FRI 7/15
Here's a dilemma you're unlikely to face in your lifetime: Your boss informs you that your job has been eliminated. But rather than making you redundant, he offers you a new position -- and quite a few positions for your spouse as well. Yes, those kind of positions. And the entire Scandinavian region gets to watch. In the Spanish film Torremolinos 73, that's what happens to Alfredo, an encyclopedia salesman who, along with his wife, Carmen, unwittingly becomes an overseas porn star.
Under the guise of creating the World Audiovisual Encyclopedia of Reproduction, Alfredo's employers turn him and his wife into Scandinavian porn stars. (Of course, they don't know this.) Alfredo is inspired to make his own film, but Carmen wants to make a baby. While this sounds like a chance to kill two birds with one bone (oh!), Alfredo's struggle to balance his career with his personal life leads to a situation stickier than a dozen dirty bed sheets. So what will he choose, preproduction or reproduction?
Torremolinos 73 opens Friday at Cinema Paradiso (503 SE Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale). The screenings run through July 21. Tickets cost $5 to $8. Call 954-525-FILM, or visit www.cinemaparadiso.org. -- Jason Budjinski
New Tradition
Diggin' the digital at AIFL
WED 7/20
Kathleen Colussy has written two books. She teaches fashion design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (1799 SE 17th St. Cswy., Fort Lauderdale). Despite her busy schedule, the artist/ author/educator found time to put together the exhibit "Trad-igital," which opens Wednesday at the institute. The exhibit fuses art and fashion with technology, employing the traditional (painting and photography) with the digital (Photoshop rendering). And it's all done on fabric, both natural and synthetic fibers -- and most commonly as kimonos. In her artist's statement, Colussy explains her feelings on using high-tech media: "For me, the computer as an artist has always represented a tool not unlike that of paint, a brush, or for that matter, any other tool an artist may choose to use in the creative process." Pixels, paint drops -- what's the difference? We're in a new millennium here, pal. "Trad-igital" runs through August 20. Call 954-308-2109. -- Jason Budjinski
Winning Wares
Fashion for the real world
THU 7/14
On the season finale of Bravo's Project Runway, fledgling designer Jay McCarroll scored big when he won a management contract of $100,000 and an apprenticeship with Banana Republic. But what most pleased fans was when he left that smarmy snitch Wendy Pepper crying on his coattails. Now, McCarroll is back where he started in yet another fashion show -- but this time as a celebrity host. On Thursday, he welcomes "Styles Miami '05," a Gen Art event showcasing winners of an International Design Competition. The show takes place at 8 p.m. at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts (174 E. Flagler St., Miami). Tickets start at $35. Call 305-695-8200, or visit www.genart.org. -- Terra Sullivan
Chocolate in Your Eye
FRI 7/15
If there's one thing likely to result from Friday's screening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Blockbuster IMAX Theatre (401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale), it's Saturday's trip to the candy store. The 3-D screening will bring the chocolatey substance so close that you'll feel your teeth rotting. The film runs through September 22. Tickets cost $9 to $11. Call 954-713-0940. -- Terra Sullivan
