Rhode Island International Film Festival Underway
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Lifestyle Contributor
Rhode Island International Film Festival Underway
A Leading Festival
In its 18th year, RIIFF’s stature has grown considerably on the national scene. In fact, the RI event is an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences qualifying festival for the “Shorts” and “Documentary Shorts” categories. Last year’s festival produced three Oscar nominations.
In addition to the regular festival, a number of satellite events are happening. The Providence LGBTQ Festival has a number of films scheduled and a unique partnership of French language films is co-presented with the Quebec Film Festival. This year, there’s an expanded Kids-eye festival, featuring great programs for aspiring filmmakers.
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There are a number of films playing with local connections including The Newport Effect, a look at the Newport Folk Festival, with musical artists like Mavis Staples, Lucinda Williams and Tom Morello. There’s also Anna, a touching film by Providence producer Eric Latek, about his godmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
This Time Next Year is a documentary that should resonate with Rhode Islanders. The film tells the story of the effects of Hurricane Sandy on one community that was badly hit, Long Beach Island, New Jersey. The film’s Director is Brown graduate Jeff Reichert and it lists native Rhode Islander Kate Patterson as Associate Producer.
Patterson, a Coventry native and NYU graduate, noted “It’s great to share the film with another community that has such a strong connection to the ocean and has seen their fair share of hurricanes and rebuilding. RIIFF feels particularly special for me since RI is home.”
Documentary Style
“When Hurricane Sandy hit, we immediately thought of LBI, how vulnerable that strip of land in the middle of the ocean is, how residents would contend with rebuilding, and what it feels like to be so economically and emotionally dependent on the ocean while also being at the whim of its power,” explained Reichert.
Long Beach Island is a classic slice of Americana, where summer vacationers can be treated to a chorus of servers announcing the flavors at the local ice cream shop. The film highlights the struggles faced by the year-round residents as they attempt to prepare for summer tourist season, “make it break time” for the island. It’s told completely in eyewitness fashion, with no narration.
An Inspiring Story
The film is a testimony to the residents of the community. Reichert noted “we decided early on that we didn’t just want to document recovery and the effects of the storm, but also capture the spirit of the island and its community. Hearing from the locals that they felt we had done that was an amazing honor.”
In the movie, the stars are truly the average townspeople; intentionally or unintentionally the film avoids sound bites from politicians or government officials. And although acknowledged as important for recovery, FEMA becomes the enemy the residents learn to despise.
So while waiting for government grants, the community comes together – led by gangs of construction workers, some professionals, most not, who began showing up at neighbors’ homes to work. This Time Next Year is an honest film, inspiring to see, full of everyday heroes.
Screening
This Time Next Year will be shown Saturday August 9, at 2:45 in URI’s Paff Theatre at 80 Washington St. in Providence. Click here for tickets and more information. And check out the RIIFF festival genius for information on all the films in town for the festival.
25 Movies Filmed in Rhode Island
Moonrise Kingdom
2012
Director: Wes Anderson
Cast: Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray Frances McDormand
This Oscar nominated film features many local landmarks including Fort Wetherill State Park, Bayfield Farm, and the Conanicut Lighthouse.
Mr. North
1988
Director: Danny Huston
Cast: Anthony Edwards, Robert Mitchum, Lauren Bacall
Shot in Newport, this comedy-drama features Anthony Edwards as a con man attempting to break into the 1920s Newport social scene.
There's Something About Mary
1998
Directors: Peter and Bobby Farrelly
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller
Filmed partly in Providence, this movie was the highest-grossing comedy in 1998.
Federal Hill
1994
Director: Michael Corrente
Cast: Nicholas Turturro, Anthony DeSando, Libby Langdon
Set in Providence's Federal Hill neighborhood, the movie marks the directorial debut of Pawtucket native Michael Corrente.
Age of Innocence
1993
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder
This Oscar winning drama was partly filmed in Portsmouth.
True Lies
1994
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold
The ballroom scenes in the movie were filmed at the Rosecliff Mansion in Newport.
High Society
1956
Director: Charles Walters
Cast: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra
Nominated for two Academy Awards, the movie's opening shot features a flyover of Newport’s oceanfront mansions.
Thirteen Days
2000
Director: Roger Donaldson
Cast: Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood, Steven Culp
This docudrama about the Cuban Missile Crisis was partly shot in Newport.
Little Children
2006
Director: Todd Field
Cast: Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connelly, Jackie Earle Haley
Shot partly in Providence, this critically acclaimed drama received three Academy Award nominations, including a Best Lead Actress nod for Kate Winslet.
RIPD
2013
Director: Peter M. Lenkov
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon
A car chase for this action-comedy was filmed in downtown Providence.
Amistad
1997
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Dijimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey
Shot at the Rosecliff Mansion in Newport and the State House in Providence, this drama received four Academy Award nominations in 1998.
Outside Providence
1999
Director: Michael Corrente
Cast: Shawn Hatosy, Amy Smart, Alec Baldwin
Filmed in multiple locations throughout Rhode Island, this movie is an adaptation of Peter Farrelly's 1988 novel of the same name.
Me, Myself & Irene
2000
Directors: Peter and Bobby Farrelly
Cast: Jim Carrey, Renée Zellweger. Chris Cooper, Robert Forster, Richard Jenkins
Filmed in Newport, Narragansett, Jamestown, and Galilee, this comedy centers on a Rhode Island State Trooper played by Jim Carrey.
Evening
2007
Director: Lajos Koltai
Cast: Vanessa Redgrave, Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Meryl Streep
The film was primarily set in Newport and included large portions shot at Gooseberry Beach.
The Great Gatsby
1974
Director: Jack Clayton
Cast: Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Sam Waterston, Bruce Dern
This Academy Award-winning drama was filmed in Newport at the Rosecliff Mansion on Bellevue Ave.
Self Storage
2013
Director: Tom DeNucci
Cast: Eric Roberts, Jonathan Silverman, Michael Berryman, Tom DeNucci
Filmed in a self storage facility in East Greenwich, this horror-comedy marks the directorial debut of Cranston native Tom DeNucci.
27 Dresses
2008
Director: Anne Fletcher
Cast: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Åkerman, Ed Burns
Shot throughout Rhode Island, locations included the Rosecliff and Marble House mansions in Newport and a beach in Charlestown.
Dan in Real Life
2007
Director: Anne Fletcher
Cast: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Alison Pill
Filmed primarily in Jamestown, the movie also features the Point Judith Lighthouse in Narragansett.
Hachi: A Dog's Tale
2009
Director: Lasse Hallström
Cast: Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Jason Alexander
Filmed primarily in Bristol and Woonsocket, other locations included the Columbus Theater in Providence and the University of Rhode Island in Kingston.
The Education of Charlie Banks
2007
Director: Fred Durst
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Ritter, Eva Amurri
Shot partially in Brown University in Providence, the movie marks the directorial debut of Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst.
Meet Joe Black
1998
Director: Martin Brest
Cast: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani
Warwick's Aldrich Mansion served as the residence of Anthony Hopkins' character in the film.
Reversal of Fortune
1990
Director: Barbet Schroeder
Cast: Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Ron Silver
Jeremy Irons took home the Oscar for Best Actor for this drama, which was partly shot in Newport.
Underdog
2007
Director: Frederik Du Chau
Cast: Jason Lee, Peter Dinklage, Patrick Warburton, Amy Adams
Shot entirely in Rhode Island, filming locations included Hope High School on the East Side of Providence.
Tanner Hall
2009
Directors: Francesca Gregorini, Tatiana von Furstenberg
Cast: Rooney Mara, Georgia King, Brie Larson
Shot in Providence and Newport, the film marks the the directorial debut of Brown University graduates Francesca Gregorini and Tatiana von Furstenberg.
Dumb and Dumber
1994
Directors: Peter and Bobby Farrelly
Cast: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly
Scenes from the beginning of this comedy were filmed on location in Providence, including a shot of the Big Blue Bug.
