CHICAGO, IL (September 24, 2014) – Academy Award®-nominated writer-director Richard LaGravenese (“The Fisher King”) will introduce his latest film, “The Last 5 Years” as the Centerpiece for the 50th Chicago International Film Festival (October 9 – 23). Starring Academy Award® nominee Anna Kendrick and Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan, “The Last 5 Years” will screen Wednesday, October 15, at the AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.) at 6 p.m.
“The Last 5 Years,” a rousing adaptation of the beloved Off-Broadway hit that originated at Chicago’s Northlight Theatre in 2001, chronicles the tumultuous five-year relationship between struggling actress Cathy (Anna Kendrick) and rising novelist Jamie (Jeremy Jordan). Told exclusively through song, their story comes to the screen via striking solos and heartrending harmony in this uplifting romance for today’s young artists and lovers of musical cinema.
“I love musicals, and ‘The Last 5 Years’ is a charming film adaptation of a timeless stage romance,” said Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival Michael Kutza. “The film takes the familiar formula of the romantic musical and makes it fresh with a by turns bright and heartrending score. LaGravenese has produced a piece that stands out for its powerful, yet subtle, rawness and vulnerability.”
About Richard LaGravenese
Richard LaGravenese’s credits include the screenplay for the HBO Emmy Award®-winning “Behind the Candelabra,” directed by Steven Soderbergh (Emmy Nomination for Best Writing in Television Movie/Mini Series, BAFTA nomination Best Screenplay). He previously earned Academy Award®, BAFTA and WGA award nominations for his original screenplay “The Fisher King”. His other screen writing credits include “Water for Elephants,” “The Bridges of Madison County,” “A Little Princess,” “The Horse Whisperer,” “The Ref,” “The Mirror Has Two Faces,” “Beloved” and “Unstrung Heroes.” LaGravenese wrote and directed the films “Living Out Loud,” “P.S. I Love You,” “Paris Je T’aime,” and “Beautiful Creatures,” as well as “Freedom Writers,” (Humanitas Prize for Best Screenplay). He co-produced and co-directed (with the late Ted Demme) the Emmy®-nominated documentary “A Decade Under the Influence” (National Board of Review’s William Everson Film History Award).
Centerpiece Ticket Information
Tickets for the Centerpiece film are $16 for Cinema/Chicago members and $20 for non-members and can be purchased by calling the Festival Hotline at 312-332-FILM (3456); or at the Festival Store: www.chicagofilmfestival.com
Festival Passes, Ticketing and Theater Information
Festival Passes and Tickets are on sale now.
Pass options include:
Moviegoer (10 regular admissions): $100 for Cinema/Chicago members, $130 for non-members
Passport (20 regular admissions): $190 for Cinema/Chicago members, $240 for non-members
Individual ticket prices:
Regular films: $11/members, students*, and seniors*; $14/non-members (*with valid ID)
Weekday matinees (films only): $7 tickets, Monday-Friday through 5:00pm
10 after 10: $10 tickets, every day after 10:00pm
Special Presentations: $16/members, $20/non-members
Tickets and passes can be purchased online at www.chicagofilmfestival.com, by calling 312-332-FILM (3456), or in person at the Festival Box Office at AMC River East 21 (until October 9: 7 days a week, noon – 8:00pm; October 10-23: tickets will be on sale one hour before the start of the first show until the start of the last show).
Festival screenings will be held at the AMC River East 21 Theater (322 E. Illinois St.).
For the full schedule and ticketing information, visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com.
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.
www.chicagofilmfestival.com
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