2023 Accepted Films
 

CAIFF Presents a Carefully Curated Collection of Exceptional Films from around the World

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Download your PROGRAM now and start planning your week at CAIFF at the HISTORIC Orinda Theatre!

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Click on the film title to watch the trailer and purchase tickets!

 

Last Film Show- India, Drama. When the magic of movies conquers nine-year young Samay's heart; he moves heaven and earth in pursuit of his 35mm dreams, unaware of the heartbreaking times that await him.

 Awards winner.
Contra Costa Premiere.

Opening Night Film

6PM Reception - 7PM Opening Remarks - Movie at 7:30PM

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Forman Vs. Forman- Czech, Documentary.  A look at the life and work of director Milos Forman, from the Czech New Wave to Hollywood. (One Flew the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, Hair)

Directors join via zoom. Bay Area Premiere. 11/11 - 1PM

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Hansan: Rising Dragon- South Korea, History/ Action. In 1592, Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his fleet face off against the might of the invading Japanese navy and its formidable warships. As the Korean forces fall into crisis, the admiral resorts to using his secret weapon, the turtle ship, in order to change the tide of this epic battle at sea.

Contra Costa Premiere.  11/11 - 3:30PM

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A Man of Integrity- Iran, Drama. A drama about corruption and injustice in Iranian society. You are the oppressed, or you must join the oppressor to survive!

Cannes Festival winner. Bay Area Premiere. 11/11 - 7PM

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Cats Don’t Dance –USA, Animated/ Comedy. Danny, an ambitious singing and dancing cat, goes to Hollywood and overcomes several obstacles to fulfill his dream of becoming a movie star.

Awards winner. Lead Animator in-person 11/12 10AM FREE

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Ennio- Italy, Documentary. Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) pays tribute to Ennio Morricone, retracing the life and works of the legendary composer from his debut with Sergio Leone to the Oscar-winning The Hateful Eight.

Bay Area Premiere. Awards winner.  11/12 12:30PM

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Voodoo Macbeth- USA, Drama. In 1936 Harlem, the first all-Black cast production of Macbeth struggles to make it to opening night amid the downward spiral of their young and untested director - Orson Welles.

Awards winner.  11/12 3:45PM

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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World 11/12 - 6:30PM with special guest, 2022 CAIFF Lifetime Acheivement Award Honoree, Barrie  Chase

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The Court Jester- USA, Adventure/ Comedy. A hapless carnival performer masquerades as the court jester as part of a plot against an evil ruler who has overthrown the rightful King. Awards winner.  11/13 10PM FREE

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Fire of Love- Canada, Documentary. Intrepid scientists and lovers, Katia and Maurice Krafft, died in a volcanic explosion doing the very thing that brought them together: unraveling the mysteries of volcanoes by capturing the most explosive imagery ever recorded.

Awards winner.  11/13 1PM

 

Truth and Justice- Estonia, Drama. This is the story of an uncompromising man whose soul is corrupted by the relentless pursuit of his dream.

Producer joins via zoom. Awards winner. Oscar submission. Bay Area Premiere.

11/13 - 3:30PM

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The Night of the 12th- France, Mystery/Crime. It is said that every investigator has a crime that haunts him, a case that hurts him more than the others, without knowing why. For Yohan that case is the murder of Clara. 11/13 7PM

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Hallelujah- USA, Documentary. This feature-length documentary explores the life of singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen as seen through the prism of his internationally renowned hymn, Hallelujah.

11/14 1PM

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Nosferatu – Germany, Fantasy/ Classic. Vampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter's wife.  11/14 4PM

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Grease- USA, Musical/Comedy. SINGALONG event. Good girl Sandy Olsson and greaser Danny Zuko fell in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?  Special Guests Director, Randal Kleiser and actor Barry Pearl

Many awards.  11/14 7PM

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My Old School- U.K., Documentary. In 1993, 16-year-old Brandon Lee enrolled at Bearsden Academy, a secondary school in a well-to-do suburb of Glasgow, Scotland. What followed over the next two years became the stuff of legend.

Contra Costa Premiere.  11/15 1PM

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The King of Laughter- Italy, Biography. The biography of Neapolitan comic theater legend Eduardo Scarpetta.

Awards winner. Bay Area Premiere. 11/15  4PM

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Heroic Losers – Argentina, Adventure/ Comedy. In times of the infamous Argentinian Corralito, the neighbors of a little town trace a plan to recover the money they lost after learning that their bank manager and a corrupt lawyer have stolen it.

Awards winner. Bay Area Premiere.  11/15 7PM

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The Boys- USA, Documentary. Their music is unforgettable. Their name is legend. Delve into the lives and cinematic legacy of the prolific songwriting duo whose music has been featured in classic movies such as Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book.

Director Joins via zoom.  11/16 1PM

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Phantom of the Open- United Kingdom, Comedy.  A heartwarming true story of Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance), a dreamer and unrelenting optimist. This humble crane operator from Barrow-in-Furness managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship qualifying in 1976, despite never playing a round of golf before. He shot the worst round in Open history and drew the ire of the golfing elite, but became a folk hero in the process and, more importantly, showed his family the importance of pursuing your dreams.

11/16 4PM

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Perfect Strangers – Israel, Comedy. Seven childhood friends meet up for dinner on the night of an eclipse. During the evening they play a game where whatever call, text and message they get on their phone must be shared with everyone.  They soon discover no one is who they say they are.

Director joins via zoom. Contra Costa Premiere 11/16 7PM

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11/17 - 1PM  TBA

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Memories of My Father - Colombia, Drama/History

The story about a Colombian writer's father. His father was an University md professor who promoted tolerance and human rights in his country.  The writer exposes his feelings related to his lovely father and he describes his family story and all drama related with the killing of his father.  It is a moving film based on a book with the same title.

11/17 - 4PM

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Bet on Revenge- Hungary, Adventure/ History. Ernõ Blaskovich lost everything after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. Kincsem, a magnificent horse, gives a purpose to his meaningless, self-destructive life. He gets a chance to gain everything back: revenge, love and fame.

Director joins via zoom.
Bay Area Premiere. Closing Night Film 6PM reception movie starts at 7PM