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2017 Miami Film Festival Revealed Selection By Women Directors

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MIAMI, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Miami Film Festival announced Monday it will showcase a selection of films directed by women during its 2017 program. Some of these films will have their world premiere at the Festival, which runs March 3-12, 2017. The 15 films highlighted below hail from all over the world and cover a variety of topics of interest, including two timely films about Cuba. The Miami Film Festival is the only major film festival produced and presented worldwide by a college or university.

World Premiere:

“Embargo” / U.S.A. (Director: Jeri Rice). A documentary on the origins, history, impact and evolution of the Cuban embargo, featuring rarely-seen archival interview footage with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Sergei Khrushchev, Ted Sorensen, Lucie Arnaz and many others, as well as recently declassified information. Executive produced by Miami’s Jorge M. Perez.

“A Concrete Cinema” (“Un Cine En Concreto”) / Argentina (Director: Luz Ruciello). The quixtoic story of Omar, a humble, fragile-looking man who pursues an impossible dream to build a movie theatre for the children of his hometown in Entre Rios. With patience and resourcefulness, Omar at first succeeds, only to have family circumstances force him to start over.

International Premiere:

“Veinte Años” (“Vinte Anos”) / Cuba, Brazil, Costa Rica (Director: Alice de Andrade). In 1992, Andrade documented the ritual of marriage in Cuba after the fall of the USSR. Twenty years later, she revisits three families, in Havana, Miami and Costa Rica, where some are exiled. Dealing only with love, the new film reflects on recent transformations in Cuban society.

North American Premiere:

“Don’t Blame It On Your Karma!” (“No Culpes Al Karma De Lo Que Te Pasa Por Gilipollas”) / Spain (Director: Maria Ripoll). A romantic comedy about Madrid-based feather-fashion designer Sara, whose world is shaken up after a chance reunion with her long-lost high school crush after 13 years, who is now a pop music superstar Cast: Veronica Echegui, Alex Garcia, David Verdaguer.

“Lipstick Under My Burkha” (“Lipstick Waale Sapne”) / India (Director: Alankrita Shrivastava). Four stories of four women caught in a conservative society, each in search of a little freedom. Cast: Konkona Sen Sharma, Shashank Arora, Plabita Borthakur.

“Maria (And Everybody Else)” / (“María (Y Los Demás))” / Spain (Director: Nely Reguera). Since her mother’s death, Maria has always taken care of her dad and her brothers. When her father announces he will marry again, this time to a much younger woman, María feels her world begin to fall apart. Cast: Bárbara Lennie, Pablo Derqui, Julián Villagrán

U.S. Premiere:

“The Night My Mother Killed My Father” (“La Noche Que Mi Madre Mató a Mi Padre”) / Spain (Director: Inés Paris). An actress in her 40s is prepared to do anything to recover her former glory and get the part she craves in a new movie. A hysterical comedy about one crazy night of show business desperation. Cast: Belén Rueda, Diego Peretti, Eduard Fernández.

“The Empty Box” (“La Caja Vaciá”) / Mexico, France (Director: Claudia Sainte-Luce) A mixed Mexican-Haitian young woman living in Mexico City is faced with the task of caring for her Haitian father when his health begins to fail. They have never been close, and the bonds of family relations are about to undergo a severe test. Cast: Claudia Sainte-Luce, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Pablo Sigal

“The Grownups” (“Los Niños”) / Chile, The Netherlands (Director: Maite Alberdi). Anita, Rita, Ricardo, and Andrés are four “young adults” attending a school for children with Down syndrome for 40 years. They yearn for freedoms at a more personal level, but their society is ill-equipped to handle their desire for more independence.

Florida Premiere:

“Carrie Pilby” / U.S.A. (Director: Susan Johnson). A poignant and very funny dramedy about a highly intelligent young woman who struggles to make sense of the world as it relates to mortality, relationships, and just simply leaving her apartment. Cast: Bel Powley, Nathan Lane, Jason Ritter, Gabriel Byrne.

“Ella Brennan: Commanding The Table” / U.S.A. (Director: Leslie Iwerks). The world renowned restaurateur Ella Brennan is the matriarch of a Creole-flavored dining dynasty dating back over half a century. Culinary luminaries such as Daniel Boulud, Emeril Lagasse, Danny Meyer and Tim and Nina Zagat reflect on the success of Brennan’s famed New Orleans establishment Commander’s Palace.

“League of Exotique Dancers” / Canada, UK, U.S.A (Director: Rama Rau). A documentary that peels off the layers of glitter to expose the sexism, racism and widespread stigma faced by Burlesque striptease performers in the heyday of the 1960s and 70s. Many years later, these classic performers are still kicking up a storm.

“Mr. Chibbs” / U.S.A. (Director: Jill Campbell). Kenny Anderson, a former New York City high-school basketball prodigy and NBA All-Star, loses a cherished coaching position, sending him into a midlife crisis. From his home base in South Florida, he strives to regain his footing and rebuild his family life.

“Visitor’s Day” / U.S.A (Director: Nicole Opper). Sixteen-year-old Juan Carlos, living in a boy’s home in Mexico City, undergoes the most transformative year of his life, as he finds strength to leave his comfort zone, overcome his sense of abandonment and forgive his father for the past.

“Take My Nose…Please!” / Mexico, U.S.A. (Director: Joan Kron). Two actors take a seriously funny and surprisingly moving look at the pressures on women in contemporary society to be attractive, and our deeply ambivalent attitude toward aesthetic surgery.

The 34th Miami Film Festival will take place March 3-12, 2017. Advance ticket vouchers on sale now for $13, only $10 for Miami Film Society members, at miamifilmfestival.com/women, or by calling 1-844-565-6433 (MIFF). Regular tickets will go on sale February 10.

Entertainment

Day 2: Grammy Nominee Jelly Roll closed out Riptide Music Festival 2023

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MAIMI, Fla. (FNN) – Day 2 offered big names in the alternative/rock world, but also had Audacy bringing back a touch of their Chili Cookoff roots with Jelly Roll headlining. The recent CMA New Artist of the Year, also nominated for 2 Grammy Awards, brought the fire…literally.

Local band Girlfriend Material opened the day with some fun songs including Adam’s Sandler’s “The Chanukkah Song”. Next, Barns Courtney had the fans jumping early as he joined them in the GA section to close our his set.

AWOLNATION showed why they get a lot of airtime on 104.3 The Shark and had the crowd clapping as they played their hit song “Sail”.

Sublime with Rome, one of the longest running bands at Riptide, played hit after hit as lead singer Rome Ramirez showed his appreciation for the road that Sublime paved. Multiple times he sang their praises as he shouted “Long Live Sublime.”

As the sun started to set on the day and festival, Lovely the Band showed why they were invited back to Riptide.

If you’ve never seen The Dirty Heads play, you might not know exactly what type of band they are. When asked on the red carpet, frontman Jared Watson said “That’s what I love about our band. I don’t think there is anyone else like us…I’m proud of that. You can call it alternative, you can call it reggae rock but it’s not really either of them…” Call it what you want (I say reggae/rap/alternative), they were obviously a crowd favorite.

Jelly Roll, who celebrated his 39th birthday on Sunday, closed out the festival singing all of his hits “Need A Favor” “Son of a Sinner”. He dropped in some cover medleys of old school country “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and hip-hop “Boys in the Hood / Roughriders / Lose Yourself / Ms. Jackson / Just a Friend” as he shared stories of growing up being the youngest of 5. Jelly Roll is not your average man of god “I do not believe this is a concert. I believe this is family reunion of people that are human together…I believe that heaven has a smoking session and an open bar” he says right before he sang “Smoking Section”. He closed with his latest #1 Country Hit “Save Me” as sparkles rained down.

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Day 1: Riptide offers good music and a whole lotta fun

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (FNN) – Audacy’s Riptide Music Festival returned to Fort Lauderdale Beach yesterday with a solid lineup of bands you’d expect to see at a festival supported by 104.3 the Shark.

Photo by Matt Wolff / Florida National News

Jack Kays of Cincinnati, fresh off his tour, opened things on the Demesmin & Dover Stage. Little Image, a band from Austin, TX, who met in high school were first to play on the main Riptide Stage.

The Beaches (Canada) brought some girl power with their first US Billboard charted single “Blame Brett”. While LoveJoy didn’t rate their performance very high, the crowd was high energy and singing along to “Portrait of a Blank Slate”. Young the Giant (Irvine, CA) had the fans jumping up and down as they closed their set with “My Body”. Bleachers wasted no time as they jumped right in with “I Wanna Get Better”. Jack Antonoff, formerly of fun., was highly engaged with the crowded cracking NJ/Florida jokes, bouncing around, singing all their top songs including the live concert debut of “Modern Girl”. The Black Keys closed out a solid Day 1 of music with their hits “Gold on the Ceiling”, “Little Black Submarine” and “Lonely Boy.

Having been to dozens of music festivals with fans complaining about the crowds, it was a nice change of pace to not have to fight for every inch as the early sets weren’t as heavily attended as in the past. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. For the 2nd time in a row, the main stage was set facing north instead of to the ocean. This gave a lot more room for GA/VIP to hang out.

Aside from a fun day of music, there were a ton of great activations lead by the Ford Beach House. Whether it was the cowboy hat giveaway, DJ/bands playing, a limbo contest for VIP upgrade or a dance contest to Wobble/Dougie/Gangnam Style, the fans were highly entertained during and in-between performances. Twin Peaks Sports Bar was next door showing todays big games and giving away food/drink coupons. Goya (cookies) and Jolly Time (popcorn) provided the snacks, while Celcius and El Bandido Yankee Tequilla offered free beverage samples. If you are a fan of cigars, Al Capone was giving away cigarillos wrapping paper and lighters.

There was no shortage of giveaways including hats, towels, bags, sunglasses, fly swatters/fans. If you like music, the beach and free stuff, Day 1 didn’t disappoint.

Day 1: See more event photos at Florida National News’ Facebook page.

Day 2 offers big names in the alternative rock world, but also has Audacy bringing back a touch of their Chili Cookoff roots with Jelly Roll headlining.

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Matt Wolff is a South Florida reporter for Florida National News. | info@floridanationalnews.com

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Country Music’s Biggest Stars Flood Miami for Audacy’s Stars and Strings Concert

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HARDY poses for photos on the red carpet during Audacy's Stars & Strings Concert at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Photo: Matt Wolff / Florida National News.
HARDY poses for photos on the red carpet during Audacy's Stars & Strings Concert at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Photo: Matt Wolff / Florida National News.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (FNN) – Some of country music’s most decorated artists graced the stage last night for Audacy’s Stars and Strings. one Opry Member, 30+ Number 1 hits and a couple of rising stars.

HARDY, Brian Kelley, Ashley McBryde, Cole Swindell, Michael Ray and Hailey Whitters performed at the annual concert, hosted by Kiss Country 99.9 WKIS Miami Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. The show supports I’m Listening, Audacy’s ongoing mental health initiative, and partnered with Wounded Warrior Project to support veterans’ mental health.

The first trio was Brian Kelley, formerly the Florida half of Florida Georgia Line, Hailey Whitters and Michael Ray, a last-minute replacement for Jordan Davis.

Next up was Cole Swindell, Ashley McBryde and HARDY, who appeared to be the crowd favorite. “Hardy! Hardy! Hardy!” was chanted before and after each song he sang.

The crowd sang along to all of the hits, including “You Ain’t Worth the Whiskey,” “God’s Country,” “One Night Standards,” “Everything She Ain’t,” “Whiskey and Rain” and “See You Next Summer.”

With all of the hits these artists have written/sang and only four songs to choose, it was impossible for them to play all of fan favorites, but they crowd was on their feet and singing from start to finish.

Throughout the night, each artist expressed their gratitude to the men and women who serve(d) this country and spoke about how important the Wounded Warrior Project was in the fight for veteran’s mental health.

Up and coming artists George Birge and Sammy Arriaga performed their songs at the pre-party while the headliners made their rounds on the red carpet and Meet-n-Greets.

 

Brian Kelley speaks with Florida National News on the red carpet.

 

Ashley McBride speaks with Florida National News on the red carpet.

 

Michael Ray speaks with Florida National News on the red carpet.

 

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Matt Wolff is a South Florida reporter for Florida National News. | info@floridanationalnews.com

 

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