|
|
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Latest Video documenting Erik Peterson & Erling Wu-Bower's Collaboration for Starving Artist
Chicago's legendary Back Room closes after this weekend!
Chicago's legendary Back Room closes after this weekend!
After this weekend, it's farewell to the legendary music club,The Back Room at 1007 n.Rush Street in Chicago. Gentrification has reared its ugly head and the property owners will be tearing down the popular night spot as well as Jilly's next door to build a high end retail establishment.
The Back Room's owner Ann,though not the original owner has had the club for many years and is sad to see the change. The Back Room is the oldest club in the Rush Street area.
Tonight , I visited the club to catch Rickey Rainbow perform and catch one last glimpse of the original location. The club closes this weekend. You still have Saturday 9/22/12 to check it out!
Some time in October the Back Room will move to 937 n.Rush Street,former home of Le Passage and the now closed Privet.
The Rush Street area,once a vital hot spot for locals,tourists,celebrities and the rich and famous shared a decades long history of mainly music clubs for all genres,very social singles bars,,dancing,good food,awesome Italian Restaurants with great pizza and they were open until 5am on Saturdays.
Now the area is mainly upscale boutiques and fine dining establishments;
more like an extenuation of adjacent Oak Street.
Jilly's has not announced if and where they will relocate to at this time.
I hope to catch performances at the new location of the Back Room and know in time,their new location will be legendary and fun just as the original club.
Check out their website for more info:
http://www.backroomchicago.com/
Photos copyright © Linda Matlow/PIXINTL http://pixintl.com All rights reserved Photos may not be used, published,posted online or distributed in any manner without written license from PIX INTERNATIONAL,LLC
Friday, September 21, 2012
48th CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FILMS IN COMPETITION
48th CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
FILMS IN COMPETITION |
The 48th Chicago International Film Festival announced today the full
line up of films selected to screen in the International Feature, New
Directors, DOCUFEST, After Dark and Short Film Competitions.
In addition to
the five competition categories, the Festival presents films in seven
out-of-competition sections, including Special Presentations, World
Cinema, Black Perspectives, Cinema of the Americas, City & State,
Documentaries, OUTrageous, REELWOMEN, and Spotlight Middle East. The
48th Chicago International Film Festival runs October 11- 25. The
complete list of films is available at www.chicagofilmfestival.com
“The films in
our various competitions demonstrate an acute concern with how we
inhabit our world today—how technology inflects the ways in which we
live and love, the meaning and bearing of revolutions of all kinds, the
consequences of natural and manmade disaster, and how the long echo of
the past reverberates in the present,” said Mimi Plauché, Programming
Director of the Chicago International Film Festival. “Whether by daring
debuting filmmakers or celebrated auteurs, as a collection the program
presents a brilliant, kaleidoscopic snapshot of the state of world
cinema today.”
For the 48th
Chicago International Film Festival, 120 feature-length films were
selected, representing 53 countries. These films were selected from a
total of 1,300 film submissions. 50 short films were accepted out of
2,100 submissions.
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE COMPETITION
Representing a wide variety of styles and genres, these films compete for the Festival’s top honor, the Gold Hugo—as well as trophies for best actors, director, and writer—in North America’s longest-running competitive film festival.
Representing a wide variety of styles and genres, these films compete for the Festival’s top honor, the Gold Hugo—as well as trophies for best actors, director, and writer—in North America’s longest-running competitive film festival.
After Lucia
Mexico/France (Director: Michel Franco) – Teenager Alé (short for
“Alejandra”) is mourning her mother and lonely in a new school. When a
video emerges of her drunkenly having sex in a bathroom, she immediately
becomes a target for the popular kids. Their torments grow in intensity
and cruelty, wearing down the weary Alé’s resistance. After Lucia’s
intense, shocking exploration of the violent effects of bullying earned
it the prestigious Un Certain Regard prize at this year’s Cannes Film
Festival. North American Premiere
Bad Seeds
Luxembourg/Belgium (Director: Safy Nebbou) – A tight, atmospheric
thriller starring real-life father and son Charles (Summer Hours) and
Émile Berling (A Christmas Tale) as a high school principal and his
troubled son, Bad Seeds follows teenager Louis as he and his friend Greg
kidnap their English teacher. Much to Louis’ horror, this act of naïve
rebellion deteriorates into horrible violence as Greg’s cruel sadism
manifests itself. As the crime progresses, Louis’ troubled family
history comes to light. U.S. Premiere
Beyond the Hills
Romania (Director: Cristian Mungiu) – Mungiu, who took Cannes’ top
prize in 2007 with 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, returns to feature
filmmaking with another gripping existential drama. Inspired by the
real-life horror of a modern-day exorcism gone-wrong, Mungiu follows two
friends, Voichita and Alina, whose lives have taken them down
drastically different paths. When the pair reconnects, Voichita’s stern,
oppressive monastery proves to be a harsh, claustrophobic and
ultimately tragic environment for Alina. Chicago Premiere
Boys Are Us
Switzerland (Director: Peter Luisi) – A playfully inventive jigsaw
puzzle of a movie, Boys Are Us follows heartbroken teenager Mia, whose
older sister Laura persuades her to take revenge on the male sex. Their
plan involves Mia seducing a boy and making him fall in love with her
before cruelly discarding him, although the predatory Laura can’t help
but complicate matters by toying with the boys herself. Can Mia follow
through on their plan? Does she want to? World Premiere
Gimme the Loot USA
(Director: Adam Leon) – Malcolm and Sofia, two determined teens from
the Bronx, are skilled and ambitious graffiti-writers. When a rival gang
destroys their latest masterpiece, the pair hatches a plan to get
revenge by tagging an iconic NYC landmark. Their spectacular scheme,
however, comes with a $500 price tag. The capers – heists, petty thefts,
swindles – they devise to raise money bring more setbacks than they do
dollars, but their enthusiasm and energy never wane in this
prize-winning debut from director Adam Leon. Chicago Premiere
Holy Motors
France/Germany (Director: Leos Carax) – Several lifetimes pass in the
span of a few hours for Monsieur Oscar, a shadowy character who
effortlessly transitions from one realm to the next. He is, in turn,
captain of industry, assassin, beggar, monster, family man. This
mysterious, hallucinatory epic has ignited passions around the world for
its bold, exuberant style and the euphoric virtuosity with which it
presents its surreal, impressionistic narrative. Chicago Premiere
The Land of Hope
Japan (Director: Sion Sono) – In the fictional Nagashima prefecture, a
cataclysmic earthquake and the subsequent explosion of a nuclear power
plant devastates the region. With the Fukushima disaster and the
resulting permanent evacuations at the front of their minds, Yoichi, his
wife Izumi, and his parents must make a difficult choice. Staying means
that their lives may be in danger, but leaving means they could lose –
possibly forever – the home that has been in their family for
generations. U.S. Premiere
The Last Sentence
Sweden (Director: Jan Troell) – Based on a true story, The Last
Sentence follows celebrated Swedish journalist Torgny Segerstedt, who
conducted his own campaign against the Nazis while navigating a fraught
personal life. Officially neutral, Sweden’s leaders did their best to
silence Segerstedt, fearing German reprisal, especially as the
journalist began inciting the ire of top Nazi officials. Illustrious
director Jan Troell (The Emigrants) brings a Swedish hero to life in
this gripping, lyrical epic. U.S. Premiere
Like Someone in Love
France/Japan (Director: Abbas Kiarostami) – Iran’s greatest living
filmmaker travels to Tokyo for this understated, enigmatic romantic
drama. Unbeknownst to her boyfriend, the enchanting university student
Akiko secretly moonlights as an escort. An encounter with a client – a
shy, elderly academic – leads to an unconventional, unexpectedly
intimate relationship in which nothing is quite as it seems. Chicago
Premiere
Marie Krøyer Denmark
(Director: Bille August) – Married to one of Denmark’s most celebrated
19th century painters, Marie Krøyer’s life is both privileged and
fraught. With artistic aspirations of her own, Marie struggles to
discover her identity while managing her husband’s increasingly erratic
behavior and begins to look outside of her marriage for affirmation and
autonomy. But at what cost? This beautifully crafted period drama
presents a compelling portrait of a woman ahead of her time. North
American Premiere
Modest Reception Iran
(Director: Mani Haghighi) – Tasked with giving away huge sums of money
by whatever means possible, Kaveh and Layla drive through the remote,
war-torn mountains of Iran with a trunkful of cash. What begins as a
seemingly harmless game soon reveals itself to be a twisted bout of
charity as the power, humiliation, and shame inherent in their act plays
out between the privileged couple and the impoverished villagers. U.S.
Premiere
Paradise: Love
Austria/Germany (Director: Ulrich Seidl) – Teresa, a middle-aged
mother, vacations alone on the picturesque beaches of Kenya, one of many
“Sugar Mamas” looking for love, sex, and companionship among the local
gigolos, known as “Beach Boys.” Teresa goes from one disappointing
relationship to the next until she is forced to confront the limitations
of her attempts to purchase love. The first film of a projected
trilogy, Paradise: Love is a controversial, provocative work from
acclaimed filmmaker Ulrich Seidl (Dog Days). U.S. Premiere
The Repentant Algeria/France
(Director: Merzak Allouache) – Repentant terrorist Rashid uses the
declaration of national amnesty as an opportunity to reform and re-enter
productive civilian life. Settling back into his hometown, however,
proves dangerous as he is menaced by angry neighbors whose families have
been torn apart by terrorist attacks. Rashid must navigate these
treacherous waters while trying to start a new life in this thriller
that confronts the moral and practical complications of reconciliation.
U.S. Premiere
Rhino Season
Iraqi Kurdistan/Turkey (Director: Bahman Ghobadi) – Based on a true
story, Rhino Season follows Sahel, a poet who was unjustly incarcerated
during Iran’s Islamic Revolution (and a friend of director Ghobadi).
After being released into a world that is, three decades later, greatly
changed, Sahel searches for the wife and children he left behind. Rhino
Season is, at base, a tragic romance, strikingly told with an
impressionistic, dreamlike blending of past and present. U.S. Premiere
The Sapphires Australia
(Director: Wayne Blair) – Inspired by a true story, The Sapphires
follows four vivacious, young and talented Australian Aboriginal sisters
who form a dazzling girl group. After The Sapphires are discovered by
Dave (Chris O’Dowd), a good-humored talent scout with a kind heart and
very little rhythm, but a great knowledge of soul music, the sisters get
their first true gig and their first taste of stardom before Dave
brings them to Vietnam to sing for the American troops. U.S. Premiere
The Scapegoat
UK (Director: Charles Sturridge) – Set in 1952 as England prepares for a
coronation, The Scapegoat tells the story of two very different men
with the exact same face. Almost identical replicas of each other, they
meet by chance in a station bar. Each is at a crossroads in his life:
one setting out on a walking tour after losing his job as a teacher; the
other avoiding home after a disastrous business venture. North American
Premiere
Something in the Air France
(Director: Olivier Assayas) – The latest film from celebrated French
master Olivier Assayas (Summer Hours, Demonlover), Something in the Air
is a sweeping, evocative coming-of-age story that beautifully captures
the passionate political and social climate of Paris in the 1970s. Young
Gilles is swept up in the era’s political fever, but he dreams of
painting and making films, much to the dismay of his uncomprehending
friends – activists and aspiring revolutionaries – and even his
girlfriend. Chicago Premiere
Tey Senegal
(Director: Alain Gomis) – What would you do if you knew today was your
last day on earth? A joyous, impressionistic celebration of life and
death, Tey follows Satché (played by musician Saül Williams) from the
moment he wakes, with full knowledge of his imminent passing. Wandering
through the streets of his hometown, Satché reminisces about his friends
and family, reflecting on the choices he has made and their
consequences. North American Premiere
The Weekend
Germany (Director: Nina Grosse) – Based on a novel by Bernard Schlink
(TheReader), The Weekend follows Jens as he leaves prison 18 years after
being arrested as an RAF terrorist in Germany. Back with his family,
friends, and ex-comrades, including his former lover Inga, Jens’
unexpected arrival disrupts their lives, forcing them to reexamine the
violent idealism of their youth, especially as he insists on learning
who had betrayed him to the police years before in this intense,
gripping drama. U.S. Premiere
The World Is Funny
Israel (Director: Shemi Zarhin) – The World Is Funny follows the
wanderings of a loose network of characters. Told with meticulous
precision, the connections between the characters and the profound
implications of their stories grow in richness and complexity as the
film progresses. A sharp, ironic sense of humor enriches a melancholy
yet inspiring film that has been a gigantic hit in Israel, earning a
record-setting 15 Ophir nominations (the Israeli Academy Awards®). World
Premiere
NEW DIRECTORS COMPETITION
This selection of first and second feature films, a mix of World, North American and U.S. premieres, celebrates the spirit of discovery and innovation upon which the Festival was founded.
This selection of first and second feature films, a mix of World, North American and U.S. premieres, celebrates the spirit of discovery and innovation upon which the Festival was founded.
Agon Albania/Greece
(Director: Robert Budina) – A powerful drama about cultural conflict
and the strength of familial bonds, Agon explores the relationship
between Albanian brothers who must deal with prejudice and bigotry in a
new country. Saimir is well-established and thriving with a stable job
and a fiancé in Greece, while Vini, newly emigrated, is involved with
dangerous criminals. Family is incredibly important to both brothers,
but their differences open a rift between them that they must confront.
World Premiere
A Caretaker’s Tale
Denmark (Director: Katrine Wiedemann) – Harsh and bitter, apartment
caretaker Per despises everyone and everything around him until he comes
across a mysterious naked girl in an empty apartment. She doesn’t know
how to talk, walk, or even eat – she just smiles broadly. Per soon
discovers that she has miraculous sexual powers. Perhaps just as
startling, he finds himself caring deeply for this beautiful cypher in a
perverse, unexpected fairy tale about love, possession, and generosity.
North American Premiere
The Cleaner
Peru (Director: Adrián Saba) – In the midst of a mysterious epidemic
that has decimated Lima’s population and shows no signs of abating,
Eusebio – a forensic cleaner whose job is to remove corpses and
sterilize the apartments of the dead – discovers an eight-year-old boy
hiding in an uninhabited house. A grizzled loner who’s never been able
to relate to people, Eusebio suddenly finds that he must care for the
boy as civilization crumbles around them in this quietly compelling
dystopian drama. North American Premiere
Clip Serbia (Director: Maja Miloš) – A brutally honest, unflinching portrait of the intensely sexualized cell-phone generation, Clip follows
the beautiful teenage Jasna as she and her friends attempt to use their
bodies to gain attention and affection from their mostly indifferent,
violent male counterparts. Featuring remarkably open and assured
performances from its young cast, director Maja Miloš’ feature debut
announces the arrival of a major cinematic talent. U.S. Premiere
The Exam
Hungary (Director: Peter Bergendy) – In late 1950’s Hungary, Andras
supervises a network of civilians spying on their neighbors and
coworkers. But little does he know that the government is monitoring him
as well. His superiors have chosen Christmas Eve to implement “the
exam”, an obscure procedure designed to challenge an agent’s loyalty
without his or her knowledge. Nothing can be taken for granted in this
world of intense secrecy and perpetual surveillance. U.S. Premiere
Flowerbuds Czech
Republic (Director: Zdenek Jirasky) – Garnering four top Czech Lions
(the Czech Oscars®) Flowerbuds presents an incisive snapshot of family
life in a small Czech town. Jarda works as a train signal operator but
also nurses a petty gambling addiction. His wife, Kamila dreams of her
lost youth while their teenage children are without work, money or
illusions about life. Over the course of a long winter, a series of
small tragedies unfold and collide, bringing the family to the brink.
North American Premiere
The Land of Eb Marshall
Islands (Director: Andrew Williamson) – In the stark volcanic landscape
of a remote Hawaiian community, Marshallese patriarch Jacob struggles
to provide for his large family. When diagnosed with cancer, he eschews
treatment in favor of earning as much as possible for his children and
grandchildren. As his illness worsens, Jacob turns a small video camera
on himself and begins to tell his own story and the tragic history of
the Marshallese people in this hauntingly beautiful affirmation of
family. Chicago Premiere
Meeting Leila
Iran (Director: Adel Yaraghi) – Featuring a brilliant performance from A
Separation star Leila Hatami, Meeting Leila follows a young woman who
demands that her chain-smoking fiancé quits smoking before their
marriage. This poses a problem for this advertising agency idea man for
whom smoking is an integral part of his creative process in this gently
comic, insightful look at the compromises and negotiations required in
any relationship. World Premiere
Out in the Dark Israel
(Director: Michael Mayer) – Nimer, a Palestinian student, dreams of a
better life abroad. One fateful night he meets Roy, an Israeli lawyer.
As their relationship deepens into love, Nimer is confronted with the
harsh realities of a Palestinian society that refuses to accept him for
his sexual identity, and an Israeli society that rejects him for his
nationality. Nimer soon must choose between love and the life he thought
he wanted. U.S. Premiere
La Playa DC
Colombia (Director: Juan Andres Arango) – Tomás, an Afro-Colombian
teenager driven from his home by war, settles with his brothers in the
section of Bogota known (ironically) as “La Playa.” Working as a
barber’s apprentice, Tomás is just beginning to find a place for himself
when his younger brother Jairo disappears. Tomás must make a
risk-filled journey in search of Jairo, a rite of passage that forces
him to find, and earn, his own identity in this impressive, wonderfully
energetic debut film. North American Premiere
Shameless Poland
(Director: Filip Marczewski) – In an incendiary story of love, desire,
and betrayal between siblings, the rebellious young Tadek returns to
sister Anka’s home in search of solace and affection. Bound together by a
painful shared family history, brother and sister must find a way to
break free in order to survive. This formidable debut fearlessly yet
tenderly explores one of society’s last taboos. U.S. Premiere
Westerland Germany
(Director: Tim Staffel) – In the midst of a freezing winter on the
island of Sylt, Cem comes across Jesús, who is on the verge of
committing suicide. The two young men become fast friends, with their
friendship unexpectedly threatening to develop into something more. Cem
and Jesús – laconic, alienated loners – find their previously uneventful
lives starting to spin out of control now that each has someone who
means something to him. North American Premiere
DOCUFEST COMPETITION
Real stories, real people, real emotions. This selection of international documentaries competing for the Gold Hugo go beyond the headlines in telling those true stories that surprise, entertain, and challenge us.
Real stories, real people, real emotions. This selection of international documentaries competing for the Gold Hugo go beyond the headlines in telling those true stories that surprise, entertain, and challenge us.
Art of Conflict: The Murals of Northern Ireland
USA (Director: Valeri Vaughn) – Out of the heart of a violently divided
region rose a unique form of expression that has given voice to two
groups of people on opposing sides of a centuries-old conflict. Narrated
by Vince Vaughn, this eye-opening documentary examines how the street
art of murals tells the story of Northern Ireland’s history and the
violent Troubles through interviews with muralists, political figures,
art historians, and people who live and work in the region. North
American Premiere
The Believers
USA (Directors: Clayton Brown, Monica Long Ross) – In 1989, the future
of energy production seemed at hand, when Martin Fleischmann and Stanley
Pons announced to the world the discovery of “cold fusion.” Garnering
sensational media attention, their fast-rising reputation quickly faded
when nobody could reproduce their claimed results. The Believers is not
only the story of a quirk in the history of science, but a personal tale
of belief, integrity, disappointment, and acceptance. World Premiere
The Bella Vista
Uruguay/Germany (Director: Alicia Cano) – The Bella Vista tells the
story of a onetime soccer team’s clubhouse in Uruguay. Left abandoned
for years, the house is revived as a brothel for the town’s transvestite
prostitutes, raising the ire of residents who seek to reclaim the
building for a Catholic chapel. In capturing the opposing sides of this
conflict over a rather small, mundane building, director Alicia Cano
creates a lyrical, intimate portrait of a provincial city. North
American Premiere
Hometown Boy
Taiwan (Director: Hung-I Yao) – Produced by Hou Hsiao-Hsien and bearing
a touch of the master’s ability to craft moments of quiet,
contemplative beauty and revelation, Hometown Boy follows artist Liu
Xiao-Dong on his first visit back to his hometown of Jincheng in
decades. The film captures Liu as he works on a project to repaint
friends who had posed for him more than 30 years earlier, creating a
compelling portrait of a major artist at work, and of
Jincheng. U.S. Premiere
Jincheng. U.S. Premiere
Jai Bhim Comrade
India (Director: Anand Patwardhan) – 14 years in the making, activist
and filmmaker Andand Patwardhan’s chronicle of the plight of the Dalits
(known under the caste system as “untouchables”) provides a singular
document of oppression and those who fight against it. Starting with an
incident in which 10 protesting Dalits were gunned down by police, the
film details both the history of their struggle and the music and poetry
that has helped sustain the vitality of the culture. U.S. Premiere
Kern Austria
(Directors: Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala) – Outrageous, funny,
contentious, and talented, prolific Austrian actor and filmmaker Peter
Kern is a sheer force of personality. Though Franz and Fiala set out to
create a straightforward portrait of the aging artist, the mercurial
Kern berates the filmmakers (and anyone else within earshot) every step
of the way, and can’t help but assert his own sensibilities onto a film
in which he is ostensibly the subject. North American Premiere
Mekong Hotel
Thailand/UK (Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul) – From Apichaptong
“Joe” Weerasethakul (Uncle Boonmee…), whose gorgeous, thoughtful films
are counted among the most acclaimed masterpieces of the new century,
Mekong Hotel is a portrait of a hotel near the Mekong River on
Thailand’s border with Laos. Blending fantasy and reality, fiction and
documentary, the present and the future, this exquisite poem of a film
strikingly expresses the bonds of love and family between people, and
the looming presence of the river in their lives. Chicago Premiere
Numbered Israel (Director:
Dana Doron, Uriel Sinai) – An estimated 400,000 people were tattooed
with serial numbers at Auschwitz, of whom only a few thousand survive
today. This intimate and visually rapturous documentary details the
current lives of some of these survivors, their memories of the camps,
and their relationships with the numbers. Numbered is an emotionally
affecting portrait of memory and history, and their enduring presence in
individual lives. North American Premiere
AFTER DARK COMPETITION
Blood, terror, and dark, twisted senses of humor run rampant throughout this selection of the most chilling films from around the world. Get a first look at tomorrow’s cult classics and midnight favorites!
Blood, terror, and dark, twisted senses of humor run rampant throughout this selection of the most chilling films from around the world. Get a first look at tomorrow’s cult classics and midnight favorites!
The ABCs of Death Various
(Director: Various) – This eclectic encyclopedia of terror and
bloodshed features 26 alphabetized segments, each helmed by a different
prominent horror movie director. Spanning 15 countries, the offerings
range from chilling and gruesome to irreverent and hilarious, as the
directors explore the theme of death in many guises. Essential viewing
for horror aficionados, The ABCs of Death is an original, provocative
work from a who’s who of modern horror filmmakers. Chicago Premiere
Antiviral Canada/USA
(Director: Brandon Cronenberg) – An audacious sci-fi thriller,
Antiviral tells the gripping story of Syd March, an employee at a clinic
catering to celebrity fetishists by selling them diseases extracted
from their heroes’ bodies. Syd, who smuggles them onto the black market
through his own body, infects himself with the mysterious virus that
killed superstar Hannah Geist. Chased on all sides by those who want the
disease, Syd realizes he must uncover an antidote before he succumbs.
U.S. Premiere
Citadel Ireland/UK
(Director: Ciaran Foy) – A vicious attack on his wife leaves Tommy
Cowley a nervous, paranoid wreck, terrified of leaving his house. When
he finally dares to venture outside, he finds that the responsible gang
is still at large. Convinced that these feral youths want to kidnap his
baby daughter, he joins forces with a renegade priest for protection. A
gothic, malevolent atmosphere pervades this dark, suspenseful tale,
drawing us deeper into the protagonist’s tortured mind and increasing
psychosis. Chicago Premiere
Don’t Click
South Korea (Director: Kim Tae-Kyeong) – When cyber junkie Jung-mi
learns of a sinister new “forbidden” internet video, she’ll stop at
nothing to find it. However, the morbid video has strange effects on its
viewers, and soon Jung-mi and her sister seem to be under a bizarre and
terrifying curse. Playing on 21st century obsessions with technology,
surveillance and internet fame, Don’t Click plays like an updated
version of cult Japanese horror film Ringu for the dot-com generation.
World Premiere
In Their Skin
Canada (Director: Jeremy Power Regimbal) – A relaxing trip to the
country for a family of stylish urbanites takes a dark and disturbing
turn when they are visited by their seemingly harmless neighbors. As
their unsophisticated guests’ behavior becomes increasingly strange and
menacing, the family realizes that they are trapped in a terrifying and
potentially deadly situation. Skillfully building the claustrophobic
atmosphere with masterful control over mood and pacing, In Their Skin is
a chilling, sophisticated slice of terror. Chicago Premiere
John Dies at the End
USA (Director: Don Coscarelli) – After being introduced to a paranormal
street drug known as “soy sauce,” underachieving slackers John and
David decide that an otherworldly invasion is about to hit, and only
they can save the human race. Meanwhile, an enigmatic journalist (Paul
Giamatti) is investigating the drug, which has bizarre, dehumanizing
effects on some users. This mind-bending blend of sci-fi and deadpan
stoner humor is destined to become a late night cult classic. Chicago
Premiere
Maniac France/USA
(Director: Franck Khalfoun) – Elijah Wood stars as a psychotic loner
with a tendency to scalp women and a penchant for mannequins in this
bold re-imagining of the 1980 cult classic. Daringly shot entirely from
the first-person perspective of its lead antihero, this deeply
disturbing horror film from director Khalfoun and co-writer Alexandre
Aja (High Tension) paints a nightmarish portrait of a deranged mind
overwhelmed by violence and obsession. Chicago Premiere
Sleep Tight Spain
(Director: Jaume Balagueró) – The latest chiller from acclaimed horror
maestro Balagueró, co-director of the worldwide sensation [REC], Sleep
Tight follows the drab, uneventful life of the chronically overlooked
and underappreciated doorman César. On the surface, César seems pleasant
– and harmless – enough, but little by little the film reveals more
sinister aspects of his personality. The tension builds slowly and
surely until reaching unbearable heights in this beautifully crafted
thriller with a black, absurdist sense of humor. Chicago Premiere
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
This collection of cutting-edge short films—encompassing narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, and student productions—proves that a few minutes can speak volumes. Seven Short Film programs will screen back-to-back throughout Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20. Visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com to view the full list of titles.
This collection of cutting-edge short films—encompassing narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, and student productions—proves that a few minutes can speak volumes. Seven Short Film programs will screen back-to-back throughout Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20. Visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com to view the full list of titles.
Shorts 1: City & State
Our exciting annual showcase of the best new shorts by talented local filmmakers includes narrative, documentary, and animated works.
Shorts 2: Animation: Blurring the Lines
A gorgeous array of animation styles and techniques are put to work illustrating these strikingly original tales from around the world.
A gorgeous array of animation styles and techniques are put to work illustrating these strikingly original tales from around the world.
Shorts 3: Midnight Mayhem
A late night helping of thrillers and chillers, from the supernatural to the bloody to the downright bizarre.
A late night helping of thrillers and chillers, from the supernatural to the bloody to the downright bizarre.
Shorts 4: Not Ok, Cupid !
A stimulating program that encompasses sweet, saucy, sad, and subversive elements of our romantic and sexual relationships. Caution advised for those on first dates!
A stimulating program that encompasses sweet, saucy, sad, and subversive elements of our romantic and sexual relationships. Caution advised for those on first dates!
Shorts 5: Spotlight Middle East: Shadows And Light
A gorgeous and compelling selection of narrative, documentary and experimental shorts from across the Middle East.
A gorgeous and compelling selection of narrative, documentary and experimental shorts from across the Middle East.
Shorts 6: Truth Be Told
These absorbing documentary character studies lovingly explore a handful of unique characters and their relationships with the objects and the places that define them.
These absorbing documentary character studies lovingly explore a handful of unique characters and their relationships with the objects and the places that define them.
Shorts 7: Chaos Theory
In life, things aren’t always what they seem, which can be good, bad, or disastrous in this fascinating selection of shorts in which the outcome is never quite what we expected.
In life, things aren’t always what they seem, which can be good, bad, or disastrous in this fascinating selection of shorts in which the outcome is never quite what we expected.
TICKET INFO
Tickets for the 48th Chicago International Film Festival are on sale starting September 20th and can be purchased online at the Festival Store: http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/catalog/; via Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com/chicagofilmfestival; by phone at 312-332-FILM (3456); or by visiting the Festival box office at AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.).
Tickets for the 48th Chicago International Film Festival are on sale starting September 20th and can be purchased online at the Festival Store: http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/catalog/; via Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com/chicagofilmfestival; by phone at 312-332-FILM (3456); or by visiting the Festival box office at AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.).
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Led by Presenting Partner, Columbia College Chicago, the 48th Chicago International Film Festival's sponsors include: Official Airline - American Airlines; Producing Partners: AMC Theaters, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Major Partner: Intersites;
Supporting Partners: DePaul University School of Cinema and Interactive Media, Stella Artois, Chris Pagano - Realtor, Land Rover, WBBM NEWSRADIO 780 AND 105.9FM, ShutterBox Photobooth, Cultivate Studios; Participating Partners: iN Demand, EC Charro, Brugal Rum, Creative America, Gibsons Restaurant Group, Second City Computers, Optimus; and the Festival's Headquarters Hotel, JW Marriott Chicago.
Led by Presenting Partner, Columbia College Chicago, the 48th Chicago International Film Festival's sponsors include: Official Airline - American Airlines; Producing Partners: AMC Theaters, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Major Partner: Intersites;
Supporting Partners: DePaul University School of Cinema and Interactive Media, Stella Artois, Chris Pagano - Realtor, Land Rover, WBBM NEWSRADIO 780 AND 105.9FM, ShutterBox Photobooth, Cultivate Studios; Participating Partners: iN Demand, EC Charro, Brugal Rum, Creative America, Gibsons Restaurant Group, Second City Computers, Optimus; and the Festival's Headquarters Hotel, JW Marriott Chicago.
# # #
ABOUT CINEMA/CHICAGO
Cinema/Chicago is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Chicago International Film Festival is part of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago, which also include the International Screenings Program (May-September), the Chicago International Television Competition (April), CineYouth Festival (May), Intercom Competition (October) and year-round Education Outreach and Member Screenings Program.
Cinema/Chicago is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Chicago International Film Festival is part of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago, which also include the International Screenings Program (May-September), the Chicago International Television Competition (April), CineYouth Festival (May), Intercom Competition (October) and year-round Education Outreach and Member Screenings Program.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TAKES “FLIGHT” WITH CLOSING NIGHT FILM, OCTOBER 25
CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TAKES “FLIGHT”
WITH CLOSING NIGHT FILM, OCTOBER 25
The 48th Chicago International Film Festival Brings Down the Curtain on Another Year of Fantastic Films with Robert Zemeckis’ Latest Film
Acclaimed Director to Attend Closing Night Festivities
|
CHICAGO, IL (September 20, 2012) – The 48th Chicago International Film Festival announces the selection of Flight, Chicagoan Robert Zemeckis’ return to live action movies, as the Festival’s Closing Night Film. Flight will screen on October 25 at 7 p.m. at the AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.). Zemeckis will walk the red carpet at this Chicago Premiere.
“This year’s Festival is particularly robust with the work of talented Chicagoans, and I can think of no better way to conclude this year’s Festival than with Robert Zemeckis’ latest film,” said Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival. “Mr. Zemeckis is one of American cinema’s master storytellers and in Flight he has assembled an impressive cast led by an Oscar®-worthy performance from Denzel Washington.”
In this action-packed mystery thriller, Academy Award®-winner
Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a seasoned airline pilot, who
miraculously crash lands his plane after a mid-air catastrophe, saving
nearly every soul on board. After the crash, Whip is hailed as a hero,
but as more is learned, more questions than answers arise as to who or
what was really at fault and what really happened on that plane. Don
Cheadle, Melissa Leo and John Goodman also star.
ROBERT ZEMECKIS won an Academy Award®, a Golden Globe and a Director’s
Guild of American Award for Best Director for the hugely successful
Forrest Gump. Earlier in his career, Zemeckis co-wrote (with Bob Gale)
and directed Back to the Future, which was the top-grossing release of
1985, and for which Zemeckis shared Oscar and Golden Globe nominations
for Best Original Screenplay. He then went on to helm Back to the
Future, Parts II and III, completing one of the most successful film
franchises ever. He also wrote and directed the box office smash Who
Framed Roger Rabbit?, cleverly blending live action and animation. In
2004, Zemeckis produced and directed the motion capture film The Polar
Express starring Tom Hanks, followed by his second motion capture
project Beowulf in 2007 and A Christmas Carol in 2009.
The 48th Chicago International Film Festival will take place October 11-25, 2012.
Festival Passes, Ticket and Theater Info
Film only tickets for Closing Night are $25; for film and reception, $75 and can be purchased at the Festival Store: www.chicagofilmfestival.com/catalog/
.
A variety of Festival Passes are on sale now. Pass options include:
Moviegoer (10 regular admissions): $95 for Cinema/Chicago members, $125 for non-members.
Passport (20 regular admissions): $180 for Cinema/Chicago members, $240 for non-members
Passport (20 regular admissions): $180 for Cinema/Chicago members, $240 for non-members
Passes can be obtained by visiting www.chicagofilmfestival.com
or by calling 312.683.0121. Moviegoer and Passport Passes are not valid
for Special Presentations, Gala Presentations, Tributes, Opening Night,
Centerpiece, and Closing Night. Passes must be picked up and redeemed
in person at a Festival box office.
Tickets for the 48th Chicago International Film Festival are on sale starting September 24th and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com/chicagofilmfestival;
by phone at 312-332-FILM (3456); or by visiting the Festival box office at AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.).
Festival Sponsors
Led by Presenting Partner, Columbia College Chicago, the 48th Chicago
International Film Festival's sponsors include: Official Airline -
American Airlines; Producing Partners: AMC Theaters, The Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Major Partner: Intersites; Supporting
Partners: DePaul University School of Cinema and Interactive Media,
Stella Artois, Chris Pagano - Realtor, Land Rover, WBBM NEWSRADIO 780
AND 105.9FM,, ShutterBox Photobooth, Cultivate Studios; Participating
Partners: iN Demand, EC Charro, Brugal Rum, Creative America, Gibsons
Restaurant Group, Second City Computers, Optimus; and the Festival's
Headquarters Hotel, JW Marriott Chicago.
# # #
About Cinema/Chicago
Cinema/Chicago is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Chicago International Film Festival is part of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago, which also include the International Screenings Program (May-September), the Chicago International Television Competition (April), CineYouth Festival (May), Intercom Competition (October) and year-round Education Outreach and Member Screenings Program.
Cinema/Chicago is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Chicago International Film Festival is part of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago, which also include the International Screenings Program (May-September), the Chicago International Television Competition (April), CineYouth Festival (May), Intercom Competition (October) and year-round Education Outreach and Member Screenings Program.
MODERNO encourages guests to dine outside the box!
NEW “TRY
SOMETHING” PROMOTION ENCOURAGES GUESTS TO DINE OUTSIDE THE BOX
Starting immediately; during
lunch and dinner hours!
Starting immediately; during
lunch and dinner hours, Moderno invites guests to
explore a variety of dishes, Executive Chef Phil Rubino is offering a “Try Something” promotion. Diners who order a dish that they haven’t tried before or aren’t familiar with are welcome to a complementary draft beer or glass of wine, up to $8 in value. Rubino and Chef-Proprietor John des Rosiers want to incentivize guests to try dishes that are outside their comfort zones and explore the restaurant’s more daring dishes including the pickled sardines with fennel and preserved lemons or the spiced lamb pizza with yogurt and arugula. The chefs hope that in doing so, patrons will find new favorites throughout the menu!
explore a variety of dishes, Executive Chef Phil Rubino is offering a “Try Something” promotion. Diners who order a dish that they haven’t tried before or aren’t familiar with are welcome to a complementary draft beer or glass of wine, up to $8 in value. Rubino and Chef-Proprietor John des Rosiers want to incentivize guests to try dishes that are outside their comfort zones and explore the restaurant’s more daring dishes including the pickled sardines with fennel and preserved lemons or the spiced lamb pizza with yogurt and arugula. The chefs hope that in doing so, patrons will find new favorites throughout the menu!
Moderno
1850 Second St.
Highland Park, IL
60035
P: 847.433.8600
NICHE RESTAURANT LAUNCHES FREQUENT DINER REWARDS PROGRAM Niche Regulars Reap Rich Rewards
NICHE RESTAURANT LAUNCHES FREQUENT
DINER REWARDS PROGRAM
Niche Regulars Reap
Rich Rewards
Niche Restaurant, voted as one of the Top Ten List of
Best American Restaurants in the Chicagoland area by OpenTable, has a loyal
following: so loyal that Niche is launching the Niche Frequent Diner Program to
say thank you. For every eight meals at Niche within a 12-month period, members
of the Frequent Diner Program will receive a $100 Niche gift certificate that
can be spent towards food, wine or handcrafted cocktails.
“Some people come to Niche once or
twice a year for a special event, but we have many diners that come to Niche
for any occasion – people who love
great food and wine, and who are interested to try the next new thing on the
menu,” said Vince Balistreri, sommelier and general manager. “Those are the
people who keep us energized and creative, and we created this dining program
for them and for anyone who wants to share our appreciation for the dining
experience.”
Niche Frequent Diner Program Details
There
is no cost to join the Niche Frequent Diner Program. Guests who sign up will
accrue and redeem rewards as follows:
- A meal in the dining room will count as one visit on the Frequent Diner Member Card.
- Eight visits within a 12-month period will earn guests a $100 gift certificate.
- As many frequent diners know, Niche also sells bottles of wine from its extensive, all-American wine collection, so guests can purchase wine to enjoy at home, or use the gift certificate towards another meal in the restaurant.
In addition to accruing visits, Niche Frequent Diners
will also enjoy:
- Instant membership to Niche’s Wine Club, which puts guests first in line for specials from Niche’s wine cellar, a continuously expanding collection curated by Vince Balistreri from the most innovative wine makers in the country.
- First notification of special events. Niche guests look forward to frequent events, which range from themed three-course meals by chef Serena Purdue to the popular “Concert Between Courses” series.
Free
sign up for Niche’s Frequent Diner Program is available at the restaurant.
Guests can call (630) 262-1000 with questions.
About Niche
Niche is a fine dining restaurant in Geneva, Ill., serving a
constantly evolving menu of eclectic, American contemporary cuisine based on the
freshest Midwest ingredients. Chef Serena Perdue skillfully blends her
traditional French training with her love of newly picked, seasonal products
from local suppliers as well as from and Niche’s own sustainable farm at the
Bull Run Estate in Elburn, Ill. Niche has earned accolades for its all-American
wine list, hand selected by general manager and wine director Vince Balistreri.
With 270 different wines that highlight the best in American wine, Niche was
awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator in 2010 and
2011. Visit www.nichegeneva.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)