Experience the 2012 San Joaquin International Film Festival
The 5th San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF), the
flagship annual program of the San Joaquin Film Society, will
run in Stockton, California from January 12th-14th, 2012 at the
Stockton Empire Theatre (1825 Pacific Avenue), and January 15th at
the Janet Leigh Theatre (3601 Pacific Avenue) on the campus of
University of the Pacific.
The Festival will launch on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 with the
original Swiss comedy "The Sandman" with Director Peter
Luisi in person. Director Luisi will be honored with the Film
Society's Independent Award, celebrating his exemplary talent
as a director and screenwriter, and his contribution to European
cinema.
The festive Opening Night Party, supported by the Consulate
General of Switzerland in San Francisco, will take place at 9:00pm
at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel (110 West Fremont Street in
Downtown Stockton).
Another special guest expected to attend is Director Daron Ker
of the documentary film "Rice Field of Dreams" (screening January
14th at 2:30pm).
Tickets for most shows are $9 each; Opening Night film is $14;
Closing Night film is $12. Opening Party tickets are $25 each (no
discounts). Discount for film tickets are available for San Joaquin
Film Society members, seniors 65+, students 26 and under and groups
of 10 or more. Tickets are available at box office of respective
theatres 30 minutes before showtime. Doors open 15 minutes before
showtime. Advance tickets are also available at
www.sjiff.org/tickets.
REMARKS
-
From Founder-Director
Sophoan Sorn:
"Selections for 2012 come from master directors, auteurs and new
talents of 16 countries, including winners from the European Film
Awards, Festival de Cannes, the Goyas (Spain), the Ophirs (Israel)
and the Student Academy Awards; while several films are running for
the 2012 Oscars. We feel so proud to be a gateway and a unique
opportunity for the people of San Joaquin to experience some of the
best of recent World Cinema. Now in its fifth year, the San Joaquin
International Film Festival has become an annual tradition for the
community."
-
From SJ Film Society Chairman
Shane Williamson:
"This year's festival is filled with impressive films from across
the globe which were carefully hand picked. The line-up showcases
not only diverse subjects for broad audiences but impeccable award
winning quality and films with relevant topics of our world today."
FEATURES
"Amigo"
- A village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the
Philippine-American War, in a powerful drama of friendship,
betrayal, romance and heartbreaking violence. Director John
Sayles, The Philippines/USA, 124min.
Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 at 8:15pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Visit Film's Page
"Chico & Rita"
- Havana, 1948. A passionate love story between a young jazz pianist
called Chico and Rita, a singer with a bewitching voice.
Directors Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal, Tono Errando, Spain/UK,
94min. Valley Premiere.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at 9:30pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Visit Film's Page
"Le Havre"
(Centerpiece Film) - When an African boy arrives by cargo ship in
the French port city of Le Havre, an aging shoe shiner takes pity on
the child and welcomes him into his home. Finland's national entry
to the 2012 Academy Awards. Director Aki Kaurismäki,
Finland/France, 93min. Centerpiece Film.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at 7:15pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Visit Film's Page
"My Wedding and Other Secrets"
- A romantic comedy based on a true story of a New Zealand-born
Chinese woman convincing her traditional Hong Kong parents to let
her marry her Caucasian boyfriend. Director Roseanne Liang, New
Zealand, 88min. Northern California Premiere.
Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 at 6:00pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Visit Film's Page
"Remembrance" ("Die verlorene Zeit")
- A remarkable love story that blossomed amidst the terror of a
German concentration camp in 1944 Poland. Director Anna Justice,
Germany/Poland, 108min. Valley Premiere.
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 at 5:15pm at Pacific's Janet Leigh Theatre
Visit Film's Page
"Restoration" ("Boker tov adon Fidelman")
- A triangle of fatherhood ties, a triangle of love. A drama about a
family's effort to save their antique restoration business.
Director Yossi Madmony, Israel, 105min. Valley Premiere.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at 5:00pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Visit Film's Page
"The Sandman" ("Der Sandmann")
(Opening Night Film) - One fine morning, Benno finds sand in his
bed. While he tries to ignore this at first, he soon must realize
that he himself is loosing the sand... Director Peter Luisi (In
Person), Switzerland, 88min. Opening Night Film. Valley Premiere.
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 at 7:00pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Visit Film's Page
"Winter's Daughter" ("Wintertochter")
A heartwarming film for the family about a young Polish girl who
searches for her Russian sailor father. Director Johannes Schmid,
Germany/Poland, 93min. Valley Premiere.
Two screenings:
Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 at 4:00pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at 12:30pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Visit Film's Page
DOCUMENTARIES
"Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey"
(Centerpiece Film) - The Muppet Elmo is one of the most beloved
characters among children across the globe. Meet the unlikely man
behind the puppet - the heart and soul of Elmo - Kevin Clash.
Director Constance Marks, USA, 80min. Centerpiece film.
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 at 3:00pm at Pacific's Janet Leigh Theatre
Visit Film's Page
"Carol Channing: Larger than Life"
(Closing Night Film) - The story of legendary performer Carol
Channing's life is as colorful as the lipstick on her big, bright
smile. Feel the magic and vivacity of the 90-year-old icon – both
onstage and off...past and present. Director Dori Berinstein,
USA, 84min. Closing Night film.
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 at 7:30pm at Pacific's Janet Leigh Theatre
Visit Film's Page
"Rice Field of Dreams"
- The journey of Cambodia's first national baseball team.
Director Daron Ker, Cambodia/USA, 75min.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at 2:30pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Visit Film's Page
CLOSING NIGHT SHORT FILM
Precedes "Carol Channing - Larger than Life":
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 at 7:30pm at Pacific's Janet Leigh Theatre
"It's Me, Helmut" ("Ich bin's Helmut")
- When Albert's wife Gertrude celebrates his 60th birthday on the
day he turns 57, he knows it's only a matter of time before his
world starts coming apart around him. Director Nicolas Steiner,
Switzerland, 11min. Fiction short. Valley Premiere.
Visit Film's Page
SHORT SELECTIONS 2012
All the following short films will screen in one program on:
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 at 1:00pm at Pacific's Janet Leigh Theatre
"Between Heaven and Earth"
- Brothers Koroballa and Tiemogo try to escape the brutality of
African life by sneaking into the landing section of a plane.
York-Fabian Raabe, Germany/South Africa, 15min. Fiction short.
Valley Premiere.
"I Don't Want to Go Back Alone" ("Eu Não Quero Voltar Sozinho")
- A 15 year-old blind teenager deals with the jealousy of his friend
Giovana while figuring out the new feelings he's having towards his
new friend, Gabriel. Director Daniel Ribeiro, Brazil, 17min.
Fiction short. Valley Premiere.
"The First Anders" ("Den Første Anders")
- A father tries to teach his artistic and troubled young son a
valuable lesson, with a story spanning over one thousand years of
Danish history and countless generations of the family Andersen.
Director Kristian Ussing Andersen, Denmark, 9min. Fiction short.
Northern California Premiere.
"Kahanikar - The Storyteller"
- Seven-year-old Nirmala attempts to grapple with the demons of her
granddad's dementia when he starts to forget the details of her
favourite story. Director Nandita Jain, UK, 10min. Animated
short. Northern California Premiere.
"A Salton Soul"
- June Eilers came to the Salton Sea when her father opened the Date
Palm Beach resort in the Roaring Twenties. As the sea slowly begins
to dry up, she reflects on a lifetime of priceless memories.
Director Mike Agnew, Greg Balkin, Tim Kressin, USA, 13min.
Documentary short. Northern California Premiere.
"Tuba Atlantic"
- Oskar is dying, and is ready to forgive his brother for a
disagreement years ago. Will he reach his brother, who he believes
live on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, before it is too late?
Director Hallvar Witzø, Norway, 25min. Fiction short.
Northern California Premiere.
"The Vermeers"
- Experience Jan Vermeer’s paintings (1632-1675) through the
contemporary digital palette. Director Tal S. Shamir, USA, 5min.
Experimental short. Northern California Premiere.
