UNDER 18 FILM GUIDE

"Think that film festivals are just for film industry insiders and celebrities? Wrong! Film festivals are a celebration of art and accomplishment for everyone to enjoy! Anyone who enjoys going to the movies is welcome at a film fesival, and AFI FEST is no exception.

The hardest part of a film festival is deciding what movies to see. There are so many choices. How do you choose? What movies are right for you? The Under 18 Guide to AFI FEST 2007 was designed to help movie fans under 18 figure out what to see. Educators from the Skirball Cultural Center and film experts have watched all the movies you see in this guide, and think they are pretty great! You'll see descriptions of the films, what is good about them, what you should be aware of, and a few fun facts to make watching the movie even more fun. You'll also see dates and times, so you won't miss out!"

Download Under 18 Film Guide (PDF)

THE BAND'S VISIT
(BIKUR KATIZMORET)

Sat, Nov 3, 7:15 p.m. ArcLight 14
Mon, Nov 4, 12:30 p.m. ArcLight 14

2007 Israel 90 MIN 35 MM
DIR/SCR: Eran Kolirin PROD: Eilon Ratzkovsky, Ehud Bleiberg, Yossi Uzrad, Koby Gal-Raday, Guy Jacoel CO-PROD: Sophie Dulac, Michel Zana

An inspiring story of cross-cultural understanding and reconciliation set in the most unlikely of locales. In director Eran Kolirin's debut feature, a small, uniformed Egyptian police band is lost in rural Israel on their way to the concert. They unexpectedly encounter not only tensions and friendships with the townspeople who take them in for the night, but valuable lessons as well.

BIG PLUSES

• Provides wonderful, funny examples of how people with seemingly insurmountable differences can make human connections.
• Great physical comedy and music.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• The first modern bands were developed early in the 19th century in Prussia, when all military and government bands were issued
• the new technology of rotary valve instruments.
• In the 1970s, plastic wheels made indoor roller-skating much easier and more accessible, and roller disco became very popular.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF...

• Some sexually suggestive language.
• Some background on Egypt/Israeli tension is helpful to understanding the film, but not necessary.

US Premiere
CHOP SHOP

Sun, Nov 4, 6:30 p.m.ArcLight 11
Tue, Nov 6, 12:30 p.m.ArcLight 11

2007 USA 84 MIN 35 MM
DIR: Ramin Bahrani SCR: Ramin Bahrani,Bahareh Azimi PROD: Jeb Brody, Marc Turtletaub, Lisa Muskat

Small in stature but huge in ambition, 12-year-old Dominican orphan Alejandro works every angle in his struggle to support himself and his flighty older sister. Director Ramin Bahrani's camera finds the beauty in the harsh world of the "Iron Triangle," a cluster of auto body shops in the shadows of Shea Stadium that his hero calls home. Young actor Alejandro Polanco shines in the lead role, mixing true charisma with a hard-edged moxie that seems transported from an earlier time.

BIG PLUSES

• Strong sibling relationship between a younger brother and his older sister.
• Insightful portrayal of two young orphans forced to handle hardship in the inner city of New York.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• Many orphans and homeless children not accounted for in major US cities are forced to fend for themselves and take on adult responsibilities at a young age.
• The setting of the movie, a mass of auto shops jammed together on the edge of Queens just beyond the right field parking lot at Shea Stadium, was referred to in F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, The Great Gatsby as the "Valley of Ashes."

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF...

• Strong language throughout the film.
• Children in adult situations (some strong references to prostitution and criminal activities).

JUNO

Mon, Nov 5, 7:30 p.m. Cinerama Dome

2007 USA 92 MIN
DIR: Jason Reitman SCR: Diablo Cody PROD: Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith, Mason Novick

Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page), the 16-year-old heroine of Jason Reitman's new film, is the sort of kid most adults would deem too smart for her own good. For all her brashness and bravado, however, Juno must grapple with questions not easily solved at any age. Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this film makes the most of a truly gifted cast, which includes Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney and Rainn Wilson.

BIG PLUSES

• Potentially difficult subject matter handled thoughtfully from multiple perspectives, with unexpected moments of humor.
• A wonderful cast, great music, and a quirky story, in the tradition of ELECTION.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• The teenage birth rate in United States is the highest in the developed world. However, the teenage pregnancy rate has been
• decreasing, particularly since the early 1990s.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF...

• Some suggestive situations and language, and issues of teen sexuality.

World Premiere
MANUELA Y MANUEL

Mon, Nov 5, 7:30 p.m. ArcLight 14
Wed, Nov 7, 4:45 p.m. ArcLight 14

2007 Puerto Rico 94 MIN VIDEO
DIR: Raul Marchand SCR: Jose Ignacio Valenzuela PROD: Frances Lausell Diaz

When drag queen Manuela's best female friend needs him to pose as her fiancé the deception quickly turns into more than either can handle. Marchand's triumphantly irreverent gem from Puerto Rico is the rare farce that is as moving as it is hilarious.

BIG PLUSES

• Strong message about being true to who you are.
• Fun and fabulous production design and musical performances.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• The population of Puerto Rico is 95% Catholic, and homosexuality was illegal until 2003.
• Puerto Rico's best known drag queen, Dreuxilla Divine, is the host of a daily television variety show titled: SACANDO CHISPA (EXTRACTING SPARKLES).

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF...

• Some strong language and depictions of bigotry.
• Threat of gun violence played broadly for laughs.

OPERATION FILMMAKER

Fri, Nov 2, 7:30 p.m. ArcLight 12
Sat, Nov 3, 12:30 p.m. ArcLight 12

2007 USA 92 MIN VIDEO
DIR: Nina Davenport PROD: David Schisgall, Nina Davenport

After seeing a short film on MTV, Hollywood actor and star Liev Schreiber invites a young Iraqi to assist on the set of his new film in Prague. The young Iraqi wants nothing more than to be a filmmaker, and jumps at the chance, which is when the trouble begins. When you try and help someone, how long will you carry them before demanding that they stand on their own? And what moral obligations come along with plucking someone out of a war zone? Filmmaker Nina Davenport provides a unique portrait of how good intentions become twisted and fractured in the real world.

BIG PLUSES

• Behind-the-scenes look at the making of a movie, and the many people responsible for making it all come together.
• Fresh, eye-opening, footage of the youth perspective from inside Baghdad at the beginning of the war in Iraq.
• Great in-depth look at cross cultural relationships and the misunderstandings that can occur when there are differing definitions of respect, work ethic and personal expectations.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• According to the UN Refugee Agency, after four years of conflict, there are over two million Iraqis living outside of their country.
• A year after this film was made, in 2004, the Independent Film and Television College was established in Baghdad offering free-of-charge intensive courses. It has since been relocated to Damascus due to violence in Baghdad.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF...

• Excessive use of the "F" word by the main character.
• Adult recreational drinking.

PLEASE VOTE FOR ME

Thu, Nov 8, 9:45 p.m. ArcLight 12
Sat, Nov 10, 4:30 p.m. ArcLight 12

2007 China 58 MIN VIDEO
DIR: Weijun Chen PROD: Don Edkin

How do you build democracy in the world's largest communist community? Start small ... very small. This charming film follows the intense politicking to become class monitor of a third-grade class in Wahun Province.

BIG PLUSES

• Enormous drama played out on a tiny stage.
• Completely adorable and engaging characters.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• There are more than 150 million students enrolled in primary school in China.
• In Chinese schools, from primary to university, every class has a student class monitor whose job it is to keep his or her fellow students on track.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF...

• An understanding of recent moves toward democracy in China would enrich the experience of watching this film.

PERSEPOLIS

Sat, Nov 10, 7:00 p.m. ArcLight 10
Please note this screening is $25 and preceding the screening there is a tribute to Catherine Deneuve.

2007 France 95 MIN 35 MM DIR: Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Parranoud SCR: Marjane Satrapi, based on her graphic novels PROD: Marc-Antoine Robert, Xavier Rigault, Kathleen Kennedy

Poignant coming-of-age story about a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic revolution. This beautifully animated film is based on Marjane Satrapi's award-winning graphic novels of the same name. Featuring the voice of Catherine Deneuve.

BIG PLUSES

• A strong message of being true to yourself, your culture and your family.
• The cartoon format shares a difficult story in a way people can enjoy and learn from.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• Persepolis is an ancient capital in present-day Iran, dating back to 518 BC, and is currently a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• There are at least 700,000 people of Iranian heritage in the United States.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF...

• Some violent scenes of soldiers and war, tense moments with police, and the loss of family members during the Islamic revolution.
• The main character experiences bigotry in boarding school before becoming accepted by her classmates.

SIGUR ROS - HEIMA (FORELDRAR)

Fri, Nov 2, 10:30 p.m. ArcLight 10
Sun, Nov 4, 1:30 p.m. ArcLight 10

2007 Iceland 90 MIN VIDEO
DIR: Dean de Blois PROD: John Best, Dean O'Connor EXEC PROD: Paul Baines, Jon Thor Birgisson, Stefan Demetriou, Orri P. Dyrason, Terry Felgate, Georg Holm, Kári Sturluson, Kjartan Sveinsson

The Icelandic musical group Sigur Ros breaks a two-year silence to release this, their first-ever concert film, with a companion album to come later this autumn. Filmed over two weeks last summer while the band undertook a free tour of Iceland, HEIMA stands as a colossal labor of love -- if not to say grand folly -- typical of this most exciting of bands.

BIG PLUSES

• A unique glimpse of multiple generations enjoying the experience of live music together.
• Everything from rocks to rhubarb inspired the instruments used by musicians in the film.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• One in ten Icelanders will publish a book of prose or poetry within their lifetime.
• The Icelanders still speak a version of an old Viking language basically comprised of Norwegian, Danish and Swedish.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF...

• The peaceful pace requires some patience, and is in contrast to an energetic, raucous finale.
• Thickly accented English spoken throughout is sometimes a bit difficult to understand.