Chicks doc gets prime Toronto slot

Festival's Gala Presentation to whistle 'Dixie'

By TAMSEN TILLSON

Helmers Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck's documentary "Dixie Chicks -- Shut Up and Sing" will world preem as a Gala Presentation at the 31st Toronto Film Festival, the first time the fest has given the prestigious berth to a doc in 14 years.

Doc follows the country music trio, caught in a political storm because of their anti-Bush comments following 9/11.

The pic is one of 22 documentaries unveiled Thursday in the fest's Real to Reel slate, including the world premieres of A.J. Schnack's"Kurt Cobain: About a Son," narrated by the late father of grunge himself; "Lake of Fire," Tony Kaye's epic doc about the U.S. abortion debate; "The Prisoner or How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair," directed by Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker ("Gunner Palace"); "The Killer Within," from Macky Alston; and "Primo Levi's Journey," following in the writer's steps 20 years after his death, directed by Davide Ferrario.

"These remarkable films cover a wide spectrum," said doc programmer Thom Powers, "from war and justice to music, humor and the art of filmmaking itself. Audiences will discover complex and inspiring characters."

Also on the list: the world preems of "Ghosts of the CiteSoleil," from Asger Leth,about brothers who are also leaders in Haiti's slum gangs during Jean-Bertrand Aristide's presidency; "Made in Jamaica," a France-U.S. co-production from Jerome Laperrousaz;Mohammed Naqvi's"Shame," in which a Pakistani woman breaks a code of silence after her rape; and Lucy Walker's "Blindsight," about a group of blind Tibetan teens climbing Mount Everest.

On the lighter side comes the world premieres of "This Filthy World," from Jeff Garlin ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"); Liz Mermin's "Office Tigers"; and the Canadian premiere of "Summercamp!" from Bradley Beesley and Sarah Price.

Real to Reel will also unspool the North American premiere of "The U.S. vs. John Lennon," from David Leaf and John Scheinfeld; the international premiere of real-life geisha tale "Yokohama Mary" from Takayuki Nakamura; and the Canadian preem of "American Hardcore" from Paul Rachman.

Fest runs Sept. 7-16.