Tuesday, December 18, 2012

'Face to Face' screening in Pasadena Jan. 9

 The monthly series of special screenings of prize-winning motion pictures by Film Festival Flix will continue on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 in Pasadena at Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 and on Thursday, January 10 in North Hollywood at Laemmle’s NoHo 7. The January film of the month will be “Face To Face.”

            Set in contemporary Australia where it was filmed, early segments of the film depict a crime: a fired construction worker rams his hot rod repeatedly into the rear of his former employer’s Jaguar, injuring the man. Seems like a simple act of vehicular assault if not attempted murder, right? Not so fast; The situation is not as simple as it appears at all. The worker will not be brought before a criminal court.

            Under an innovative program, all parties directly and tangentially involved are brought together in one room where they will confront each other face-to-face (hence the film’s title), in a session moderated by a mediator skilled in conflict resolution. Over the course of the difficult session, it’s revealed that the disgruntled worker has actually been the target of a nasty scheme to make him the butt of cruel psychological bullying, pushing him to a breaking point. In addition to a socially toxic working environment, the workers are underpaid, there’s sexual harassment, infidelities, and racism (an Arab-Australian is unjustly suspected of plotting against his fellow worker).

            What, however, will be the ultimate fate of defendant Wayne?

            In a story full of surprises, the suggestion is made that this type of guided confrontation is a superior method of righting wrongs, compared to the regular criminal justice system.

            Michael Rymer directs. He is best known in the States as the producer and director of dozens of episodes of the beloved recent television series “Battlestar Galactica” (during which time he resided in Pasadena).  His many movies include “Queen of the Damned” and “In Too Deep.”

            Rymer based his screenplay for “Face to Face” on the play by David Williamson. Williamson is best known to American audiences for his screenplays for “Gallipoli” and “The Year of Living Dangerously.” The original play from which the film was adapted was based on the notes of actual case files.

            The film won festival awards in Hollywood, Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, Monaco, Amsterdam, Honolulu, Berkshire, Sedona and Mexico.

            The cast includes Vince Colosimo (“Lantana”), Luke Ford (“The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” ‘Animal Kingdom”), Matthew Newton (“Farscape”), Sigrid Thornton (“The Man From Snowy River,” the western series “Paradise,” and one of Australia’s biggest stars), Christopher Connelly (“Queen of the Damned,” not to be confused with the late American actor of the same name), Ra Chapman (winner, best actress at Newport Beach Film Festival for “Face to Face”), Lauren Clair (“Me and My Monsters” for BBC), Laura Gordon (“Saw V”), Robert Rabiah (“Chopper”), Richard Sutherland (“The Man From Snowy River”) and Josh Saks (who appeared in Culver City in “An Ideal Husband”). All additionally have major Australian film and TV credits.

            Film Festival Flix presents a selected feature from the finest in international cinema each month with the intent of giving the average filmgoer an experience as close as possible to that of a V.I.P. attending an international film festival in a foreign capital. At each of the two local screenings, there will be a Red Carpet beginning approximately one half-hour before the 7:30 p.m. screening, followed by a live Q & A with a guest speaker. On January 10, Arianna Jeret will speak. The head of Arianna Jeret Mediation Services, she is a real-life counterpart to the character portrayed by Matthew Newton in the movie, and she is expert in the area of conflict resolution mediation. The Pasadena screening will be preceded at 6:00 p.m. by a reception at nearby Monopole Wine Bar, with appetizers available. There will be a post-screening reception in North Hollywood at the nearby Big Wangs Restaurant.

            At each venue, a $14.00 ticket affords entrée to the entire evening’s Festival experience.

            Film Festival Flix and Arianna Jeret Mediation Services present “Face to Face.” A film by Michael Rymer. Distributed by MouseTrap Films LLC.

            Screening at Laemmle’s Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101. On Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Screening is followed by Q&A with a guest speaker to be announced. Pre-screening reception at 6:00 p.m. at Monopole Wine Bar (21 2. El Molino Ave., about one block from the theatre). Red Carpet at 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $14.00. Available at the Laemmle Playhouse 7 box office (626-844-6500) or online at www.filmfestivalflix.com

            Screening at Laemmle’s NoHo 7, 5240 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.On Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Screening is followed by Q & A with Arianna Jeter of Arianna Jeter Mediation Services. Post-show reception at Big Wangs Restaurant (5300 Lankershim Blvd., just down the street). Red Carpet at 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $14.00. Available at the Laemmle NoHo 7 box office (310-478-3836) or www.filmfestivalflix.com

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