Musical featuring hockey to open Cinéfest

Cinéfest Sudbury, which takes place from Sept. 18-26, is opening its 22nd season with a film sure to spark interest in a hockey-loving city like Sudbury.

Score: A Hockey Musical will kick off the festival Sept. 18. “(It) is going to be a fantastic film that people are going to love a lot,” Patrick O’Hearn, managing director of the festival, said.

The film features 17-year-old Farley (Noah Reid), who loves hockey, but has led a sheltered life, having been homeschooled by his parents.

Farley is signed to a major hockey league, where he achieves instant stardom, much to his parents’ dismay.

Cinéfest unveiled some of its 2010 festival lineup during a July 29 press conference, along with its new 2010 logo and details of a project called The Cinema Summit, which is being started this year.

The 2010 Cinéfest logo was designed by local artist Tennille Heinonen, and features an image of one of Sudbury’s water towers battling a War of the Worlds tripod.

O’Hearn said The Cinema Summit will give filmmakers the chance to discuss the “ins and outs” of how to get their films seen, and help give emerging filmmakers more exposure.

Further announcements about the festival lineup will be upcoming.

Tickets for the festival went on sale Aug. 3. For more information, phone 688-1234 or visit www.cinefest.com.

Canadian films
Oliver Sherman — When a veteran seeks the man who saved him from war, a stranger’s world is turned upside-down. Oliver Sherman was filmed entirely in North Bay.

Small Town Murder Songs — A local murder upsets a police officer’s journey to overcome his violent past.

Fathers and Sons — A funny story about the relationships a group of men have with their fathers.

Whirligig — At the end of his rope, Nicholas returns home to his parents’ house on the shores of the Atlantic, where he falls in love with the unattainable Nina.

World Cinema movies
La Tête en Frinche (My afternoons with Margueritte) — An improbable encounter between two characters, separated by forty years and 220 pounds.

When We Leave — Fleeing an oppressive marriage in Istanbul, Umay and her son Cem seek her family in Berlin.

Soul Kitchen — A hip crowd embraces Zino’s restaurant, but it isn’t enough to mend his broken heart.

Howl — It’s San Francisco in 1957, and an American masterpiece is put on trial.

North — When Jomar learns he may have a child, he sets out on a snowmobile, with only five litres of alcohol, to find it.

Special Presentations
The Illusionist — An animated film following a washed-up musician’s attempts to become a magician.

Get Low — People say Felix “Bush” Breazeale has done all sorts of unthinkable things, and Breazeale wants to hear all about it, at his living funeral party.

Of Gods and Men — French Christian monks live harmoniously with their Muslim brothers, until foreign workers are massacred by an Islamic fundamentalist group.

Gala presentations
Score: A Hockey Musical — Even though Farley was homeschooled by eccentric parents, he managed to get scouted to a competitive hockey team.

Tamara Drewe — The ugly duckling turned devastating beauty returns to her hometown to a whirlwind of comedic encounters.