SEXOCRACY: THE MAN OF BUNGA BUNGA

Directed by Ruben Maria SORIQUEZ

76min – Italy– Documentary Feature

WORLD PREMIERE

The man of Bunga Bunga’ used to be an influential entertainment industry’s agent, worldwide. His name is Lele Mora. He organized big events and speeches for Gorbachev and Clinton; he met Fidel Castro and Pope Wojtyla. But he also had had problems with justice. Known as Silvio Berlusconi’s best friend, he is now accused to have brought escorts (among which Ruby) to the residence of the former Italian Prime Minister for group sex sessions with these girls (Bunga Bunga rite). This documentary tells Lele Mora’s life, his relationship with Berlusconi, about Bunga Bunga, and about the Italians’ fever for fame in the showbiz.

ABINGDON 3:00 PM

 

THE GUITAR IS THEIR SONG

Directed by Charlie WILLIAMS

53min – Mexico– Documentary Feature

WORLD PREMIERE

The Mexican town of Paracho is unique to the world. For generations, the lives and livelihood of its people have been defined by the guitar. Today, this one small town is home to more than four hundred individual craftsmen and no fewer than fifteen factories employing hundreds of workers, producing thousands of guitars a day. Shot during the town’s 2006 International Guitar Festival, this is a touching and insightful portrayal of a community striving to preserve its traditions and identity in the face of fierce competition from China and the Far East.

THE STAY

Directed by Richard DARGE

13min –USA– Documentary Short

WORLD PREMIERE

A documentary about the life of the migrant harvest worker in Baja California South. 5 Mexican families are interviewed in Vizcaino, Baja South. They share about their journey into Baja from mainland Mexico, their struggles living in the labor camps and their hopes and dreams for a better future.

 

 

VIRAL

Directed by Dustin WALDMAN

12min 25 sec – USA – Documentary short

WORLD PREMIERE

With YouTube event Playlist Live as the backdrop, ethnographer Dr. Michael Wesch, event organizer Kevin Khandjian and various members of the YouTube community discuss the changing nature of media, celebrity and human connection.

 

 

SATURDAY August 11th

ABINGDON 1:00PM

DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

Directed by Sarah KNIGHT

25min –USA– Documentary Short

WORLD PREMIERE

A portrait of Nicole Sherry, head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards – one of only two women in that position in Major League Baseball.

 

STILL

Directed by Amie KNOX & Chad HERSCHBERGER

60min –USA– Documentary Feature

NEW YORK PREMIERE

Still tells the story of Clyfford Still’s remarkable life and his indelible contribution to American art. Though not as well known as his contemporaries Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, Still was one of the leaders of the Abstract Expressionist movement, yet deliberately turned his back on the art establishment at the height of his career.

Through interviews with leading art and social historians, contemporary artists, and former students, this documentary by Amie Knox will reveal, for the first time, the detailed and compelling story of his life, the evolution of his work, and the reasons for his prominent and permanent place in American art.

 

 ABINGDON 9:00 PM

 

 

RADIO WARS

Directed by Sandra MOHR

97min – USA – Documentary Feature

NORTH AMERICA PREMIERE

Take a daring and unconventional look at the history of radio. From the pitched battles surrounding its invention to the secret fights for dominance between old and new media, radio has always been at war.

 

TUESDAY August 14th

ABINGTON 3:00PM

WITH HER

Directed by Laurent MORLET

54min –France, USA–Documentary

WORLD PREMIERE

This is the true story of Marilyn Monroe`s most dedicated fans, a tale of their constant fight to preserve and perpetuate their idol’s legacy.

 

 

THE TATTOO LIFE

Directed by John REINO

24min – USA – Documentary

WORLD PREMIERE

Rich Cahill is a tattoo artist, painter, musician, and protester. After starting a successful chain of tattoo shops, Immortal Ink, Rich has sold his business to start a fresh art studio and tattoo shop in Frenchtown, New Jersey where he can express himself in his own unique way. The Tattoo Life is the story of Rich’s career and a portrait of his life, all leading up to his Frenchtown Studio.

 

 

TRIBECA CINEMA I 6:00 pm

 

 

NASSEREDIN SHAH AND HIS 84 WIVES

Directed by Beate PETERSEN

58 min – Norway – Documentary, History

NEW YORK PREMIERE

 Women with mustaches, a self-indulgent king, an imperialistic England, and not at least, a beautiful calico cat, are the main performers in this documentary depicting the power struggles and intrigues of the Persian harem in the second half of the 19th century. The documentary is an investigation into how things became as they are in Iran, but from a perspective that is all too often overlooked: namely, the influential role played by women in the political processes.

 

 

CELEBRATING LIFE IN UNION

Directed by Gladys BENSIMON, Narrated by Andy GARCIA

64 min – USA – Documentary, Educational

WORLD PREMIERE

Celebrating Life in Union is a story of human resilience, community, and brotherhood. It follows a group of former Cuban political prisoners through their memory of imprisonment and their half century fight against the aging Castro regime. Having developed a strong community for themselves that now crosses three generations, they struggle with the realization that their own mortality may come before they can return to their homeland.

 

WEDNESDAY August 15th

ABINGTON 1:00PM

 

WATER: THE MYSTERY OF LIFE

Directed by Robert BEZBRADICA

88min – Croatia – Documentary Feature

WORLD PREMIERE

 The documentary film deals with the problematic of the water exploitation, contamination and manipulation. The documentary points to the realizations and discoveries that water memorizes and that it is conscious.