from psiff

Palm Springs, CA (December 22, 2010) – The 22nd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) today announced its Galas, Premieres and Special Presentation programs. The Festival launches on Thursday, January 6 with the French farce Potiche and wraps on Sunday, January 16 with The First Grader. 193 films from 68 countries, including 59 premieres (9 world, 17 North American and 33 U.S.), will unspool at the Festival, running from January 6-17 in Palm Springs, California.

Commenting on the selection of films Festival Director Darryl Macdonald said, “Our film line-up is particularly strong this year, highlighting a bracing blend of established and newly emerging talents, as well as a wealth of provocative new work springing from nascent international film production hubs. There’s a notable emphasis on personal vision, rather than films that utilize genre conventions or stereotyped characters. I’m particularly delighted that we have the opportunity to launch the Festival with a broadly accessible comedy directed by Francois Ozon and starring established French talents Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu.”

Director of Programming Helen du Toit stated, “We are thrilled that our festival is bookended by two great crowd pleasers: the hit comedy Potiche and closing with Justin Chadwick’s heartwarming film The First Grader – an ideal wrap to our special focus on Africa this year.” She added, “The Gala and Special Presentation sections are marked by two exciting emerging directors Mona Achache (The Hedgehog)and Ed Gass-Donnelly’s (Small Town Murder Songs)as well as established masters like Peter Weir (The Way Back), and the return of celebrated cult director Monte Hellman (Road to Nowhere) who will receive the Festival’s Maverick Award.”

OPENING AND CLOSING GALAS
Marking its U.S. premiere, the Festival will open with the screening of Potiche (France), followed by a reception at the Palm Springs Art Museum. In Potiche, Catherine Deneuve commands the screen with a regal wink as Suzanne Bujol, a trophy wife (“potiche”) whose mettle is tested when catastrophe strikes in her husband’s umbrella factory. This stylish French farce is an irresistible romp through 1970s kitsch, politics and female emancipation. The film, directed by François Ozon, also stars Gérard Depardieu, Fabrice Luchini, Karin Viard, Judith Godrèche and Jérémie Renier.

Closing the Festival is The First Grader (UK/Kenya), about 84-year-old Kimani, a former Mau Mau freedom fighter, who takes advantage of a new Kenyan law to attend school. This emotionally uplifting drama cuts between Kimani’s education and flashbacks to his harsh treatment at the hands of the British. The film received the Audience Award at the Tribeca Doha Film Festival. The film stars Naomie Harris, Oliver Musila Litondo, Vusi Kunene and Tony Kgoroge. Director Justin Chadwick is confirmed to attend the screening…more