From Nov. 11 to Nov. 21, cinemas across St. Louis are going to be showcasing some of the most impressive, interesting, eclectic and entertaining films to be released this year as a part of the 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Fest.
With a staff of just three people, the St. Louis International Film Fest (or SLIFF) puts on a rather remarkable production; this year, over 300 films will screen as a part of the event.
According to Chris Clark, artistic director of the festival (as well as the Cinema St. Louis organization), these films have been selected via “open submissions, end of the year studio pre-Christmas tentpoles, and special invitations made by the festival to films with or without distributors including films that have won awards or great press throughout the year.”
This is not a festival that shows only arthouse pictures, obscure foreign movies or melodramatic indie thrillers (this is not to say that those genres are not present at the fest!).
Instead, SLIFF showcases films of all genres from many different countries and often involves a mix of big ticket and independently distributed movies.
The festival’s headlining film, “Casino Jack” is an aggressively dark comedy/thriller about Jack Abramoff (played by Kevin Spacey), and it tells a story of people who are happy to run roughshod over the American people in the pursuit of more money and power.
Viewers will enjoy themselves while watching the film but feel vaguely dirty afterwards, in a way that only a truly excellent depiction of depravity can make you feel.
“Casino Jack” is also noteworthy – unfortunately – because of the recent death of its director, St. Louis native George Hickenlooper, and a tribute to his life and work will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. on the night of the film’s showing at the Tivoli; if you have a ticket to the movie, you will be able to attend the tribute.
Other noteworthy films on display at the festival are Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan,” a psychological thriller involving a ballet performance, which will be showing at the Hi-Pointe Theater Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
Danny Boyle’s latest film “127 Hours” will be showing this Sunday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m., also at the Hi-Pointe.
An animated film adapted from an unproduced script by brilliant French director Jacques Tati, “The Illusionist” has a showing at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21, once again at the Hi-Pointe Theater.
These are just a few of the fantastic movies that will be showing during the festival – over eleven days of screenings. There is bound to be something to satisfy just about everyone.
When asked about films that might related to Saint Louis University’s mission of social justice, Chris Clark suggested “Freedom Riders,” “Budrus,” “Enemies of the People,” “Journey to Zanskar,” “Louder Than A Bomb” and “Percy Schmeiser: David Vs. Monsanto” as pictures of interest.
I can also recommend a film I had a small behind the scenes role on. “Circus Kids” is a documentary depicting religious/cultural togetherness through circus performance, which will be showing at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Hi-Pointe.
For more information as to where and when these films will be screening, check out cinemastlouis.org or pick up a printed pamphlet from any of the theaters involved: Hi-Pointe Theatre, Tivoli Theatre, Plaza Frontenac Cinema and Webster University’s Winifred Moore Auditorium.
