With the South by Southwest Festival kicking off in just under a month, we’ve got what should be one of the final updates when it comes to the Austin-based event’s line-up. We already got a few promising announcements and today’s update brings a few events and some other certified festival hits making their way to Texas.
First up, a few big Sundance titles will show at SXSW. Zal Batmanglij‘s follow-up to Sound of My Voice, the eco-terrorist thriller The East (Sundance review) will close the festival, while the coming-of-age drama The Spectacular Now (Sundance review) will also show up. There’s also a few notable events, including conversations with Danny Boyle (including footage from his upcoming thriller Trance), Harmony Korine, Joss Whedon, Rob Zombie and more. Check out the new additions below.
Much Ado About Much Ado
Directly following the SXSW U.S. Premiere of Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing in the Vimeo Theatre, join cast members Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, and the director himself as they discuss the unconventional process of shooting the film in 12(!) days and the challenges and excitement of bringing Shakespeare to the screen for a modern audience.
(Saturday March 9 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Vimeo Theatre, Austin Convention Center)
A Conversation with Rob Zombie
An auteur filmmaker with unlimited vision, join Rob Zombie in Conversation about how he has established a unique voice that has gained him unparalleled recognition across the mediums of film, music and publishing.
(Tuesday March 12 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM — Room 16AB, Austin Convention Center)
Break it Down: Harmony Korine & His Spring Breakers
From visionary director Harmony Korine, comes a bold new vision of the seasonal American ritual known as spring break. Korine, joined by his cast, will discuss what it was to film amidst real-life revelers and create one of the most unique cinematic experiences in years.
(Monday March 11 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM — Vimeo Theatre, Austin Convention Center)
A Conversation with Danny Boyle
Join Danny Boyle in a thought-provoking discussion about his groundbreaking work in film production and how he brings his unique vision to audiences around the world. As part of the conversation, Boyle will present footage from his upcoming release Trance.
(Saturday March 9 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Vimeo Theatre, Austin Convention Center)
JASH: A Comedy Platform with Full Creative Autonomy (Convergence Session)
Sarah Silverman, Tim & Eric, Michael Cera, and Reggie Watts discuss working with the YouTube platform and the artistic freedom that comes with this new frontier.
(Sunday March 10 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM — Dell Hall, Long Center)
State Of Creative Independence
Kickstarter Co-Founder and Head of Community Yancey Strickler leads a conversation on the state of creativity: what brought us here, and where will we go next.
(Monday March 11 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM — Room 16AB, Austin Convention Center)
Vimeo Presents: It’s Such a Beautiful Day by Don Hertzfeldt + SPECIAL VIMEO ANNOUNCEMENT
Vimeo is thrilled to present the newly remastered and expanded version of It’s Such a Beautiful Day, which brings together the entire tragicomic story of a troubled man named Bill by Academy Award-nominated animator and self-distribution pioneer Don Hertzfeldt. Following the screening, join Don and the Vimeo Staff for a discussion of what it means to be both a filmmaker and your own distributor. Vimeo will also make a very special announcement, so make sure you stay until the end!
(Tuesday March 12 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Vimeo Theatre, Austin Convention Center)
ADDITIONAL FILMS
HEADLINERS
The East
Director: Zal Batmanglij, Screenwriters: Zal Batmanglij, Brit Marling
An operative for a private intelligence firm goes undercover to infiltrate a mysterious anarchist collective attacking major corporations. Bent on apprehending these fugitives, her loyalty is tested as her feelings grow for their charismatic leader. Cast: Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgård, Ellen Page, Toby Kebbell, Shiloh Fernandez, Julia Ormond, Patricia Clarkson
DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT
Fall and Winter
Director: Matt Anderson
FALL AND WINTER is a voyage into the heart of our global crisis. Epic and stunningly photographed, the film draws on past wisdom and uncovers new, ingenious strategies for the future. It is a psycho-spiritual survival guide for the 21st century. (World Premiere)
Xmas Without China
Director: Alicia Dwyer
A documentary comedy about serious issues we have with our stuff, Xmas Without China follows Chinese immigrant Tom Xia as he challenges his American neighbors to survive the Christmas season without any Chinese products. (World Premiere)
24 BEATS PER SECOND
Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker
Director: Lily Keber
“Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker” explores the life, times and music of James Booker, the legendary New Orleans performer who Dr. John proclaimed “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.” (World Premiere)
GIMME THE POWER
Director: Olallo Rubio
A rockumentary about the Mexican band Molotov and the political, social and financial context where the band was born and developed.
The Great Hip Hop Hoax (UK)
Director: Jeanie Finlay
Californian hip-hop duo Silibil n’ Brains were going to be massive. No one knew the pair were really Scottish, with fake American accents and made up identities. A film about truth, lies and the legacy of faking everything in the pursuit of fame. (World Premiere)
In Your Dreams – Stevie Nicks
Directors: Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart
In 2010 Stevie Nicks embarked on the recording of a new solo album, In Your Dreams, produced by former Eurythmics mastermind Dave Stewart. With cameras in tow, the two set up shop in her home studio to reveal their collaborative creative process.
Muscle Shoals
Director: Greg ‘Freddy’ Camalier
Located alongside the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals became the unlikely breeding ground for some of America’s most creative and defiant music inspiring and luring artists as diverse as Keith Richards and Alicia Keys.
Pete and Toshi got a Camera
Director: William Eigen
In 1963, blacklisted by the McCarthy hearings and under surveillance by the FBI, Pete Seeger buys a movie camera and takes his family on an adventure of a lifetime, filming gifted musicians in exotic locations around the world. (World Premiere)
FESTIVAL FAVORITES
At Any Price
Director: Ramin Bahrani, Screenwriters: Hallie Elizabeth Newton, Ramin Bahrani
In the competitive world of modern agriculture, ambitious HENRY WHIPPLE (Dennis Quaid) wants his rebellious son DEAN (Zac Efron) to help expand his family’s farming empire. However, Dean has his sights set on becoming a professional race car driver. When a high-stakes investigation into their business is exposed, father and son are pushed into an unexpected crisis that threatens the family’s entire livelihood. Cast: Dennis Quaid, Zac Efron, Kim Dickens, Heather Graham, Clancy Brown, Chelchie Ross, Maika Monroe, Red West, Ben Marten, Dan Waller
The Crash Reel
Director: Lucy Walker
The dramatic story of one unforgettable athlete, Kevin Pearce; one eye-popping sport, snowboarding; and one explosive issue, Traumatic Brain Injury. A comeback story with a difference.
Linsanity
Director: Evan Jackson Leong
Jeremy Lin came from a humble background to make an unbelievable run in the NBA. State high school champion, all-Ivy League at Harvard, undrafted by the NBA and unwanted there: his story started long before he landed on Broadway.
Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer (UK)
Directors: Mike Lerner, Maxim Pozdorovkin
Three young women face seven years in a Russian prison for a satirical performance in a Moscow cathedral. But who is really on trial in a case that has gripped the nation and the world beyond, three young artists or the society they live in?
The Spectacular Now
Director: James Ponsoldt, Screenwriters: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
A high school romance between an alcoholic, party boy and a more reserved, shy, girl. Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kyle Chandler
SPECIAL EVENTS
Asleep at the Wheel Then and Now (Short)
Director: Dan Karlok
Ray Benson’s whirlwind romp through the four-decade history of the post-modern kings of western swing.
Mabon “Teenie” Hodges – A Portrait of a Memphis Soul Original (Short)
Director: Susanna Vapnek
You may know such famous songs as “Take Me To The River” and “Love and Happiness”, but you probably do not know Mabon “Teenie” Hodges – the legendary Memphis guitarist who co-wrote these songs with Al Green. (World Premiere)
A Year in the Life of Wayne’s Phone
Director: Wayne Coyne
Compiled from over 28 hours of personal videos shot by The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne on his iPhone, A Year in the Life of Wayne’s Phone, is the world’s first vertical iPhone movie. (World Premiere)
SXSW 2013 kicks off on March 8th.
Which of the above films and/or events are you most looking forward to?