The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference & Festival has announced additional titles and guest speakers confirmed for this year’s event, March 7-15, in Austin, Texas. Among the big titles unveiled, is the highly-anticipated New Line Cinema release Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. In the sequel to the hit comedy, Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, the boys (Kal Penn and John Cho) get themselves in trouble trying to sneak a bong onboard a flight to Amsterdam. Now, being suspected of terrorism, they are forced to run from the law and try to find a way to prove their innocence. What follows is an irreverent and epic journey of deep thoughts, deeper inhaling and a wild trip around the world that is as “un-PC” as it gets.
SXSW has also unveiled additional films and panelists for March. Other titles confirmed for the SXSW Film Festival, before the February 5 announcement of the entire lineup, include:
Battle in Seattle, directed by Stuart Townsend. An all-star, edge-of-your-seat glimpse at the 1999 WTO demonstrations in Seattle, told from the perspective of protesters (Michelle Rodriguez, Martin Henderson, Andre Benjamin), police (Woody Harrelson, Channing Tatum), and city officials (Ray Liotta).
Crawford, directed by David Modigliani. A balanced and comprehensive documentary look at the town of Crawford, TX and how it evolved once George W. Bush moved there.
Mister Lonely, directed by Harmony Korine. A Michael Jackson impersonator (Diego Luna) befriends a Marilyn Monroe impersonator (Samantha Morton), who takes him to live at an unusual commune for others like them.
The Promotion, directed by Steve Conrad. Two supermarket managers (Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly) face-off against each other when a possible company promotion is brought to the table.
The Toe Tactic, directed by Emily Hubley. In this hybrid of live-action and animation, a young woman grieves for her father while unaware of the magical world around her.
The SXSW Film Festival will open on March 7 with a screening of 21 directed by Robert Luketic. Also added to the SXSW Film Conference (March 8-11) are a series of “Conversation” panels with luminaries such as: Oscar-winning actress Helen Hunt (who will screen her directorial debut, Then She Found Me, at the fest), author Harlan Ellison (subject of the SXSW selection, Dreams With Sharp Teeth), and media icon Michael Eisner. “A Conversation with Michael Eisner,” a one-on-one interview with the former head of Disney turned media mogul and founder of The Tornante Company and new media studio Vuguru, discussing his past, present and future endeavors, as he builds new companies and models for entertainment consumption.
