Isabella Rossellini Live At Guy Maddin Film Epic

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Tuesday, May 15------One of the more provocative, outrageous and downright brilliant film events of the New York film season ends its seven day run tonight, with actress Isabella Rossellini live and in person, capping off a series of live narrators during the silent film epic's week-long run at New York's Village East Cinemas.

[img_assist|nid=4446|title=|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=140|height=140]Canadian director Guy Maddin, who draws upon the aesthetics and melodramatic richness of early silent cinema for his expressionistic works, is presenting his latest film, BRAND UPON THE BRAIN! in a series of one-week-only screenings in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. In a series of exclusive live engagements, the epic film is being presented with an 11-piece orchestra, a 5-piece Foley team, a Castrato and celebrity narrators, including Crispin Glover, Isabella Rossellini, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, John Ashberry, and others. Rossellini, who has worked with the director before, most notably in THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD, will be the final Narrator tomorrow evening. Filmmaker Guy Maddin will appear in person to present the film.

[img_assist|nid=4445|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=300|height=226]Following the live tour, BRAND! will open as a regular film, with a pre-recorded soundtrack narrated by Isabella Rossellini. The film, which has autobiographical resonances of the director's troubled youth, tells the off-kilter story of a young boy and his sister, who must cope with their deranged Mother, hell-bent on restoring her youth, and sinister Scientist-Father, who is engaged in a diabolical, secret experiment. Disturbing, hilarous and downright strange, BRAND! has been earning unqualified raves during 9 months on the festival circuit, including the 2006 Toronto Film Festival, 2006 New York Film Festival and the 2007 Berlinale. Surreal, satiric and surprisingly touching, Maddin's film is equal parts childhood reminiscence, Expressionist horror movie, and Grand Guignol reverie. For more information on the film and upcoming screening dates, visit the website: www.branduponthebrain.com

Sandy Mandelberger, Film New York Editor