Tuesday, July 5, 2011

29th Juste pour rire (Just for Laughs) Comedy Festival, July 5-31


Just as the world's largest jazz festival comes to a close in Montreal, the world's largest comedy festival kicks off. The 29th Juste pour rire (Just for Laughs) Comedy Festival. Featured performers include Russell Peters, John Oliver, Craig Ferguson, Daniel Tosh, Louis CK, Danny Bhoy, Jimmy Carr, Eddie Izzard, Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Smith, and Jeffrey Ross.

Tonight's programming begins with shows by Le Petit Roy and Les Fourberies de Scapin. English-language shows begin next week on Monday, July 11.

In addition to the impressive line-up of shows, the festival hosts a conference from July 27-30. It features panels, speeches, discussions, the Comedy Bootcamp for film, networking events and receptions. Participants include Andy Kindler, David Mirkin, Louis C.K., Richard Crouse, Rob Corddry, Steven Levitan, Colin Quinn and Kevin Smith.

Juste pour rire also hosts an adjoining film festival which runs from July 24 to 30. Features include Jonathan Sobol's A Beginner's Guide to Endings, Steve Skrovan's
Fred & Vinnie and the world premiere of Warren Sonoda's Servitude. Documentaries include the world premiere of Albert Nerenberg's Rire Extrême. There are several short film programs as well. Many of the directors will be in attendance to introduce the films and follow with Question & Answer sessions.

There are some free events -- PINKARNAVAL: Un carnaval inspiré par Jean Paul Gaultier, the Rock Paper Scissors tournament and the Twins Parade.

hahaha.com


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The Best Comedy Films on the Planet!


Local Boy Comes Home to
Premiere His Award-Winning Film

Montreal, Thursday, June 16, 2011
– We have done it again!  After months of travels, sleepless nights, drinks, dance and hard work (in that order), we bring you the best comedy films, documentaries and shorts from around the world. The 15th edition of the JUST FOR LAUGHS FILM FESTIVAL runs from July 24-30 at the Cinéma du Parc. Tickets are on sale now at www.hahaha.com/film or, if you’re scared of the internet, by calling 1-888-244-3155.

Undoubtedly, the hottest ticket at this year’s edition will be for the Canadian Premiere of Fred & Vinnie. Winner of The Christopher Wetzel Award for Independent Film Comedy in Chicago and Best Feature Film at the Beverly Hills Film, TV & New Media Festival, this great film now comes to Canada. Local boy Angelo Tsarouchas, co-star Fred Stroller and director Steve Skrovan will present the film on Friday, July 29 at 9:00PM.

On Thursday, July 28 at 9:00PM don’t miss the World Premiere of Servitude (Maple Pictures). Directed by Warren P. Sonoda, written by Michael Sparaga and starring Dave Foley along with Margot Kidder, this all-Canadian affair is the first film to be produced from the Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab, a CFC Film program, in collaboration with Just For Laughs.

Before there was Jackass…before there was Tom Green…there was Ralph Zavaldil. The Canadian documentary BEAUTY DAY (FilmsWeLike) tells the remarkable tale of Ralph Zavadil. His cable access television show in the early 90’s in southern Ontario, The Cap'n Video Show, showcased Ralph performing a series of idiotic and occasionally dangerous stunts. The advent of the Internet and reality television still years away, his unique brand of gross-out stunt comedy was truly ahead of its time. Tuesday, July 26 at 7:00 PM

After making a stop at TIFF, A Beginner's Guide To Endings, a the tale of an unusual family reunion starring Harvey Keitel and Scott Caan, comes to Just For Laughs on Wednesday, July 27 at 7:00 PM.

Festival favorite, Eat My Shorts, returns with a selection of the best comedy shorts from around the world and beyond including Oscar winner The Lost Thing (Australia), Sundance Honorable Mentions’ Protoparticles (Spain) and The External World (Germany). Plus, catch Bad Dads with Michael Cera and Cheat: A Man’s Guide to Infidelity starring Joe DeRosa, Bill Burr and Robert Kelly. Eat My Shorts 1 & 2 will screen on July 27 at 9:00PM and July 30 at 7:00PM.

PLUS MORE GREAT FILMS:

PUNCHING THE CLOWN, winner of the Audience Award at the Slamdance Film Festival, is an uproarious and smart comedy that tells the story of Henry Phillips, a hapless modern day troubadour. Thursday, July 28 at 7:00 PM

PHUNNY BUSINESS: A BLACK COMEDY chronicles the rise and fall of ALL JOKES ASIDE. An all-star cast of comedians appear in this documentary including: Jamie Foxx, Bernie Mac, Mike Epps, JB Smoove, Dave Chappelle, Cedric The Entertainer, Mo’Nique, Craig Robinson, Sheryl Underwood, Chris Rock, D.L. Hughley and more. Friday, July 29 at 7:00 PM

TELL YOUR FRIENDS! THE CONCERT FILM! Reggie Watts, Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler, Liam McEneaney, and Christian Finnegan are among the performers in this comedy documentary that does for the current indie comedy scene what "The Last Waltz" or "Woodstock" did for Baby Boomer rock. Saturday, July 30 at 9:00 PM

And for all you Jerry Lewis lovers, MORE HILARIOUS FILMS in French:

RIRE EXTRÊME follows Laughologist and director Albert Nerenberg on a mission to find Quebec's best laugher. Sunday, July 24 at 7:00 PM

LE MISSIONNAIRE (Filmoption International) – Jean-Marie Bigard, France's top stand-up comedian writes and stars in this snappy comedy about an ex-convict on an offbeat road to redemption. Come and meet Jean-Marie Bigard live on Sunday, July 24 at 9:00 PM.

OPÉRATION CASABLANCA – Mistaken for a dangerous terrorist, Saadi – a regular guy who happens to be an illegal Arab immigrant – sets out on the most dangerous day of his life. Monday, July 25 at 7:00 PM

TOUT COURT 1 & 2– A selection of the best comedy shorts from around the French world and beyond, Quebec’s finest in the spotlight! July 25 & 26 at 9:00PM

About the Just For Laughs Group
Founded in 1983 with the presentation of its first comedy festival in Montreal, the Just For Laughs Group is a world leader in comedy. It has four major business units:  Festivals (in Montreal, Toronto, Chicago and Sydney, AUS); television production (most notably Gags seen in 135 countries and on 95 airlines); live shows (Canadian tour dates for Jerry Seinfeld, , Louis C.K., Arturo Brachetti’s European Tour, the Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour, North American dates for Family Guy Live!); and talent management. Its inaugural Festival is now the world's largest and most prestigious comedy event welcoming close to 2 million people each summer. The Group has offices in Montreal, Paris, Los Angeles, Toronto, London and a rundown film office on Parc Ave.

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