Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 2:16PM Duncan Jones' 'Source Code' to Open 2011 SxSW Film Fest
First things first, if you haven't seen Duncan Jones' feature film debut Moon, see it now. Granted the film has its flaws (what film doesn't?) but it is one of the best sci-fi films of the decade and worth seeing for Sam Rockwell's performance alone.
With that out of the way, the South by Southwest (SxSW) Film Festival has announced its opening night film for the 2011 fest, and it just happens to be Jones' follow-up to Moon, Source Code. Hit the jump to read the press release, find out a little more about the festival, and see the film's trailer.
Film Conference/Festival Producer Janet Pierson's press release said:
"We are delighted to welcome Duncan Jones back to SXSW. His debut Moon showed an intelligence, skill, and exceptional use of limited resources that’s exactly the kind of filmmaking we love to support… Source Code is a terrific follow-up; it’s a smart, suspenseful thriller, and a perfect fit for our 2011 Opening Night!"
Source Code is one of my most anticipated films of 2011. Jones is directing a script from Ben Ripley, and the cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, and Russell Peters. If you haven't seen the trailer or read a synopsis yet, check it out below.
As far as the SxSW Festival itself goes, it's one of the coolest festivals running today. Not only is it a film festival, but it's a film conference in which filmmakers can network and learn from those actually working in the industry as well one of the largest music festivals in the US. The festival prides itself on premiering the combination of both critically acclaimed films, like The Hurt Locker, and fan favorites, like Kick-Ass. Tickets are a little pricey, but if you can afford it SxSW is definitely a must visit before you die for film fans.
Source Code opens the 2011 SxSW Festival in Austin, TX on March 11, 2011.
Synopsis:
Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes with a jolt to find himself on a commuter train heading into Chicago. Although the other passengers all seem to know him, he has absolutely no idea where – or even who – he is. The last thing Colter remembers is flying a helicopter mission in Iraq, but here he is in someone else’s life going through someone else’s morning commute. Before he can do anything an express train zooms by on the opposite track and a bomb explodes, seemingly killing Colter and all the other passengers. Colter comes to in an isolation chamber, strapped to a seat, and wearing his military flight suit. He still has no idea what’s happening, except that he’s being spoken to by mission controller Carol Goodwin (Vera Farmiga), who calmly recites a series of memory questions to which Colter is shocked to realize he knows the answers.
He learns he’s part of an operation called “Beleaguered Castle,” but before he can progress any further, Goodwin starts up the machinery and suddenly Colter is back on the train, at exactly the same time he first appeared there, once again speeding through Chicago with the same group of commuters. Colter figures he’s in some kind of simulation exercise, with his task being to find the bomber on board the train before it goes off again. Living the explosion over and over, Colter must uncover the identity of the bomber, while also figuring out what the alternative universe of “Beleaguered Castle” is. Adding to the puzzle, Colter uses the second chance opportunities to make peace with his father, and to find romance with a fellow passenger on the train.
Reader Comments (1)
God that sounds like an interesting story idea, i may have to subdue my loathing for Jake Gyllenhaal and watch it.