It’s no surprise that Fox Searchlight’s SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (opening soon at 3 Angelika locations), winner of the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival this year, is gaining incredible recognition and attention from the press. In fact it is what Time calls “A Buoyant hymn to life…”. Even more passionately, Rolling Stone‘s Peter Travers says it is “One of the year’s best films. What I feel for this movie isnâ??t just admiration; it’s mad love.”SLUMDOG is also getting coverage in unexpected places.

According to a recent AdAge article, some companies have requested that their products (with no “product placement” deals involved) simply be excluded or disguised in the film. Director Danny Boyle went to such great lengths to authentically show the gritty slums of Mumbai that certain brands, like Coke and Mercedes, wanted out. According to an 11/08 article in Variety, the film gained an R rating for “overall intensity”, but many intense films proudly feature and profit from products in their story line.

How can SLUMDOG, which inspires “mad love” in reviewers and film festival goers, inspire mad fear in advertisers? Find out, starting tomorrow:

11/12: Angelika New York
11/21: Angelika Plano
12/19: Angelika Houston

Kaufman’s SYNECDOCHE, NY opens November 7 at the Angelika Dallas & Angelika Houston and on November 14 at the Angelika Plano.

In Dallas, Charlie Kaufman graciously stopped by while promoting his directorial debut.
The film stars Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Cahterine Keener, Michelle Williams, and Emily Watson.

Read Tom Maurstad’s Review in The Dallas Morning News
Read Amy Biancolli’s Review and Eric Harrison’s Interview in the Houston Chronicle 

Charlie is wished a Bon Voyage by Angelika publicist, Jo Ellen Brantferger

The Angelika Film Center in Houston is proud to host the
11th Polish Film Festival, starting this week!

See below for details, click here for the full schedule.

Date: November 7, 9, 14, 16 & 17, 2008
Venue:  Angelika Film Center Houston, 510 Texas Avenue (@ Smith St.) Houston, TX 77002
Tickets: General Admission: $10 – Seniors/Students: $8 (Available at the door)
Organizer: Zbigniew Wojciechowski, PolStage Productions (contact tel. 281 565-0499)

Summary: The Polish Film Festival celebrates 11 years! Like every year, this yearâ??s program features some of the best recent film productions of the Polish cinematography, including Academy Award nominee – historical drama KATYN by Andrzej Wajda (screening on Nov 7).

Also, you canâ??t miss the film TWIST OF FATE, directed by one of the icons of the Polish cinema Jerzy Stuhr. You will be able to meet the actor/director personally after the film screening on Nov 14 or during the evening with the author at Anya Tish Gallery on Nov 13. Polish Film Festival is an event that brings you closer to the Polish culture, its rich history, colorful mentality, and huge talent. Simply, an event you canâ??t miss!

Click here for the full schedule

PROGRAM
Fri, November 7, 2008
8:00PM KATYN (KatyÅ?) dir. Andrzej Wajda (drama 2007, 117â??) – see synopsis below!
10:00PM ONE MORE TIME (Jeszcze Raz) dir. Mariusz Malec (comedy 2008, 91′)

Sun, November 9, 2008
6:00PM GODâ??S LITTLE GARDEN (U Pana Boga w Ogródku) dir. Jacek Bromski (comedy 2007, 115â??)
Meeting with the director J. Bromski after the screening
8:00PM SOLIDARITY, SOLIDARITY (SolidarnoÅ?Ä?, SolidarnoÅ?Ä?) dir. among others Jacek Bromski, Filip Bajon, Andrzej Wajda (drama/comedy 2005, 113â??)Thu, November 13, 2008
7:30PM Meeting and discussion with â??iconâ?? of the Polish film, Jerzy Stuhr, actor/director
Special Venue: Anya Tish Gallery (4411 Montrose Blvd., Houston)

Fri, November 14, 2008
8:00PM THE BIG ANIMAL (Duże Zwierze) dir. Jerzy Stuhr (comedy 2000, 73â??)
9:30PM TWIST OF FATE (Korowód) dir. Jerzy Stuhr (drama 2007, 112â??) – see synopsis below!
Meeting with the director J. Stuhr after the screening

Sun, November 16, 2008
6:00PM THREE BUDDIES (Trzech Kumpli) dir. Ewa Stankiewicz (documentary 2008)
LEJDIS (Lejdis) dir. Tomasz Konecki (comedy 2008, 139′)
8:00PM LEJDIS (Lejdis) dir. Tomasz Konecki (comedy 2008, 139′)

Mon, November 17, 2008
7:00PM 13 YEARS, 13 MINUTES (13 Lat, 13 Minut) dir. Marek Maldis (documentary 2007, 49′)
WEARING A FOUR-CORNERED CAP AND A TIGER SKIN (W Rogatywce i Tygrysiej Skórze) dir. Jerzy Lubach (documentary 2008, 56â??)
9:00PM MIDNIGHT TALKS (Rozmowy NocÄ?) dir. Maciej Zak (romantic comedy 2008, 91â??)

This year, the 11th Polish Film Festival will present a variety of best Polish films, including dramas, historical dramas, comedies and documentaries, but if you have to select just a few, here are the festival’s recommendations:

KATYN (KatyÅ?) dir. Andrzej Wajda (drama 2007, 117â??)
KATYN is a drama that touches a very sensitive historical topic â?? one of the biggest crimes against the Polish nation in the history. The film shows the truth about the massacre on Polish soldiers that took place in Katyn in April and May 1940, where twenty-two thousands of Polish men were executed by the Russian soldiers following the orders of Stalin. For years the truth about the massacre was â??protectedâ?? by the communist regime. This tragedy affected thousands of Polish families of the victims who for years had to live with awareness of not only a great harm, but also a cynical lie. ANDRZEJ WAJDA is one of the most recognized Polish directors and recipient of multiple film awards and awards for lifetime achievement, including Academy Award in 2000 for five decades of extraordinary film direction. KATYN received an Oscar nomination in 2008. View the full Synopsis

TWIST OF FATE (Korowód) dir. Jerzy Stuhr (drama 2007, 112â??)
TWIST OF FATE, the newest drama of Jerzy Stuhr, is a story of two Polish generations: contemporary students and their parents who cannot come to an agreement in their judgment of history and their moral dilemmas. The film is a story of an individual in his moral perplexities, life changing actions and searching for answers. View the full Synopsis

Meet our special guests in person: Jerzy Stuhr and Jacek Bromski!
Every year, we are honored to welcome at the Polish Film Festival some of the countryâ??s leading and most respected actors, directors and producers.
This year, we are meeting with the screen writer and director, Jacek Bromski during the screening of his new movie GODâ??S LITTLE GARDEN (Nov 9, 6PM).

This year, we are meeting with the screen writer and director, Jacek Bromski during the screening of his new movie GODâ??S LITTLE GARDEN (Nov 9, 6PM). We are also delighted to welcome one of the biggest â??iconsâ?? of the Polish cinematography, Jerzy Stuhr â?? actor, director who contributed tremendously to development of the Polish theatre and film. You can meet him at the screening of his new movie TWIST OF FATE on November 14 and during an evening gathering on November 13, at 7.30PM. Donâ??t forget: this meeting will take place at the Anya Tish Gallery at 4411 Montrose Blvd. in Houston. We hope to welcome you there!

 

Our friend Chase over at GordonandtheWhale.com recently sat down with THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS director, Mark Herman and author, John Boyne.

The film opens soon in our NYC, Dallas and Plano locations!

CLICK TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW!

Carl Deal and Tia Lessin, FAHRENEHIT 9/11 and BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE producers stopped by the Angelika Dallas this past Saturday to answer questions about their new film TROUBLE THE WATER.Deal and Lessin are winners of the Documentary Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.TROUBLE THE WATER plays through next week – click here for Showtimes and TICKETS!�

Meet Charles, winner of our marathon story contest! See Charles’ story (here) about his experience with the 2007 New York City Marathon, the very event chronicled in RUN FOR YOUR LIFE. Just like Fred Lebow, whose sweat and determination lead to the creation of the NYC Marathon, Charles acknowledges the incredible strength of his running community.

Charles and a guest will attend the film, playing this week at the Village East Cinema!

TURN THEM ALL INTO RUNNERS
“Not training as hard as last year, I was happy to complete the Sunday race with a time of 4:07:09, beating last year’s time by 26 seconds! â?¦. as unique Chinese guy, and one of the few Triathletes on the team (there are more than 100 members on the team, some of them are at the professional level, fifty percent are Marathon runners), I am proud of my Chinese background and won respect and a lot of support from my running fellows. I have received many mails from my friends, professors and colleagues in the US, China…from all over the world in the Marathon weeks. Thanks for all the support and encouragement; your support is the best gift to me.

What I wish for you is – as my teammate Martin said – “Turn them all into runners!” Next time you visit me in New York City, or I visit you in your city, let’s run together to share our running story!”

A handful of willing employees at the Angelika Dallas dressed up today and, amazingly, allowed themselves to be photographed and syndicated!

Considering that I would have come to work dressed as a circuit board (web geeks have so little imagination), I’m impressed with their range of vibrant costumes! If you think you can top them, send us your 2008 Halloween Costume photo (extra points for indie film characters)! We may concede defeat and post your costume on the blog!

BLUES BROTHER ADAM!

  

CONCESSION LOOTNG GENARO!

• Must be 18 to submit photo
• The winning submission will be posted on www.angelikablog.com
• In submitting your entry, you are agreeing to allow the Angelika to post your entry on www.angelikablog.com
• All submissions must be sent to angelikasubmissions@gmail.com
• No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited
• All submissions will become property of the Angelika Film Center/Reading International.

 

Here at the Angelika we just can’t get enough culture! While we have a fine buffet of indie delights and art house amenities, lately we’ve also been hungry for some repertory fare.

In Houston, we partnered with the folks at the Alley Theatre and, in conjunction with their current productions, screened one-night showings of CYRANO DE BERGERAC and ROXANNE this month.

In New York, we’re teaming up with the Bleecker Street Theatre to help promote the ever witty and charming Mike Birbiglia in his new show (and theatrical debut!) SLEEPWALK WITH ME. Produced by Nathan Lane, the show explores Mike’s hilarious and personal struggles with sleepwalking.

Having seen Mike at a stand up gig recently, I’m looking forward to what is sure to be a fantastic show.

TICKETS

With the New York City Marathon a mere four days away, the Village East Cinema is proud to feature RUN FOR YOUR LIFE (opens 10/29 – synopsis here). To celebrate, we’re giving away a FREE PAIR OF TICKETS for the best Marathon story submitted between 10/28 and 10/31!

Simply send us your best marathon/running story (200 words or less) and a you could attend the show FREE between the evenings of 10/31-11/06 at the Village East Cinema.
See official rules and instructions below – send all submissions to angelikasubmissions@gmail.com.

Not a Writer? get your TICKETS here

Contest Rules

• Must be 18 to enter
• All entries must be received by 12:00pm on Friday, October 31st 2008
• One (1) first place winner will receive 2 Free Tickets to RUN FOR YOUR LIFE to be used between 10/31/08 and 11/06/08
• The winning submission will be posted on www.angelikablog.com
• In submitting your entry, you are agreeing to allow the Angelika to post your entry on www.angelikablog.com
• All submissions must be sent to angelikasubmissions@gmail.com
• No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited
• All submissions will become property of the Angelika Film Center/Reading International.

Unless you’ve been living in a cave (or a coffin), you’re well aware that Vampires are everywhere. Twilight (coming to the big screen next month) and True Blood (HBO’s new hit) are gaining a lot of attention. Not to be outdone, we at the Angelika have our own vampire!
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, from Swedish director Tomas Alfredson, opens tonight at the Angelika Film Center New York (synopsis below). Come out to the Angelika tonight, grab some popcorn and bring your garlic salt…

TICKETS

Swedish director Tomas Alfredson brings the best-selling novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist to life in LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. Per Ragnar and Mikael Rahm (AS IT IS IN HEAVEN) star in this exploration of adolescent friendship, love and rejection. Oskar (Kare Hedebrant), a misfit 12-year old frequently beaten by bullies, fantasizes about revenge until a mysterious, young girl moves in next door (Lina Leandersson).
Oskarâ??s new friend teaches him to stand up to his aggressors, but as a host of unexplained deaths shock the town, he begins to wonder just how much she is capable of.