23nd ANNUAL SPRING FILM FESTIVAL
April 22 though April 27, 2008

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WVSC Capitol Center Theater
123 Summers Street, Charleston

PARKING
There is plenty of available streetside parking on Summers, Capitol Laidley, and Quarrier Streets.The City of Charleston parking garage is adjacent to the theatre on Summers Street, but hours and cost may vary. The Town Center Mall parking garage is within walking distance and open all night.Lot parking is available adjacent to Laidley Street and Capitol Street.Jeffco Parking lot (at Quarrier & Laidley) is open 24 hours and free most evenings. Spyro's parking (Capitol Street) is open 24 hours at a minimal cost.Kanawha County Rapid Transit Authority depot is also within walking distance to the theatre on Laidley Street.

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GENERAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Festival Telephone: 304-342-7100
Theater Box Office Telephone: 304-342-6522
Festival Email: wviff@aol.com
Festival website: www.wviff.org
Festival Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2165, Charleston, WV 25328

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Download a printable PDF of the Festival

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Tuesday April 22

6:30PM      
BURNING THE FUTURE: COAL IN AMERICA   
Documentary, 2008, USA, 89minutes, Not Rated     (Hi Definition video)
www.fireflypix.com
Written and Directed by David Novack

“Turn out the Lights!”
Local mining-impacted residents fight the myth of cheap energy from coal by raising awareness about the devastation coal companies wreak when they extract coal, especially by mountaintop removal. Faced with toxic ground water, the obliteration of over a million acres of forested mountains, hundreds of miles of streams buried under valley fills and a government that appeases the industrial “bottom line”, our Appalachian citizens demonstrate a strength of purpose and character in their fight to arouse the nation to save their mountains and the nation's environmental health.
The filmmaker and members of Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and Coal River Mountain Watch who are featured in the film will be present at the screening.

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Wednesday April 23

6:30PM
TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE
Documentary, 2008, USA, 106 minutes
R for disturbing images and content involving torture and graphic nudity
www.taxitothedarkside.com
Written and Directed by Alex Gibney

If you thought sitting through “The Hottie and the Nottie” [a Paris Hilton film] was torture..."
This Academy Award winning documentary probes into the controversial and often tragic interrogation practices of the US Military. A stunning inquiry into the suspicious death of an Afghani taxi driver at Bagram air base in 2002, the film is a fastidiously assembled, uncommonly well-researched examination of how an innocent civilian was apprehended, imprisoned, tortured, and ultimately murdered by the greatest democracy on earth.

2008 Oscar Winner Best Documentary Feature

8:30
PM IN BRUGES
Action Comedy, 2008 USA (107minutes)
R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language and some drug use
www.filminfocus.com/inbruges
Written and Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy and Jordan Prentice

You’ll laugh ‘till you bleed!
This hip gangster comedy from playwright turned filmmaker McDonagh (The Pillowman, Six Shooter) blends in-your-face British crime thriller sensibility with picturesque Belgian atmosphere.
“An endlessly surprising, very dark, human comedy, with a plot that cannot be foreseen but only relished.”  Robert Ebert – Chicago Sun Times

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Thursday Apr. 24

6:30PM 
PERSEPOLIS
Drama, 2007, France / USA, 95 minutes  
PG-13 for mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content
French /English /German /Persian with English subtitles
www.sonyclassics.com/persepolis
Directed by: Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, and Chiara Mastroianni

Banned in Iran!
Persepolis is a quirky, raucous and often funny tale of life inside Islamic Iran, seen through the eyes of its punkish 9 year old heroine Marjane. As the Islamic revolution dashes the rights of women, we see the spunky Marjane rebel against authority, outsmart social guardians, and discover punk rock, ABBA, and Iron Maiden. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, this poignant portrait of a culture at change is "cinematic poetry in black and white." (Claudia Puig – USA Today).
"It's not to be missed in any language. In a year that has given us such marvelous animated movies as "Ratatouille" and "Paprika," this vibrant, sly and moving personal odyssey takes pride of place."  David Ansen – Newsweek

2008 Oscar Best Animated Feature Nomination
2008 Golden Globe Best Foreign Film Nomination

8:30PM
HONEYDRIPPER
Drama, 2007 USA, 123 minutes
PG-13 for brief violence and some suggestive material
www.honeydripper-movie.com
Written and Directed by: John Sayles
Starring: Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Stacy Keach, Mary Steenburgen, Yaya DaCosta, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Gary Clark Jr.

"On Sayles Now!"
WVIFF presents a new film by one of our favorite filmmakers, John Sayles (Matewan). Continuing his exploration of American sub-cultures, Sayles tells a tale involving the debt ridden proprietor of the Honeydripper Lounge, a “juke joint” in 1950 rural Alabama. Desperate to restore the Honeydripper to profitability, Tyrone (Glover) spreads word of the booking at his club of the legendary "Guitar Sam". When Sam fails to show, Tyrone finds himself resorting to the help of a mysterious young drifter musician to try to save the Honeydripper.    
“ONE OF THE YEAR’S TEN BEST”  –  National Board of Review

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"A movie worth sitting still for."

9:00PM
EL ALAMBRISTA: THE FENCE JUMPER
Comic drama, 2008, USA, 87minutes, Not Rated
Spanish with English subtitles (DVD)
Written and Directed by: Alfonso Sahagun Casaus
Starring: Fausto Olmos Renteria, Julio Garcia, Antonio Garcia Cruz,
Miguel Rico Duarte, Francisco Cota Soto, David Valdez,
Tito Saldana, Carlos Herrera, David Ballesteros with Santiago Craig

This most unusual and delightful indy film from Arizona is inspired by the masked Mexican wrestling action film (in the tradition of f the Mexican El Santo phenomenon of the 60s-70s, and in the tradition of Zorro).  A champion of the Mexican People by day, a masked wrestler by night, Lucha Libre wrestler El Alambrista Emplumado fights to defend the rights of the migrant workers who have been forgotten by mainstream American Society.
The filmmaker will be present at the screening.

11:00PM
LUST, CAUTION (SE, JIE)
Dramatic Suspense Thriller, 2007 China / USA / Taiwan, 157minutes
NC-17 for some explicit sexuality & R for strong sexual content and a scene of brutal violence
Mandarin with English subtitles
www.filminfocus.com/lustcaution
Directed by: Ang Lee
Starring: Tony Leung, Tang Wei, Joan Chen, and Wang Lee Hom

"War, Espionage, Theatre, and Sexual Gymnastics"
This riveting, and seductive erotic thriller brings the talents of Academy Award director Ang Lee to a riveting and provocative story of World War II espionage in China. Rated NC-17, this film was so controversial that the original uncensored version was banned in mainland China and prompted the Chinese medical officials to warn viewers against attempting sexual positions executed in this film for fear of self harm.

2008 Golden Globe Nomination Best Foreign Film 

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Saturday Apr. 26

12:30PM
DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

"A movie worth sitting still for."

3:00PM
HONEYDRIPPER
Drama, 2007 USA, 123minutes
PG-13 for brief violence and some suggestive material
www.honeydripper-movie.com
Written and Directed by: John Sayles
Starring: Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Stacy Keach, Mary Steenburgen, Yaya DaCosta, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Gary Clark Jr.

"On Sayles Now!"
WVIFF presents a new film by one of our favorite filmmakers, John Sayles (Matewan). Continuing his exploration of American sub-cultures, Sayles tells a tale involving the debt ridden proprietor of the Honeydripper Lounge, a “juke joint” in 1950 rural Alabama. Desperate to restore the Honeydripper to profitability, Tyrone (Glover) spreads word of the booking at his club of the legendary "Guitar Sam". When Sam fails to show, Tyrone finds himself resorting to the help of a mysterious young drifter musician to try to save the Honeydripper.   
“ONE OF THE YEAR’S TEN BEST”  –  National Board of Review

6:00PM
SAVAGES
Comic Drama, 2007, USA, 113 minutes
Rated R for some sexuality and language
www.foxsearchlight.com/thesavages
Written and Directed by: Tamara Jenkins  
Starring: Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Philip Bosco

An irreverent look at family, love and mortality when two adult siblings find themselves plucked from their everyday, self-centered lives to care for an estranged elderly parent.

“A bracingly honest, funny movie about death and family that skillfully sidesteps the usual pitfalls of sentimentality and mawkishness. It’s what you might call an awards season miracle.”  Jessica Reaves – Chicago Tribune

2008 Oscar Best Actress Nomination
2008 Golden Globe Best Actor Nomination

8:30PM
4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, and TWO DAYS
(4 LUNI, 3 SAPTAMÂNI SI 2 ZILE)
Drama, 2008  Romania (113minutes)   Not Rated
Romanian /English with English subtitles
www.4months3weeksand2days.com
Written and Directed by: Cristian Mungiu
Starring: Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, and Alexandru Potocean

Mission Abort! Mission Abort!
Winner of 2007's Cannes Palm D’Or, This Romanian docudrama follows the staggering tale of friendship and sacrifice in the last days of Romanian communism. Otilia, a desperate, naive student, turns to her resourceful best friend Gabita to arrange an illegal abortion. Together, they enter an underground world where no one can be trusted and nothing is safe. An unheralded masterwork that won the top prize at Cannes over films by the Coens, Sokurov, Van Sant and Tarantino, 4 MONTHS marks the arrival of a major new filmmaker.

Won Cannes Golden Palm Award
2008 Golden Globe Best Foreign Film Nominations

11:00
PM THE SIGNAL
Sci-Fi Horror, 2008  USA   (99 minutes)
R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language and brief nudity
www.doyouhavethecrazy.com
Directed by: David Bruckner, Dan Bush and Jacob Gentry
Starring: Robin Acker, Jeff Adelman, J. Howard Bach, Ben Bailey, Becky Ballard, Ngozi Lamar Beane, Biluxi, and AJ Bowen

Finally, a good horror film.
This Sundance breakout explores the effect of a mysterious television signal and its psychotic effect on average citizens of the Town of Terminus. Three different directors share duties on this film, each directing a different act. The result is a disturbing, poignant, and often funny look at the nature of violence, brutality, and media responsibility.

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Sunday Apr. 27

1:30PM
PERSEPOLIS
Drama, 2007, France / USA, 95 minutes  
PG-13 for mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content
French /English /German /Persian with English subtitles
www.sonyclassics.com/persepolis
Directed by: Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, and Chiara Mastroianni

Banned in Iran!
Persepolis is a quirky, raucous and often funny tale of life inside Islamic Iran, seen through the eyes of its punkish 9 year old heroine Marjane. As the Islamic revolution dashes the rights of women, we see the spunky Marjane rebel against authority, outsmart social guardians, and discover punk rock, ABBA, and Iron Maiden. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, this poignant portrait of a culture at change is "cinematic poetry in black and white." (Claudia Puig – USA Today).
"It's not to be missed in any language. In a year that has given us such marvelous animated movies as "Ratatouille" and "Paprika," this vibrant, sly and moving personal odyssey takes pride of place."  David Ansen – Newsweek

2008 Oscar Best Animated Feature Nomination
2008 Golden Globe Best Foreign Film Nomination

3:30
PM IN BRUGES
Action Comedy, 2008 USA (107minutes)
R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language and some drug use
www.filminfocus.com/inbruges
Written and Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy and Jordan Prentice

You’ll laugh ‘till you bleed!
This hip gangster comedy from playwright turned filmmaker McDonagh (The Pillowman, Six Shooter) blends in-your-face British crime thriller sensibility with picturesque Belgian atmosphere.
“An endlessly surprising, very dark, human comedy, with a plot that cannot be foreseen but only relished.”  Robert Ebert – Chicago Sun Times

5:30PM
SAVAGES
Comic Drama, 2007, USA, 113 minutes
Rated R for some sexuality and language
www.foxsearchlight.com/thesavages
Written and Directed by: Tamara Jenkins  
Starring: Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Philip Bosco

An irreverent look at family, love and mortality when two adult siblings find themselves plucked from their everyday, self-centered lives to care for an estranged elderly parent.

“A bracingly honest, funny movie about death and family that skillfully sidesteps the usual pitfalls of sentimentality and mawkishness. It’s what you might call an awards season miracle.”  Jessica Reaves – Chicago Tribune

2008 Oscar Best Actress Nomination
2008 Golden Globe Best Actor Nomination

8:00PM
BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD
Crime Suspense Thriller, 2007  USA  (117 minutes)
R for a scene of strong graphic sexuality, nudity, violence, drug use and language
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney, and Marisa Tomei

A Real Mom and Pop Operation.
WVIFF closes its Spring Festival with a riveting new film from one of America greatest living treasures: Sydney Lumet . With this lauded return to form, Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Network) brings together the talents of Hoffman, Hawke, Tomei and Finney to tell a story of a heist gone wrong. Hoffman and Hawke play Andrew and Hank, two brothers down on their luck. When Andy suggests resorting to robbing their parent’s store, he sets into motion a series of unforeseen calamities which will tear them apart.

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ADMISSION PRICES
$7.00 single admission per evening film
$5.00 single admission per matinee film
$30.00 Six-Ticket Package (6 single admission tickets)
$50.00 Festival Package (12 single admission tickets)

Festival Package and Six-Ticket Package go on sale April 26.
Single admission tickets are available April 29.

FOR TICKET INFORMATION
call the Festival Office - 304-342-7100
or the Box Office - 304-342-6522
e-mail the WVIFF - wviff@yahoo.com

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TO PURCHASE ADVANCE TICKETS: You may purchase in advance only the Festival Package and Six-Ticket Package by stopping by the Theater Box Office (123 Summers Street, telephone 304-342-6522) during regular business hours on or after April 26. NOTE, you should call the theater prior to arrival to confirm personnel is on site. We accept checks as well as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Diner's Club.

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NOTE: Film schedule, times may change without notice. WVIFF reserves the right to hold an event which may require purchase of a separate ticket. WVIFF reserves the right to screen short films before feature films, which will be included with the price of admission to the subsequent feature film.

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ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Wheelchair seating, accessible restroom, and water fountain available on first level of theater. For speech/hearing impaired, call WV Relay, 711-342-6522. Upon 4 days' advance notice, the WVIFF can make available the following special needs and services requests: large-print program and/or audio description of each film program and interpreter and/or device for hearing and visually impaired patrons.