In addition to opening night on June 14, the 19th annual, expanded edition of the festival includes two programs of French films (see capsules on The Virgin’s Bed and Vite/Deux Fois), two one-person shows, and six programs of shorts. Most of the work is excellent, but what’s distinctive is the variety–even the weak films are innovative. Programs run through Sunday, June 17; all the ones listed here are at Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark. Unless otherwise noted, tickets are $8, $7 for students, $4 for CF members. For more information call 773-293-1447 or check chicagofilmmakers.org.
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With its absurdist intertitles and bright abstractions, Jessie Stead’s charming, playful Foggy Mountains Breakdown More Than Non-Foggy Mountains (2006, 59 min.) lives up to its weird name. Nine different renditions of a bluegrass tune are in keeping with the film’s postmodern spirit, arguing against fixed forms and ideas. Stead will attend. a Fri 6/15, 11 PM. F
“Group Program 3: ‘Curiouser and Curiouser!’” (89 min.) includes Corinna Schnitt’s curious Once Upon a Time (2005): circular pans of a living room reveal more and more animals. Kittens are no surprise, but by the time goats and pigs are eating the plants she’s made a wonderful point about living creatures versus bourgeois decorating. Guy Ben-Ner’s Truffaut remake–Wild Boy (2004), using his own son–is inexcusably self-indulgent and cloyingly cute. a Sat 6/16, 9:45 PM.
