DJ Spooky

An army of American producers, directors, screenwriters and actors will come together in Wroclaw next week for the inaugural edition of the AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL, the first event in the region completely devoted to classic and contemporary American cinema.

One of the most highly anticipated guests is DJ Spooky (aka Paul Miller), who will be in Wroclaw to present a live concert version of his multi-media extravaganza REBIRTH OF A NATION, a riff on the D.W. Griffith silent classic as the Festival's Opening Night Attraction. The iconoclastic The visual and music artist will be in attendance for In this reconstruction and deconstruction, as he riffs on the early film (notorious for its racist depiction of blacks) to offer a contemporary take on race relations in America. He  will be adding his own stylistic layerings and audio imaginings to the film music on the soundtrack recorded by the world renowned Kronos Quartet and audio tracks from his own collection.  

 Seymour Cassel

The Festival’s other special guest is iconic actor Seymour Cassel, who will make a rare appearance as part of the Retrospective Of John Cassavetes, the first presented in Eastern Europe. The actor starred in several of the director’s masterpieces and was a lifelong friend to him and his actress wife Gena Rowlands.  

Directors in attendance include Neil Truglio (WE ARE THE SEA), Michael Mohan (ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS), Alex Mar (AMERICAN MYSTIC), Paul Gordon (THE HAPPY POET), Olivier Lécot (A NY THING), Chuck Workman (VISIONARIES), Tyler Measom and Jennilyn Merten (SONS OF PERDITION), Tim Rutili (ALL MY FRIENDS ARE FUNERAL SINGERS), Alistair Banks Griffin (TWO GATES OF SLEEP), THE TWO ESCOBARS (Michael Zimbalist), SPARK OF BEING (Bill Morrison), and Vincent D’Onofrio (DON’T GO IN THE WOODS). Other featured film artists include screenwriter Samuel Gray Anderson (LUCKLY LIFE), screenwriter/producer Catherine Di Napoli (UNTITLED), and actress/producer Chantelle Frazier (WE ARE THE SEA).

The AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL will be held from October 20 to 24 in the cultural heritage city of Wroclaw, Poland. The Festival, is organized by the New Horizons Association, which also presents the ERA NEW HORIZONS International Film Festival (www.enh.pl) in July, named by the Polish Film Institute as the most important film event in the country. For more information, visit: www.americanfilmfestival.pl

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor