HONOLULU, HI (September 29, 2009) – The 29th annual Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) will host an array of acclaimed films in its Gala Screenings this year with some already generating Oscar-buzz, and which include the works of awe-inspiring talents such as the late Heath Ledger.
HIFF is pleased to present the Hawaii premiere and Gala Screening of THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS, starring the late Heath Ledger and directed by Terry Gilliam. Ledger captivates audiences as he gives his final performance in this imaginative race against time. HIFF will also host the Hawaii premiere of PRECIOUS – BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE, directed by Lee Daniels. This film won the prestigious Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, has gained praise and support by Oprah Winfrey, who signed on as executive producer, and has already begun to create talk among the Academy Award community.
Other Gala Screenings include the Korean drama SCANDAL MAKERS directed by Hyeong-Cheol Kang; the Japanese remake of the popular U.S. film SIDEWAYS, directed by Cellin Gluck; the U.S. premiere of the thriller STORM from German director Hans-Christian Schmid; and the Hawaii Premiere of THE YOUNG VICTORIA, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee and starring Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson and Jim Broadbent.
Over 170 films from 36 different countries will be featured at this year’s festival. HIFF’s 2009 program is being held at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Cinemas from October 15–25. Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 1st for HIFF Ohana members and Monday, October 5th to the public. General admission tickets are available for $10 or $9 for students, seniors, children and military. Tickets may be purchased in person at HIFF’s box office at 650 Iwilei Road #101 across from Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Cinemas or by phone at (808) 548-5905. The film guide is available now online at www.hiff.org. For more information please visit us at www.hiff.org.
FILM SYNOPSES (All screening times subject to change)
(MY HIFF: Indicates Other Films Viewers Might Like)
THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS
GALA PRESENTATION
HAWAII PREMIERE
Long ago, Dr. Parnassus made a deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his first-born reached its 16th birthday he or she would become the devil's property. In this captivating, explosive and wonderfully imaginative race against time, Dr. Parnassus must fight to save his daughter in a never-ending landscape of surreal obstacles - and undo the mistakes of his past once and for all.
France, Canada, United Kingdom 2009 | 122M
Director: Terry Gilliam
Cast: Johnny Depp, Heath Ledger, Colin Farrell, Jude Law
23-Oct
MY HIFF: FACE / MOTHER
PRECIOUS - BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE
GALA PRESENTATION
HAWAII PREMIERE
Claireece “Precious”
United States 2009 | 109M
Director: Lee Daniels
Cast: Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey
22-Oct
MY HIFF: MORE THAN A GAME / MAMMOTH
SCANDAL MAKERS
KWASOK SCANDLE
GALA PRESENTATION
HAWAII PREMIERE
Hyun-soo is a washed up radio host. Jung-nam, a single mother, calls in about her desire to meet her biological father. Capturing the nation’s hearts, the radio show’s ratings skyrocket. One day, Jung-nam, and her young son show up at Hyun-soo’s door, claiming that he is her father. He balks. But when Jung-nam threatens to go public, Hyun-soo is forced to cohabitate with his new “family” or risk losing his new celebrity status. A sleeper hit in Korea this year! This screening is sponsored by Honolulu Cookie Company.
South Korea 2008 | Korean w/ English subtitles | 108M
Director: Hyeong-
Cast: Cha Tae-hyun, Ahn Il-Kwon, Hong Kyeong-min, Hwang Seok-hyeon
18-Oct
19-Oct
MY HIFF: CASTAWAY ON THE MOON / NORIBEN
SIDEWAYS
GALA PRESENTATION
WORLD PREMIERE
In a last-ditch effort to sow their wild oats, Michio (Fumiyo Kohinata) and Daisuke (Katsuhisa Namase) take off on a final road trip to California's wine country the week prior to Daisuke 's wedding. When the men encounter two fascinating women (Kyoka Suzuki and Rinko Kikuchi), the duo is forced to re-examine their lives. SIDEWAYS is a delightful Japanese adaptation of its American counterpart. Plus, local boy, Jake Shimabukuro, composed music for the soundtrack. This screening is sponsored by Nippon Golden Network.
Japan 2009 | Japanese, English w/ English subtitles | 123M
Director: Cellin Gluck
Cast: Fumiyo Kohinata, Katsuhisa Namase, Rinko Kikuchi
17-Oct
24-Oct
MY HIFF: BEST OF TIMES / INGREDIENTS
STORM
GALA PRESENTATION
U.S. PREMIERE
Hannah Maynard, prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, is leading a trial against a former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army who is accused of the deportation and later killing of dozens of Bosnian-Muslim civilians. Hannah and a key witness for the trial must both risk life and limb to make it to the court, only to discover that there are traitors among their own ranks. This screening is sponsored by Davis Levin Livingston.
Germany, Denmark, Netherlands 2009 | English, German | 110M
Director: Hans-Christian Schmid
Cast: Kerry Fox, Anamaria Marinca, Stephen Dillane, Rolf Lassgard
19-Oct
21-Oct
MY HIFF: JOHN RABE / AN ISLAND CALLING
THE YOUNG VICTORIA
GALA PRESENTATION
HAWAII PREMIERE
Emily Blunt stars as the queen who went on to symbolize the entire British Empire. The film follows Victoria's early struggle to succeed her uncle as the ruler of England, a quest blocked by her mother, the Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson). It is also a true romance; from their very first meeting, we sense a mutual bond between Victoria and Albert. THE YOUNG VICTORIA is a memorable, sophisticated and very charming exploration of English history. This screening is sponsored by WATG.
United Kingdom 2009 | English, German w/ English subtitles | 100M
Director: Jean-Marc Vallee
Cast: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson
20-Oct
MY HIFF: PRECIOUS / WARRIOR AND THE WOLF
Festival Information
Established in 1981, the Hawaii International Film Festival is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. HIFF is the premier international film event in the Pacific and has won the praise of governments, filmmakers, scholars, educators, programmers and film industry leaders throughout the world. For the discovery and exhibition of Asian and Pacific features, documentaries and short films in the nation, it is a primary source. The festival has premiered such movies as ONCE WERE WARRIORS, THE PIANO, SHINE, SHALL WE DANCE, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Plus, DEPARTURES, a Japanese film, had its U.S. premiere at HIFF in 2008, won the HIFF Audience Award and then went on to win the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
For more information please visit our website at www.hiff.org.
