New acclaimed independent films premiere at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre
Sedona AZ (July 26, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of the critically-acclaimed new films “Life, Animated” and “Our Kind of Traitor” showing Aug. 5-10 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
LIFE, ANIMATED
“Life, Animated” has been receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences around the world since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Best Director Award. The film has received Audience Choice Awards at several film festivals around the nation.
His imagination unlocked an amazing new world.
From Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams, “Life, Animated” is the inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. This emotional coming-of-age story follows Owen as he graduates to adulthood and takes his first steps toward independence.
The subject of his father Ron Suskind’s New York Times bestseller, Owen was a thriving three-year-old who suddenly and inexplicably went silent — and for years after remained unable to connect with other people or to convey his thoughts, feelings or desires. Over time, through repeated viewings of Disney classics like “The Little Mermaid” and “The Lion King”, Owen found useful tools to help him to understand complex social cues and to re-connect with the world around him.
“Life, Animated” evocatively interweaves classic Disney sequences with verite scenes from Owen’s life in order to explore how his identification and empathy for characters like Simba, Jafar, and Ariel gave him a means to understand his feelings and allowed him to interpret reality. Beautiful, original animations offer rich insights into Owen’s fruitful dialogue with the Disney oeuvre as he imagines himself heroically facing adversity as a member in a tribe of sidekicks.
Owen’s story is a moving testament to the many ways in which stories can serve as a means of persevering through the dark times, leading us all toward the light.
“A radiant, uplifting story!” raves the Hollywood Reporter. “If you believe in magic, ‘Life, Animated’ is the potion for you!”
“Deeply moving! A warm testament to a family’s love and resilience!” says Variety.
“Life, Animated” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre Aug. 5-10. Showtimes will be 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Monday, Aug. 5, 6 and 8; and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 7, 9 and 10.
OUR KIND OF TRAITOR
An all-star ensemble cast is featured in “Our Kind of Traitor”, including Ewan McGregor, Naomie Harris and Stellan Skarsgard.
While on holiday in Marrakech, an ordinary English couple, Perry (Ewan McGregor) and Gail (Naomie Harris), befriend a flamboyant and charismatic Russian, Dima (Stellan Skarsgård), who — unbeknownst to them — is a kingpin money launderer for the Russian mafia.
When Dima asks for their help to deliver classified information to the British Secret Services, Perry and Gail get caught in a dangerous world of international espionage and dirty politics. The couple is propelled on a perilous journey through Paris and Bern, a safe house in the French Alps, to the murky corners of the City of London and an alliance with the British Government via a ruthless and determined MI6 agent (Damian Lewis).
Can they really help to save a charismatic Russian gangster, his desperate family and ultimately themselves?
From the writer of “Drive” (Hossein Amini) adapting the hit John le Carré novel — the mind behind “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”, and directed by acclaimed Susanna White — this taut thriller twists and turns its way around the world with dramatic consequences.
“Our Kind of Traitor” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre Aug. 5-10. Showtimes will be 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Monday, Aug. 5, 6 and 8; and 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 9 and 10.
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.