The film just added to the opening night line-up, the romantic comedy “Outsourced,” was the one Program Director Cevin Cathell planned on – three years ago. “We had it for Sonoma, but they pulled it,” she told The Sun. “It never got released.” She ran into the producer this year who said he now held the rights, and she jumped on his offer to show it here April 15.
Kevin McNeely, the festival’s executive director, has named the star of the event’s Spotlight Tribute: Lauren Hutton, the model-turned actress who is still turning heads at age 65+. Hutton will be interviewed by none other than Robin Williams on Saturday night, April 17. She co-stars in the festival’s closing night film, “The Joneses,” with David Duchovney and Demi Moore. (One degree of separation, or rather divorce: Bruce Willis,’ Moore’s ex, was the Festival’s big name last year) That film screens April, 18.
One big-name in the making is The New Mastersounds, the four-piece band out the U.K. whose modern take on vintage soul-jazz, funk and rock draws influences, members say, from the Jimmies — McGriff, Smith, and Hendrix. Not only will the documentary on the band’s pilgrimage to New Orleans, titled “Coals to Newcastle,” open the Festival on April 15, the band will play live that night at Little Switzerland. Having booked the film, McNeely caught the live act at the Fillmore recently. “What a great group of guys. They are flying over from the U.K. on their own nickel to play after the World Premiere of their film. This will get the Festival started with a bang.”
McNeely says documentaries have seemingly become one of Sonoma’s specialties, having previously shown the groundbreaking” Food Inc.” and this year’s Academy Award winner, “The Cove”
Another doc, another world premiere, on April 16. “Singularity: It is Near,” examines the life and mind of Raymond Kurzweil, the pioneer of artificial intelligence. He will be at the Sebastiani Theatre for a Q & A after the film.
The Sonoma band Static People will play the Festival’s Filmmaker’s Bash on April 17, also at Little Switzerland. Vocalist Dmitra Smith, guitarist Pascal Faivre, bassist Daedalus Howell and percussionist Mundo Murguia formed when they discovered they live within blocks of each other in Boyes Hot Springs… For tickets and information: SonomaFilmFest.org or 933-2600.
