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The 44th Chicago International Film Festival (Oct 16-29)

Written by backrowcritic

Sunday, 05 October 2008 11:46

The 44th Chicago International Film Festival

(Oct 16-29)

It’s October in Chicago, and you know what that means . . .

Film lovers- start your engines! It’s Film Festival time!

With entries from Argentina to the U.K., in genres spanning from animation to suspense, this year’s lineup is brimming with worthy choices. We’re not important enough yet to get press passes, and have a very tight budget. There is still a bit of arguing over the schedule, but we seem to agree on these so far:

Thu, Oct 16th – Opening Night Gala
Come see Rachel Weisz and director Rian Johnson at the premiere of The Brothers Bloom, a “globe trotting comedy about the last great adventure of the world’s best con men, played by Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo.

Fri, Oct 17th
Meet director Darren Aronofsky at a screening of The Wrestler, a powerful portrait of a retired professional wrestler trying to redefine his life. Starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood, this film has been generating a lot of buzz on the festival circuit.

Sat, Oct 18th
We have obligations later that night, but there are a lot of matinees to choose from. We’re arguing over which ones to do, although I am campaigning for Sita Sings the Blues. Animator Nina Paley combines the Ramayana with a modern divorce story, then sprinkles in some jazz music and bright colors to ensure a unique experience.

Sun, Oct 19th & Mon, Oct 20th – Documentary Time!
This festival has always been dedicated of bringing insightful documentaries and thought provoking panel discussions to its attendees and this years choices are sure to deliver. On Sunday, there will be a screening of In the Shadow of Hollywood : Race Movies and the Birth of Black Cinema. This documentary and panel discussion will focus on the history of the independent Race Cinema movement, something which has very close ties to Chicago. On Monday, join Charles Annenberg Weingarten and fellow environmental activists in a screening of The Arctic: Change at the Top of the World, an astonishing look at the changing environmental landscape of the arctic and the impact on the climate of the world. The film is only 37 minutes, but a 1-hour discussion panel will follow.
**Extra Credit: Nights & Weekends, part of the Spotlight Illinois Series
Greta Gerwig & Joe Swanberg direct and star together as a couple enduring the trials and heartache of a long-distance relationship.

Wed, Oct 22nd – Decisions, Decisions . . .
There are two great productions, and they are both premiering with Gala presentations on the same night!
First is The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, where an 8-year old son of a Nazi officer meets a boy who lives in the concentration camp behind his house. The other great selection is the much anticipated Pride and Glory. Edward Norton, Colin Farrell and Jon Voight star in this drama about a family of policemen who have to choose between their loyalties to their families and the department.

Fri, Oct 24th
A “modern day David & Goliath story”, The Garden follows the members of a thriving 14-acre community garden that is being threatened by the Los Angeles city council, and big business cronies.

Sat, Oct 25th
Another entry in the Spotlight Illinois Series, Of Boys and Men stars Robert Townsend as a father who is white-knuckling through the hardship of holding his family together while grieving the loss of his wife (Angela Bassett)

Mon, Oct 27th – Surprise, Surprise!
There will be a surprise event/screening at the Music Box at 8pm. A friend of mine thinks it’s the new Harry Potter film, another thinks it’s a rough cut of The Hobbit. I don’t care if it’s a re-release of Gone With the Wind, it’s a great venue, it’s walking distance from my house, and I love surprises!

Tue, Oct 28th - Decisions, Decisions part Deux
Another tough choice. We could meet Jada Pinkett Smith and watch her directorial debut Human Contract, or see a beautifully restoration of Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West.

Wed, Oct 29th – Closing Night Gala
Based on the play by C.P. Taylor, GOOD stars Viggo Mortensen stars as John Halder, a German literature professor whose views are adopted and skewed by the rising Nazi cultural tide.

There are differing price structures, and a new “Festival Village” network of restaurant and club locations. A complete program guide has been inserted in this week’s Chicago Reader. You can also check it out for yourself at www.chicagofilmfestival.org.

See you there!

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