SXSW 2012: SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED, SLEEPWALK WITH ME, the Premiere of Todd Rohal’s NATURE CALLS, and More Added to Line-Up

The 2012 SXSW Film Festival has announced some exciting additions to their already-stellar line-up.  The Sundance flicks Searching for Sugar Man, Chasing Ice, Monsieur Lazhar (my review), Safety Not Guaranteed (my review), Shut Up and Play the Hits, and Sleepwalk with Me will all be showing up at this year’s SXSW.  I heard nothing but good things about Chasing Ice and Sleepwalk with Me, and I’m glad I’ll have a second chance to see them.  SXSW 2012 will also have the world premiere of Steve Taylor‘s Blue Like Jazz, and Todd Rohal‘s Nature Calls starring Patton Oswalt, Johnny Knoxville, and Rob Riggle.  

Hit the jump for more on all of the new additions.  The 2012 SXSW Film Festival runs from March 9 – 17th.

NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT

Blue Like Jazz

Director: Steve Taylor, Screenwriters: Donald Miller, Steve Taylor, Ben Pearson

A Texas college student flees the hypocrisy of his religious upbringing for life in the Pacific Northwest at ‘the most godless campus in America.’ Based on the New York Times bestseller by Donald Miller.

Cast: Marshall Allman, Claire Holt, Tania Raymonde, Justin Welborn, Eric Lange (World Premiere)

Nature Calls

Director/Screenwriter: Todd Rohal

Polar-opposite brothers Randy (Oswalt) and Kirk (Knoxville) never saw eye-to-eye, but their rivalry is taken to a new level when Randy hijacks Kirk’s son’s sleepover, taking the boys on a Scout Trip to remember.

Cast: Patton Oswalt, Johnny Knoxville, Rob Riggle, Maura Tierney, Patrice O’Neal, Darrell Hammond (World Premiere)

EMERGING VISIONS

King Kelly

Director: Andrew Neel, Screenwriter: Mike Roberts

Made entirely from camera-phone footage, King Kelly is a sensational journey into hedonistic American youth culture and the YouTube generation.

Cast: Louisa Krause, Libby Woodbridge, Roderick Hill, Will Brill, Patrick Murney (World Premiere)

LOW & CLEAR

Directors: Kahlil Hudson, Tyler Hughen

Two formerly close friends reunite for a fly-fishing trip and struggle to understand how much they’ve each changed – and how these changes now threaten the friendship. (World Premiere)

24 BEATS PER SECOND

Lost and Sound (UK)

Director: Lindsey Dryden

Music may be an essential part of being human – but what if you lost the ability to hear it? A dancer, a pianist and a music critic attempt to re-discover music after deafness, with astonishing results.

(World Premiere)

Searching for Sugar Man (Sweden/UK)

Director: Malik Bendjelloul

The true story of the greatest ‘70s US rock icon who never was, how he was rediscovered and finally became the legend he deserved to be. A story of hope, inspiration and the power of music.

SX GLOBAL

GLOBAL HOME (Germany)

Director: Eva Stotz

Director Eva Stotz visited interesting people all over the world whom she found through online-host-networks and emerged for a limited time in their every-day-life.

(World Premiere)

The Will

Director: Christian Sønderby Jepsen (Denmark)

Henrik dreams of a new beginning. But when Henrik’s grandfather dies, leaving behind a fortune of millions, old skeletons come to light. (North American Premiere)

FESTIVAL FAVORITES

Chasing Ice

Director: Jeff Orlowski

Photographer James Balog was once a skeptic about climate change, but he discovers undeniable evidence. Balog reveals hauntingly beautiful, time-lapse videos of vanishing glaciers, while delivering hope to our carbon-powered planet.

Monsieur Lazhar

Director/Screenwriter: Philippe Falardeau, Based on the Stage Play by: Evelyne de la Chenelière

The story of an Algerian immigrant substitute teacher who brings emotional stability to a Montreal middle school class shaken by the tragic death of their well-liked teacher.

Cast: Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Emilien Néron, Danielle Proulx, Brigitte Poupart

Safety Not Guaranteed

Director: Colin Trevorrow, Screenwriter: Derek Connolly

A trio of magazine employees investigate a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel.

Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni

Shut Up and Play the Hits (UK)

Directors: Will Lovelace, Dylan Southern

The final days of LCD Soundsystem.

Sleepwalk With Me

Director/Screenwriter: Mike Birbiglia, Screenwriter: Ira Glass, Joe Birbiglia, Seth Barrish

An aspiring comedian reluctant to confront his fears of love, honesty, and growing up; a budding standup comedian has both a hilarious and intense struggle with sleepwalking.

Cast: Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn, Carol Kane, Cristin Milioti

SPECIAL EVENTS

Coffin Joe’s “This Night I Will Possess Your Corpse” with live score by Gary Lucas (Brazil)

Director/Screenwriter: Jose Mojica Marins, Screenwriter: Aldenora De Sa Porto

Gary Lucas’ live original solo guitar soundtrack accompanying the legendary 1967 Brazilian cult horror film classic directed by and starring Jose Mojica Marins a/k/a Coffin Joe.

Cast: Jose Mojica Marins a/k/a Coffin Joe, Tina Wohlers, Nadia Freitas, Antonio Fracari, Jose Lobo

Yellow Submarine (1968) Newly Restored (UK)

Director: George Dunning

Once upon a time in an unearthly paradise called Pepperland, the Blue Meanies threaten to destroy all that is good.  Enter John, Paul, George and Ringo to save the day! Armed with their humour, songs, and yellow submarine, the Fab Four tackle the rough seas in an effort to bring down evil.

Cast: The Beatles, Paul Angelis, John Clive