TULI – controversial x-rated feature film

TULI – controversial x-rated feature film

TORONTO–The imagineNATIVE (www.imaginenative.org) is pleased to announce the North American premiere of Auraeus Solitos (Indigenous name Kanakan Balintagos) latest film, Tuli, as the CHUM Ltd. Opening Gala (October 18th, Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West, doors 7:00pm, tickets $12 including after-party). This groundbreaking film tells the touching story of a young girl who is forced into an arranged marriage by her abusive, alcoholic father who is determined she follow in his tracks as the town circumciser. Her angst drives her to rebel and soon falls in love with her childhood female friend, a relationship that threatens to tear the village apart.

Multi-award-winning director, Auraeus Solito (Kanakan Balintagos of the Palawan nation of the Philippines), has received international acclaim for his first feature length drama The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros. It has screened worldwide including imagineNATIVE (2005), the Sundance Film Festival, and the Berlin International Film Festival, where it won three Awards including the 20th Anniversary Teddy Award for Best Queer Film. Tuli has been the source of some controversy in the Philippines, where it received an X-rating from censors. The Opening Gala presentation at imagineNATIVE will be the first uncut public screening of the film. Aureaus Solito (Kanakan Balintagos) will be in attendance.

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is celebrating its seventh year by showcasing the best of Indigenous film and new media from around the world. Between October 18th 22nd in downtown Toronto, the 2006 festival will feature over 100 of the finest Indigenous-produced film, video, new media, radio, and art installations. The festivals screenings, parties, panel discussions, and cultural events attract and connect filmmakers, media artists, programmers, buyers, and industry professionals. The works accepted reflect the diversity of the worlds Indigenous nations and illustrate the vitality and excellence of our art and culture in contemporary media.

For Media information, please contact Planet3 Communications, Joanne Smale at 416.922.4459 E: info@planet3com.net

For festival information, please contact: imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival; info@imaginenative.org; www.imaginenative.org