The Philly Film Festival brings art to the screen

By Bill Drust
Collegian Staff
March 22, 2006

The 15th Philadelphia Film Festival is set to kick off on Thursday, March 30. Presented by the Philadelphia Film Society and attracting filmmakers from around the globe, the festival is sure to provide many opportunities for an out-of-the-ordinary movie experience.

The wide variety of films will be shown at six different city theaters: Ritz Five, Ritz East, Prince Music Theater, International House, The Bridge Cinema deLux and The Cinema at Penn. Regular ticket prices are $9.50 per show, with a reduced price of $7.50 for matinees before 4 p.m. Prices differ for opening and closing night films and events. Also, three different multiple-ticket packages are available.

The festival will open with a bang as Laurence Fishburne attends the screening of his new film Akeelah and the Bee. Akeelah, which also stars Angela Bassett, is the story of a girl from Southern Los Angeles trying to qualify for the National Spelling Bee.

As things roll on throughout the next week, there is no shortage of other stars in their latest rolls. Hugh Grant, William Hurt, Josh Hartnett, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Aniston are a few of the faces you can see in an interesting array of new movies. However, the international films making their way to Philadelphia are arguably the most exciting aspect of the festival. Films from Ireland, Chile, Poland, Japan, Australia, Iceland and everywhere in between are sure to provide interesting perspectives and opportunities for cultural exposure.

Of course, what would a film festival be without its fair share of experimental and unique offerings? For instance, you can see Evil, the first zombie movie to ever come out of Greece. Iceberg is a new slapstick comedy out of Belgium. And a movie out of Philadelphia called Is This Too Much? is apparently sure to offend many.

One of the most anticipated events of the festival is scheduled for April 5. Susan Sarandon will be on hand at the Prince Music Theater to receive the Philadelphia Film Festival’s 2006 Artistic Achievement Award. Sarandon will answer the audience’s questions and discuss her life and career.

The events will wrap up on Tuesday, April 11 with the screening of Friends with Money, an ensemble comedy featuring Jennifer Aniston and John Cusack. As with Opening Night, there will be a special party held after the movie for over-21 filmgoers.

The Philadelphia Film Society encourages purchasing tickets for shows as early as possible as they tend to sell out. Tickets may be obtained online, by phone and by mail. However, they can only be purchased at the theater box office on the day of a show for cash only.

For those who miss out, there will be an encore presentation of selected films as the Film Society presents “Reels on Wheels: The Philadelphia Film Festival Goes on Tour.” Another upcoming event is the “6 Films by Sidney Lumet Series.” Held at Drexel University, the weekly series will celebrate the work of the celebrated Philadelphia director and culminate in an appearance by Lumet himself.

For more information on the Philadelphia Film Festival and other events, and to keep updated on scheduling changes, visit www.phillyfests.com.

drustw1@lasalle.edu