November 08, 2007
SLIFF DAY 1
The 16th Annual AT&T St. Louis International Film Festival is now underway. What lay ahead is a long grueling ten days of cinematic darkenss fueled by reels and Red Bull.
By this time most of us die hard film lovers in the STL have gotten their SLIFF schedule books and feverishly planned out the next ten days and procured tickets.
For these intrepid souls mapping, planning and organizing the Festival is an arduous undertaking along the lines of D-Day or Live-AID.
Choosing a film can be difficult if you are not a big film person of if you are with someone who isn't and you are. I recommend you start with somethnig popular and work inward to the other stuff.
After all there is no better way to move out of the kiddie pool and into the big kid deep end of the pool then by taking a chance and dipping both feet in the deep end and watch something new and different.
But if you, or someone you know fears change or new things, then there is a film for you, "The Honeydripper" by John Sayles. "The Honeydripper" screens at 7pm tonight at the Tivoli Theater. Sayles will be on hand to get his Lifetime Achievement Award with his partner Maggie Renzi.
Sayles is one of nation's best filmakers. He alwasy gets the best from his actors and his use of narrative is terrific. The movie has a Bluesy theme as well so lovers of music can come and check it out with satisfaction as well.
While you are at the Tivoli tonight pick up advance tickets for other movies. If you love music take a chance on a great doc called "Punks Not Dead" which screens at 9:15 tomorrow.
All the films, events and miscellany can be found at and www.cinemastlouis.org