Heart of Stone

Opening this weekend: Heart of Stone, directed by Beth Toni Kruvant

Heart of Stone is Kruvant's first feature-length film; her first short documentary, Born in Buenos Aires, was about the Jewish community in Argentina during that country's economic collapse in 2001. Her second film, The Right to be Wrong, "chronicles an Israeli and Palestinian friendship that brought their 'peace party' from Israel to Kansas City."

Synopsis from the film's website:

Before 1960 Weequahic High School (WHS) was known as one of the top schools in America. By 2000 it was one of the most violent schools in the 12th most dangerous city in the country. Heart of Stone is the true story of WHS’ quest to return to its former glory.

When Ron Stone took over as principal in 2001, gangs ruled the school. Crime and shootings were commonplace and during his first month on the job he watched students engage in a mass brawl in every hallway.

Stone knew his work was cut out for him and devised an unconventional plan to realize his vision of turning the school around. He started by working with the gangs and establishing the school as a “non-violence” zone. He then partnered with the committed alumni association — comprised of mostly older Jewish and younger African American alums — to raise funds for programs and college scholarships that helped transform the gang culture of the school to one of discipline and performance. At Weequahic High School, where Philip Roth immortalized his Newark, NJ as a turn of the century Camelot, we watch an unusual tale unfold where past meets present and adolescents strive to overcome adversity.

The WHS experience is a model for other inner city schools to rejuvenate by reaching into their own past. Inner cities were once proud downtown districts with excellent education programs that graduated professionals who long ago moved to the suburbs. Heart of Stone shows how disparate groups can join together to give their old communities something they haven’t had for generations…a future.




Interviews with Weequahic students before the 2008 election:

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg

Opening this weekend: Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, directed by Aviva Kempner

Synopsis from the film's website:

From Aviva Kempner, maker of The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, comes this humorous and eye-opening story of television pioneer Gertrude Berg. She was the creator, principal writer, and star of The Goldbergs, a popular radio show for 17 years, which became television’s very first character-driven domestic sitcom in 1949. Berg received the first Best Actress Emmy in history, and paved the way for women in the entertainment industry. Includes interviews with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actor Ed Asner, producers Norman Lear (All in the Family) and Gary David Goldberg (Family Ties), and NPR correspondent Susan Stamberg.

As Seen Through These Eyes

Opening this weekend: As Seen Through These Eyes, directed by Hilary Helstein

Synopsis from the film's website:

As Maya Angelou narrates this powerful documentary, she reveals the story of a brave group of people who fought Hitler with the only weapons they had: charcoal, pencil stubs, shreds of paper and memories etched in their minds. These artists took their fate into their own hands to make a compelling statement about the human spirit, enduring against unimaginable odds.

Humpday (again)

Lynn Shelton's Humpday is getting its (limited) theatrical release tomorrow, just FYI. And you can read a whole New York Times article about Lynn Shelton here.

The Beaches of Agnès

Opening this weekend: The Beaches of Agnès, directed by Agnès Varda

Synopsis from Agnès Varda's website:

En revenant sur les plages qui ont marqué sa vie, Agnès Varda invente une forme d'autodocumentaire. Agnès se met en scène au milieu d'extraits de ses films, d'images et de reportages. Elle nous fait partager avec humour et émotion ses débuts de photographe de théâtre puis de cinéaste novatrice dans les années cinquante, sa vie avec Jacques Demy, son engagement féministe, ses voyages à Cuba, en Chine et aux USA, son parcours de productrice indépendante, sa vie de famille et son amour des plages.
Une femme libre et curieuse !

Translation:

Returning to the beaches that have marked her life, Agnès Varda has invented a form of documentary self-portrait. She films herself, among clips from her films, images and stories. With humor and with emotion, she shares with us her beginnings as a theater photographer and as a rookie director in the 1950s, her life with Jacques Démy, her commitment to feminism, her trips to Cuba, China and the USA, her journey as an independent producer, her family life and her love of beaches. A curious, free woman!

New York Times review here.

The Girl from Monaco

Opening this weekend: The Girl from Monaco, directed by Anne Fontaine

Synopsis from the film's website:

A brilliant and neurotic attorney (Fabrice Luchini) goes to Monaco to defend a famous criminal. But, instead of focusing on the case, he falls for a beautiful she-devil (Louise Bourgoin), who turns him into a complete wreck. Hopefully, his zealous bodyguard (Roschdy Zem) will step in and put everything back in order... Or will he?

New York Times review here.

I Hate Valentine's Day

Opening this weekend: I Hate Valentine's Day, directed by Nia Vardalos

Synopsis from the IFC website:

From the creative team behind the smash indie success, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, comes I Hate Valentine’s Day - a new romantic comedy starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, and a hilarious supporting cast featuring Judah Friedlander, Zoe Kazan and Rachel Dratch. Meet Genevieve (Vardalos). The owner of a flower shop in the heart of Brooklyn, NY and a romantic with a unique take on the dating game. Genevieve lives by a strict five date rule so she doesn't get dumped and never gets hurt. Then she meets Greg (Corbett). He's good looking, funny and new to town, and before they know it, both are falling for each other. Will this new romance cause Genevieve to reconsider her philosophy of love?