SCREEN

The Bone Man (Knochenmann) - Something just happened – again, and as soon as the story came out, the finger-pointing began. And what a story it is: Ex-cop P.I. Brenner is just trying to repo Mr. Horvath’s car. But Mr. Horvath has disappeared. And now, so has Brenner’s car, leaving him stranded at a country inn. All is not right here: everybody has secrets, there are hapless Russian blackmailers on the prowl, family jealousies are getting nasty – and there are strange things turning up in the sausage meat. A wild ride that veers between violent crimes and outrageous comedy, this is the kind of take-no-prisoners entertainment Hollywood tries so desperately to make and so often fails miserably. Brilliantly constructed, no matter how crazy or complicated it gets, somehow it always makes sense. Thrills, chills, pathos, roaring laughter, even a bit (not too much) romance, this one is good old-fashioned Fun!

Slovenian Girl (Slovenka) - Some places are darker than they seem. One of the most sought after call girls in Ljubljana, Aleksandra hides herself away in her luxury penthouse, free of emotional complications and content with watching the outside world pass her by. When one of her clients, a visiting politician, dies of a heart attack during an appointment, Aleksandra’s carefully planned isolation shatters as the police begin their search for Slovenka, her alias. As her secrets begin to unravel and her life is put in danger, it becomes apparent that the lies she had created can be subdued only by even more lies. Much of director Damjan Kozole’s (Spare Parts) latest success rests in his discovery of the hypnotic Nina Ivanisin, who deftly balances emotional detachment with vulnerability, all while injecting self-confidence and humanity into the role. But it is also Kozole’s brilliant observation of the darker side of humanity mixed with a keen sense for tapping into our own emotions which give the film its quiet intensity.

The Real Revolutionaries - All it takes is one visionary to start a revolution. Hoping to change the world, William Shockley recruited a group of brilliant young men and moved them to the Santa Clara Valley to begin his quest of "Re-inventing the American Dream: Technology for the greater good." These men slowly helped restructure the contemporary world and became the driving force behind the Digital Age. The Real Revolutionaries creatively tells the story of Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and the "Fairchild Eight" as they build Silicon Valley from the ground up. Whereas a revolutionary is traditionally viewed as radically riotous, these men are portrayed as the complete opposite—quietly brilliant yet boldly innovative. These radical changes in the technology industry paralleled the quickly changing events of a time purged by war in Vietnam, protests at Kent State University, and global uncertainty. With a masterful visual style, director Paul Crowder peels back the layers of the last 40 years to exemplify how the struggles of the past are mirrored by the struggles of the present.

Upperdog - Which is really the “wrong” side of the tracks? A vibrant drama-comedy, Upperdog marks the return of Sara Johnsen (Kissed by Winter, Cinequest 2006) with an elegant narrative about the search for self and love. As young children, half-siblings Axel and Yanne are adopted by families on opposite sides of town and grow up leading drastically different lives. Unaware that he has a sister, Axel’s indulgent upbringing of wealth has turned him into a snob and a brat. However, Yanne was raised in a middle-class family and yearns to know what has become of her brother. When an opportunity arises for the two to reunite, the complex lives of these young adults end up bringing more baggage to the situation than expected. Upperdog balances keen wit with gritty considerations of class politics and the delicate predicaments of the siblings. A story that is both contemporary and timeless, Upperdog poses questions about society, genetics, wealth, and class that will spark conversations among audiences everywhere.