CHICAGO, IL (October 6, 2014)–The 50th Chicago International Film Festival begins with a star-studded Opening Night on Oct. 9 when “Miss Julie” Director Liv Ullmann, “Miss Julie” star Colin Farrell, Festival Jury Member Kathleen Turner, Festival Founder and Artistic Director Michael Kutza and “The Fugitive” Director Andrew Davis walk the red carpet.
The opening film, “Miss Julie,” directed by veteran actress and Ingmar Bergman collaborator Liv Ullmann, stars Golden Globe®-award winning actors Jessica Chastain, Samantha Morton and Colin Farrell. The opening celebration will be at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Dr.). The red carpet event starts at 6 p.m.; the screening begins at 7 p.m. and is followed by a reception at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Based on August Strindberg’s 1888 groundbreaking naturalistic drama, “Miss Julie” takes place over the course of one midsummer night in an Irish country estate, as the haughty Miss Julie (Jessica Chastain) and her father’s lowly valet John (Colin Farrell) charm and manipulate each other. By turns seductive and bullying, savage and tender, their intimate relationship leads to a desperate plan, culminating in a final act as sublime and devastating as anything in Greek tragedy. Ullmann brings renewed vitality to August Strindberg’s classic play of power, class and seduction.
“Since her extraordinary directorial debut, ‘Sofie,’ in 1992, we have premiered each and every one of Liv’s directorial efforts,” said Chicago International Film Festival Founder and Artistic Director Michael Kutza. “We are honored to have her as well as Colin Farrell, attend our Opening Night celebration as we kick-off our 50th Anniversary celebration with this beautiful film.”
Honored at the 33rd Chicago International Film Festival with a Career Achievement Award, Liv Ullmann is, by far, the most internationally recognized, respected and famous Norwegian actress. She made her acting debut on the stage as Anne Frank at the regional theater Rogaland Teater in 1957. Ullmann has been nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Actress in a Leading Role twice (1973 and 1977), and has received more than 40 other awards and accolades. She was widely acclaimed for her roles in Ingmar Bergman’s films, which also opened the doors for her international career. Since her award-winning Swedish production “Sofie,” she has also directed “Kristin Lavransdatter” (1995); “Private Confessions” (1996), winner of the Chicago International Film Festival’s Silver Hugo for Best Actress; “Faithless” (2000); and the documentary “Lumière and Company” (1995).
Audiences will once again be able to see Farrell on the big screen when his epic performance in Oliver Stone’s “Alexander: Ultimate Edition” is presented as a part of the Festival on Sunday, October 12 at 7 p.m. (Oliver Stone will be in attendance). The film was originally released in 2004.
A special free public presentation of “The Fugitive,” directed by Andrew Davis—who attributes his career to the Chicago International Film Festival—will screen in Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Ave.) on Friday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Opening Night Ticket Information
Tickets for Opening Night of the 50th Chicago International Film Festival are on sale now and can be purchased online at the Festival Store: www.chicagofilmfestival.com, by calling the Festival Hotline (312-332-3456), or in-person at the Festival Office (30 E. Adams, Suite 800). Film-only tickets are: Balcony: $50 ($45/members); Main Floor: $60 ($55/members). Cinema/Chicago members can use promo code OPEN50 and their current membership number for special rates. VIP tickets, which include a premium main floor seat and admission to the after party at Sidney Yates Gallery at The Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph St.), are priced at $150 per ticket. For ticketing information and Box Office hours, visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com
Other Festival screenings will be held at the AMC River East 21 Theater (322 E. Illinois St.). For Ticketing and Pass information, visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com
OPENING NIGHT PARTNERS
Opening Night of the 50th Chicago International Film Festival sponsors include: Lead Sponsor: Columbia College Chicago; Tourism Partner: Illinois Office of Tourism; Official Airline: American Airlines; Headquarters Hotel: JW Marriott Chicago; Evening Partners: Bloomberg, Target; Event Partners: Casale del Giglio, Effen Vodka, Gibsons Restaurant Group, Lavazza, Michigan Avenue Magazine, RL Restaurant, Sound Investment AV, Stella Artois; Evening Patrons: Jeanne Randall Malkin, John and Jacolyn Bucksbaum, and Penelope R. and Robert M. Steiner.
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Led by Tourism Partner Illinois Office of Tourism and Presenting Partners Columbia College Chicago, the 50th Chicago International Film Festival’s sponsors include Official Airline: American Airlines; Headquarters Hotel: JW Marriott Chicago; Major Partners: Intersites, Wintrust Community Banks; Participating Partners: AARP, Allstate, Bloomberg, Casale del Giglio, Cultivate Studios, Netrix, Stella Artois; Platinum Media Sponsors: NCM Media Networks, Ingage Media, JC Decaux, Michigan Avenue Magazine.
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About Cinema/Chicago
Cinema/Chicago is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Chicago International Film Festival is one of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago, which also include the Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards, CineYouth Festival, INTERCOM Competition, International Screenings Program, and Education Outreach Program. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Chicago International Film Festival is North America’s longest-running competitive film festival.
The Festival and its parent organization, Cinema/Chicago, were founded in 1964 by filmmaker and graphic artist Michael Kutza to showcase great international film, which was conspicuously absent from the city’s theaters, and to bring celebrated filmmakers from around the globe to Chicago. Over the past half century, as we have grown to become a world-renowned event and evolved to reflect the changing times, the Festival has remained dedicated to its founding vision: to discover new and rising talents in filmmaking and to bring the best in international cinema and the artists behind the work to Chicago audiences. This year’s 50th anniversary Festival will feature a selection of “50th anniversary screenings,” featuring the work of returning filmmakers presenting past Festival films and/or personal favorites and important repertory films as well as new films by emerging and celebrated filmmakers alike.
The 50th Chicago International Film Festival runs October 9-23, 2014
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