Arts
Pansies and Margureites to You!
Looking Ahead: Green Mountain Film Festival
Looking Ahead:
Green Mountain Film Festival
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The fifth annual Green Mountain Film Festival, consisting of more than 30 feature and documentary films in two programs over 10 days, will take place March 22-31 in Montpelier’s Savoy Theater and City Hall Arts Center.
Focus on Film, the presenter, has selected films to appeal to young people and adults, films about cultures very different from ours (Afghanistan, Iran, Egypt, Palestine, South Africa, Israel) or somewhat different (Norway, Iceland, Chile, Czechoslovakia, Ireland, Poland, Germany, France), films on significant topics (abortion, gay Scouts, persistent issues connected to the Holocaust, class in America, preservation of forests, restorative justice, Native American sacred grounds), but above all, films for those who treasure the experience of finely made works, whether dramatic, comedic, romantic or merely informative.
Opening night's feature film will be Poland's The Big Animal, from a script by the late celebrated director Krzysztof Kieslowski, and directed by his colleague, the actor Jerzy Stuhr. Kieslowski is widely known for his “The Decalogue” and his “ThreeColors Trilogy.” He died in 1996, but not before completing the script of The Big Animal, a comic fable about a circus camel abandoned in rural Poland. The opening night showing at 7 p.m. March 22 in the Savoy Theater will be followed by a reception and party. Two additional showings will be held March 25 at 8:30 p.m. and March 27 at 4 p.m., both in the Savoy.
Also featuring:
L.I.E. (United States) is the controversial film directed by Michael Cuesta and starring Brian Cox. It's a coming-of-age drama that touches on pedophilia, yet avoids stereotypes and cliche responses. Recently, it received the most nominations in the Independent Film Project's “Spirit” awards (the anti-Oscars). Cox plays a middle-aged ex-Marine and Paul Franklin Dano is a 15-year-old boy alienated from his father and teetering on emotional chaos. The relationship that grows between them is remarkably complex and filled with insight. March 23 at 9 p.m., March 27 at 6:30 p.m. and March 29 at 2 p.m.
Oliver Button Is a Star (United States) is a family film based on a book by Tomie diPaola that features diPaola and several other successful adults who recount difficult childhoods caused by their being perceived as different by others, and by themselves. March 23 and March 30 at noon.
Scout’s Honor (United States) is about the controversy surrounding gays in the Boy Scouts. Inspiration for the film is the campaign by young Eagle Scout Steven Cozza, who is not gay, for tolerance and understanding. March 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Trembling Before G-d (United States) is directed by Sandi Simcha DuBowski. She confronts the experiences of Orthdox and Hasidic gays and lesbians. Rabbi Joshua Chasan will lead a post-screening discussion. March 24 at 6:30 p.m.
A program of short films by Vermont filmmakers will be shown on the Vermont Traveling Filmmaker’s Program. March 24 at 2 p.m.
Single ticket prices are $6.50 or less with the purchase of a pass. Student and senior tickets are discounted. The Savoy Theater is located at 26 Main St. and the City Hall Arts Center is at 39 Main St., Montpelier. For further information, call (802) 229-0598.