Oscar Nominee John Hawkes in Classic Movie at JDIFF

DUBUQUE, Iowa - April 26, 2018 - PRLog -- The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival opens this weekend, and a John Hawkes classic will be there. Long before he won the SAG Ensemble Award for his role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and even before his Oscar nomination for The Sessions, Hawkes had his first starring role in a feature as Harold Buttleman: Daredevil Stuntman. Never before in wide release, writer/director Francis Stokes's debut film gets a turn on the big screen this Sunday, April 29, 7:00 CDT at The Phoenix 2 Theatre in Kennedy Mall. Get tickets at http://julienfilmfest.com/special-screenings.html

For those who can't make it to Dubuque this weekend, Buttleman is available on major VOD platforms, including iTunes, Amazon, and GooglePlay.

"A beautiful re-scan from 35 mm film of the classic, award-winning comedy… Hawkes is Harold Buttleman, a sweet, charming and somewhat clueless small town tuxedo salesman who wants to be the next Evel Knievel, and he is willing to break every bone in his body to get there." (365Flicks) In true Jackass style, Harold believes he is on the brink of TV stardom: a three a.m. spot on local cable access TV. But Harold's parents want him to move out of their basement, and his girlfriend wants him to settle into a career selling bathtub parts. For Harold, it all depends on his big break. "One can't help but root for Harold, even though we all know he's an idiot." (Josh Pritchett, MoversShakersUnlimited)

The cast features Karen Black (Easy Rider) in one of her last roles as Harold's mother, Anita Barone (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons). Stephan Falk, better known these days as an executive producer and writer on shows like Weeds and Orange is the New Black,  plays Harold's loyal best friend and cameraman, and the two together are "hilarious." (SpoilerFreeMovieSleuth)

Also making its JDIFF debut with screenings today and Saturday, is Francis Stokes' latest feature, Wild Honey, starring Rusty Schwimmer and Timothy Omundson. Wild Honey is an offbeat romantic comedy about a lonely, down-on-her-luck phone sex operator who falls for one of her callers.

Now in its seventh year, JDIFF has been named by MovieMaker magazine one of the Top 25 Coolest Festivals in the World. The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival runs April 26-29. For more info, visit: http://julienfilmfest.com/index.html