Luminato Toronto - Free Screenings

TORONTO (May 9, 2011) – Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, today announced The Luminato Reel, free screenings of short and feature-length films centered around three main themes: The process of collaboration; manuscripts and texts; and iconic Arabic film.

This year, Luminato presents a variety of indoor and outdoor screenings: documentaries following the creation of Luminato presentations; films that inspired festival programming; and supplementary work from Luminato artists. The indoor screenings feature films related to 2011 Festival themes, including a focus on Arabic culture. New to The Luminato Reel program, a series of free outdoor screenings focusing on Luminato artists will be played at the Festival Hub in David Pecaut Square.

Visa Infinite is the Presenting Sponsor of The Luminato Reel.

Complete Listings for The Luminato Reel:

Outdoor Screenings

New this year, The Luminato Reel includes free, outdoor, lunchtime screenings at the Festival Hub. Outdoor screenings run from Monday, June 13 to Thursday, June 16 starting at 12:30 PM in David Pecaut Square, 55 John Street (off King Street, just West of Roy Thomson Hall). FREE.

MONDAY, JUNE 13

L’infini

This documentary tracks the creation process of two renowned choreographers, Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and chronicles the creation of their piece, zero degrees.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14

Music of Central Asia Volume 8: Kronos Quartet with Alim and Fargana Qasimov,

Spiritual Music of Azerbaijan

The Music of Central Asia series is a co-production of the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia, a program of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Culture Heritage. This documentary film features Luminato artists the Kronos Quartet, and Alim and Fargana Qasimov.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

Bahok

This documentary feature about Akram Khan Company’s production of Bahok features dancers from the National Ballet of China.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

Music of Central Asia Volume 3: Homayun Sakhi, The Art of the Afghan Rubab

The Music of Central Asia series is a co-production of the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia, a program of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Culture Heritage. This documentary film features Luminato artist Homayun Sakhi and his signature instrument.

Music of Central Asia Volume 6: Alim and Fargana Qasimov, Spiritual Music of Azerbaijan

The Music of Central Asia series is a co-production of the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia, a program of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Culture Heritage. This documentary film features Luminato artists Alim and Fargana Qasimov.

Indoor Screenings

Luminato presents films featuring Festival artists, as well as films which relate to 2011 Festival themes, including a focus on Arabic culture. The Luminato Reel indoor screenings run from June 10 to 19 at TIFF Bell Lightbox, Reitman Square, 350 King Street West. FREE.

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

2081

A short film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron, 2081 depicts a dystopian future in which, everyone is “finally equal,” and features an original score performed by the world-renowned Kronos Quartet. 7 PM.

Requiem for a Dream

Darren Aronofsky’s film chronicles the shattering of the drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island individuals, starring Ellen Burstyn and featuring a score played by the Kronos Quartet. 7:30 PM.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

Il Fiore Delle Mille e Una Notte

The Flower of One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights) is an adaptation of the ancient Arabic anthology. It is the last of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Trilogy of Life, which began with The Decameron and continued with The Canterbury Tales. 7:30 PM.

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

Lawrence of Arabia

Academy Award-winning film Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence, directed by David Lean, and is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential films in the history of cinema. (1962) 7:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

Indigenes (Days of Glory)

During World War II, four North African men enlist in the French army to liberate that country from Nazi oppression, and to fight French discrimination. Directed by Rachid Bouchareb (2006). 7:30 PM

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

The Battle of Algiers

The Battle of Algiers is a 1967 film based on occurrences during the Algerian War (1954–62) against French colonial occupation in North Africa, the most prominent being the titular Battle of Algiers. Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo (1967). 7:30 PM

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

The Mummy/Night of Counting the Years

This most famous of all Egyptian auteurist films is often credited with helping to define the origins of Egyptian national identity. The story revolves around a legendary cache of royal mummies that was unearthed at Deir Al-Bahari in 1881, and the ancient tribe accused of plundering the tomb. The print is greatly enhanced by a recent restoration by the World Cinema Foundation and Cineteca di Bologna. In Arabic; English subtitles. Directed by Shadi Abdel Salam. (1973).

7:30 PM

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

Incendies

Nominee, Foreign Language Film, Academy Awards.

After their mother Nawal’s death, twins Simon and Jeanne embark on a journey to the Middle East that shines a disturbing light on their mother’s past and culminates in a shocking revelation. Based on the acclaimed play by Wajdi Mouawad and directed by Genie and Jutra award-winner Denis Villeneuve (Polytechnique). (2010). Presented in French/Arabic. 7:30 PM

Digital Storytelling Projects

In partnership with Manifesto and Digital Storytelling Toronto.

Inspired by the Festival’s curatorial theme of storytelling and the framework of One Thousand and One Nights, in the months leading up to the Festival, Luminato worked with students and teachers from selected schools, youth, and community organizations in Regent Park and Parkdale to create short documentary-style digital storytelling narratives. 

Digital Storytelling Projects – Elementary School Program

1:00-2:00 PM

Digital Storytelling Project – Youth Program

2:30-4 PM

SUNDAY, JUNE 19

Digital Storytelling Projects

(See above description)

Digital Storytelling Projects – Elementary School Program

1:00-2:00 PM

Digital Storytelling Project – Youth Program

2:30-4 PM

The fifth anniversary edition of Luminato takes place from June 10-19, 2011.

ABOUT LUMINATO

For 10 extraordinary days in June, Toronto’s stages, streets, and public spaces are illuminated with arts and creativity. Luminato is an annual multi-disciplinary celebration of theatre, dance,

music, literature, food, visual arts, fashion, film, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.luminato.com.

Luminato gratefully acknowledges the generous support and vision of its Founding Luminaries, SuperNova donors, and Patron Circle Members. The Festival would not be possible without the support of our Partner in Creativity, L’Oréal. Luminato also acknowledges the support of its founding government partner, the Government of Ontario; the Government of Canada; and the City of Toronto.

Luminato Partners: L’Oréal, TELUS, National Bank Financial Group, President’s Choice, Kia Canada, Manulife Financial, OLG, VISA Infinite, RBC, Scotiabank Group. 

Major Media Partners: Toronto Star, CBC, The Globe and Mail, Cineplex, St. Joseph Communications, Telelatino, ATN, The Weather Network.

List represents commitments as of May 5, 2011.