East Harlem Intl Film Fest 2011

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Parent Category: Film Festivals

Category: Previews

Published on Wednesday, 01 June 2011 11:43

Written by L E Shannon

The East Harlem International Film Festival is being held June 1 - 5, 2011 at The Poet‛s Den plus other venues in Manhattan, New York.

The EHIFF features over 40 films, which range from narrative features and documentary features to short films. EHIFF also features educational panels on the business of casting films, film distribution and the process of filmmaking.

The kick-off film is George Rivera's documentary Tito Puente: The King of Latin Music, screening outdoors at White Park, Manhattan. The life of the bandleader, percussionist and composer is recalled through archival footage, interviews and performances, including his last, which fittingly took place in Puerto Rico. 

The Opening Night Film is Adrift, written and directed by Brazilian filmmaker Heitor Dhalia. A young girl stumbles upon her father‛s infidelity to her mother -- but that turns out to be only the first of many dark family secrets. With Vincent Cassel, Deborah Bloch, Camilla Belle, Laura Neiva.

Some of the narrative features are:

Beneath the Rock
dir. Eliana Ujueta
starring Jason Cruz, Craig Colasanti, Erick Daniels, Austen Cooke, Max Woertendyke
For generations a block in Brooklyn has been controlled by the local police brass. So far, no complaints from the residents -- until a child goes missing. Then her brother and others in the community stop at nothing to bring down the perpetrators.

Right Yaaa Wrong
dir. Neerraj Pathak (India)
starring Sunny Deol, Irrfan Khan, Eesha Koppikhar, Konkona Sen
A decorated police officer is permanently injured, and then accused of a double homicide.

Conscientious Objector
dir. J.W. Cortes
starring Cortes, Giselle Forte, Martin Chavez, Monica Steuer, Jorge H. Hoyos
Writer-director Cortes stars as Jason Cruz, an Iraq war veteran arrested amidst allegations of murdering unarmed Iraqi children. Jason attempts to detach himself from his unsuspecting family in an effort to save them from his pang of conscience. His bride discovers simultaneously with the audience what exactly has put Jason and his family in the most challenging and trying situation of their lives.

Some of the documentary features are:

Feldstein
dir. Olumide Earth
Al Feldstein is the former editor of Mad Magazine and co-creator, along with the late publisher William M. Gaines, of Tales from the Crypt from the legendary E.C. Comics line. During the 1950s, E.C. Comics was investigated by the Senate as a major cause of juvenile delinquency, which eventually drove them out of business. Mad Magazine started as a comic book and ended up being the only surviving title of E.C. It was turned into a magazine, and when Al took over, the magazine became an immense financial success.

Whose Barrio?
dir. Ed Morales
Whose Barrio? is an emotionally charged look at the changes in Manhattan’s Spanish Harlem as real estate speculation pushes rents and property values past the point of affordability for most area residents.

Young Lords / Palante Siempre Palante!
dir. Iris Morales
During the time of the African American liberation struggle amidst social turmoil and change, the Young Lords emerged to demand decent living conditions and raise a militant voice for the empowerment of Puerto Ricans and other Latino/as in the United States, as well as the independence of Puerto Rico.

Other Special Programming includes:

• Athletic Shorts – short films about athletes.
• NYILFF Spectrum – the Festival‛s first showcase to present films from across the world not limited to the Latino perspective. The mission of NYILFF Spectrum is to "boldly embrace depictions of a broader, global experience."
• Shorts Program – two programs of short films.

For more information visit http://ehiff.com.

East Harlem International Film Festival
June 1 - 5, 2011

The Poet's Den
309 W 108th Street
New York City
www.eastharlempresents.org

Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue
New York City
www.mcny.org

New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue
New York City

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