CIMMfest: 2010 Press Release

The second annual Chicago International Movies and Music Festival is gearing up for its 2010 edition, and returning bigger and better than ever, hitting screens and rooms all over town
March 4-7, 2010
 
We are proud to announce that Opening Night, Thursday, March 4th will consist of the US premiere of the international hit film Universalove, presented by director Thomas Woschitz and Naked Lunch, with live accompaniment by the band Naked Lunch, and the Chicago premiere of William S. Burroughs: A Man Within, presented by director Yony Leyser, followed by the first Chicago live appearance of Thee Majesty, featuring Genesis Breyer P-Orridge.
 
In addition to these special guests, this year we are glad to include director John Edginton who will be introducing the Chicago premiere of his film, Robyn Hitchcock: I Often Dream of Trains, A Concert Film.
 
As always, music is at the heart of CIMMfest, so we have a number of live performances to go along with the screenings. In addition to Grant Hart, Thee Majesty and Naked Lunch, CIMMfest will host a performance by the inimitable Robyn Hitchcock in conjunction with the screening of his concert documentary, and by Jon Langford, who is featured in the short film, At Last, Okemah!, which will screen before the show.

To bring an even more international scope to the festival this year, CIMMfest has joined with the Filmer la Musique festival of Paris and is proud to host its representatives as our guests to introduce their films. This year, we also continue the tradition of presenting art as part of the festival as well. In conjunction with the a screening of Eileen Yaghoobian's Died Young Stayed Pretty, CIMMfest will host a rock art show featuring poster art curated by Steve Walters of Screwball Press.

Without delay, this coming year’s judges:
Ivan Kral
A prolific songwriter, Grammy winner Ivan Král has collaborated with David Bowie, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop and other great artists. When not producing his own solo work, Král also composes film soundtracks and original scores including underground greats such as The Foreigner and the more mainstream Diner. Král will introduce a special screening of his films The Blank Generation and Patti Smith Group: Dancing Barefoot.
Marie Losier
Experimental filmmaker Marie Losier is the curator at the French Institute Alliance Française in New York City. She has shown her films and videos at museums, galleries, biennials and festivals. Losier’s films The Ontological Cowboy was featured in the 2006 Whitney Biennial. Her works have been shown at P.S. 1 (NYC), The Tate Modern (UK), Lincoln Center (NYC), Le Centre George Pompidou and the Cinematheque Francaise (France), at the Berlin, Rotterdam and Tribeca Film Festivals, and many other film festivals and institutions. She is currently working on her first feature film, a portrait of musical genius Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, her partner Lady Jaye and her band Psychic TV. Losier will also be introducing her short films Papal Broken-Dance, and Tony Conrad: DreaMinimalist.
Martin Atkins
CIMMfest is pleased to welcome back Martin Atkins, winner of the 2009 Best Documentary Feature award for his film, 16 Days in China. A professional drummer, Atkins got his start with Public Image Ltd. before forming the groups Pigface and Murder Inc. When not recording, Atkins teaches at Columbia College in Chicago, as well as giving guest lectures on the business of touring, the subject of his book Tour: Smart.
Grant Hart
Drummer and songwriter, formerly of Hüsker Dü and fresh off his Hot Wax tour, Grant Hart is featured in our Opening Night film, William S. Burroughs: A Man Within, and in addition to performing live for our Chicago audience, will join the festival as the fourth and final jury member.
 
Hit up cimmfest.org for an updated list of live performances--more to come soon!
 
Finally, our partial list of 2010 CIMMfest premieres:
World Premieres
Riot Acts
Riot Acts examines the challenges that transgender and transsexual musicians face in addition to the usual difficulties of making it in the music industry.
 
Polkaholics
Statistician by day, punk-polka guitar-shredder by night, Wes Hranchak has revolutionized the polka scene, proving that although music is a universal language, it sounds better in 3/4 time.
 
U.S. Premieres
Complaints Choir
Two Finnish artists delve into the nature of dissatisfaction, blending whining from Chicago to Singapore into a harmony of harpies’ song.
 
Tom Zé: Astronauta Libertado
Take a peek into the mind of genius as this documentary explores the mind and infectious energy of Tom Zé, the legendary Brazilian composer/musician.
 
Prelude au Sommeil (Prelude to Sleep)
“Look! Star Trek! My favorite series!” So are we introduced to the strange world of Jean-Jacques Perrey. A pioneer of electronic music, this documentary investigates the mind of Perrey as he explores new frontiers in sound.
 
Robyn Hitchcock: I Often Dream of Trains, A Concert Film
John Edginton directs and introduces his concert film about the legendary performer, Robyn Hitchcock. Step behind the scenes of Hitchcock’s tour and hear the man behind the music. Accompanied by a live performance by Hitchcock himself!
 
Universalove
Divided into six episodes, Universalove explores six stories of romance and tragedy from around the world, all set to the music of Naked Lunch.
 
In Search of the Messiah
Delve into the surprisingly controversial world of the last surviving violins created by Stradivarius 350 years ago. These instruments produce the most beautiful sounds in the world, but most of them are off-limits to musicians, and this film follows an award-winning violinist as she journeys the globe looking for one to play.
 
Chicago Premieres
El Sistema
In Venezuela, José Antonio Abreu founded the first youth orchestra, bringing music to the barrios of Caracas. Exploring the lives of three young people of one of the poorest neighborhoods of Caracas, El Sistema documents the effect of classical music on at-risk youth.
 
Music of the Brain
A fascinating documentary that delves into the lifelong effects of music on human development, how it nurtures and soothes throughout our lives.
 
The Upsetter: The Life and Music of Lee "Scratch" Perry
Travel back to a rural Jamaica and see the man who mentored a young Bob Marley. This documentary explores the life of Lee Perry, the man who created modern reggae, the art of the “remix” and the sound that same to influence every part of the globe.
 
Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench
A young jazz trumpeter, Guy, and the introverted Madeline meet, connect and try to navigate love. A new take on the musical, the film juxtaposes a realist aesthetic with its soaring original score and soundtrack.
 
Wheedle's Groove
A chance discovery in a used-record bin led to the rediscovery of Seattle's once-thriving soul music scene, and Wheedle's Groove tries to figure out where the music went. Includes interviews with Seattle natives Quincy Jones, Kenny G, and Sir Mix-A-Lot.
 
Playing for Change: Peace Through Music
Filmed in sites throughout the globe and capturing over 100 musicians, Playing for Change: Peace Through Music is the ambitious project of directors Mark Johnson and Jonathan Walls to connect the world through music.
 
Sissyboy
Documenting a troupe of drag artists based out of Portland, OR, Sissyboy cuts into the essence of performance. Unafraid to perform humorous but topical songs about controversial topics such as abortion or the murder of Matthew Shepard, the documentary follows The Sissyboys drag revue on their last year of performance.
 
Tibet in Song
Filmmaker Ngawang Choephel was arrested as a spy by the Chinese government while shooting this film, which explores the intricacies of traditional Tibetan folk music and the tumultuous recent past. Special Jury Prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

TRIMPIN: The Sound of Invention
Though unknown by the mainstream, musician Trimpin has received a MacArthur “Genius Grant” and Guggenheim Fellowship for his work. Watch him at work and look into the nature of creative decision as he works with the Kronos Quartet.
 
West Coast Theory
Featuring the best and brightest of the hip-hop community, West Coast Theory documents what it takes to stay on top of a rapidly changing music form. Snoop Dogg, Will.I.Am, B-Real and others give their opinion in this documentary about the ever-shifting face of hip-hop.
 
Where You From
Exploring rural hip-hop, Where You From documents the humble lives of three young men as they seek new lives through their music despite their difficult circumstances. Great music comes from pain, and there's pain everywhere, from the urban ghetto to the emptiness of Montana.
 
Special Screenings
Still Bill
A look into the life of Bill Withers, the Grammy-winning writer of “Lean on Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” who overcame a childhood stuttering problem to become one of the most recognized voices in R&B.

Died Young Stayed Pretty
This documentary from first time filmmaker Eileen Yaghoobian focuses on the world of rock posters and the culture of artists behind it. Accompanied by a special exhibition of rock art curated by Steve Walters of Screwball Press.