Cinequest seeks to increase its impact
In keeping with its “Impact” theme, this year’s Cinequest is more tightly focused than last year’s festival, with about half the screenings.
But the number of world and U.S. premieres among the 228 films to be shown at the 2018 Cinequest Film and VR Festival is almost the same; 129 this year as opposed to 132 last year. The screenings will take place at three downtown San Jose venues, as well as the Century Downtown 20 in Redwood City.
The Redwood City venue was added last year after the closure of Camera 12, the downtown San Jose multiplex where the festival used to hold the bulk of its screenings. Cinequest CEO Halfdan Hussey told those gathered for a Jan. 24 kickoff event that all films will screen in San Jose first, with some second showings in Redwood City.
The kickoff was held at 3Below, a new venue in the former home of Camera 3 Cinemas. The biggest of the building’s three theaters was renovated, in part, to accommodate Cinequest audiences. Other movies will screen at the Hammer Theatre Center and the California Theatre.
The festival kicks off Feb. 27 with a screening of “Krystal” at the California Theatre. Director and star William H. Macy, who won Cinequest’s Maverick Award in 2006, will be in attendance.
This year’s Maverick recipients are John Travolta, Andie MacDowell, Tom Cullen of “Downton Abbey” and “Orphan Black” star Tatiana Maslany. All but Travolta will receive their awards at a showing of one of their movies.
The festival’s star power takes on meta quality March 11 for the closing night screening of “Brothers in Arms.” The film, a documentary about the making of “Platoon,” is narrated by Charlie Sheen, one of the stars of that Oliver Stone movie.
Sheen will be at the Cinequest screening along with “Platoon” co-star Paul Sanchez, who directed “Brothers in Arms.”
In addition to name artists, the festival features works by filmmakers from 45 countries and 98 that are directed by women. The latter category includes shorts Luna Fest, an allwomen traveling film festival, and “Pick of the Litter,” the latest documentary by Santa Clara resident Dana Nachman, whose “Batkid Begins” opened Cinequest in 2015.
At this year’s festival, Nachman and Dan Hardy will receive the Kaiser Permanente Thrive Award for “Pick of the Litter,” which follows a litter of Labrador puppies through their training to be Guide Dogs for the Blind.
The award is given to movies exemplifying caretakers “who help people thrive in their health and their lives.”
The ingenue in this year’s Silent Cinema offering is anything but thriving and healthy. In “The Wind,” Lillian Gish plays a young woman slowly driven mad by life on an isolated ranch. Organist Dennis James will accompany the film on the California Theatre’s Wurlitzer.
Turner Classic Movie host Ben Mankiewicz will present one of his favorite films when he receives his Media Legacy Award at the festival. Cinequest devised the award to honor members of the media who have had a significant impact on the film industry.
Among the festival’s more high-tech offerings is the Cinequest VR Program, with 29 virtual and augmented reality films, experiences and games. Attendees can head to the VR Experience Lounge to check out offerings such as “Speed Kills VR Experience,” starring Travolta, and “Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality,” starring the title characters of the popular animated series.
The Cinequest Film and VR Festival takes place Feb. 27-March 11.
For a complete schedule of events and ticket prices, visit cinequest.org.