7 MUST SEE MOVIES: 4/11 Sarasota Film Festival

If a film is marked "Artist in Attendance" that means you are in for an incredible experience. One or more of the filmmakers (director/producer/writer/etc.) will be in the theater to do a Q&A with the audience after the movie. Actors sometimes appear as well.

THE COLD LANDS

Artist in Attendance

Narrative Feature Competition

Lili Taylor and Director Tom Gilroy Scheduled to Appear at Q&A

THE COLD LANDS, Tom Gilroy’s (SPRING FORWARD) long-awaited sophomore feature, is the story of Atticus (Silas Yelchin), a contemplative young man living with his mother in rural woodlands of New York’s Hudson River Valley. Forced to abandon his family’s home, Atticus takes to the forest in order to avoid the reach of his seemingly well-intentioned neighbors. At once moving and thrilling, Gilroy’s film is a poetic, gorgeously photographed meditation on independence, personal choice and the compromises made in order to live freely on the margins of American society. Also starring Lili Taylor. 

Thu, 4/11 7:15 PM

Sat, 4/13 7:00 PM

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BURMA

Artist in Attendance

Spotlight Film

4:15 PM Red Carpet. Christopher Abbott (GIRLS) and director Carlos Puga scheduled to appear.

After a disappointing book publishing meeting and on the eve of an annual family reunion, Christian (Christopher Abbott)'s estranged father unexpectedly shows up at his door asking for help. Despite abandoning the family at the onset of his wife's terminal illness, Dr. Lynn claims he can justify his nine-year absence. Christian reluctantly agrees to escort his father into a hostile family environment. On the morning of the trip, Kate, Christian’s ex-girlfriend shows up to go along on this trip. The return of the father, the presence of the ex-girlfriend and his grief-fueled drug addiction sends an already tense family dynamic reeling.

Thu, 4/11 5:15 PM

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DEATH METAL ANGOLA

Artist in Attendance

Documentary Feature Competition

Following nearly 40 years of unrelenting war, peace and reconstruction are slow to arrive for the people of Angola. In Huambo, the country’s second largest city, Sonia Ferreira oversees an orphanage of 55 children as her boyfriend, the death metal guitarist Wilker Flores, builds a rock and roll movement among young people seeking to find catharsis form the horrors of war. Jeremy Xido’s bright, compassionate DEATH METAL ANGOLA follows Sonia and Wilker as they seek to stage Angola’s first ever national rock concert among the nations disparate communities of metal and hardcore bands.

Thu, 4/11 5:30 PM

Sat, 4/13 9:30 PM

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MEDORA

Artist in Attendance

Years ago, Medora, Indiana was a booming rural community with prosperous farms, an automotive parts factory, a brick plant, and a thriving middle class. But with changes in the global economy, Medora has struggled mightily, no place more noticeably than on the high school basketball court. MEDORA follows the down-but-not-out Medora Hornets high school basketball team as they seek to avoid another winless season. Executive produced by Wren Arthur, Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci.

Thu, 4/11 8:00 PM

Sat, 4/13 4:00 PM

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LITTLE FUGITIVE

Winner of the Venice Film Festival’s Silver Lion in 1953, LITTLE FUGITIVE is one of the great, unknown American films of the 20th Century. Ground breaking in its use of location shooting with non-professional actors, the film tells the story of Joey Norton (Richie Andrusco), a seven year old boy who is tricked into believing he has killed his older brother Lennie (Richard Brewster). Afraid of going to prison, the boy flees his home and heads to Coney Island, spending the day wandering the various delights of the thriving amusement park. But can Lennie find his brother and save the day? An Artists Public Domain/Cinema Conservancy Release. Preserved by The Museum of Modern Art with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Film Foundation and The Celeste Bartos Film Preservation Fund.

Thu, 4/11 12:45 PM

Sun, 4/14 11:15 AM

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IT FELT LIKE LOVE

Artist in Attendance

In Eliza Hittman’s debut feature IT FELT LIKE LOVE, the pains and insecurities of Lila (Gina Piersanti), a modern 14-year old girl struggling to create her place in a world of new feelings and desires. Her best friend Chiara (Giovanna Salimeni) is already in love and constantly making out with her new boyfriend, which makes Lili reach out to Sammy, a street tough who she wants to make happy. Surrounded by male desire, Lili struggles to find a way to get what she wants; to break through the uncertainty of coming of age and find love.

Thu, 4/11 3:45 PM

Sat, 4/13 7:15 PM

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SHEPARD & DARK

Artist in Attendance

Treva Wurmfeld’s touching SHEPARD & DARK is the story of a friendship that spans the decades. The film details the relationship between American playwright and actor Sam Shepard and his friend and fellow writer Johnny Dark as the pair embark upon a project to publish their many years of personal correspondence. But while Shepard has ascended into a rarified position as one of the finest writers of his era, Dark’s own story is one of professional struggle and personal good humor. As the old friends reunite to undertake their collaboration, the true nature of their disparate situations yields surprisingly moving results.

Thu, 4/11 7:45 PM

Fri, 4/12 6:30 PM

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