Chicago International Film Festival Releases 2012 Schedule
By Steven Pate in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 24, 2012 9:00PM
Some of us mark the real beginning of fall by noting the autumnal equinox, a few by some meteorological demarcation, others by simply pointing to the school year’s calendar, still others at the moment their fantasy football league dreams were officially dashed.
For us, autumn officially lurched into full swing when we saw people taking ticket orders for Chicago International Film Fest in the main lobby of the River East AMC 21. That means October, and the 48th annual Chicago International Film Festival, is right around the corner, kicking off on October 11.
Opening night for the fan-friendly festival kicks off with red carpet appearances by Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin for the world premiere of Stand Up Guys, about mobsters who may have passed their expiration date but may just have one last caper left in the tank.
Back to the Future director Robert Zemeckis is turning back the clock in a way with, Flight, his first live action effort since Cast Away, closing out the fest. With Denzel Washington’s star power and Steven Spielburg’s muscle behind it, this big budget drama won’t need a bump from CIFF to get a lot of attention. In between those tent poles will be the festival’s centerpiece film, the Wachowskis’ Cloud Atlas.
As usual, there is plenty to clog up the calendar of even the most casual of film buffs.
Ken Burns goes all Errol Morros on us with Central Park Five, about five teenagers wrongfully accused of rape. The unpredictable Leo Carax’s wild Cannes smash, Holy Motors is a must-see. Carlos director Olivier Assayas’ Something in the Air got an award at Venice and got picked up by IFC at the Toronto International Film Festival. Another film with a Cannes track record is Cristian Mungiu’s După Dealuri (Beyond the hills). The exorcism tale was already named Romania’s submission for the foreign language film section of the 2013 Oscars. Juan Antonio Bayona’s dramatic depiction of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, The Impossible, features Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor and looks visually impressive. The iconically Iranian but increasingly expatriate Abbas Kiarostami takes to Japan for his latest meditative offering, Like Being in Love.
And it's not just movies, of course. Viola “Meryl Streep Stole My Oscar” Davis will receive the Career Achievement Award at the Black Perspectives Tribute night on Oct. 22. Joan Allen, Helen Hunt and The Interrupters director Steve James are among the luminaries showing up in person for the fest. Seven shorts programs and several panel discussions which are free. Shorts, Features and Documentary subjects with local connections are on tap as well. The timely As Goes Janesville and Empire Builder, from spouse of micro-budget mumblecore maestro Joe Swanberg and erstwhile Nice Cream entrepreneur, Kris Swanberg, caught our eye.
But if you’re only checking out the known quantities then you are missing the real fun of a film festival. Taking a chance on something completely new, something that may never be on the screen again or may well be the surprise discovery of the festival. Over a hundred films to pick from, a pass through the Free Festival Guide is essential.
The Chicago International Film Festival runs from October 11 to 25 at AMC River East, 322 E. Illinois St. Individual tickets go on sale Sept. 24, and many will be gone very quickly. Passes are available from the Festival Store.