2nd Annual Boulder International Film Festival Opening Gala a Huge Success

By Mollie Fager, 2-17-06

The madness has begun. Starting with last night's opening gala and premier of "Sisters" starring Maria Bella, Rip Torn, Mary Stuart Masterson and other stars, Boulder's second annual International Film Festival is on its way. The film festival runs throughout the day and evening through Sunday Feb.19 with films showing at the historic Boulder Theater, Boulder Public Library and Boulder High School. These venues are all within walking distance of eachother. Last year's inaugural festival was attended by 5000 people and the festival organizers are expecting to more than double that amount this year. For a complete listing of the film schedule you can check out their website at www.biff1.com

I had red carpet fever last night as I strolled into the Boulder Theater for the opening gala. Fully expecting to see more formal attire (I was thinking Cannes Film Festival, Tribeca, etc...) I must admit I was a bit disappointed to see that once again Boulder had dressed DOWN for the occasion with a few of us budding starlets outfitted in high heels and flattering gowns but mostly khakis, jeans, the occasional black dress or casual suit was as high end as it got. Okay -- so it was 0 degrees outside and I nearly killed myself and my date as I iceskated across the parking lot, but who wants to walk the red carpet wearing Sorels?

Fashion aside, the movie "Sisters" was fantastic. Based on Anton Chekhov's classic play "The Three Sisters" this movie adaptation focuses on a modern family of three sisters, their brother and the various characters who have a relationship with them. Shadowed through it all is their references to their dead, academic father and the different ways he treated them as they were growing up. It's very complex, disturbing and superbly done. You feel as though you are watching the actual play on film stock, because it has an almost staged and live atmosphere about it. I've never written a film review before and I'm not going to start now but trust me, you'd find it interesting and undoubtedly reflective of some aspect of your family relationships.

Film has firmly rooted itself as Boulder's newest art form and the Boulder International Film Festival is just one of many events throughout the year where you can experience it. The organization I work for, The Dairy Center for the Arts, is home to Bent Lens Cinema -- Boulder's Queer Film Festival, the Boulder Asian Film Festival and a number of stand alone films. You can also check out The University of Colorado's Independent Film series which shows weekly on campus. The weather is supposed to be pitifully cold this weekend so you might as well grab a bag of popcorn and go see some great film at the Boulder International Film Festival. [End of article]