BY THE EDITORS |
TFF 2011: Cinemania
As usual, the eight exciting and eclectic films in the Cinemania section push the boundaries of creativity and genre.
Today, we've announced the next round of feature films in the slate for the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, which will take place April 20 to May 1. This year's Cinemania section includes eight narrative films that represent a well-rounded spectrum of contemporary genre filmmaking—from science fiction to horror to exploitation to fantasy.
“Now that the majority of the program has been announced, I believe you will see the rich variety and quality of the films and talent that we are presenting at Tribeca this year,” said David Kwok, Director of Programming. “The program is about both discovery and showcasing a broad range of filmmaking to our eclectic and diverse audiences who are passionate about film."
Genna Terranova, Senior Programmer, agrees: “In Cinemania we really kick it up a notch with boundary-pushing genre films packed with action, sexy thrills, and an extra helping of blood and guts for good measure."
In a record year for submissions, the 2011 film slate was chosen from a field of 5,624 entries. TFF 2011 will include feature films from 32 countries, including 43 World Premieres, 10 International Premieres, 19 North American Premieres, 7 U.S. Premieres and 9 New York Premieres. 99 directors will present feature works at the Festival, 54 of whom are making their feature directorial debuts. 12 feature film directors are making a return to Tribeca.
The Cinemania section offers an eclectic assortment of narrative films that defy categorization from all around the world, with each film challenging the expectations and definitions of their respective genres. Expect the unexpected with these smart and thrilling crowd-pleasers.
Beyond the Black Rainbow
Directed and written by Panos Cosmatos
(Canada, Italy) – International Premiere
Panos Cosmatos brings his bold, Kubrickian vision to the screen in stunning detail in this sci-fi fable of a young woman imprisoned in an experimental laboratory facility and the mysterious scientist who is her captor. At once creatively futuristic and hypnotically retro, Beyond the Black Rainbow will absorb viewers in its unique dystopian futurescape.
The Bleeding House
Directed and written by Philip Gelatt
(USA) – World Premiere
Meet the Smiths—a family full of secrets who keep to themselves on a back road outside a small Midwestern town. In this visceral, tightly wound horror/thriller, their lives are shaken when a sweet-talking Texan arrives on their doorstep on a mission for retribution. Will he succeed in his goal to bleed them of their sins, or will the family’s haunted past prove to be even more deadly than he bargained for? A Tribeca Film release.
Grave Encounters
Directed and written by The Vicious Brothers
(USA) – World Premiere
The crew of ghost-hunting reality TV show Grave Encounters decides to shoot an episode inside an abandoned psychiatric hospital with a dark past. All in the name of good television, they voluntarily lock themselves inside the building for the night to begin a paranormal investigation, capturing everything on camera. They quickly realize that the building is more than just haunted—it is alive, and has no intention of ever letting them go. A Tribeca Film release.
Neon Flesh (Carne de Neon)
Directed and written by Paco Cabezas
(Spain, Argentina, Sweden) – North American Premiere
Young hustler Ricky was left to a life on the streets at the age of 12 when his hooker mother got sent to the can, but upon learning she’ll soon be released, Ricky enlists a couple of good-for-nothing buddies to help him open a whorehouse as a tribute to Mom. This stylish, edgy crime flick plunges headlong into the fringe world of pimps and junkies where succeeding in business can cost your life… In Spanish with English subtitles.
Rabies (Kalevet)
Directed and written by Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado
(Israel) – North American Premiere
A psychotic serial killer on the loose in the woods crosses paths with a group of unsuspecting teenagers. Soon people are dying one by one… but the bad guy isn’t who you think. Turning genre conventions on their head with a smart script and plenty of unexpected scares, Rabies is a surprising debut worthy of its mantle as Israel's first-ever slasher horror film. In Hebrew with English subtitles.
Saint (Sint)
Directed and written by Dick Maas
(Netherlands) – North American Premiere
An original and delightfully gruesome slasher film, Saint reimagines jolly old Saint Nick as a murderous bishop fulfilling a grisly prophecy under the December 5 full moon. Full of creative yuletide horror, Saint is a fun chiller that follows local teen Frank as he sets out on a bloody, high-energy battle to save Amsterdam from the wrathful “Sinterklaas” and his minions. In Dutch with English subtitles.
TROLLHUNTER (Trolljegeren)
Directed and written by André Øvredal
(Norway) – New York Premiere
In the wintry Norwegian countryside, a series of supposed bear poaching incidents leads a group of plucky film students to the mysterious hunter Hans: the one man charged with keeping the country’s entire troll population in check. This genre treat seamlessly blends stunning visual effects with its found footage aesthetic to deliver truly fantastic images of giant trolls wreaking havoc, all with darkly funny adherence to the original folklore. In Norwegian with English subtitles. A Magnet Releasing release.
Underwater Love (Onna no kappa)
Directed by Shinji Imaoka
Written by Shinji Imaoka and Fumio Moriya
(Japan, Germany) – World Premiere
A spectacle of songs and sex that is at once zany and erotic, Underwater Love puts an unforgettable new spin on the Japanese tradition of softcore “pink” films. Asuka has an easy life with her doting fiancé—but everything’s about to change when she discovers her childhood friend has been reborn as a folkloric water sprite, and she decides to take him home…. With music by Stereo Total and cinematography by frequent Wong Kar-wai DP Christopher Doyle. In Japanese with English subtitles.
Awards
Films in the World Narrative Competition, World Documentary Competition, Viewpoints, Spotlight and Cinemania sections are eligible for the Heineken Audience Award, the audience choice for best feature film, in addition to the following awards:
»» Best New Narrative Director (for first-time feature directors in any section), sponsored by American Express;
»» Best New Documentary Director (for first-time feature directors in any section), sponsored by American Express.
Check out more of the slate:
TFF 2011: World Documentary Feature Competition
TFF 2011: World Narrative Feature Competition
TFF 2011: Special Screenings
TFF 2011: Spotlight
TFF 2011: Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival
TFF 2011: Viewpoints
Learn more: TFF 2011 Ticket Packages
Get ahead of the crowd and buy your advance ticket package today!
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