Opening Night Film:
THE HUMAN STAIN
(Friday, 9pm)

East Coast Premiere!

Starring Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris. Directed by multiple Oscar-winner Robert Benton.

Academy Award®-winning director Robert Benton ("Superman," "Kramer vs. Kramer") brings to the screen Philip Roth’s steamy romantic novel, with Anthony Hopkins as Professor Coleman Silk, whose career and reputation are in ruins and who is haunted by a lie he has lived for fifty years. His friendship with a reclusive novelist (Gary Sinise), and a scandalous love affair with a much younger woman (Nicole Kidman) make this a moody and unusual drama.
Rated R.

(Tickets available only with purchase of a Gold Pass or Gala Ticket.)

BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER
(Children's Feature, Saturday, 10.30am).

From the book by Milford writer Thomas Disch.

A tale for all ages, filled with love and courage, inspired by a cottage on Twin Lakes and written by a member of the famed Milford Writers Group, follows five dejected and outdated appliances, left alone in a country cottage, as they embark on a journey to find their eight-year old master.
Animated. Rated G

WINGED MIGRATION
(Saturday, 12.30pm)

A four year endeavor by a team of cinematographers and pilots, following the migratory patterns of birds, shot during the course of three years on all seven continents, has produced this multi-award winning, exquisitely visual documentary. A do-not-miss for anyone who appreciates nature and photography and is fascinated by the powerful images of birds in flight.
Documentary. Not Rated.

THE CUCKOO
(Saturday, 3pm)

In the Russia of 1944, an anti-war fable plays out as a Russian and Finnish soldier take refuge at a woman’s Lapp reindeer farm. Alexander Rogozhkin has painted a canvas of the strange events that occur during war, and deftly depicts those who uplift the human spirit, and those who erode it.
In Russian, Finnish & Sami, with English subtitles.
Drama. Rated PG-13.

OSAMA
(Saturday, 5.30pm)

Inspired by a true story, the Cannes Film Festival winner "Osama" powerfully portrays the modern day life and death struggle of a young girl, forced to disguise herself as a boy to earn money for her family’s survival. In this, the first entirely Afghan film shot since the fall of the Taliban, powerful visual images help to effect strong cultural change for the virtually illiterate society of today’s Afghanistan.

Winner after our festival of the 2003 Golden Globe for Best Documentary.

In Pashtu, with English subtitles.
Drama. Not Rated.

THE ANIMATION SHOW
(Drive-In, Saturday, 7.30pm)

An impressive international whirlwind of eye-popping ‘toons, featuring classic clips, riotous early efforts and cutting edge new animation, this showcase, curated by Mike Judge ("Beavis & Butthead", "King of the Hill") and Don Hertzfeldt (Oscar®-nominated for his hilarious stick animations), is the first of an annual touring event. Honk if you brake for cool cartoons!
Animated. Not Rated.

THE BEAST MUST DIE!
(Drive-In, Saturday, 8.30pm)

More than a werewolf movie, this super-nifty horror film, from a story by Milford sci-fi writer James Blish, features a distinctive potpourri of high-tech James Bond wizardry, Agatha Christie mystery, and a gritty 70s cop-show atmosphere, and makes for a wonderful, riotously cheesy viewing experience. A natural for the drive-in!
Horror/Mystery. Rated PG.

IN AMERICA
(Saturday Night Feature Film: 8pm)

A Sneak Peek privilege! Set against the gritty backdrop of New York City, this semi-autobiographical story by writer/director Jim Sheridan ("My Left Foot", "In The Name of the Father") tells the tale of a family of Irish immigrants who arrive on America’s shores in search of their fortune and a more fulfilling life. Sisters Emmy and Sarah Bolger display a naturalness and sensitivity, rare in child performers, in this poignant, ultimately triumphant, film of a man following his dream.
Drama/Romance. (As yet unrated.)

Nominated after our festival for 3 Academy Awards - best actress for Samantha Morton, best supporting actor for Djimon Hounsou, and best original screenplay for Jim Sheridan and his daughters.

Not scheduled for general release until end of November 2003.

Put your tongue in cheek and see "Image, Flesh, and Voice", a bizarre 1969 documentary from the real heyday of science fiction. Created by Ed Emshwiller, one of the leading science-fiction illustrators of the 1950s, this collage has the freethinking bohemians who made up the Milford Writers Group, such as Damon Knight & Harlan Ellison, conversing in disembodied voices and cavorting (not so disembodied) in the Milford woods. Definitely not for the faint of heart!
Documentary. Not Rated. (Adults)

RIVERS & TIDES
(Sunday, 10.30am)

In this rare film about an artist that is, in itself, a work of art, director Thomas Riedelsheimer followed environmental-art magician Andy Goldsworthy for over a year, and then set the result to a haunting musical score. "Image after striking image, 'Rivers and Tides' manages to capture not just the essence of an artist’s work, but that which makes art in and of itself so vital to humanity." -- Show Business Weekly.
Documentary. Not Rated.

THE HOUSEKEEPER
(Sunday, 1pm)

Set in Paris and along the beautiful Brittany coast, a bittersweet May-September comedic romance from veteran French film director Claude Berri has been called "enjoyable, relaxed, and anything but housework" by the Washington Post.
In French with English subtitles.
Comedy. Rated R.

DEATH WATCH (La Mort en Direct)
(Sunday, 3pm)

With a remarkably prescient picture that anticipated the glut of "reality television" by decades, this 1980 film from a novel by Milford writer D.G. Compton is an all-too-rare example of screen sci-fi as introspective drama rather than intergalactic action adventure. Highlighted by compelling performances by Romy Schneider and Harvey Keitel, a woman is diagnosed with a terminal disease in a world where illness has been eliminated, and the networks create a sensation battling for exclusive rights to her demise.
Drama Sci-Fi. Rated PG.

Closing Night Film: THE SAND PEBBLES
(Sunday, 6.30pm) The print of this film was discovered to be in too fragile a condition to be shown. It is currently undergoing restoration and we hope to have it in a future festival to premiere its new-found color and glory.

Nominated for 8 Academy Awards®, directed by Robert Wise ("The Sound of Music"), and based on Milford writer Richard McKenna’s 1966 novel, "The Sand Pebbles," starring Steve McQueen, is set in 1926 revolution-torn China, and culminates with a spectacular and riveting river rescue.
Drama. Rated PG-13

UPDATE:

Closing Night Film: NOBODY'S FOOL

From beginning to end with director Robert Benton ("The Human Stain"), The Festival presents what is arguable Paul Newman’s finest performance, the aging, rascally ne’er-do-well in a small town where nothing ever happens, but where everything is about to happen to him. Jessica Tandy's last film, with stellar performances by Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith. From the book by Pulitzer Prize winning novelist, Richard Russo.

Year 2003 shone as our new programming expert, Joe Revitte, came aboard to aid Fred Buchholz, Black Bear's 4-time Emmy-winning costume designer, in continuing the now widely-acclaimed skill to scout out the best and the brightest in films.