By CH Smith
Another year, another 250 films in 10 days.
The Calgary International Film Festival begins this week and has been expanded to 10 days running Sept. 26-Oct. 5. The festival is an event well worth attending, whether you plan on seeing as many films as possible or just one. With the diverse selection of movies including Canadian and international shorts and features alongside a wide selection of documentaries, this year’s CIFF offers something for everyone.
If you are interested in classics, then U of C film professor and CIFF director Malek Khouri suggests the series of restored films.
"There are a series of restored classics that are important to attend because of the fact that they are being shown as they were originally intended," Khouri explains. "Calgarians are very lucky for the chance to see films like Siddhartha, Modern Times, 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Viking in their original form."
The opening gala is showing the acclaimed, Canadian-produced film The Cooler starring Academy Award nominee William H. Macy. The closing gala is screening Calgary director Gary Burns’ new film A Problem With Fear.
"[A Problem With Fear] addresses the manner in which the present global epidemic of fear manifests itself in everyday life," says Khouri.
Filmed mostly in Calgary, A Problem With Fear is a real contender among the many other great films being shown this year.
If you plan on attending any of the films this weekend then you should pick up a CIFF program guide or visit the website: www.calgaryfilm.com. Oh, and arrive early or risk disappointment.