The Admiral Theater has been included in the 2009 Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), as it will host, from June 5 to June 11, a variety of modern films from around the world.

"We are honored that the prestigious Seattle International Film Festival has chosen the Historic Admiral Theater as one of its official screening venues," said theater representatives. "We're looking forward to working together this year and hope we can continue a partnership for many years to come."

Now in its 35th year, SIFF is the largest and most highly-attended film festival in the United States, showcasing more than 400 films from more than 60 countries to an audience of 150,000 attendees annually. It's listed by Variety magazine as one of the world's "50 do not miss film festivals."

“We’re thrilled to have a home at the Admiral Theater for this year’s festival,” said SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence. “West Seattle is a terrific place for SIFF to reach out to find new audiences and showcase films from around the world that would not otherwise be seen in this neighborhood. My home is in West Seattle, so it’s especially gratifying for me to have this new association.”

Tickets to SIFF films are regularly priced at $11. Matinee screenings before 5:30 p.m. cost $8 and students with valid ID pay $5. Discounted ticket packages are also available.

The following are a few of the films that will be shown at the Admiral:

"The Clone Returns Home"
Japan, 2008, 110 min.
Drama, Science Fiction
June 10, 4 p.m.

When astronaut Kohei Takehara dies in an accident in space, a clone is generated from his DNA as part of a government program designed to restore people killed in the line of duty. But the program is in its infancy, and in addition to the ethical questions that arise, there are some serious technical glitches. When the clone is brought to life, there is a malfunction with its memory—it has only the memories of Kohei’s childhood, and in particular of the drowning death of Kohei’s twin brother Noburu in a river, which sends the clone in search of its “home.” "The Clone Returns Home" engages the defining issues of human experience: our relationships with people we love and those who die, and also with our former selves.

"Daddy Cool"
France, 2008, 94 min.
Comedy, Coming of Age, Teen Flick
June 7, 4 p.m.

Philippe Tallec is a successful molecular biologist who has lived in America for 15 years—the entire life of his estranged teenage daughter. When his ex-wife is called out of France for three months, he decides to return to stay with Eglantine in the hope of making up for lost time. But Eglantine has other things on her mind, like girlfriends, parties, and hot boys at school. Philippe, for his part, is out of his depth. Far from bringing them closer together, his heavy-handed approach threatens to drive them further apart. Ever the man of science, he decides to take a course on parenting, which he hopes will enlighten him as to the mysteries of modern adolescence, including texting, heavy metal, belly button rings, and blogs. Daniel Auteuil stars in this family-friendly comedy about a father and daughter learning to love and live with each other. Recommended for ages 15+.

"Don't Let Me Drown"
USA, 2009, 105 min.
Coming of Age, Drama
June 9, 7 p.m.

In his directorial debut, Cruz Angeles navigates the rapids of young love. Set one month after 9/11, "Don’t Let Me Drown" focuses on two Latino families picking up the pieces in the aftermath. Sweet-faced Mexican-American Lalo lives in Brooklyn with his uncle, mother, and father, Ramón, who helps clear the debris from Ground Zero. Lalo's immigrant parents embarrass him, and he's tired of living hand to mouth. Then he meets Stefanie, a smart-mouthed Dominican-American who lost her sister in the attacks. Both teens could use a reprieve from the tensions at home, but the closer they get to a relationship, the more circumstances and their own stubborn pride, keep them apart. Director Cruz Angeles and cinematographer Chad Davidson expected to attend the screening.

"Final Arrangements"
France, 2008, 100 min.
Black Comedy
June 11, 7 p.m.

Sick of life as a struggling musician, composer Gabriel decides to get a real job—a decision that is frowned upon by his bohemian sculptor father, played by Gérard Depardieu. With a checkered employment history and no business experience, he runs into a former classmate who offers him a job in the funeral business. He’s sent to train with the bitter Gervais, who had also applied (and been rejected) for Gabriel’s job. The jealous Gervais decides to teach the newcomer a thing or two about the funeral biz, with hilarious results. But even after Gabriel starts to adapt to his new boss and his new job, he still can’t bring himself to tell his new girlfriend, Claire, exactly what it is he does for a living.

"A French Gigolo"
France, 2008, 102 min.
Comedy
June 8, 9:30 p.m.

A "French Gigolo" stars Nathalie Baye as Judith, a chic, single woman in her 50s who regularly hires male escorts. A busy entrepreneur who’s not looking for love, she appreciates the no-muss, no-fuss quality of the arrangement. Marco is an escort whose earnings enable him to take care of his grandmother and support his wife, Fanny, with her dream of owning a hairdressing salon. But when Judith meets the charming, good-natured Marco, the easy efficiency of her past connections is replaced by something more complicated—especially when Fanny finds out the source of her husband’s income. The three of them are drawn into a romantic triangle and into uncharted territory in which sentiment must be reconciled with economics.

"Hansel and Gretel"
South Korea, 2008, 116 min.
Cult, Fantasy, Horror
June 7, 9:30 p.m.

People who love houses made of candy will be disappointed by this version of Hansel and Gretel . All others prepare for an outré, Tim Burton-esque fever dream. On a business trip, Lee Eun-soo drives down a wooded road, talking on his cell phone to his girlfriend. He swerves to avoid a piece of road kill and ends up crashing his car. Dazed by the accident, he wanders the woods until nightfall, when he meets a mysterious young girl who leads him to her home, the “House of Happy Children,” secluded in the middle of the forest. Once there, the girl’s too-perfect family welcomes him as if he were one of their own. Following breakfast the next morning, Eun-soo tries to get back to his car only to find all the forest paths lead back to the House of Happy Children.

"Hooked"
Romania, 2008, 84 min.
Drama
June 9, 4:30 p.m.

Adrian Sitaru’s debut feature film is a close-up look at a cracked love relationship being wedged apart by a prostitute. Mihai and his lover, Sweetie, embark on a picnic in the countryside to unwind from stress and aid their suffering relationship. Along the way, Sweetie accidentally hits a prostitute, Ana, who was lying in the middle of the road. Complications arise when Sweetie reveals she is married and therefore can’t report the accident because her affair would be discovered. Instead, they decide to dump Ana's body in the nearby woods. Much to the couple’s surprise, they are shocked to witness dead Ana wake up, claiming she has no memory of the events. Ana masterfully infiltrates their relationship, learns its weaknesses, and exploits them to her heart’s content. It’s unclear if she manipulates out of revenge or pleasure, but it’s clear she intends to harm the lovers’ relationship.

"Kanchivaram"
India, 2008, 117 min.
Drama
June 6, 4 p.m.

Every Indian bride dreams of wearing a delicate Kanchivaram sari on her wedding day, no matter her caste. On the day of his daughter’s “first feeding,” Vengadam (Prakash Raj) promises her one of the same expensive saris that he weaves daily for the highest caste in India. Despite resistance from the village community and fears that an unfulfilled promise will lead to a curse, Vengadam risks his livelihood to steal individual vivid silk threads from his workplace. Every night, he secretly and patiently weaves his daughter’s sari. As his daughter’s wedding day approaches, a communist activist initiates strikes against the mill owners, preventing Vengadam from completing the sari and from keeping his promise. Stunning colors punctuate this strong Tamil-language narrative, where the setting acts as another character in the well-woven script.

"Krabat"
Germany, 2008, 120 min.
Fantasy, Teen Flick
June 9, 9:30 p.m.

Harry Potter should steer clear of the challenges facing the 14-year-old orphan in this expertly crafted dark fantasy. The effects of the 17th-century Thirty Years’ War have spread disease over a desolate landscape. An unfamiliar voice comes to the homeless Krabat in a dream, luring him to an old mill where he exchanges labor for shelter and food. After he suspects that the other 11 boys working at the mill are hiding a secret, Krabat discovers that the owner of the mill, The Master, practices sorcery in the dark arts. As an initiate of the secret society, Krabat finally feels that he belongs, but when the sorcerer’s plan will inflict harm on his best friend Tordo, Krabat must choose between power and loyalty.

"Yes, I Can See Dead People"
Hong Kong, 2008, 92 min.
Black Comedy, Detective/Mystery, Horror
June 5, 9:45 p.m.

Nam is not your typical teenager. Sure, he spends a little too much time on his computer, and tries a little too hard to meet the gorgeous stewardess who lives in his building. But recently three of Nam's friends have committed suicide, which isn’t all bad since, as the title implies, he sees ghosts. However, these suicides only foreshadow weirder things to come. Soon his brother Tung, along with Chee, his stewardess crush, begin to act strangely, while his visions of ghostly children and other phantoms grow more frequent. With aid from his brother's girlfriend Charlie, Nam sets out to investigate his haunted building's past and help these malevolent spirits cross over.

For a full list of SIFF films that will be shown at the Admiral Theater please visit http://www.siff.net/festival/film/results.aspx?VID=36&FID=123.