The SXSW film festival is only days away and yet the Austin based mega-fest isn’t done adding big films to its lineup.
This afternoon they let us know that they’ve lined up a closing night film, directed by frequent southby attendee Billy Bob Thornton. The movie’s called King of Luck and it’s a documentary about the greatness of Willie Nelson.
Additionally, the festival will play host to the Judd Apatow produced comedy Bridesmaids, debuting an unfinished, work in progress version of the Paul Feig directed film. Bridesmaids stars Kristen Wiig as a maid of honor whose life unravels while taking her best friend down the wild road to matrimony.
Other new SXSW additions include Hit So Hard, a documentary on HOLE drummer Patty Schemel, and a look at The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway. Here’s SXSW’s full announcement explaining all their newly added titles:
HEADLINERSThe King of Luck Director: Billy Bob ThorntonThis is a documentary about Willie Nelson: the man, the songwriter, the friend, the father, legendary performer and champion of the family farmer. (World Premiere)SPECIAL EVENTSBridesmaids (Work In Progress)Director: Paul Feig, Writers: Annie Mumolo & Kristen WiigKristen Wiig leads the cast as Annie, a maid of honor whose life unravels as she leads her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), and a group of colorful bridesmaids (Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) on a wild ride down the road to matrimony.Films from R.E.M.’s Collapse Into Now followed by a Q+A with Michael StipeA selection of films from R.E.M.'s latest album, ”Collapse Into Now,” with films by notable artists and filmmakers and personally curated by Michael Stipe.Night FishingDirectors: PARKing CHANce (PARK Chan-wook, PARK Chan-kyong) (Narrative Short)Story about the transitions between life and death brought by PARKing CHANce, the first collaboration between PARK Chan-wook and PARK Chan-kyong. (North American Premiere)The Pee-wee Herman Show on BroadwayDirector: Marty Callner, Created and Conceived by: Paul Reubens, Written by: Paul Reubens and Bill Steinkellner, Additional Material by: John Paragon, Also written by: Josh Meyers, John Koch and Paul RustBased on the original show that launched Pee-wee Herman into a pop culture icon, Paul Reubens’ beloved character brings his Playhouse to life once again in the HBO special “The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway.”Sound & Scene: Made in IsraelSXSW Film and Wyatt Brand present a unique music/film/interactive convergence brunch, as two Israeli bands – Eatliz and Onili – play live to their stunning, award winning videos. GRAMMY®-nominated directors Yuval and Merov Nathan Skype in from Tel Aviv.Umshini Wam (Narrative Short)Director & Writer: Harmony KorineNinja and Yo Landi are wheelchair bound gangstas. Their wheels are falling off, and they need new rims. They must undergo extreme measures to keep rolling. (World Premiere)24 BEATS PER SECONDThe Devil's BoxDirector: Jason HammondOnce a year, fiddlers across the country flock to Hallettsville to compete for the title of best Texas-style fiddler. The small town erupts into a musical jamboree in this offbeat and quirky portrait of Americana. (World Premiere)Hit So HardDirector: P. David EbersoleThe life and near-death story of Patty Schemel, the hard-hitting openly gay drummer of HOLE whose friendship with struggling musician Kurt Cobain unexpectedly led her to a path of fame, addiction, betrayal, survival and triumph. (World Premiere)Tell Your FriendsDirector: Victor VarnadoFeaturing hot up-and coming comedians Reggie Watts, Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler, Liam McEneaney, and Christian Finnegan, “Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film!” does for indie comedy what “Woodstock” did for Baby Boomer rock. (World Premiere)SXGLOBALSeparado! (UK)Directors: Gruff Rhys & Dylan GochStar Trek meets Buena Vista Social Club in this psychedelic western musical as Welsh pop legend Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals) takes us on a pan continental road trip in search of his long lost Patagonian uncle, the poncho wearing guitarist Rene Griffiths.Tunnelvision (The Netherlands)Director: Stefano Odoardi, Writer: Sytske KokWhen the body of a little baby is found in the dirt, the rubbish dump workers soon have reason to suspect that Mira knows more about it. Cast: Sanneke Bos, Serge Price, Raymond Thiry, Ergun Simsek, Teun Kuilboer (U.S. Premiere)MIDNIGHT SHORTSUp, Up, and AwayDirector: Holden OsborneWhat goes up when the lights come down? (World Premiere)SHORTS SCREENING WITH FEATURESThe Blitzen Trapper Massacre (Narrative Short)Director: Rainn WilsonRainn Wilson directs and stars in The Blitzen Trapper Massacre, a new comedic short film designed to provoke terror into the hearts of any band that doesn’t the put the fans first. (World Premiere)
Watch for complete coverage of the 2011 SXSW film festival shooting straight out of Austin and into your head, right here on Cinema Blend next week.
