Bali, Indonesia: BALINALE International Film Festival 2012 is proud to announce the World Premiere of ALEX CROSS to its festival line-up. ALEX CROSS is directed by Rob Cohen from the novel “Cross” by James Patterson. Cohen, known for FAST AND THE FURIOUS, xXx, and THE MUMMY; TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPORER, has a passion for Bali and shot the climactic scenes on the island’s east coast of Karangasem.
In the film, Tyler Perry plays Detroit, Michigan (USA) detective Alex Cross who struggles with a thirst for revenge as he tracks an assassin Gilles Mercier played by Jean Reno (RONIN, LEON:THE PROFESSIONAL, THE DA VINCI CODE, PINK PANTHER, HOTEL RWANDA) for murdering his wife in the course of staking his main target. The film also stars Matthew Fox (LOST (TV series), WE ARE MARSHALL, VANTAGE POINT), and Edward Burns (MAN ON A LEDGE, SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK).
The week-long international event runs 22-28 October launching the new Kuta Beachwalk Cinema XXI and celebrating the art of film with a special selection of feature length and short films. Many films have had their international and Asian premiere at BALINALE and gone on to award winning recognition from around the globe, including; EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, THE SOCIAL NETWORK, STILL BILL, A GOOD DAY TO DIE, ISALND OF THE DOGS, HIDUP UNTUK MATI and BILLY T: TE MOVIE.
BALINALE 2012 received over 200 diverse and quality film submissions for consideration in this year’s programming.
With a long history of supporting established and aspiring local filmmakers, the festival aims to provide a platform for Indonesians to show their films to an international audience, network with industry professionals and discover new talent. The 6th annual festival program includes; Film Industry Forums, Daily Seminars, Free Children’s Film Program and a series of educational workshops and this year will be launching a VSS (Very Small Screen) Film Competition.
Industry Alliances include Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet) and the Motion Picture Association (MPA). BALINALE is also appointed as Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) Consulting Organization in Indonesia recognizing the festival’s specialized knowledge and importance in promoting films from Indonesia.
The festival also invites foreign filmmakers to explore Indonesia’s accommodating culture and diverse locations for possible film locations or story ideas. EAT PRAY LOVE (Ryan Murphy), BORN TO BE WILD (David Lickley), SAVAGES (Oliver Stone) and ALEX CROSS (Rob Cohen) as recent examples of films successfully shot in the country using local talent, facilities and locations.
The thirty or so films screened at BALINALE are selected by a panel of highly qualified film professionals and shown for audience award competition. Complete Festival Line-up announced 15 September.
Those involved in BALINALE 2012 include; Festival Co-founder Christine Hakim, 2002 Cannes Film Festival Jury, APSA Academy member, FIAPF recipient for outstanding achievement in film and current UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Teacher Education in Southeast Asia. Educational Program Coordinators Inneke Indriyani, award winning Indonesian actor Jajang C Noer, and Didi Petet, award winning actor and lecturer in Instittut Kesenian Jakarta. Festival Co-founder and Director Deborah Gabinetti, director of Bali Film Center, Asian Film Commissioners Network Director and Asian Film Awards Submissions Committee Member, Lawrence Blair, writer, presenter, co-producer, Emmy award nominee and winner of the 1989 National Educational Film and Video Festival Silver Apple, as well as, Honorary Chairperson Rima Melati, Indonesia’s Screen Legend and Acting Vice Chairperson of Indonesia’s Breast Cancer Foundation, in addition to the numerous visiting international, regional and domestic advisors and speakers including Oscar, Emmy, BAFTA and Cannes award winning filmmakers who have generously contributed to the program over the years.