Year 7 of DancesWithFilms Film Festival Engages a Hot Topic in 2004

DancesWithFilms is the only film festival in the United States which is solely geared towards presenting “unknowns”, mandating that all competition films have no “known” directors, actors or producers. This year’s fest takes place June 10th through the 16th.

Two particular selections in this year’s festival touch on the topic of social bullying and relational aggression, and appear near the beginning and end of the festival‘s schedule.

First up, Filmmakers and recipients of the distinguished Women In Film completion grant, Roberta McMillan & Ray Buffer mark their California debut of the 115 minute Documentary Feature, RATS & BULLIES. The film’s opening montage cycles through profiles of youths throughout the globe who have taken extreme measures due to being bullied, before finally settling on a 14-year-old girl named Dawn-Marie Wesley from Mission, British Columbia, who is the film’s primary subject. On November 10th, 2000 Dawn-Marie hung herself in her bedroom using her own dog’s leash. She left a suicide note which identified three girls from her school who had threatened and bullied her. A precedent setting court case followed in which bullies were held responsible for the first time in court. You may have heard elements of this story on programs such as the Oprah Winfrey Show. RATS & BULLIES shows the causes and brutal consequences of what has now become known as “bullycide”. Immerse yourself in the powerful documentary, RATS & BULLIES screening on Saturday, June 12th at 11:00 AM.

More information on this film is available at:

http://www.ratsandbullies.com

On the final day of the festival, Filmmakers Brian Ging & Jason Brown embark on their US Premiere with the 97 minute Narrative Feature, AMERICAN YEARBOOK. The true-to-life story of a high school dreamer, Will, whose hope of being a successful photographer is ripped from his grasp, as he is relentlessly targeted by a vicious pack of local bullies. Will befriends a mysterious, brooding character named Chance, who convinces Will that they should acquire a gun and “pull a Columbine”. Amanda, the girl that Will adores, pleads with him to set aside revenge and talk Chance down. Can even Will stop what Chance has begun? And is Will’s desire for revenge too strong for him to simply walk away? Find out in AMERICAN YEARBOOK screening on Wednesday, June 16th at 7:15 PM.

More information on this film is available at:

http://www.americanyearbook.com

Both films will be presented at:

Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex

1332 Second Street

Santa Monica, CA 90405

TICKETS:

Call 310-394-9741

Or purchase online at:

RATS & BULLIES:

http://buytickets.2ya.com

AMERICAN YEARBOOK:

http://www.american-yearbook.com/premiere.htm

Festival passes are also available which allow holders to see all the films screened. For information on purchasing a festival pass contact:

323-850-2929