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March 30, 2006

March 31, 2006

THIS Magazine's Film Club

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Please forward to your friends, acquaintances and just about anyone else you can think of. Show your support of our national cinema by checking out a Canadian film.

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Film Club Newsletter - March 31, 2006

1. Opening - SIX FIGURES (Toronto)
2. Festivals & Special Events
3. Now Playing
4. Coming Soon

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1. Opening

a) SIX FIGURES
March 31, 2006 - Toronto

Warner (JR Bourne) and Claire (Caroline Cave) are a happily married couple with two kids and rewarding careers. Warner is the new director of a not-for-profit organization and Claire is employed at an art gallery. Preferring to work doing what they love, money has rarely been a primary motivator for them but recently, it seems, money is all they can talk about. In a boomtown like Calgary where everyone seems to have more than them, Warner and Claire are tired of getting by with less.

In an overheated real-estate market, they spend more than they anticipated on a house just as Warner's probationary period at work has been extended. The timing could not be worse and as pressure to keep up with family, job and financial obligations mounts, the stress begins to take its toll on Warner. But is it enough to trigger a murderous rage? When Claire is viciously attacked, Warner emerges as the prime suspect. Based on the novel by Fred Leebron and directed by David Christensen.

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2. Festivals & Special Events

a) Okanagan Film Festival, Kelowna
March 26th to April 2nd, 2006
Kelowna Community Theatre and The Paramount Theatre in Kelowna, BC.
http://www.okanaganfilmfestival.com/index2.html

Events begin at the Kelowna Community Theatre on Sunday, March 26th from 5:30pm. The Festival moves to the Paramount Theatre on Thursday, March 30th!

SPECIAL PREVIEW at the Kelowna Community Theatre at 3pm on Saturday, March 25th.

The UPDATED 2006 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE is now up... keep checking the website for updates.

The Canadian Cinematic Premiere of the full uncut internationally acclaimed documentary IN SEARCH OF MOZART has been confirmed to open on the 26th!

There will be Special Edition DVD copies available for purchase at $30 (RRP of $40). Reserve your copy now by contacting david@okanaganfilmfestival.com.

b) Cinéfranco, Toronto
March 31st to April 9th, 2006
Royal Cinema (all films with English subtitles)
http://www.cinefranco.com

Highlights of the 9th Cinefranco are a Homage to Jacques Villeret, one of France's most highly respected and deeply cherished actors and 'Spotlight on Morocco.'

Cinéfranco pays tribute to the celebrated and much-loved Jacques Villeret by presenting two of his classic films: the hilarious 'The Dinner Game' and the lyrical 'Children of the Marshland.' The great gift of cinema is that it captures dazzling talent and allows us to savour it after the actor has left us. So, also presented is Villeret's last films: the comedies 'L'Antidote' and 'Iznogoud' and the provocative 'Grey Souls.'

Under the banner 'Spotlight on Morocco,' the festival will explore the country's new cinema with challenging films such as Daoud Aoulad-Syad's 'Tarfaya' (director attending) and Yasmine Kassari's 'The Sleeping Child,' and go on wild adventures with Bourlem Guerdjou's 'Zaïna, Rider of the Atlas.'

As always, the latest work of some of France's best loved stars, such as Carole Bouquet, Thierry Lhermitte, Sandrine Kiberlain, Romain Duris and Charles Aznavour, as well as the country's most interesting directors, including Yves Angelo ('Grey Souls,' director attending), Jacques Audiard's multiple award-winning 'The Beat That My Heart Skipped,' Luc Picard ('The Audition,' director attending), Brigitte Rouan ('Housewarming'), Bernard Rapp ('An Innocent Little Game'), and Jean-Jacques Zilbermann ('Bad Spelling'), will be on view.

For more information, visit http://www.cinefranco.com.

The box office is located at the Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor St. West and is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm, or call 416-967-1528.

c) CANADA SCREENS Series Turns to Spirituality & Media Activism, Vancouver
April 2nd, 2006
http://canadascreens.firstweekendclub.ca

On April 2nd, First Weekend Club's CANADA SCREENS program will feature Vancouver filmmaker Velcrow Ripper's SCAREDSACRED, which has taken home the Genie award for Best Documentary at this year's ceremony.

In a world teetering on the edge of self-destruction, award-winning filmmaker Velcrow Ripper sets out on a unique pilgrimage. Visiting the 'Ground Zeros' of the planet, he asks if it's possible to find hope in the darkest moments of human history. Ripper travels to the minefields of Camboida; war-torn Afghanistan; the toxic wasteland of Bhopal; post 9/11 New York; Bosnia; Hiroshima; Israel and Palestine. This powerful documentary captures his five-year odyssey to discover if humanity can transform the 'scared' into the 'sacred.' In each place, he unearths unforgettable stories of survival, resilience and recovery. SCAREDSACRED deftly weaves together stunning footage with haunting memories, inspirational stories, and an evocative soundscape. Featuring an engaging, first-person narrative, this film is an exquisite search for meaning in times of turmoil, a luminous gift to a world in shadows.

Following the screening, audience members will have an opportunity to view a panel on MEDIA ACTIVISM and hear from award-winning filmmaker Velcrow Ripper and other notable media activists.

The Canada Screens program is a monthly series of high quality Canadian film screenings showcasing feature films and documentaries including the best of the past and present. In addition to the screenings, the program brings the audience closer to the talent behind the films, such as writers, actors and directors through special post-movie conversations and panels.

All screenings are held at the Vancity Theatre at the Vancouver International Film Centre (1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver), at noon, on the first Sunday of each month.

Season passes are still available for First Weekend Club members. Three films are remaining in the season and include SCAREDSACRED, A SIMPLE CURVE and ITS ALL GONE TONG. A three film pass can be purchased for $15.00. Individual tickets may also be purchased for $8.00 per film event. To reserve your tickets call 604-453-4840.

d) RES 10 Celebrates Ten New International Talents
Friday, April 14th, 2006
The Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto
http://www.resfest.ca

Each year, RES Magazine selects ten creative souls who are poised to achieve greatness and profiles them in their magazine/DVD. This year's group of talented directors, musicians and designers is Dougal Wilson, Takagi Masakatsu, Martin de Thurah, Flourescent Hill, Eclectic Method, Impactist, Ghislain Poirier, Marina Zurkow, Nash Edgerton and Keita Takahashi. To celebrate their work, RES Canada is pleased to present a special Screening + Party to take place at the Drake Hotel Underground on Friday, April 14th.

Doors will open at 8PM and they will be commencing a screening of works from the RES 10 at 9PM. The screening will also include a special presentation of "Never Like The First Time," a startling animated documentary on four very different individuals' first sexual experiences. Directed by Jonas Odell, the short has screened at numerous international festivals and recently won best short film honors at the Berlin Film Festival. Following the screening will be an evening of music hosted by none other than Montreal's Ghislain Poirier, along with DJ Vitaminsforyou. It promises to be a fun night and they are hoping all of you can make it out to see some great new work, have some drinks and discover why Montrealers have been packing Ghislain's weekly "Bounce Le Gros" parties for over a year.

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3. Now Playing

FILM CIRCUIT: Visit the new website at http://www.filmcircuit.ca/ to see which Canadian films are playing near you.

You can also check out http://www.cinemaclock.com/ to see what other films may be playing in your town.

a) Beowulf & Grendel
Various
http://www.beowulf-movie.com

b) Niagara Motel
MB, ON
http://www.niagaramotelthemovie.com

c) These Girls
Various
http://thesegirlsthemovie.com/

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4. Coming Soon

If you know of any upcoming film festivals or events happening across the country, please be sure to email the details to filmclub@thismagazine.ca.

a) Fetching Cody
April - Toronto
http://www.cheapanddirty.ca/

b) Images Festival, Toronto
April 13th to April 22nd, 2006
http://www.imagesfestival.com/

c) ReelWorld Film Festival, Toronto
April 19th to April 23rd, 2006
http://www.reelworld.ca

d) Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children
April 21st to April 30th, 2006
http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/sprockets

e) Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival, Toronto
April 28th to May 7th, 2006
http://www.hotdocs.ca

f) Digifest, Toronto
May 10th to May 14th, 2006
http://www.dx.org/digifest

g) North by Northeast Music & Film Conference and Festival, Toronto
June 8th to June 10th, 2006
http://www.nxne.com

h) Canadian Film Centre's Worldwide Short Film Festival, Toronto
June 13th to June 18th, 2006
http://www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com

i) Splice This! Super 8 Festival, Toronto
June 16th to June 18th, 2006
http://www.splicethis.com/home.php

j) The Crew
8pm MT, Tuesdays, August 15th, 2006 to September 18th, 2006
Access Television
http://www.accesstv.ca/

The various technical positions that make up a film production unit are the focus of THE CREW, a six-part series that provides a rare view of the inside workings of a professional shoot. Director Michael Douse (himself an experienced industry professional) was given unprecedented insider access to many of the hottest shows shooting in British Columbia, and his insider’s look at the workings of the film crew provides invaluable information to anyone interested in breaking into the film industry.

The half-hour series will premiere on Access and continue for six weeks. Each episode is made up of three stand-alone segments designed to investigate one particular department within the film crew. From costumes to construction to camera, all the major players on the crew are covered in this innovative documentary series.

In each episode, THE CREW features technicians in the milieu of a film set as they perform their jobs. Skills required, job demands, hierarchy and the creative aspects of each position are all touched upon. Professionals unveil the tools necessary to make an informed career choice: how to get started, where to get experience, and the personal pros and cons of a career in “The Biz”.

THE CREW is a production of Lakeland Productions. Produced in association with SCN, Access, and Canadian Learning Television, with assistance from the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund and is distributed by Filmwest.

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ATTENTION Academy Members and Canadian Film Enthusiasts: Check out http://www.aflick.ca/ for regular updates of Canadian Film Listings, and to get links to official film websites and distributor sites! Information will be updated on a weekly basis. Note that listings are subject to change at any time.

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Visit the award-winning Northern Stars® website, devoted to Canadian actors and actresses, directors and films: http://www.northernstars.ca/nowplaying_2.html.

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Submitted by a Film Club Subscriber: Visit the Motion Picture Bureau (http://www.mpb.ca), a small film production company based in Toronto. The website includes essays, links and films that might be of interest to cinephiles in Canada and around the world!

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Please let us know about any other Canadian screenings going on anywhere and everywhere and we will do our best to include the details in our postings.

Film Club is a member of MyMediaBiz.com (http://mymediabiz.com), Canada's only multi-tiered, multi-purpose entertainment portal dedicated to promoting and enhancing interactivity in the Canadian media industry.

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Posted by annette FC at March 30, 2006 11:54 PM