INFO, 2nd Phangan Film Festival, Ko Phangan

MOVIES

FRIDAY, 20. FEBRUARY 2009

Live music between 18.30 and 19.30 // First Screening at 19.30 !!!
THE LATEST: Indian Ambient music at the PFF on Friday and Saturday evenings

	Ribbon of Sand (USA, 2007, 26 mins.) Asian Premiere The famed Outer Banks of North Carolina are a slim and moving line of sand in the open Atlantic. Many travelers think they know these islands - but south of Ocracoke Inlet there rises a luminous bar of sand sixty miles in extent, with no roads, no bridges, no hotels: the wild beaches of Cape Lookout, one of the few remaining natural barrier island systems in the world. At once an exaltation and elegy, Ribbon of Sand profiles this seascape and the transitory islands doomed to disappear. The film features writings by environmental pioneer Rachel Carson, interpreted by Academy-award winner Meryl Streep.
	The Linguists (USA, 2007, 70 mins.) Thailand Premiere David and Greg are 'The Linguists': scientists racing to document languages on the verge of extinction. In Siberia, India, and Bolivia, the linguists’ resolve is tested by the very forces stifling languages: institutionalized racism and violent economic unrest. David and Greg must overcome their own fears and preconceived notions to draw speakers from decades of silence. Their journey takes them deep into the heart of the cultures, knowledge, and communities at stake. www.thelinguists.com
	Laya Project (India/Malaysia, 2007, 67 mins.) Thailand Premiere Laya Project is a visual journey documenting folk music recorded and filmed on location in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, India and Myanmar. Some of these performances are rare, and documented for the first time. The musicians are primarily from coastal communities affected by the Tsunami of December 26th, 2004. For the international team of musicians, sound engineers and camera men who came together for this unique production, Laya Project is a celebration of life, and is dedicated to the survivors. Crossing boundaries of genre while still preserving the music of the people, Laya Projects' essence is artistic purity and simplicity, from a non-judgmental point of view. www.layaproject.com // www.earthsync.com
	Toumai (Hope of Life) (USA, 2008, 4 mins.) Asian Premiere The earth was a vastly different place before Man was born. Toumai is the story of Mankinds destructive battle against nature in his attempt to build the ultimate machine. This machine is the culmination of Mankind's greatest creations and most horrific inventions. In the end, Mankind's delinquency ultimately leads to his demise as his machine sends him to a watery grave. Toumai is the story of Mankinds destructive battle against nature in his attempt to build the ultimate machine. In the end, he pays the ultimate price for his delinquency. www.toumaifilm.com
	A Silent Forest (USA, 2008, 46 mins.) Asian Premiere A Silent Forest exposes the threats posed by the introduction of genetically engineered trees into our environment. Narrated by Dr. David Suzuki, an award-winning scientist and environmentalist, complex scientific issues are made accessible. It addresses the terrible impacts genetically engineered trees will have on human health, native forests, forest-dwelling indigenous peoples, and wildlife. A Silent Forest will help you get more information and become involved on local, national, and international levels. You can be part of public education and movement building in stopping the commercial development of genetically engineered trees. www.raindancermedia.org
	Auroville - the City the Earth Needs (France, 2007, 57 mins.) Asian Premiere Mankind's dream for a better world in which all citizens are free from racist and religious suppression, policy, pollution, and especially from money, is as old as humanity itself. But are there still men who believe in this dream? The answer is to be found in Auroville, in southeast India, where men and women from around the world gathered at the end of the 1960s to embark together on this unique experiment. Today there are 1,800 Aurovillians, of 40 different nationalities, who hope and work for the unthinkable. For them, today’s utopia is the reality of tomorrow.
Internationally renowned Saraswati Veena player Anand Jagota will jam at the PFF! Please arrive early on Friday February 20 and Saturday Feburary 21 as Anand's Indian Ambient performance will take place between 18.30 and 19.30 (first screening). SATURDAY 21. FEBRUARY 2009 Live music between 18.30 and 19.30 // First Screening at 19.30 !!! THE LATEST: Indian Ambient music at the PFF on Friday and Saturday evenings
	Global Focus V - The New Environmentalists (USA, 2009, 30 mins.) Asian Premiere "Global Focus V — The New Environmentalists" features intimate portraits of seven passionate and dedicated activists. These are true environmental heroes who have placed themselves squarely in harm’s way to battle intimidating adversaries, while others are creating partnerships with unlikely allies. Their goal: safeguarding the Earth’s natural resources from shortsighted exploitation and unbridled pollution. The stories feature: Belgium, Mexico, Siberia, Ecuador, Mozambique, Puerto Rico, Robert Redford narrates. www.mvfg.com
	Intelligent Life: Change Your Mind. Change The World. (USA, 2008, 73 mins.) World Premiere Americans have just turned an historic page. The Presidential election of Barack Obama has cemented one of the most significant moments in American history. Americans are now ready to move humanity forward and make the necessary changes in order to turn our country and our world around in a positive, sustainable and responsible direction... but how? Intelligent Life provides the basic blueprint of everyday solutions that all Americans can adopt right now. Intelligent Life is a stunning high-definition mirror of modern American life, produced in photo essay style, set to a dramatic soundtrack by a line-up of Grammy® Award-winning/nominated recording artists. www.intelligentlifefilm.com
	Is There a Pong? (Canada, 2007, 3 mins.) Asian Premiere FADE IN: INT. TV STUDIO - NIGHT WIDE SHOT: Rantdog, - hand puppet, controlled by a severed arm, smokes a pipe - talks about the glories of Video Games and Machinima. And then, suddenly-- CUT TO: Rantdog's "Sadness and Miserable" - an action packed, family drama and film tribute to Pong. CLOSE UP: The Meaning of life. PAN TO: Questions about the existence of God and 1972. MEDIUM SHOT: Universe and Rantdog. TITLES: The FIN
	FLOW: For Love of Water (USA, 2008, 84 mins.) Asian Premiere An inspired, yet disturbingly provocative, wake-up call: our life-giving water is a resource in peril across the planet. The film highlights a global crisis on water politics, pollution and human rights and warns that water, the quintessence of life and our most precious resource, can no longer be taken for granted. Unless we effect global change, impoverished nations could be wiped from the planet and by their thirst for survival, people across the planet are fighting for their birthright. www.flowthefilm.org
	Portrait of a Dancer (India, 2007, 2 mins.) Asian Premiere Hamsa Moily is an experimental dancer who is searching for her language. She is caught between two worlds. As if perched on an edge, she loves dancing on the scaffolding, ready to take a leap of faith. Double exposure and staccato edits are used to try and reveal the gossamer layers of her mind. A skip bleach of the negative brings a subconcious quality to her world. This is her portrait.
	Living Yoga: The Life and Teachings of Swami Satchidananda (USA, 2007, 60 mins.) Thailand Premiere A one-hour documentary highlighting the distinctive blend of Yoga, spiritual philosophy and interfaith ideals Swami Satchidananda brought from India in 1966 and offered to the Woodstock generation. His teachings of Integral Yoga influenced an entire generation and created a Yoga culture that is flourishing today. Applications of Yoga in health care, environmental preservation, education, the arts and other arenas are all highlighted with interviews from leaders in these fields and include Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Mehmet Oz, pop artist icon Peter Max, Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals), and many more. www.livingyogamovie.org
SUNDAY, 22. FEBRUARY 2009 First Screening at 19.30 !!!
	La Tuerca (The Nut) (Spain, 2007, 10 mins.) Thailand Premiere This is the story of a little girl and a nut. It is also the story of a middle-aged woman who has lost all contact with dreams. La Tuerca is about magic, memories and the significance of small things that we sometimes forget when we become adults.
	Temples in the Clouds (India, 2008, 56 mins.) Asian Premiere Temples in the Clouds is the story of a challenging paragliding safari to the ancient and remote temple of the Goddess Himani Chamunda by India-lovers James Mallinson (UK) and Enrico Patuzzi (ITA). As they struggle to reach their destination, situated at 2,500 meters altitude, their skills, endurance, faith, and commitment are being tested and ultimately reinforced. Shot beautifully on location in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. www.aimtelevision.com
	Tesfaye's Story (Ethiopia/USA, 2008, 5 mins.) World Premiere Ethiopia suffers from some of the most environmental damage the world has ever seen. Over deforestation has left tracts of land in ruin driving away animals, sapping the ground of nutrients, and even drastically altering precipitation patterns. This short documentary follows Tesfaye, a middle-aged native Ethiopian who has witnessed over the past 30 years the consequences of such environmental abuse, and his search for a hope of restoration. www.chronicleproject.org
	What About Me? (United Kingdom, 2008, 85 mins.) Thailand Debut Following the success of their first double Grammy nominated film & album, What About Me? is the latest unmissable multimedia masterpiece from 1 Giant Leap. This visionary project took Jamie Catto and Duncan Bridgeman to over 50 global locations as they explore through music, the complexities of human nature, and reveal how we are all connected not only through our creativity and beliefs, but mostly through our madness. Covering universal topics such as God, Sex, Death and Money, What About Me? features an incredibly diverse collection of collaborators from Noam Chomsky to Will Young, Maxi Jazz to Tim Robbins, Billy Connolly to Michael Stipe, Eckhart Tolle to Baaba Maal, among many others. www.whataboutme.tv
	The Water Bearer (Canada, 2007, 52 mins.) Thailand Premiere This film follows the efforts made by the men and women of Flores Island in Indonesia, to re-invent their daily lives after 32 years of dictatorship. Amongst them, we find a Canadian, Gilles Raymond, in search of a code of ethics where action coincides with words. Through the simple quest for clean running water, Catholics and Muslims work together to instil a direct democracy and sustainable autonomy. This is a road movie of sorts, the ancient Ngada warrior culture serving as a backdrop, where solidarity rubs shoulders with defeatism and generosity overcomes corruption. Beyond money, beyond religion and politics, this film reminds us that all men are born brothers.
	Desolation Angel (Thailand, 2007, 46 mins.) World Premiere This documentary juxtaposes the desolation of modern life amongst the faceless shadows in the often-chaotic megalopolis of Bangkok with the warmth and closeness felt with strangers in the traditional, relaxed setting in provincial Thailand. Desolation Angel takes us on a journey of discovery and acculturation as we follow our actor opening various doors in his adopted culture. By following some local contacts and using his fluency in the language his journey to provincial Thailand unravels a new pathway. The catalyst is the ancient, complex culture as he experiences a personal re-birth along his experience with the Thai New Year, known as Songkran. Above all, this is a film about the pleasure of simplicity.
	more information (Trailers etc.) can be found here: website PFF

here an interview with the director by samui-channel (2008):

JL.Balmer

1) What is your motivation for organizing the Phangan Film Festival?

I've been living on Phangan island for most of the past 4 years and over time developed a strong sense that this island had a great potential but was in need for direction and "image correction". Many are familiar with Phangan's notorious party scene. While it may well have been a maverick experience back in the early 1980ies when the fullmoon parties started, they have lost most of their magic and degenerated into a money-making business that's ultimately destructive for both party-goers and the island itself. I strongly feel that Phangan deserves better and hope to contribute with the PFF towards a more harmonious and holistic development of this beautiful island.
Secondly, given my love for film and background in documentary filmmaking I have had the opportunity to attend many film festivals in the past. I have often been beautifully inspired there and when the idea to host a festival here crossed my mind I immediately embraced it. That was only 4 weeks ago by the way (smiles). So, it's my feeling to do something worthwhile and positive for Phangan island coupled with my affinity for meaningful filmmaking that drive me and this project.

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