Visionfest Preview 2008

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2008 film lineup

		An Alternative to Slitting Your Wrist Directed by Owen Lowery, 82 mins What if every single person in the world took a year out of their life to do all the things they've always thought about doing? Start and finish a movie, make someone's dream or wish come true, spray-paint an inspirational message on city property, burn their regrets to t... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		The Awakening Fire: A Buddhist's Prayer Directed by Barry Berona; Greg Daniels, 22 mins In the spring of 2007 the Shinnyo-en prayer ceremony for World Peace was opened to the public for the first time. People from all over the world attended this 'Saito Homa' fire service. "The Awakening Fire: A Buddist Prayer for Peace" offers a fascinating glimpse i... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		Begging Naked Directed by Karen Gehres, 70 mins Elise Hill left her suburban New Jersey home in 1976 at the age of 15. As she crossed the George Washington Bridge that night, she turned a trick for $30. She had no plan, but knew she wanted to make it to Union Square then known as Needle Park. It was in Union Square... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 9:15 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		Blinders Directed by Donald Moss, 53 mins Throughout the year, tourists from around the world travel to Central Park to ride in one of New York's legendary horse-drawn carriages. Yet the future of this industry is the subject of a highly charged debate being aired on the streets, in the press and at City Hall. ... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Bloom Directed by Lance Larson, 13 mins The only things standing between a Rent-A-Cop and true love are the guard dogs on a used-car lot. Fri, Sep 19 2008, 9:45 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Breast Pump & Blender Directed by Elizabeth Gorcey, 12 mins Lizzie, a new mom has everything, a loving husband, a two week old beautiful baby girl, nice home and an enigmatic au pair. Lizzie's reality seems to be warping, slowly unraveling playing havoc on her sense of reason. She begins to act impulsively driving herse... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 9:45 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Butterflies Directed by Andy Bailey, 16 mins While all of his classmates bring amazing circus animals to show-and-tell, Patrick's only contribution is a small, shy hermit crab. After standing awkwardly in front of his class, Miss Hansen sends him to the school nurse who reveals to Patrick an x-ray of the butterflies... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		California King Directed by Eli Akira Kaufman, 21 mins A mattress salesman, who employs faux science to get female customers into bed, falls for a skeptical insomniac who knows her science better than her heart. Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation which supports films about real science instead of science fiction.... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 9:45 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		The Cave: An Adaptation of Plato's Allegory in Clay Directed by Michael Ramsey, 3 mins An excerpt from Plato's Republic, the 'Allegory of the Cave' is a classic commentary on the human condition. We have adapted and brought it to life by shooting over 4,000 still photographs of John Grigsby's wonderful claymation. The look was achieved by use of candlelight... more Sat, Sep 20 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		The Cereal Aisle Directed by Johnny Roc, 5 mins Draza sketches in his local coffee house. His ex-girlfriend unexpectedly walks in. Do these two still have feelings for one another? Fri, Sep 19 2008, 9:45 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Check Please Directed by Larry Ziegelman, 5 mins Meeting her boyfriend's parents for the first time could not have gone any better for Julie. And then the check comes. Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Creating Discourse Directed by Clint Litton; Alexander Newton, 28 mins A young, reclusive photographer named Claudio discovers a compelling bond with the enigmatic Lena, who has just returned home for a short break from big city life. He is initially guarded, having been hurt by a previous relationship that has left him wary of putting his ... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 9:45 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		CU@ED'S Directed by Casey Stangl, 13 mins All they know about each other is what their Internet dating profiles tell them; yet Tina and Tadd, two socially-challenged thirtysomethings, decide to meet in person one late afternoon at Ed's Coffee Shop. Things get off to a bad start when Tadd can't make up his mind ... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		The Dark Directed by Nyle Cavazos Garcia, 20 mins Sylvia wants what every young woman wants, to find true love and live happily ever after. When she meets Jack, a true gentleman who sweeps her off her feet, Sylvia believes that he might just be the man of her dreams. However, Jack is not who he seems to be and his inte... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 9:45 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Ed Hamell: Rant and Roll Directed by Kate Valentine, 45 mins A celebration of the day to day life of a journeyman musician through fast-moving, often-hilarious performances on stage, backstage, and behind the wheel driving from one venue to the next. Thu, Sep 18 2008, 9:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Family Karma Directed by Joshua Barnett, 6 mins The story of a father, his two sons, and the injuries that connect them. Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		God's Ears Directed by Michael Worth, 110 mins Noah Connelly (Michael Worth) is a boxer with a tireless opponent: Autism. Living a life unnoticed in the city of Oakland, he by chance crosses paths with a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants exotic dancer named Alexia (Margot Farley). Her transient approach to men creates a ... more Sun, Sep 21 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Grand Hotel Screening Room
		Horizon Diner Directed by Joseph Crockett, 3 mins Bending the laws of optics, time, and space, 'Horizon Diner' charts new territory in the world of 3D computer-generated animation. In a little All-Night Diner, Albert is fed up with waiting to order and sets out to get some answers. Fastidious and precise, he's not used... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 9:45 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Hot Flash Directed by Sarah Knight, 40 mins It all began in the late'70s when school teacher Gaye Adegbalola begged computer programmer and part-time musician Ann Rabson to give her guitar lessons. She finally relented, and the two eventually started performing at night as a duo. Saffire officially formed in 1... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 9:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Jeffrey Directed by Russell Costanzo, 15 mins As he does every weekday morning, Jeffrey awakens to get ready for work. His routine is calculated and peculiar. Everything needs to be done in a particular way including leaving the apartment on the moment of an exact new hour. Unfortunately, this morning is not going ... more Sat, Sep 20 2008, 9:15 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Just One Year Directed by Joy Clausen, 43 mins Joy Clausen thought she had it all. She had been a successful dolphin trainer for five years, had obtained a Bachelor's Degree in two and a half years, a Master's Degree in one year and was on her way to becoming a filmmaker. When she turned twenty-five on September twent... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		Kaleidoscope Directed by Ricardo Martinez, 7 mins A young soldier, alone and bored in his rainy jungle outpost, recalls through a nightmarish and "kaleidoscopic" montage how past and present tend to connect and at the same time tries to reach his own conclusion with the sharp simplicity common to people at war. Kale... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 9:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		The Ladies Directed by Christina Voros, 13 mins Before the Hungarian revolution Vali and Mimi had separate lives: the elder was a bohemian costume designer, the younger a pragmatic tomboy who drove a taxi. After nearly losing their lives in a Russian work camp the sisters escaped to the US and began rebuilding their li... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 9:15 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		Let Others Suffer Directed by Todd Peters, 87 mins Todd finds a flyer for a feminist film festival on the same day he finds a book by the renowned documentary filmmaker, Ivan Libragi. Newly inspired, he reaches out to Libragi to help him in his quest to make an epic film about the women in his family. Libragi finds Todd... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		A Letter to Colleen Directed by Andy London; Carolyn London, 9 mins Andy London has been haunted by the events of his 18th birthday for years. In this short animated film set in the early 90's, he writes a letter to Colleen in an attempt to put his demons to rest. Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		A Life in Hashistan Directed by Tonya Dreher, 66 mins Long before 'Taliban' and 'Al Qaeda' hijacked our image of Islamic fundamentalism, the Pashto region of Afghanistan housed an ancient sect of devout fanatics, the Hashshashins. Their drug-induced belief that heaven was a paradise filled with willing virgins inspired them ... more Sat, Sep 20 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Maine Story Directed by Nina Chernik, 24 mins Maine Story is a film that portrays a portrait of a town as much as it does its characters. I wrote this story to speak about how sometimes we can get stymied in our life's path and may not even be aware of it. I wanted to speak about a person who desperately needed to... more Sat, Sep 20 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		The Marconi Bros. Directed by Marco Ricci; Michael Canzoniero, 82 mins For the past 5 years, 3 months, and 26 days, (not that they are counting) Anthony and Carmine Marconi have been dutifully serving out life sentences in the family carpet business. Fate intervenes during a routine carpet installation when the brothers step into the world ... more Wed, Sep 17 2008, 8:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Me Directed by Thomas Klieber, 4 mins A little eerie gothic tale about love, fear and death. Wed, Sep 17 2008, 8:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2 Sun, Sep 21 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Grand Hotel Screening Room
		Moon Cake Directed by Marty Stano, 7 mins An eccentric being harnesses the light and energy of the moon to create a glorious cake- a moon cake- that he sends to Earth where characters dance and fight to obtain its magnificence. Anything goes on the night of a full moon! Thu, Sep 18 2008, 9:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		My Longest Day Directed by Matthew Steinhart, 18 mins My Longest Day is a humor-filled documentary of one young man's struggle with his father's cancer diagnosis. Matthew Steinhart traverses his family history, the scientific aspects of cancer and surgery, and the impact the latter can have on the former, all the while ... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		Mysterieuse Directed by Samantha Olschan, 3 mins Under the dark of night, a mysterious leopard arrives by boat to a village on a small island. The villagers, afraid, flee this foreign creature, all except for one: a local girl. As the leopard climbs its way to the top of the highest mountain she follows curiously. Sudde... more Sat, Sep 20 2008, 9:15 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		The Naked Hitch-Hiker Directed by Eleanor Lanahan, 29 mins The Naked Hitchhiker is an exquisitely rendered animation by first time filmmaker Eleanor Lanahan. The viewer is drawn into the rich emotional mindscape of a woman coming to grips with destructive patterns that dictate her emotions. Reeling from a crushing marital breakup... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 9:15 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		Pea Vs. Carrot Directed by Ben Hicks, 5 mins An intimate peek into the lives of a young couple. Pea vs. Carrot is an excerpt from Ben Hicks' first feature length script 'Kids go free to fun fun time' which will begin shooting in Tokyo in 2009. Sat, Sep 20 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Pic Six Directed by David Breckman, 17 mins Twice a week, Evan buys a lottery ticket for Vic, the big dumb psychopath he works for down at the local pizzeria. Vic always plays the same numbers: 1-2-3-4-5-6. Evan knows the odds of Vic winning are next to impossible, but when he blows off buying Vic's ticket one da... more Wed, Sep 17 2008, 8:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Portal Directed by John Bush, 8 mins PORTAL, choreographed by Nadine Helstroffer, was filmed during Christo and Jeanne Claude's installation, the Gates, in Central Park, New York City. In a landscape muffled by snow and lit by saffron-colored portals, three dancers stir in the wind - emerging, dissolving, m... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		Preamble Directed by Vivian Tse, 11 mins Claire arrives to help her friend Olivia pack up her apartment for a move. But as the truth behind Claire's visit unfolds, it's clear that by the end of the visit, three lives will change forever. Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Rachel Directed by Chris King, 14 mins When a suburban couple finally meets the pregnant young woman whose baby they are going to adopt, they are left with haunting and unforgettable memories of her forever. Based on a true story. Thu, Sep 18 2008, 7:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Some Of An Equation Directed by Burke Roberts, 8 mins An 8 minute film executed in all one shot - about just how very very bad things can go in only a few minutes. Sun, Sep 21 2008, 7:00 pm | Tribeca Grand Hotel Screening Room
		Vaccine Nation Directed by Gary Null, 90 mins From the award-winning director of The Drugging of our Children, Prescription for Disaster, Gulf War Syndrome: Killing Our Own, and AIDS Inc. - comes the latest film of critical social importance: Vaccine Nation. Most believe... more Thu, Sep 18 2008, 9:15 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 1
		Why Do I Exist Directed by Woody Woodhall, 5 mins Why Do I Exist? is a question posed to strangers on the streets of Los Angeles. Using juxtaposed images and using dialog to drive the musical score this ambitious experimental short seeks an answer to the inanswerable. Thu, Sep 18 2008, 9:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Woman In Burka Directed by Jonathan Lisecki, 21 mins A darkly comic look at the life of an actress and the types of Middle Eastern roles available to her in a post 9/11 culture. Sarita is up for the coveted role of an Iraqi rape victim's ghost in a new film. No one has seen the script or knows whether it's a seriou... more Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:30 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2
		Yesterday Was A Lie Directed by James Kerwin, 89 mins A groundbreaking new noir film, YESTERDAY WAS A LIE is a 'fresh and stylish tale of intrigue and metaphysical darkness' (Ain't It Cool News). Award-winning writer/director James Kerwin 'offers up a magnetic force with endless repeat value' (Film Threat) that teases the b... more Sat, Sep 20 2008, 9:15 pm | Tribeca Cinemas, Theater 2