York U. film graduates screen their indie productions at the Music Hall

TORONTO, May 4, 2000 -- CLASS OF 2000 FILM FESTIVAL, a showcase of films by students graduating from York University's Film & Video Department, comes to The Music Hall on Wednesday, May 31. Show time 9 p.m.

These seven short dramas shot in 16 and 35 mm film offer an unique blend of differing methods of storytelling to share the filmmaker's personal visions on the big screen.

On the program:

Stop
In this film by Boris Mojsovski a photographer named Darko decides to capture images of war in order to cope with a personal tragedy that has changed his life forever. This ambitious ten minute film has over a dozen locations and a hundred extras.

Fragile Dishes
Directed by Bill Halliday, Fragile Dishes centres around two women who run a diet plan and seek happiness in their lives despite being at odds with one another.

Angela
Directed by Candice Day, the film focuses on a few days in the life of young Angela and how concerns for her health and happiness force family change.

Seeds
This is the story of a selfish old man who grows a young girl from a package of mysterious seeds. The theme is that of rebirth and of giving yourself unselfishly to others for a common good. Directed by Sean Cisterna.

Easy Target
A group of indie film makers enter the life of high school student Lyle Johnson in order to understand the causes behind youth violence in this mock documentary directed by Aaron Unrau.

Wood
The film is a visual metaphor which recalls and celebrates our memories of the dead by showing how we shape these memories into a rejuvenation of our own lives. The film builds on this metaphor by filming trees in various stages of life while off-camera interviews describe life and remember those who died. Director James Bell.

Still
This film which incorporates underwater photography, follows a young woman tormented by a tragic childhood incident until she comes face to face with the past. The film deals with the power that memory holds on our lives. Director Alison Zemell.

York's Department of Film & Video, housed in the largest film and theatre teaching complex in Canada, is recognized internationally as one of the premier training centres in the field. York student productions regularly make a strong showing at national and international competitions such as TVO Telefest, CanPro, and the Edinburgh Film Festival.

Class of 2000 Film Festival takes place Wednesday, May 31 starting at 9 p.m. at The Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. Admission is $3.00 at the Box Office. For more information, call 736-5149.

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For further information, please contact:

Carol Bishop
Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts
York University
(416) 736-2100 ext. 20421
email: cbishop@yorku.ca