The 2006 Tribeca Film Festival announced the line-up for its Short Film Competitions. The program includes 76 shorts selected from among 2,150 submissions. Appearing in this year's short narrative films are actors David Straitharn, Henry Winkler, Sandra Bernhardt, and Jeffrey Tambor. Documentary subjects include Don Cheadle, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint and Roseanne Cash.
Shorts in Competition - Narrative
This year the Narrative Shorts program includes international films from 15 counties, such as Chile, South Korea and Egypt. It also features works directed by New York music icon
Laurie Anderson and actors
Adrian Grenier and
Melissa Joan Hart.
- Afraid So, directed by Jay Rosenblatt, written by Jeanne Marie Beaumont (U.S.A.)
- After June, directed by Michael Civille, written by Matthew Haberman (U.S.A.)
- Alone at Last, directed and written by David Shuff (U.S.A.)
- Attention (Intabih), directed and written by Akram Agha (Saudi Arabia)
- Between 2 Houses (Tussen 2 Huizen), directed by Clara van Gool (Netherlands)
- Blackberries, directed and written by Nicolas Panoutsopoulos (U.S.A)
- The Booth, directed by Gabriela Yepes, written by Yepes and Kristin Tucker (U.S.A.)
- Carla Cope, directed and written by Aileen McCormack (U.S.A.)
- Dilemma, directed and written by Boris Paval Conen (Netherlands)
- Errata, directed by Alexander Stewart (U.S.A.)
- Euthanasia, directed by Adrian Grenier (U.S.A.)
- The Falling Man, directed and written by Kevin Ackerman (U.S.A.)
- Flow, directed and written by Scott Nyerges (U.S.A.)
- Garden of Eden, revisited (Hof van Eden, revisited), directed and written by Titia Reiter (Netherlands)
- Hidden Inside Mountains, directed and written by Laurie Anderson (U.S.A.)
- I Did Not Expect You (Non ti aspettavo), directed by Barbara Rossi Prudente
- Jane Lloyd, directed and written by HAPPY (U.S.A., U.K.)
- K-7, directed and written by Christopher Leone (U.S.A.)
- King of Central Park, directed by Max Winkler and David Gelb (U.S.A.)
- Longtime Listener, directed by Keven Undergaro and Maria Menounos, written by Undergaro (U.S.A.)
- Lure, directed and written by Mark Mollenkamp (U.S.A.)
- Marion, directed by Ry Russo-Young (U.S.A.)
- Mute, directed by Melissa Joan Hart, written by Kristin Lipiro (U.S.A.)
- Octave, directed by Emily Hubley (U.S.A.)
- The Offshore Reserves, directed and written by Jamie Bradshaw and Alexander Doulerain (Russia)
- Out of the Woods, directed and written by Samuel Dowe-Sandes (U.S.A.)
- The Package, directed and written by Brad Spencer (U.S.A.)
- Paradox, directed and written by Jeremy Haccoun (U.K.)
- Piece of Cake, directed and written by Cynthia Boorujy (U.S.A.)
- The Secret Language (Teanga Runda), directed and written by Brian Durnin (Ireland)
- Shiner, directed and written by Mike Doyle (U.S.A.)
- The Shovel, directed and written Nick Childs (U.S.A.)
- Spanish Boots, directed and written by Domenica Cameron-Scorsese (U.S.A.)
- The Temptation of Victoria, directed by Michael Shamberg (U.S.A. and France)
- Today 30 November, directed by Mahmood Soliman (Egypt)
- Topor and me (Topor et moi), directed by Sylvia Kristel, written by Ruud Den Dryver (Netherlands)
- Torte Bluma, directed by Benjamin Ross, written by Barry Langford (U.S.A.)
- Wedlock, directed by Chris Callahan (U.S.A.)
- Who cares how long the batteries last? (¿Qué importa cuánto duran las pilas?), directed by Gustavo Rondón Córdova, written by Rafael Velásquez (Venezuela)
- Women Workers Leaving the Factory (Obreras Saliendo de la Fabrica), directed and written by José Luis Torres (Chile)
Shorts in Competition - Documentary
The Documentary Shorts program reflects real-life drama, from Don Cheadle's family trip to Africa in Journey Into Sunset, to Roseanne Cash's recollections of family and music in Marines and Musicians.
- A Long Struggle, directed by Lea Rekow, written by Matthew Phillip (U.S.A.)
- Dear Talula, directed by Lori Benson (U.S.A.)
- I'm Charlie Chaplin, directed by Jay Rosenblatt (U.S.A.)
- Ideas of Order in Cinque Terre, directed by Ken Kobland (U.S.A.)
- Inside Out, directed and written by Zohreh Shayesteh (Iran)
- The Highwater Trilogy, directed by Bill Morrison (U.S.A.)
- Journey Into Sunset, directed by Rick Wilkinson (U.S.A.)
- Mariners and Musicians, directed by Steven Lippman (U.S.A.)
- My Empire, directed by Ted Ciesielski (U.S.A.)
- Native New Yorker, directed and written by Steve Bilich (U.S.A.)
- Never Like the First Time! (Aldrig som forsta gangen!), directed by Jonas Odell (Sweden)
- Offside (Nivdal), directed and written by Daniel Sivan and Dorit Tadir (Israel)
- Prom Date, directed by Poull Brien (U.S.A.)
- Putting the River in Reverse, directed by Matthew Buzzell (U.S.A.)
- Roads of Kiarostami, directed by Abbas Kiarostami (Iran, South Korea)
- SARS, A Love Story, directed and written by Mathieu Borysevicz (U.S.A., China)
- She Rhymes Like A Girl, directed by JT Takagi (U.S.A.)
- Swan’s Island, directed by Bill Brand and Katy Martin (U.S.A.)
- The Tribe, directed by Tiffany Shlain, written by Shlain and Ken Goldberg (U.S.A.)
Shorts in Competition - Student
Student shorts in competition represent projects from the leading film schools in the United States as well as international film programs in Israel, Mexico, South Korea, and Australia. Creative storytelling characterizes these works from talented emerging filmmakers.
- Chicxulub, directed and written by Malona P. Voigt (U.S.A.)
- Dead End Job, directed and written by Samantha Davidson Green (U.S.A.)
- The Debt, directed and written by Levan Koguashvili (U.S.A.)
- Duncan Removed, directed and written by Peter Livolsi and Matthew Schaefer (U.S.A.)
- In a Single Bound, a documentary, directed and written by Ross Marroso (U.S.A.)
- Interview, directed by Boyoung Lee (South Korea)
- Kite Circuit, directed and written by Austin Andrews (Australia)
- Night Visions, a documentary, directed by Kathy Huang (U.S.A.)
- Orange Bow, directed and written by Dee Rees (U.S.A.)
- Playing the News, a documentary, directed by Jeff Plunkett and Jigar Mehta (U.S.A.)
- The Projectionist (Dian Ying Fang Ying Yuan), directed and written by Elaine Liu (U.S.A.)
- Recalled, directed and written by Michael Connors (U.S.A.)
- Shelter, directed and written by Luke Hutton (U.S.A., Canada)
- The Substitute (Hayelet Bodeda), directed by Tayla Lavie, written by Lavie and Oded Binnun (Israel)
- Twenty Dollar Drinks, directed and written by David Brind (U.S.A.)
- Under the Rubble (Bajo los Escombros), directed by Carlos Davila Yeo (Mexico)
- Walk on a Little More, directed and written by Minyoung Shim (South Korea)
Synopses, cast and crew credits and press contacts for the short films announced can be viewed in the press section of the Tribeca Film Festival website www.tribecafilmfestival.org
Tribeca Announces Showcase & Restored
The 2006 Tribeca Film Festival announced the films to be featured in their
Showcase While they are new to NY, these films have been highlights of other festivals.
Akeelah and the Bee, directed and written by Doug Atchison (U.S.A.) - New York Premiere. A Lionsgate Release. Akeelah is a precocious 11-year-old from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite her mother's objections, she enters several spelling contests, and with the support of a special tutor and the entire neighborhood, she earns a spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This uplifting film stars Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Curtis Armstrong, and Keke Palmer.
Al Franken: God Spoke, a documentary directed by Christine Hegedus and Nick Doob (U.S.A.) - New York Premiere. This hilarious doc about one man's unceasing battle against the Right tracks Al Franken's transformation from mild-mannered comedy writer to full-on political player. Featuring appearances by Ann Coulter, Michael Moore, Al Gore, John Kerry, and Henry Kissinger.
Black Sun, a documentary directed by Gary Tarn (U.K.) - New York Premiere. Where there is no vision, does the artist perish? In this haunting, original first-person narrative, NYC-based French painter and filmmaker Hugues de Montalembert, who lost his sight after a mugger threw paint thinner in his eyes, narrates his journey into sudden blindness and out of despair, as composer-turned-filmmaker Gary Tarn's mesmerizing web of sounds and images recreates the world from his point of view.
Brothers of the Head, directed by Louis Pepe and Keith Fulton, written by Tony Grisoni (U.K.) - New York Premiere. An IFC Release. London, 1975. Conjoined twins with a creepy, crypto-erotic bond take the burgeoning glam/punk scene by storm in this eerie mockumentary-style adaptation of Brian Aldiss' novel. Luke and Harry Treadway deliver searing performances as two very different parts of one fatally compromised whole, and the film and its music will stick with you for days.
Close to Home (Karov La Bayit), directed and written by Dalia Hager and Vidi Bilu (Israel) - New York Premiere. In this critically acclaimed study of Israeli women and compulsory military service, two diametrically opposed women are thrown together on patrol in Jerusalem: Mirit is respectful of her military superiors, while Smadar barely conceals her desires for rebellion. When a bomb explodes, the two reconcile their differences, and a tenuous friendship is forged.
Eden, directed and written by Michael Hofmann (Germany) - North American Premiere. In this charming culinary comedy, Gregor is a distinguished chef who specializes in aphrodisiac dishes but can't seem to work his sensual magic on women. When the portly chef meets the delectable but married Eve, he gets a taste of true love. But can their shared gastronomical passions turn into something more substantial?
Hanging Garden (Kuutyuu Teien), directed and written by Toshiaki Toyoda (Japan) - New York Premiere. Meet the Kyobashis, a model suburban Japanese family. Or are they? In director Toshiaki Toyoda's skillful examination of contemporary domestic malaise, a mother's plan for the perfect family initially seems to be working, but we soon learn that her perceived perfection is a lie that each family member chooses to believe at the expense of reality.
The Heart of the Game, a documentary directed and written by Ward Serrill (U.S.A.) - New York Premiere. A Miramax Release. In the tradition of Hoop Dreams, this heart-pounding documentary about girls, race, and basketball follows a talented if occasionally self-destructive teenage star and her coach over the course of six years as she, her team, and her coach suffer crushing defeats and soaring victories on and off the court.
Kill Gil (Volume 1), a documentary directed by Gil Rossellini (Italy) - New York Premiere. Gil Rossellini (son of Italian filmmaker Roberto and brother of actress Isabella) documents his battle with a rare and devastating bacterial infection, which made him a paraplegic. Shot in a charmingly low-tech, off-the-cuff manner, Kill Gil (Volume 1) conveys a tremendous sense of hope and perseverance, while avoiding pat feelings of pity and morbidity. In English.
loudQUIETloud, a documentary directed by Steven Cantor and Matthew Galkin (U.S.A.) - New York Premiere. The Pixies reunite 12 years after their inauspicious split and set out to re-conquer the world, and their own demons. This dazzling concert doc eschews rock-god clichés and goes straight to the heart of four people who need music-and one another-more than they ever knew.
Madeinusa, directed and written by Claudia Llosa (Peru, Spain) - New York Premiere. The title heroine of this stunning debut work lives in a remote Andean village where, every Easter weekend, the villagers live sinfully without fear of celestial reprisal. When our ostensible hero blows into town from the big city and meets the heroine, what could spin into a classic fairy-tale takes a surreal, satisfying turn. I saw this film at Sundance in January 2006 and it was extraordinary!
The Sacred Family (La Sagrada Familia), directed and written by Sebastián Campos (Chile) - New York Premiere. In this keenly observed debut feature, architecture student Marco brings Sofia, his new and impulsive girlfriend, home to meet his parents over Easter weekend. Sofia's flirtatious, manipulative ways soon crack the veneer of Marco's bourgeois family, turning the entire household upside-down.
The Shutka Book of Records, a documentary directed by Aleksandar Manic (Serbia and Montenegro) - New York Premiere. In the Balkan town of Shutka, the Romani (Gypsy) population is thriving and everyone is considered a champion at something. This droll film introduces us to a variety of Shutka's colorful, comically self-assured champions, from the boxer and the lovemaker to the grave robber and the vampire hunter.
Sound of the Soul, a documentary directed by Stephen Olsson (U.S.A.) - New York Premiere. In a world where religions often drive people apart, Sound of the Soul offers a joyfully welcome reminder that spirituality can also bring us together. The film explores Morocco's historic heritage of tolerance, and showcases a stunning array of brilliant musicians at the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, whose profound expressions of love and longing are unforgettable.
Taking Father Home (Bei Ya Zi De Nan Hai), directed by Ying Liang, written by Ying Liang and Peng Shan (China) - New York Premiere. Filled with bitterness and a thirst for revenge, a 17-year-old boy leaves his rural Chinese village to seek out the father who abandoned him 6 years earlier. But once the boy arrives in the big city of Zigong, the long-awaited encounter with his father leads him to make a dramatic decision. In Mandarin.
Viva Zapatero!, a documentary directed and written by Sabina Guzzanti (Italy) - New York Premiere. When Italian comedienne Guzzanti's satirical TV show was canceled after Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's media corporation filed a 20-million-euro lawsuit, she got serious, sort of. Following in the footsteps of Michael Moore (only far more talented at imitating her target), Guzzanti exposes the seedy underbelly of Berlusconi's Right-wing regime in this viciously funny work.
Wah-Wah directed and written by Richard E. Grant (U.K.) - New York Premiere. A Roadside Attractions Release. Partially based on childhood of this first-time director (and well-known actor) in British-controlled Swaziland, Wah-Wah paints a picture of colonialism on the wane and frames it with the story of a boy's awakening to the wider world. Starring Gabriel Byrne, Miranda Richardson, and Emily Watson.
Word Play, a documentary directed by Patrick Creadon (U.S.A.) - New York Premiere. An IFC Release. Tag along with Will Shortz, the legendary crossword editor of the New York Times, as he and his fellow word enthusiasts construct the newspaper's brainteasers and the annual American Crossword Tournament, which Shortz founded. Also featuring interviews with crossword-puzzle devotees Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Jon Stewart, Ken Burns, the Indigo Girls, and others. Co-presented by the New York Times.
The Restored/Rediscovered films at Tribeca 2006 include:
Barren Lives (Vidas Secas), directed and written by Nelson Pereira dos Santos (Brazil, 1963). A newly-struck copy of a classic early film by Pereira dos Santos, whose Brasilia 18% is premiering at the Festival. Adapted from a novel by Graciliano Ramos, the film follows a ranch hand and his family, who are forced off their land in the early 40's by a severe drought and social injustice, and head off in search of work and a better life.
Big Combo, directed by Joseph H. Lewis, written by Philip Yordan (U.S.A., 1955) - World Premiere Restoration. The UCLA Film & Television Archive's new restoration of this memorably nasty film noir is especially good news since it was shot by the master of noir lighting, John Alton, and the prints available in recent years didn't do justice to his art. Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, Brian Donlevy, and Lee Van Cleef give standout performances in this cult classic.
Burning Patience (Ardiente Paciencia), directed and written by Antonio Skármeta (Portugal and Germany, 1983) - North American Premiere Revival. A postman's life is forever changed when Pablo Neruda, the famous Chilean poet and diplomat, is exiled to the postman's remote village. Writer/director Skarmeta's charming, sexy, and largely overlooked film was the original screen adaptation of his own popular novella, which was also the basis for the 1994 film, Il Postino. In Spanish
Fair Wind to Java, directed by Joseph Kane, written by Richard Tregaskis (U.S.A.) World Premiere Restoration. This 1953 South Seas adventure, starring Fred MacMurray and Vera Ralston, is the essence of Republic Pictures' "B" movie style, and it's been lovingly restored to its TruColor glory by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. Climaxing with a volcanic explosion that must be seen to be disbelieved, it's the ultimate Saturday matinee experience. Introduced by Martin Scorsese.
On the Bowery, directed by Lionel Rogosin, written by Richard Bagley and Lionel Rogosin (U.S.A., 1957). World Premiere Restoration. On the heels of its lovely restoration of Lionel Rogosin's Come Back, Africa (1960), which premiered at TFF last year, the Cineteca di Bologna has just finished restoring Rogosin's first film, the Oscar©-nominated documentary about the harsh and often shocking realities of life on what in the '50s was New York's Skid Row.
Prix de Beauté, directed by Augusto Genina, written by René Clair and G.W. Pabst (France). As her final starring role, the legendary Louise Brooks plays a typist who wins a beauty contest in this French-shot feature. We are screening the rare silent version, which is somewhat different from the sound version that is usually shown. Preceded by Giovani Pastrone's one-reeler, The Fall of Troy (1911). Both films with live piano accompaniment by Donald Sosin and live translation of French and Italian intertitles.
The River, directed by Jean Renoir, written by Rumer Godden and Jean Renoir (India, U.S.A.). A not-to-be-missed screening of a recent restoration, which returns one of the most memorable and lovely color films of all time to its original glow. A group of English colonials on the banks of the Ganges gradually succumb to India's eternal perspectives. Renoir's images flow with the same languor as the metaphorical river. In English.
Tribute to Nam June Paik, A collection of work by Korea-born, New York-based video art pioneer Nam June Paik, who died in January. Presented in collaboration with the Nam June Paik Studio, Electronic Arts Intermix, and John Hanhardt, Senior Curator of the Film and Media Arts department at the Guggenheim Museum.
"Man is what he believes."
Anton Chekhov
(1860 - 1904)
Russian Playwright
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."
Marcel Proust (1871 - 1922)
French Novelist
FULL FRAME GRAND JURY AWARD
They were so far out in front of everyone else on this one! At Sundance this year, we went to several workshops at the House of Docs. Cara Mertes was talking about how popular documentary films have become and how Sundance is supporting the surging interest. Now, don't get me wrong, docs have always been supported and popular at Sundance but, in the early days, it felt more like the rest of the festival supported the docs. Now, the docs are holding their own and even surpassing the features in some instances.
After five years at Sundance, programmer 
BY JENIECE TORANZO MESA, ARIZONA— Director and screenwriter, Gina Kim, tells a story of a young woman (Sophie) played by Vera Farmiga, who is married to a wealthy Asian American (Andrew), played by David McInnis. Sophie has a difficult time getting pregnant and discovers how far she will go in order to have a child. In order to save her marriage, she begins a sexual relationship with an illegal immigrant from Korea (Jihah), played by Jung-woo Ha. Sophie then finds her true self while juggling between the two men, one that she loves and the other that she falls in love with. This movie was well shot and edited. The cinematography is just amazing along with the well thought out color scheme. The cast did such an amazing job in their performance in delivering a well scripted movie. You can feel the emotion and pain in each character as they learn to cope with the situations they are put in. I will let you know, for those who care, that this movie is based on a sexual relationship between Sophie and Jihah, which means, be prepared for a whole lotta sex happening. Overall, the storyline well thought out. The ending is controversial which makes it even more appealing. Be sure to check out the Q&A with the Director and some of the cast.
During the 
Zambian filmmaker Jabbes Mvula joined us for the screening. It was interesting to discuss it with him afterwards. Like his film, the story was an exploration of a non-western culture. On the way to the film he said that he found American culture boring because everyone is always tired and works too much. He said the Zambian culture was rich and more interconnected. He said friends gather almost every day after work to talk and visit and dance. In the U.S., he said, even when he had time, friends were rarely free to spend time.
