Thank you, Milwaukee Film, for recognizing our love of good film and subsequent need to celebrate it more than once a year.
For the first time since its inception in 2008, Milwaukee Film is hosting a smaller, mini festival as a complement to its annual event each fall. The Winter Edition, held March 12-18 at the Marcus North Shore Cinema, features nine critically acclaimed films that will be shown multiple times throughout the week.
"Milwaukee Film is committed to fostering a rich, year-round film culture here in Milwaukee and we expect this winter version of our festival to whet the appetites of everyone looking forward to our second annual film festival in the fall," said Jonathan Jackson, executive director of Milwaukee Film.
"The films in this series are all screening around the country to critical and audience acclaim, yet were not going to screen in Milwaukee. We're absolutely thrilled to be able to share them, which was only made possible through our partnership with Marcus Theatres."
Milwaukee Film reached far with its nine selections. The films represent seven countries, including Spain, with Sebastián Silva's "The Maid," China, with John Woo's "Red Cliff" and Belgium, with Stéphane Aubier & Vincent Patar's "A Town Called Panic."
A huge highlight, of course, is the return of Milwaukee's famed director, Chris Smith ("American Movie," "The Pool"). The festival screens his latest project, "Collapse," and he'll be in attendance for the Saturday, March 13 screening at 7:15 p.m. and plans to host a Q&A session following the film.
Tickets for the winter festival are $10 each and will be available for purchase, along with film schedule and screening times, on Milwaukee Film's Web site, milwaukee-film.org. A full list of films is below.
"Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans"
Director: Werner Herzog, USA, 122 minutes, 2009
badlt.com
Directed by master filmmaker Werner Herzog, "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" injects a brutal dose of warped sincerity and energy into the pulp crime genre.
Previous Screenings: Venice International Film Festival 2009, Telluride Film Festival 2009, Toronto International Film Festival 2009
"Collapse"
Director: Chris Smith, USA, 82 minutes, 2009
collapsemovie.com
American pundits tend to restrain their pessimism and to hope for the best. But is anyone prepared for the worst? Milwaukee's own Chris Smith created this shockingly persuasive and unexpectedly moving documentary portrait of radical thinker Michael Ruppert.
Previous Screenings: Toronto International Film Festival 2009
"La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet"
Director: Frederick Wiseman, France, 159 minutes, 2009
zipporah.com/films/37
In this breathtakingly beautiful behind-the-scenes documentary, director Frederick Wiseman captures the incredible dedication to perfection that permeates the world of ballet.
Previous Screenings: AFI Fest 2009, Denver Film Festival 2009, Chicago Film Festival 2009
"Fish Tank"
Director: Andrea Arnold, UK, 123 minutes, 2009)
fishtankmovie.com
Oscar-winning director Andrea Arnold ("Red Road," "Wasp") cements her position as one of the leading figures of contemporary cinema with this emotionally stunning, potent portrait of teenage sexuality.
Previous Screenings: Cannes Film Festival 2009 -- Jury Award Winner, Chicago International Film Festival -- Special Jury Prize
"Lola Montès"
Director: Max Ophüls, France, 115 minutes, 1955
"Lola Montès" is the visually ravishing, narratively daring dramatization of the life of the notorious courtesan and showgirl, played by Martine Carol.
"The Maid"
Director: Sebastián Silva, Spain, 95 minutes, 2009)
themaidmovie.com
This Sundance winner is the subtle and humorous story that centers around one family's maid, who for 23 years has been a silent but influential member of their lives. Firing her is unthinkable, but living with her is worse.
Previous Screenings: Sundance Film Festival 2009 -- Jury Award Winner, International Film Festival Rotterdam 2009, Seattle International Film Festival 2009
"Mine"
Director: Geralyn Pezanoski, USA, 80 minutes, 2009
minethemovie.com
A must-see for pet lovers, this acclaimed documentary profiles the essential bond between humans and animals against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina.
Previous Screenings: SXSW Film Festival 2009 -- Audience Award Winner, SilverDocs Film Festival 2009, San Francisco Documentary Film Festival 2009 -- Audience Award Winner
"Red Cliff"
Director: John Woo, China, 148 minutes, 2008
redclifffilm.com
A massive hit in Asia and the most expensive Asian film production of all time, "Red Cliff" is a breathtaking war epic that marks the triumphant return of John Woo.
Previous Screenings: Tokyo International Film Festival 2008, Helsinki International Film Festival 2009, Chicago International Film Festival 2009
"A Town Called Panic"
Directors: Stéphane Aubier & Vincent Patar, Belgium, 75 minutes, 2009
atowncalledpanic.com
Hilarious and frequently surreal, the stop-motion animated extravaganza "A Town Called Panic" has endless charms and raucous laughs for children from eight to eighty.
Previous Screenings: Cannes Film Festival 2009, Karlovy Vary Film Festival 2009, AFI Film Festival 2009
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
