YOUR AD HERE »

Aspen Shortsfest the schedule

Aspen Times Staff ReportAspen, CO Colorado
Stephen Nearys animated short, Chicken Cowboy, is among the slate of films to be screened during Aspen Films Shortsfest 2009.
ALL |

ASPEN Anyone who has logged onto the Internet phenomenon that is YouTube knows the power of the short film. So does Aspen Film, which presents its 18th edition of Shortsfest on April 1-5 at screens in Aspen and Carbondale. The shortest film in this years slate runs 2 minutes; the longest clocks in at 40 minutes, but most run about 15 minutes or less. A filmmaker discussion is scheduled after each film program.Tickets are $12, available at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, at http://www.aspenshowtickets.com or call 920-5770. In Carbondale, head to Sounds Easy. Those who buy tickets by March 27 can save $1 per ticket.The program guide for Shortfest 2009 shapes up like this:

PROGRAM ONE, 5:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, Aspen AMare One day, the sea produces more than the usual days catch for two young Sicilian fishers. An intriguing chapter of a childhood friendship. (Martina Amati, UK, 15 min.)The Cable Car A powerful sneeze and duct tape seal the fate of a resourceful gondola rider. (Claudius Gentinetta, co-directed by Frank Braun, Switzerland, 6 min.)French Roast A delightful animated morality tale about deceptive appearances, coffee, and the bill, if you please. (Fabrice O. Joubert, France, 8 min.)I Knew It Was You In his all-too-brief career (including The Godfather I & II, Dog Day Afternoon), John Cazale established himself as the consummate actors actor. Director Richard Shepard (The Matador) has crafted a long-overdue tribute filled with rare clips and interviews featuring Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and others. (Richard Shepard, USA, 40 min.)Lesh Sabreen? Two young Arabs living in Jerusalem contemplate a future free from the equally oppressive dictates of family tradition and political reality. (Muayad Alayan, Palestine, 20 min.)Whatever Turns You On A comically poignant vignette about the need to belong. (Declan Cassidy, Ireland, 4 min.) PROGRAM TWO, 8:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, Aspen Adelaide Afflicted with Mnchausen syndrome, Adelaide fakes illness to draw attention and sympathy. But when she falls in love for the first time, she finds that old habits die hard. (Liliana Grenfield-Sanders, USA, 13 min.)Forbach A young Parisian actor returns to his working-class hometown, and everyone is proud of his success. Can he find similar satisfaction in a long-awaited family reunion? (Claire Burger, France, 35 min.)Jerrycan A dull summer day takes on high stakes when Nathan is bullied into executing a foolish prank by his equally bored mates. (Julius Avery, Australia, 14 min.)Lies This brilliant blend of live action and animation tells three perfectly true stories about lying. (Jonas Odell, Sweden/Finland, 13 min.Santa: The Fascist Years Shortsfest favorite Bill Plympton exposes Santas hidden past, with narration by Matthew Modine. (Bill Plympton, USA, 4 min.)Short Term 12 During one particularly trying day, Denim, the supervisor of an at-risk teens facility, has an epiphany about who really needs help. (Destin Daniel Cretton, USA, 22 min.)

PROGRAM THREE, 5:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, AspenCopy of Coralie A copy-shop owners nostalgic memory of a long-ago romance and his assistants desire to solve a 30-year-old mystery set the stage for this offbeat lyrical love story. (Nicolas Engel, France, 22 min.)Crossing Midnight When a health crisis strikes the war-torn jungles along the Burmese-Thai border, refugee communities bravely respond in a uniquely resourceful way. Kim Snyder (One Bridge to the Next) directs this inspiring documentary. (Kim Snyder, USA, 30 min.)The Herd Amidst the familys cattle, youll find one beguiling interloper whos convinced she belongs. (Ken Wardrop, Ireland, 4 min.)Immersion Ten-year-old Moises, a Spanish-speaking immigrant, is eager to learn and a whiz at math. But he cannot understand his teacher. (Richard Levien, USA, 14 min.)Sidney Turtlebaum An elderly and eccentric con man (Derek Jacobi) reveals his unusual M.O. to an innocent new friend (Rupert Evans) in this bittersweet comedy. (Tristram Shapeero, UK, 18 min.)Western Spaghetti Everyday objects become delicious ingredients through the lens of stop-motion maestro PES. (PES, USA, 2 min.)Youre Outa Here Via an updated Fats Waller tune, a spunky descendant of Betty Boop tells her no-good boyfriend to hit the road. (George Griffin, USA, 3 min.)PROGRAM FOUR, 8:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, Aspen Betty Banned Sweets Restless Benjamin crafts his dreams of adventure in shoebox dioramas and plots his escape from a humdrum life. Meanwhile, Mom is planning his birthday party. (Michelle Savill, New Zealand, 14 min.)Dockweiler In this powerfully-acted drama, the new hire on a beach maintenance team of ex-cons threatens the hard-won empire of work-crew boss “The Duke.” (Nick Palmer, USA, 15 min.)PAL/SECAM In the throes of puberty, Boris attracts more attention than he bargained for with his mothers VCR. A hilarious snapshot of the late Soviet era. (Dmitry Povolotsky, Russia/USA, 15 min.)Ralph Ralph travels to France in pursuit of his first love and encounters an unexpected dilemma. A fondly rendered coming-of-age tale. (Alex Winckler, UK/France, 13 min.)Rip and the Preacher A fire-and-brimstone street preacher, confronted by a young atheist, faces the ultimate test of faith. (Michael Lennox, Ireland/UK, 7 min.)She Who Measures This timely and provocative animation asks: Are we slaves to our society, or is there an escape after all? (Veljko Popovic, Croatia, 7 min.)The Tea of Forgetfulness In this painterly animation, a young woman wanders into a shadowy world of mystery and temptation. (Sandra Desmazires, France, 13 min.)



PROGRAM FIVE, 5:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, AspenEvery Day Is Not the Same Six different lives. One ordinary day. Its the little things that make life both maddening and magically serendipitous. (Martin Turk, Slovenia, 12 min.)The Kinda Sutra A sweetly comic blend of live interviews and animation reveals youthful misconceptions about conception. (Jessica Yu, USA, 8 min.)The Man I Never Knew Over chess and cigarettes on the Siberian Steppe, a young man poses questions the young usually wait too long to ask. (Prokopiy Burtsev, Russia, 12 min.)Mustang – Journey of Transformation Richard Gere narrates the extraordinary story of how one of the last sanctuaries of Tibetan Buddhist culture was saved from extinction. Featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama. (Will Parrinello, USA/Nepal, 27 min.)Netherland Dwarf Harry wants a pet rabbit. Harrys dad wants his wife back. And theyve both forgotten that they already have each other. (David Michd, Australia, 15 min.)The Royal Nightmare An evil kings life goes terribly wrong in the latest from animator Alex Budovsky (Last Time in Clerkenwell). (Alex Budovsky, USA, 4 min.)Soil in Good Heart Soil – we cant live without it. The director of The Future of Food visits with farmers, scientists, and activists to explore why. (Deborah Koons Garcia, USA/India/Norway/UK, 13 min.)This Way Up In this lively animated caper, a series of misfortunes befalls a pair of undertakers on the way to the cemetery. (Adam Foulkes & Alan Smith, UK, 9 min.) PROGRAM SIX, 8:45 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, Aspen The Ground Beneath The emotional riptides of an overbearing father and bullying classmates threaten to engulf teenaged Kaden. Does he have the strength to keep on his feet? (Rene Hernandez, Australia, 20 min.)Monsieur Cok To make his bomb factory more efficient, Mister Cok replaces his workers with robots but one is not so easily discarded. (Franck Dion, France, 10 min.)Mutt All work and no play spells imminent disaster for a grumpy farmer, his cow, and a fetch-obsessed dog. (Glen Hunwick, Australia, 7 min.)Next Floor During an obscenely decadent banquet, a strange twist threatens to disrupt the seemingly endless flow of culinary abundance. (Denis Villeneuve, Canada, 12 min.)These Guys Know What Love Is An irreverent musical ode to love, at least according to Tom and Doug. (Thomas Florek, USA, 5 min.)This Is Her While watching her younger self in childbirth, Evie reveals, through hilariously wry and pointed commentary, how life will turn out for her new daughter and loving husband. (Katie Wolfe, New Zealand, 12 min.)The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306 In April 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Memphis to lead a march, spent an hour reminiscing with two preacher friends at a motel. Moments later everything changed. An unforgettable account of Dr. King and his final days as remembered by Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles and other civilrights luminaries. (Adam Pertofsky, USA, 32 min.) PROGRAM A, 5:30 and 8 p.m., Crystal Theatre, CarbondaleThe Funeral Upon news of their mothers death, three brothers return to Cape Cod to find their father literally drunk with grief, but things are not quite as dire as they seem. (Jonathan Emmerling, USA, 16 min.)The Herd Amidst the familys cattle, youll find one beguiling interloper whos convinced she belongs. (Ken Wardrop, Ireland, 4 min.)I Knew It Was You In his all-too-brief career (including The Godfather I & II, Dog Day Afternoon), John Cazale established himself as the consummate actors actor. Director Richard Shepard (The Matador) has crafted a long-overdue tribute filled with rare clips and interviews featuring Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and others. (Richard Shepard, USA, 40 min.)Immersion Ten-year-old Moises, a Spanish-speaking immigrant, is eager to learn and a whiz at math. But he cannot understand his teacher. (Richard Levien, USA, 14 min.)The Morse Collectors Its WWII, and far from the Front, a brother and sister obsessively decode the drips and drops of their kitchen faucet, discovering messages that have more meaning than they imagined. (David Cooke, UK, 16 min.)Trece Aos A young Cuban finds its hard to come home after 13 years away. (Topaz Adizes, Cuba/USA, 7 min.)Western Spaghetti Everyday objects become delicious ingredients through the lens of stop-motion maestro PES. (PES, USA, 2 min.)Whatever Turns You On A comically poignant vignette about the need to belong. (Declan Cassidy, Ireland, 4 min.)

LIGHTS, CAMERA, LAUGHTER, 3 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, Aspen (for ages 9 and up)Big Buck Bunny Buck is a big fellow who likes butterflies. But hes bedeviled by some pint-sized woodland bullies. (Sacha Goedegebure, The Netherlands, 10 min.)The Happy Duckling On his way home, a school boy tries to lose his new best friend…and for good reasons. (Gili Dolev, UK, 9 min.)The Royal Nightmare An evil kings life goes terribly wrong in the latest from animator Alex Budovsky (Last Time in Clerkenwell). (Alex Budovsky, USA, 4 min.)Sour Death Balls A classic that will tickle your funny bone. (Jessica Yu, USA, 4 min.)Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death The beloved claymation duo returns in a brand-new adventure. Wallace and Gromits new bakery is thriving, but the mysterious disappearances of other bakers pose a rising threat. (Nick Park, UK, 30 min.)Western Spaghetti Everyday objects become delicious ingredients through the lens of stop-motion maestro PES. (PES, USA, 2 min.) PROGRAM SEVEN, 5:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, AspenAll Embracing One womans unusual solution to big-city loneliness and isolation. (Andrew Love, UK, 5 min.)Deconstruction Workers An offbeat job-site conversation on the meaning of life. (Kajsa Nss, Norway, 6 min.)The Funeral Upon news of their mothers death, three brothers return to Cape Cod to find their father literally drunk with grief, but things are not quite as dire as they seem. (Jonathan Emmerling, USA, 16 min.)Ma Bar Bench pressing isnt a hobby for 73-year-old Bill McFadyen its a way of life, and hes on a quest to be the best. (Finlay Pretsell & Adrian McDowall, UK-Scotland, 12 min.)Making the Crooked Straight Driven by his religion and a deep humanitarianism, Dr. Rick Hodes has cared for Ethiopias sick and poor for more than 20 years. A portrait of a remarkable mans life work. (Susan Cohn Rockefeller, USA/Ethiopia, 29 min.)The Morse Collectors Its WWII, and far from the Front, a brother and sister obsessively decode the drips and drops of their kitchen faucet, discovering messages that have more meaning than they imagined. (David Cooke, UK, 16 min.)Retouches Through painted celluloid, Georges Schwizgebel animates a series of cycles capturing lifes fleeting moments. (Georges Schwizgebel, Switzerland/Canada, 6 min.)Roots In a small Turkish village threatened by a future dam, a father sets aside his fear of displacement to celebrate his young sons birthday. (Eileen Hofer, Switzerland/Turkey, 19 min.) PROGRAM EIGHT, 8:45 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, AspenChicken Cowboy Shelly the chicken wasnt looking for a fight, but found one. In this zany animation, he gains pluck. (Stephen Neary, USA, 6 min.)Concerto A discovery of infidelity drives detective Ray Lorenz to commit an impulsive act. The ensuing journey is punctuated by gritty suspense, surprise, and unexpected moments of grace. (Filippo Conz, USA, 16 min.)Instead of Abracadabra Tomas dreams of being a big-time magician, but its his fumbling life skills and attempts at romance that need the magic touch. (Patrik Eklund, Sweden, 22 min.)Miracle Fish After falling asleep in the school sick bay, wishing everyone would just go away, little Joe wakes up, thinking his wish has come true. But then an event darker than the thought of being the last person on Earth confronts him. (Luke Doolan, Australia, 18 min.)Sister Wife A Mormon fundamentalist reveals the surprisingly universal challenges of her marriage and the unexpected reason she chose polygamy. (Jill Orschel, USA, 11 min.)Skhizein After a meteorite crashes into the earth, Henry has a most peculiar out-of-body experience. (Jrmy Clapin, France, 14 min.)Ten for Grandpa David Karr was a four-time husband, wealthy businessman, White House reporter, film producer, defense contractor and Soviet spy? A filmmaker delves into his grandfathers enigmatic past. (Doug Karr, Canada/USA, 7 min.)Trece Aos A young Cuban finds its hard to come home after 13 years away. (Topaz Adizes, Cuba/USA, 7 min.) PROGRAM B, 5:30 and 8 p.m., Crystal Theatre, CarbondaleAMare One day, the sea produces more than the usual days catch for two young Sicilian fishers. An intriguing chapter of a childhood friendship. (Martina Amati, UK, 15 min.)Adelaide Afflicted with Mnchausen syndrome, Adelaide fakes illness to draw attention and sympathy. But when she falls in love for the first time, she finds that old habits die hard. (Liliana Greenfield-Sanders, USA, 13 min.)The Kinda Sutra A sweetly comic blend of live interviews and animation reveals youthful misconceptions about conception. (Jessica Yu, USA, 8 min.)Lesh Sabreen? Two young Arabs living in Jerusalem contemplate a future free from the equally oppressive dictates of family tradition and political reality. (Muayad Alayan, Palestine, 20 min.)Mustang – Journey of Transformation Richard Gere narrates the extraordinary story of how one of the last sanctuaries of Tibetan Buddhist culture was saved from extinction. Featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama. (Will Parrinello, USA/Nepal, 27 min.)Mutt All work and no play spells imminent disaster for a grumpy farmer, his cow, and a fetch-obsessed dog. (Glen Hunwick, Australia, 7 min.)The Royal Nightmare An evil kings life goes terribly wrong in the latest from animator Alex Budovsky (Last Time in Clerkenwell). (Alex Budovsky, USA, 4 min.Soil in Good Heart Soil – we cant live without it. The director of The Future of Food visits with farmers, scientists, and activists to explore why. (Deborah Koons Garcia, USA/India/Norway/UK, 13 min.)




AWARDS CEREMONY, 2:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, Aspen (invitation only) MOVIES THAT MATTER, 6 p.m., Wheeler Opera House, AspenFree showing of two environmental documentary shorts, Addicted to Plastic and Eco Trip: The Real Cost of Living-Cell Phone. PROGRAM C, 7 p.m., Crystal Theatre, CarbondaleEvery Day Is Not the Same Six different lives. One ordinary day. Its the little things that make life both maddening and magically serendipitous. (Martin Turk, Slovenia, 12 min.)French Roast A delightful animated morality tale about deceptive appearances, coffee, and the bill, if you please. (Fabrice O. Joubert, France, 8 min.).Jerrycan A dull summer day takes on high stakes when Nathan is bullied into executing a foolish prank by his equally bored mates. (Julius Avery, Australia, 14 min.)Roots In a small Turkish village threatened by a future dam, a father sets aside his fear of displacement to celebrate his young sons birthday. (Eileen Hofer, Switzerland/Turkey, 19 min.)Skhizein After a meteorite crashes into the earth, Henry has a most peculiar out-of-body experience. (Jrmy Clapin, France, 14 min.)For more on Shortfest and Aspen Film, go to http://www.aspenfilm.org