Feature Films
Enemies of the People
Runtime: 94:00 mins
Country: UK/Cambodia
Synopsis: One of the most harrowing and compelling personal documentaries of our time, ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE exposes for the first time the truth about the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge who were behind Cambodia’s genocide. More than simply an inquiry into Cambodia’s experience, however, ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE is a profound meditation on the nature of good and evil, shedding light on the capacity of some people to do terrible things and for others to forgive them.
Winner of a dozen top documentary festival awards, including a Special Jury Prize at Sundance and the Grand Jury Award at the Full Frame Documentary Festival, this is a riveting film that takes audiences as close to witnessing evil as they are ever likely to get.
A Film Unfinished
Runtime: 88 mins
Country: Germany/Israel
Synopsis: At the end of WWII, 60 minutes of raw film, having sat undisturbed in an East German archive, was discovered. Shot by the Nazis in Warsaw in May 1942, and labeled simply "Ghetto," this footage quickly became a resource for historians seeking an authentic record of the Warsaw Ghetto. However, the later discovery of a long-missing reel complicated earlier readings of the footage. A FILM UNFINISHED presents the raw footage in its entirety, carefully noting fictionalized sequences (including a staged dinner party) falsely showing "the good life" enjoyed by Jewish urbanites, and probes deep into the making of a now-infamous Nazi propaganda film.
A FILM UNFINISHED is a film of enormous import, documenting some of the worst horrors of our time and exposing the efforts of its perpetrators to propel their agenda and cast it in a favorable light.
Into Eternity
Runtime: 75:00 mins
Country: Denmark / Finland / Sweden
See trailer
Synopsis:
INTO ETERNITY is a mind-bending film that explores the utter impossibility of storing nuclear waste for 100,000 years, the time estimated by scientists to render it safe. It is, on the one hand, a documentary about the vast subterranean Onkalo storage facility presently under construction in Finland, and on the other hand, a startlingly beautiful work of art and an urgent provocation that ponders the question of who – or what – will remain on this earth when that time frame has elapsed.
Meek’s Cutoff – PRETHEATRICAL PREMIERE
Runtime: 104 min
Country: USA
Synopsis: The year is 1845, the earliest days of the Oregon Trail, and a wagon train of three families has hired mountain man Stephen Meek to guide them over the Cascade Mountains. Claiming to know a shortcut, Meek leads the group on an unmarked path across the high plain desert, only to become lost in the dry rock and sage. Over the coming days, the emigrants face the scourges of hunger, thirst and their own lack of faith in one another's instincts for survival. When a Native American wanderer crosses their path, the emigrants are torn between their trust in a guide who has proven himself unreliable and a man who has always been seen as a natural born enemy
October Country
Runtime: 80:00 mins
Country: USA
Synopsis:October Country is a beautifully rendered portrait of an American family struggling for stability while haunted by the ghosts of war, teen pregnancy, foster care and child abuse. A collaboration between filmmaker Michael Palmieri and photographer and family member Donal Mosher, this vibrant and penetrating documentary examines the forces that unsettle the working poor and the violence that lurks beneath the surface of American life.
Every family has its ghosts. The Mosher family has more than most. Shot over a year from one Halloween to the next, the film creates a stunning cinematic portrait of a family who are unique but also sadly representative of the struggles of America's working class.
Putty Hill
Runtime: 85:00 min
Country: USA-Baltimore
Synopsis: A beautifully realized portrait of a close–knit community on the outskirts of Baltimore, PUTTY HILL is the second feature from celebrated young filmmaker, and Baltimore native, Matt Porterfield. At a neighborhood karaoke bar, friends and family gather to remember a young man who passed away. Knowing little about his final days, they attempt to reconstruct his life. In the process, they offer a window onto their own lives, an evocative picture of working‐class America, dislocated from the progress and mobility around them, but united in pursuit of a shared dream. Matt Porterfield will be at the festival to introduce the film and take questions.
She’s in the Details
Runtime: 100:00 mins
Country: USA
Synopsis: Carroll County’s Robert Hagans is the producer and director of the Maryland-based film which was shot in and around Frederick county. "She's in the Details" starts with the plans surrounding the wedding of a mutual friend, and four young women having to confront each other on emotional and physical terms. Hagans and others who participated in the making of this film will be in attendance.
Silver Jew
Director: Michael Tully
Runtime: 65 mins
Country: USA
Synopsis: A film by Frederick native (and Sundance filmmaker) Michael Tully documenting two shows by the Silver Jews in Tel Aviv and an afternoon in Jerusalem during their first ever tour. 15 years after the band’s inception, this tour is treated as the amazing and improbable event that it was. Michael will be present for this screening of this acclaimed documentary.
A Small Act
Runtime: 88:00 mins
Country: USA
Synopsis: When Hilde Back sponsored a young, rural Kenyan student, she thought nothing of it. She certainly never expected to hear from him, but years later she does. Now a Harvard graduate and a Human Rights Lawyer for the United Nations, Chris Mburu decides to find the stranger that changed his life. Inspired by her generosity, he starts a scholarship program of his own and names it for his former benefactor.
The top students in Mukubu primary school are in the exact same situation as Chris once was. They are bright, but can’t afford to pay school fees. With the creation of Chris’ fund, these students have new hope. But the program is small; how many will qualify for a scholarship?
Using a strong narrative, the film interweaves seemingly separate lives into a cohesive whole. With clarity and grace, A SMALL ACT, bears witness to the ripple effect a single action can create.
A Thing As Big As The Ocean
Country: USA (Baltimore/Frederick Connection)
See trailer
Synopsis: Salvaging a guitar and a backpack, Lemmy leaves his life in New Orleans behind and travels west. On the ride out of town he encounters the young and outgoing Darlene, who is relocating with her distant relatives in Arizona. A simple chance encounter intersects two lives in transition, and sets Lemmy and Darlene off on a sprawling journey of self-discovery. Over the next three days the two strangers travel together into the Southwestern desert, where they are compelled to share and confront their half-realized dreams. Former Baltimore resident Joseph Cashiola, director of this film, will be on hand for this screening.
William S. Burroughs: A Man Within
Runtime: 87:00 mins
Country: USA
Synopsis: Featuring never-before-seen archival footage of Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with colleagues and confidants including John Waters, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Sonic Youth, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra, and David Cronenberg, WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS: A MAN WITHIN is a probing, yet loving look at the man whose works at once savaged conservative ideals, spawned countercultural movements, and reconfigured 20th century culture. The film is narrated by Peter Weller, with a soundtrack by Patti Smith and Sonic Youth.
Short Films
Amar
Runtime: 8:00 mins
Country: Spain
Synopsis: In this animated gem, Inés travels to India to visit her friend Ámár, who has been living in a mental institution for years. Inés remembers the last days they spent together and her promise to return.
Artalde
Runtime: 8 mins
Country: Spain
Director: Asier Altuna
Synopsis: A shepherd, lost in the city, searches for his flock. His call attracts the attention of some people, who decide to follow him.
Bobby Visits the Library
Runtime: 4 mins
Country: USA
Director: Eric Krasner
Synopsis: Frederick’s own Eric Krasner give us his slightly warped view of a couple of 50s warning films put together in a very unique way. You’ll be as surprised as Bobby at what’s really at the library!
Buddha's Bracelet
Runtime: 16 mins
Country: USA
Director: Trent
Synopsis: Former Fredericktonian Trent directed this action comedy about a man who buys an ancient puzzle box that contains a magical bracelet once worn by Buddha. It grants him great Kung Fu power to fight off a gang of thugs and get the girl.
In the Spotlight
Runtime: 12 mins
Country: USA
Director: Hillary Goldberg
Synopsis: Olive Clutch, an aspiring writer confronts rejection with her own work. At an open mic, she meets femme fatale Kate Lady Luck and author Bell Wartock. The pair solicits Olive to be the slightly disguised public persona for Bell's writing. Five years and three successful novels later, Olive's disguise wears thin on several of Wartock's book jackets. Olive wants to quit pretending that she is the author, but there is only one way to end the grift. Bell takes over Olive's life and death in this sordid film noir fairy tale inspired by real events. Musical score by F3 Kickoff musician Emily Wells.
Khorosho (Everything's Alright)
Runtime: 21 mins
Country: Spain (in Russian)
Director: Miguel Ángel Jiménez
Synopsis: Khorosho is the story of the reunion between Andro and Beka, two old army comrades who share lots of bad memories, a very bad conscience and mountains and mountains of cigarettes.
La Gran Carrera (The Great Race)
Runtime: 7 mins
Country: Spain
Synopsis: The year 1914. The Lasarte racetrack announces a race with a never-before-seen prize for the winning horse. Eight of the best horses and mares in the world have registered. Fans and heavy betters from all the continents gather to participate in the great event: the Half Million Grand Prize
Moj Put (My Way)
Runtime: 7 mins
Country: Croatia
Written and Illustrated by: Svjetlan Junakovic'
Director: Veljko Popovic'
Synopsis: It is a story of growing up and maturing, of anxiety and ambition illustrated through a tale of shoes. It is about the unknown that nudges us through life-an invisible pebble lodged in the shoe that through pain and discomfort brings awareness and meaning to our existences.
Oma Rennt! (Run Granny Run!)
Runtime: 5 mins
Country: Germany
Director: Nikolaus von Uthmann
Synopsis: Sweet Granny is snail-pacing to her favorite spot at a pond when she gets overtaken by gnarly Mrs Messala. Both old ladies maneuver their wheeled zimmerframes in a breathtaking, funny but violent race.
Ondar Ahoak (Mouths of Sand)
Runtime: 5 mins
Country: Spain (in Basque)
Director: Angel Aldarondo
Synopsis: Tuna fish spend months hibernating after the active feeding season in the Cantabrian Sea. Each year these seasons are filmed in rings, leaving opaque areas due to the lack of food. Which may or may not be what this beautiful short film is about.
Out of the Blue
Runtime: 10 mins
Country: Ireland
Director: Michael Lavelle
Synopsis: A lonely man's life is strangely transformed when he discovers a magical television washed up on the beach.
el Premio (The Award)
Runtime: 16 mins
Country: Spain
Director: León Siminiani
Synopsis:Pilar and Manuel prepare for what should be a night of celebration and glamour. It should be. But they’ve been sweeping their relationship under the red carpet for too long...
Porque Hay Cosas que Nunca Se Olvidan
Dir. Lucas Figueroa
Runtime: 12:00 mins
Country: Argentina
Synopsis: Will four young friends ever get back their soccer ball after it inadvertently lands in the mean old lady’s yard. More than that, will their revenge be as sweet as it was originally imagined? Beautifully filmed and wonderfully (if a bit darkly) funny.
Street Legal
Runtime: 12 mins
Country: USA
Director: Ken Arnold
Synopsis: Maryland’s own Ken Arnold brings his own brand of irreverent humor to play in this short film about Baltimore lawyer Ken Street and his efforts to win...for both his clients and his daughter.
Wat is daarop uw antwoord? (True Love)
Runtime: 16 mins
Country: Netherlands
Director: Bas van Teylingen
Synopsis: When Daniel gets cold feet the night before his wedding his friends decide to organize a Batchelor's party for him. Dressed as a crook they take him to his favorite club. As he sees Deborah, the girl of his dreams dancing in the club, he follows her home, she lets him in. She is about to go on a trip and he can go with her. Is she his dream woman? He is in doubt, be loyal to one woman? Or will he keep his freedom?
The Whiskey Priest
Runtime: 10 mins
Country: USA
Director: Thomas David Rennier
Synopsis: Set near the border of Mexico during a period when the Mexicans were persecuting Catholic priests, one demented man follows the lead of the Mexican government - the mayor and barber of this small Texas town. This is the story of the last priest in town, who is a drunk, and is tired of running and hiding. Much to everybody’s surprise, he comes to the barber instead of the other way around.