sunday, Sept. 15, 3 pm, Vista Theatre
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 9 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Niels Arden Oplev, 2002, 35 mm, Denmark, 90 min.,
West Coast Premiere

In this kooky comedy we meet Dennis and Carl, two brothers living in a shack in the countryside along with Finn, the unbearable acidhead. Dennis believes in Santa Claus and, is biggest wish for Christmas is a girlfriend. Carl the elder loyal brother does his best to make Dennis' wish come true. Enter Rita who Carl meets at the local pub. She's on the run from her husband; so why not hide out with harmless Carl and Dennis. Little does she know the neighbors are intrusive, the boys are crazy, and Finn is a walking freak show.

+ SHORT

Oh My God!
Dir. Christophe Van Rompaey, 2002, 35 mm, Belgium, 10 min.

A young woman wakes up in the trunk of a car. This is not how she imagined her birthday.

A Chronicle Of Corpses
Friday, Sept. 13, 5:15 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Andrew Repasky McElhinney, 2000, 35 mm, USA, 85 min.,
Los Angeles Premiere

An American gothic horror story that creeps through your mind long after viewing. A Chronicle of Corpses tells the tale of a family of poverty-stricken nobility that is dying in every sense of the word. There are plenty of twisted sexual excursions with this freakish family that eats, drinks and dies too much. There is Mr. Elliot, the head of the household who sometimes snogs his brother-in-law, his wife who screws the stable boy, and of course a insane grandmother. There are no gore or tricky special effects. Just great lighting, fine cinematography and a wonderfully unsettling script. Will this ancient and decaying family survive?

Crazy Women
Friday, Sept. 20, midnight, Micheltorena School
Dir. Clay Epstein, 2002, Video, USA, 85 min.,
World Premiere

Don't expect any apologies in this raw yet slick spoken "cultish" feature. Caesar Manner plays the reluctant loser who believing that crazy women are out to get him, can't seem to find a sane girl. His theory proves accurate as he delves into a series of dates with vampires, alcoholics, nymphomaniacs and spoiled brats. With no help from his slutty aunt and obnoxious best friend, Caesar is left to fend for himself against the brutal attacks from the crazy women. A journey of hope, desperation and finally the possibility of love. Caesar may barely make it out alive.

The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs
Saturday, Sept. 14, 3:30 pm, AFI, Mark Goodson Theater
Dir. Delbart Mann, 1960, USA, 35 mm, 24 min.

Shirley Knight was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar in this film adaptation of the stage play by William Inge. The saga of a dysfunctional Oklahoma family in which the pursuit of money trumps a clan's individual and collective emotional needs; the film is also a convincing indictment of the pain of passionless marriages. The sterling cast includes Eve Arden, Dorothy McGuire, Robert Preston and Angela Lansbury.

Das Experiment
Saturday, Sept. 14, 9:30 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Oliver Hirschbiegel, 2001, 35 mm, Germany, 116 min,
Los Angeles Premiere

Donning a pair of high-tech glasses that act as camera, a journalist intending to write a secret expose enters a simulated prison as part of a scientific study of power dynamics. The scientists quickly lose control of the experiment as the power of the role-playing breaks into reality. This psychological thriller brilliantly intertwines the desire for power with memories of Nazi sadism. The film's recurrent focus on the journalist's glasses, the 24-hour surveillance cameras and the scientist's video monitors disturbingly implicates the viewer in the brutal reality of the cinematic spectacle.

Decasia
Saturday, Sept. 14, 11:30 am, Los Feliz 2
Dir. Bill Morrison, 2002, 35 mm, USA, 70 min.,
Los Angeles Premiere

A hypnotic non-liner experiment with the imprinting of memory and time, Bill Morrison's Decasia is an irreverent elegy to Walt Disney's Fantasia. Visualized through an imagistic and sensual process of discovery this interweaving of images develops as if underneath photographic fluid. Decasia is an unprecedented symphony of pleasure and decay.

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Grace
Dir. Arianna Lewis, 2001, Video, 20 min.

Haunting lyrics infuse the passage on a seamless road into and beyond your wildest imagination.

The Diaries Of Vaslav Nijinsky
Friday, Sept. 13, 8:15 pm, AFI Ashley Theater
Saturday Sept. 14, 1 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Paul Cox, 2002, USA, 35 mm, 95 min.,
Los Angeles Premiere

Vaslav Nijinsky was one of the most celebrated dancer/choreographers of the 20 century, and called "the God of the dance." Nijinsky's works fiercely divided the ballet world. His sensual performance as the faun in L'Apres-midi d'un Faune became a scandal when first presented in Paris for its erotic overtones and its radical departure from traditional ballet. Based on the diary Cahiers, where Nijinsky recorded his inner turmoil, writing feverishly day and night.

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The Yellow House
Dir. Goran Dukic, 2002, 35 mm, USA, 10 min.

A modern day reenactment of what happened between Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin on Christmas Day 1888. Gauguin's version to the police has always been the official version, but is it really the truth?

Dinner And A Movie
Tuesday, Sept. 17th, 5 pm, Vista Theatre
Wednesday, Sept. 18th, 7:00pm, Los Feliz
Dir. Lisa Kors, 2002, 35 mm, USA 85 min.

The feature film debut of Lisa Kors is a sharp, witty, romantic comedy that centers around Katie Semelhack's dream of making a documentary on Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Poor and strapped with student loans, she approaches the local PBS station seeking financial backing for her docu- mentary. Determined to succeed, this reputable filmmaker soon finds herself doing a series about dating for TV instead and ultimately getting caught in a love triangle. This is a hilarious film in the spirit of When Harry Met Sally, with a great soundtrack by eclectic folk goddess Dar Williams to boot.

Dirty Pool
Monday, Sept. 16, 6 pm, Micheltorena School
Dir. Terrance Mitchell, 50 min.

A hot shot pool player gets a lesson in fair play from a ghostly temptress.

Down And Out With The Dolls
Thursday, Sept. 19, 11 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Kurt Voss, 2001, 35 mm, USA, 88 min.

Down and out with the dolls is a raunchy, wry and in-your-face tale of the fast rise and fall of an all-girl, four-piece US rock band, The Paper Dolls. Outrageous and droll, and marked by an appreciation for the way aspiring musicians live and scrounge, Down and Out With the Dolls is an underground comic book come to life.

Dutchman
Sunday, Sept. 15, 1:30 pm, AFI, Mark Goodson Theater
Dir. Anthony Harvey, 1966, UK, 16 mm, 55 min.

DUTCHMAN is based on a play by LeRoi Jones, now known as Amiri Baraka. A raspy, rugged look at race relations in the l960s, this watershed film is set entirely in a subway car in which a volatile, attractive blonde - our Ms. Knight-antagonizes a young black man (played with virtuosity by Al Freeman, Jr.). The film features a stylized, almost radical cinematography from Gerry Turpin under the direction of Anthony Harvey. Yet even with all these attributes, it is Shirley Knight's searing performance that makes this film an unheralded classic of film verite. The Producer is Gene Persson.

Eyes Without A Face
Friday, Sept. 13, 8 pm, Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Director George Franju's 1959 horror-thriller is screened outdoors at the Eastside's own Hollywood Forever Cemetery with the movie projected against the wall of an immense mausoleum. (We're not making this up!) Bring your picnic gear and dine among some old friends. Sponsored by Cinespia.

Five Years
Friday, Sept. 20, 6 pm, Micheltorena School
Dir. Brett Wagner, 2002, 35 mm, USA, 90 min.,
West Coast Premiere

Family secrets hidden away start exposing themselves when Colson's little brother Eric comes to live with him after a 5-year stint in prison for murder. As Colson becomes more and more obsessed with monitoring his brother's every move, Colson's wife, Renee, sees her peaceful home life in suburban Ohio quickly start to deteriorate. This is an extremely well acted tale of denial, deception and madness.

+ SHORT

Crossing
Dir. Jeremy Passmore, 2002, 35 mm, USA, 12 min.

What inspires a young man to continually throw himself in front of moving cars day by day?

The Gatekeeper
Monday, Sept. 16, 8 pm, Micheltorena School
Dir. John Carlos Frey, 2001, Video, USA, 95 min.

A U.S. border patrol agent filled with self-hatred about his "Mexican" side loves his job of sending illegal immigrants, sometimes brutally, back across the border. An undercover job gone awry, however, gives him a rude awakening as to the true plight of those he dismisses as "wetbacks."

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White Like The Moon
Dir. Marina Gonzalez Palmier, 2002, 35 mm, USA, 23 min.

A bittersweet story about a young Latina coming to grips with her identity in middle class America in the late 1950s.

Hip, Edgy, Sexy, Cool
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 11 pm, Vista Theatre
Dir. Robert B. Martin, Jr. and Aaron Priest, 2001, 16 mm, USA, 86 min.

This is the plight of The Monkey Brothers, two shallow, poseur casting directors. Proud of their Associate Degrees from Devine Technical Institute, the Monkey Brothers seek greater legitimacy in the commercial community and in "theatrical" Hollywood in general. To accomplish this they must shirk the shadow of their predecessors, The Donkey Dudes, and legitimize their claim for the Oscar, because, in their words, "We don't cast commercials, we cast very short films."