2010

Seven Signs
Documentary Feature
United States
Runtime:
Director:
J.D. Wilkes

REIFF 2010

Described as both dignified and disarming by author Bill Friskics-Warren, the new film Seven Signs focuses on the music, mythology and faith that persist, despite heavy modernization, in the American South.

The documentary also marks the directorial debut for J.D. Wilkes, the artist/musician lauded by Alarm magazine as the closest thing there is to the Ambassador of Genuine, Traditional Southern Culture. Wilkes also contributes to the chilling Seven Signs soundtrack... alongside the rawest talent The Delta and Appalachia have to offer.

With these strong southern roots, the filmmaker has made a profound, empathetic statement that celebrates the eccentricities and traditions of an increasingly marginalized area of America. Yet it is an area whose cultural identity stubbornly continues to thrive in the underground today. Fresh from a sold out premiere in Nashville, TN, Seven Signs is currently setting up new screenings across the country and is even being solicited to appear throughout the film festival circuit. Soliciting events include: The Raindance Film Festival (the UKs largest film festival), The FantastiaFest in Montreal, The Deep Blues Music/Film Fest in Wisconsin, and The Backseat Film Fest in Pennsylvania.

Chi Sei? (Who Are You?)
Experimental
United States
Runtime:
17 minutes
Director:
Michael Frost

REIFF 2010

Chi Sei? is an experimental film consisting of re-constructed and stylized images from Italian demonic possession and exploitation films of the 1970's. Its influences are the experimental films of Kenneth Anger, Ken Jacobs as well as European Trash Cinema.

The 17th Century... The Inquisition. A witch is about to be burned on a stake. She looks deep into the eyes of the hooded Inquisitor about to burn her...

Yesterday...Pregnant Jessica is in bed, possessed by the spirit of the Witch. Her son and daughter run around the house unsupervised, and their toys have a life of their own. The children run to check on their mother but...Mommy isn't home...

Table 7
Narrative Short
United States
Runtime:
5 minutes
Director:
Marko Slavnic

REIFF 2010

A couple has an intimate conversation in a restaurant unaware that their every word is being closely monitored.

شاه توت (Black Mulberry)
Experimental
Iran
Runtime:
10 minutes
Director:
Ali Delgoshaee, Ehsan Foka

REIFF 2010

This is the story of a husband and wife. The woman tries to save the marriage, but it's not working. Their relationship has a serious problem.

The Lift
Animation
United States
Runtime:
6 minutes
Director:
Robert Kohr

REIFF 2010

Everyone has been guilty of small misdeeds at one point or another. The Lift explores the consequences of one all too common act of not holding the elevator door open for someone eager to get on or worse, pushing the close button. An elevator interaction goes wrong, prompting a young woman to learn about being insensitive and to hold open the elevator door the next time around.

Cannonball
Narrative Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
39 minutes
Director:
Scott Stafford

REIFF 2010

Tony Dedman and his friends are set adrift when their backyard wrestling careers are brought to an abrupt end. A despised former classmate reveals his goal to live on a Mexican beach, and Tony finds misguided purpose in beating him to the punch. The funding for this trip proves elusive. A veterinarian obsessed with a creature of local legend may hold the key, offering to pay for an expedition into the Kentucky backwoods. Dedman will go to any lengths to make this happen, including being led by Bass Adkins, a recluse farmer who has already used the creature as a homicide defense. It's a coming-of-middle-age tale as their raucous adventure leads to many discoveries, including what it truly means to live.

Jules and Candy
Narrative Short
United States
Runtime:
9 minutes
Director:
Joseph Quirk

REIFF 2010

It's the mid-1970s in rural upstate New York, and idealism crashes head on into practicality in the form of Jules and Candy.

The artistic and esoteric Jules is out for a ride in his bitchin' muscle car, enjoying a couple of brews with his more down to earth girl, Candy. Jules recounts tracking down money owed to him by a less than reputable employer, Larry Craig. All is well for the self-satisfied Jules with his tale of payment, until the car runs out of fuel. Candy, on fire with a couple of beers under her belt, berates Jules for their "broke down" situation. Making light of their plight, Jules suggests a respite down by the riverside. Together at the scenic water's edge, Jules pontificates on his world view, contrasting himself with the slimy local contractors upon whom he depends for income. Candy, frustrated by his 'head in the clouds' smug self imagery, stalks off, leaving Jules with some stunningly dismissive personal criticisms. Candy hitch-hikes away in anger. A helpless Jules watches his girl ride off with a seemingly more upscale other guy. Knowing she would end up in only one place, Jules tracks her down to the local watering hole where her now inebriated driver attempts to wow her by making some hilariously inept attempts at billiards. Jules approaches Candy, unsure of his present standing. Candy faces the choice of going back to the same old, same old or going with something new and possibly far worse.

Clemency
Narrative Short
United States
Runtime:
19 minutes
Director:
Joseph Albanese

REIFF 2010

Arthur Poe (Cris D'Annunzio) is a sadistic killer who likes to torture his victims. In 1993 he was captured and subsequently convicted by the state of Virginia for several gruesome murders. Poe received a sentence of death. Years later and days before his execution, the newly-elected governor granted Poe clemency based on the testimony of a forensic psychologist at Poe's murder trial. The testimony convinced the governor that Poe deserved psychiatric care rather than death. Many are outraged by the governor's act of leniency. A reporter (Maury Morgan) confronts Poe in an interview seeking to shed light on the emotionally charged topic. What she learns can never be forgotten.

The Harvey Girl From Shanghai
Narrative Short
United States
Runtime:
18 minutes
Director:
Michael Frost

REIFF 2010

The Harvey Girl From Shanghai is a fictional short documentary about a film Orson Welles started to make with Judy Garland but was stopped mid-production. Told through a series of vintage interviews, missing footage and television reenactments, this short film explores a legendary Hollywood murder that may or may not have happened.

The Empress
Animation
Canada
Runtime:
9 minutes
Director:
Lyle Pisio

REIFF 2010

Loneliness, Desire, Love, Hesitation, Mis-communication, Fear, and Loss with a touch of alcoholism for comic relief. Trevor and Martha see each other across a dingy bar and fall in love. The couple's shyness is only overcome in a mutual dream where their shadows dance together. Inspired by the song "The Empress" by the Montreal band BRIGA, the film is about the first hesitant motions of meeting and the fragility of falling in love.

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