[ad_1]
Breadcrumb Trail Links
Local News
Article content
Grab the popcorn and get comfy — that glorious season of stargazing and marathon movie watching is upon us.
The 19th Windsor International Film Festival launched Thursday with screenings and events throughout downtown.
Article content
“Planning has been going great, setting up the theatres, getting everything ready,” said WIFF executive director and chief programmer Vincent Georgie.
Advertisement 2
Article content
“A lot of our out-of-town guests are on their way. They’re on planes, trains, and automobiles getting to the festival right now.
“It’s really fun for a lot of people coming maybe for their 19th time, and some people coming for their very first time, just checking out some movies and grabbing some food and drinks with some friends before and after.
“Just celebrating all the good stuff that WIFF brings to the community,” he told the Star.
With 186 features and 38 short films spread out over 11 days, WIFF 19 will be the biggest ever.
There are movies from 46 countries, 47 films screened before their commercial releases, and dozens of Oscar contenders such as The Zone of Interest and Anatomy of a Fall.
There are 19 films that were either made in Windsor or have local connections. They include the psychological thriller Depraved Mind from director Nicholas Shields and his Windsor-based Suede Productions, and the horror Skinamarink from producer and Windsor native Dylan Pearce.
The average hardcore cinema buff who buys the WIFF pass ($340) with access to over 300 screenings watches 45 movies. Last year, one person saw 77 films.
Advertisement 3
Article content
“I’ll talk to some people and they’ll say, ‘I didn’t see that many this year, I only saw 22 or something,’” said Georgie. “You just watched 22 movies, that’s kind of incredible. You don’t have to apologize for seeing only 22 movies.”
There will also be events in WIFF Alley for all 11 days with a bar scene and entertainment.
“Lots of parties and special events going on throughout the festival, which is really enjoyable,” said Georgie.
WIFF’s opening day starts early with the films Kokomo City and Fallen Leaves at 9 a.m.
But the big event Thursday is the Opening Night screening and party.
The Opening Night film is another Oscar contender. The Pot-au-Feu, a French romantic drama set in 1885, stars Juliette Binoche. It depicts the relationship between an esteemed cook and the gourmet she has been working with for 20 years.
New to the festival this year is a featured Centrepiece Film. The inaugural screening will be The Peasants, a new film from the directors of WIFF-favourite Loving Vincent.
The animated historical drama, based on Wladyslaw Reymont’s Nobel Prize-winning novel, focuses on a rural community where a woman is being coerced into marrying a much older rich farmer. The Peasants screens Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Advertisement 4
Article content
This year’s Women of WIFF selection is Cynara, a documentary that “puts the justice system on trial” as defense lawyers challenge a woman’s murder conviction for the death of her disabled child. The event will include a Q&A with the filmmakers. It happens Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.
Related Stories
Windsor-made serial-killer thriller Depraved Mind screens at WIFF
Biggest yet: WIFF announces lineup for 2023 festival
The Closing Night film on Nov. 5 will be the MuchMusic documentary 299 Queen Street West. Directed by Sean Menard, the film uses archival footage and interviews with VJs to explore the origins and cultural impact MuchMusic had on viewers and artists.
A question-and-answer session with Menard and VJs Erica Ehm and Rick Campanelli, two of the film’s subjects, will follow the screening.
They are among many special guests and lauded filmmakers who will appear at the festival — perhaps a sign of how large and prestigious WIFF has become.
“We’re proud that now we’re a national festival that is in Windsor,” said Georgie. “Our roots are local. Our community is the one that built it, and that’s the reason it is successful.
“But it’s amazing that people from across the country now come to the festival. We’re very proud of it.”
twilhelm@postmedia.com
twitter.com/WinStarWilhelm
Movie binge at WIFF
Get tickets for all WIFF screenings and events at windsorfilmfestival.com or the WIFF box office at 109 University Ave. W.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
[ad_2]
Source link
