Silverdocs Announces Opening & Closing Night Films

More news from Silverdocs on their opening and closing night selections below. The Film Panel Notetaker will be in Silver Spring, MD, to bring you notes from the filmmaker Q&As and panel discussions. Stay tuned.

Silver Spring, Maryland, May 14, 2008—SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival announced the opening and closing night films for SILVERDOCS 2008. The Festival will open on Monday, June 16, 2008 with the US Premiere of Adrian Wills’ ALL TOGETHER NOW and close with THEATER OF WAR on Saturday, June 21, 2008. SILVERDOCS presents eight days of programming showcasing 100 films plus special screenings, music performances, and dozens of panel discussions featuring hundreds of filmmakers, subjects and media professionals. Now in its sixth year, SILVERDOCS and its concurrent International Documentary Conference honors excellence in filmmaking, supports the diverse voices and free expression of independent storytellers and celebrates the power of documentary to enhance our understanding of the world.

ALL TOGETHER NOW, Adrian Wills’ faithful behind-the-scenes story of the unprecedented partnership between The Beatles and Cirque du Soleil, explores the making of the “LOVE” stage production at the Mirage in Las Vegas. The film captures the collaborations of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté, LOVE director Dominique Champagne and producers Sir George Martin and his son Giles Martin as they create an homage to the vision and music of The Beatles. Director Adrian Wills is scheduled to attend along with other special guests.

The Festival will close with THEATER OF WAR, directed by John Walter (HOW TO DRAW A BUNNY), a mesmerising examination of the intersection of art and politics at the creation of The Public Theater’s 2006 outdoor performance of Bertolt Brecht’s anti-war play Mother Courage and Her Children. The play, directed by The Public Theater’s George C. Wolfe from a new translation by Tony Kushner features Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline. THEATER OF WAR offers an intimate glimpse into the creative process and offers a raw and powerful exploration of war and capitalism. Director John Walter is scheduled to attend. Special guests to be announced.

“ALL TOGETHER NOW is a testament to the power of great music to endure over decades and the risk, rewards, and sheer drama, of creative collaboration,” said Festival Director, Patricia Finneran. “THEATER OF WAR is a riveting modern media take of a classic cultural exploration of conflict. Whether music or theatre, both films offer a rare insight into the creative process and invite audiences to reflect on the present through the prism of our artistic and political history.”