SIFF 2012 Festival Preview: U.S., Canadian, South Pacific Film Picks

The 2012 Seattle International Film Festival begins on May 17th, 2012! In the next few days, we will be providing film previews for our top SIFF picks of the year. Times and dates are subject to change, so please visit siff.net before heading to theatres, or see HERE for all film preview coverage, including film selections from other regions of the world.

 


JOSHUA TREE, 1951: A PORTRAIT OF JAMES DEAN

United States/France
Directed by Matthew Mishory

Inspired by the facts, and perhaps some fictions, about James Dean’s too-short life, this boundary-stretching film imagines the cinematic icon’s bisexual pre-fame days and ruminates about the steep costs that come with being a star. Black and white and color.

May 24th @ 6:30pm, Egyptian Theatre
May 25th @ 4:00pm, Harvard Exit

 

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

United States
Directed by Benh Zeitlin

This critically acclaimed imaginative film comes from the eyes of a six year old who refuses to leave her home in the Louisiana Delta, even as an apocalyptic storm comes to town.

May 31st @ 6:30pm, Egyptian Theatre
June 2nd @ Noon, SIFF Cinema Uptown


HAIL

Australia
Directed by Amiel Courtin-Wilson

A semi-fictional tale about an ex-con’s attempt to reintegrate with society, with a focus on interpersonal relationships.

June 6th @ 4:00pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
June 9th @ 9:15pm, AMC Pacific Place 11


MARINA ABMOVIC: THE ARTIST IS PRESENT

United States
Directed by Matthew Akers, Jeff Dupre

Following the “grandmother of performance art” throughout her quest for recognition and her eventual achievements.

June 6th @ 6:30pm, AMC Pacific Place
June 8th @ 4:00pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown


THE ORATOR

Samoa/New Zealand
Directed by Tusi Tamasese

The first film ever shot in Samoa, The Orator follows a pygmy taro farmer who must stand up for his own way of life.

May 23rd @ 6:00pm, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center
May 29th @ 6:00pm, Harvard Exit
May 31st @ 3:30pm, Harvard Exit


SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED

United States
Directed by Colin Trevorrow

“When three Seattle Times journalist attempt to write a story about an eccentric store clerk who believes he has solved the mystery of time travel, they end up on a much more unexpected journey than planned.”

May 23rd @ 7:00pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
May 25th @ 4:30pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown


SLEEPWALK WITH ME

United States
Directed by Mike Birbiglia

Frequent THIS AMERICAN LIFE contributor Mike Birbiglia uses impressive visual and verbal wit to bring his hilarious and heartbreaking one-man-show to the screen.

May 23rd @ 9:00pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
May 19th @ 9:00pm, Harvard Exit

STARBUCK

Canada
Directed by Ken Scott

Prolific sperm donor Starbuck made a few too many visits to the clinic, and twenty years later, 142 of his children wish to meet their absent father.

May 31st 8:00pm, Kirkland Performance Center
June 1st @ 6:30pm, Egyptian Theatre
June 7th @ 9:00pm, Egyptian Theatre


TOOMELAH

Australia
Directed by Ivan Sen

10-year-old Daniel is growing up in a remote Aboriginal community and slowly starts to get drawn into drug and criminal activity surrounding his life.

June 4th @ 6:30pm, AMC Pacific Place
June 5th @ 3:30pm, Harvard Exit


YOUR SISTER’S SISTER

United States
Directed by Lynn Shelton

A relationship drama infused with comedy? Aka a rom-com? The difference between Lynn Shelton’s tale of romantic interests between two sisters and a best friend is that it is actually really clever and really good.

May 17th @ 7:00pm, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall (Opening Night Gala)

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Written by
Vee Hua 華婷婷

Vee Hua 華婷婷 (they/them) is a writer, filmmaker, and organizer with semi-nomadic tendencies. Much of their work unifies their metaphysical interests with their belief that art can positively transform the self and society. They are the Editor-in-Chief of REDEFINE, Interim Managing Editor of South Seattle Emerald, and Co-Chair of the Seattle Arts Commission. They also previously served as the Executive Director of the interdisciplinary community hub, Northwest Film Forum, where they played a key role in making the space more welcoming and accessible for diverse audiences.

Vee has two narrative short films. Searching Skies (2017) touches on Syrian refugee resettlement in the United States; with it, they helped co-organize The Seventh Art Stand, a national film and civil rights discussion series against Islamophobia. Reckless Spirits (2022) is a metaphysical, multi-lingual POC buddy comedy for a bleak new era, in anticipation of a feature-length project.

Vee is passionate about cultural space, the environment, and finding ways to covertly and overtly disrupt oppressive structures. They also regularly share observational human stories through their storytelling newsletter, RAMBLIN’ WITH VEE!, and are pursuing a Master’s in Tribal Resource and Environmental Stewardship under the Native American Studies Department at the University of Minnesota.

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Written by Vee Hua 華婷婷
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