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SXSW announces opening night film, prepares to welcome Joss Whedon, Judd Apatow and Lena Dunham
New York filmmaker Lena Dunham, winner of best narrative feature at SXSW in 2011 for her touching and hilarious coming-of-age film “Tiny Furniture,” returns this year to debut the first three episodes of her upcoming HBO series, “Girls.” The series is executive produced by comedy titan and SXSW veteran Judd Apatow, who will be in attendance and participate in a panel on March 13 with Dunham and other members of the “Girls” production team to discuss the show that premieres in April.
Other films announced today include director Kevin MacDonald’s (“The Last King of Scotland”) Bob Marley documentary “Marley” and “Small Apartments,” a black comedy from music video director Jonas Åkerlund.
“Announcing the first films of our program is always energizing, but we’re especially thrilled to have such a smart, unpredictable and highly entertaining headliner like ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ as our opening night film,” SXSW Film Conference and Festival producer Janet Pierson said. “We’re also happy to offer a peek at a handful of wonderful films that demonstrate the breadth and range of terrific work we plan to show at SXSW Film 2012.”
The complete festival lineup will be announced in early February 2012. The 19th annual South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival runs March 9 - 17, 2012 in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit sxsw.com/film.
Titles announced today that will be playing SXSW (with descriptions from the festival):
“Beauty is Embarrassing” (World Premiere)
Director: Neil Berkeley
A funny, irreverent and insightful look into the life and times of one of America’s most important artists, Wayne White.
“The Cabin in the Woods” (World Premiere)
Director: Drew Goddard, Writers: Joss Whedon & Drew Goddard
Five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods. Bad things happen. If you think you know this story, think again. From fan favorites Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard comes The Cabin in the Woods, a mind-blowing horror film that turns the genre inside out. Cast: Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Anna Hutchison, Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford
“Citadel” (World Premiere)
Director & Writer: Ciarán Foy
An agoraphobic father teams up with a renegade priest to save his daughter from the clutches of a gang of twisted feral children. Cast: Anuerin Barnard, James Cosmo, and Wumni Mosaku, Jake Wilson, Amy Shiels
“Girls” (World Premiere)
Director & Writer: Lena Dunham
Created by and starring Lena Dunham (Tiny Furniture), the HBO show is a comic look at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of girls in their early 20s. Cast: Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, Adam Driver
“Marley” (North American Premiere)
Director: Kevin Macdonald
The definitive documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley.
“The Oyster Princess” (1919) with original live score by Bee vs. Moth (World Premiere)
Director: Ernst Lubitsch, Writers: Hanns Kraly & Ernst Lubitsch
The Oyster Princess is Ernst Lubitsch’s tart 1919 silent comedy that parodies the rich and the spoiled. Austin jazz/rock band Bee vs. Moth performs their original score live with the film for the first time.
“Small Apartments” (World Premiere)
Director: Jonas &3197;kerlund, Writer: Chris Millis
When Franklin Franklin accidentally kills his landlord, he must hide the body; but, the wisdom of his beloved brother and the quirks of his neighbors, force him on a journey where a fortune awaits him. Cast: Matt Lucas, Billy Crystal, James Caan, Johnny Knoxville, Juno Temple, James Marsden, Dolph Lundgren, Saffron Burrows, Rosie Perez, DJ Qualls
Photo: Scene from “Girls.” (Jojo Whilden HBO)
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