October Films
Liv Tyler and Charles Dutton star in "Cookie's Fortune."

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Travel from
Philippines to
deep South

Hawaii International Film
Festival hosts Spring Fling

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

The Hawaii International Film Festival's second annual Spring Film Fling will run Friday through Sunday at the Hawaii Theatre.

The mini festival provides the opportunity to see films that are either difficult to see, or are being shown before their scheduled theatrical release dates. HIFF wants to promote as much additional film-festival activity throughout the year as it can, said festival director Christian Gaines.

"Our aim is to maintain an awareness of the cultural, social and economic impact of film festival in the community all year long," he said.

HIFF also sponsored an Oscar Night America party in March, and will host sneak preview screenings in June, August and October, the HIFF Launch Party in October and its main two-week fest in November.

HIFF's Spring Film Fling includes some films brought back by popular demand, as well as new films and re-releases.

The schedule:

FRIDAY

"God Said "Ha!" (USA): "Saturday Night Live" veteran Julia Sweeney delivers an emotionally wrenching and optimistically humorous one-woman show dealing with life's hardships, 5 p.m.

"Children of Heaven" (Iran): This Academy Award-nominated film was a family hit during the last year's HIFF Spring Film Fest. It is a tale of two children who decide to solve a problem without the help of their parents, 8 p.m.

APRIL 3

"Restless" (USA/China): Another hit from last year's film festival, this is a bittersweet romance about displaced twentysomethings living in Beijing, noon.

"Jose Rizal" (Philippines): The most anticipated film in the history of the Philippines and the most successful Filipino film ever, about the versatile genius, Philippine nationalist and martyr Rizal. Actor Cesar Montano will attend the screening, 4 p.m.

"Cookie's Fortune" (USA): This is the Sundance Film Festival's opening-night film. The ingredients of an archetypal southern town (the blues, catfish and Scrabble), a well-chosen cast and Robert Altman's creative skills make for an engaging film. Limited seating, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY

"A Hard Day's Night (United Kingdom): The Beatles star in this classic film. This re-release marks the 35th anniversary of the film's launch with new footage, a fully restored negative and digitally restored soundtrack, 1:30 p.m.

"Among Giants (United Kingdom): The broad, breathtaking sweep of Britain's Yorkshire Moors is the setting for this moving and whimsical romance set 100 feet in the air as a group of high-wire electrical tower painters cope with a fearless woman in their midst, 4:30 p.m.

"Metroland" (United Kingdom/France): An exploration of how the dreams of youth evolve into the realities and comfort of adulthood, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the Spring Film Fling are available at the Hawaii Theatre Box Office, 528-0506. Tickets are $6 general admission, $5 for Hawaii Film Fans members with membership card.

For information or to join Hawaii Film Fans, call 528-FILM or visit the website, www.hiff.org.

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