The Ark Newspaper

Mill Valley Film Festival 35
by Melinda Darlington-Bach

Dustin HoffmanMill Valley Film Festival Director and Founder, Mark Fishkin, should be in a good mood. It would seem that this 35th anniversary festival - after a mammoth undertaking for many months – will have an unprecedented variety of riches for all tastes to be presented over 11 activity packed days. In an unsurpassed combination of premiere studio features, high level independents, international documentaries, A-list celebrities and Oscar winning directors, Mark and his crack staff have pulled out all the stops this year.

For 35 years, California Film Institute (CFI) and Mark Fishkin have made a strong commitment to give the Bay Area community innovative, cinematic synergy with all the “selects” and "gets." A major coup that has been years in the making will be a 35 th anniversary Tribute Program and Reception to honor the iconic two- time Oscar winning actor, Dustin Hoffman. From his breakthrough performance as the earnest, charismatic youth in The Graduate to the physically challenged street hustler in the groundbreaking role in Midnight Cowboy, Mr. Hoffman’s 40-year body of work exemplifies his versatility and fearless approach to his career. Just announced, the 75 year old actor will be one of 7 to receive the prestigious 2012 Kennedy Center Honor’s Award. As an honoree, you become a member of a rarified club of recipients who have received the nation’s highest award bestowed to those whose work has greatly influenced American culture. Entering into a new area in his life as a director, Mr. Hoffman will screen his first film, Quartet, starring the irrepressible Maggie Smith.

As the Mill Valley Film Festival has become celebrated as an important non-competitive, industry resource as a festival that screens international movies not yet scheduled for US distribution or major studio launches, the two opening night films fit the bill. A duet of two high-profile offerings for opening night fare will include On The Road, inspired by Jack Kerouac's beat poetry and cross country drug and alcohol driven trip, literally. Directed by Walter Salles, (Motorcycle Diaries) and Executive Produced by Frances Ford Coppola, who purchased the rights to the book in 1979 and has been working tirelessly to bring this seminal work to the screen. After undergoing many incarnations, some 30 years later, this film embodies the essence of the novel that defined a beatnik generation.

The second, much anticipated opening night film, Silver Linings Playbook, is from director, David O. Russell’s (The Fighter). Starring the popular Bradley Cooper, who shares the screen with Jennifer Lawrence, recently seen starring in the box office hit, The Hunger Games. Playbook can be described in the “dramedy” category, touching on family chaos, bipolar illness and death in the signature style of Russell. Also, included in the cast is the inimitable Robert De Niro as the parent role.

What takes place next during the 11-day fest consists of major studio features, cutting edge independent films, noteworthy documentary films, and over 25 films by local talent, as well as Active Cinema and Master Class seminars with the likes of Ken Burns.

This year, the Children’s Film Festival will be visiting India and celebrating the Bollywood film industry. This festival is the best place for your youngster’s to view award-winning international children’s feature and short films. Besides viewing the films, there will be exciting kid-friendly activities. Immediately following the film, Stanley’s Tiffin Box, join in the live Bollywood parade around San Rafael culminating in a free kid’s party in the Town Square Plaza with Indian dancing and table music and free assorted munchies. The closing Indian-themed party will be held at 142 Throckmorton, with varied activities such as a henna bar and bindi applications in the Bollywood Bazaar. The special youth guest band, Crunchy Frog will be performing, there is a scarf dance class and some teen Bhangra Bollywood dancers. Another event will be a special animation workshop taught by Croation film director, Jasminka Ljubic for ages 8-12 years old.

The coveted closing night spot goes to the engrossing film, Life of Pi. Based on the popular novel by Yann Martel, this journey of discovery coupled with adventure is under the direction of Ang Lee. Mr Lee will be honored at the MVFF with the Variety International Filmmaker of the Year Award. His erotic and beautiful film Lust, Caution was a four star example of his incredible artistic vision and it opened the MVFF five years ago.

After 35 years of hard work, vision and taking chances, Mark Fishkin and the MVFF now stand shoulder to shoulder on the international festival circuit right next to Cannes, Toronto and Tribeca. We as a community should celebrate, support and take advantage of all Mill Valley Film Festival has to offer from Thursday, October 4th through Sunday, October 14th. There is something for all ages and interests. Mark Fishkin does his job extremely well.

Presented by the California Film Institute, the Mill Valley Film Festival 35 runs October 4-14. Regular tickets can be purchased online at mvff.com. For additional information, please visit mvff.com or call (877) 874-6833.

~ The Ark Newspaper, September 2012

 


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