Movie magic in Montreal

November 20, 2008 04:02 am

— MONTREAL — Montreal means movie magic. Here's what's on the big screen north of the border:

First up, the Image + Nation LGBT Film Festival is all grown up. Pronounced "imagination," Montreal's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film fest celebrates its 21st edition starting today and continuing through Nov. 30. Some 100-plus features, shorts and documentaries will be screened.

Opening the festival tonight is "Mulligans," a Canadian full-length feature dubbed "a gorgeous and graceful film about second chances and the links to life and love," says the press release. The film's writer and star, Charlie David (of TV's "Dante's Cove" fame), will be in attendance.The Vanguard Doc Series includes "The Universe of Keith Haring," "Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens" and "Patti Smith: Dream of Life." Same-sex relationships are explored on an international scale with a number of films, including Italy's "Saturno Contro" ("Saturn in Opposition"), Taiwan's "Drifting Flowers" and Israel's "Antarctica."

The official closing film Nov. 29 is "The New Twenty," a full-length U.S. feature dubbed "a 'St. Elmo's Fire' for a new generation." Another highlight is "Were the World Mine," a musical retelling of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It screens Nov. 30.

Most films are shown at the Imperial Cinema, 1430 Bleury St., downtown as well as NFB Cinema, 1564 St. Denis St., and de Seve Cinema at Concordia University, 1400 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Single tickets cost $11, special events are $13, students and senior admission is priced at $7 and a 10-movie pass costs $90. Visit www.image-nation.org.

WARHOL, WAJDA
Cinematheque Quebecois in the Latin Quarter offers a unique glimpse of Andy Warhol's television work and a film retrospective of Polish director Andrzej Wajda.

"Andy Warhol's T.V." looks at the iconic artist's Manhattan Cable and Madison Square Garden half-hour television productions of the early 1980s. Episodes one to three air Nov. 27. Guests include former New York Rangers hockey player Ron Greshner and '80s supergroup Duran Duran. Episodes four to six run Dec. 4 with guests Sting, Frank Zappa, Pee Wee Herman, Brooke Shields and Keith Haring. Episodes seven to nine round out the series Dec. 11 with guests James Brown, Jerry Hall and boxer Ken Norton. The "Andy Warhol's Fifteen Minutes" pilot and episodes one to three screen Dec. 18.

The retrospective of Wajda offers dozens of films in the original Polish, many subtitled in English. The films include two of Wajda's Academy Award-nominated best foreign language films: "Katyn," which screens Wednesday (Nov. 26); and "The Maids of Wilko" Dec. 19. The series runs through Jan. 18.

Cinematheque Quebecois is at 335 Blvd. De Maisonneuve E. Call (514) 842-9768 or visit www.cinematheque.qc.ca.

FILM SHORTS
In the nearby Plateau neighborhood, Cinema du Parc offers its own mini film fest of sorts — of shorts.

Presented this Friday only are the best shorts of the 2008 Worldwide Short Film Festival. The annual festival, held in Toronto every summer, shows hundreds of Canadian and international shorts, awards prizes and brings together buyers, distributors and programmers. Friday's one-day event screens 11 of the best documentary, animation and experimental film shorts of this year's fest. Admission is free, but reservations are necessary online. Screenings begin at 7 p.m.

Next, book a trip to Brazil — no airfare required.

Cinema du Parc also presents its second Brazil Film Festival Dec. 5 through 11. Presented are recent Brazilian films (subtitled in English or French); films dedicated to the Bossa Nova musical genre, which celebrates 50 years; and a program of animated shorts.

Cinema du Parc is at 3575 Park Ave. Screenings cost $10 for adults. Youth, senior, Tuesday admission and matinee screenings are $7.50. Call (514) 281-1900 or visit www.cinemaduparc.com. Also visit www.brazilfilmfest.net.

Also in the Plateau, Ex-Centris offers its own lineup of repertory films.

"Giselle" is the Royal Ballet production of the famed ballet shot in high definition at London's Royal Opera House Convent Garden. It screens at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. Coming soon is Gus Van Sant's "Milk" starring Sean Penn, which tells the tale of assassinated San Francisco politician and gay activist Harvey Milk.

Ex-Centris is at 3536 St. Laurent Blvd. Call (514) 847-2206 or visit www.ex-centris.com.

The Montreal Science Centre IMAX Theatre in the Old Port continues showing "Wild Ocean 3D: Where Africa Meets the Sea," a captivating film that explores an ocean wilderness known as "the Wild Coast," an expanse of Indian Ocean water that encompasses the South African Transkei and KwaZulu-Natal coasts. Dramatic photography, a poignant music soundtrack, and a suspenseful story line combine to make this big screen adventure one of the most breathtaking IMAX films you will ever see.

IMAX screenings start at $12 for adults; $15 for 3D films. A discounted double bill is also available. It's best to reserve tickets in advance. Call (514) 496-4629 or visit www.montrealsciencecentre.com.

E-mail Steven Howell at: writeonbetty@sympatico.ca

Photos

The Vanguard Doc Series of the Image + Nation GLBT Film Festival includes "The Universe of Keith Haring," a look at the life of the contemporary pop artist.