Milwaukee Film | Team Picks

Team Picks
Every day from now until the end of 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival, we will be featuring 3 picks from Milwaukee Film Team Members, from the Program Committees, to the staff, Sponsors and Board. Check back here on the website everyday to learn about the movies our team is most excited about.

Donte McFadden, Program Committee Member

A truly fun movie that effectively follows how aspiring prepubescent race-car drivers pursue their goals and how they interact with their families, friends, and each other.

Racing Dreams
Thursday, Sept 24, 6:30pm | North Shore Cinema
Thursday, Sept 24, 7:30pm | Oriental Theatre
USA| 2009 | 94 min | English

What I found most appealing about this film is that both men evaluate their tactics as to whether or not they truly make the social impact they seek to have on the public's knowledge of corporate ethics.

The Yes Men Fix The World
Sunday, Sept 27, 7:00pm | North Shore Cinema
Thursday, Oct 1, 9:00pm | Oriental Theatre
USA | 2009 | 96 min | English
Cinematographer Sarah Price is scheduled to attend the October 1 screening of The Yes Men Fix The World.

It truly captures the attempts to preserve the historical significance of "Mother Courage and Her Children" in contemporary times, plus it reveals Bertolt Brecht's objectives in writing the play.

Blyth Renate Meier, Program Committee Member, Program Book Writer
In addition to helping select the international feature films for the 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival, Blyth Renate Meier is also a producer on the film Changing the Conversation: America’s Gun Violence Epidemic, which will premiere at the film festival.

Changing the Conversation: America’s Gun Violence Epidemic
Sunday, Sept 27, 5:00pm | Oriental Theatre – World Premiere
Wednesday, Sept 30, 7:30pm | North Shore Cinema
UAS | 2009 | 83 min | English

Ever seen a movie in Kinyarwandan language? Now’s your chance. This first-ever feature film shot in the language of Riwanda is an understated story of what it means to be an adolescent in a post-genocidal land.

Munyurangabo
Friday, Oct 2, 4:30pm | Oriental Theatre
Sunday, Oct 4, 1:45pm | North Shore Cinema
Rwanda/USA | 2007 | 97 min | Kinyarwanda with English subtitles
Producer Sam Anderson is scheduled to attend both screenings of Munyurangabo.

This documentary about a couple and their autistic son is an overwhelming tale of parenting, love and belief in something that is far beyond comprehension. The vast Mongolian scenery alone is enough to rivet you to your seat, and the boy will break your heart.

The Horse Boy
Saturday, Sept 26, 3:00pm | North Shore Cinema
Wednesday, Sept 30, 5:00pm | Oriental Theatre
Mongolia/USA | 2009 | 93 min | English

Everything about this film is extraordinary—the acting, the story, the cinematography, the landscape. Johannes Krisch’s performance in the lead role still haunts me months after I first saw it. His face is raw emotion.

Kyle Heller, Operations Director

I love movies with unique animation styles and Azur & Asmar has this in spades. Further, Azur & Asmar features a story and a message that should not be missed by everyone. There are moments where the movie may seem strange or foreign, however this furthers the message of racial acceptance and unity.

Azur & Asmar
Saturday, Sept 26, 11:00am | North Shore Cinema
Sunday, Sept 27, 11:30am | Oriental Theatre
Thursday, Oct 1, 4:45pm | North Shore Cinema
France/Belgium/Spain/Italy | 2006 | 99 min | English

Milwaukee shares a border with Lake Michigan, the largest body of fresh water in the United States, for this reason alone this movie must be seen. This movie explores the dangers of pollution and other issues threatening to permanently damage the largest source of fresh water. The movie is beautifully shot and accompanied by an amazing score featuring Sufjan Stevens, Sigur Rós, and Brian Eno.

Waterlife
Saturday, Sept 26, 7:00pm | Oriental Theatre
Tuesday, Sept 29, 5:00pm | North Shore Cinema
Canada | 2007 | 90 min | English
Director Kevin McMahon is scheduled to attend the Sept. 26 screening of Waterlife at the Oriental Theatre

As mentioned before, I love unique animation styles. An animated shorts program gives the opportunity to experience a variety of styles and a variety of topics. The animated shorts program is always my "must-see" at any festival.

Frank Olson, Program Committee Member, Program Book Writer

This is the only chance that most of us will ever have to witness Buddhist reincarnation rituals. Regardless of whether you believe in the apparent reincarnation presented in the film - and it is surprisingly convincing - it is very touching to witness a young monk's unconditional love for his master, in whatever form he takes.

Unmistaken Child
Saturday, Sept 26, Noon | Oriental Theatre
Wednesday, Sept 30, 5:00pm | North Shore Cinema
Israel| 2008 | 102 min | Tibetan/Hindi/Nepali/English with English subtitles

This documentary would be a must-see even if the only scene was Nicholas Kristof's incredibly tense interview with a Congo warlord. Luckily, it is also a very thoughtful look into the virtues of old-school print journalism (as opposed to blogs) that is not afraid to question the methods of its ostensible hero.

Reporter
Friday, Sept 25, 5:15pm | North Shore Cinema
Sunday, Sept 27, 2:30pm | Oriental Theatre
USA| 2008 | 92 min | English

The main strength of this documentary is that it simultaneously makes the world of brain surgery more relatable and more complicated than you ever imagined. Henry Marsh does a great job of describing the tremendous logistical, political, and ethical landmines that he has to navigate on a daily basis; the film really drives home the point that any tiny error that this very nice British gentlemen makes while doing his job could completely ruin someone's life. As a result, the extended sequence of him actually operating on a patient is one of the most harrowing things I've seen in any film.

Michael Wautier, Emeritus Executive Volunteer

Living in a border town, Tucson, Arizona, has awakened me to the incredible hardships faced by immigrants living in a foreign country, where everyone speaks a language they do not understand, in a culture that is completely foreign. Hopefully this movie will focus on the humanity of immigrants who live among us.

Entre Nos
Thursday, Oct 1, 7:00pm | Oriental Theatre
Saturday, Oct 3, 5:00pm | North Shore Cinema
Colombia/USA | 2009 | 80 min | Spanish with English subtitles

For most of us, what we know of Afghanistan is seen through the prism of war - a country torn apart by invaders, and ravaged by occupying forces, down through the centuries. Hopefully this movie will give us a glimpse of the humanity beyond the guns and bombs we usually see on the evening news.

Afghan Star
Saturday, Sept 26, 9:15pm | Oriental Theatre
Tuesday, Sept 29, 5:30pm | North Shore Cinema
Afghanistan/UK | 2008 | 87 min | English, Dari & Pashtun with English subtitles

What is beauty? What is beautiful? What is the creative spark that moves an unlikely artist to create a thing of beauty? I don't know if this movie will answer these questions, but based on viewing the trailer several times, I can't wait to find out.

Carol Grossmeyer, Features Program Committee

One of the most thrilling thrillers I’ve ever seen. Period. It starts out being one thing and then turns into an amazing sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat roller-coaster ride. Don’t miss it!

The Chaser
Saturday, Sept 26, MIDNIGHT | Oriental Theatre
Monday, Sept 28, 9:45pm | North Shore Cinema
Saturday, Oct 3, 9:45pm | North Shore Cinema
South Korea | 2008 | 123 min | Korean with English subtitles

By the incomparable Agnes Varda this is a personal memoir by one of the few women involved in the French New Wave Cinema. A love letter to the creative spirit and a celebration of age. Beautiful.

The Beaches of Agnés
Saturday, Sept 26, 2:30pm | North Shore Cinema
Friday, Oct 2, 9:15pm | North Shore Cinema
France | 2008 | 110 min | French with English subtitles

Forget Michael Moore – the Yes Men strike again. Outrageous and hilarious pranks expose greed and prejudices in corporate, and bureaucratic capitalism. The Emperor has no clothes!

Paul Kosidowski, Features Program Committee

Agnés Varda's playful and elegant trip into her past and her consciousness. Not just a portrait of a great filmmaker, but a vision of beauty and blissful creativity in its own right.

The Beaches of Agnés
Saturday, Sept 26, 2:30pm | North Shore Cinema
Friday, Oct 2, 9:15pm | North Shore Cinema
France | 2008 | 110 min | French with English subtitles

Like the best Greek tragedy, this vision of post-genocide Rwanda is elemental and ultimately transcendent. A simple story that shows the simplest kindness growing from the ruin of evil.

Munyurangabo
Friday, Oct 2, 4:30pm | Oriental Theatre
Sunday, Oct 4, 1:45pm | North Shore Cinema
Rwanda/USA | 2007 | 97 min | Kinyarwanda with English subtitles

Sure there are big name artists all around. But I would have loved this movie if this wonderfully engaging New York couple collected salt and pepper shakers. The fact that this charming postal worker and his wife amassed one of the great art collections in the world is just a nice extra.

Jeff Kurz, Features Program Committee & Vision Committee

When a disgraced ex-cop-turned-pimp's favorite girls go missing in The Chaser, his old sleuthing skills land him smack-dab in the psychological lair of a crafty, handsome, vicious serial killer. When it's at the top of its game, this South Korean crime thriller is masterfully suspenseful with beautifully executed chase scenes and blind-siding plot twists that leave you breathless and exhilarated.

The Chaser
Saturday, Sept 26, MIDNIGHT | Oriental Theatre
Monday, Sept 28, 9:45pm | North Shore Cinema
Saturday, Oct 3, 9:45pm | North Shore Cinema
South Korea | 2008 | 123 min | Korean with English subtitles

Shall We Kiss is a wonderfully satisfying, simple, smart French romantic comedy from triple-threat writer/director/star Emmanuel Mouret. Sophisticated and understated -- reminiscent of Woody Allen at his best -- it's a witty and thoughtful meditation on sex, life and love -- and a love letter to its setting -- Paris!

Shall We Kiss?
Friday, Sept 25, 7:45pm | Oriental Theatre
Monday, Sept 28, 7:15pm | North Shore Cinema
Thursday, Oct 1, 5:00pm | North Shore Cinema
France | 2007 | 100 min | French with English subtitles

For a heaping helping of hypocrisy, look no further than Outrage, a scorching expose of closeted politicians who try to mask their homosexuality by supporting anti-gay legislation (hence the title). Filmmaker Kirby Dick's not afraid to name names and takes no prisoners. The nerve! You'll be appalled! Disgusted! ...And completely amused and energized.

Larissa Sevcik, Volunteer Coordinator

I am always intrigued by the stories of people behind the 'big' things we see in our society - the architect of a building, the leader of a company or the creator of a campaign. As a media studies junkie, I'm looking forward to seeing Art & Copy to hear the stories of the advertisers who have shaped our society and to learn about the hurdles that were overcome in the process.

Art & Copy
Saturday, Sept 26, 5:15pm | North Shore Cinema
Tuesday, Sept 29, 5:30pm | Oriental Theatre
USA | 2008 | 89 min | English

I'm not normally one for horror flicks, but I think it's healthy for everyone to get scared senseless every now and again. I'll be at the Midnight showing, and probably won't get a wink of sleep that night.

The House of the Devil
Friday, Sept 25, Midnight | Oriental Theatre
Tuesday, Sept 29, 9:30pm | North Shore Cinema
USA | 2009 | 93 min | English

Having known nothing about this film, I was initially drawn to it by this image - Bronson, looking through a window with a joyful smile on his face. I thought it seemed like a really sweet, uplifting movie - until I read the synopsis - which then made me even more excited to see it, in one of those I-watch-too-much-CSI ways.

Bronson
Friday, Sept 25, 10:00pm | Oriental Theatre
Tuesday, Sept 29, 7:15pm | North Shore Cinema
UK | 2009 | 92 min | English

Angela Catalano, Hospitality Coordinator & Features Program Committee Member

My "must see" film of the 2009 festival is The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle! Completely eccentric and visually captivating, Little Dizzle blends an examination of informed consent on human test subjects with toilet humor in a stunningly innovative and hilarious manner.

The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle
Saturday, Oct 3, 9:15pm | Oriental Theatre
USA | 2009 | 97 min | English

Prince of Broadway imagines the pursuit of the "American Dream" in contemporary NYC through the eyes of two immigrants, Lucky and Levon, and the underworld that pursuit often leads to. It's streetwise and heartfelt, while the little addition of Aiden Noesi as Lucky's son is the perfect touch.

Prince of Broadway
Friday, Oct 2, 5:00pm | Oriental Theatre
USA | 2008 | 100 min | English
Producer Darren Dean is scheduled to attend the screening of Prince of Broadway.

Not only are Mike and Andy's stunts hilarious and brilliant in The Yes Men Fix the World, but they also resonate the depravity in corporate gain from disasters such as the chemical leak in Bhopal and Hurricane Katrina. Even if you don't agree with their politics, you'll be amazed at how well these guys effectively (and consistently) fool so many giant corporations into their ridiculous ideas.

The Yes Men Fix The World
Sunday, Sept 27, 7:00pm | North Shore Cinema
USA | 2009 | 96 min | English
Cinematographer Sarah Price is scheduled to attend the October 1 screening of The Yes Men Fix The World.

TEAM PICKS

Donte McFadden
Program Committee Member

Blyth Renate Meier
Program Committee Member, Program Book Writer

Kyle Heller
Operations Director

Frank Olson
Program Committee Member, Program Book Writer

Michael Wautier
Emeritus Executive Volunteer

Carol Grossmeyer
Features Program Committee

Paul Kosidowski
Features Program Committee

Jeff Kurz
Features Program Committee & Vision Committee

Larissa Sevcik
Volunteer Coordinator

Angela Catalano
Hospitality Coordinator

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