Lifelines

Running time: 91 mins

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF), founded in 1986, presents 200 films during 28 days (World?s Longest: Guiness Records) mid October-mid November. FLIFF has hosted the Kodak Int?l Film Competition since ?89 and in 2006 added a high school video component. In 1998, FLIFF moved into a historic (1926) church and renovated it into Cinema Paradiso, their year-round arthouse. In 1999, FLIFF created Cinema Paradiso Releasing (CPR), which distributes foreign films throughout the US. FLIFF is the only film fest in the Southeast that tours with screenings held in 25 other cities throughout Florida. FLIFF is Florida?s highest rated film festival (Florida Arts Council) and the top Tourist Related Project for the county.

This past May, in efforts to increase the support of film artists worldwide and to stimulate growth through collaboration, FLIFF and Cinequest teamed up to produce an annual industry party at the Cannes Film Festival. The event was a huge success and led to an agreement for each organization to host the other at our respective festivals.

Last October, Cinequest Program Director, Michael Rabehl presented The Village Barbershop at FLIFF. Hal Axler, FLIFF Executive Director returns the favor with our Best American Indie winner, Lifelines.

Writer-director Rob Margolies' debut feature bristles with smart dialogue, complex characters, and heart wrenching performances.

Set against the backdrop of suburban utopia, the Bernstein family leads a dysfunctional existence. With three foul-mouthed kids (Robbie Sublett, Dreama Walker, and Jacob Kogan), a caffeine-addict mother (Jane Adams) on the brink, and a less-than-forthcoming father (Josh Pais), they suffer an atmosphere so heavy with collective hostility and tension it seems as if the floral-papered walls will come crashing down at any minute. Forced to the breaking point, they concede to a family therapy session, where it quickly becomes clear that what's wrong is ?about a lot more than dry turkey.? Repressed anger and antagonism give way to moments of self-revelation, as a patient and compassionate Dr. Livingston (Joe Morton) draws out demons and dark secrets, allowing the family to begin accepting their own humanity.