NASHVILLE, TN (SEPTEMBER 6, 2019) - The Nashville Film Festival 50thAnniversary Celebration, taking place October 3-12, 2019, announces its official program selections for its Narrative Features Competition Program for the 50th edition of the festival. Selections include Alice, The Best of Dorien B., he Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, Burning Cane, Dirty God, Eternal Winter, Retrospekt, Saint Frances, Watch List, and This World Won't Break. The films represent a broad global view of the human condition through stories of strength, struggle, and redemption.
"We are excited to announce this incredible line-up of amazing films in our 50th Narrative Feature Competition," said Lauren Ponto, programming manager of the Nashville Film Festival. "Through the eyes of the filmmakers and the heartfelt voices of the actors, these films will take everyone on an emotional, inspiring and compelling journey."
NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION PROGRAM
Alice, directed by Josephine Mackerras
Synopsis: After discovering that her husband's addiction to escorts has left their family penniless, Alice finds herself drawn into the world of high-end prostitution as a means of caring for herself and her child.
Cast: Emilie Piponnier, Martin Swabey, Chloe Boreham, Christophe Favre, David Coburn, Phillipe de Monts
Origin: United States
The Best of Dorien B., directed by Anke Blondé
Synopsis: Dorien has everything to be happy: a successful husband, two adorable children, and a booming veterinary practice. One day, everything falls apart. She discovers her mother's long-running love affair, her husband appears to be very close to a colleague and she has this lump in her breast. She needs someone to talk to but no-one seems to listen. Is this truly the life she dreamt of? Dorien realizes it's time to make some changes.
Cast: Kim Snauwaert, Jelle De Beule, Katelijne Verbeke, Dirk Van Dijck
Origin: Belgium
The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, directed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
Synopsis: Two Indigenous women from vastly different backgrounds find their worlds colliding on an East Vancouver, B.C. sidewalk when brutality and fear drives one of them out from her home and into the cold rain. As this intimate yet challenging encounter develops, what began as violent and terrifying tentatively expands as the women's shared imagery and cultural experience weave a fragile bond between them. Both women now must face their own unique struggle as they navigate the complexities of motherhood, class, race, and the ongoing legacy of colonialism.
Cast: Violet Nelson, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Charlie Hannah, Barbara Eve Harris
Origin: Canada
Burning Cane, directed by Phillip Youmans
Synopsis: Under the beating Louisiana summer sun, BURNING CANE tells the story of a deeply religious woman's struggle to reconcile her convictions of faith with the love she has for her alcoholic son and her troubled preacher.
Cast: Wendell Pierce, Karen Kaia Livers, Dominique McClellan, Braelyn Kelly
Origin: United States
Dirty God, directed by Sacha Polak
Synopsis: A young British mother struggles to reclaim her life after a brutal acid attack leaves her severely scarred.
Cast: Vicky Knight, Rebecca Stone, Dana Marineci
Origin: Netherlands
Eternal Winter, directed by Attila Szász
Synopsis: The true story of an unlikely romance in a Soviet labour camp. Christmas 1944. Soviet soldiers invade Hungary and drag every young Ethnic German woman away from a small village and transport them to a labour camp where they are forced to work in the coal mines under inhuman conditions. This is where Irén meets fellow prisoner Rajmund who decides to teach her how to survive. Based on a true story.
Cast: Marina Gera, Sándor Csányi, Laura Döbrösi, Diána Magdolna Kiss, Franciska Farkas, Niké Kurta
Origin: Hungary
Retrospekt, directed by Esther Rots
Synopsis: At Mette's Domestic Violence Support Centre no appropriate or safe care can be found for Miller. Mette seizes this opportunity to help, hoping to find distraction and constructiveness from her own domestic problems. She offers her spare bed to Miller, whilst being fully aware of the potential consequences and dangers of her actions.
Cast: Circé Lethem, Lien Wildemeersch, Martijn van der Veen, Teun Luijkx, Lottie Hellingman
Origin: Netherlands
Saint Frances, directed by Alex Thompson
Synopsis: After her decision to end an unwanted pregnancy, 34-year-old Bridget reluctantly agrees to nanny the bright and rambunctious Frances, forming an unexpected bond with her and her parents.
Cast: Ramona Edith-Williams, Kelly O'Sullivan, Lily Mojekwu, Charin Alvarez, Jim True-Frost, Max Lipchitz
Origin: United States
Watch List, directed by Ben Rekhi
Synopsis: Set against the drug wars in the Philippines, WATCH LIST follows the story of Maria, after her husband is murdered under mysterious circumstances and she is left to fend for her three children in a virtual police state. As she delves into Manila's dark underworld of cops, criminals, and drugs to find answers, she realizes the truth is never black and white, and that she must explore her own darkness to keep her family safe.
Cast: Alessandra de Rossi, Jake Macapagal, Art Acuna, Jess Mendoza, Micko Laurente, Angeli Bayani
Origin: Philippines
This World Won't Break, directed by Josh David Jordan
Synopsis: A broke-down middle-aged Texas troubadour yearns to be remembered like the southern bluesmen before him, but his failings and self-doubt forestall his musical dreams and blind him to the open road.
Cast: Greg Schroeder, Roxanna Redfoot, Matthew Posey, Mitchell Parrack
Origin: United States
The Nashville Film Festival previously announced Ernie & Joe, Bedlam, Rewind, Dark Suns, Seahorse, Gay Chorus: Deep South, Changing the Game, Baracoa, 17 Blocks, Red Dog, What We Left Unfinished, Stuffed, Homemade, The Hot August, I Pastafari: A Flying Spaghetti Monster Story, and Making Coco: The Grant Fuhr Story in the Documentary Competition category. International Falls, the world premiere of the civil rights era coming-of-age story Tuscaloosa, Speed of Life, Babysplitters, Barbie 's Kenny, Working Man, Inside The Rain, and Hudson as films selected for the U.S. Independents category. Music documentaries include the world premiere of Chuck Berry by filmmaker Jon Brewer; Born Into the Gig by filmmakers Kate Davis and David Heilbroner; Cool Daddio: The Second Youth of R. Stevie Moore from filmmakers Imogen Putler and Monika Baran; and The Sheriff of Mars from filmmakers Jason Ressler and Matthew Woolf for the music documentary. Additional programming announcements for Nashville Film Festival's 50thAnniversary will continue through the end of September.
FILM IMAGES & LOGOS
AVAILABLE: https://www.dropbox.com/home/NashFilm%20Images/2019%20Narrative%20Features
Passes and Tickets for the 2019 Nashville Film Festival:
VIP Festival badges are now on sale beginning at $295 at www.nashfilm.org. VIP Badges provide priority access to films, panels, and exclusive parties. Single ticket sales for most films and panels are on sale now and available at www.nashfilm.org.
ABOUT NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL:
The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally-recognized non-profit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film and partners with the Thompson Nashville to host guests from all over the world. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States and will celebrate its 50th Anniversary October 3-12, 2019. For more information, visit www.nashfilm.org.
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