Film Festival Reviews: Eric Burnasconi's debut feature "Synesthesia" is a well-handled if unremarkable drama that hooks viewer attention by being told in scrambled chronology and from several participants' points of view in detailing repercussions from a serious accident. The pic, set in Italian-speaking Switzerland, opened there this spring; star Alessio Boni should ensure theatrical exposure in Italy itself. Elsewhere, fest dates and tube sales beckon.

Film Reviews: Tyro helmer Vicki Abeles analyzes the ills of the educational system, with "Race to Nowhere."

Film Reviews: Four women cross paths during eclipse in Craig Macneill and Alexei Kaleina's "The Afterlight."

Film Front Reviews: A two-hander romantic drama that might have come from the mind of David Cronenberg, circa "Dead Ringers," "The Sentiment of the Flesh" reps a small but confident, fairly arresting feature debut for writer-helmer Roberto Garzelli. Story of two young medicos whose interest in the body takes unhealthy turns could attract some niche DVD and arthouse exposure following fest travel that may encompass adventuresome horror showcases.

TV Front Reviews: A dead-end street as viewing experiences go, "Fairfield Road" approximates a movie-length Pepperidge Farm ad -- with all of the gooey sweetness, and less depth. Jesse Metcalf ("Desperate Housewives") stars as an ambitious young political operative who stumbles onto and finds purpose in an idyllic Cape Cod town, after losing his job and girlfriend in short order. Fortunately, this is the Hallmark Channel, meaning each closed door throws opens a new one with shocking alacrity, allowing for tidy endings, however sappy they might be.

TV Front Reviews: Between "Big Love" and the upcoming unscripted series "Sister Wives," polygamy is fast becoming the dysfunctional family flavor of the month. Add to that "The 19th Wife," a Lifetime movie about a polygamous sect, set against the backdrop of a murder mystery. Based on David Ebershoff's novel, the movie makes for an awfully thin gruel, even with a parallel structure that flashes from the present back to a 19th-century woman, Ann Eliza, promised to Brigham Young. Then again, faithful Lifetime movie-watchers have experienced greater hardships than this.

Film News: Fest pairs with Gates Foundation, part of TEDxChange.

International News: Fuentes-Leon's pic joins race for foreign Oscar nom -- Peru has chosen Javier Fuentes-Leon's "Contracorriente" (Undertow) to vie for a foreign language Oscar nomination.

Film News: Chile's Scherson moves ahead with adaptation -- Pandora Film has boarded "El futuro," director Alicia Scherson's adaptation of "Una novelita lumpen."

International News: Biarritz showcase boosts Gallic sales -- BIARRITZ, France -- "The Destiny of Rome" and "The Ascendance of Athens" a four-part docu-drama chronicling the epic adventures of Greek and Roman heroes has been pre-bought in key territories. Deals were announced at the TV France Intl. Rendez Vous in Biarritz, where the programs were showcased during a Roman-themed evening.

Film News: Costanzo draws inspiration from diverse sources -- Young Italo helmer Saverio Costanzo referenced a wide range of movies to make his ambitious genre-blender.

International News: Argentina sales company opens beachheads in Asia and U.S. -- BUENOS AIRES -- FilmSharks Intl., an international film sales company out of Latin America, is opening foreign beachheads to snare bigger titles and sell more.

International News: Eros hopes to raise $75 million in India -- LONDON -- Bollywood giant Eros Intl. announced plans Thursday to raise 3.5 billion rupees ($75 million) on the Indian stock market. The company, which is listed on London's Alternate Investment Market, plans to raise the funds via an initial public offering through its wholly owned subsidiary Eros Intl. Media and has filed documents with the Registrar of Cos. in Mumbai.

Film News: Martial arts movie set for January release -- Magnet Releasing has picked up U.S. rights to "Ong Bak 3," the third installment in the martial arts saga toplined by Tony Jaa.

International News: Co-production treaty to be signed in June -- LONDON -- The Canadian government has launched audiovisual co-production negotiations with India, James Moore, minister of Canadian heritage, announced Wednesday. This is expected to lead to a formal co-production agreement, likely to be signed during June's Intl. Indian Film Academy Awards in Toronto.

International News: Oscar winner's career examined -- Dante Ferretti is on the Lido today, taking time from London set of Martin Scorsese's 3D project.

Timothy M. Gray: Unique architecture, geography lures filmmakers -- It's clear that Venice has had a long love affair with film.

Film News: Company to launch 'Four Lions' -- Alamo Drafthouse is expanding into film distribution under the banner Drafthouse Films.

Film News: Spanish telco mulls how to invest in other Iberian offerings -- Andrucha Waddington's "Lope," which screens out of competition Saturday, may mark a milestone for the Spanish film industry.

Music News: Documentary hints at similarities to Michael Jackson -- The life of Glenn Gould, the James Dean of classical pianists, is more shrouded in myth than fact. But the documentary "Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould," which opens in New York on Friday and in Los Angeles on Sept. 24, unpeels layer upon layer to get at what made the troubled genius tick as an artist and an eccentric.