ON THE ROAD

Maleknasr takes a journey across the vast landscape of Afghanistan and encounters women, men and children who have maintained their faith and national pride in spite of the Taliban's repression.

PRECEDED BY...WHEN THE STORM CAME
SHILPI GUPTA, USA, 2003, 24 MINUTES

A decade after a village in Kashmir suffered a mass rape by Indian security forces the women still struggle for justice.

Wednesday 6/16 at 2:45 p.m.

ALONE ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Jon Muir, Ian Darling
AUSTRALIA, 2003, 52 MINUTES

In 2001, accomplished adventurer Jon Muir and his dog, Seraphine, set out on a 2,500 km odyssey to cross Australia on foot and live completely off the land. His film is a testament to one man's survival instinct, inner strength and indefatigable sense of humor.

PRECEDED BY...JUMPERS
MARK RINEHART, USA, 2004, 25 MINUTES

Body-mounted cameras fall with the subjects as they jump from buildings, bridges and cliffs.

Saturday 6/19 at 9:30 p.m.

THE CRUISE
Bennett Miller
USA, 1998, 76 MINUTES

New York City's outspoken and unconventional doubledecker tour bus guide, Timothy "Speed" Levitch offers his unique philosophical musings through his work as an actor, author and filmmaker. After the film, special guest "Speed" will give his own tour of downtown Silver Spring. Open to the public; tickets are $10 and available by phoning the AFI Silver at (301) 495-6776. Space is limited.

Sunday 6/20 at 1:00 p.m.

JAMES BENNING - CIRCLING THE IMAGE
Reinhard Wulf
GERMANY, 2003, 84 MINUTES

"The scene is a Los Angeles highway overpass at dawn. The camera stares patiently at the cars as they pass below. As the shot continues for several minutes without cutting away, the effect is compelling and hypnotic.

ÒI thought that filmmaking grew up too quickly...The study of language replaced the study of the image too soon,Ó begins James BenningÕs narration about his effort is to return to filmÕs essence: the image. He seeks to develop and explore what is possible through these very basic elements.

In the process of shooting BenningÕs latest film, 13 LAKES, filmmaker Reinhard Wulf follows Benning as he goes about his process of Òlooking and listeningÓ to find the perfect, subtle image for each of these unique bodies of water. Mirroring the extended takes that comprise BenningÕs work, Wulf skillfully creates an impression of BenningÕs oeuvre with only a few precise scenes.

Ultimately, the film is a fascinating portrait of a man speaking not just about filmmaking, but about his attitudes to life, the open road, cities, industrial wastelands, and wide open spaces. He enjoys working alone, but worries how it may affect his attitudes and relations with others. Challenging and idiosyncratic, BenningÕs films and philosophies are a breath of fresh air for mainstream moviegoers and cinephiles alike."

Friday 6/18 at 9:45 p.m.

JOURNEYS WITH GEORGE
Alexandra Pelosi
USA, 2002, 76 MINUTES

Revisit Alexandra Pelosi's now-famous journey with George W. Bush as he campaigns for the 2000 Republican Presidential nomination. Witness the transformation of a self-proclaimed "regular guy" into a seasoned politician.

Sunday 6/20 at 5:45 p.m.

THE KISS THAT WOULD LAST A BILLION YEARS
Leon Giesen, Marcel Prins
THE NETHERLANDS, 2003, 55 MINUTES

In 1977, NASA launched the Voyager Spacecraft to take a complete description of mankind to other worlds. Meet the freethinking scientists whose sweeping mission was to choose the music, photos, and sound-bites that would portray all of humankind.

PRECEDED BY...FUTURE FRONTIERS: MARS
BARRY KIMM, USA, 2004, 22 MINUTES

Learn about the daily dramas, mind-boggling physics and high price tag behind NASA's Mars Rover Mission.

Saturday 6/19 at 12:00 p.m.

LAST MAN STANDING: POLITICS TEXAS STYLE
Paul Stekler
USA, 2004, 87 MINUTES

Seminal political filmmaker Stekler catches the excitement of a race for a Texas state representative seat, pitting new politics against old. The outcome proves that truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

Thursday 6/17 at 4:45 p.m.

PARALLEL LINES
Nina Davenport
USA, 2003, 98 MINUTES

A classic American roadtrip movie with a twist: the journey takes place in the Fall of 2001, as filmmaker Nina Davenport drives from California home to New York, where her apartment once looked out on the World Trade Center...

Saturday 6/19 at 4:00 p.m.