This Year's Films
2008 IOWA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL SELECTED FILMS
DOCUMENTARY FILMS
Documentary Feature:
"A Little Salsa on the Prairie: The Changing Character of Perry, Iowa" Directed by Kent Newman. Produced by Kent Newman and Jody Savilky. This film explores the significant change that began in Perry in the early 1990s when the influx of Hispanic people began to influence the culture of the once predominantly white community. (55 min) Fri. 4:00 Exploratorium; Sun. 2:00 Exploratorium.
"Anyone and Everyone" Directed by Susan Polis Schultz. Families from all walks of life discuss their struggle with the pain their children experience coming out as gay individuals. In a wider sense it reveals once more the imperative to find value in and accept every person regardless of differences.(57 min) Sun. noon Exploratorium.
"Beyond the Call," Directed by Adrian Belic. The true story of how three middle-aged eccentric men, former soldiers and modern-day knights, travel the world delivering life saving humanitarian aid directly into the hands of civilians and doctors in some of the most dangerous yet beautiful places on Earth, the front lines of war. Some profanity. (82 min) 8:00 Sunday, Exploratorium.
"Bill's Big Pumpkins," Directed by Ryan Foss. A laconic look at an offbeat corner of American gardening and the dedicated, hard-working, and slightly nutty people who inhabit it. Follow giant pumpkin grower Bill Foss as he attempts to grow the biggest pumpkin in Minnesota history. (87 min) Sat. 2:00 Exploratorium; Sun. 4:00 Exploratorium.
"The Clinton Twelve," Directed by Keith McDaniel. Tells the compelling story of the integration of the first public high school in the South as a result of the Brown vs. the Board of Education decision by the US Supreme Court. Narrated by James Earl Jones. (88 min) Fri. noon Exploratorium.
"Daughters of Wisdom," Directed by Bart Pearlman. A transporting and inspiring story of contemporary Tibet as seen through the eyes of some of its most extraordinary woman, the nuns of Kala Rongo Monastery of Nangchen, Kham. Subtitles. (68 min) Fri. noon Reunion Hall; Sun. 1:00 MacNider Museum.
“Found in China,” Directed by Carolyn Stanek. This film focuses on the visit of eight 9 to 13 year-old Chinese-American girls and their parents to the places where they were adopted in China. It includes many of the memories and observations that are associated with international adoptions. (67 min.) Fri. 2:00 MacNider Museum; Sun. 1:00 Reunion Hall.
"Gulf War Syndrome: Killing our Own," Directed by Gary Null. Uncovers hidden truths about the deadly and toxic effects of armor-piercing radioactive depleted uranium, the use of experimental and risky vaccines on over 100,000 U.S. troops, and the chemical contamination and environmental devastation caused by the military during the Persian Gulf Wars. (113 min) Sat. 4:00 Exploratorium.
“King Corn,” Directed by Aaron Woolf. Curious about how corn is raised and processed, and its role in the nation’s food chain, two young men from the East Coast rent an acre of land in Iowa and set about making a most remarkable and informative documentary film. Don’t miss this if you care about food, corn, and Iowa. (90 min) Sun. 2:00 Reunion Hall.
"Lost Nation: The Ioway," Directed by Kelly Rundle. This film relates the dramatic, true tale of two brothers’ futile struggle in the early 19th century to save the Ioway Indian nation from inevitable American conquest, and the tribe’s current fight to reclaim and maintain their unique history and culture. (57 min) Friday 2:00 Reunion Hall; Sun. 1:00 Exploratorium.
“Mason City Dreams,” a one-hour documentary of the 2007 Iowa Independent Festival made by Wartburg students Matt Voigts, Jeanette Bidne, Andrea Morris, Krystal Fowler. (60 min) Sat. 2:00 Reunion Hall.
“Phyllis and Harold,” Directed by Cindy Kleine. This film which comes to us from New York is an astoundingly frank journey through a disastrous 59 year marriage. Drawing on a lifetime of her family’s home movies and interviews made over 12 years, filmmaker Cindy Kleine mixes reportage, cinema verite’, and animation to tell a story that could not be shown publically while her father was still alive. (85 min) Sat. 6:00 Reunion Hall.
"Play By Play Men and the Art of the Perfect Call," Directed by Ziad Hamzeh. A film devoted to those baseball radio broadcasters who dedicate their lives to making that perfect call. (76 min) Sat. noon Exploratorium.
“The Real Dirt on Farmer John” Directed and produced by Taggart Siegel. The epic tale of a maverick Mid-western farmer. By melding the traditions of family farming with the power of art and free expression, this powerful story of transformation and renewal heralds a resurrection of farming in America. (82 min) 4:00 Sun. Reunion Hall.
“The Last Wright” directed by Lucille Carra, produced by Garry McGee. In 1908, when Frank Lloyd Wright was considered the most innovative architect in Chicago, he travelled to Mason City, Iowa to design a unique, mixed-use city block—a bank and adjoining hotel facing the park. Soon scandal and tragedy would ruin his career, but the Park Inn Hotel would remain as one of his last Prairie style structures. (60 min). Sat. 1:00 MacNider Museum;
Documentary Short:
"Fridays at the Farm," Directed by Richard Hoffmann. Feeling disconnected from his food, a filmmaker and his family join a community supported farm and discover the satisfaction of growing and eating food free of contaminants. (19 min) Sun. 3:30 Reunion Hall.
"The Hope of Nine Mile Creek," Directed by Becky McMillen. The story of an endangered Nebraska trout stream and the cooperative effort of conservationists and farmers to save it. (23 min) Sun. 8:00 Exploratorium.
"Preacher With and Unknown God," Directed by Rob Vanalkemade. The film follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping on their ten-day “Stop Big Boxes” tour of California. Their goal is to spread a message to Americans to learn to seek the unknown and to “put the odd back in God” by cutting back on consumption. Profanity. (16 min) Sun. 2:00 Exploratorium.
“The Tribe.” Directed by Tiffany Shlain. An unauthorized, unorthodox history of the Jewish people and the Barbie Doll…in about 15 minutes. (18 min) Sat. 2:00 Exploratorium.
“Working With Henry Jaglom”. Directed and produced by Rima Simon. Behind the scenes look and interviews on working with the indie film director as he shoots his latest film, “Irene in Time”. (32 min.)
NARRATIVE FILMS
Narrative Feature:
“Always…but not forever,” directed by Ron Vignone. This rough-cut, work in progress stars Tanna Frederick in a film of a play by Henry Jaglom which ran in Los Angeles in 2007. Fri. 7:00 in Reunion Hall. The director will be talking with the audience at the conclusion of the screening.
"Entry Level," Directed by Douglas Horn. A former chef tries to start over in corporate America at age 38, interviewing for entry-level jobs. Light profanity. (85 min) Fri. 2:00 Exploratorium.
“The Final Season,” directed by David Mickey Evans. This film is based on the last season of the legendary Norway, Iowa high school baseball team. It features Sean Astin, Powers Boothe, Rachel Leigh Cook, and Tom Arnold. A must see for baseball fans. (118 min.) Sun. 6:00 Reunion Hall.
“The Garage,” Directed by Carl Thibault. A powerful, poignant, and vivid coming-of-age story. During the 70’s two best friends plan to leave the town they grew up in, but there are loyalties to overcome to one father who is abusive and another who is alcoholic. Profanity. (94 min). Fri. noon MacNider Museum; Sun. 2:00 MacNider Museum.
"The Glenmoore Job," Directed by Greg Williams and produced by Melanie Coombs. Warren steps out of prison into a self-help group whose idea of therapy is to play board games. But he has to humor these weirdos so the cops will leave him alone while he does a "job' for a friend on the inside. Some profanity and light sexual content. (52 min) Fri. 4:00 MacNider Museum.
"The Half Life of Mason Lake," Directed by Tim Lotesto. Some profanity, mild sex. (86 min) Sun. 8:00 Reunion Hall.
“Haunting Villisca,” A special showing. Directed by James Serpento and produced by Kimberly Busbee. This recently completed feature about the famous axe murders that took place in Villisca, Iowa in the early twentieth century was shot completely in the state with a cast of dozens of Iowa actors. (154 min). Sat. 3:00 Reunion Hall.
“Irene in Time,” Rough-cut showing. Directed by Henry Jaglom. This work in progress stars Mason City’s Tanna Frederick. Discussion with Mr. Jaglom and Ms. Frederick to follow the screening. Fri. 7:00 Reunion Hall.
"The Last Days of Kodachrome Super 8 Movie Film," Directed by David Sawatzki. In May, 2005, Kodak celebrated the 40th anniversary of Super 8 film by announcing the discontinuation of KODACHROME 40 SUPER 8 MOVIE FILM. In response, this filmmaker bought about 100 of the last rolls of film and made this movie about an idealistic civil engineer who is fighting against modern city planning. (60 min) Sat. 4:00 MacNider.
“The Mirror,” Directed by Stephen Eckelberry. A young woman’s life changes when she discovers a two-way mirror in the bathroom of her parent’s home. She begins spying on them and discovers their secret double life and the mystery of why the mirror was built. Some profanity, nudity, and drug use. (87 min) Sat. noon Reunion Hall.
“My Dinner With Andre,” directed by Louis Malle. This classic 1981 film about two men having a conversation about life over dinner featured Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory who is attending the festival with his wife, documentary filmmaker Cindy Kleine. (90 min) Fri. 4:00 Reunion Hall.
"Room 314," Directed by Michael Knowles. Five different stories about five couples in various stages of their relationships which show that wanting connection with someone else and knowing how to achieve it are two entirely different things. Profanity and sexual scenes. (100 min) Sun. 6:00 Exploratorium.
Narrative Short:
"A Driving Lesson," Directed by D. Fraser Press and produced by Darren Press. Silence is broken on a quiet country road when a psychologist, her adolescent daughter, a groundhog and an elderly couple collide. (25 min) Sun. 4:00 Exploratorium.
"By Modern Measure," Directed by Mathew Lessner. An amateur French sociologist presents his findings on a day in the life of two young Americans. (6 min) Fri. noon Reunion Hall.
"Dead Battery," Directed by Tim Buelna. In this film from Forest City a woman thinks someone is trying to break into her house…with disastrous results (8 min) Fri. 2:00 MacNider Museum.
"Fish, but No Cigar," Directed by Tara White and Lyn Elliot. An animated film about a woman who has bigger fish to fry. Literally. (4 min) Sat. noon Reunion Hall.
"From the Ground Up," Directed by Laney D'Aquino. A short film about a guy and how far he will go to stand up for what he believes in. (15 min) Sun. 2:00 MacNider Museum.
"Full Disclosure," Directed by Douglas Horn. Tired of wasting time on relationships that break up when one person discovers something they can't stand about the other, Everett reveals every terrible habit and hang-up on the first date. (18 min) Fri. 2:00 Exploratorium; Sat. 6:00 Exploratorium.
“Ghost Town,” Directed by Neil Wells and produced by Joseph Leto. An Iowa family gets too good of a deal on a house whose previous occupants just won’t go away. (30 min) Fri. 4:00 Exploratorium; Sat. 6:00 Exploratorium.
“Pocket Pair” Directed by Mojisola Shabi. A woman’s husband has gone missing, but another seemingly comes to take his place…a man with a deck of cards and the biggest game of chance. (8 min) Fri. 2:00 Reunion Hall; Sat. 2:00 Exploratorium.
"Shut Eye Hotel," Directed by Bill Plympton. This animated film noir murder mystery takes place in a sleazy hotel, but it is the impressive pencil drawings that really get one’s attention. What "Jaws" did to swimming, "Shut Eye Hotel" can do for sleeping. (7 min) Fri. 2:00 Exploratorium; Sat. 2:00 MacNider.
"Steelball!" Directed by Tyler Clancey and Mac Hedges and produced by Ida Darvish. Scintillating close-up of an fanatically fierce pinball tournament. Some profanity. (7 min) Fri. noon MacNider Museum.
"The Sisterhood of Night," Directed by Jeffrey Moss. In a small midwestern town, young girls have formed a secret nocturnal society and taken a sacred vow of silence. After a suicide of one of the society members, adults of the town fiercely debate what it is that the girls are doing in the middle of the night--and what should be done about it. (17 min) Sun. 4:00 MacNider Museum.
“Tales of Mere Existence," by Lev Yilmaz. Animated anecdotes about the glorious mundane, everyday stories dealing with issues such as sex, identity, and social confusion and just about anything else you would have written in your journal in High School. (8 min) Fri. 1:00 MacNider.
"We Are Theo," Directed by Geoff Boothby. A mock-heroic epic of a passionate but indecisive university student as he pursues the greatest girl in the world. (22 min) Fri. noon Exploratorium.
"Wedding Jimmy," Directed by Lisa Pescia. How do you test the integrity of a prospective bridegroom? Tempt him, tempt him, tempt him…with the bride-to-be’s younger, sexier sister, no less. Skimpy swimsuit. (8:23 min) Sat. noon Reunion Hall; Sun. 4:00 MacNider Museum.
"Who You Know," Directed by Zachary Sluser. Another well-made film by the director who sent us last year’s hit “The Retreat.” An ambitious young man brings his wife along to a dinner party at the home of a wealthy businessman with hopes of raising money for his project. As the evening draws on, he must decide what's more important— his integrity or his aspirations. (19 min) Fri. 2:00 Reunion Hall.
Student Films:
“A Ghost of A Chance: The Making of Haunting Villisca,” Directed by Jill Jones, Elizabeth Hixenbaugh, and Kaitlyn Busbee. Produced by Kimberly and Kaitlyn Busbee. This one hour film documents the making of the recently completed feature film about the Villisca, Iowa axe murders which is being shown at the festival. (60 min) Sun. noon Reunion Hall.
"The Daily Grind," Directed by Matt Schultz. An imaginative barista breaks into song while serving his customers coffee. Improbable but inventive and light. (3 min) Sat. 4:00 Exploratorium; Sun. 2:00 Exploratorium.
"Dead End Job," Directed by Samantha Davidson Green. A film which asks the question: Who will write the obituary for the obituary writer? (23 min) Fri. 2:00 MacNider; Sat. noon Exploratorium.
“The Final Hour," Directed by Matt Schultz. A stressed college student breaks into song as he races to his last final. (12 min) Sat. 6:00 Exploratorium; Sun. 6:00 Exploratorium.
"Samsara," Directed by Sam Copeland and Roshan Murthy. This film from the University of Illinois offers a unique metaphysical solution to the troubling affliction known as addiction to love. (15 min) Fri. noon Reunion Hall; Sun. 4:00 Reunion Hall.
"Seven Deadly Sins," Directed by Mark Crawford. An animated exploration of the seven deadly sins. (3 min). Sun. 4:00 MacNider Museum.
"Yarns to be Spun on the Way to the Happy Home," Directed by Daniel Kremer. An autobiographical film about art as an escape from the limitations of a speech impediment. (15 min) Sat. 6:00 Reunion Hall; Sun. 8:00 Reunion Hall.
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Contact IIFF
Email:
info@iowaindie.org
Phone:
641-424-2852
Postal Mail:
Iowa Independent Film Festival
308 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
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