Thursday, November 9----The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival switches into especially high gear for its final three days in Fort Lauderdale before taking the show on the road to the resort of Key West next week. It promises to be an exciting weekend of film premieres, celebrity watching and awards ceremonies, with evening receptions set for every night. Now that the skies have cleared, Fort Lauderdale is a magical place for both sun and celluloid.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

DAVID & LAYLA
Star-crossed lovers from two different backgrounds has been a potent theme since Shakespeare and more recently with the mega-hit MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING. The theme is reprised in the "political romantic comedy" DAVID & LAYLA, directed by Jay Jonroy, who is of Kurdish descent and was born in Iraq. He brings a rare understanding to this appealing comedy, which is inspired by a true story about the sparks that fly when a Jew and a Muslim fall in love in New York. A Jewish television host, played by sexy newcomer David Moscow, becomes smitten with the voluptuous Layla, a mysterious, sensual dancer played by exotic beauty Shiva Rose. In spite of objections from both of their families, they set off on an unlikely romance. Actress Shiva Rose, accompanied by her film/tv star husband Dylan McDermott, will attend the Florida premiere.

Screenings:
Friday, November 10, 6:45pm, Cinema Paradiso
Saturday, November 11, 3:30pm, Cinema Paradiso
For tickets: Log on to the Festival website www.fliff.com or come to the theater box office.

HALFWAY DECENT
Ernie Hudson, who won accolades for his role in the HBO drama series OZ and his supporting role in the MISS CONGENIALITY films with Sandra Bullock, will attend the screenings of HALFWAY DECENT, where he has a rare leading role. Hudson plays detective Tom Black, a police detective whose life goes into a tailspin, as he juggles alimony payment to his avaricious wife, making progress in rehab, and his demanding job, made more difficult by his corrupt partner. Yet he manages to find a measure of humor and redemption. HALFWAY DECENT benefits from an insightful script by writer/director Alan Berger, a former casting agent making his feature debut. Both Berger and his star Ernie Hudson, will be present for the film's solo screening.

Screening:
Friday, November 10, 8:45pm, Cinema Paradiso
For tickets: Log on to the Festival website www.fliff.com or come to the theater box office.

THE AX
One of the most celebrated film directors in the world of international cinema, Costa-Gavras strikes an usually comic tone with his latest film THE AX. Known for intense political thrillers such as Z, THE CONFESSION, MISSING, THE MUSIC BOX and AMEN, the Greek-born director focuses instead on a satirical comedy on contemporary business practices. THE AX focuses on a laid-off chemist, who loses his job to international outsourcing. Two years later and still jobless, he hits on a solution: to genuinely eliminate his competition by becoming a not-so-polished international assassin. As the very un-James Bond, Spanish actor Jose Garcia is a hoot, in a performance which was nominated for a Cesar Award (the French Oscar). This is one of the funniest and most pointed films in the Festival!!

Screenings:
Friday, November 10, 5:30pm, Las Olas Riverfront
Friday, November 10, 9:30pm, Las Olas Riverfront
Sunday, November 12, 7:00pm, Las Olas Riverfront
For tickets: Log on to the Festival website www.fliff.com or come to the theater box office.

SCHEDULE CHANGES

The Australian coming-of-age comedy 48 SHADES, making its Florida Premiere at the Festival, replaces the screening of TRUST ME, and will screen on Friday, November 10, 1:30pm at Las Olas Riverfront.

The Colombian family drama KARMMA, making its US Premiere at the Festival, replaces the screening of TRUST ME, and will screen on Friday, November 10, 7:30pm at Las Olas Riverfront.

Sandy Mandelberger
Online Festival Dailies Editor