Events and Screenings

With more than 350 films and dozens of parties, the 2008 Newport Beach Film Festival promises to be action-packed. Here’s a quick round-up of special events and screenings.

Festivities
Opening Night, Thursday, April 24
Gala at Fashion Island with a fashion show by Bloomingdale's, food from more than 17 Newport Beach restaurants and spirits provided by Absolut Vodka.

Also, a nighttime gala at Land Rover Newport Beach. Tickets are $40 and include a movie screening.

Closing Night, Thursday, May 1
Captain Abu Raed at Lido Theater. A universal story of friendship, inspiration and heroism set in contemporary Jordan. Abu Raed is a lonely janitor at Amman's International Airport. Never having realized his dreams of seeing the world, he experiences it vicariously through books and brief encounters with travelers.

Closing Night after-party at Lido Courtyard, with food from more than 12 restaurants and spirits by Absolut Vodka.

World and U.S. Premieres
Camille
Cast: James Franco, Sienna Miller, Scot Glenn, Ed Lauter, David Carradine
Dreamy, effervescent Camille is happy to marry Silas, a sullen, tattooed ne’er-do-well and convicted burglar on the run. But after a car accident, they are abetted by aging, lonely Cowboy Bob who travels from sideshow to sideshow with four painted, performing horses he calls his “Carousel.”

Em 4 Jay
Cast: Laura Gordon, Nick Barkla, Chloe Armstrong, Jeremy Taylor
Emma and Jay are two young lovers who turn to pulling armed robberies like Bonnie and Clyde to feed their drug habit. But it’s not long before things spiral out of control as they head toward that final score.

Lie to Me
Cast: Brandon Routh, Steve Sandvoss, Courtney Ford, Shoshana Bush, Nick Wechsler
By all appearances, Samantha and Mason are the picture perfect couple, but at her sister’s spring wedding, Samantha finds herself irresistibly drawn back into the arms of her ex-boyfriend. Meanwhile, Mason spends a flirtatious evening culminating in a steamy hot tub encounter with his best friend’s 18-year-old sister. When the truth comes out, expect the unexpected.

West Coast and SoCal Premieres
Take
Cast: Minnie Driver, Jeremy Renner, Bobby Coleman, Adam Rodriguez, David Denman
In the present, Ana drives through the desert to witness the execution of the man who has dominated her life for the past seven years, a man she has never spoken to. Saul (Jeremy Renner), with his priest, waits out the final hours of his life. Each must grapple with what their lives have become since the day their paths crossed so many years ago.

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to Coast Magazine »