With the fest now just weeks away, the organizers at SXSW are putting the final touches on the festival schedule and have added a few more films for the movie fans flocking to Austin.
Dipping into the Sundance lineup, SXSW has pulled out a few films that earned some strong buzz in Park City and are bringing them south. Leading the way is "Safety Not Guaranteed" starring Aubrey Plaza and Mark Duplass, a quirky romance/comedy based on a real-life Internet meme, centered around a man who places a personal ad looking for a time traveling companion. We called it a "grounded, genuine, oddly effective charmer" so it should be one to check out. For music heads, there will be a double dose of good news as the LCD Soundsystem concert doc "Shut Up And Play The Hits" will unspool as will the buzz-worthy "Searching For Sugar Man" about the obscure and forgotten pop singer Rodriguez.
Other highlights include Canadian Oscar hopeful "Monsieur Lazhar," which is currently killing it with critics and audiences in its native land, with its tender tale about an immigrant teacher who brings comfort to a Montreal classroom reeling from the death of their former instructor. There will also be a screening of a newly restored "Yellow Submarine." And finally, making it's world premiere is "Nature Calls," which marks the return of "The Catechism Cataclysm" director Todd Rohal to SXSW. His latest was produced by David Gordon Green and stars Patton Oswalt, Johnny Knoxville, Rob Riggle, Maura Tierney and the late Patrice O'Neal in a comedy about two brothers (Knoxville and Oswalt) who decide to honor their ill father by taking a troop of Scouts on a camping trip where all hell breaks loose.
You can check out the full list of additions below and read about the plethora of panels over at the SXSW website.
ADDITIONAL FILMS
NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT
Blue Like Jazz
Director: Steve Taylor, Screenwriters: Donald Miller, Steve Taylor, Ben Pearson
A Texas college student flees the hypocrisy of his religious upbringing for life in the Pacific Northwest at ‘the most godless campus in America.’ Based on the New York Times bestseller by Donald Miller. Cast: Marshall Allman, Claire Holt, Tania Raymonde, Justin Welborn, Eric Lange (World Premiere)
Nature Calls
Director/Screenwriter: Todd Rohal
Polar-opposite brothers Randy (Oswalt) and Kirk (Knoxville) never saw eye-to-eye, but their rivalry is taken to a new level when Randy hijacks Kirk’s son’s sleepover, taking the boys on a Scout Trip to remember. Cast: Patton Oswalt, Johnny Knoxville, Rob Riggle, Maura Tierney, Patrice O’Neal, Darrell Hammond (World Premiere) EMERGING VISIONS
King Kelly
Director: Andrew Neel, Screenwriter: Mike Roberts
Made entirely from camera-phone footage, King Kelly is a sensational journey into hedonistic American youth culture and the YouTube generation. Cast: Louisa Krause, Libby Woodbridge, Roderick Hill, Will Brill, Patrick Murney (World Premiere)
LOW & CLEAR
Directors: Kahlil Hudson, Tyler Hughen
Two formerly close friends reunite for a fly-fishing trip and struggle to understand how much they’ve each changed – and how these changes now threaten the friendship. (World Premiere)
24 BEATS PER SECOND
Lost and Sound (UK)
Director: Lindsey Dryden
Music may be an essential part of being human – but what if you lost the ability to hear it? A dancer, a pianist and a music critic attempt to re-discover music after deafness, with astonishing results. (World Premiere)
Searching for Sugar Man (Sweden/UK)
Director: Malik Bendjelloul
The true story of the greatest ‘70s US rock icon who never was, how he was rediscovered and finally became the legend he deserved to be. A story of hope, inspiration and the power of music.
SX GLOBAL
GLOBAL HOME (Germany)
Director: Eva Stotz
Director Eva Stotz visited interesting people all over the world whom she found through online-host-networks and emerged for a limited time in their every-day-life. (World Premiere)
The Will
Director: Christian Sønderby Jepsen (Denmark)
Henrik dreams of a new beginning. But when Henrik's grandfather dies, leaving behind a fortune of millions, old skeletons come to light. (North American Premiere)
FESTIVAL FAVORITES
Chasing Ice
Director: Jeff Orlowski
Photographer James Balog was once a skeptic about climate change, but he discovers undeniable evidence. Balog reveals hauntingly beautiful, time-lapse videos of vanishing glaciers, while delivering hope to our carbon-powered planet.
Monsieur Lazhar
Director/Screenwriter: Philippe Falardeau, Based on the Stage Play by: Evelyne de la Chenelière
The story of an Algerian immigrant substitute teacher who brings emotional stability to a Montreal middle school class shaken by the tragic death of their well-liked teacher. Cast: Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Emilien Néron, Danielle Proulx, Brigitte Poupart
Safety Not Guaranteed
Director: Colin Trevorrow, Screenwriter: Derek Connolly
A trio of magazine employees investigate a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel.
Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni
Shut Up and Play the Hits (UK)
Directors: Will Lovelace, Dylan Southern
The final days of LCD Soundsystem.
Sleepwalk With Me
Director/Screenwriter: Mike Birbiglia, Screenwriter: Ira Glass, Joe Birbiglia, Seth Barrish
An aspiring comedian reluctant to confront his fears of love, honesty, and growing up; a budding standup comedian has both a hilarious and intense struggle with sleepwalking. Cast: Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn, Carol Kane, Cristin Milioti
SPECIAL EVENTS
Coffin Joe’s “This Night I Will Possess Your Corpse” with live score by Gary Lucas (Brazil)
Director/Screenwriter: Jose Mojica Marins, Screenwriter: Aldenora De Sa Porto
Gary Lucas’ live original solo guitar soundtrack accompanying the legendary 1967 Brazilian cult horror film classic directed by and starring Jose Mojica Marins a/k/a Coffin Joe.
Cast: Jose Mojica Marins a/k/a Coffin Joe, Tina Wohlers, Nadia Freitas, Antonio Fracari, Jose Lobo
Yellow Submarine (1968) Newly Restored (UK)
Director: George Dunning
Once upon a time in an unearthly paradise called Pepperland, the Blue Meanies threaten to destroy all that is good. Enter John, Paul, George and Ringo to save the day! Armed with their humour, songs, and yellow submarine, the Fab Four tackle the rough seas in an effort to bring down evil.
Cast: The Beatles, Paul Angelis, John Clive
NARRATIVE SHORTS
Inquire Within
Director: Jay Rosenblatt
A hypnotic, apocalyptic film about false choices and faith.
MIDNIGHT SHORTS
going to the store
Director: David Lewandowski
A normal man walks to a place.
SX GLOBAL SHORTS
The Little Team (Spain)
Directors: Roger Gómez, Daniel Resines
Fourteen little kids go over an unsolved football mystery, and they end up teaching an unexpected life lesson to grown-ups.
The Perfect Fit (Scotland, UK)
Director: Tali Yankelevich
Ballet shoes may be worn by delicate girls, but they’re crafted by burly men…
