Two highly-anticipated second feature films from U.S. underground filmmakers will be making their World Premieres all the way over at the 64th annual Edinburgh International Film Festival, which will run for twelve days on June 16-27. The films are Rona Mark’s The Crab and Zach Clark’s Vacation!.
The Crab, which screens on June 21, is the touching story of a verbally abusive man born with two enormous, mutant-like hands; while Vacation!, which screens on June 20, tracks four urban gals let loose in a sunny seaside resort down South.
Both Mark and Clark previously screened their debut features at Eiff. Mark’s Strange Girls screened there in 2008 and Clark’s Modern Love Is Automatic screened in 2009. Both films also ended up as runners-up in Bad Lit’s annual Movie of the Year award, again Strange Girls in 2008 and Modern Love in 2009. Sadly, these two masterpieces are still unavailable on...
The Crab, which screens on June 21, is the touching story of a verbally abusive man born with two enormous, mutant-like hands; while Vacation!, which screens on June 20, tracks four urban gals let loose in a sunny seaside resort down South.
Both Mark and Clark previously screened their debut features at Eiff. Mark’s Strange Girls screened there in 2008 and Clark’s Modern Love Is Automatic screened in 2009. Both films also ended up as runners-up in Bad Lit’s annual Movie of the Year award, again Strange Girls in 2008 and Modern Love in 2009. Sadly, these two masterpieces are still unavailable on...
- 6/4/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
For my latest bit of virtual tourism via the the online streaming program of the Tribeca Film Festival, I visited Northern Finland, specifically the city of Oulu, which apparently has the worst rugby team in the nation. Documented throughout a single season by Mika Ronkainen for his film Freetime Machos, the underdogs sadly never come up from behind to make a dramatic championship victory, as they might in a Hollywood production. But that somewhat works to the advantage of the doc's exploration of modern masculinity within a constantly humiliated sports club.
I say somewhat, because I was honestly bored for much of the film's 86 minutes, whether it was the result of my having no understanding or interest in rugby or the matter of tedious repetition on the part of the story. Here's another game, they lose, they sauna, they get drunk, wrestle a bit in their skivvies, have serious or...
I say somewhat, because I was honestly bored for much of the film's 86 minutes, whether it was the result of my having no understanding or interest in rugby or the matter of tedious repetition on the part of the story. Here's another game, they lose, they sauna, they get drunk, wrestle a bit in their skivvies, have serious or...
- 4/27/2010
- by Christopher Campbell
- Cinematical
If you've ever wondered to yourself, 'Gee, I wonder what the northernmost rugby team in the world is?' then Freetime Machos is the film you want to see at Tribeca this year. Something like a This Is Spinal Tap (but genuine) about a fairly poor rugby team in Northern Finland, Freetime Machos emerges as a compelling, intimate portrait of a team of men who play as much for love of the game as for an escape-space where they can avoid their nagging wives and girlfriends and the larger concerns in their lives. Focusing on a friendship between two players - Matti Keranen and Mikko Koljonen - director Mika Ronkainen manages to evoke the emotional fabric of the team with great strength. The film's North American premiere was Sunday night at the Village East Cinemas. After the screening, Ronkainen came out, alongside four of the team's members and its coach,...
- 4/26/2010
- TribecaFilm.com
Freetime Machos
If you're not offended by blond, Finnish, amateur rugby players who have a penchant for blowup dolls, homosexual allusions, the frequent use of “pussy,” and a fear of being fired by their employer, Nokia, Mika Ronkainen’s affable documentary might just be up your alley.
This oddball look at the Oulos, the third lousiest rugby team from their area, clearly argues that men will be men no matter the latitude: “In Finland, you rather get stabbed in the back than complain of female trouble.”
read more...
If you're not offended by blond, Finnish, amateur rugby players who have a penchant for blowup dolls, homosexual allusions, the frequent use of “pussy,” and a fear of being fired by their employer, Nokia, Mika Ronkainen’s affable documentary might just be up your alley.
This oddball look at the Oulos, the third lousiest rugby team from their area, clearly argues that men will be men no matter the latitude: “In Finland, you rather get stabbed in the back than complain of female trouble.”
read more...
- 4/25/2010
- by Brandon Judell
- www.culturecatch.com
Documentary filmmaker Mika Ronkainen will premiere his latest raucous documentary "Freetime Machos," to North American audiences at Tribeca. Matti and Mikko play for Finland's worst amateur rugby team. Overworked and domesticated, the two men long for a space to revel in their masculinity and bond with other men. While weekend rugby allows them to indulge in a communal fantasy of virility, between practices the teammates struggle with their more real and ...
- 4/16/2010
- indieWIRE - People
Documentary filmmaker Mika Ronkainen will premiere his latest raucous documentary "Freetime Machos," to North American audiences at Tribeca. Matti and Mikko play for Finland's worst amateur rugby team. Overworked and domesticated, the two men long for a space to revel in their masculinity and bond with other men. While weekend rugby allows them to indulge in a communal fantasy of virility, between practices the teammates struggle with their more real and ...
- 4/16/2010
- Indiewire
TribecaFilm.com: Tell us a little about Freetime Machos. What inspired you to tell this story? Mika Ronkainen: I was under the impression that nobody played rugby up in northern Finland where I come from. And I must say, I had a bit of stereotypical prejudice about men who play rugby, you know. So when I heard about the team, I was immediately intrigued. And when I went to see them play, and I saw how they were together, I fell in love with them. They proved my stereotypes wrong. If you have great characters in an unusual setting, you can't fail. I realized I had great characters, and I could relate to them. Then it struck me that rugby was a sorf of last masculine resort for them in modern Finland. At work you don't use your physical masculinity that much anymore, and at home the role of...
- 4/14/2010
- TribecaFilm.com
The ongoing media shift to online entertainment has just moved even further. The Tribeca Film Festival has decided to bring its annual festival online to home viewers. If you've ever waited on the lines at Tribeca, you can understand the importance of this digital upgrade. Now, you'll be able to bypass the lines - at least for a select group of films. Right now, the festival only appears to be screening eight feature film, which Tribeca is calling premium films, and 18 shorts from their full schedule. The feature films include: - Buried Land from Directors Geoffrey Alan Rhodes and Steven Eastwood - Elvis & Madona Directed by Marcelo Laffitte - Freetime Machos Directed by Mika Ronkainen - Into the Cold Directed by Sebastian Copeland - Nice Guy Johnny Directed by Edward Burns - Possessed Directed by Lee Yong-ju - The Sentimental Engine Slayer Directed by Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Spork Directed...
- 4/6/2010
- by Alexis James-Whitehead
- BuzzFocus.com
Ice Cube's documentary about the Los Angeles Raiders, "Straight Outta L.A.," will have its world premiere April 23 at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival as it launches the Tribeca/Espn Sports Film Festival, which runs April 21-May 2.
"Straight" is part of Espn's "30 for 30," a collection of sports docs marking the sports net's 30th anniversary. "Straight" will be broadcast by Espn on May 11.
Entering its fourth year, the Tribeca/Espn Sports Film Festival spotlights indie films about sports and competition. This year's lineup also includes: Jeff Tremaine's "The Birth of Big Air"; Mika Ronkainen's "Freetime Machos"; Sebastian Copeland's "Into the Cold"; Bjoern Richie Lob's "Keep Surfing"; Jon Small and Greg Whitely's "Last Play at Shea"; and Jeff Zimbalist's "The Two Escobars."...
"Straight" is part of Espn's "30 for 30," a collection of sports docs marking the sports net's 30th anniversary. "Straight" will be broadcast by Espn on May 11.
Entering its fourth year, the Tribeca/Espn Sports Film Festival spotlights indie films about sports and competition. This year's lineup also includes: Jeff Tremaine's "The Birth of Big Air"; Mika Ronkainen's "Freetime Machos"; Sebastian Copeland's "Into the Cold"; Bjoern Richie Lob's "Keep Surfing"; Jon Small and Greg Whitely's "Last Play at Shea"; and Jeff Zimbalist's "The Two Escobars."...
- 3/17/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While most eyes are on Austin, Texas this week for SXSW, many people on the East Coast eagerly await a closer show as this year’s Tribeca Film Festival kicks off on April 21st. The festival is mainly for indie pictures, rather than the larger, blockbuster films, but is also a great place for up-and-coming directors and writers to showcase their work.
With the festival coming up in just over a month, they are already rolling out this year’s schedule and have announced the first 34 films out of a total of 85 feature length and 47 shorts screening at this year’s fest. Among the titles were those submitted to the World Narrative and Documentary competition, as well as the Showcase and Special Events.
Some of the titles look to be quite intriguing, and could include some of the bigger names of the next decade. Be sure to check out the...
With the festival coming up in just over a month, they are already rolling out this year’s schedule and have announced the first 34 films out of a total of 85 feature length and 47 shorts screening at this year’s fest. Among the titles were those submitted to the World Narrative and Documentary competition, as well as the Showcase and Special Events.
Some of the titles look to be quite intriguing, and could include some of the bigger names of the next decade. Be sure to check out the...
- 3/11/2010
- by Matt Raub
- The Flickcast
9th Annual Festival to Present 85 Feature-Length and 47 Short Film Selections from April 21 – May 2, 2010
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Tribeca Film Festival Virtual and Tribeca Film Boost Festival Reach
New York, NY [March 10, 2010] – The 2010 Tribeca Film Festival (Tff), presented by American Express®, the Founding Sponsor of the Festival, today announced the first 34 films to be presented among the 85 feature length and 47 short films at this year’s Festival. The 34 titles include 24 World Narrative and Documentary Competition films, as well as out-of-competition feature film selections in the Showcase and Special Events sections.
The 2010 Tff will take place from April 21 to May 2 in lower Manhattan. The 2010 film selection encompasses feature films from 38 different countries, including 45 World Premieres, 7 International Premieres, 14 North American Premieres, 6 U.S. Premieres and 12 New York Premieres, among which are 7 titles which are part of the fourth annual Tribeca/Espn Sports Film Festival. 96 directors will be presenting feature works at the Festival, with 38 of these filmmakers presenting...
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Tribeca Film Festival Virtual and Tribeca Film Boost Festival Reach
New York, NY [March 10, 2010] – The 2010 Tribeca Film Festival (Tff), presented by American Express®, the Founding Sponsor of the Festival, today announced the first 34 films to be presented among the 85 feature length and 47 short films at this year’s Festival. The 34 titles include 24 World Narrative and Documentary Competition films, as well as out-of-competition feature film selections in the Showcase and Special Events sections.
The 2010 Tff will take place from April 21 to May 2 in lower Manhattan. The 2010 film selection encompasses feature films from 38 different countries, including 45 World Premieres, 7 International Premieres, 14 North American Premieres, 6 U.S. Premieres and 12 New York Premieres, among which are 7 titles which are part of the fourth annual Tribeca/Espn Sports Film Festival. 96 directors will be presenting feature works at the Festival, with 38 of these filmmakers presenting...
- 3/10/2010
- Makingof.com
The 2010 Tribeca Film Festival has announced its scheduled lineup -- and just like its home, New York City, its got a little bit of everything.
The Festival will kick off with the world premiere of DreamWorks' 3D "Shrek Forever After."
But then it launches into a darker realm with documentaries like Alex Gibney's latest. The Oscar-winning director ("Taxi to the Dark Side") will screen his new untitled doc on the former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer, who resigned his post in 2008 due to a sex scandal, as a work-in-progress. The film will screen as one of three special events that festival organizers announced Wednesday (Mar. 10).
The Special Events section also includes another work-in-progress screening of "The Western Front." This documentary follows its writer/director and Marine, Zachary Iscol, who returns to his battle site in Iraq's Al Anbar province. David Lean's 1965 classic "Doctor Zhivago" got a make-over for its 45th anniversary,...
The Festival will kick off with the world premiere of DreamWorks' 3D "Shrek Forever After."
But then it launches into a darker realm with documentaries like Alex Gibney's latest. The Oscar-winning director ("Taxi to the Dark Side") will screen his new untitled doc on the former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer, who resigned his post in 2008 due to a sex scandal, as a work-in-progress. The film will screen as one of three special events that festival organizers announced Wednesday (Mar. 10).
The Special Events section also includes another work-in-progress screening of "The Western Front." This documentary follows its writer/director and Marine, Zachary Iscol, who returns to his battle site in Iraq's Al Anbar province. David Lean's 1965 classic "Doctor Zhivago" got a make-over for its 45th anniversary,...
- 3/10/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Tribeca International Film Festival announced the first 34 feature films of the 2010 festival slate. “This year’s competition, the core of the Festival, represents contemporary international filmmaking at its finest, bringing together fresh voices with established storytellers. These stories will leave audiences engaged, as well as entertained, which is what our Festival is all about,” said David Kwok, Director of Programming for the Tribeca Film Festival.
Representing 8 countries, this year’s World Narrative Feature Competition will be an international film collection created by many first- and second-time directors. 7 of the films here in this section are World Premieres. Road, Movie directed by Dev Benegal will be screened in ‘Showcase’ section of the festival. The lineup is as follows:
World Narrative Feature Competition "Buried Land," directed by Geoffrey Alan Rhodes and Steven Eastwood, written by Rhodes, Eastwood and Dzenan Medanovic. Set in a war-torn town in Bosnia that attracts tourists visiting ancient pyramids.
Representing 8 countries, this year’s World Narrative Feature Competition will be an international film collection created by many first- and second-time directors. 7 of the films here in this section are World Premieres. Road, Movie directed by Dev Benegal will be screened in ‘Showcase’ section of the festival. The lineup is as follows:
World Narrative Feature Competition "Buried Land," directed by Geoffrey Alan Rhodes and Steven Eastwood, written by Rhodes, Eastwood and Dzenan Medanovic. Set in a war-torn town in Bosnia that attracts tourists visiting ancient pyramids.
- 3/10/2010
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Alex Gibney's latest documentary, a portrait of former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who resigned his post in 2008 because of a sex scandal, will be spotlighted at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, which runs from April 21 to May 2 in New York.
The currently untitled film from the director of the Oscar-winning "Taxi to the Dark Side," will screen as a work-in-progress as one of three special events that festival organizers unveiled today.
"I think people will be really surprised," said David Kwok, the festival's director of programming. "It doesn't just focus on the scandal. It's more comprehensive than that, looking at Eliot Spitzer as a person and at his entire career."
Also playing in the fest's Special Events section are David Lean's 1965 epic "Doctor Zhivago," marking its 45th anniversary with a new restoration that will be released by Warner Home Video, and a work-in-progress screening of the doc "The Western Front,...
The currently untitled film from the director of the Oscar-winning "Taxi to the Dark Side," will screen as a work-in-progress as one of three special events that festival organizers unveiled today.
"I think people will be really surprised," said David Kwok, the festival's director of programming. "It doesn't just focus on the scandal. It's more comprehensive than that, looking at Eliot Spitzer as a person and at his entire career."
Also playing in the fest's Special Events section are David Lean's 1965 epic "Doctor Zhivago," marking its 45th anniversary with a new restoration that will be released by Warner Home Video, and a work-in-progress screening of the doc "The Western Front,...
- 3/10/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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