Diversity key to this year's film festival
`There are a lot of strong titles and themes' this year
Films from across the globe, including Brazil, Spain, New Zealand and South Africa, will be featured at this year's Calgary International Film Festival.
The full lineup of 175-plus films from more than 40 countries was announced this week and today, CIFF added a number of special presentations, including a live score of The Kid by Chad Vangaalen, and the premiere of new, never-before-seen episodes of Jann, Season 3 and Tribal, Season 2.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest events has been postponed until next year. The live, In Conversation with Isabella Rossellini was to occur Sept. 29 but has been pushed to January 2022 at the Telus Spark Science Centre, an appropriate venue as the iconic actress is also a science filmmaker.
She is the narrator of Spark Science Centre's new digital immersion gallery experience, Every Second, which explores the math that makes up our lives. One Yellow Rabbit's Denise Clarke.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Charlie Chaplin's classic film The Kid, Chad Vangaalen — performing as Black Mold — will perform a live score of the film as it screens at Contemporary Calgary.
The premieres of Jann and Tribal will be followed by conversations with their stars, creators and producers, including Jann Arden and Ron E. Scott.
Among the 12 feature films announced in this year's film festival are:
■ Julia, which reunites co-directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen (RGB) for a film about another extraordinary woman. This time they focus on celebrated cookbook author Julia Child.
■ Drinkwater, a quirky Canadian coming of age tale about friendship and surviving high school.
■ Flee, which won the world cinema grand jury prize for best documentary at this year's Sundance Film Festival. It tells the story of a persecuted Afghan refugee through animation to protect his identity.
■ The Electrical Life of Louis Wain starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the eccentric British artist whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped transform the public perception of cats forever.
■ Official Competition brings together more star power in Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz in a satire about moviemaking.
“There's an overall sense of optimism and re-emergence in this year's lineup that feels very refreshing and exciting,” said Brian Owens, CIFF'S artistic director. “After what we've been through globally in the past couple of years, it has very much inspired the coming of age story and brought forward youthful energy and lineup. There are a lot of strong titles and themes and our mandate to showcase diversity is at an all-time high this year, not only with the countries being represented but also in the diversity of story and the filmmakers creating these movies.”
There are also dozens of short films, which can be viewed on CIFF'S website at ciffcalgary.ca
Audience members in CIFF'S indoor venues will be required to either show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or proof they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the prior 48 hours. In addition, masks are required to enter all CIFF venues and may be removed only while seated.