“Revelations: Finding God at the Movies” Morgan Freeman speaks following the screening of 10 Items or Less. The two-character comedy, directed by Brad Silberling and starring Freeman as an aging Hollywood actor, was shown at the Paramount on Friday night.
Looking a bit Biblical himself, director Tom Shadyac, a UVA graduate and former stand-up comic, signs autographs before the screening of Bruce Almighty. Shadyac recently completed filming the comedy’s sequel, Evan Almighty, in Albemarle County. That film, which stars Morgan Freeman in a returning role as God and Steve Carell as a Noah-like figure, is likely to be released next summer. Shadyac told the audience, which saw a sneak preview of Evan’s trailer, that he’d like Charlottesville to be the site for the film’s world premiere.
Robert Duvall, Morgan Freeman and Liev Schreiber (left to right) meet with UVA drama students for a private discussion of craft in the Helms Theatre, “Inside the Actor’s Studio”-style, on Friday afternoon, October 27. Duvall’s films Tender Mercies and The Apostle were screened during the festival, as was Freeman’s Bruce Almighty and 10 Items or Less, a new movie from his production company. Schreiber’s Everything is Illuminated, which he directed and adapted from the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, was also shown during the weekend.
Director Liev Schreiber works the crowd on Saturday evening, October 28, after his film Everything is Illuminated was shown at Newcomb Theater on the UVA campus.
Director Jeff Wadlow, local fellow made good (his mother was State Senator Emily Couric), counts audience ballots at the conclusion of the Volvo Adrenaline Film Project on Sunday afternoon at Newcomb Theater. Ten teams of filmmakers competed for three prizes, including the Audience Award, for short films that were written, shot and edited during 72 hours. Wadlow and his filmmaking partner, Beau Bauman, mentor the project, which was back for a third consecutive year. Benjamin Haslup, Ruth Morton and Brian Wimer scored the Audience and Jury awards for their film noir project, Taste of Evil.
UVA graduates Derek Sieg (left) and Tyler Davidson sandwich star January Jones at the premiere of Sieg’s feature movie Swedish Auto, which opened the film festival with its Paramount showing on Thursday, October 26. Sieg filmed the movie in Charlottesville last year, and featured such local institutions as Mel’s Cafe on W. Main Street. The film also stars Lukas Haas as a guy who repairs cars in a Charlottesville auto shop.