Opening Wednesday evening with a gala presentation of the sparkling new film version of Jane Austen’s “Mansfield Park,” the 35th anniversary edition of the Chicago International Film Festival continues for two cinema-packed weeks, through Oct. 21. On the schedule: 109 feature films and documentaries and 58 short films from 32 countries, including 43 U.S. premieres and numerous appearances by the participating filmmakers, actors and writers.
It’s a good festival, if not the century-ending millennial extravaganza we might have hoped for. But, besides getting the chance to see, in person, special guests Gregory Peck, Morgan Freeman, John Frankenheimer and Ray Harryhausen, there are dozens of strong, provocative new pictures from around the world from which to choose.
– “Mansfield Park” (star) (star) (star) 1/2 (Director: Patricia Rozema; United Kingdom/United States). The U.S. premiere of a brilliant version of Jane Austen’s late novel, with an utterly charming lead performance by Australia’s Frances O’Connor (the delinquent lover on the run in “Kiss or Kill”) as heroine Fanny Price, a girl of sense and sensibility torn between pride and prejudice: an irresponsible, handsome swain and her true soul mate cleric. Rozema, interestingly, weaves Austen’s own life, through her journals and letters, into the tale. With Embeth Davidtz and playwright-actor Harold Pinter. (7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Chicago Theater, 175 N. State St.; a pre-screening reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. The Chicago Cultural Center, Sidney R. Yates Gallery, 77 E. Randolph St.)
Film fest facts
What: The 35th Chicago International Film Festival.
When: Daily Oct. 6-21.
Where: Meridian Water Tower Theatres, 845 N. Michigan Ave. (312-440-1554); The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. (773-871-6604).
Special tribute, Lifetime Achievement Award: Lauren Bacall, Gregory Peck.
Special tribute, Career Achievement Award: John Frankenheimer, Morgan Freeman.
Special tribute: Ray Harryhausen.
Special programs: Conversations With Gregory Peck; An Evening With Ray Harryhausen; Celebration of Black Cinema; Mexican Cinema in Motion; German Cinema; Pacific Passions: Cinema of the Philippines.
Single-ticket prices: weekday matinees (Monday-Friday before 5 p.m.), $4; weekend matinees (Saturday-Sunday before 5 p.m.), $5; otherwise, $9 ($7.50 members); special group rates and passes available through the festival office or Ticketmaster, 312-782-9768.
Festival office: 32 W. Randolph St., Suite 600 (312-425-9400).
Festival 24-hour hot line: 312-332-3456.
Web site: (for any program changes and a list of visiting filmmakers) www.chicago.ddbn.com/filmfest/
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More capsule reviews for films showing Thursday and then Mondays through Thursdays will appear in Tempo. Capsules for films showing Fridays through Sundays will appear in the Friday section (a complete schedule is on the Internet at http://metromix.com/go/filmfest). For tickets and information, call the festival’s 24-hour hot line: 312-332-3456.
