Va Film Festival

Tuesday, September 5

Hollywoodland

with production designer Leslie McDonald
Vinegar Hill Theatre, 7pm

This compelling drama, inspired by one of Hollywood' s most infamous real-life mysteries, follows a 1950s private detective (Adrien Brody) who, investigating the mysterious death of “Superman” star George Reeves (Ben Affleck), uncovers unexpected connections to his own life as the case turns more personal. The torrid affair Reeves had with the wife (Diane Lane) of a studio executive (Bob Hoskins) might hold the key to the truth. The film is the feature directorial debut for Allen Coulter (Emmy and DGA Award nominee for his work on The Sopranos and Sex and the City).

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Tuesday, September 19

Manhattan Short Film Festival

Vinegar Hill Theatre, 7pm

The most creative short films in the world, judged by the cinema-going public around the world. Audience members, here and in fifty other cities within a ten-day period, will be handed a voting card upon entry and asked to vote for the one film they feel should win the Festival. Last year's program delighted the audience, and the quality of the films is certain to be exceptionally strong.

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Tuesday, October 3

The Guguletu Seven

with guest director Lindy Wilson
Vinegar Hill Theatre, 7pm

During the old Apartheid regime in South Africa, seven young men, deemed to be “terrorists” are shot dead in the suburb of Gugultu, Cape Town, on March 3, 1986. A witness however, says he saw one of the men being shot with his hands up in the act of surrendering. The unraveling of the truth of this event ten years later, by investigators of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is the gripping and chilling journey of this film.

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Saturday, October 28

Hollywood, Teach Us to Pray

with speaker Terry Lindvall
Regal Downtown Mall, 10:30am

Terry Lindvall, a scholar of silent comedies, animated films, and religious cinema, is one of the VFF's most popular speakers. Viewers will be treated to over forty film clips (from the silent films of Chaplin, Keaton and Fairbanks to Bride of Frankenstein, Nightmare on Elm Street and Million Dollar Baby), as Lindvall talks about how Hollywood has shaped American rituals of prayer.

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Tuesday, November 7

Don't Tell

with guest speaker Enrico Cesaretti
Vinegar Hill Theatre, 7pm

Nominated for an Academy Award in 2005 for Best Foreign Language Film, Don't Tell was directed by Cristina Comencini and was partially filmed in Charlottesville! Don't Tell is the mesmerizing story of a woman's journey into her past and the aftermath of confronting personal demons long hidden beneath the surface of her psyche. Sabrina is a beautiful young woman who seemingly has it all - a supportive and loving boyfriend, a comfortable lifestyle and a promising future. Shown with Rotten, directed by Eric Hurt, and also filmed in Charlottesville.

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Tuesday, November 21

The Hole Story

with guest director Alex Karpovsky (by live teleconference)
Vinegar Hill Theatre, 7pm

A massive stretch of water opens up on the surface of icy North Long Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota. Convinced this would be perfect for the mystery show he's been fervently pitching to cable executives, Alex decides to cash in his savings and make a pilot episode himself. However, the “black hole” mystery reveals itself to be much more disturbing and personal than expected. “It was one of my favorite unreleased films of last year and one of the saddest and funniest debuts I've ever seen” (Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Press).