| DEATH
& TEXAS |
| Friday,
May 7, 6:30 PM, Charles Theatre 3
Director: Kevin DiNovis
Cast: Steve Harris, Charles Durning,
Corbin Bensen, Jello Biafra, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mike McShane, Mary
Kay Place, Andy Richter, Richard Riehle and Tiffany
Country: U.S.
Year: 2004
Running Time: 75 minutes
Format: Beta SP
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In this darkly comic
satire, the career of Barefoot Bobby Briggs (Steve Harris), the
greatest wide receiver in pro-football history, is ended when he
receives a Texas death sentence for his role in a botched armed
robbery. Or so it would seem. Briggs’ execution is scheduled
for the day after the Austin Steers play in the Mega Bowl, and their
wide receiver has suffered a season-ending injury, preventing him
from playing in the big game. Anxious for his state team to win,
the Texas Governor offers Briggs a controversial furlough from Death
Row to play one last game. With guidance from an anti-death-penalty
advocate (Charles Durning), Bobby plays the only card he has left
– his prowess on the football field. It all comes down to
a Hail Mary pass…
Death & Texas parodies the legal system
that attempts to sanitize the killing of its own citizens. Documentary
style, the film examines the trial and its fairness, and interviews
all the key people in Briggs’ life: his lawyers, family, the
politicians, judges and prosecutors; the victim’s family;
the prison staff and many more who determine Briggs’ fate.
-- Skizz Cyzyk
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| Presented
By: Kevin DiNovis (director) and Stephen Israel (producer) |
Director Kevin
DiNovis’ first film, the dark independent classic
Surrender Dorothy, was a hit on the film festival circuit
in 1997, stirring up controversy wherever it was shown. Since then
he has worked periodically in LA as a writer, while also being very
active with the Slamdance Film Festival (serving as a programmer,
screenplay competition judge, and Jury member).
Producer Stephen Israel is a trained
rocket scientist (seriously – he worked on semiconductors
for satellites), holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics
from the University of Durham in England, and an MBA from Cornell.
He has worked for American Cybercast, Turner Broadcasting, Roger
Corman’s Concorde Pictures, Warner Bros., and is probably
best known for executive producing the cult hit Swimming With
Sharks. Another film he produced, Dan Mirvish’s Open
House, is also showing in this festival.
http://www.deathandtexas.com/ |
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