Over the next month, we will be presenting some sneak peaks of the directors and their films that have been accepted into this year's Festival in August. To see the trailer or clips from the film, simply click on the image or film's title.
Tickets for the fest are on sale now on this site; just click on the "Tickets & Passes" link above. Festival Six-packs will be on sale at Borders Bookstore in Providence and Cranston, Rhode Island plus Attleboro, MA in late June. Watch for an announcement of upcoming forums at Borders.
Brett Harvey’s experience in camera work and designing media has taken him from mopeds in the streets of Vietnam to horseback in the jungles of Nicaragua. His work has also led him high above the Canadian tundra in bush planes and down low on tundra buggies.
Recently, Brett was Director of Photography for two CBC television documentaries: ‘Secrets’ for The Passionate Eye and ‘Lottery on Ice’ for Rough Cuts. ‘Secrets’ was nominated for 7 LEO Awards including Best Documentary, and Brett himself was nominated for Best Cinematography. These projects were preceded by his lensing of ‘Make the Movie, Live the Movie’, which documented the struggle to shoot the feature film ‘The Snow Walker’, starring Barry Pepper and James Cromwell. “Make the Movie, Live the Movie” was nominated for two Leo Awards, including Best Documentary.
Always wanting to direct, Brett has chosen The Union: the business behind getting high as his directorial debut. As a founding partner of BKS Crew Productions Inc., Brett is in development on several new projects.
This film will have its official United States Premiere at RIIFF this August!
Doug Lantz, raised in Centerville, Ohio, and currently based in Los Angeles, explores topics dear to his heart in his first feature documentary film, ‘From The 50 Yard Line.’ The instrumental music education documentary is a fitting culmination of his hometown pride, his passion for instrumental music, and his journalistic experience. After graduating from Centerville High School and learning life skills in its excellent band program, Doug majored in business at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Subsequently, he served in the U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C. and, during that time, took additional courses at the University of Maryland.
After military service, Doug moved to Los Angeles and worked in Operations at Miramax Films, where he expanded his love and knowledge of film. At this time, he also began freelance work in broadcast journalism. Doug worked his way from production assistant to sound engineer to cameraman to producer during his 13 years in television, and thus experienced every aspect of production. As a freelance journalist, he has worked with many prestigious journalists including Diane Sawyer, Peter Jennings, Barbara Walters, and Charlie Gibson, as well as countless celebrities. Doug has covered the Academy Awards, the O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson trials, Hurricane recovery in New Orleans, the Reagan and Ford funerals, and other important events. His credits have included the following networks and shows: A&E Biography, Discovery, ABC, Good Morning America, Nightline, 20/20, Prime Time, and World News Tonight.
Doug’s extensive journalistic background provides invaluable tools for a well-founded transition into documentary filmmaking. He recognizes the importance of beautiful and naturally occurring imagery, timeless sound, and truth in reality in his films. To learn more and see snapshots from some of his coverage, please see www.imagestation.com/members/MovieDoug.
This film will have its official World Premiere at RIIFF this August!
BORDER
Directed by Chris Burgard, UNITED STATES
WORLD PREMIERE
Filmmaker and family man Chris Burgard has his concerns about the porous nature of the borders of the United States. Living in canyon country just outside of Los Angeles, California, he witnesses first-hand the effect of the influx of people entering the country through illegal methods – and how it may influence his son and daughter as they grow up. He is also frightened by the possibility of people who may not simply want to make money to support their families or better their lives, but to intentionally cause harm to his neighbors, friends, and family.
Chris Burgard was born in Wisconsin in 1962. The son of a cop and a cowgirl he was riding horses before he could walk. At age 5 he was winning local shows and by age 12 he had qualified for the finals at Madison Square Gardens.
After college Chris turned down a job with The Royal Lippazaner Stallions in order to join The Duluth Ballet Company. After dancing with The Ruth Page Chicago Ballet, Savannah Ballet and Long Beach Ballet, Chris hung up his tights for Hollywood.
After starring in such films as Twice Dead and 84 Charlie Mopic, Chris went to the world of television with the recurring role of Stony Zammit on Tour of Duty and then spent a year on Growing Pains as the comedic Dwight Haliburton.
Around this time Chris decided he needed a break so he took some time off to rodeo. He rode bulls all over the Southwest and opened a horse training facility in Temecula, CA, which he later moved to The Los Angeles Equestrian Center. After three and a half years of team penning and training cow ponies at the center Chris decided to concentrate on horse work for film. He appeared horseback in such films as Purgatory, Anna and the King, The Scorpion King, Hidalgo, Pirates Of The Caribbean and The Last Samurai.
Chris went on to write, star in, produce and direct such television pilots as Polka People and All About Horses with thoroughbred racing legend Julie Krone. He starred in, wrote and directed the cult classic The Ruining which premiered at Cannes in May of 2004.
Chris was discouraged that the federal government was not stepping up to enforce the border. Then, a group of similarly concerned citizens banded together to assist the undermanned Border Patrol by keeping vigil on the border and reporting any suspicious or illegal activity. This group labeled themselves as The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. Others, including President Bush, labeled them as vigilantes.
With only the media to depend on for information – questionable at best, bipolar at worst – Chris made the decision to find out the facts for himself. Armed with portable cameras and a mobile home, Chris and his dog ventured east along the border, documenting the journey so that others could benefit from his research.
Along the journey, Chris talks with The Minuteman members themselves and bears witness to their activities in an attempt to deny or confirm the the “vigilante” rumors. He sits with the politicians and the activists. But, most importantly, he talks with those whose views are most significant – the people, the Everyman: Citizens of the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere.
This film will have its official World Premiere at RIIFF this August!
See trailers from other films playing at RIIFF 2007 • Click Here
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BORDER