Martha s Vineyard International Film Festival

Take an exquisite New England island, add fantastic films, parties, and invite lovers of both, and voila: it’s the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival! Established in 2006, the festival’s annual theme is “Other Places,” and is reflected in this year’s slate. “We hope,” says festival director Richard Paradise, “everyone will be challenged to think broadly—about how huge the world of film is—and deeply, about the universal concerns and desires that unite us.” This year, Paradise adds, 10% of profits will be donated to causes depicted in the screened films, such as PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL (from Liberia) and GARBAGE DREAMS (Egypt).

With less congestion and usually great weather, September is the perfect time for a Vineyard visit, and that goes double on festival weekend. The film fest, in fact, was designed with relaxation in mind: most events are in the afternoon and evening, leaving hours open to explore the island’s beaches and towns.

This year’s festival films come from every corner of the globe: Palestine, Russia, China, India, Norway, France, Israel, Germany, Spain, Japan, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and more. The opening night feature, though, is American-made (but India-inspired). SITA SINGS THE BLUES (“The Greatest Break-up Story Ever Told”) won the Cristal grand prix for best feature at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. Its creator, Nina Paley, will speak at the opening night screening. Her time in India and the end of her marriage to an Indian man inspired her first feature. A syndicated cartoonist, she began making short films in 1998 and created SITA on her home computer.

Other notable films are RUDO Y CURSI, one of the top-grossing Mexican films of all time, and winner of the audience award at the Newport Beach Film Festival. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (Israel) is an innovative animated drama and was nominated for a 2009 Oscar (Best Documentary). LEMON TREE is based on the true story of a Palestinian widow who battles with her new neighbor, the Israeli defense minister, over the survival of her lemon grove, but finds a friend in his wife. At the Berlin International Film Festival, its star, Hiam Abbass, won Best Actress and the film received an audience award.

From Kazakhstan comes TULPAN, winner of the Cannes Film Festival Prix Un Certain Regard. It’s the tale of a dreamer who makes his way from the Russian navy to his hometown and, he hopes, a future with a mysterious local woman. A love story of another type is GONE WITH THE WOMAN (Norway), a fast-paced tale of a man and the woman who takes over his life.

The award-winning THE POPE’S TOILET (Argentina) is a comedy about the 1988 papal visit to a Uruguayan border town, whose residents anticipate great bounty from the anticipated 50,000 visitors. Another Argentine award-winner is THE MAID, which explores the netherworld of a long-time servant who is, and is not, part of the family. SIN NOMBRE (Mexico) is a socio-thriller set on the US border that won director Cary Fukunaga the 2009 New Director’s Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

One of the most anticipated films of the festival is MUNYURANGABO. It explores the Hutu-Tutsi genocide from the point of view of an orphaned teen and is the first film ever in the Kinyarwanda language. Among its many awards is the Grand Jury Prize at the American Film Institute festival.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS, directed by Doris Dorrie (How to Cook Your Life) comes courtesy of the Goethe Institute in Boston. When he loses his adored wife, Rudi discovers she once longed for a life in Japan. Off-balance, he leaves Germany for Tokyo. This clash of cultures film won Best Actor and Best Production at the Bavarian Film Festival. Japan is also the setting for OKURUBITO (this year's Oscar Winner for Foreign Language Film), the story of one man’s attempt to survive the financial recession by taking a career he never imagined he’d ever consider.

The MV International Film Festival is a success largely because of support from year-round and seasonal residents. This year that’s particularly true: BROOKE ADAMS, film and Broadway star, will premiere her new 20-minute short, PET PEEVES (co-produced with her husband, Tony Shalhoub, star of TV’s “Monk”). GERALDINE BROOKS will introduce a feature from her native Australia and comic writer extraordinaire MARTY NADLER (“Carol Burnett Show,” “Happy Days”) will introduce GONE WITH THE WOMAN. Loyal festival supporter BILL PLYMPTON returns with a slate of animated international shorts and nationally known cartoonist Paul Karasik designed this year’s festival poster. Local business ECO MV will keep the festival “green” with recycling bins and biodegradable cups, plates, and napkins. And LIZ WITHAM and KEN WENTWORTH of Film-Truth Production again present THINK GLOBALLY, SHOOT LOCALLY with new work by up-and-coming Island amateur filmmakers. (Two films from past TGSL forums, MOW CREW and HOUSE OF BONES, were completed and screened in 2009.)

Films are just the start. In addition to art gallery and meet-the-filmmaker gatherings, festival passholders will enjoy nightly parties and other special events. The opening night cocktail party on the Mansion House roof offers the island’s best harbor view and includes live jazz by ALB Jazz Trio, Southeast Asian-inspired food by Chef Robert Lionette, and drinks by festival sponsors French Rabbit wines, Charles de Fere Sparking wine, Sapporo Beer, and San Pellegrino waters. REEL FOOD MV, a special party/dinner/screening event will include a menu of locally grown cuisine at sumptuous Saltwater restaurant and a screening of international short films curated by festival director Paradise. Che’s Lounge will be the nighttime hot spot: on Friday, DJ Phillipe Borde provides the music for a Parisian theme party; on Saturday, DJ Carter Keith Hakala brings in a Caribbean beat. Boisset American's IDOL Vodka and Domaine de Canton host the open bars.

The festival rolls through Sunday and wraps up with THE END OF THE LINE, a British independent film and a party on the harbor with live blue grass by Ballywho, food from Blue Canoe, Home Port, and Net Result, and libations again by the festival sponsors.