2010 Academy Award Nominations
• Woody Harrelson, Best Supporting Actor Nominee
• Allesandro Camon and Oren Moverman, Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

DESCRIPTION

Starring Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton

THE MESSENGER is a powerful and tender story about a returned war hero making his first steps toward a normal life.In his first leading role, Foster stars as Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army officer who has just returned home from a tour in Iraq and is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Partnered with fellow officer Tony Stone (Harrelson) to bear the bad news to the loved ones of fallen soldiers, Will faces the challenge of completing his mission while seeking to find comfort and healing back on the home front. When he finds himself drawn to Olivia (Morton), to whom he has just delivered the news of her husband's death, Will’s emotional detachment begins to dissolve and the film reveals itself as a surprising, humorous, moving and very human portrait of grief, friendship and survival.

Featuring tour-de-force performances from Foster, Harrelson and Morton, and a brilliant directorial debut by Moverman, THE MESSENGER brings us into the inner lives of these outwardly steely heroes to reveal their fragility with compassion and dignity. (MPAA Rated R)

THE MESSENGER is the Centerpiece Film of SJIFF3. At the heart of the Festival, this film celebrates the essence of humanity, power of expression, and universality of cinema arts.

FESTIVALS AND AWARDS

• 2010 Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Woody Harrelson
• Winner of Peace Prize at 2009 Berlin International Film Festival
• Winner of Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at 2009 Berlin International Film Festival
• World Premiere in Competition at 2009 Sundance Film Festival

READ RAVE REVIEWS

• New York Times
• Rolling Stone
• Details

ABOUT DIRECTOR OREN MOVERMAN

Born in Israel, Oren moved to New York to work in film in 1988 after completing four years of military service as an infantry soldier. He co-wrote Todd Haynes’ Bob Dylan biopic I’M NOT THERE, starring Cate Blanchett,Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Richard Gere, Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore and Charlotte Gainsbourg, a Weinstein Company release.

Oren also collaborated with Ira Sachs on MARRIED LIFE, a 2008 Sony Pictures Classics release, starring Rachel McAdams, Chris Cooper, Pierce Brosnen and Patricia Clarkson,and on THE GOODBYE PEOPLE, currently casting. Oren penned INTERRUPTED about legendary director Nicholas Ray, for City Lights Pictures with Phillip Kaufman directing, and WILLIAM BURROUGHS’ QUEER for actor/director Steve Buscemi. Both films are currently casting for a 2009 shoot.

Oren served as screenwriter of FACE, an Indican release, starring Bai Ling, Treach and Kristy Wu. Directed by Bertha Bay-Sa Pan, FACE premiered in competition at the 2002Sundance Film Festival. Oren was also a screenwriter and associate producer of JESUS’ SON, a 2000 Lionsgate /Alliance Release. Directed by Alison Maclean, the film stars Billy Crudup,Samantha Morton, Jack Black, Holly Hunter & Dennis Hopper.

THE MESSENGER is his first film as a director.

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SHOWTIMES

SAT. 02/20 at 7:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre

SAT. 02/27 at 6:00PM (Encore)
The State Theatre Modesto

CAST AND CREW

Director: Oren Moverman
Screenwriter: Allesandro Camon and Oren Moverman
Producer: Benjamin Goldhirsh, Mark Gordon, Lawren Inglee, Zach Miller
Cinematographer: Bobby Bukowski
Editor: Alexander Hall
Music: Nathan Larson
Principal Cast: Ben Foster, Woody Harrselson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone, Eamonn Walker, Steve Buscemi

PRINT SOURCE

Oscilloscope Laboratories
www.oscilloscope.net

FILM CO-PRESENTERS