Strange Events Disrupt and Transform the Relationship of an Overprotective Father and His Socially Isolated Daughter

‘Curling’ (Canada 2010), a father-daughter drama directed by Denis Côté opens November 18 at the San Francisco Film Society’s new theatrical home, San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema (1746 Post Street).

“We’re lucky to live quietly in our house … outside it’s no good,” says Jean-François to his daughter Julyvonne in their rural Quebec house. He’s short-tempered and overprotective while she verges on simple-mindedness due to her isolation and lack of proper schooling. As community members and friends begin to ask questions about the girl, other mysterious events surround them—corpses in the snow, a missing boy and an encounter with a tiger. Combining creepy atmosphere and stark landscapes with moments of odd humor and tenderness, ‘Curling’ shows the dangers of overly hermetic lives and gently proposes a way out for its compelling protagonists. Written by Denis Côté. Photographed by Josée Deshaies. With Emmanuel Bilodeu, Philomène Bilodeu, Roc Lafortune, Sophie Desmarais. 96 min. In French with subtitles. Distributed by New Yorker Films.

Watch the trailer here >>

Read full press release here >>

Intimate Documentary on the Wide-Ranging Vision and Unmatched Political Skill of the Two-Term Governor Who Shaped the Future of Modern California

‘California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown’ (USA 2011), an intimate documentary on the life and work of Governor Edmund G. (Pat) Brown directed and produced by his granddaughters (Sascha Rice and Hilary Armstrong) plays November 17 at the San Francisco Film Society’s new theatrical home, San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema (1746 Post Street).

Rice and Armstrong are expected to introduce the 7:00 pm screening and answer questions from the audience afterwards.

The turbulent ’60’s are brought to life in this intimate documentary on the life of Governor Edmund G. (Pat) Brown. Indisputably one of its most transformational politicians, Pat Brown revolutionized California by bridging political lines to push through some of the state’s most important legislation: affordable higher education for state residents, the passage of the fair housing act and the creation of the California Aqueduct. With candid observations from Tom Hayden, Governor Jerry Brown, Senator Dianne Feinstein and many others, ‘California State of Mind’ tells the inspiring story of how one man overcame the odds and shaped the future of modern California. Photographed by Anne Etheridge.

Read full press release here >>

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment announced yesterday that the AKB48 documentary DVD will be released on December 1st, 2011, and sold exclusively online for $19.99 at NEW PEOPLE the Store: store.newpeopleworld.com. For more information, read press release below.

**Pre-Order Special Offer!
Pre-order this DVD now and receive a bonus: FREE DVD from NEW PEOPLE Entertainment’s film catalog! Offer valid now through 11/30.
ORDER NOW >>

New Music Biopic Traces The Rise To International Fame Of Japan’s Most Popular Pop Idol Group; Special DVD Online Promotion Offers A Second NEW PEOPLE Film Title With Any Pre-Order Purchase

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, has announced the release of DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued on DVD on Thursday. December 1st. The new music biopic follows the unstoppable all-female Japanese pop idol group, AKB48, on their incredible rise to fame, and will be sold exclusively online for $19.99 through the NEW PEOPLE store at: store.newpeopleworld.com.

DVD pre-orders will begin today. For a limited time, NEW PEOPLE is offering a FREE bonus DVD title from its catalog to all pre-order purchasers. Select from a list of available titles. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued will also be available to stream online at newpeoplechannel.com for $4.99 (for a 48 hour rental) beginning December 1st. The DVD will be available from Amazon by mid-December. Follow NEW PEOPLE Entertainment on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

AKB48 was conceived in 2005 by Yasushi Akimoto, one of Japan’s most respected music producers. Beginning as a small all-girl singing group based in the Akihabara district of Tokyo – the city’s bustling electronics and anime/pop culture shopping Mecca – AKB48 has grown to 60 members and topped Japan’s Oricon music charts with the two best-selling pop singles in 2010 as well as another two singles ranking in the Top 10.

“AKB48 created an entirely new format for pop groups and their fame has spread internationally,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “This insightful documentary captures AKB48 on-stage and behind the scenes and offers a candid look into the member’s lives and the phenomenal notoriety that surrounds the group. We invite J-Pop and music fans to visit the NEW PEOPLE store online to get the new DVD and to take advantage of a special offer to receive a second DVD title from the NEW PEOPLE film catalog!”
With a complicated balance of competition and friendship among its members, the group’s bond is extremely strong. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued traces AKB48’s history with scenes from concerts and rehearsals, member general elections, and fan activities both in Japan and abroad. The film also includes personal interviews with select members that reveal each of the girls’ personal struggles, joys, path to growth, and dreams.

One unique aspect of AKB48 is that the group is divided into “Teams.” When AKB48 debuted in 2005, originally there were only 24 girls. Now there are 16 girls each on Team A, Team K, and Team B, who are the core members of the group. In addition, there are trainees who are aspiring members. Members total to around 60 girls as some graduate and some new members come in. In the recent years AKB48 has begun holding elections to determine the members who will participate in the recording of upcoming singles. Fans vote for their favorites and the girl ranked Number 1 performs at the center of the group.

Film Screening and Master Class Featuring Acclaimed Uruguayan Filmmaker
The San Francisco Film Society has announced that Uruguayan director Federico Veiroj will be in San Francisco for the Film Society’s second Artist in Residence program, November 10–23. Veiroj’s schedule will include programs in each of the Film Society’s core areas—education, exhibition and filmmaker services—including visits to Bay Area high school and college classrooms, a screening of his recent feature ‘A Useful Life’ (SFIFF 2011), a master class and networking events with the local film community. The residency is funded by a grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Veiroj’s ode to cinephiles ‘A Useful Life’ (La vida útil, Uruguay 2010, 67 min.) plays Tuesday, November 15 at 7:00 pm at San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema. Forty-five-year-old Jorge has worked his entire adult life at Montevideo’s Cinemateca Uruguaya. His routine has remained the same for years: projecting films, greeting the same six or seven audience members in line for every show, chatting with colleagues over possible series and deciding what to repair next. But his days devoted to cinema might be coming to a sudden and life-changing end with the threatened closure of the economically unviable institution. A deadpan comedy of cinema and obsolescence, ‘A Useful Life’ is preceded by ‘As Follows’ (Bregman, el siguiente, Uruguay 2004, 13 min), a wry, charming story of a rich Latin American subculture and a boy set on the uncertain, ambiguous cusp of manhood. In Spanish with subtitles. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with the director moderated by Santhosh Daniel, director of programs at Global Film Initiative.

On Saturday, November 19, 11:00 am–2:00 pm, Veiroj will teach a master class titled ‘From Short to Feature’ at San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema. Veiroj will explore the evolution of his short film ‘As Follows,’ a promising calling-card film, into his first feature, ‘Acne.’ The class will include a screening of ‘As Follows’ and selected clips from ‘Acne.’ The class will be preceded at 10:30 am by a complimentary coffee and pastry reception for Veiroj and all enrolled students.

Visiting artists are selected based on their filmmaking experience, compelling body of work and desire to share their knowledge with emerging filmmakers and film students. Under the auspices of the Film Society’s education department, Veiroj is scheduled to visit several middle school, high school and college classes during his residency. In collaboration with the filmmaker services department, Veiroj will also have the opportunity to meet and network with Bay Area filmmakers.

Read full press release here >>

Sign up to receive NEW PEOPLE’s newsletter by November 17th, and on November 22nd receive information on HOW to become one of the winners to a pair of tickets to go to the L’Arc~en~Ciel event brought to you by Live Viewing Japan. (**if you already receive our newsletter, then you are set! Just get the information off the upcoming newsletter)

HOW TO SIGN UP:
Go to our home page http://www.newpeopleworld.com and on the bottom-right corner of our page is our Newsletter Sign Up Box that says “notify me for updates”. Enter your email there – then you will receive an email from us to “opt-in” to make sure you really are signing up. Once you “Click here to complete the signup process”, then you are signed up!

About the event:
The Best of L’Arc~en~Ciel 2 Days Live at Tokyo Ajinomoto Stadium is presented in partnership with Maverick DC Group and celebrates the legendary rock band’s 20th Anniversary, traces their colorful history, and captures the group in action at a 2011 concert performed for more than 100,000 people. More information about this exclusive one-night-only event is available at: http://bit.ly/larcenciel. (**Note – please select the “English” language option.)

The cities that will host the Best of L’Arc~en~Ciel event include:

Baltimore, MD
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Orange, CA
New York, NY – Two locations
San Francisco/Bay Area, CA
Seattle, WA
Tickets to the event will be available through the on-line link only.
No pre-sale tickets will be sold at theatre box offices.

“L’Arc~en~Ciel is one of the biggest rock groups to ever come out of Japan and they enjoy a major global following,” says Live Viewing Japan Executive Director Hiroki Kotani. “This is a very special opportunity to witness the energy of their live concert performance on the big screen and hear the on-stage power of this band with digital theatrical sound. We look forward to helping celebrate L’Arc~en~Ciel’s 20th anniversary and their new world tour and delighting fans with this special event!”

L’Arc~en~Ciel (meaning “Rainbow”) formed in Osaka, Japan in 1991 and became widely known for their glam-influenced stage fashions, frenetic live shows, and punk/new wave inspired music. The group has achieved legendary status at home and abroad, selling over 13 million albums, 16 million singles, and they remain a major force and influence on the Japanese music scene.

To further celebrate their two decades together, L’Arc~en~Ciel put on a “20th L’Anniversary LIVE” at Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium on May 28th and 29th, 2011 with each day dedicated to one-half of their storied career. The concert will be presented by Live Viewing Japan at the exclusive one-night-only event on November 29th.

The group recently announced the ” L’Arc~en~Ciel WORLD TOUR 2012” to celebrate their 20th anniversary and will play New York City’s Madison Square Garden on March 23rd, 2012. L’Arc-en-Ciel released its newest single, “X X X,” on October 12th and it shot to #1 on the Japanese Oricon music charts, which is the country’s equivalent to Billboard and tracks music sales.

Live Viewing Japan looks to bring The Best of L’Arc~en~Ciel 2 Days Live at Tokyo Ajinomoto Stadium to a global audience and has plans to screen the performance in several more countries including the U.K., France, Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

About Live Viewing Japan:
Live Viewing Japan is a Japanese-based media distribution company focused on bringing a variety of entertainment properties to a global theatre-going audience. More information on the company and its projects is available at: www.liveviewing.jp.