Festival offers a wide variety of work
By TAYLOR VAN ARSDALE Special to the Daily Press
Thursday, June 19th kicks off the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival, and even with tickets for the opening night’s show of director Timur Bekmanbetov’s greatly anticipated adaptation of Mark Millar’s graphic novel “Wanted,” (starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy) going at $100 dollars a pop, it should prove to be a packed reception.
The LA Film Festival, an annual film soiree held this June between the 19th - 29th, screens narrative features, documentaries, shorts and music videos from American and international filmmakers while offering attendees the chance to catch summer previews such as this year’s closing film from director Guillermo del Toro,“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (starring Ron Perlman and Selma Blair).
This year’s event, as in prior years, takes place in Westwood one of the few locations that hosts “large screen” venues in which to watch films. The LAFF, now in its 14th year, has been instrumental in screening ground-breaking cinema as well as providing atten-dees the chance to hear leading luminaries in the film industry speak about their craft. There are also mixers and lunch box talks with outstanding actors, directors and writers.
Notable directorial debuts include, (in the narrative category) Lori Petty’s “Poker House,” a true story, set in 1970, about a young woman’s struggle for survival growing up with a junkie-mother and pimp-father, which should prove to be both heartbreaking and hopeful. Serving as the centerpiece of festival is Sacha Gervasi’s “ANVIL! The Story of Anvil” a documentary that follows the tribulations of an ‘80s Canadian heavy metal band whose songs bear luminous titles such as “Show Me Your Tits.” Gervasi, whose writing credits include “The Terminal” starring Tom Hanks, creates a touching portrait of two irresistible metal-heads and their quest to keep on rocking.
In the comedy arena you may want to check out Seth Packard’s “HottieBoombaLottie” and Sonja Heiss’
“Hotel Very Welcome” which from its trailer looks to be everyone’s worst travel nightmares assembled in one fun romp. Don’t miss the Poolside Chats at the W Hotel, including “Back to the Stoner Age” which discusses pot smoking in films and will be hosted by none other than Cheech Marin.
I know I’ll be there, unless I get too high and forget.
Festival passes, individual tickets and/or custom designed ticket packages can be purchased via the Web site at www.lafilmfest.com. The site also provides detailed parking information and maps.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 18, 2008. Read the original PDF.