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Find out first about Rafael events, ticket giveaways and see exclusive photos! |
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BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILDOpens this Friday, July 13!
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and the Caméra d'Or (best first feature) at Cannes, this original and poetic paean to
 | | 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' Trailer |
human resilience is set in The Bathtub, an endangered bayou community in southernmost Louisiana. Newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis is miraculous as Hushpuppy, a six-year-old force of nature who lives a hard knock life with her ailing father Wink (Dwight Henry) and their impoverished but spirited neighbors. Working with non-professional actors, filmmaker Benh Zeitlin creates a mythic world of sights and sounds from the little girl's perspective- achingly real and at the same time bursting with her precocious imagination. Both intimate in focus and epic in scope, Beasts of the Southern Wild might recall The Tree of Life,in that it's as much a head trip as a conventional narrative. Regardless, it's destined to be one of the most talked-about films of the year. Critic Todd McCarthy called it "everything American independent cinema aspires to be but seldom is," and in The New York Times Manohla Dargis cited it "among the best films to play Sundance in two decades." Rated PG-13. Camera: Ben Richardson. Writers: Lucy Alibar, Benh Zeitlin. Director: Benh Zeitlin. (US 2012) 93 min.
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TAKE THIS WALTZMichelle Williams and Seth Rogen star in the affecting new film by actor-filmmaker Sarah Polley (Away from Her). Margot and Lou
 | | Take This Waltz - Trailer |
are comfortably married, and Lou is good-natured, if somewhat preoccupied with the cookbook he's writing. When Margot meets Daniel (Luke Kirby), who lives right across the street, the sparks between them are obvious and immediate. They start spending time together, and Margot restrains herself from doing something she could regret, but Luke is charming and the sweltering Toronto summer has a way of stirring desires. Take This Waltz explores the complexities of relationships and tells a story with no heroes or villains, with plenty of questions but no easy answers- just the delicacy and fragility of human emotions. Also starring Sarah Silverman, in a terrifically moving performance as Lou's sister Geri. Rated R for language, some strong sexual content and graphic nudity. Writer/Director: Sarah Polley. (Canada 2011) 116 min.
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BERNIEAlthough it unfolds like a Texan tall-tale, this amiably dark comedy from filmmaker Richard Linklater is actually based on a
 | | Bernie - Trailer |
true story. Jack Black stars as Bernie Tiede, a mortician, choir leader and probably the most likeable killer in Texas history... at least, as far as the residents of the East Texas town of Carthage are concerned. Shirley MacLaine is the ferocious Marjorie Nugent, the town's wealthiest widow, who is hated by all but Bernie, and Matthew McConaughey plays district attorney Danny Buck Davidson, who puts his sights on Bernie when things go south. Deftly treading a line between comedy and drama, the film captures the eccentricities and virtues of small town life, and Black not only delivers a charming performance, but also sings up a storm, at least of the hymnal variety. Rated PG-13. Writers: Richard Linklater, Skip Hollandsworth. Director: Richard Linklater. (US 2011)
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$15 ($12 CFI members)California Film Institute continues its partnership with Emerging Pictures in presenting world-class performances filmed live in High Definition. The  current series showcases the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow, and the Royal Ballet, London, featuring some of the top dancers, designers and choreographers in the field. Since these performances have not yet taken place at press time, there could be changes in casting and length.
The Sleeping Beauty From the Royal Ballet, London Sunday, July 15, 10am Tuesday, July 24, 6:30
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DARK HORSEOpens Friday, July 20
Filmmaker Todd Solodnz in Person on Sunday,
July 22, 7:00 pm
A singular talent in American independent film, Todd Solondz  | | Dark Horse - Trailer |
(Welcome to the Dollhouse, Happiness) specializes in comedy of uncomfortable truths and in turning audience expectation on its head. His new film Dark Horse is no less surprising, in that its quietly scathing satire ultimately blossoms into something poignant and touching. Jordan Gelber stars as Abe, a thirty-something schlub who courts pretty-yet-overmedicated Miranda (Selma Blair), a fellow underachiever in her own fashion. The film depicts Abe's inner life as well as his public one, but this is also a brilliant ensemble piece, with terrific turns by Mia Farrow and Christopher Walken as Abe's mom and dad, and Donna Murphy as the dowdy secretary with a vivid inner life of her own. In The New York Times, A.O. Scott writes that Solondz transforms "what might have been an exercise in easy satirical cruelty into a tremendously moving argument for the necessity of compassion." With Justin Bartha, Aasif Mandvi. Producers: Ted Hope, Derrick Tseng. Writer/Director: Todd Solondz. (US 2011) 85 min.
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Admission is free; seating is limited. Tickets will be distributed at 10:30am day of show on a first-come, first-served basis.
SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM WAS PROVIDED BY A GRANT FROM
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THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLESOpens Friday, July 27
Winner of the Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival, this
 | | The Queen of Versailles - Trailer |
riveting (and compulsively watchable) documentary by photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield traces the rise and fall of an American Dream that looks like it could have been pumped with steroids. David and Jackie Siegel, self-made Florida billionaires, set out to build the biggest house in America: a 90,000 square-foot palace inspired by the chateau in Ile-de-France (and by the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino). With their sprawling empire fueled by the real estate bubble, their dream falters in the midst of the economic crisis, and the Siegels must face downsizing their business and their ostentatious lifestyle. Alternately shocking, hilarious and moving, the film closely observes the family members and their domestic help through a journey that is both incredible and all-too-recognizable. Rated PG. Music: Jeff Beal. Camera: Tom Hurwitz. Director: Lauren Greenfield. (US 2012) 100 min.
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BILL WSunday, July 29, 7:00 pm
Filmmaker Dan Carracino in Person Co-director Dan Carracino will present and discuss his documentary about Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics
 | | "BILL W." TRAILER |
Anonymous. In the 1930s Wilson found a way to sobriety and then forged a path for countless others to follow. With Bill as its driving force, A.A. grew from a handful of men to a worldwide fellowship of millions of men and women. Through interviews, recreations and rare archival material, Bill W. traces Wilson's life through his 17 years of devastating alcoholism, the crucial years of A.A.'s founding and growth, his battle with depression, his experimentation with LSD and his struggle with celebrity status in an anonymous society. Named one of Time Magazine's 100 Heroes and Icons of the 20th Century, Bill Wilson was nevertheless a reluctant hero, who lived a life of sacrifice and service and left a legacy of recovery that continues every day, all around the world. Producers/Directors: Kevin Hanlon, Dan Carracino. (US 2011) 103 min.
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San Francisco Silent Film Festival and CFI presentTHE CAMERAMAN
Accompanied by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra
Sunday, July 15, 7:30 pm
The genius of Buster Keaton is on full display in this wonderful  comedy about the business of movie making. The film follows Keaton, a sidewalk portrait photographer, as he tries to break into the newsreels to woo the girl of his dreams. Keaton famously did his own stunts and Cameraman is a showcase for his physical virtuosity as well as an enchantingly goofy love story. Print from Warner Bros.
Preceded by short: A TRIP TO THE MOON with live narration
USA, 1928, approximately 76 minutes
Directed by Edward Sedgwick, Buster Keaton
Cast: Buster Keaton, Marceline Day, Harold Goodwin
For more information and tickets visit www.silentfilm.org Special Discount offer for Rafael Weekly Update readers! Enter code CFICAM at checkout to get a discount on your total ticket order for THE CAMERAMAN.
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In honor of our 35th anniversary this October, we're thrilled to offer  advance discount ticket packages (up to 20% off the regular price) in a limited quantity and for a limited time only. Click here to check out the different available MVFF35 Advance Ticket Packages.
CFI Members get additional discounts, as well as first access to selecting films. Not a member? Join today!
Film and event listings will be announced September 11 on mvff.com. Exclusive CFI member pre-sale and film selection period from September 11-14. General public on-sale Sunday, September 16. Be ready to go directly to selecting your festival films by purchasing an advance ticket package today!
* CFI members will receive a separate e-mail before Friday, June 28 with their special member access and discount code for ordering.
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 New July-September 2012 Rafael Film Calendar
Just Released!
Click here to download PDF copy
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Rafael Showtimes July 13 - 19
FRIDAY, JULY 13
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD 4:45, 7:00, 9:15
BERNIE 4:00, 6:15, 8:30
TAKE THIS WALTZ 3:45, 6:30, 9:00
SATURDAY, JULY 14
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD 2:30, 4:45, 7:00, 9:15
BERNIE 1:45, 4:00, 6:15, 8:30
TAKE THIS WALTZ 1:15, 3:45, 6:30, 9:00
SUNDAY, JULY 15
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD 2:30, 4:45, 7:00, 9:15
BERNIE 1:45, 4:00, 6:15, 8:30
TAKE THIS WALTZ 1:15, 3:45, 6:30, 9:00
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY 10am Royal Ballet, London
MONDAY, JULY 16
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD 4:45, 7:00, 9:15
BERNIE 4:00, 6:15, 8:30
TAKE THIS WALTZ 3:45, 6:30, 9:00
TUESDAY, JULY 17
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD 4:45, 7:00, 9:15
BERNIE 4:00, 6:15, 8:30
TAKE THIS WALTZ 6:30, 9:00
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD 4:45, 7:00, 9:15
BERNIE 9:20
TAKE THIS WALTZ 6:30, 9:00
THURSDAY, JULY 19
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD 4:45, 7:00, 9:15
BERNIE 4:00, 6:15, 8:30
TAKE THIS WALTZ 6:30, 9:00
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Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center
1118 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
415.454.1222 | www.cafilm.org
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