Seattle International Film Festival

It's SIFF time again! I'm going to try to make it to eleven films this year. Here's what I'm planning to check out (movie blurbs below are all from the SIFF website).

Mad Hot Ballroom
Fun and inspiring documentary that follows New York City 5th graders as they learn to rumba, tango, foxtrot and swing dance. Emphasizing that special age between childhood and adolescence, and the cultural diversity of NYC, it grips us with tension, triumph and heartbreak as the kids compete in a citywide competition.

Rock School
Through his unique School of Rock Music, Philadelphia musician Paul Green teaches future headbangers (ages 9-17) the virtues of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, and Frank Zappa. This entertaining doc follows an entire season of classes, exposing Green’s unorthodox teaching style and introducing us to a variety of aspiring young rockers.

Punk: Attitude
Legendary DJ and filmmaker Don Letts explores the explosive creativity, rebellious attitude, and D.I.Y. ethic that came out of the ’70s punk movement. With a ton of archival performance footage and interviews, PUNK: ATTITUDE chronicles the history of the vibrant subculture—from the pioneers to punk's offshoots and continued impact.

Pucker Up: The Fine Art of Whistling
What ever happened to whistling? This oddball doc celebrates the joyous pastime, introducing us to several passionate puckerers who journey to Louisburg, North Carolina to compete in the 31st Annual National Whistling Competition. SPELLBOUND meets BEST IN SHOW in this funny and entertaining study of competitive hobbies and simple pleasures.

Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt
Folk troubadour Townes Van Zandt is considered one of the world’s greatest songwriters. While he never achieved commercial success, his music has influenced generations of folk, country, and rock artists. This loving portrait of the southern song-poet tells the bittersweet story of his life and pursuit of the perfect tune.

The Debt
One of Argentina’s most distinguished investigative TV journalists, Jorge Lanata, pursues the corrupt forces and disinterested bureaucracies responsible for the collapse of one of the richest countries in the world. In the style of Michael Moore, his journey takes us from Buenos Aires to Switzerland and, finally, Washington.

Amazing Grace: Jeff Buckley
Singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley had a tremendous impact on artists and fans across the globe, despite only completing one full-length album before his death at age 30. AMAZING GRACE explores the phenomenon of Jeff Buckley, unearthing great performance footage and talking with fellow musicians, friends, family, and fans about his life and legacy.

Drive Well, Sleep Carefully: On the Road with Death Cab For Cutie
Seattle-based emo-pop band Death Cab For Cutie has been touring relentlessly since 1998. DRIVE WELL, SLEEP CAREFULLY captures the energy of their live shows, the ups and downs of life on the road, and a band surprisingly stable in the transition from “indie” to the big leagues. Director Justin Mitchell (SONGS FOR CASSAVETES) followed the group on their 2004 US tour supporting the phenomenal TRANSATLANTICISM album. He beautifully captured on 16mm film great performances in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and New Orleans. Between songs, the film finds band members musing on the growth of indie music culture, telling the stories behind some of their songs, and relating the creative process they’ve honed over their seven years together. Singer Ben Gibbard talks about how songs become personal documents of people and feelings, and how the group’s recording sessions and tours have become time-markers in their lives. Chris Walla relates his different roles as musician and producer as we visit his “Hall of Justice” recording studio. And the film touches upon their recent success and future--having traded their van for a big tour bus and signed with a major label. Death Cab has traveled a long road. DRIVE WELL, SLEEP CAREFULLY captures glimpses of the journey and catches the band doing what they do best-: playing their infectious, introspective rock music really loud.

Dreamship Surprise - Period 1
This box office smash in Germany is an irreverent spoof of the sci-fi genre from STAR TREK to STAR WARS. In the year 2304, the Martian colonies wage war upon the Earth. Our only hope against total annihilation is the prissy crew of the Dreamship Surprise. Unfortunately, they're much better suited for the Miss Waikiki beach contest than interstellar heroics.

Lonesome Jim
Jim (Casey Affleck) comes home to the small town of Goshen, Indiana, after failing to succeed in New York City and finds it’s just as drab and mundane as the day he left. But Steve Buscemi’s latest comic drama shows how small and mundane things can turn a life around.

Kings of the Sky
Acclaimed filmmaker Deborah Stratman follows a world-famous troupe of Mongolian tightrope walkers and circus performers in Chinese Turkestan. With a wry, observant eye, Stratman records their life on the road and their jaw-dropping performances, in a film filled with subtle observations about the ever-changing contemporary Chinese society in the post-9/11 world.