Digging into the Beeck film vault
Founders answer questions, share their insights
Kathy and Robin Beeck launched Boulder International Film Festival 20 years ago. What began as a screening of a handful of films at the Boulder Theater back in 2004 has grown into a full-scale, internationally recognized film festival that has, in recent years, attracted more than 25,000 cinephiles from across the world.
As a very influential and young film festival in the U.S., BIFF has walked a slew of some of film’s most famous stars across Boulder’s red carpet, including award-winning actors Javier Bardem, Alec Baldwin, James Franco, Martin Sheen, Shirley Maclaine, Alan Arkin, Bruce Dern, Oliver Stone, William H. Macy, Peter Fonda, Blythe Danner, Maria Bello and Chevy Chase. Not to mention the award-adorned filmmakers, producers and writers.
Enough about Hollywood. We wanted to know more about Boulder’s Hollywood, the Beeck sisters, so we dug into their film vaults.
Robin Beeck, executive director
Q>> What is your comfort movie? You know, the movie that you like to put on when you’re sick, sad, or need to de-stress?
A>> “The Wizard of Oz.”
Q>> A documentary that has shattered your world view?
A>> “Porcelain War,” an incredible film about Ukrainian artists produced by Boulder producers (Paula Dupre’ Pesmen and Olivia Ahnemann) which won a Grand Jury prize at Sundance and which we are screening at the festival this year.
Q>> Favorite director/auteur?
A>> Rob Reiner.
Q>> It’s a rainy night in October. Are you putting on a slasher movie, supernatural horror or “Hocus Pocus”?
A>> I saw the first “Halloween” movie with Jamie Lee Curtis in theaters when it came out. I watch it every year!
Q>> Go-to movie snack combination?
A>> Popcorn with extra butter, peanut M&M’S.
Q>> Best movie theater in Boulder County?
A>> Century Theater in Boulder.
Q>> Most egregious Oscar snub in the past decade?
A>> Not sure? I watch 300plus films in the lead-up to BIFF in the fall when many films are being released, so miss many of the films in theaters!
Q>> Film that you loved that everybody else hated?
A>> A film doesn’t come to mind!
Q>> And, what’s the movie that has made you laugh the hardest lately?
A>> “Thank You Very Much.” An amazing film by Alex
Braverman about Andy Kaufman that’s screening at BIFF this year.
Kathy Beeck, director
Q>> What is your comfort movie?
A>> “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
Q>> A documentary that has shattered your world view?
A>> “Refuge,” a film directed by Erin Bernhardt and Din Blankenship. It played at BIFF in 2022.
Q>> Favorite director/auteur?
A>> Morgan Neville.
Q>> It’s a rainy night in October. Are you putting on a slasher movie, supernatural horror, or “Hocus Pocus”?
A>> None of the above. A mystery thriller
Q>> Go-to movie snack combination?
A>> Popcorn and peanut M&M’S.
Q>> Best movie theater in Boulder County?
A>> Boedecker at the Dairy Arts Center.
Q>> Most egregious Oscar snub in the past decade?
A>> Anything that Leonardo Dicaprio wasn’t nominated for.
Q>> Film that you loved that everybody else hated?
A>> “Cooper’s Camera.”
Q>> And, what’s the movie that has made you laugh the hardest lately?
A>> “Trainwreck,” with Amy Schumer.