Provincetown International Film Festival 2009

An offbeat romantic comedy about a woman who doesn't believe true love exists, and the young man who falls for her.

Join Allesandro Nivola (Love's Labour' Lost, Laurel Canyon, A Month in the Country) and Jay DiPietro as they discuss the art of acting and directing on stage and screen. DiPietro's film, Peter and Vandy, which he adapted from his own hit play, is the closing night selection at this year's Provincetown Film Festival.

Andy Bichlbaum, half of the notorious and mischievous duo "The Yes Men," will fill us in on some behind-the-scenes antics that went into the making of The Yes Men's newest film - where they once again infiltrate corporate events and expose more than a few skeletons in those closets. Join him and others who embrace activism in their filmmaking.

East Coast Premiere An elegant and absorbing meditation on the metaphysical effects of being struck by lightning, ACT OF GOD is a captivating ode to storytelling directed by Jennifer Baichwal (Manufactured Landscapes). "I can't accept that it happened for a reason, nor can I really accept that there is no reason. The only way to carry on is to be humble, and a little bit in awe of these things you can't really understand," observes James O'Reilly, contemplating a lightning strike. Accidents, chance, fate and the elusive quest for understanding underpin Baichwal's elegant and captivating new work, an exploration of the metaphysical effects of being struck by lightning. For the writer Paul Auster, involved in a strike at age 14, it deeply affected his life and art. "It opened up a whole realm of speculation that I've continued to live with ever since," says Auster. The improvisational guitarist Fred Frith underscores how accidents spark "the beginning of something." Indeed, as a visually and aurally seductive reverie to storytelling, our attempt to make sense of things, ACT OF GOD may be Baichwal's cinematic ars poetica. - Sean Farnel, HotDocs Print Source: Zeitgeist Films

East Coast Premiere -Sponsored by Truro Vineyards In movies, when two twentysomethings serendipitously wind up under the same Manhattan roof, witty repartee usually transpires, then sparks fly, and eventually they fall into bed. But the boy and the girl in ADAM are no ordinary characters, and their romance is anything but familiar. Soon after moving in, Beth, a brainy, beautiful writer, encounters Adam, the handsome, but odd, fellow in the downstairs apartment. A pleasant chemistry flows, but his awkwardness is perplexing. Whether avoiding eye contact or standing by blithely while Beth drags a heavy load up steep stairs, Adam seems utterly oblivious to social convention. Then one night, Adam regales Beth with an elaborate outer-space light show. It's a magical moment, tainted slightly by his obsessively thorough astronomical explanation. Their connection is palpable. It becomes clear that Adam's inability to decipher nonverbal signals is beyond his control. And yet Beth doesn't balk. Their mutual interest tentatively takes root. What makes this rare story about obstacles to human intimacy credible is its tremendous psychological wisdom; what makes it transcendent is the intelligence and authenticity radiating from actors Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne. Though their particular challenges are extraordinary, Beth and Adam's tricky relationship elucidates something universal: truly reaching another person means bravely stretching into discomfiting territory - and the shake-up can be liberating. - Caroline Libresco, Sundance Film Festival Print Source: Fox Searchlight

-Sponsored by The New England Institute of Art After 30 years of war and Taliban-rule, pop culture has returned to Afghanistan. "Afghan Star" - an "American Idol" - style TV series - is searching the country for the next generation of music stars. Over 2,000 people are auditioning and even three women have come forward to try their luck. The organizers, Tolo TV, believe with this program they can "move people from guns to music," but in a troubled country like Afghanistan, even music is controversial. Considered sacrilegious and at times outright banned, music has come to symbolize freedom for the youth, and many of those taking part are literally risking their lives. But the old guard warlords and religious elite have more to worry about than just music: millions of people watch the show and vote via cell phone for their favorite singers. For many, this is the first time they have encountered democracy. AFGHAN STAR documents the three-month process from regional auditions to the final in Kabul. The filmmakers gained unprecedented access to the lives of contestants, fans and producers, revealing the true hopes and dreams of Afghan youth: their desire for peace, education and freedom to express themselves. And despite the backdrop of conflict, corruption and repression, this youthful optimism prevails as funny, articulate and ultimately inspiring. In English, Pashtu and Dari with English subtitles Print Source: Zeitgeist Films

-Sponsored by Avid In his sophomore film, director Sterlin Harjo takes viewers on a road trip through his own personal Oklahoma, which includes an eclectic mix of humanity. Irene and Frankie have a difficult past, but Frankie needs Irene to help him with one task. He needs to get out of the hospital and go home to his daughter and new grandbaby to make amends. Irene had been his one, true, on-again, off-again love until they parted ways for good. But to make up for the past, Irene agrees to help him in this trying time. With steady and graceful performances by Richard Ray Whitman as Frankie and Casey Camp-Horinek as Irene, this story takes viewers for a ride in the backseat of Frankie and Irene's Indian car, listening to their past and the rhythmic soundtrack that sets the beat for a redemptive road journey. Harjo wraps us in the charm and love of Oklahoma through the people and places Irene and Frankie visit along the way. In this sparingly sentimental and achingly poignant film, Harjo claims his place as one of the most truthful and honest voices working in American cinema today. BARKING WATER is an expression of gratitude for the ability to have lived and loved. - N. Bird Runningwater, Sundance Film Festival Print Source: Filmmaker

BOYS LIFE originated in the mid 1990s as a short film anthology curated and distributed by Strand Releasing, representing a smattering of popular gay film festival highlights from emerging filmmakers. Eventually, the program would emerge as an outstanding, six-volume series of acclaimed gay-themed works, represented in this program by four outstanding selections: *L.T.R.* (USA, 2002, 16 min.) Directed by Philip Bartel This mock documentary follows two boys through the duration of a "lengthy" two-week relationship, placing them under the scrutiny of the camera and the camera man. *Trevor* (USA, 1994, 22 min.) Directed by Peggy Rajski Trevor is an Academy Award winning short film about a high school student who copes with his homosexuality and the newfound prejudices he endures. *Alkali, Iowa* (USA, 1995, 17 min.) Directed by Mark Christopher From the director of 54, this short work takes place in a small Midwestern town where a young farmer is forced to come to terms with his sexuality. *Bugcrush* (USA, 2006, 36 min.) Directed by Carter Smith Ben, a small-town high school loner and introverted gay teen, is fascinated by the mysteriously and dangerously seductive new kid in town, Grant. One night, handsome Grant and his group of friends take Ben to a remote house in the countryside to introduce him to erotic practices and rituals. Print Source: Strand Releasing

BREAKFAST WITH ... Thursday - Sunday, 9:15am, 4 for $50 The "Breakfast With ..." series offers intimate gatherings with filmmakers, actors and film industry professionals as they discuss behind-the-scenes aspects of independent filmmaking. All sessions start at 9:15am. Limited seating is available for each "Breakfast With ..." panel. *GAY AND LESBIAN SHORTS: FESTIVAL AND BEYOND* Thurs., June 18 at The Lobster Pot Join shorts filmmakers Tom Gustafson (Revelations, Were the World Mine) and Jane Clark (Beyond Words) and moderator Basil Tsiokos (NewFest and Sundance Film Festivals) and others as they discuss the joys and challenges of producing gay and lesbian-themed short films, and the exhibition and screening options available in the festival circuit and beyond. *BREAKTHROUGH: FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS IN THE U.S.* Fri., June 19 at Bayside Betsy's With recent box office hits like Slumdog Millionaire and Pan's Labyrinth, are U.S. audiences more amenable to subtitles and foreign-language films at their local cinema? Sebastian Silva (director of The Maid), Steven Raphael (Required Viewing, exhibition consultant, The Maid and Patrik, Age 1.5) and members of Strand Releasing (distributor, The Headless Woman), among others, discuss the current climate for finding audiences for foreign-language films in the U.S. today. *ACTING FOR STAGE AND SCREEN* Sat., June 20 at Waydowntown Join Allesandro Nivola (Love's Labour's Lost, Laurel Canyon, A Month in the Country) and Jay DiPietro as they discuss the art of acting and directing on stage and screen. DiPietro's film, Peter and Vandy, which he adapted from his own hit play, is the closing night selection at this year's Provincetown Film Festival. *THE ACTIVIST DOCUMENTARY: "THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD"* Sun., June 21 at Napi's Andy Bichlbaum, half of the notorious and mischievous duo "The Yes Men," will fill us in on some behind-the-scenes antics that went into the making of The Yes Men's newest film - where they once again infiltrate corporate events and expose more than a few skeletons in those closets. PLEASE NOTE: PATRON and SPONSOR PASSES ALLOW ENTRANCE TO THE "BREAKFAST WITH ..." EVENTS. OTHERS MAY PURCHASE A TICKET AT THE FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE or at www.ptownfilmfest.org.