“OY VEY…” Goes To The New York Film Festival

FEATURING THE TALENTS OF: Liam Neeson, Rosanna Arquette, Ed Asner, Vincent Pastore, Carmen Electra, Rachel Blanchard, Lydia Lunch, Regis Philbin, Danny Aiello, Lainie Kazan, Pat Cooper, Joyce DeWitt, Julie McNiven, Nick Mancuso, Ray Abruzzo, John Savage, Kathrine Narducci, Steven Bauer, Tanya Clarke, Anthony Wong, John Lloyd Young, Jai Rodriguez, Bruce Vilanch, Keir Dullea, Eli Wallach, Julie Strain, Topmodel Venantia Otto, Tom Atkins, Russell Means, Talbot Perry Simons, Isaach de Bankolé

“The Voice of Indie Film”
October 22nd-29th, 2009
– New Yorkers in need of an affordable yet satisfying indie film fix will be happy to hear that The New York International Festival (NYIFF) has announced their slate of films and red carpet premieres. NYIFF runs from October 22nd-29th in Manhattan and will showcase a diverse range of features, shorts, documentaries and animations from all over the globe. The opening night kick-off party takes place at BLVD (199 Bowery at Spring St.) from 6-10pm. Film screenings begin October 23rd on 2 screens at City Cinemas Village East (181 2nd Avenue at 12th Street).

More than 180 films from around the world will be in competition. Genres include Romance, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Animation, Music Video, Social Satire, Historical, Drama, Black Comedy, Mystery, Suspense, Action, Horror, Thriller, Experimental, Educational, War, Crime, Fantasy, Inspirational, Gay, Transgender, Rockumentary, Romance as well as a compelling slate of top-notch documentaries. 34 countries will be represented including: France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Argentina, UK, Brazil, Austria, India, Greece, Nepal, Mexico, Slovakia, Ireland, Norway, Singapore, The Netherlands, Belarus, Denmark, Slovenia, Colombia, Malta, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Ghana, China, Sweden, Finland, Israel and all over the US.

FILM HIGHLIGHTS:

Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!
A romantic, heartwarming and inspirational family comedy featuring a Jewish family who struggle coming to terms with their son’s non-Jewish and gay boyfriend. When the gay couple adopts a child and it makes headline news, their families come to defend them and realize how much they love them. Starring: Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony Award nominee Lainie Kazan, Saul Rubinek, Carmen Electra, Vincent Pastore, Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young and Emmy Award winner Jai Rodriguez and Emmy Award winning comedian/writer Bruce Vilanch.
Directed by Evgeny Afineevsky. 91 min. Romantic Family Comedy.

*Screening Thursday, October 29th at 8pm, Screen 7

Growing Op

A teenage boy ‘rebels against rebellion,’ embodied by his ganja-growing, home-schooling, fugitive parents by resolving to go to high school for the first time. Heartfelt and hilarious, Growing Op is a sly satire of classic 80’s teen films, delivering contemporary twists on family drama and youth comedy. Starring Rosanna Arquette, Rachel Blanchard, Steven Yaffee, Wallace Langham.

Directed by Michael Melski. 95 min. Comedy-Drama.

*Screening Sunday, October 25th at 6:15pm, Screen 6

Resting Places

A global phenomenon is spreading. Opponents want it stopped. Oscar nominated
actor Liam Neeson narrates this thought-provoking documentary about the
growing controversy surrounding roadside memorials throughout the world.

Directed by Melissa Villanueva and J. Michael Kipikash. 48 min. Documentary.

*Screening Monday, October 26th at 5:45pm, Screen 7

The Last Gamble

Elizabeth Heaton enjoys a successful psychiatric practice in upper Manhattan, while Joe Goode, one of Elizabeth’s patients, battles a serious gambling addiction which threatens both his job and his reputation. Starring John Savage, Nick Mancuso, Ray Abruzzo (The Sopranos, The Practice), Kathrine Narducci (The Sopranos), Steven Bauer (Scarface), Tanya Clarke (As The World Turns, A Beautiful Mind), Johnny Williams

Directed by Joe Goodavage. 75 min. Drama.

*Screening Saturday, October 24th at 10pm, Screen 7

Failing Better Now
Mia, a flaky failed writer with a penchant for lying loses her sister’s perfect cat. While she’s looking, she meets and falls for a surprisingly sincere aspiring rockstar who joins her on her wild search through the East Village and challenges her to take on writing the story of her own life. Can she get it together before she has to move back in with her mother in New Jersey and become a florist? Starring Joyce DeWitt (Three’s Company), and Julie McNiven (Mad Men).

Directed by Keren Atzmon. 93 min. Romantic Comedy.

*Screening Saturday, October 24th at 8:10pm, Screen 6

The Triumph of William Henry Harrison
Journalist Amanda Delacourt works to expose the true story of William Henry Harrison, America’s 9th President: that he never died in office, but faked his death and rose from the shadows to become the most powerful man in the world. Narrated by Ed Asner.
Directed by Daniel Califf-Glick. 80 min. Mockumentary.

*Screening Wednesday, October 28th at 10pm, Screen 7

Just Laugh!
Just Laugh! is an informative and entertaining documentary focusing on the many health benefits of laughter. Discover how a good belly laugh increases blood circulation, reduces stress, and builds the immune system. Features Regis Philbin, comedian Pat Cooper (Analyze This), Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond), preacher Joel Osteen, Danny Aiello, Eli Wallach (Mystic River, The Good The Bad & The Ugly).
Directed by Anton Evangelista. 70 min. Documentary.

*Screening Friday, October 23rd at 8:15pm, Screen 6

For The End of Time
For The End of Time is a film about the mind, about the body, and the inability to merge these two entities which are shaping a form of civilization known under the name of ‘human’. Narrated by Lydia Lunch.
Directed by Ema Kugler. 127 min. Arthouse Documentary.

*Screening Thursday, October 29th at 1:45pm, Screen 7

Crooked Business
Small-time hustler Elmo & his best mate ‘Stand-up’ Stevie are just a couple of knockabouts trying to make an easy buck on the Gold Coast. Life is sweet, until Stevie finds himself in hot water for selling a dodgy watch to biker Russian Tony. You see, Stevie never did understand the rules of Crooked Business – ‘if you’re gonna do Crooked Business, you’ve gotta do it straight!’ Features: Anthony Wong (The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions), Firass Dirani (The Marine, Power Rangers Mystic Force, The Black Balloon), Jay Laga’aia (Star Wars Episode II, Star Wars Episode III, Daybreakers)
Directed by Chris Nyst. 95 min. Comedy/Action.

*Screening Sunday, October 25th at 10:15pm, Screen 7

Trapped

Trapped is the story of a carefully planned high-stakes business swindle and murder plot that goes terribly wrong. Or does it? Starring Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law, Major League),Tom Atkins (My Bloody Valentine, Lethal Weapon)
Directed by Gavin Rapp & Ron Hankison. 93 min. Crime Drama.

*Screening Sunday, October 25th at 8:15pm, Screen 7

Machetero
A French journalist (Isaach de Bankolé, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Miami Vice) interviews an imprisoned “Puerto Rican terrorist” (Not4Prophet) about using violence to free Puerto Rico from US colonialism. As they speak, a ghetto youth (Kelvin Fernandez) is encouraged by a mentor (Dylcia Pagan) to grow into the next Machetero.
Directed by Vagabond. 98 min. Drama.

*Screening Thursday, October 29th at 8pm, Screen 6

A Happy Man

At 65, Pierre Martin (played by Pierre Richard), quantum physicist, inherits an inn in Canada. He leaves Paris with his daughter Catherine (Sylvie Testud) and ends up in the dead of winter in Sainte- Simone-du-Nord, a typical tiny village in the Saguenay, a remote region of Québec. Away from Parisian life, Pierre sees an opportunity to pass on to his daughter the quality he values most: happiness.
Directed by Robert Menard. 106 min. Comedy.

*Screening Saturday, October 24th at 6:05pm, Screen 6

Still the Drums

Many of our veterans are haunted by secrets and memories that they have buried deep in their hearts and minds forever! Never to tell their stories, until now! Full of surprises, Still the Drums is a great American story about friendship, patriotism, heroism and post-traumatic stress disorder. After thirty-nine years, three ex-marines break their silence and question their service to their country after attending a military funeral for a best friend. An explosive and captivating edge of your seat mystery!
Directed by Talbot Perry Simons. 79 min. Drama/War/Anti-War/Mystery

*Screening Saturday, October 24th at 8:15pm, Screen 7

The Battle for Whiteclay
The film follows Native American activists for 5 years in their campaign to end alcohol sales in the village of Whiteclay, Nebraska, which borders the dry Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Features Native American activist & actor Russell Means (The Last of The Mohicans, Natural Born Killers, Pathfinder).
Directed by Mark Vasina. 113 min. Documentary.

*Screening Wednesday, October 28th at 4pm, Screen7

Marathon

Marathon tells the true story of two poets, young and old who survive devastating illness through love, courage and endurance. The film explores the relationship between Richard Harteis and William Meredith, former US Poet Laureate and winner of virtually every major American award for poetry including the 1988 Pulitzer Prize.

Directed by Biju Viswanath. 91 min. Drama.

*Screening Thursday, October 29th at 6:10pm, Screen 7

For the complete film festival schedule, visit www.nyfilmvideo.com

Confirmed red carpet premieres, talent attending and panels will be forthcoming. After parties will take place at a variety of venues around Manhattan. Single tickets can be purchased in advance at www.nyfilmvideo.com for $12 and $15 at the door. Package tickets and all-access V.I.P passes are also available. Media credentials can be obtained by faxing a request to 702-361-6309 on company letterhead no later than October 9th, 2009. For all interview and review requests, please contact Nicole Holland at (702) 361-1430 or via email at nicolefilms1@aol.com . Keep checking www.nyfilmvideo.com for daily updates.

Official Sponsors for the 2009 festival include Roomorama.com, BLVD., City Cinemas Village East, Ecotulum Resorts and Spa, Azulik.com, Bollywood Acting & Film Institute (BAFINY) www.bafiny.com , Dark Twisted Karma, Mark7 Studios, 20th Century Wolf Horror Films, ITN Distribution, Inc., Independent Film Quarterly (IFQ), Boonie Productions and JT Talent & Casting. The New York International Film Festival has teamed up with Roomorama.com to provide “home-away-from-home” accommodations for filmmakers and attendees. Filmmakers and Festival attendees can receive a special discount when they use the discount code “Indie” when booking. Visit www.roomorama.com