Galas and Centerpiece Screenings
AFI DALLAS 2009 was proud to present films from acclaimed filmmakers in this section. These are works that will inspire conversation, spark imagination and encourage contemplation.
OPENING NIGHT SCREENING
The Brothers Bloom
USA
2008, 109 min., 35mm
Academy Award Winner Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardner), Academy Award winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist), Mark Rufalo (Zodiac) and Academy award nominee Rinko Kikuchi (Babel) star in this globe-trotting comedy about the last great adventure of the world's two best con men. Welcome to the world of The Brothers Bloom, where deception is an art and nothing is as it seems. The brothers have perfected their craft through years of fraternal teamwork. Now they've decided to take on one last spectacular job - luring a beautiful and eccentric heiress into an elaborate plot that takes them around the world.
DIR/SCR Rian Johnson
CAST Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rinko Kikuchi, Robbie Coltrane, Maximilian Schell
CENTERPIECE SCREENING
The Burning Plain
USA
2008, 111 min., 35mm
English, Spanish with English subtitles
Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger star in writer and director Guillermo Arriaga's multi-threaded story about people seeking redemption.
The characters seem to be unrelated: a Portland, Ore., restaurant manager who has meaningless sexual encounters; a New Mexican couple in the throes of an illicit affair; a 16-year-old girl on a dangerous border crossing. But Arriaga brings them together as only the Academy Award-nominated writer of Amores perros, 21 Grams and Babel can.
DIR/SCR Guillermo Arriaga
CAST Charlize Theron, Kim Basinger, Jennifer Lawrence, Jose Maria Yazpik, JD Pardo
CENTERPIECE SCREENING
The Hurt Locker
USA
2008, 130 min., Color, 35mm
Director Kathrun Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal bring a soldier's-eye view of the Iraq war to the big screen.
An elite bomb squad plays a game of life and death in The Hurt Locker. As if diffusing bombs weren't nerve-wracking enough, the men have to deal with the political and cultural chaos rampant in Iraq. A new leader, James, takes over the unit and recklessly ignores the danger that surrounds the team. His subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge, are shocked at his behavior and are soon struggling to control James and fighting for their lives.
DIR Kathryn Bigelow
SCR Mark Boal
CAST Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Christian Camargo, Evangeline Lily
CLOSING NIGHT SCREENING
The Cove
USA
2009, 90 min., Color, HDCam
The Cove tells the story of Richard O’Barry, creator of the original Flipper series turned dolphin activist.
He forms an elite team to expose a horrifying secret. With enough intrigue and espionage to rival big-budget
action films, The Cove is a riveting story of redemption set in treacherous waters.
DIR Louie Psihoyos
SCR Mark Monroe
CAST Richard O'Barry, Simon Hutchins, Mandy-Rae Cruickshank
CLOSING NIGHT SCREENING
Tyson
USA
2008, 90 min., Color, 35mm
Director James Toback takes on one of the most brutal and most amazing stories in sports, the life of former heavyweight
champion Mike Tyson. He interviews the boxer on such topics as his marriage to Robin Givens, his rape conviction and his
1997 ear-biting fight against Evander Holyfield.
DIR/SCRJames Toback
CAST Mike Tyson
