2004 Stony Brook Film Festival Past Festivals Contact us July 21-31, 2004 SPOTLIGHT PREMIERES AND SPECIAL SCREENINGS Independent premieres screened at the festival prior to their upcoming theatrical releases and special screenings of films not in competition: The U.S. Premiere of Tony Fingleton’s powerful and touching family drama, Swimming Upstream, from Australia, starring Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis and Jesse Spencer. (Courtesy of MGM/UA) It’s Easier For A Camel Valeria Bruni Tedeschi’s stirring portrait of the dysfunctional family in this soon-to-be-released French film. (Courtesy of New Yorker Films) Broadway: The Golden Age Filmmaker Rick McKay’s labor of love as he interviews over 100 Broadway legends in this highly acclaimed and powerfully energizing tribute to the NY stage and the masters that played on it. (Courtesy of Dada Films) The Day The Earth Stood Still Robert Wise's classic science fiction film from 1951 was way ahead of its time and still considered one of the greatest films of its genre. The screening is part of the tribute to one of the film’s stars, the legendary actress Patricia Neal, who will be receiving the 2004 Stony Brook Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. Twilight Samurai Yoji Yamada’s tender and gentle story from Japan has been embraced around the world and is sure to move audiences in America. (Courtesy of Empire Pictures) Monsieur N. Antoine de Caunes’ epic telling of Napoleon’s last days during his six-year exile on the island of St. Helena, is both gripping and marvelously acted. (Courtesy of Empire Pictures) Garden State Zach Braff stars in a powerfully moving vehicle he wrote and directed with warmth and humor about reconciling with the past and starting anew. This East Coast Premiere also stars Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard. (Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures) Off The Map Campbell Scott returns to Stony Brook, this time as director and producer of an extraordinary lyrical journey of self-discovery in the harshly beautiful wilds of Taos, New Mexico. Starring Joan Allen, Sam Elliott and Amy Brenneman. Mr. Scott starred in last year’s closing night film, The Secret Lives of Dentists and received the Festival’s award for Outstanding Contribution to Independent Film. (A Holedigger Film, courtesy of Manhattan Pictures) Open Water Laura Lau and Chris Kentis' chilling thriller does what Steven Spielberg did with Jaws, sans special effects. A marvelously tense drama of being left at sea, based on a true story. (Courtesy of Lions Gate Films) Closing Night Film: Jeff Balsmeyer’s joyously funny and adventurous Danny Deckchair, from Australia, starring Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) and Miranda Otto (Lord of the Rings Trilogy). (Courtesy of Lions Gate Films) To make comments or suggestions e-mail the Webmaster or call us at (631) 632-ARTS