SILVERDOCS 2012

This year at Silverdocs we are presenting seven world premieres. For the films below, Silverdocs is their very first stop on the film circuit. 

ANN RICHARDS’ TEXAS 

Keith Patterson, Jack Lofton 2012

Thursday, June 21, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 23, 4:30 p.m.

In a state known for outsized political personalities, a silver-haired lady from Austin became one of the biggest and boldest by speaking her mind and sticking to her guns. The high-energy ANN RICHARDS’ TEXAS celebrates her rise in the Democratic Party, her improbable turn as governor and her legacy as a feisty liberal icon. Bigwigs and big stars alike reflect on her unique appeal among an electorate that later embraced George W. Bush and Rick Perry. – Silverdocs 2012

BETTING THE FARM

Cecily Pingree, Jason Mann 2012

Friday, June 22, 6:45 p.m.

Sunday, June 24, 8:30 p.m.

When a group of Maine dairy farmers are dropped by the national milk company that has been their bread and butter for years, their livelihood is in danger. Refusing to go down without a fight, the farmers take matters into their own hands, banding together to form their own organic milk company, MOO. Stakes are high as they struggle to navigate the treacherous waters of launching a new business as the bills pile up and tensions run high. – Silverdocs 2012

DRIVERS WANTED

Joshua Z. Weinstein, 2012

Wednesday, June 20, 8:00 p.m. 

Friday, June, 22, 9:15 p.m.

It takes persistence to run a taxi service in New York City, and new drivers are always needed.  Long hours, disrespectful customers and the blinding snow of a blizzard are just some of the challenges they must face.  DRIVERS WANTED explores the daily workings of one Queens garage as a new driver transitions from double-decker tour buses to taxis. Throughout it all, 90-year-old Johnnie “Spider” Footman keeps showing up for work. – Silverdocs 2012

LA SOURCE

Patrick Shen, 2012

Thursday, June 21, 5:00 p.m. 

Saturday, June 23, 9:45 a.m. 

Josue Lajeunesse grew up in the rural town of La Source, Haiti, where the residents live without plumbing or electricity and must embark on a treacherous hike up a mountain every day in order to obtain clean water. Now working as a janitor at Princeton University by day and a cab driver by night, Lajeunesse is convinced that there must be a better way for his hometown friends and family to live. Together with his carpenter brother Chrismedonne, who still lives in Haiti, Lajeunesse decides to organize an effort to finally bring clean water to La Source. – Silverdocs 2012

PLIMPTON! STARRING GEORGE PLIMPTON AS HIMSELF 

Tom Bean, Luke Poling, 2012

Thursday, June 21, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 23, 12:00 p.m.

Prominent writer, editor, amateur sportsman and friend to some of the world’s most powerful people, the late George Plimpton lived a life of dreams. Known for his willingness to try almost anything in the name of journalism, Plimpton has played quarterback for the Detroit Lions, acted in films alongside John Wayne and Tom Hanks, co-founded The Paris Review, played triangle for the New York Philharmonic and performed in a circus flying trapeze act. PLIMPTON! gives an unprecedented look into the world of this most fascinating Renaissance man. – Silverdocs 2012

STRONG! 

Julie Wyman, 2012

Wednesday, June 20, 1:45 p.m. 

Sunday, June 24, 6:15 p.m. 

One of America’s top Olympic women weightlifters, Cheryl Haworth doesn’t fit the conventions of a typical athlete. At 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing over 300 pounds, the talented, engaging and intelligent Cheryl is a force of nature unto herself. STRONG! chronicles her battle of maintaining her championship status with a rigorous training schedule, while at the same time facing an uncertain future as she considers the possibility that Olympic level weightlifting may not be a lifelong endeavor. – Silverdocs 2012

SWEET DREAMS

Lisa Fruchtman, Rob Fruchtman, 2012

Tuesday, June 19, 6:15 p.m. 

Friday, June 22, 9:00 p.m.

Ingoma Nshya is Rwanda’s first and only all women’s drumming troupe. Made up of women from both sides of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the troupe offers a place of support, healing and reconciliation. When the group decides to partner with two young American entrepreneurs to open Rwanda’s first ever ice cream shop, these remarkable women embark on a journey of independence, peace and possibility. SWEET DREAMS interweaves intimate, sometimes heart-wrenching stories, with joyous and powerful music to present a moving portrait of a country in transition. – Silverdocs 2012

Here’s a great slide that captures the numbers and wonders of Silverdocs. That’s a whole lot of pancakes.. 

Here is a Q & A with Keith Patterson, Filmmaker of ANN RICHARDS’ TEXAS. The film is a World Premiere at Silverdocs 2012. 

Introduce yourself:

I’m Keith Patterson. I’ve arrived at AFI Silverdocs as the culmination of a journey that took me from Finance student working on Broadway through TV and Film actor/assistant to screenwriter caught in development hell in LA and onto a documentary about a Texas Icon.  I’ve come to love Ann Richards and am so grateful to all who helped with this project and those that are keeping her mission alive.

What inspired this film? How did you find your subjects?

There has never been a feature documentary on Ann Richards.  I was immediately drawn to her humor and her genuine love for people, but also found her re-election race in 1994 against George Bush and Karl Rove fascinating.  Ann had many friends and staff that are still very active in politics and advocacy. One interview would lead to the next.  Also, the amazing Holland Taylor helped us a great deal.  Thank you, Holland!

What were some of the biggest challenges/surprises?

Coming from a background of scripted projects, I was surprised at the process involved in financing and scheduling/shooting the project.  I’m used to working on films in which pre-production to wrap is about 3 months. 

What was your VERY FIRST film?

My first film was as an actor, playing a member of the Skull and Bones in THE GOOD SHEPHERD.  I took any job in New York just to be on set and learn.

What is your proudest professional moment?

Having Dolly Parton accuse me of grabbing her boob during a photo after we filmed.  She was joking, of course.

What other projects are in the pipeline?

Moving right on to a narrative feature.  I plan on returning to documentaries later on.

Why did you become a filmmaker?

I love creating and working with talented people.  

What are some of your creative influences?

I grew up on John Hughes movies.  I really enjoy comedies and mysteries.  My favorite movie is CLUE - it’s both.

Did you go to film school?

No.  I was a finance major and worked on Broadway first, but quickly transitioned into TV and film.

What do you shoot on?

Mostly, RED Epic. 

What has been the most unexpected thing to happen since taking the film on the festival circuit?

We were honored for inspiring women to run for office by the White House Project.

2012 Marks our tenth edition of the Festival.  

Why did you want to screen your film at Silverdocs?

Silverdocs is a great festival and its proximity to DC should mean a lot of Ann’s friends can attend.  We hope that this film makes a splash during this very important election year.

How old are you in your head?

22.

This year at Silverdocs The Washington Post selected two films which look at some of the most talked about issues in America today: Health care and the economy. Washington Post journalists will be moderating post-screening discussions for DETROPIA and ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE. On June 21, Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday will be at the Silverdocs International Documentary Conference for an in-depth conversation with DETROPIA filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady.

DETROPIA

Thursday, June 21, 7:30 p.m.

*Friday, June 22, 10:30 a.m.

Once it may have been music, manufacturing or automobiles that defined Detroit but now, through the eyes of the makers of JESUS CAMP, it is its near dissolution and the scrappy residents fighting to keep it alive. While we meet numerous remarkable characters striving to make ends meet and to make sense of their city teetering on the brink of collapse, it is Detroit itself that emerges as its central and most evocative character. The intricate rhythms of desolation, survival and rebirth make DETROPIA a worthy heir of one of the founding glories of the documentary cinema – the city symphony. – SS

ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE

*Wednesday, June 20, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 22, 4:15 p.m.

What went wrong with America’s healthcare system, and how can it be fixed? In ESCAPE FIRE, filmmakers Matthew Heineman and Susan Froemke examine the nuts and bolts of the current battle raging over a healthcare system that is seemingly broken. Drawing from harrowing personal stories and the ongoing efforts of those trying to make a positive difference, this hard-hitting film focuses on finding workable solutions. – AP

*These two screenings will be moderated by Washington Post journalists and editors.

Tickets are now on sale for AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival! Visit our festival genius for complete information on purchasing tickets:

Ready. Set. Go!

http://bit.ly/LP4O18

The 2012 lineup for the AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival was announced this morning! Time to put on your doc-film festival glasses and begin digesting this incredible selection.

This year we are celebrating Silverdocs 10th edition. We have 144 films from 44 countries. Seven World, three North American, seven U.S. and eleven East Coast premieres plus much more. Festival Director Sky Sitney commented on this year’s lineup: 

“This year, fittingly for a festival that has united art and insight for a decade, there are a substantial number of films focusing on the creative process.  We are particularly proud to showcase the latest work by documentary luminaries, while introducing new filmmakers to our highly engaged audiences and guests from around the globe.” 

Dive in and Stay tuned. More Silverdocs news to come. 

Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky will be honored at the AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Charles Guggenheim Symposium. This is the American Film Institute’s annual recognition of excellence in documentary film. The documentarian team will be honored for their collective and individual contributions to the documentary genre. The symposium is named after the late, four-time Academy Award winner Charles Guggenheim and honors filmmakers who have mastered the power of documentary.

Berlinger and Sinofksy have been leading voices in documentary film since their award-winning BROTHER’S KEEPER (1992). Their landmark films include PARADISE LOST: THE CHILD MURDERS AT ROBIN HOOD HILLS (1996), PARADISE LOST 2: REVELATIONS (2000), METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER (2004), the Academy Award nominated PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY (2011) and Berlinger’s UNDER AFRICAN SKIES (2012). 

The Guggenheim Symposium will include excerpts from the honorees’ collection of work. Following the excerpts, the filmmakers will be joined by Indiewire Co-Founder and Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Eugene Hernandez. 

Congrats to our last Twitter contest, Year of Docs - we received so many photos that really captured the spirit of Silverdocs!  Here are the winning photos (chosen at random):

@marieclaireand:  @Silverdocs #yearofdocs Loved the opening night after party! http://t.co/BlVFfKm yfrog.com/kjm56tj yfrog.com/kjsx4kj

@BellCV:  @SILVERDOCS #yearofdocs one of my favorite moments so far: Post screening #BeingElmo meet and greet. http://lockerz.com/s/113653313

@TheOtherEmily:  Movie poster for NEVER MAKE IT HOME #yearofdocs @SILVERDOCS  http://lockerz.com/s/114493033

…has been announced!  Tomorrow we’re bringing back awards winners and other favorites for one last chance to see these great films!

• THE REDEMPTION OF GENERAL BUTT NAKED, 11:30 AM
• THE BULLY PROJECT, 12:00 PM 
• WHEN THE DRUM IS BEATING, 12:15 PM
• THE INTERRUPTERS, 1:15 PM
• FIRE IN BABYLON, 2:00 PM
• JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI, 2:15 PM
• THE WAR ROOM, 4:00 PM
• THE LOVING STORY (WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA AWARD WINNER), 4:15 PM
• GIVE UP TOMORROW, 4:30 PM
• DON’T LOOK BACK, 6:00 PM
• OUR SCHOOL preceded by GUAÑAPE SUR (US STERLING AWARD + SHORT WINNERS), 6:15 PM
• LIFE IN A DAY (CINEMATIC VISION AWARD WINNER), 6:45 PM
• FAMILY INSTINCT (WORLD STERLING AWARD WINNER), 8:00 PM
• Audience Award Winner (Feature +Short), 8:30 PM (Will not be announced until Monday morning after all ballots have been counted!)
• DONOR UNKNOWN, 8:45 PM

Check out www.Silverdocs.com or stop by the AFI Silver Box Office for tix!

Films on deck for screenings…..

Pruitt-Igoe Myth from the projection room, which screened in Theater 3 on Friday.

Tina - who took sat in that chair and viewed 108 films consecutively to check for sound issues, etc.  Don’t ask me how her eyes aren’t bleeding.  I don’t know. 

Editing room - so many screens, so many controls.