MIFF 2007 Program
The MIFF 2007 Program was one of our most exciting to date. If you missed MIFF 2007, you can still get a glimpse some of the films, guests, and special events that made MIFF 2007 an event to remember!

MIFF to present MIDLIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to BUD CORT
This is the 35th anniversary of the film that brought Bud Cort to most people's consciousness, HAROLD AND MAUDE, a film that remains a classic American comedy of the 70's, and one that embodies the era's ethos. But even before that seminal film, Bud had starred in the first two major films of Robert Altman's moviemaking life, M*A*S*H and BREWSTER McCLOUD. The title role in WHY SHOOT THE TEACHER? (One of the most successful films in Canadian history) THE SECRET DIARY OF SIGMUND FREUD, a comedy with Klaus Kinski and Carol Kane, and SHE DANCES ALONE followed, embodying Bud's commitment to truly original filmmaking. More than 40 film roles have followed, including recently Wes Anderson's comedy, THE LIFE AQUATIC, with Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett, Kevin Smith's DOGMA (as "God"), Ed Harris' POLLOCK, and his own film, TED AND VENUS . Besides his film and theatre work, Bud has sung all over the world from Carnegie Hall to the Alcazar in Paris in a one man musical show. He was the youngest actor ever given an homage at The Cinematheque in Paris in an evening hosted by the great director/actor Jacques Tati. Bud lived as a house guest for many years with Groucho Marx. Not your average resume and not your average artist. What a treat it is to welcome him here to MIFF for our Midlife Achievement Award and the ceremonial moose! (Bud's award presentation will be held in conjunction with the screening of HAROLD AND MAUDE on Saturday, July 21 at 6:30pm at the Waterville Opera House.

MIFF to welcome Special Guest: Lin Cheng-Sheng
Lin Cheng-sheng was born in 1959 to a farming family in a remote village in Taiwan and worked as a baker initially. It was not until 1984. when he accidentally attended a directing and scriptwriting workshop, that he found his true passion: motion pictures. In 1996 he directed his first feature film, A DRIFTING LIFE, for which he was awarded a Silver Medal in the Young Cinema Competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival. His second film, MURMUR of YOUTH, was screened during Director's Week at the Cannes International Film Festival. His films have won major awards at the Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals. He is widely regarded as one of the world's most exciting young directors. It is a great pleasure and honor to welcome both he and his leading actress in his most recent film, THE MOON ALSO RISES, Chia-Yu Lin, to this year's MIFF. Grateful thanks to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston and to Central Motion Picture Company for their kindness in making this program possible. Director Cheng-sheng Lin, introducing THE MOON ALSO RISES (with special appearance by actress Chia-Yu Lin), ROBINSON'S CRUSOE, MURMUR OF YOUTH, and BETELNUT BEAUTY.

Bill "Spaceman" Lee (former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox) & Peter J. Vogt, Director, to introduce HIGH AND OUTSIDE
HIGH AND OUTSIDE is the documentary biography of Bill "Spaceman" Lee, legendary pitcher for the Red Sox from 1969 through 1978 before being traded to Montreal. In the 1970s, Lee aka "The Ace from Space," became a folk hero to the Fenway faithful. He lived in a world like no other; where competitive fire, Tibetan Buddhism, slapstick comedy, and counter-cultural medication lived together in relative harmony. He baffled opposing hitters and management alike with a variety of pitches and verbal aerobatics. As a pioneer in the baseball labor movement, he beanballed corporate duplicity and worked to end the era of indentured servitude in baseball. Was he blackballed from the game as a result? You bet he was! Director Peter Vogt brings the legend down to earth and finds a legendary human being in "Spaceman", whose carryover wisdom from the 60s still rings true today.

Opening Night Film: Arctic Tale
From the people who brought you MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, a real adventure in the coolest place on earth. Two narratives -- the life cycle of a mother walrus and her calf, and the life of a polar bear and her cubs -- are used to illustrate the harsh realities of existence in the Arctic.

Closing Night Film: In the Shadow of the Moon
Between 1968 and 1972, 12 men walked upon the surface of the moon. All of the surviving crew from the Apollo missions tell their stories. With visually stunning NASA footage as counterpoint to this riveting firsthand testimony, the Sundance Audience award winner vividly conveys the daring and the danger of this remarkable achievement.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Friday, July 13: OPENING NIGHT GALA, 9:00 PM, Castonguay Square, catered by Apollo's Bistro
Saturday, July 14: PANEL DISCUSSION with Indian food following CANDY HOUSE, 3:00 PM, REM Forum, 93 Main Street (catered by Bahaar)
Saturday, July 14: RECEPTION FOR LIN CHENG-SHENG, 9:00 PM, Grand Central Cafe, 10 Railroad Square
Wednesday, July 18: RECEPTION FOR HIGH AND OUTSIDE with Bill "Spaceman" Lee, 8:30 PM, Mainely Brews Tavern, 1 Post Office Square
Saturday, July 21: RECEPTION & PANEL following Maine Student Film & Video Festival, 3:00 PM, Opera House Dance Studio, 93 Main Street (catered by Jorgensen's Main Street Cafe)
Saturday, July 21:PARTY FOR BUD CORT, 9:00 PM, Soup to Nuts Coffee House, 177 Main Street
Sunday, July 22: CLOSING NIGHT PARTY, 9:30 PM, Midnight Blues Club, 2 Silver Street