News
CIFF LAUNCHES 2011-12 DOC SOUP SERIES WITH POWERFUL FILM THAT DOCUMENTS WAR ON AND OFF THE BATTLEFIELD
The first installment of the Calgary International Film Festival’s DocSoup series will feature the acclaimed film HELL AND BACK AGAIN, which follows a young wounded marine from the battle fields of Afghanistan through his subsequent rehabilitation process. This film provides a powerful, unique, and intimate portrayal of the effects of war and the real battle soldiers must face when they come home.
Screening information 88 MINUTES | UK, USA | Director: Danfung Dennis
Date: November 1, 2011
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: The Plaza Theatre | Kensington 1133 Road NW Calgary, AB
Admission: $13 (available online at calgaryfilm.com/docsoup/boxoffice and at the door)
Subscription: $59
About HELL AND BACK AGAIN
Official website: http://www.hellandbackagain.com
Danfung Dennis was a photojournalist covering the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan when he had a revelation. УI found that I was unable to capture the brutal realities on the ground,Ф he told indieWIRE. УThe public was numb to these same images of war and the traditional media outlets were not committed to their coverage of the conflicts.
Customizing gear built for still photography, he returned to Afghanistan with the intention of conveying what he witnessed as honestly and truthfully as possible. The result is one of the great recent films about war, a visually arresting and intimately powerful story of soldiers in battle and at home, that does the impossible: it shakes our shell-shocked senses with the brutal realities of war and the profundity of human resilience, love and compassion. - Sean Farnel, Hot Docs.
Awards: Winner, World Cinema Jury Prize Documentary – Sundance Film Festival 2011
Winner, World Cinema Cinematography Award– Sundance Film Festival 2011
Winner, Best Film of the Documentary Competition — Moscow Int’l Film Festival
Winner, Harrell Award for Best Documentary- Camden International Film Festival 2011
"One of the greatest war films of this generation. It has the artistry of a painting and the impact of a sucker punch." -- AMC's Filmcritic.com
"...a vivid and moving testament to what's really going on in Afghanistan, and in the hearts and minds of the soldiers fighting there." -- Entertainment Weekly, Owen Gleiberman
About the Calgary International Film Festival
Founded in 1998, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization based in Alberta, Canada. CIFF entertains and enlightens audiences through the experience of film, showcasing the best-of-the-best in International cinema in a world-class forum. Building a legacy for the filmic art form for Calgarians and cinema-goers around the globe is a primary focus of the Festival. CIFF is held annually at the end of September, screening hundreds of films and hosting several gala events, awards and special presentations. The 12th Calgary International Film Festival runs September 23 – October 2, 2011. For more information visit www.calgaryfilm.com.
About Doc Soup Calgary
The wildly popular Doc Soup screening series returns for its fourth installment this November and cultural enthusiasts have been incredibly supportive of this off-season series since its inception in the fall of 2008. Showcasing six of the latest and most acclaimed Canadian and international documentaries every month from November to April, Doc Soup Calgary has invigorated citizens with the finest in inspiring and intelligent non-fiction cinema from across the globe. Award winning hits like WASTELAND, THUNDER SOUL, LAST TRAIN HOME, THE ENGLISH SURGEON, TROUBLE, THE WATER have thrilled audiences, while engaging filmmaker discussions ensue in the theatre post-screening. To ensure only the freshest and timely films are programmed, Doc Soup movies are generally announced just a month prior to their screenings, with each film receiving its Calgary premiere. Whenever possible, guest filmmakers are in attendance to introduce their films and participate in audience Q&A sessions.
Released on October 20, 2011
To coordinate interviews or for media screeners for editorial coverage, please contact:
Danielle Kondruk
Bus: (403) 209-4956
Email:danielle@calgaryfilm.com
