Tuesday, February 10th, 7pm
Sofa Cinema
Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (Building J2 2711 Battleford Ave. SW)
If you’ve never caught one of the CSIF’s monthly classic film screenings out at the Currie Barracks then you’re really missing out. This laid back, casual evening is set in one of their screening rooms comprised of comfy, “lived-in” sofas and the kids at CSIF rev up the projector for an evening of FREE cinematic entertainment based on a monthly theme. February’s theme is Anti-Valentines Day! The CSIF and its staff are H-U-G-E allies to the queer community so no probs cuddling up to your date!
Monday, February 16th, 7pm
In A Dream
Engineered Air Theatre, Epcor Center for Performing Arts
Movies That Matter presents this documentary by Jeremiah Zagar about a bohemian neighborhood in South Philadelphia; 50,000-square feet are covered with tile and mirrors-mosaics that were created by Isaiah Zagar, an eccentric, tormented artist. The film has already garnered a truck-load of awards from various film festivals, and Movies That Matter has never been one to screen a craptastic movie, so chances are, you’re in for a great film!
Wednesday, February 18th, 7pm
The Times of Harvey Milk
The Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Road NW)
Arusha Action Series and FairyTales Presentation Society team up for the first time to present this Oscar winning film on the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in the States. After the film, special guest speaker Michael Phair, the first openly gay man elected to public office in Alberta (Edmonton City Council) will be in attendance to share his experiences and to get audiences pumped to run themselves for office in 2010.
Wednesday, February 25th, 7pm
The Color Purple
The Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Road NW)
FairyTales Presentation Society presents Steven Speilberg’s epic of love, loss, friendship and redemption among the lives of three African-American women in the deep South. Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg and Margaret Avery play the three female leads and Danny Glover plays the reprehensible husband to Goldberg. Perhaps one of the toughest movies to watch due to each character’s trials and tribulations, but trust me, you will be singing Hallelujah to the lord by the end credits.
March 5th to 7th
The 17th Annual $100 Film Festival
The Plaza Theatre (1133 Kesington Road NW)
Originally, the catch to the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers’ lovechild festival was that every submission had to have been made for under $100. However, with inflation it’s pretty near impossible to get lunch at Wendy’s for under $100. Instead, the catch is that every film selected must have been created on “film” not video and will be projected as such. The festival also boasts “Film Music Explosion” which involves local bands playing live music on stage while an experimental film based on their song plays in the background. I’ve seen this done in the past, and it’s actually quite enjoyable, and lovely to blend artistic disciplines together!
Matt Salton is the festival director of the Fairy Tales International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in Calgary. He can be reached for comment at reelpublicity@yahoo.ca
