Twin Cities’ cinephiles rejoice! Twin Cities Film Fest annual film festivities is upon us again, can’t believe it’s our fourth year already.
10 Days, 75 Films, 8 Top Awards Contenders & 22 Red Carpet Events. World premieres, Minnesota breakthroughs, one-of-a-kind treasures and Oscar front-runners.
Yes, TCFF is back!
But on top of all those movies, TCFF also feature educational panels, Q&As with filmmakers, as well as special events and after parties! All taking place at the SHOWPLACE ICON THEATRE at The Shops at West End. Special thanks to Wade Financial Group who’s our Auditorium Sponsor.
I’m thrilled to be the official blogger again and this year I’ve got two blogging volunteers, Sarah Johnson and Adam Wells, so stay tuned for reviews and other coverage from the three of us throughout the film fest!
If you live in the area and you haven’t visited the TCFF Official site by now, well what are you waiting for? The full schedule is online, complete with info and trailers. Getting your tickets have never been easier and more affordable. The more you watch the more you save with TCFF passes, available from Silver to Platinum.
In case you haven’t seen the awesome trailer yet by WonderVision, check it out below:
This year we open the film fest with a film that’s been receiving Oscar buzz! In fact, the 76-year-old lead actor Bruce Dern won Cannes’ Palme d’Or, whilst director Alexander Payne garnered a nomination.
After receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail, a cantankerous father (Bruce Dern) thinks he’s struck it rich, and wrangles his son (Will Forte) into taking a road trip to claim the fortune. Shot in black and white across four states, Nebraska tells the stories of family life in the heartland of America.
Starring: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, Stacy Keach, June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk
Here’s a clip from the Cannes premiere:
When I saw the trailer (which you can see on the TCFF page), I wondered why it was shot in B&W. Well, this is what Payne had to say when asked the inevitable question at the Cannes’ press conference:
“It just seemed like the right thing to do for this film,” he said. “It’s such a beautiful form, and it’s really left our cinema because of commercial, not artistic, reasons; it never left fine-art photography. This modest, austere story seemed to lend itself to being made in black and white, a visual style perhaps as austere as the lives of its people.”
Source: Vulture
It’s also been 25 years since Dern was the first-billed star of a major motion picture, having worked with auteurs such as Elia Kazan, Alfred Hitchcock, Douglas Trumbull, Francis Ford Coppola, and Quentin Tarantino in his long, illustrious career. I was quite impressed with Payne’s last film The Descendants, so I’m looking forward to seeing this one tonight!
Ticket Prices are as follows:
General Admission $10; Opening/Closing Gala $20; Centerpiece Gala $20; Sneak Preview Galas $20. Festival Passes can also be purchased: Silver $50 for 6 films; Gold $70 for 10 films; or Platinum $120 for 12 films + 2 tickets to Opening, Closing or Gala. (Silver and Gold Packages do not include Opening, Closing or Gala Tickets).
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.twincitiesfilmfest.org.
Stay tuned for more TCFF coverage folks! So which of the TCFF films are you looking forward to most?
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Alexander Paynes seems to always be considered for awards. I reckon this will be an exciting 10 days for you. Looking forwards to your coverage. From the list of films, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom seems the most appealing to me.
Hi Asrap! Thanks for checking out the post. Well Payne’s work has been consistently great. I really enjoyed Nebraska, great acting all around too. Can’t wait to see Mandela next week!
So many movies, so little time. Even if I don’t see it at TCFF, I’m sure I will see the Mandela film… with Idris Elba in the lead I wouldn’t miss it! And just for the big names cast – August: Osage County. I secretly want to see Screwed, but don’t tell anyone I said so ;-D
“So many movies, so little time.” I know, isn’t it? I wish you could see Mandela on the big screen but yeah, check it out eventually. Ahah, well if you want to see Screwed just let me know 😀
Anxious to here your thoughts on this one Ruth. Payne is an interesting filmmaker. I liked “The Descendants” but I didn’t love it like most did. But I have been anxious to see what he would do next.
There’s a touch of ‘The Descendants’ in Nebraska as well. I like the mix of something poignant and honest about family dynamics, imbued w/ humor. That seems to be recipe for success for Mr. Payne.
I really want to see “Nebraska” as I found it’s going to play at the Savannah Film Festival later this month although I’m not going to go due to lack of funds as I have something even more important to go next week. Nine Inch Nails.
Hi Steven! Ah Nine Inch Nails, hope you enjoy the concert man. But if you get a chance to see Nebraska do check it out, I enjoyed it a lot! It’s such a simple story but it was funny and engaging, great acting by everyone involved but Payne should get kudos for his directing.
Cool. The same opening film as VIFF. Hopefully you enjoy it more than I did. Have you decided what else you’re going to see?
Hi Bonjour! I ended up enjoying Nebraska more than I thought I would. I take it you’re not as fond of it?
Yeah I’ve got the tickets to most of the films I want to see except Last Vegas but I can catch that one later when it’s out in theaters.
Nice! I saw Nebraska last week and I have to say it’s as great as The Descendants. I’m hoping Bruce Dern will win Best Actor at the Oscars.
Glad you’ve seen Nebraska too. Yeah I’d say it’s as good as The Descendants, Payne has a way in telling a story about family dynamics. Yeah I hope Dern will at least be nominated!
To be honest, I hadn’t really heard much about Nebraska until recently. Interested to hear your thoughts on it though Ruth.
Hi Chris! I hadn’t heard it until it was announced as part of TCFF and having seen it, I highly recommend it!
Oh, Nebraska is getting a lot of Oscar Buzz. I’ll see it if it’s nominated, otherwise I’ll probably skip it – if it wasn’t for Clooney I wouldn’t even finish The Descendants.
Hi Sati! Nominated or not, I think Nebraska is worth seeing. It’s surprisingly hilarious but then again I enjoyed The Descendants. Nebraska is much less flashier though, obviously no star wattage like Clooney but I was pleasantly surprised how much I like it.
Btw, on my TCFF Day 2 there’s a movie that you might enjoy called We Are What We Are, more like American Horror Story variety. Check out the trailer and let me know what you think 😀
The trailer for Nebraska intrigued me. I am so happy for you in covering TCFF again. Woohoo, Ruth! Have a wonderful time.
Nebraska is really good T! I liked it more than I thought, highly recommended!
Have a great time at the festival Ruth. I definitely want to check out Nebraska, especially for Dern’s performance.