Press Releases

Tom DiCillo Retrospevtive: Tribute to an Indie Star

Renowned American Director Tom DiCillo a Guest of Honor at FILMFEST MÜNCHEN

FILMFEST MÜNCHEN (June 24 - July 2, 2011) is screening a retrospective this year of the films of the New York city based American Independent filmmaker. "Tom DiCillo has been a major influence on the development of independent cinema in the USA", according to Festival Director Andreas Ströhl. "We're very happy that he'll be our special guest here at Filmfest München, a longtime home away from home for American Indies, for the comprehensive retrospective of his films."

FILMFEST MÜNCHEN will be screening all films by the writer-director. In an event open to the public, DiCillo will talk about his experience as an independent filmmaker over the course of three decades.

Tom DiCillo was born in 1953 in North Carolina. He studied film at New York University and began his career as a cameraman and actor.  He achieved international prominence in 1984 as the DOP on fellow ex-NYU film student and friend Jim Jarmusch's STRANGER THAN PARADISE, in which he also acted. In 1991, DiCillo wrote and directed his first feature film, JOHNNY SUEDE, with two young unknown actors at the time, Brad Pitt and Catherine Keener in the leading roles.

Based on his own experience as a filmmaker, he celebrated independent filmmaking with LIVING IN OBLIVION. Steve Buscemi, who played the lead role, has worked with DiCillo on four films. A year later, DiCillo made BOX OF MOONLIGHT with John Turturro, Sam Rockwell and Catherine Keener.  THE REAL BLONDE (1997), DOUBLE WHAMMY (2001) and DELIRIOUS (2006) followed. In 2009, he made the documentary THE DOORS: WHEN YOU'RE STRANGE.

Like many other American Indies, Tom DiCillo's films were often screened at FILMFEST MÜNCHEN. Four of DiCillo's films had their German premieres here. DiCillo came to Filmfest twice, the last time ten years ago, with DOUBLE WHAMMY.

Tom DiCillo will talk with the public and the press in FILMMAKERS LIVE on June 26 at 6 pm in the Black Box in the festival at Gasteig. Admission is free.

Please contact us to arrange interviews with Tom Dicillo.

A photgraph of Tom DiCillo (for free use in coverage of FILMFEST MÜNCHEN 2011) is available on our website.

For a new interview with Tom DiCillo click here.