11th Annual Manhattan Film Festival Set to Open With World Premiere of "The Pathological Optimist"
Director Miranda Bailey Weaves Delicate Portrait of Andrew Wakefield
New York, NY, March 1, 2017 (Newswire.com) - Manhattan Film Festival announced today that The Pathological Optimist by Director Miranda Bailey, has been selected to open the 11th annual edition on April 20, 2017. The documentary is a character study that features never-before-seen, full access footage, of the man at the center of one of the biggest medical and media controversies of our time – Andrew Wakefield – whose film Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe, screened at last year’s Manhattan Film Festival and sparked fierce debate.
“As a filmmaker, I was drawn to exploring a controversial subject so I’m grateful that the Manhattan Film Festival embraces provocative films, and I look forward to premiering The Pathological Optimist”, says Director Miranda Bailey.
The screening will also include a filmmaker Q & A with participants in the film to create an open discussion about the subject matter.
“MFF strongly feels part of the role for an independent film festival is to spark debate and give filmmakers a platform,” said Festival Director Philip Nelson. “We are thrilled and honored to open the festival with The Pathological Optimist, and look forward to the dialog to follow.”
Bailey made her directorial debut with the documentary Greenlit – a humorous documentary examining the hypocrisy inherent in Hollywood’s “green” movement - premiered at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival to critical acclaim and was acquired by IFC International. Additionally, she established herself as a prolific producer championing independent films as CEO of Cold Iron Pictures. In the last year, her film Swiss Army Man and Don’t Think Twice were released to box office success and critical acclaim. Her most recent film, Norman, will be released by Sony Classics April 14.
A complete lineup of films will be announced March 8th. The 11th annual Manhattan Film Festival will take place April 19-30, 2017. For more information on the Manhattan Film Festival, visit http://manhattanff.com/.
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Source: Manhattan Film Festival