Denver Film Fest Fever

The cultural event of the season is upon us. The Starz Denver International Film Festival begins on Nov. 1, and it is a one-of-a-kind event. It is one of few recognized international festivals on the globe, and is the one time of the year we get interesting film in Denver.

I keep an open calendar every festival season, making sure that I can see as many movies as possible. Granted I am film student, but this is an event that everyone can enjoy.

Film festivals are typically glorified as lush red carpet affairs, full of tuxedos and cocktails and men courting women half their age. While this cliché is most certainly apparent at the opening and closing nights of the festival (this year at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, showing A Late Quartet and Quartet, respectively), it is the most uninteresting aspect.

At a film festival, you are given the privilege to indulge in brand new art—art that hasn’t been viewed by many others before you, and may not be seen by many after. There are films that are being premiered, and films that are being shown only for this particular festival.

The festival will be showing higher profile films from established studios, featuring actors you’ll recognize, like Christopher Walken and Al Pacino in Stand Up Guys or Bill Murray as FDR in Hyde Park On Hudson.

But these kinds of familiar films are, frankly, a waste of your time. They’ll be showing at the Mayan in a matter of months, and are typically more plain than other films screening.

Instead, see movies you’ve never heard of, from local and Argentinean directors, or restored prints from decades ago. Engage with art intellectually, aesthetically, socially. Don’t be intimidated—the films were made and chosen by the programmers for a reason.

And, now that you’re all geared up to see a ton of awesome, obscure films later this week, visit the Office of Student Life (TIV 303) and pick up a set of free vouchers with your student ID.

Also, stay tuned here at the UCD Advocate’s website. Yours truly, as well as the rest of our staff, will be providing you with exclusive coverage and reviews from the festival daily.