Accompanying the2009 AFI Project: 20/20 film series, UCCA is pleased to screen three films have been selected by AFI. The three directors will also be invited to UCCA to have a discussion with the audiences following each film show.
AFI: AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media.
Schedule
10:30 am “Please Vote for Me”
Language: Chinese with English subtitles
11:30 am Discussion with Chinese Director Chen Weijun（陈为军）
Language: Chinese
12:00 pm Lunch Break
1:30 pm “Of All the Things”
Language: English with Chinese subtitles
2:55 pm Discussion with American Director Jody Lambert
Language: English with Chinese interpretation
3:30 pm “American Fork”
Language: English with Chinese subtitles
5:06 pm Discussion with American Director Chris Bowman
Language: English with Chinese interpretation
5:40 pm Program concludes.
Film Introduction:
1) American Fork (U.S., Comedy/Drama, 2007, 96 min.)
Director: Chris Bowman
Synopsis:
At nearly 400 pounds, Tracy Orbison (Hubbel Palmer) is a wide target. When he sets out to pursue his dream of acting, the grocery clerk finds an assortment of people waiting to dash his dreams: his acting coach (William Baldwin), who has designs on his sister Peggy (24's Mary Lynn Rajskub); his juvenile-delinquent friends, who suck him into their petty crimes; and his God-fearing, self-loathing mother (Academy Award nominee Kathleen Quinlan). Through it all, Tracy remains irrepressibly upbeat, convinced he's destined for something big.
Director’s Bio:
Chris Bowman was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1976. He received a BA in film from Brigham Young University, where he wrote and directed the award-winning short The Wrong Brother. Chris was written extensively for animated television. He is currently developing Loudermilk, an original screenplay for Universal Pictures and Greasy Entertainment. American Fork is his feature debut.
2) OF All the Things (U.S. Documentary, 2008, 85 min.)
Director: Jody Lambert
Synopsis:
The most unique comeback story of the year. Dennis Lambert was one of the most successful and diverse songwriter/producers of the '70s and '80s, with hits like “Ain’t No Woman Like The One I’ve Got”, “Rhinestone Cowboy”, "Don't Pull Your Love", “Baby Come Back”, “One Tin Soldier” and “Nightshift”. He had chart-toppers in almost every genre of music -- at one point four of his songs were simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a feat previously accomplished only by The Beatles. That was then. Today, he’s a 60-year-old family man selling real estate in Florida. But it turns out his obscure 1972 solo album is huge… in the Philippines. A Filipino concert promoter has been begging Dennis to tour for decades, and in 2007 (thirty-five years after the release of his album) he finally agreed. “Of All The Things” is a hilarious and touching pop/rock/country/R&B documentary that follows Dennis on his whirlwind tour as he rediscovers his passion for music -- a two week adventure that takes him from the comforts of Boca Raton, through the remote outer islands of the Philippines, to a sold-out show at Manila's famous Araneta Coliseum for thousands of fans he never knew he had. Some lives deserve an encore.
Director’s Bio: Jody Lambert was a child actor and musician before attending NYU's film program. For the past 15 years he has worked at some of downtown Manhattan's best theaters. He also helped create the New York International Fringe Festival and traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe with several award-winning productions. OF ALL THE THINGS is his directorial debut.
3) Please Vote for Me (China, Documentary, 2007,58 min.)
Director: CHEN Weijun
Director’s Bio:
Weijun Chen is a documentary director and producer living in Wuhan, China. After graduating in Journalism from the Sichuan University in 1992 he joined the documentary production department of the Wuhan regional TV station. His first film MY LIFE IS MY PHILOSOPHY was nominated for the best documentary of the year by the Chinese National Association of Broadcasters. In 2003 Chen completed TO LIVE IS BETTER THAN TO DIE, which was awarded a Peabody and Grierson award, as well at the Rodlf Vrfba Award from the One World Festival.
