Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Mia Wasikowska and Sam Neill star in new drama
The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Blackbird” showing Sept. 18-24 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
“Blackbird” — a crowd-pleasing drama by Roger Mitchell — features an award-winning, all-star ensemble cast including Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Mia Wasikowska, Lindsay Duncan and Sam Neill.
In a remake of an acclaimed Dutch film, a mother summons her family home for one final reunion before she ends her battle with a terminal illness on her own dignified terms. There is laughter, there are tears, and there will be happy audiences who like a good tearjerker.
Lily (Susan Sarandon) and Paul (Sam Neil) summon their loved ones to their beach house for one final gathering after Lily decides to end her long battle with ALS on her own terms.
The couple is planning a loving weekend complete with holiday traditions, but the mood becomes strained when unresolved issues surface between Lily and her daughters Jennifer (Kate Winslet) and Anna (Mia Wasikowska).
Joining the collective farewell are Lily’s son-in-law (Rainn Wilson), her lifelong friend (Lindsay Duncan), daughter’s partner (Bex Taylor-Klaus) and grandson (Anson Boon).
Her story is ultimately one of hope, love and a celebration of life.
“Strikes a delicate balance — ably combines heartbreak and humor. Michell’s nimble direction keeps the ship right.” — IndieWire
“Blackbird” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre Sept. 18-24. Showtimes will be 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18, 19 and 20; and 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 23 and 24.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.
PHOTO CAPTION (can be used with any photo):
Lily (Susan Sarandon) and Paul (Sam Neil) summon their loved ones to their beach house for one final gathering after Lily decides to end her long battle with ALS on her own terms in “Blackbird” — a remake of an acclaimed Dutch film.
Sedona Film Fest presents ‘Hope Gap’ premiere Sept. 18-24
Annette Bening and Bill Nighy star in in William Nicholson’s award-winning new drama
The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Hope Gap” showing Sept. 18-24 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
A together-forever couple (Annette Bening and Bill Nighy) unpack the many complications of splitting up, in Oscar-nominated writer-director William Nicholson’s razor-sharp drama “Hope Gap”.
Featuring brilliant performances from Bill Nighy and four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening, this exquisite drama will resonate with anyone who has ever navigated the choppy waters of long-term love.
Grace (Bening) and Edward (Nighy) have been married for 29 years. To celebrate the occasion, they’ve invited their London-based son Jamie (Josh O’Connor) to visit them at their home on the Sussex coast, where the picturesque cliffs of Hope Gap look out onto the open sea.
Communication between the couple is at a nadir, however, with Grace nagging Edward about his lack of enthusiasm and Edward, who has long felt inadequate in his marriage, responding by turning inward — and harboring secrets. Edward is leaving Grace for another woman, a decision that will result in ongoing turmoil for everyone involved.
Unraveled and feeling displaced in her small seaside town, Grace ultimately regains her footing and discovers a new, powerful voice.
A veteran of literature, film, and television, Nicholson received Oscar screenwriting nominations for “Shadowlands” and “Gladiator”, but nothing in his august body of work quite prepares you for the wit and wisdom woven into each scene of “Hope Gap”: no one is entirely innocent and nothing, after three decades of coupledom, is simple.
“Hope Gap” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre Sept. 18-24. Showtimes will be 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18, 19 and 20; and 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 23 and 24.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.
PHOTO CAPTION (can be used with any photo):
A together-forever couple (Annette Bening and Bill Nighy) unpack the many complications of splitting up, in Oscar-nominated writer-director William Nicholson’s razor-sharp drama “Hope Gap”
Great Art on Screen ‘Secret Impressionists’ premieres Sept. 22
Sedona Film Festival hosts big-screen presentation of art series at Mary D. Fisher theatre
Sedona International Film Festival presents the Great Art on Screen series with “Secret Impressionists”. The event will show in Sedona on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 4 and 7 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
Great Art on Screen is a series of documentaries featuring an in-depth look at the most extraordinary and groundbreaking art masters of their time.
“Secret Impressionists” reveals the story of the art revolution sparked by the Impressionist movement, along with an unveiling of 50 previously unseen works by Impressionist masters Manet, Caillebotte, Renoir, Monet, Cézanne, Signac, Sisley and Morisot. These hidden treasures, loaned from some of the most important private collections, are now on display for the first time in Rome’s Palazzo Bonaparte, in an exhibition of the same title.
Audiences will be taken on a fascinating journey through the most captivating and intriguing artistic movement which created some of the most beloved works of art in the world, depicting the late nineteenth-century film stills of Paris, alluring portraits of women, and splendidly vibrant light-infused masterpiece works.
The Great Art on Screen Series is generously sponsored by Goldenstein Gallery.
“Secret Impressionists” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, or $12.50 for Film Festival members. Tickets are available in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office or by calling 928-282-1177 or online at www.SedonaFilmFestival.org. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona.
Photo caption: Can be used with any photo:
“Secret Impressionists” reveals the story of the art revolution sparked by the Impressionist movement, along with an unveiling of 50 previously unseen works by Impressionist masters Manet, Caillebotte, Renoir, Monet, Cézanne, Signac, Sisley and Morisot.
Fisher Theatre hosts FREE International Day of Peace events Sept. 21
Sedona Film Festival partners with three other organizations for day of free events
Four organizations dear to the heart of a legacy donor (Sedona International City of Peace, Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley, National Alliance for Mental Illness and Sedona international Film Festival) have come together in an alliance to offer a special event to our community on Monday, September 21, 2020 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
These groups have come together to illuminate and transform the pronounced divisiveness in our community and our world during International Day of Peace September 21, 2020 with a first-of-its-kind “Dissolve-the-Divide” series of events at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre and Livestream through the Sedona International City of Peace Facebook page.
FREE International Day of Peace Events include:
10:00-11:30 AM
Dissolve the Divide between Law Enforcement and our community — featuring our Police Chief, Charles Husted and another Police Officer.
11:30 AM-1:00 PM
Dissolve the Divide between Law Enforcement and our community — featuring Captain Jeff Newnum, Detention Services Division responsible for incarceration of inmates and services pertaining to their health, welfare and safety.
It is the intent of this event to dissolve the divide by having audience members listen to our Sedona Police Chief Charles Husted and Captain Jeff Newman. As you listen to their humanity, their experiences and their inner conflicts and growth, it is our hope that you open your hearts to perhaps dissolve seeing them as a group versus being curious about them as individuals.
We are using the Human library format to be able to create understanding and bring healing versus amplifying the divide. You will have an opportunity to listen and then ask questions that deepen your compassion and understanding, as well as share experiences that may have been upsetting or traumatic with an intention to heal that within yourself.
At the close of this presentation and dialogue there will an authentic forgiveness ceremony that is reflective of Sedona’s healing powers.
2:00-3:00 PM
Dissolve the Divide Within: Meditation Mondays — featuring Sedona International City of Peace Chair, Margaret Joy Weaver
For three and a half years, the Sedona International City of Peace, Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley, NAMI and Spectrum Healthcare have offered meditation on Mondays at Posse Ground Pavilion and local Yoga Studios. Over 60 Sedona healers have facilitated group meditations to bring awareness to the power of meditation to heal ourselves within, as well as when in a group to heal our community.
4:00 & 7:00 PM
Worldwide film screening event: “We Are Many”
The Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona International City of Peace, NAMI and the Mental Health Coalition of the Verde Valley are proud to join 100 cities around the country for “One Night For Peace” with the premiere of “We Are Many” at 4 and 7 pm at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
On February 15, 2003, up to 30 million people, many of whom had never demonstrated before, came out in nearly 800 cities around the world to protest against the impending Iraq War. “We Are Many” is the never-before-told story of the largest demonstration in human history, and how the movement created by a small band of activists changed the world. Many of the communities and local organizers from the 2003 protest will partake in this special event.
“We Are Many” is a remarkable thought-provoking inside story behind the first-ever global demonstration and its surprising and unreported legacy of inspiring today’s non-violent protest movements. The film features Danny Glover, Noam Chomsky, Ron Kovic, Medea Benjamin, Jesse Jackson, Ken Loach, Brian Eno, Bill Fletcher Jr., Lindsey German, and many more.
“The only film I’ve ever watched where the audience started clapping halfway through!” — Huffington Post
An energizing panel addressing the issues raised in the film and exploring the power of non-violent protest will follow both screenings. Seating is limited for the free screenings at 4 and 7 pm. A link to view the film online will be available for those who wish to enjoy the film from the comfort of their own home for a small screening fee.
This has been made possible with a generous legacy donation in support of the four participating organizations: Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona International City of Peace, the Mental Health Coalition of the Verde Valley and NAMI. The value of this movie in this legacy program is that the donor was married to a Vietnam Veteran for 25+ years. As a spouse, she carried the commitment to his healing and also hosted with Sedona International City of Peace the first Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event in Sedona. Subsequently this event has circled to five cities in the Verde Valley for the last seven years. This is her passion – to create community engagement that transforms our hearts to feel each other’s pain and be instruments for our connection and joy together.
Tickets for all of these International Day of Peace Events are free and are limited. For free tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.
Photo captions can be names for the speaker photos.
Photo caption for film:
“We Are Many” is a remarkable thought-provoking inside story behind the first-ever global demonstration and its surprising and unreported legacy of inspiring today’s non-violent protest movements. The film features Danny Glover, Noam Chomsky, Ron Kovic, Medea Benjamin, Jesse Jackson, Ken Loach, Brian Eno, Bill Fletcher Jr., Lindsey German, and many more.
