NewWest FilmFest returns to Landmark Cinemas next week with a movie line-up that promises to have something for everyone.
The three-day event, now in its sixth year, kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 20 and runs until Saturday, Oct. 22. Opening night, co-presented by the New West Pride Society, will see Canadian flick Closet Monster on the big screen at 7 p.m., a dark tale of a driven teenager’s coming out story. Then at 9 p.m., documentary Waiting for B – as in pop icon Beyoncé – will be shown.
“It’s a really exciting (foreign) film about these people who line up for two months waiting for a Beyoncé concert in Brazil, and all the excitement that happens in the lineup,” festival director Kathleen Somerville told the Record, adding there will be English subtitles.
On Oct. 21, NewWest Film Fest offers a free screening of VIVA at Douglas College at 3:30 p.m. Without giving too much away, the plot follows a young hairdresser by the name of Jesus, who works at a Havana nightclub that showcases drag performers. He too dreams of being a performer himself, according to a write-up. But when his estranged father comes back into his life, his world is quickly turned upside down.
Later that evening, back at Landmark Cinemas, movie-goers can catch The Lobster, a Cannes Jury Prize winner starring Colin Farrell, at 7 p.m. At 9 p.m., there’s a shorts showcase, featuring some eight to 10 films, ranging from one minute to 14 minutes long.
“We have a really exciting shorts program this year,” said Somerville. “We opened ourselves to submissions this year and had almost 40 submissions from across Canada, around the world. We’re going to have all kinds of (genres) … (like) animation, drama and comedy.”
On the last day of the festival, Oct. 22, attendees can view three feature-length films. First is The Pristine Coastline at 2 p.m. The documentary is directed by New Westminster’s Scott Renyard. He links the crash of fish species on the Canadian coast to diseases from fish farms. As those species collapse, the ability of the biological pumps in both the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans to fix carbon deteriorates, forcing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Renyard makes the case that wild fish populations are critical in the fight to reduce greenhouse gases.
At 4:15 p.m., special guest Phyllis Grant (who is flying out from New Brunswick) will screen her award-winning short film Maq and the Spirit of the Woods. Following is Fractured Land, which tells the story of a young, indigenous leader who confronts fracking in his community with traditional teachings and a law degree.
“We started as an environmental documentary film festival, so we’re really excited to have a couple of really powerful documentaries this year,” said Somerville.
Closing the festival will be Captain Fantastic at 7 p.m., followed by an after party at the CG Masters School of 3D Animation inside the New Westminster SkyTrain station.
Choosing this year’s flicks was hard, noted Somerville, adding the New West Film Society looked at the Toronto film circuit for inspiration. Given that a festival pass is $35 and general admission costs $8 ($5 for seniors and students), she said film lovers are getting a “really, really good value for the price.”
Meanwhile, besides staying true to its environmental roots when it comes to what’s on the big screen, Somerville said the society is also mindful of its carbon footprint. Festival T-shirts are organic, and recycled cardstock has been used to print materials.
Somerville said the Royal City continues to be a hub for the film industry, so much so she’ll be making a presentation to city council on Oct. 17 to declare that week New West Film Week.
“We’ll be talking about the millions of dollars that filming brings to the city as well as their finished product we’re showing. Everyone sees those filming trucks, everyone has a story, been in a movie or been an extra, so we really want to celebrate that.”
For tickets, times and film information, visit www.newwestfilmfest.ca or call 604-516-0402.
Landmark Cinemas is at 800 Carnarvon St., on the SkyTrain level.
