create, innovate, empower
Contact: Jessica Gelico
Tel: (408) 995-6305
E-mail: [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CINEQUEST FILM & VR FESTIVAL 2017
WORLD, NORTH AMERICAN, AND US PREMIERES
SAN JOSE, Calif. – January 25, 2017 – One hundred thirty-two films and virtual reality
experiences will premiere at the 2017 edition of the Cinequest Film & VR Festival in San
Jose and Redwood City. This mind-boggling and soul-stirring lineup unveils February 28 –
March 12 in San Jose & Redwood City (Silicon Valley) at lavish venues.
Feature Films: World Premieres
Actors Anonymous
Directors: Melanie Aitkenhead, Abi Damaris Corbin, Shaun Duffy, Julio Vincent Gambuto,
Justin S. Lee, Kelly Luu, Kevin Luu, Jess Maldaner, Leandro Tadashi, Juel Taylor, Julian
Wolff, Kerry Yang; Country: United States; Genre: Drama
Based on his novel and starring Academy Award nominee James Franco, Actors Anonymous
is a
raw and highly entertaining ride, plunging into the glamorized, enigmatic world that is
Hollywood. Featuring Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight).
The Black Prince
Director: Kavi Raz; Country: United States; Genre: Drama
The Black Prince, featuring the acting premiere of Indian Punjabi, singer-songwriter
Satinder Pal Singh, with British stars Amanda Root and Jason Flemyng (Lock, Stock and
Two Smoking Barrels, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), is a captivating tale of selfrealization and identity discovery.
The Bullish Farmer
Director: Ken Marsolais; Country: United States; Genre: Documentary
A most unlikely journey, from Wall Street to his very own organic farm! The Bullish Farmer
spins this delightful yarn of an erstwhile Wall Street “bull” who “sees the light.” In a bizarre
180-degree transformation, he turns his previously crazy life into one dominated by healthy
living, by running his own small farm in upstate New York.
The Dunning Man
Director: Michael Clatyon; Country: United States; Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Always broke, still single, and even more desperate. You’d think he would have learned by
now. An explosive, yet disarmingly funny experience, The Dunning Man will have you
reflecting on this provocative film for days.
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Fixed
Director: Alonso Mayo; Country: United States; Genre: Comedy
A dry spell on top of a rough patch. Fixed is a hilarious coming-of-age tale full of delight
and character that poses that age-old question: what does it mean to be a father?
Forgotten Man
Director: Arran Shearing; Country: United Kingdom; Genre: Drama, Comedy
A precarious romance set against a dazzling cityscape. Featuring an arresting score and
hypnotic black and white imagery, complemented by a stunning turn from actor Jerry Hall
(Batman, 1989), Forgotten Man is an original, dazzling glimpse into a world of two young
people caught in a dizzying 24-hour whirlwind of romance, lies, hope, and compassion.
Hedgehog
Director: Lindsey Copeland; Country: United States; Genre: Drama
Ali is the daughter of a comedy legend, so performing stand up should be in her blood,
right? Well, maybe. Hedgehog follows Ali during her best and worst moments as she
pushes herself to become the performer she’s always dreamt of being.
The Honest Struggle
Director: Justin Mashouf; Country: United States; Genre: Documentary
Exploring the power of faith and redemption, The Honest Struggle brims with charisma and
inspiration, rooting for one former child star to overcome personal trials and obstacles and
gain rebirth through redemption.
Laura Gets a Cat
Director: Michael Ferrell; Country: United States; Genre: Comedy, Drama
When you’re chasing your tail, life seems like it’s always just out of reach. Director Michael
Ferrell (Twenty-Million People, Cinequest 2013) crafts this hilarious tale where only in
Laura’s fantasies does everything work out...well, mostly!
Metamorphosis Junior Year
Director: James Franco; Country: United States; Genre: Drama, Family
A pinch of weed, a splash of Greek mythology, seasoned with a dash of art. It’s
high
school, so what can go wrong? You’d be surprised. An unflinching portrait of selfdiscovery that teens of all ages will enjoy, Metamorphosis Junior Year captures adolescence
in all its deluded, self-obsessed glory: mentors, girlfriends, boyfriends, drugs, and dreams.
Monochrome
Director: Thomas Lawes; Country: United Kingdom; Genre: Thriller
How much is your life worth? A haunting psychological thriller, Monochrome examines the
fallacy of wealth as a fulfillment of life’s desires and what it means to find the ultimate
worth in each other, where true value lies.
New Chefs on the Block
Director: Dustin Harrison-Atlas; Country: United States; Genre: Documentary
Two chefs, each with his own separate dream. As their reveries sometimes transform into
nightmares, both chefs confront obstacles and pitfalls head-on, proving that with talent,
gumption, aided by a little luck, dreams can come true.
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The Ottoman Lieutenant
Director: Joseph Ruben; Country: United States; Genre: Drama
Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones), Hera Hilmar (Anna Karenina), Josh Hartnett (Penny
Dreadful) and Sir Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) star in an epic romance set during World War I
and directed by Joseph Ruben (Sleeping with the Enemy).
Painless
Director: Jordan Horowitz; Country: United States; Genre: Drama, Thriller
While most of us try to avoid pain, Henry has spent his entire life seeking it out. Unable to
sense physical pain, Henry lives in constant fear of an injury or illness he cannot detect.
Thus his life’s work is to find a cure for his condition. To him, daily life—and human
interaction—are only distractions from his quest. That is until Shani, a sensitive barista,
finds a way to create a “chink in his armor.”
Prodigy
Directors: Alex Haughey, Brian Vidal; Country: United States; Genre: Thriller, Science
Fiction, Drama
A terrifying game of strategy and wits between a dangerous young genius and a
psychologist. Reminiscent of cerebral Twilight Zone episodes, this understated, yet
powerful study in suspense will hold you in its iron grip long after the last frame fades.
Prom King, 2010
Director: Christopher Schaap; Country: United States; Genre: Comedy, Romance
Prom King, 2010 is a lifeboat for those who are sick of patiently waiting for one’s chance at
romance. Charlie gets it, sadly. Alas, relationships suck. Love is confounding and confusing.
Still…there’s nothing he wants more.
Quality Problems
Directors: Brooke Purdy, Doug Purdy; Country: United States; Genre: Comedy, Drama
Family to-do-list: throw eight-year-old’s perfect birthday party, find a wandering grandpa,
and deal with cancer in the left boob. A brilliant blend of humor and raw
emotion, directors
Doug and Brooke Purdy (also the film’s stars) manage what few movies about cancer can
do: make us feel good about life.
Shut Up Anthony
Director: Kyle Eaton; Country: United States; Genre: Comedy
In the wake of personal and professional failure, Anthony retreats to a vacation home
where he encounters an estranged friend from his past. Inspired by that one guy we all
seem to know, Kyle Eaton’s debut feature is a genuine gem of a comedy, one you’ll be
thinking about and laughing over days after the credits roll.
Soul Exodus
Director: Csaba Bereczki; Country: Hungary; Genre: Documentary
A modern story about our often incomprehensible world...told with, of all things, Klezmer
music. A deeply emotional tale about identity, emigration, inner emigration, brothers and
god-brothers, religion and belief, faith and disbelief.
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The Sounding
Director: Catherine Eaton; Country: United States; Genre: Psychological Mystery
An outlier rebels against a world reluctant to listen to her voice. Director, co-writer,
and
star Eaton superbly crafts this unforgettable tale about our humanity, why we need to
embrace those who are marginalized, and about how we should always strive to be
something more...something even extraordinary.
This Is Meg
Director: Alex Ferrari; Country: United States; Genre: Comedy, Drama
She’s unmarried. She’s unemployed. She’s Meg. Based on true events (of any woman
trying to make it in Hollywood), This Is Meg propels us on a whirlwind adventure, from
almost endless struggle to eventual enlightenment, the L.A. way.
The Twinning Reaction
Director: Lori Shinseki; Country: United States; Genre: Documentary
In the ultimate project to determine the benefits/pitfalls of “nature vs nurture,” The
Twinning Reaction follows infant twins who were separated by an adoption agency, with no
disclosure to the adoptive parents that their child had an identical sibling.
The Valley
Director: Saila Kariat; Country: United States; Genre: Drama
Amidst a culture where connection is almost impossible to maintain, how do we choose to
live? The Valley addresses pressing issues about our humanity, told through the story of a
father’s abiding love as he searches for
the responsible hands that spilled his daughter’s
blood.
What Children Do
Director: Dean Peterson; Country: United States; Genre: Comedy
Reunited and it feels so...well, I guess, okay? In the years since sisters Amy and Shannon
were little kids, you would expect their relationship to have matured. Think again.
What Happened in Vegas
Director: Ramsey Denison; Country: United States; Genre: Documentary
The movie the police couldn’t get rid of. What Happened
in Vegas exposes the truth in
three murder cases, where it turns out all the victims
were shot by cops. What If It Works?
Director: Romi Trower; Country: Australia; Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
Obsessive-compulsive, germaphobic Adrian spends his lonely days thinking about his
former love. That is until he collides headlong into Grace, a whimsical street artist suffering
from dissociative disorder.
Wild Man
Director: Jacquie Phillips, Stefanie Black; Country: United States; Genre: Comedy
Sick of failing to launch his career and nostalgic for his glory days as a high school football
star, Bo heads home for his high school reunion. When footage of a drunk Bo goes viral, he
finds himself stuck in his hometown (under house arrest, no less) and forges an unlikely
friendship with Elliot, the shy boy across the street who’s desperate to learn how to play
football.
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Wilderness
Director: Justin John Doherty; Country: UK; Genre: Drama
John and Alice go away together to the
remote countryside of Cornwall. Their weekend
starts sweetly, a delicate dance
of eroticism and insecurity as they tenderly profess their
undying love. But as the hours unfold and reality impinges on their illusory bubble of
infatuation, betrayals and power plays mount until even lovemaking becomes a minefield.
Feature Films: North American Premieres
Anishoara
Director: Ana Felicia Scutelnicu; Countries: Germany, Moldova; Genre: Drama
The spirit for all seasons: a journey from girl to womanhood. Director Ana-Felicia Scutelnicu
orchestrates Anishoara with delicate subtlety, giving new life to a timeless country, giving
way to romanticism to nourish separately from the external world beyond Moldova.
The Citizen
Director: Roland Vranik; Country: Hungary; Genre: Drama
Wilson Ugabe, African refugee from a brutal war, lives in Budapest and is studying to pass
the exams to become a Hungarian citizen. When he helps a desperate, pregnant Iranian
woman who appears one night at his door, his act of kindness will change his life in ways
he cannot imagine.
Curtain Call
Director: Ryoo Hoon; Country: South Korea; Genre: Comedy
A third-rate theater company, with dwindling audiences, tired actors, and very little money
has one last-gasp chance to survive: perform “Hamlet” as the final show in a play
competition. However, all the
world’s a stage, yes?... so when, out of nowhere, a hand
suddenly falls to the ground within sight of the audience, someone screams “Hamlet is
dead!” Now what?
Dead Man Working
Director: Marc Bauder; Country: Germany; Genre: Thriller
High-ranking investment banker Jochen and his personal assistant Tom have just made the
deal of a lifetime, but on the night of their big, deal-closing celebration, Jochen shocks
everyone by jumping off the roof of the bank headquarters
in Frankfurt. But there’s more
to the story than meets the eye and Tom sets out to uncover the truth.
Exiled
Director: Dāvis Sīmanis; Countries: Latvia, Lithuania; Genre: Drama
Stranded on the fringes of humanity, how much of it can you still find in yourself? Exiled
creates a dark yet fascinating universe, unfolding like a Kafkaesque nightmare that will
keep you guessing long after the screen fades to black.
For Grace
Director: Sebastian Arnesto; Country: United Kingdom; Genre: Drama
What exactly constitutes a family? Is it only blood, or something more? Absorbing and
heartfelt, Sebastian Armesto’s debut feature captures a spirit rarely felt in cinema—genuine
emotion without becoming overly sentimental.
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Imitation Girl
Director: Natasha Kermani; Country: United States; Genre: Science Fiction, Drama
Do you change or accept the person you see in the mirror? Imitation Girl is a lyrically
compelling film that will make you question the intentions of the film’s characters…as well
as your own.
Lazybones
Director: Michael Jones; Country: Australia; Genre: Comedy
Is there a proper way to do anything these days? Full of moments of existential
contemplation and self-realization, Lazybones is an authentic, sweetly charming ode to
getting through the day, the ups and downs, and the countless consequential events of hit
and miss, trial and error.
The Listen Project – The First Five Years
Director: Garry Bassin; Countries: United States, Japan; Genre: Documentary
Music: the universal language. The Listen Project is an ongoing journey and ever-growing
library of intimate and rarely seen performances of artists from every corner of the globe,
attempting to answer the always puzzling question: “What would we put into a time
capsule that will be opened in 1000 years?”
Loop
Director: Isti Madarász; Country: Hungary; Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
You may not realize it, but you are your own worst enemy. Loop pulls together a
supernatural tale of a man who gets a second chance to do what is right...then a third,
then a fourth.
The Moderns
Director: Mauro Sarser; Country: Uruguay; Genre: Comedy, Drama
The hilarious ups and downs of a truly modern set of relationships. The Moderns is a
dazzling and entertaining commentary on the myriad challenges relationships face in
today’s world.
Past Imperfect
Director: Nathalie Tierlinck; Countries: Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, France; Genre:
Drama
She’s built her walls, but motherhood tears them down. With her carefully constructed
reality gone, she is thrust into the crucible of motherhood—surrounded by the minefield of
her past. Will she run again? Or stay to face her fears?
Secluded
Director: Anders Fløe; Country: Denmark; Genre: Drama
“They called us the perfect family.” A slow-burning psychological drama, Secluded is a
modern morality play about the risks of the digital trails we leave behind.
That Trip We Took with Dad
Director: Anca Miruna Lazarescu; Country: Germany; Genre: Comedy, Drama
Buy the ticket, take the ride, even if you have to sit next to Dad. Enormously funny, That
Trip We Took with Dad is an amazingly acted, historical comedy providing a unique view
behind the former Iron Curtain.
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Time Without Pulse
Director: Bárbara Ochoa Castañeda; Country: Mexico; Genre: Drama
It may be Bruno’s birthday, but his mother can think only of the son she lost. Director
Barbara Ochoa Castañeda crafts a contemplative coming-of-age story that reveals the often
misunderstood familial aftermath following the death of a child, while also creating a
captivating character study of re-establishing destroyed bonds.
Wednesday
Director: Soroush Mohamadzad’h; Country: Iran; Genre: Drama
When a family’s life hangs in the balance, who’s going to pull the stool? Wednesday is a
visceral, profoundly affecting, drama, exploring the high stakes involved when choosing
between love, anger, and tradition in contemporary Iran.
You Are My Sunday
Director: Milind Dhaimade; Country: India; Genre: Romantic Comedy
A vibrant and magical romantic comedy from India starring the luminous talents of Barun
Sobti (Shraddha) and Shahana Goswami (Under Construction, Midnight’s Children). You Are
My Sunday is a breath of fresh air that reminds us that dreams should never die.
Feature Films: United States Premieres
An American Dream: The Education of William Bowman
Director: Ken Finkleman; Country: Canada; Genre: Comedy
Sent down the proverbial rabbit hole and dumped out the other end. An American Dream:
The Education of William Bowman is a hilarious satire positing idiosyncratic commentary on
the power of media and the American Dream...even if that dream is a bit crazy.
Cadence
Director: Alex Lasheras; Country: Canada; Genre: Thriller
Ironically a real fantasy. Genuinely a true nightmare. Cadence offers a fresh perspective on
modern day psychological issues, presented as a nerve-wracking thriller filled with twists
that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Celtic Soul
Director: Michael McNamara; Country: Canada; Genre: Comedy, Documentary
A comical journey about football (soccer), friendship, and nourishing the soul. Comedian
and actor Jay Baruchel (Tropic Thunder; This is the End) has an unusual obsession – he is a
die-hard fan of the Scottish soccer team, Glasglow Celtic. Jay, who takes great pride in his
Irish roots, hooks up with Irish-born soccer journalist, Eoin O’Callaghan to embark on an
eccentric, fan-fueled journey.
The Death (and Life) of Carl Naardlinger
Director: Katherine Schlemmer; Country: Canada; Genre: Comedy
Is life a series of random events, or has it all been predetermined by fate? Beautifully
crafted, The Death (and Life) of Carl Naardlinger is a humorous, uplifting comedy about the
meaning of life, coincidence, and fate.
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Destiny
Director: Wei Zhang; Country: China; Genre: Drama
A mother fights to rewrite the script for her autistic son. From director Wei Zhang (Factory
Boss, Cinequest 2016), this heart wrenching story opens a window into a society struggling
to support people with special needs—and highlights how a mother’s love is strong enough
to fight a seemingly pre-determined destiny.
A Different Sun
Director: Reed Tang; Country: United States; Genre: Drama
A house is temporary, but a home is forever. A fish-out-of-water family drama, A Different
Sun, finds a Chinese family struggling to fit in with their new, adopted German homeland.
Flemish Heaven
Director: Peter Monsaert; Country: Belgium; Genre: Drama
How far would you be willing to go to keep your child safe? Flemish Heaven is a hauntingly
beautiful drama that is, at times, intense and chilling, but always focused on its message
that family is of the utmost importance.
Hunting Flies
Director: Izer Aliu; Country: Norway; Genre: Drama
One teacher’s fate hangs in the balance, but can he reach his students and change their
lives?
Hunting Flies offers a biting commentary on the rise and fall of dictatorship through
the eyes of impressionable youth.
Hysteria
Director: Carlos Melendez; Country: Mexico; Genre: Drama, Thriller
He’s going to show them why they should never have dared mess with him. Hysteria is an
atmospheric story centered on violence and abuse, with rich characters struggling to
survive in their own ways.
Levinsky Park
Director: Beth Toni Kruvant; Country: United States; Genre: Documentary
Israel, a country of refugees. Levinsky park, a community of refugees divided. Levinsky
Park presents a fascinating and nuanced portrait of the myriad complexities and
repercussions of one of the defining global controversies of our time, refugee migration. Lovesick
Director: Tyson Caron; Country: Canada; Genre: Romantic Comedy
Falling in love is easy; falling out of love is hard. Lovesick is the story of one man’s journey
toward self-awareness; a coming-of-age tale about falling in love and falling apart.
Memento Mori
Director: Niobe Thompson; Country: Canada; Genre: Documentary
Memento Mori is an evocative cinematic journey alongside the living and the
dying,
presenting a human drama never before captured on film.
It grips the viewer in
an
unrelenting, emotional embrace—propelling us from moments of unexpected
joy to numbinducing pain—until the very last frame. Page 8 of 10
The Nurse
Director: Dilek Çolak; Country: Turkey; Genre: Drama
Remember, one day love can end. The Nurse is an intriguing story of pain, suffering, and
acceptance that serves as a reminder that compassion can often be found in the most
unexpected places.
Sauti (Voice)
Director: Beret Strong, John Tweedy, Gayle M. Nosal; Countries: United States, Uganda;
Genre: Documentary Five girls strive to build a future of hope. Sauti (Voice) deeply
explores the meaning of courage, perseverance, and the importance of struggle, which
make us stronger.
Seat in Shadow
Director: Henry Coombes; Country: Scotland; Genre: Comedy
“Take me dancing. Show me the glorious world.” Seat in Shadow is a witty, perceptive
study of social mores, sexual excess, and the bizarre, symbiotic relationship between
doctor and patient; teacher and pupil; artist and muse.
Sweet Girls
Directors: Jean-Paul Carindaux, Xavier Ruiz; Country: Switzerland; Genre: Comedy
These neighbors may make you leave or make you want to leave. Sweet Girls is a dark
comedy and contemporary fable, a bittersweet portrait of society through the eyes of two
teenage girls who think they can, with their romantic and naive view of life, solve all the
world’s problems.
The Unattainable Story
Director: Emilia Ferreira; Country: United States; Genre: Drama
Who really directs the director? Irina Björklund (The American), Harry Hamiln (LA Law),
and Edoardo Ballerini (The Sopranos) come together in this multi-narrative drama
examining the strange and very different life of artists.
Years of Fierro
Director: Santiago Esteinou; Countries: Mexico, Canada, Germany, United States; Genre:
Documentary
How many execution dates must he live through? Unable to be shown in the U.S. until now,
The Years of Fierro is an aching portrait of a life denied and a family cruelly separated by a
corrupt justice system in a world where Mexican lives count for far less than American
ones.
Cinequest Film and Virtual Reality Festival 2017 will occur February 28th to March 12th in
San Jose and Redwood City (Silicon Valley).
Join us for Maverick Spirit events with Jane Lynch (Glee) and Jason Reitman (Juno); 129 World and
U.S. Premiere Films (featuring stars like Amanda Seyfried, Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Chastain, Oscar
Isaac, Nathan Lane, James Franco, Ben Mendelsohn, Michiel Huisman, Sir Ben Kingsley, Michelle
Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, Rooney Mara, and Christian Bale); 800+ presenting artists and
innovators; spectacular virtual reality experiences; and fabulous celebrations. Complete lineup,
passes, and tickets at www.cinequest.org
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About Cinequest
A vanguard organization set in the Silicon Valley, Cinequest’s uniqueness and impact result from
being ahead of the curve in the powerful integration of creativity and technology. Cinequest fuses
the world of the filmed arts with that of Silicon Valley’s innovation to empower youth, artists, and
innovators to create and connect – driving transformations and a better tomorrow. Cinequest does
this through Cinequest Film & VR Festival, Picture The Possibilities (PTP), and its sister company
Cinequest Mavericks Studio. (Voted Best Film Festival by USA Today Readers.)
Cinequest 2017 Partners: Applied Materials (NYSE: AMAT), Kaiser Permanente, Harmonic (NYSE:
HLIT), Unity Technologies, Canon (NYSE: CAJ), IMDb an Amazon Company (AMZN), Panasonic
(OTCMKTS:PCRFY), Stella Artois (NYSE: AHBIF), Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Google (NYSE: GOOG),
AMD Radeon (NYSE: AMD), RED, Samsung (KSE:KS005935), Hint Water, Comerica Incorporated
(NYSE: CMA), Agile Ticketing Solutions, NBC Bay Area, Metro, KQED, SF Media Co., Telemundo,
Cinemark (NYSE: CNK), Fairmont San Jose (NYSE: FHR), Hyatt Place San Jose Downtown (NYSE:
H), Hilton San Jose (NYSE: HLT), Marriott San Jose (NYSE: MAR), Hotel De Anza, Wiivv, Barco
(EBR:BAR), VTA, Caltrain, SamTrans, Eddie Lira, SV Creates, San Jose Downtown Association, Team
San Jose, and the City of San Jose
PTP Partners: Kaiser Permanente, The Hearst Foundations, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation,
The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Morrison & Foerster Foundation, Capital Group, Hewlett
Packard Workstations (NYSE: HPQ), Brett Company, Google (NYSE: GOOG), Liquid Agency, Seagate
(NYSE: STX), Litepanels, Cisco (NYSC: CSCO), AudioTechnica, Media Center, Adobe (NYSE: ADBE),
Eddie Lira, GlideCam, Atomos, Rhino Camera Gear, Manfrotto, Red Giant (NYSE: REDG)
www.cinequest.org
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