8th Annual Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film

July 15, 2009

8th Annual Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film
July 30 – August 3

This year’s instalment of the Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film has been consolidated into one weekend (July 30 – August 3), pushing the boundaries of film, video and new media works by artists from around the world. The program for 2009 includes an AIDS docu-musical, video installations on Main Street, a collection of mixed-media work by Asian artists, a contemporary silent film by Guy Maddin and workshops for people of all ages.
The opening reception will take place at the Durham Art Gallery on July 30 at 8pm. Quebec City artist Diane Landry’s media installation and magical kinetic sculpture explores the visually sublime through the “eyes” of familiar mechanical devices. “Picture Happenings” will be on display at the gallery until September 20. Once the summer sun sets the opening continues at the middle dam of the Suageen River for out an outdoor screening. Heather Keung of the Reel Asian Film Festival is presenting a provocative and poignant program of mixed media performances and videos by Asian women.
Filmmaker John Greyson will be present to introduce his documentary “Fig Trees”, recent winner of a Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. An unsparing portrayal of the continuing impact of the AIDS epidemic and the political quagmire surrounding its treatment, “Fig Trees” brings the viewer on a musical rollercoaster ride of top 100 countdown songs, opera, documentary, and surrealist fantasy.
Afternoons have been set aside for cutting edge documentary films. “RiP: A remix Manifesto” is a film about copyright and re-mix culture and the blurred line between inspiration and infringement. In “The Yes Men Fix the World” we meet Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno. Gonzo journalists, media pranksters, and Swiftian satirists, the Yes Men pose as corporate spokespersons. Can they find a way to defeat the cult of greed and save civilization from its excesses?
Returning artist Lesley Chan will be conducting filmmaking workshops for kids and adults. Lesley is re-introducing the overhead projector, a piece of equipment that is almost “anti-digital”. There has been resurgence in overhead art since it was originally appropriated in the 1960’s where it was used for experimental light shows and installations. These workshops will encourage participants to create their own live performance.
The festival will feature two evening of film and live music in the majestic Symphony Barn. Montreal composer Ben Shemie will premiere his latest work, “Invisible Ink”, a multi-media, new music composition that incorporates a string quartet and electronica.
The second night of live music collaborations features the visually arresting contemporary silent film “Cowards Bend the Knee” by Guy Maddin and the music of Bob Wiseman (of Blue Rodeo) and his band the Silencers. Wiseman will also present some of his own Super-8 films and videos.
New Generation’s Choice is a program of short films juried by young people from the local community. These films, produced by Bravo!FACT, represent a cross-section of Canadian culture, humour and political satire.
And if you find yourself in downtown Durham after dark, walk by the former Stedmans where Michelle Gay will project her video installation “Spampoet” onto the windows of the empty main street store. This work, a constantly evolving word play on electronic spam, will run every evening during the festival.
This unique, rural-cultural event, called “one of the country’s most unusual film festivals” by the Globe and Mail, is not to be missed. Challenging, provocative and unique in both setting and content, the rich tapestry of the Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film will inspire and delight.
Individual tickets are available at the door. Festival Passes are $35 available through the Durham Art Gallery or on-line. For any further information about the festival, the workshop or volunteering opportunities contact the Durham Art Gallery, 519.369.3692 or email info@fabfilmfest.ca. For a full schedule, timetable and directions visit the web site www.fabfilmfest.ca.

If you would like high resolution stills for publication, access to programmers or filmmakers for interviews, or any other media materials, please contact Myke Dyer at 519.369.2908 or email: info@fabfilmfest.ca

Written by Deb · Filed Under Guest Post, Movies, Participation, Press Release