SCREEN

Babnik - How long can you walk by the abyss without falling in? Babnik is a Russian slang word for “womanizer,” and it applies to Misha and Sasha, European entrepreneurs who seem to always be surrounded by gorgeous ladies. The problem is some of these ladies may be there against their will. As the men go about their routines photographing the beauties and providing them with clothes and clients, we realize that they are part of an underground sex ring that affects the lives of destitute girls and desperate immigrants, and where kidnapping is just one of its unsavory activities. The third picture by consistently striking Bay Area virtuoso and Cinequest favorite Alejandro Adams (Around the Bay, Canary), Babnik illustrates his arresting gifts for creating naturalistic yet intensely immersive portrayals of everyday menace. Don’t miss the new stage of this talented filmmaker’s cinematic evolution.

Little Fish, Strange Pond - Sweet Stephen murders. Mr. Jack talks...a lot. Matthew Modine (Married to the Mob, Weeds) and Callum Blue (Dead Like Me, Smallville) lead an incredible cast in an absurd and twisted story of two men—Mr. Jack and Sweet Stephen—philosophizing on life, death, love and violence, while leaving a small trail of murdered women in their wake. With a cop (brilliantly played by Adam Baldwin from Chuck and Firefly) hot on their trail and the bodies piling up, Mr. Jack attempts to explain how the two men have come together and where Stephen's actions are leading him. Their voyage is grim, beautiful and darkly hilarious. Also starring Zach Galifinakas (The Hangover), Paul Adelstein (Private Practice), Liza Weil (Gilmore Girls) and Don McManus (Ocean’s Thirteen), director Gregory Dark offers a rare, dark comedy that is as thought-provoking as it is hilarious.