In 1964, after spending a one year protracted legal battle, co-club owners, Howard and Elly Solomon were finally granted a 'unique' cabaret license and the Cafe Au Go Go opened its doors on February 7. Six weeks later with mounting legal bills and depleting funds the couple were quickly going out of business. With few options, Howard and Elly made a desperate, late minute attempt to keep the club open and reached out to popular comedian, Lenny Bruce. Two days into Lenny's performance he was arrested and booked for obscenity charges, alone with Howard and Elly. THat historic arrest, and the international press it garnered would put the Cafe Au Go Go on the tnertainment world map.
2011
Best Documentary Feature
Documentary Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
27 minutes
Director:
Jason M. Solomon
REIFF 2011
Best Experimental Film
Experimental
Germany
Runtime:
14 minutes
50 seconds
Director:
Florian Krautkramer
REIFF 2011
Everything seemed to go wrong from within and without. The never-ending official arbitrariness was oppressing, the examining glance outside. But lately, resistance has formed here. With excuses and blinders, the protagonist achieved in building his own world without reacting to the events taking place. But when fate tried to force him into making a decision, he chooses again a facade constructed of lies and spectacle. Breaking legs is a silent movie. It makes room for the linguistic incapability of the protagonist, but the inter-titles try to explore this format.
Animation
United States
Runtime:
2 minutes
45 seconds
Director:
Lyn Elliot
REIFF 2011
The spare buttons are forever waiting for someone to use them...time to go for a little spin.
Animation
Australia
Runtime:
7 minutes
27 seconds
Director:
Jody Cleaver
REIFF 2011
The Crocodile's Wife grows resentful of an ever-cheerful monkey; a newcomer to the riverbank. Her husband arranges a meeting between them, confident she will see the error of her judgment- but will she like him?
Documentary Short
United States
Runtime:
5 minutes
40 seconds
Director:
Lindsay Lindenbaum
REIFF 2011
A baker prepares the daily goods at his family's one hundred year-old business as he reminds us of the past, the importance of community, and to appreciate the simple things in life.
Narrative Short
United States
Runtime:
20 minutes
23 seconds
Director:
Kyle Broom
REIFF 2011
Based on the detaining of Wikileaks whistle blower, Bradley Manning. A detainee in a military brig undergoes harsh treatment while he awaits trial on undisclosed charges. As his case garners public attention and resistance, the conditions of his detention worsen. He is denied access to outside information as well as to his legal council, as those holding him upgrade the punitive characteristics of his detention to what amounts to psychological torture. Under outside pressure from concerned citizens, higher authorities visit the brig to ensure the safety of the detainee and to intervene where necessary.
Narrative Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
44 minutes
Director:
Chel White
REIFF 2011
In a small, wooded town, a young man struggles to leave a secret militia started by his father. With an eerily beautiful tone, Bucksville touches on the timely topics of ethics and the militia movement, within the context of family conflict. It is also a film about love, loyalty, and the loss of innocence.
Documentary Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
26 minutes
Director:
Robert Herrera
REIFF 2011
Facing overwhelming odds and difficult competition, a newly hired, up-and-coming coach and her new recruits attempt to build a winning Division I Women's basketball program. Over the course of 4 years, things begin to unravel, but the players that remain continue to fight for success.
Narrative Short
South Africa
Runtime:
16 minutes
4 seconds
Director:
C.R. Reisser
REIFF 2011
In the spring of 2008, a shocking wave of xenophobic attacks against foreign immigrants spread across South Africa, leading to the deaths of sixty-two people and the displacement of over 40,000.
Protect the Nation is a tender and intimate look inside the struggles of a community and the consequences of greed, miscommunication and hate. When faced with the unexpected kindness of a stranger, a young boy begins to question himself. Does he have the courage to do what's right?
Narrative Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
12 minutes
Director:
Matthew Gordon
REIFF 2011
All fourteen-year-old Robbie Hendrick ever wanted was a family. Yet as another Mississippi summer begins, his wayward mother has run off again fearing a breakdown and he's left to burn the days caring for his half brother, Fess. As the deep days and nights pass without her return and with older brother Lucas dangerously in their lives again, Robbie must face the fact that his dream of a family may only be a dream and he might just lose the only family he's ever had: Fess. Filmed on location in the Mississippi Delta town of Glen Allan, MS with all non-actors from the region, The Dynamiter is a story of family in the forgotten America, uncompromisingly told by the very people who live it everyday.