Independent American film cycle in June

The organisers of the Kaunas International Film Festival present an exclusive program of independent American cinema “Redux: Independent American Film Cycle“, which gives an opportunity to take a look at the rich American film culture reaching much further than the Hollywood film production which has been filling the Lithuanian cinemas.

The most famous film of the “Redux: Independent American Film Cycle” is this year’s Oscar winner “Milk” (dir. Gus van Sant, 2008) with Sean Penn, the winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor. It is a film about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay US human rights activist from the 70s. He was a political activist who changed the very nature of what it means to fight for human rights.

“Medicine for Melancholy” (dir. Barry Jenkins, 2008) presents a story about two people who meet and slowly develop a close connection. The location of the story – San Francisco – plays an important role in the movie.

The story of the third film of the cycle “The Pleasure of Being Robbed” (dir. John Safdie, 2008) takes place in another American megapolis – New York. The main film character Eleonore has a special way of getting to know the people around her. She steals things from them to get a glimpse of their lives and personalities.

“Redux: Independent American Film Cycle” is last part of a month of culture called “Opening Windows to a different America” organised by the American Centre.

“Summer time is the peak of the cinema season in USA. Why not try to do it in Lithuania?” says the the producer of the program Tomas Tengmark. “We take this concept but replace the blockbusters and high-school comedies with American independent films. Film is nice all year round. At the same time there is a nice feeling coming from the sunny summer to a cool and dark cinema to enjoy films. I think it is a perfect time!”

Partner: American Culture Centre

Information sponsor: magazine “Miesto IQ”

Sponsor: DHL

Redux: Independent American Film Cycle PROGRAMME

Schedule:

Kaunas - Forum Cinemas

June 3. Medicine for melancholy, dir. Barry Jenkins, 2008, 88 min
June 4. The Pleasure of Being Robbed, dir. John Safdie 2008, 71 min
June 5. Milk, dir. Gus van Sant, 2008, 128 min

Vilnius - Skalvija

June 5. Medicine for melancholy, dir. Barry Jenkins, 2008, 88 min
June 6. The Pleasure of Being Robbed, dir. John Safdie, 2008, 71 min
June 7. Milk, dir. Gus van Sant, 2008, 128 min

Form Cinemas Vingis

June 6. Milk, dir. Gus van Sant, 2008, 128 min.