South by Southwest Festival: Film Highlights

The South-by-Southwest festival is one of the most popular and largest film festivals in the United States and they recently released a preview of what they will be showing this March in Austin. Here are the films on the list:

The Lookout: This film was written and directed by Oscar winner Scott Frank (The Interpreter, Minority Report). This movie starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3^rd Rock from the Sun, 10 Things I Hate About You), Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, I Heart Huckabees), Matthew Goode (Match Point, Chasing Liberty), and Jeff Daniels (The Hours, Because of Winn Dixie) is described as a "crime thriller with a twist." The world premiere will be March 9 and the movie will be released worldwide March 23.

638 Ways to Kill Castro: Dollan Cannell directed this documentary as well as The Importance of Being Famous. The documentary looks at the alleged 638 plots to kill Fidel Castro. The film also takes a look at the evolving Cuban politics.

Black Sheep: This movie written and directed by Jonathan King stars Nathan Meister, Danielle Mason, and Tammy Davis (Whale Rider). The New England black comedy is about a herd of mutant sheep on a quest for human blood.

Hannah Takes The Stairs: This movie was directed by Joe Swanberg (Kissing on the Mouth) and written by Joe Swanberg, Greta Gerwig (LOL), and Kent Osbourne (Spongebob Squarepants Movie). The film is about a group of Chicago writers who are stuck in the middle of a love triangle. That is until Hannah steals the hearts and minds of two close friends.

The Last Days of Left Eye: This sad but true documentary is based on the life of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Lopes was part of the pop group TLC. This video directed by Lauren Lazin (Tupac Resurrection) shows the last days before Lopes' automobile accident. The film is both a musical documentary as well as a showcase to the hardships of fame.

Manufacturing Dissent: This film was directed by Debbie Melnyk (Citizen Black) and Rick Caine (The Frank Truth) and seeks to determine the truth behind Fahrenheit 9/11. This movie stars Noam Chomsky (Field Day), Janeane Garofalo (Stay), Ben Hamper (Canadian Bacon), Christopher Hitchens (Hell's Angel), Harlan Jacobson, Dave Marsh, Albert Maysles (Stolen), Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine), Errol Morris (The Thin Blue Line), Ralph Nader (Fun with Dick and Jane), John Pierson and Roger Smith. The documentary tracks Michael Moore on his tour during the release of Fahrenheit 911 and his subsequent launch into political stardom.

Suffering Man's Charity: This film directed by Alan Cumming (X-Men) and written by Thomas Gallagher stars Alan Cumming, David Boreanaz (Angel, Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Carrie Fisher (Star Wars), and Anne Heche (Everwood, Men In Trees). This movie features a well know cast and is a comedic portrayal of "unrequited love and unfulfilled artistic ambition."

What Would Jesus Buy: This movie directed by Rob Vanalkemade is another film producer Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me). The documentary takes a look at the commercialization of the Christmas season.

This year the SXSW festival will showcase some films that will surely be award winners. The entire list of featured films will come out in February so be sure to keep an eye out for the list. The SXSW festival will be held March 9-17, 2007 in Austin, Texas so be sure to reserve your seats now.