NXNE Announces More Events for 2012 Festival

At NXNE 2012, audiences will be treated to a Gala presentation of the Canadian premiere of MY FATHER AND THE MAN IN BLACK, a feature-length documentary focusing on Johnny Cash’s talented but troubled manager, Canadian impresario Saul Holiff. Written and directed by Saul’s son Jonathan Holiff, the film includes previously unreleased footage that weaves a fascinating yet tragic story: Holiff, estranged from his father for 20 years, discovered a storage locker just six months after Saul’s death in 2005. Inside were hundreds of hand-written letters between Saul, Johnny and June Carter, taped conversations with Cash and an audio diary reaching back to 1965.

 

NXNE Film will also screen the Canadian public premiere of MY HOMETOWN, an animated short produced and directed by Canadian filmmakersJerry Levitan and Terry Tompkins, and narrated by Yoko Ono.  MY HOMETOWN captures Yoko’s original poem of peace and the importance of home, using illustrations done by children from across the globe. The film will be screened alongside I MET THE WALRUS, an animated film directed by Josh Raskin and produced by Jerry Levitan. Nominated for an Oscar in 2008, I MET THE WALRUS features a 14-year old Levitan and his encounter with music legend John Lennon.

 

 

AGES AND STAGES: THE STORY OF THE MELIGROVE BAND - Director: Brendan McCarney 

*World Premiere

The story of the unluckiest band in Canada: this feature-length documentary highlights the trials and tribulations of the Meligrove Band as they strive to make a name for themselves in the music industry.

 

Director: Gavin Michael Booth *World Premiere

This documentary offers audiences a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into Ottawa band Amos the Transparent and their crew’s efforts to achieve a single-take music video.

 

THE BALLAD OF HUGH - Director: Marco DiFelice *World Premiere

This feature-length documentary is the story of Hugh Oliver, an unknown – but older – artist trying to make it in the youth-obsessed entertainment biz. Centering on a golden day of recording at Canterbury Studios in Toronto, the film is interwoven with interviews, animation, and music videos.

 

DISPOSABLE FILM FESTIVAL - Director: Various 

Celebrating the democratization of cinema made possible by new, inexpensive video technology, DISPOSABLE offers a forum for non-traditional filmmakers through workshops, competitions, panels and other events intended to educate and inspire. 

 

DOWN: INDIE ROCK IN THE PRC - Directors: Andrew Field and Jud Willmont *Canadian Premiere

Documenting the indie rock music scene in China, the film features performances and interviews with the hottest indie bands in China today, including SUBS, PK-14, Hedgehog, Carsick Cars and Flying Fruit.

 

EMBRACING VOICES - Director: Elisa Paloschi *World Premiere 

Multiple Juno Award-winning jazz luminary Jane Bunnett came back from the brink after facing depression and the fear that she would never be able to make music again. This documentary follows Jane’s personal and musical journey, as she produces her most ambitious CD to date. 

 

FUGITIVES: WAX LIVE - Director: Shawn Thomsen *World Premiere

On August 20, 2010, Def Jam rapper WAX (still unsigned at the time) arrived in Toronto to play a series of shows, only to be turned away at the border. FUGITIVES: WAX LIVE recounts the story of those who smuggled Wax into the country and the legal repercussions suffered by all involved.

 

GOING DEAF FOR NOTHING: THE STORY OF A ROCK N' ROLL BAND – 

Director: Susana Halfon *World Premiere

This is the story of the music business as seen through the life of Sacramento's Magnolia Thunderfinger, a local bar-scene mainstay. A must-see primer for anyone interested in rock ‘n roll and 25-year-old piss.

 

JIM TALKS – Director: Jackson Fishauf *World Premiere

This super 16mm documentary short focuses on the life and art of influential photographer Jim Allen.

 

KMS: Jewish Negroes – Director: Moran Ifergan *Canadian Premiere

Taking place in a large ghetto in central Israel, KMS: JEWISH NEGROES looks at a year in the life of three Ethiopian Jewish friends. The film observes the trio’s daily life as rap singers in the band KMS, while touching on the realities of a black generation’s struggle for identity amidst a “white Israel.”

 

MISGUIDED - Director: Ilse Kramer

Two hands move together and apart in an expression of lyrics by Jennifer Castle from her album Castlemusic.

 

ONCE IN A LULLABY: THE PS 22 CHORUS DOCUMENTARY – 

Director: Jonathan Kalafer *Canadian Premiere

This documentary follows The PS 22 Chorus after a surprise visit from actress Anne Hathaway to invite them to sing at the Academy Awards. This doc follows these 5^th-graders and their inspiring teacher from Staten Island to Hollywood, with behind-the-scenes drama at the Oscars. 

 

SA JAVIER METAL: THE HISTORY OF SWEDISH HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL – 

Director: Yasin Hillborg *Canadian Premiere

With artists like Europe, Yngwie Malmsteen, Entombed and In Flames, Sweden has become one of the most important exporters of hard rock and heavy metal in the world. This film documents the rise of Swedish metal across the world.

 

SLAUGHTER NICK FOR PRESIDENT – Directors: Liza Vespi, Rob Stewart and Marc Vespi *World Premiere

This film examines how actor Rob Stewart inexplicably became a symbol of freedom through the long-forgotten TV role of Nick Slaughter inTropical Heat (aka Sweating Bullets), during the Serbian protests which led to the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic.

 

Previously announced NXNE Film screenings include Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy (D: Rob Heydon) and What Did You Expect? The Archers Of Loaf Live At Cat’s Cradle (D: Gorman Bechard).

 

All NXNE Festival passes and wristbands are now on sale, available at www.nxne.com.