This year marks the 50th anniversary of North America’s oldest competitive international film festival. From Oct. 9–23, Chicagoans can take in a vast array of stories old and new, long and short, near and far. Best of all? Tickets for the Chicago International Film Festival start at only $7 per film.
“There are a couple of different things we’re doing this year,” festival programming director Mimi Plauché told Backstage. “One is a much larger number of retrospective, repertory screenings.” Hits such as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” which had its world premiere in Chicago in 1975, will be screened alongside entries for the New Directors Competition. Award-winning director Oliver Stone, whose student film premiered at the festival at the beginning of his career, will present “Alexander: Ultimate Edition” and a director’s cut of “Natural Born Killers,” as well as participate in talkbacks with audiences.
“A lot of our programming has ties to the history of the festival,” Plauché explained. “For example, we’re opening with Liv Ullmann’s latest film, ‘Miss Julie.’ We’ve premiered all of her narrative feature films.” The opening night gala will include a red carpet and cocktail reception at the Chicago Cultural Center, which Ullmann is expected to attend. “We’re of course thrilled to have her back.”
“Wild,” starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, will conclude the festival on closing night. Featured as centerpiece films on Oct. 15 are Richard LaGravenese’s screen adaptation of “The Last 5 Years” and the buzzy “St. Vincent,” starring Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy. Other awards season contenders that will receive screenings include “The Imitation Game,” “Two Days, One Night,” and “Birdman.”
Among the festival’s highlights are the Chilean film “El Cordero,” Niels Arden Oplev’s “Speed Walking,” a new film from Iranian New Wave director Mohsen Makhmalbaf, and Justin Simien’s highly anticipated satire “Dear White People.”
“A number of restored films that we’re showing have direct festival ties, as well,” said Plauché. Documentarian Michael Moore will be in attendance to present the 25th anniversary version of “Roger and Me,” and the festival will spotlight the work of acclaimed actor Isabelle Huppert, showing such standouts as “The Piano Teacher.” For Plauché, the highlight may be the biggest movie of 1927. “We have the North American premiere of a recently rediscovered film called ‘Why Be Good?’ It stars silent film actress Colleen Moore.” Moore is near and dear to the festival’s heart, having supported Michael Kutza in making it a central part of the Chicago arts scene 50 years ago.
Encouraging local talent is a cornerstone of the festival’s mission. “We’re always looking to work more with Chicago and Illinois filmmakers, not only showcasing their work but also serving them through the festival,” said Plauché. Audiences are invited to attend several filmmaker panels, including one sponsored by SAG-AFTRA on shooting specifically in the city. “We work with groups to highlight the benefits of working in Chicago and address issues and questions important to the local filmmaking community.”
For tickets and more information, visit chicagofilmfestival.com.
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