Sudbury film lovers' favourite week of the year is finally here. Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival starts Saturday and runs until Sept. 25. All screenings take place at SilverCity Sudbury.
It's been a great year for film, and Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival's executive director said that's made the task of choosing the 130 films showcased at the city's annual film festival that much easier.
“Cannes (Film Festival) had one of their best years ever,” Tammy Frick said at a press conference this past July. “That really makes it much easier for us to access great products. That's part of the challenge every year — to get out there and dig things up so you find those gems.”
For Cinéfest's full lineup and for tickets, visit Cinefest.com.
Gala films
Saturday, Sept. 17 - The festival kicks off with the Canada-Ireland production Maudie. Starring Ethan Hawke, Sally Hawkins and Kari Matchett, it's the story of an arthritic Nova Scotia woman working as a housekeeper and honing her skills as an artist, who eventually becomes a beloved figure in the community.
Sunday, Sept. 18 - The American film Manchester by the Sea, featuring Michelle Williams, Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick and Kyle Chandler. An uncle must care for his teenage nephew after the boy's father dies.
Monday, Sept. 19 - The French film Chocolat, in which the clown Chocolat becomes, in 1886, the first black artist of the French scene. The film stars Omar Sy, James Thierrée and Clotilde Hesme.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 - 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.
Wednesday, Sept. 21 - The American film The Headhunter's Calling, about a headhunter whose life revolves around closing deals in a survival-of-the-fittest boiler room. The film stars Gerard Butler, Alison Brie and Willem Dafoe.
Thursday, Sept. 22 - The German comedy Toni Erdmann, starring Sandra Hüller and Peter Simonischeck, about a father trying to reconnect with his daughter.
Friday, Sept. 23 – Shot in Sault Ste. Marie, Mean Dreams 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.
Saturday, Sept. 24 - I, Daniel Blake, a UK/France/Belgium production starring Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Briana Shann and Dylan Phillip McKiernan, about a middle-aged carpenter who requires state welfare after injuring himself, who's joined by a single mother in a similar scenario.
Sunday, Sept. 25 - 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.
