nov 10-14 2010 - Rehoboth Beach Film Society

feaTuRe fIlms
32
A Marine Story stands up to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell honestly
with this unflinching look at the policy’s effects on gays
and lesbians in uniform. When a decorated Marine
officer unexpectedly returns home from the war, she’s
quickly recruited to help a troubled teen prepare for boot
camp in this brave new film starring Dreya Weber (The
Gymnast). Alex Everett (Weber) hasn’t been telling, but
the Marine Corps is definitely asking. Despite a terrific
record, promotions have been slow to come, her sham
marriage isn’t fooling anyone, and her commanding
officer has pictures of her getting close with a “good
friend.” She returns home to her dry, desert home and
meets a fiery teen, Saffron (rising star and out actress
Poor Herzl is a big fish out of water. A 340-pound chef
living with his mother, he’s been gamely diving into a
sea of perpetual diet groups and fitness regimes, and
belly-flopping. He’s fired from a restaurant salad bar
because of his “unpresentable” image; then his rigid
weight-loss class dumps him because he keeps gaining
pounds instead of shedding them. The relentless
pursuit of “slim” is frustrating for him and for his three
seriously overweight buddies in the working-class town
of Ramle, Israel. But all that starts to change when
Herzl discovers the one place where fat guys can be rock
stars: the world of sumo wrestling. A feel-good comedy
reminiscent of crowd-pleasers like The Full Monty, the
a Marine story
Outfest Jury Award Best Film and Best Actress Award Sponsored by:
(Dreya Weber), Outfest Audience Award Best Film
Thurs Nov 11 6:55 PM-8:35 PM Jenn Harpel - Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
sAT Nov 13 8:20 PM-10:00 PM
Paris Pickard), whose choices are boot camp or a life of drugs and
prison. But who said prepping for boot camp would be easy? As Alex
whips Saffron into shape during the long, hot summer, the reason for
Alex’s dismissal from the Corps threatens the future for both of them.
The leading duo shines: Weber combines Alex’s hard and soft sides
with confidence and quiet power, while gorgeous newcomer Pickard
stands out from a solid cast with impressive acting chops. The film is
a heartfelt commentary exploring the effect of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,
distilling the political down to the intimately personal.
[dir. ned Farr, 2010, uS, dVd, 93 mins]
Website: www.amarinestorymovie.com
a Matter oF size
Audience Award, Karlovy Vary International Sponsored by:
Film Festival, Audience Award Washington DC
Jewish Film Festival, Israeli Film Academy Awards,
Best Actress
Thurs Nov 11 12:00 PM-1:40 PM Suzanne & Donald Ziegler
FrI Nov 12 12:00 PM-1:35 PM Darrel Grinstead & Diane Pirkey
sAT Nov 13 10:35 AM-12:10 PM Summerhouse
suN Nov 14 10:00 AM-11:35 AM Tanger Outlet Center
film is a sweet, touching, funny, and relatable story of self-acceptance
and determination. Utilizing a talented and versatile group of actors,
the directors give us a collection of extremely likable characters who
realize that in both life and love, they’ll only discover their greatest
happiness by paying attention to what’s inside and to the power of their
individual spirits. A feel-good favorite of the festival circuit, A Matter
of Size has already been picked up for a Hollywood remake and was
nominated for 13 Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
[dirs. Sharon maymon and Erez tadmor, 2009, isreal, 35mm, 92 mins.
in Hebrew and Japanese with English subtitles]
Website: www.menemshafilms.com/a-matter-of-size.html