Chicago International Film Festival Runs Through Oct. 29
Dozens of films from around the world come to River North
The 44th Annual Chicago Film Festival features over 100 films from 46 countries, beginning today and running through Oct 29.
The 44th annual Chicago International Film Festival kicked off Thursday night and runs through Wednesday, October 29, featuring over 100 films from 46 countries. Most of the screenings will be held at two theatres in River North (AMC River East 21 and 600 N Michigan Ave), and nearby hotels and restaurants plan to host related social events.
It is impossible to see every single film, and critics have been offering their opinions on which are the best. Some highlights include:
Born in '68: This fascinating film from directors Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau follows two generations as they confront the social changes in France from 1968 to present-day.
Cherry Blossoms: German director Doris Dorrie presents a moving drama about an elderly man who loses his wife to a terminal illness and honors her by visiting Tokyo, a city she'd always wanted to see.
Country Wedding: The basic idea may not be original (the chaos in planning a wedding), but Icelander Valdís Óskarsdóttir displays a unique sense of humor in this odd comedy.
Hunger: Steve McQueen's striking and stark debut film from the U.K. archives Irish Republican Army leader Bobby Sands' 1981 hunger strike inside Northern Ireland's Maze Prison.
Tokyo Sonata: Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa presents a social satire about a middle-aged man who attempts to hide his job loss from his family, who are harboring secrets of their own.
Be sure to check out the full listing at chicagofilmfestival.org. Hank Sartin of Time-Out Chicago offers a few suggestions, including "skip any film slated for fall release" and "go outside your comfort zone." And remember, if you read about a foreign flick you might be interested in, take the opportunity to see it. Contrary to popular belief, not everything is available on DVD; some films that were featured in last year's festival still have not been slated for U.S. distribution.
Copyright NBC Owned Television Stations / NBC Chicago
Posted Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 - 9:16 PM CST
