SUDBURY — In recent years, northern-shot films have been regularly featured as gala presentations at Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival.
That includes the Chet Baker biopic “Born to be Blue” starring Ethan Hawke in 2015 and the faith-based wrestling film starring the late WWF wrestler Roddy Piper in “The Masked Saint” in 2014.
The 2016 edition of the festival, which runs Sept. 17-25, continues this tradition. “Mean Dreams”, which was shot in Sault Ste. Marie, is the festival's Friday night gala film.
It follows Casey and Jonas, two teenagers desperate to escape their broken and abusive homes and examines the desperation of life on the run and the beauty of first love. Most notably, the film stars Bill Paxton and Colm Feore.
Speaking at an Aug. 18 press conference where the balance of the festival's lineup was released, Cinéfest managing director Patrick O'Hearn said he loves screening films shot in Northern Ontario.
It showcases the fact that world-class films are being made here, he said, and it's exciting when so many cast and crew members show up for screenings.
“They're going to come out because this is their first chance to see their work on the big screen,” he said.
Four other gala films were also revealed at the press conference.
The Monday night gala is the French film “Chocolat,” in which the clown Chocolat becomes, in 1886, the first black artist of the French scene.
He forms a comedy duo with white clown George Foottit in a special universe with the white clown, authoritative, and a black clown scapegoat.
The Tuesday night gala is the British-American film “Denial.”
Based on the book “History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier,” the film recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s (Rachel Weisz) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier.
The Wednesday night gala is the American film “The Headhunter's Calling,” about a headhunter whose life revolves around closing deals in a survival-of-the-fittest boiler room.
On the festival's closing night, Sunday Sept. 25, the gala film is the Australian film “The Dressmaker.”
Starring Kate Winslet and Liam Hemsworth, it's about glamorous woman who returns to her small town in rural Australia. With her sewing machine and haute couture style, she transforms the women and exacts sweet revenge on those who did her wrong.
Cinéfest also revealed a number of other films beyond its gala presentations at the press conference. Here's just a few we think you might find interesting:
- For the Love of Spock - An examination of the enduring appeal of Leonard Nimoy and his portrayal of Spock in Star Trek.
- Two Lovers and a Bear - Set in a small town near the North Pole where roads lead to nowhere, the story follows Roman (DeHaan) and Lucy (Maslany), two burning souls who come together to make a leap for life and inner peace. The film was shot in Timmins.
- Diving into the Unknown - After a terrible accident deep inside an underwater cave, the survivors are forced to risk their own lives to bring the bodies of their friends home.
- Unless - A writer struggles with her daughter's decision to drop out of college and live on the streets. Based on the novel "Unless" by Carol Shields.
Cinéfest's full lineup is now available online at cinefest.com.
- Sudbury.com