Denver International Film Festival 2004

This year’s festival focuses partly on German cinema, with screenings of Fassbinder’s Ali Fear Eats the Soul and Effi Briest. German director Margarethe von Trotta will be here to introduce her films The Other Woman and Rosenstrasse. There are nearly two dozen films from Germany in this year’s lineup of about 175 films.

Guests of honor include Kevin Bacon, who will receive the John Cassavetes Award, and Laura Linney, who will introduce Kinsey and p.s. The festival opens with a gala premiere of Ray (about the late, great Ray Charles), which will be attended by director Taylor Hackford and star Jamie Foxx. DIFF also plays host to many of the lesser known talents who you’re sure to see more of in the future.

Bookmark this page for continuing coverage of the films and events of the 27th DIFF, happening October 14–24. You can find links to the schedule and the Denver Film Society’s home page on the sidebar to the right.

Here’s our coverage so far:

Pictures from the 27th DIFF: Jamie Foxx, Kevin Bacon, Elvis Mitchell, Jerzy Stuhr, Al Maysles, Morgan Freeman, and many more

Opening-night red carpet gala (and review of Ray)

Centerpiece: An Evening with Kevin Bacon

A conversation about The Big Red One Reconstruction

Coffee Talk: Documentaries the subject of a coffee klatsch at DIFF

An interview with Peter Riegert: Local Hero moves from acting to directing

An interview with Albert Maysles: 50-year career proves his knack for getting access

An interview with Jerzy Stuhr: Polish actor, director, speaks about the post-communist blues

Closing night: An Evening with Morgan Freeman

Checkpoint
Tells an interesting story without imposing an authoritative voice on the film

Les Choristes
Characters are well drawn and likeable in sweet, charming tale about culture over brawn

Colorado Filmmakers Showcase I
Independent film in Colorado is truly filling needs — of both filmmakers and audiences

Donau Dunaj Duna Dunav Dunarea
Pilgrims and travellers take a long, strange journey home on the Danube

Dear Frankie
A charming, Scottish heartstring-tugger

Exiles
Writer-director-composer Gatlif embroiders the travelers’ sensory journey with rich aural textures

Hair High
Simple story sometimes feels padded, but surreal and gross touches typical of Plympton entertain

Human Error
A three-man play, a blend of CG and live action, a wry comedy, and paced far too slow

The Hungarian Servant
A good intellectual discussion of art and life, but not enough suspense or romance to cheer you

King of the Corner
Riegert’s dry wit and charismatic presence offset the movie’s limitations

Nathalie
French sexual politics may not resonate with American sensibilities

The Other Woman
Thoughtful, interesting German cinema; a good example of what to expect from DIFF 27

Overnight
An 82-minute smear campaign? Or character study of one man’s bloated self-confidence? (by Matt Anderson)

Overnight
A morality play for the ages, a train-wreck of a story you can’t help but watch (by Risë Keller)

Ray
Director and stars kick off 27th DIFF with a career-making, soulful biopic

Science Fiction
Takes a long time to warm up, but engaging and interesting once it does

Tarnation
The magic of this no-budget autobiography is in revelations of sweetness amidst life’s damage

Tomorrow’s Weather
Light and entertaining, while still tapping that post-Communist nerve seen in other films at DIFF 27

An Unreliable Witness
Slow to start, engaging in the middle, and squished in the historical past

Wilderness Survival for Girls
Chew on this, then forget about it