AFI FEST 2012 Guide

November 1st is just around the corner which means AFI FEST 2012 is nearly here! This year the 26th Annual AFI FEST hosts 77 feature length films from 28 countries across 7 different categories including 10 U.S. Premieres, 10 foreign language films in the race for Academy Awards, 6 North American Premieres, and the World Premiere's of "Hitchcock" and Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln". Check out the full details including how to get free tickets to this year's fest and a complete breakdown of all the films screening at AFI FEST 2012 running November 1-8 after the jump...


One of the better aspects to the AFI FEST each year is the free tickets they release to the public. Unlike other film festivals that charge for everything, AFI FEST gives away a select amount of free tickets to all 77 of the films screening during the festival. Being a free event means lots of people interested in said free tickets. In previous year's patrons would go online the day tickets became available to get the passes to the films they wanted to see. The problem with was so many patrons on the AFI website at the same time caused plenty of issues. This process left a lot of patrons feeling like they were not getting a fair shake in the free ticket pool. So this year AFI has changed things ever so slightly in an effort to make the process a little smoother and more balanced. They have created Designated Time Slots for public ticket selection. To ensure that this process is fair, the AFI website states time slots will be randomly assigned.

So how do you get these free tickets? Now through Ocotber 18th you can register at AFI for your own designated time slot. Then on October 25th and October 26th during your designated time slot you'll return to the AFI website to select your tickets. Like previous years AFI members have a one day advantage on the general public to choose tickets. AFI members can select tickets beginning on October 24th. Make sure you register now for a Designated Time Slot!

If you are worried about not getting to see exactly what you want at AFI FEST 2012, Festival Passes are on sale now starting at $125 on the AFI website.

Now that we've gotten how to attend AFI FEST 2012 out of the way, let's talk about the stellar line-up! Looking over any festival catalog can be daunting and 2012's 77 film line-up is no different. In an effort to A.) give you a full breakdown of the festival lineup and B.) to make the selection process a little easier; below I have broke down the full line-up. AFI FEST breaks the festival down into 7 distinguishable categories; Galas/Tributes, Special Screenings, Young Americans, New Auteurs, World Cinema, Midnight, and Breakthrough. There is also a Short Program at AFI FEST, but I will not be covering it here. Included is the category each film is being presented under, the title, director, country, running time, and a brief synopsis of each film. An * denotes a film that is an Official Foreign Language Oscar Submission. You'll also notice I've listed which films are Premieres. Along with a detailed list of films screening and the given category each film is being presented under I will provide some brief commentary on all the films screening at AFI FEST over the course of the first eight days in November.

GALAS

HITCHCOCK

The love story between the iconic filmmaker and his wife, Alma Reville, during the filming of PSYCHO in 1959. Cast includes Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren.
USA | DIRECTOR Sacha Gervasi, 97 MIN | WORLD PREMIERE

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This will be a highly sought after screening being the opening night film of AFI FEST 2012 and the World Premiere, that said, this feature has already been slated for limited release later in November and should see a push into plenty of markets as the year pushes towards the close. In other words, you can totally defend waiting to see this anticipated biography.

LIFE OF PI in 3D

Director Ang Lee creates a groundbreaking movie event about a young man who survives a disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an amazing and unexpected connection with another survivor – a fearsome Bengal tiger.
USA | DIRECTOR Ang Lee, 126 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Another film people have been clamoring for. Director Ang Lee's adaptation of the famous fantasy novel also hosts a release date later in November leaving me to feel like I can wait.

ON THE ROAD

Jack Kerouac’s seminal pseudo-autobiography arrives on the big screen at the intersection of fact and fiction. Cast includes Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stewart.
FRANCE | UK | USA | BRAZIL | DIRECTOR Walter Salles, 124 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A book I've read more than a couple time Jack Kerouac's ON THE ROAD is one I am real excited for. Buzz has been luke warm on the film since screening at Cannes yet I still have a strong urge to see one of my favorite novels brought to life on the big screen. ON THE ROAD opens in limited theaters in December giving enough reason to not be to upset if you miss this at AFI FEST 2012.

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS in 3D

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Sandman and Jack Frost are The Guardians – legendary characters with previously unknown extraordinary abilities charged with protecting children everywhere from an evil spirit’s attempt to take over the world.
USA | DIRECTOR Peter Ramsey, 90 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I really am looking forward to seeing this but under one huge stipulation, I want to see it with my family. RISE OF THE GUARDIANS also drops in November and I can easily wait to see it then.

RUST AND BONE

An unusual love story between a back alley boxer and a woman who has suffered a profound loss. Cast includes Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts.
FRANCE | BELGIUM | with A TRIBUTE TO MARION COTILLARD | DIRECTOR Jacques Audiard, 122 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marion Cotillard is a talented and stunning actress who deserves our attention but this love story is not high on my must see list.

LINCOLN

Steven Spielberg directs a revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President’s tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. Cast includes Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field.
USA | DIRECTOR Steven Spielberg, 145 MIN | WORLD PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I am dying to see this film, but being the closing night film as well as the World Premiere, chances of seeing it are slim. Not to worry, LINCOLN has a huge release in December and will surely be worth the wait.

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE

Ken Burns’ documentary about what was known as the crime of century showcases a group of teenagers who were forced to give false confessions and were wrongfully convicted for raping and beating New York City jogger Trisha Meili.
USA | DIRECTORS Sarah Burns, Ken Burns, David McMahon, 119 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------One name, Ken Burns; that is enough to tell me I need to see THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE. Every documentary Ken Burns has done is exceptional and I do not expect this one to by any different.

GINGER AND ROSA

As the Cold War meets the sexual revolution in 1960s London, the lifelong friendship of two teenage girls is shattered by ideological differences and personal betrayals. Cast includes Elle Fanning and Alice Englert
UK | DENMARK | DIRECTOR Sally Potter, 89 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cold War meets the Sexual Revolution set in London? That certainly sparks this history professors interest. Add the fact that Elle Fanning is in the lead and you may want to pencil this into your AFI FEST schedule.

HOLY MOTORS

Denis Lavant plays Mr. Oscar, a shadowy figure who inhabits many roles while fulfilling assignments from inside a white limousine in Léos Carax’s beguiling work. Cast includes Denis Lavant, Eva Mendes and Kylie Minogue.
FRANCE | GERMANY | DIRECTOR Léos Carax, 116 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HOLY MOTORS is probably the most buzzed about film coming out of Austin's Fantastic Fest and one I have at the top of my must see list at AFI FEST 2012.

THE IMPOSSIBLE

A family is swept up in the monumental turmoil of the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami along with thousands of strangers. Cast includes Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor
SPAIN | USA | DIRECTOR Juan Antonio Bayona, 107 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A strong cast and a powerful focus makes this film one people will definitely be interested in seeing at AFI FEST. For me the fact that the film follows a white family in Southeast Asia disaster leaves me a bit deflated. This is one I will wait for its theatrical release later in December.

QUARTET

A birthday concert for Verdi at a home for retired opera singers is disrupted by the arrival of Jean, a diva and former wife of one of the residents. Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut. Cast includes Maggie Smith and Tom Courtenay
UK | DIRECTOR Dustin Hoffman, 95 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The fact that is is Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut raises my eyebrows with curiosity but not enough for me to put this one too high on the must see list. Definitely intrigued to hear more on this one. QUARTET opens in limited release in late December.

ROOM 237

Rodney Asher’s documentary delves into the symbols and messages hidden within Stanley Kubrick’s acclaimed film, THE SHINING, revealing more secrets after 30 years.
USA | DIRECTOR Rodney Ascher, 102 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This is the film I am most looking forward to at AFI FEST. A documentary that has been highly touted since this year's Sundance festival. THE SHINING is one of my all time favorite movies and from the buzz I've read and heard this documentary will only fuel a new reason to re-watch the iconic Kubrick thriller.

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

When a history teacher is cuckolded by his wife and a co-worker, he goes ballistic, lands in jail, then moves in with his sports-obsessed parents. Cast includes Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.
USA | DIRECTOR David O. Russell, 120 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------David O. Russel's latest looks to be an emotional feat, but an emotional feat that I can wait for the theatrical release to see how he tugs at my heart strings. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK opens wide at the end of November.

WEST OF MEMPHIS

Amy Berg’s film casts a light on the brutal murder of three young boys and the 18-year struggle to exonerate the teenagers who were convicted of the crimes.
USA | DIRECTOR Amy Berg, 146 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Not an easy topic to dive into but one that certainly has sparked my interests. Worth at the very least keeping an ear open to hear what buzz is like.

WORLD CINEMA

A ROYAL AFFAIR

A young Danish queen married to an insane king falls in love with her physician and together they change a nation.
DENMARK* | SWEDEN | CZECH REPUBLIC | GERMANY | DIRECTOR Nikolaj Arcel, 132 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A romantic period piece that from this single still looks abysmally stale. That said, Mads Mikkelsen is a tremendous talent and one that could potentially elevate this historical account from being just another romantic drama.

AMOUR

Director Michael Haneke’s deeply moving and uncompromising story of two retired music teachers whose abiding love is challenged by infirmity and dementia.
AUSTRIA* | FRANCE | GERMANY | DIRECTOR Michael Haneke, 127 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Michael Haneke's continues to make a name for himself. His catalog of films all deserve our attention and his latest is no different. Expect the positive praise to continue for this one.

THE ANGELS’ SHARE

Narrowly avoiding prison, Scottish youths assigned to community service hatch a plan to steal the world’s most expensive whiskey.
UK | FRANCE | BELGIUM | ITALY | DIRECTOR Ken Loach, 101 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This comedy/drama sounds like it'll be a hoot. Being the U.S. premiere adds a bit of excitement to the latest Ken Loach film. This one is certainly something I will be trying to catch during the festival's run.

BARBARA

In 1980, an East German country doctor must decide between her desire to escape to the West and her attraction to a male colleague who may be informing on her.
GERMANY* | DIRECTOR Christian Petzold, 105 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As a history teacher the content of this drama really has my attention and being a film that is in the hunt to earn an Foreign Language Academy Award for Germany makes all the more enticing. BARBARA is not at the top of my list but it certainly isn't at the bottom either.

BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO

At a giallo Italian film company in the 1970s, a British sound engineer from the “home counties” is swept up by the world of sex, sadism and pulp movies.
UK | DIRECTOR Peter Strickland, 92 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You had me at Italian giallo, then add pulp movies and sexuality and I'm completely engaged to see how this UK film holds up. Buzz has been very mixed for this anti-horror of sorts, yet it still remains one I am hoping to catch during the festival.

BEYOND THE HILLS (DUPÃ DELAURI)

An unhappy young woman visiting her one-time lover in a Romanian convent is accused of being possessed by the devil. This gripping drama is based on a case of alleged demonic possession that occurred in a Romanian monastery in 2005.
ROMANIA* | FRANCE | BELGIUM | DIRECTOR Cristian Mungiu, 155 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If I were only looking at the image there is no way I would contemplate watching this Romanian drama. After reading the synopsis however, I am slightly more intrigued to see it. Being based on a true account of demonic possession in Romania definitely raises my interest levels plus it is another film in contention for a Foreign Language Academy Award. If this one easily fits into my schedule, I'm seeing it.

BLOOD OF MY BLOOD (SANGUE DO MEU SANGUE)

A weary matriarch struggles to keep her lonely sister and troubled, delinquent children afloat in a suburban slum outside Lisbon.
PORTUGAL* | DIRECTOR João Canijo, 131 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This synopsis wreaks of heartache and despair; something that can quite frequently make for an exceptional film. BLOOD OF MY BLOOD is in contention for a Foreign Language Academy Award which reminds me I should keep a ear open for positive buzz that may push me into a screening of this Portuguese drama.

CAESAR MUST DIE (CESARE DEVE MORIRE)

Deep within a Roman prison, a cast of real-life inmates rehearses a production of “Julius Caesar,” finding echoes of their own crimes within the text.
ITALY* | DIRECTORS Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani, 76 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The biggest reason to track this Italian film during AFI FEST is it is another Foreign Language Academy Award contender. Will I see it? Probably not, but I'm definitely open to hearing all about it.

EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY
(TOATA LUMEA DIN FAMILIA NOASTRA)

When a divorced father is denied a long-awaited day at the beach with his daughter, he veers dangerously off course with horrifying consequences.
ROMANIA | THE NETHERLANDS | DIRECTOR Radu Jude, 107 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Snooze. No interest here.

GREATEST HITS (LOS MEJORES TEMAS)

Gabino sells “Greatest Hits” CDs in the subway to help his mother make ends meet when his long-absent father mysteriously surfaces.
CANADA | MEXICO | THE NETHERLANDS | DIRECTOR Nicolás Pereda, 103 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This sounds like a real downer but being the U.S. Premiere means you could be one of the first people in the U.S. to watch the downer unfold.

THE HUNT (JAGTEN)

Set in a small Danish village at Christmas time, one man becomes the target of mass hysteria.
DENMARK | DIRECTOR Thomas Vinterberg, 111 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------When I read the synopsis for this Danish drama I instantly said no thank you, then I saw the cast or more specifically Mads Mikkelsen is the star and I changed my mind. You can guarantee I will be making THE HUNT a priority at AFI FEST 2012.

IN ANOTHER COUNTRY (DA-REUN NA-RA-E-SUH)

A triptych of romantic French seaside vignettes starring Isabelle Huppert as a film director, a corporate executive’s wife and a wealthy divorcee – all named “Anne.”
SOUTH KOREA | DIRECTOR Hong Sang-soo, 89 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Isabelle Huppert is astonishing. She is mesmerizing. Anything she does is worth watching so you can bet I will be working a screening of IN ANOTHER COUNTRY into my AFI FEST schedule.

KON-TIKI

Epic explorer Thor Heyerdahl makes his legendary 4,300-mile journey across the Pacific on a balsa wood raft in 1947.
NORWAY* | DENMARK | UK | DIRECTORS Joachim Roenning, Espen Sandberg, 119 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sounds like an epic adventure! KON-TIKI happens to be another one of the twelve Foreign Language films in the race for an Academy Award, though two hour running time I am second guessing whether I want to spend it focused on a guy on a piece of balsa wood in the Pacific Ocean now matter how big the feat. Intrigued but with so much to see, this could easily be overlooked.

KUMA

In Turkey, polygamy is rare, but alive. When Ayse marries Hasan, she is shocked to discover that she will be the second wife (kuma) of Hasan’s father, Mustafa.
AUSTRIA | DIRECTOR Umut Dag, 94 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This topic is controversial but I have no desire to try and squeeze in a film about polygamy in Turkey.

LAURENCE ANYWAYS

When Laurence decides to become a woman, he and his girlfriend brave the judgment of family, friends and society in 23-year-old prodigy Dolan’s latest film.
CANADA | FRANCE | DIRECTOR Xavier Dolan, 161 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Xavier Dolan has my attention and his work latest work sounds provactive but a two hour and forty minute running time scares me on the festival circuit. If buzz was more positive I may have pushed to make time for Dolan's latest, otherwise I'll be waiting for another opportunity to see LAURENCE ANYWAYS.

LEVIATHAN

LEVIATHAN hurls the audience into the inky, writhing world of a commercial fishing rig at night, capturing the fishermen and their catch with equal intimacy.
UK | USA | FRANCE | DIRECTORS Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Véréna Paravel, 87 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Part of me wishes this was a quality version of BIRDEMIC but its not, instead it is a look into the commercial fishing world, a world I've seen plenty of thanks to the Discovery Channel's DEADLIEST CATCH. In a less crowded festival I may have tried to find time for LEVIATHAN, but at AFI FEST 2012 I have too many other choices that outweigh this one.

LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE

A beautiful young student doubles as an escort in Tokyo. On an arranged date with an elderly client, she finds an unexpected protector.
FRANCE | JAPAN | DIRECTOR Abbas Kiarostami, 109 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The synopsis of this taboo story is what grabs my attention; an unexpected protector? Despite not the best critical reception, I gotta see just what is in store and will definitely be trying to fit this into my schedule.

OUR CHILDREN (A PERDRE LA RAISON)

In this psychological drama, a young mother is brought to the brink of despair, where she commits the ultimate shocking act.
BELGIUM* | FRANCE | SWITZERLAND | DIRECTOR Joachim Lafosse, 110 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'm crying wolf here, ultimate shocking act, I have a feeling that ultimate shocking act won;t be so ultimate or shocking. Perhaps I'm wrong but I highly doubt I will be finding out first hand at this year's fest.

PARADISE: LOVE

The controversial film (the first in a trilogy concerning three sisters) tells the story of a 50-year-old woman who travels to Kenya as a sex tourist.
AUSTRIA | GERMANY | FRANCE | DIRECTOR Ulrich Seidl, 120 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Interesting topic but like so many other films on this list, I am not so sure that I will want to make time for this. Also the fact that this is one of three documentaries in the same series, leaves me a little overwhelmed.

PARADISE: FAITH

The second film in the controversial series chronicles the explicit Catholic practices of Anna Maria and her reunion with her Muslim husband.
AUSTRIA | FRANCE | GERMANY | DIRECTOR Ulrich Seidl, 113 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If don't see PARADISE: LOVE you can guarantee I won't be seeing PARADISE: FAITH.

PIETA

A brutal loan shark must come to terms with his past crimes when the mother who abandoned him as a child pays him a visit, bearing a deep secret.
SOUTH KOREA* | DIRECTOR Kim Ki-Duk, 104 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The synopsis alone has me wanting to see this. Being the U.S. Premiere you can also pride yourself on being one of a select few to see PIETA first (if you are into that sort of thing).

POST TENEBRAS LUX

A wealthy couple live with their children in Mexico. When a trusted employee betrays the husband, chaos ensues, juxtaposing innocence with animal brutality.
MEXICO | FRANCE | GERMANY | THE NETHERLANDS | DIRECTOR Carlos Reygadas, 120 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Not interested, plus the buzz for this film has not been very flattering.

REALITY

A Neapolitan fishmonger is desperate to appear on the reality show GRANDE FRATELLO, Italy’s version of BIG BROTHER.
ITALY | FRANCE | DIRECTOR Matteo Garrone, 115 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I am a huge fan of reality television and if the time presents itself I may try to squeeze REALITY in at AFI FEST 2012.

THE SAPPHIRES

In 1968, four talented young Australian Aboriginal girls form a girl group, The Sapphires, to entertain U.S. troops in Vietnam.
AUSTRALIA | DIRECTOR Wayne Blair, 99 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This could be cute but in the crowded AFI FEST I highly doubt I make this for this one. But if Aboriginal motown is your thing, make sure you don't miss it.

SOMETHING IN THE AIR (APRÈS MAI)

An 18-year-old young man reacts to the social changes of late 1960s Europe.
FRANCE | DIRECTOR Olivier Assayas, 122 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The production still above makes me want to see this movie. Why? I'm a sucker for coming of age stories and combined with a period piece it sounds right up my alley. That said, this is a bubble film, it has already been picked up by Sundance Selects and is sure to see a VOD release as well as a theatrical.

TABU

An elderly woman in Lisbon is attended by a kind neighbor. The film then takes a turn, becoming an aural journey of illicit love in Africa.
PORTUGAL | GERMANY | BRAZIL | FRANCE | DIRECTOR Miguel Gomes, 111 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pass. Illicit love in Africa isn't ringing my bell.

TEY (AUJOURD’HUI)

A rare glimpse of life in contemporary Senegal, TEY is a lush, poetic portrait of one man’s search for peace on the last day of his life.
SENEGAL | DIRECTOR Alain Gomis, 86 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This one sounds riveting and at only 86 minutes it could be a perfect movie to squeeze into your crowded schedule.

WAR WITCH (REBELLE)

A 14-year-old girl in Sub-Saharan Africa tells her unborn child the story of her life from the time she was abducted by the rebel army at age 12.
CANADA* | DIRECTOR Kim Nguyen, 90 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This sounds powerful and the image above certainly back's that notion up. The buzz has been all positive thus far for the Canadian film seeking a Foreign Language Academy Award so I will trying my hardest to make a screening during the fest.

WHITE ELEPHANT

The explosive tale of two priests, one young and one old, who confront gangs and help the poor inside the teeming slums of Buenos Aires.
ARGENTINA | SPAIN | FRANCE | DIRECTOR Pablo Trapero, 111 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This could be good, then again it could also be a bleeding heart pile. In all sincerity, I highly doubt AFI schedules a bleeding heart pile. This is the U.S. Premiere, so may you want to check it out and be among the first to weigh in here in America.

WRONG

Taking super-realism to dizzying new heights, this absurd story tells of one man’s epic and fantastical quest to reunite with his lost dog.
FRANCE | USA | DIRECTOR Quentin Dupieux, 94 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I wasn't the biggest fan of Quentin Dupieux's RUBBER but that isn't stopping me from making damn sure I see WRONG at some point during the festival.

ZAYTOUN

A young Palestinian refugee and an Israeli fighter pilot form an unlikely bond as they make their way across war-torn Lebanon.
UK | ISRAEL | DIRECTOR Eran Riklis, 107 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Stephen Dorff for the win! This is another one I am real weary of, part me thinks it sounds outstanding and part of me thinks I am real tired of unlikely bonds between people.

NEW AUTEURS

A HIJACKING

When Somali pirates seize a Danish cargo ship in the Indian Ocean, high-stakes, life-or-death negotiations commence in this work of fiction inspired by today’s headlines.
DENMARK | DIRECTOR Tobias Lindholm, 110 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Another one of those films that I go could either way on. It sounds interesting but not interesting enough that I make a point to fit in to AFI FEST. That tune could change barring positive buzz during the festival.

AFTER LUCIA

When a father and daughter move to Mexico City, she is brutally victimized by bullies and disappears, pursued by her heartbroken father
MEXICO* | DIRECTOR Michel Franco, 102 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This is a must see for me. Sure the heartbroken father searching could be a recipe for disaster but the imagery and concept have my attention. Definitely will be working my schedule around this title that is up for a Foreign Language Academy Award for Mexico.

ANTIVIRAL

When the frantic obsession with celebrity leads to the trafficking of stars’ diseases to their fans, death is sure to be waiting in the wings.
CANADA | USA | DIRECTOR Brandon Cronenberg, 108 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The son of David Cronenberg is enough reason to for me to have my interests raised by ANTIVIRAL. Is that enough reason to make sure I see it at AFI FEST? No, but if praise and buzz are strong enough I just may reschedule to make sure I see it.

CLIP

Writer/Director Maja Miloš makes her directorial debut with this searing portrait of a rootless Serbian teenager who captures clips of life with her camera phone.
SERBIA | DIRECTOR Maja Miloš, 102 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cell phones have become a normal part of our society and I want to see that craze translate to cinema. I'm skeptical of this project however it certainly has my attention and I hope I will have a chance to catch it at AFI FEST 2012.

EAT SLEEP DIE

Raša, a Montenegrin-born factory worker who loses her job in rural Sweden, runs a gauntlet of job-seeking disappointment and bureaucracy and defies the odds.
SWEDEN | DIRECTOR Gabriela Pichler, 104 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The synopsis doesn't grab my attention but that doesn't mean much other than in a list of so many films I am hard-pressed to believe I will make time to see EAT SLEEP DIE.

HERE AND THERE

After many years in New York, Pedro returns home to Guerrero, Mexico – to an overwhelmed wife, daughters he barely knows and, before long, an unplanned pregnancy.
MEXICO | SPAIN | USA | DIRECTOR Antonio Méndez Esparza, 110 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pass. No shame here, I have absolutely no desire to watch this.

IN THE FOG

In Nazi-occupied Belarus in 1942, a man and his captors come under fire, forcing all to make radically divergent but equally harrowing choices.
GERMANY | RUSSIA | BELARUS | THE NETHERLANDS | LATVIA | DIRECTOR Sergei Loznitsa, 128 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WWII historical period pieces are a dime a dozen and I can easily wait for another opportunity to see IN THE FOG.

NOT IN TEL AVIV

A repressed high school teacher loses his job, kidnaps one of his female students, kills his invalid mother and reconnects with a former high school crush.
ISRAEL | DIRECTOR Nony Geffen, 82 MIN | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This sounds fascinating. Hopefully I will have a chance to catch it during the festival.

SIMON KILLER

A young college graduate travels to France where he becomes involved with a prostitute.
USA | DIRECTOR Antonio Campos, 105 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------France and prostitution, that sounds swell! Not one high up on my list but one I will definitely keep my ear open for positive buzz and potentially squeezing it in at some point over the eight days.

YOUNG AMERICANS

ALL THE LIGHT IN THE SKY

Jane Adams stars as an insomniac actress facing the waning days of her career, when her niece pays a visit to her Malibu house.
USA | DIRECTOR Joe Swanberg, 78 MIN | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Joe Swanberg seems to be the darling of mumble core and his latest feature looks promising but not promising enough that I make sure I see it at its North American Premiere. I'm sure some solid buzz will follow and I will get plenty of other chances to see it.

APE

Trevor is the poster child for post-adolescent malaise. His sole ambition of being a famous comedian leads him to madness when he makes a deal with the devil.
USA | DIRECTOR Joel Potrykus, 86 MIN | U.S. PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For whatever reason I love downward spiral stories, add a deal with the devil and you can rest assured I will be making sure I see APE during AFI FEST.

ELECTRICK CHILDREN

Rachel is a 15-year-old Mormon girl who finds herself miraculously pregnant after listening to a rock music cassette.
USA | DIRECTOR Rebecca Thomas, 120 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I read the synopsis for ELECTRICK CHILDREN and nearly soiled myself. This could either be ingenious or absolute drivel but being that the fine folks at AFI have slated the feature in their esteemed festival bodes well. Definitely making space on my AFI FEST calendar for this one!

THE INTERNATIONAL SIGN FOR CHOKING

When a commissioned filmmaker arrives in Argentina in search of a film subject, he finds the camera turning toward his own aimlessness and discontent.
ARGENTINA | USA | DIRECTOR Zach Weintraub, 80 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Engaging concept but in a crowded festival and with little to none praise I think we can feel safe leaving this at the bottom of the list.

KID-THING

Annie is a young girl leading a lonely existence in Austin, Texas, whose life takes a fascinating turn when she hears a plea for help coming from the bottom of a well.
USA | DIRECTOR David Zellner, 83 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I could take or leave this one. It sounds promising yet with little feedback on the final product I'd have to reserve this one for filler scheduling. Have it as a back pocket film to fill-in when convenient, nothing you must see.

ONLY THE YOUNG

Best friends Garrison and Kevin are equally passionate about the gospel, their girlfriends and the half-pipe in this nonfiction look at teenage life in America.
USA | DIRECTORS Jason Tippet, Elizabeth Mims, 80 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The production still of two punks lounging has my attention, looks like a coming of age documentary with skaters in high desert Southern California, cool. Then the word gospel stands out like the color red sending my brain reeling. There's intrigue but not enough to make time for ONLY THE YOUNG unless it really gains positive buzz from its initial screening.

PEARBLOSSOM HWY

Friends Cory and Anna drift through life. He longs to appear on a reality TV show and she sells sex for money in order to gain her citizenship.
USA | DIRECTOR Mike Ott, 80 MIN | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------At AFI FEST 2010 I saw Mike Ott's Audience Award Winner LITTLEROCK and was pleasantly surprised by the subtle tale of a foreign girl (played by Atsuko Okatsuka) lost in Littlerock, Arizona. Atsuko Okatsuka and Mike Ott are working together again with PEARBLOSSOM HWY. This another film that I would keep as a back-pocket movie to hopefully fill-in some space. I wouldn't tag it as must see, but definitely worth consideration.

SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME

A deadpan fable about thirty-five years in the life of Max, his best friend Sal and a woman they both adore.
USA | DIRECTOR Bob Byington, 76 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Deadpan, fable, and Nick Offerman means I am sold.

STARLET

The unlikely friendship between a young, rootless porn actress and a prickly octogenarian results in a combative yet tender mother-daughter bond.
USA | DIRECTOR Sean Baker, 103 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Not gonna lie, I read porn and got excited. Going a little deeper than that (lol I said deeper) this could end up a solid odd couple drama. That said, unless this ends up winning an award at AFI, there is zero chance I will see it.

SUN DON’T SHINE

Crystal and her boyfriend Leo embark on a mysterious road trip across the haunting Central Florida landscape, her disturbing past riding close behind.
USA | DIRECTOR Amy Seimetz, 82 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I am a fan of Amy Seimetz the actor, now I get to see how I feel about Amy Seimetz the director. SUN DON'T SHINE is her feature length directorial debut. The film sounds loaded with tension and well worth my time. Another huge aspect pulling me to this film, actor AJ Bowen is in it, and I will watch anything he is in.

TCHOUPITOULAS

This dreamlike documentary from the brothers Ross follows three young boys across the Mississippi into New Orleans’ French Quarter for a kaleidoscopic night of revelry.
USA | DIRECTORS Bill Ross, Turner Ross, 80 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sounds intriguing and if it really is, I'll have future chances to catch this one.

MIDNIGHT

ABCS OF DEATH

Twenty-five directors – and one lucky contest winner – make signature short films, both deadly and horrific, based on the letters of the alphabet.
USA | NEW ZEALAND, 123 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thanks to TRICK 'R TREAT, filmmakers are excited about making anthology horror movies again and I am excited they are excited. I've been looking forward to this since hearing its inception on Twitter. Buzz has been lukewarm but I still am eager to sit through 27 horrific shorts!

COME OUT AND PLAY

A young couple on vacation takes a small boat to a picturesque island where something horrible has happened and survival depends upon committing unthinkable atrocities.
MEXICO | DIRECTOR Makinov, 87 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As a fan of the genre, I'll be at all of the midnight films. Besides there is nothing else playing at the same time to conflict with it; might as well watch.

HERE COMES THE DEVIL (AHI VA EL DIABLO)

The pre-teen children of a couple go missing on a hike in Tijuana. When they return, their odd behavior reveals that something very sinister has taken place.
MEXICO  | USA | DIRECTOR Adrián García Bogliano, 97 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Look at her eyes, creepy! Yeah, totally ready for this one.

JOHN DIES AT THE END

John and Dave take “soy sauce,” their drug of choice, and develop supernatural powers, battling meat zombies and giant bugs.
USA | DIRECTOR Don Coscarelli, 99 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Meat zombies and giant bugs, alrighty then. Sounds silly and sounds like it could be a blast.

BREAKTHROUGH

EVERYBODY’S GOT SOMEBODY... NOT ME              (TODO EL MUNDO TIENE ALGUIENE MIENOS YO)

A troubled intellectual woman has a love affair with an inquisitive teenaged girl. When her attentions grow suffocating, the girl must make a choice.
MEXICO | DIRECTOR Raúl Fuentes, 95 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lesbian love story, pass.

KID

A seven-year-old boy from a small farm has trouble adjusting to life without his mother when he and his older brother are left in the care of their aunt and uncle.
BELGIUM | DIRECTOR Fien Troch, 90 MIN | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The look of despair on that mother's face in the above image has my attention. This is definitely a film that if it works into my schedule I would love to see.

THE LAST STEP

A playful puzzle of a film about a deceased architect, his mercurial actress widow and a mysterious doctor who seeks a role in her latest film.
IRAN | DIRECTOR Ali Mosaffa, 88 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A SEPARATION actress Leila Hatami is good at looking sad, unfortunately that is not enough to gain early consideration in the loaded AFI FEST lineup. If enough buzz follows the first screening however, I may have to make some adjustments.

THE MOST FUN I’VE EVER HAD WITH MY PANTS ON

In this dark comedy, friends Andy and Liv travel through the picturesque landscape of the Southwest in remembrance of Andy’s father.
USA | DIRECTOR Drew Denny, 95 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Regardless of a tantalizing title, this one doesn't grab my attention in the slightest.

NAIROBI HALF LIFE

Kenya’s second-ever selection in the race for an Oscar nomination, this is a gritty but uplifting tale of young hustlers struggling to get by in the Kenyan capital.
KENYA* | GERMANY | DIRECTOR David Tosh Gitonga, 97 MIN | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This sounds similar to CITY OF GOD set in Kenya, whether or not it ends up equal to that is a huge longshot, regardless I want to check it out.

OH BOY

Focusing on recent college dropout and trust fund slacker Niko, OH BOY is a portrait of a young man wandering around the streets of Berlin.
GERMANY | DIRECTOR Jan-Ole Gerster, 85 MIN | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Wandering in Berlin is probably pretty awesome but I'm not so sure this one makes the cut. Revaluation if buzz is strong following it's North American Premiere screening.

GUEST ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ELECTRIC CHAIR

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of ME AND YOU, the latest film by Bernardo Bertolucci.
ITALY | DIRECTOR Monica Stambrini, 47 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This almost qualifies as a short presentation, 47 minutes. If you got an hour to kill and ELECTRIC CHAIR fits in, then why not but I wouldn't go out of my way for this.

42ND STREET

A producer puts on what may be his last Broadway show, and at the last moment a chorus girl has to replace the star.
USA | DIRECTOR Lloyd Bacon, 89 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Classic. A film my grandmother showed me. The kind of film you hear people say, "they don't make them like this anymore."

THE RULES OF THE GAME

Renoir’s look at bourgeois life in France at the onset of World War II. An assorted cast of characters – the rich and their poor servants – come together at a French chateau.
FRANCE | DIRECTOR Jean Renoir, 106 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I've heard nothing but praise of this film and I am ashamed to say I have yet to see it. Making time for it at AFI FEST will be tough, but I just may have to do it.

SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS

A married farmer falls under the spell of a slatternly woman from the city who tries to convince him to drown his wife.
USA | DIRECTOR F.W. Murnau, 89 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Never seen this, probably won't see it at AFI FEST, but its been noted as something to visit at my own convenience.

VIVRE SA VIE

This 1962 film featuring Godard’s wife, Anna Karina, details in 12 episodes a woman’s descent into prostitution.
FRANCE | DIRECTOR Jean-Luc Godard, 85 MIN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In just twelve easy steps you too can be a... but seriously, an amazing piece of cinema that deserves to be celebrated on the big screen.

That about wraps it up. Hope this guide helps to give you a overview of what to expect at AFI FEST 2012.

Check back for reviews and more from AFI FEST 2012.

Source: AFI FEST