Festival coverage sponsored by IndiePix.
Since Sundance (and especially in the wake of that festival's underwhelming slate of narrative films), much of the talk in the indie film world has been on SXSW and the expectation that this year's line-up would be quite exceptional, particularly in the mix of docs. That was confirmed late Monday (a bit earlier than expected, see The Rabbi for the reasons why) as SXSW unveiled its impressive Feature Film slate.
We'll be diving into the nonfiction titles in the Emerging Visions, Spotlight Premieres, 24 Beats Per Second and Special Screenings sections in the days to come (if you just can't wait, Eugene has the full list of titles), but here are the titles in competition at this year's SXSW (with initial descriptions provided by the festival, further notes are from yours truly):
BULLETPROOF SALESMAN
Directed by Michael Tucker & Petra Epperlein
Fidelis Cloer is a self-confessed war profiteer who found The Perfect War when the US invaded Iraq. It wasn’t about selling a dozen cars, or even a hundred, it was a thousand-car war where security would become the ultimate product. (World Premiere)
Of further note: Tucker and Epperlein were at SXSW in 2006 with their Spirit Award and Cinema Eye Honors nominated THE PRISONER OR: HOW I PLANNED TO KILL TONY BLAIR.
FRONTRUNNERS
Directed by Caroline Suh
The campaign for student body president at Stuyvesant, perhaps the most prestigious public high school in the country, is almost as sophisticated as any presidential election. But unlike presidential candidates, they also have to do their homework, take their SATs and write their college applications. (World Premiere)
Of further note: Suh was a co-producer on the great FINAL CUT: THE MAKING AND UNMAKING OF HEAVEN'S GATE.
FULL BATTLE RATTLE
Directed by Jesse Moss & Tony Gerber
A feature documentary about life inside the US Army's Iraq Simulation in California's Mojave Desert. The film follows one Army Battalion's efforts to pacify the town of Medina Wasl, one of thirteen villages in the simulation, as it tips precariously on the brink of civil war. (North American Premiere)
Of further note: Moss took the Audience Award at Full Frame for his 2003 film SPEEDO: A DEMOLITION DERBY LOVE STORY. FULL BATTLE RATTLE is premiering at Berlin.
THE MATADOR
Directed by Stephen Higgins & Nina Gilden Seavey
The epic tale of David Fandila's quest to become the world’s top-ranked bullfighter. Heart-wrenching setbacks and thrilling successes dramatize his three-year journey across Spain and Latin America and into the pages of bullfighting history. (World Premiere)
Of further note: Seavey directed the much loved 2006 short A SHORT HISTORY OF SWEET POTATO PIE AND HOW IT BECAME A FLYING SAUCER.
SEX POSITIVE
Directed by Daryl Wein
A look at the life of Richard Berkowitz, a revolutionary gay S&M hustler turned AIDS activist in the 1980s, whose incomparable contribution to the invention of safe sex has long since been forgotten. (World Premiere)
Of further note: Wein had a narrative short in last year's Tribeca Film Festival. He's also an actor, having appeared on Law and Order and in the film THE HEBREW HAMMER.
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
Directed by Dori Berinstein
Over 2000 kids. 400 teams nationwide. Eight months of brainstorming, designing and building. One goal: to create the next great toy. (World Premiere)
Of further note: SOME ASSEMBLY is Berinstein's follow-up to SHOWBUSINESS: THE ROAD TO BROADWAY, which was nominated for the IDA Festure Doc Award in 2006.
THEY KILLED SISTER DOROTHY
Directed by Daniel Junge
On February 12th, 2005, a 73 year-old Catholic nun from Ohio, was shot six times at point blank range and left to die on a muddy Amazon road. Who was this woman, and why was she killed? What will become of her murderers, and who else was involved? What are the implications of her murder and these trials on the future? (World Premiere)
Of further note: SISTER DOROTHY is director Junge's second feature in less than a year. His IRON LADIES OF LIBERIA premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.
WE ARE WIZARDS
Directed by Josh Koury
An entertaining and comprehensive portrait of the passionate culture of Harry Potter fans. (World Premiere)
Of further note: Koury is a programmer for the Hamptons International Film Festival. His previous documentary was 2002's STANDING BY YOURSELF.
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