As this issue of Alm@nac hits the newsstands, the 2011 Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) is already underway. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t still get into screenings – even ones that are publicly listed as “Sold Out.” “If you get to the theater early you have an excellent chance of getting a ticket!” according to WFF representatives. “The Standby line forms an hour before the start of the film, especially for the most popular screenings. However, for most other screenings, if you get there 30 to 45 minutes prior to the start of the show, you will most likely be able to buy a ticket.”
So what’s to see? The closing-night film has just been announced, so it might not be sold out yet. Detachment, starring Adrien Brody, will be screened at the Woodstock Playhouse at 6:45 p.m. this Sunday, September 25. Brody plays Henry Barthes, a gifted educator who avoids forming attachments to his students or colleagues by spending his days as a substitute teacher – until a new assignment at a dysfunctional school transforms him into a role model for disaffected youth. The cast also includes Christina Hendricks, James Caan, Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu, Blythe Danner, Bryan Cranston, William Petersen and Tim Blake Nelson.
Detachment director Tony Kaye – also known for American History X, Black Water Transit, Lake of Fire and a slew of award-winning music videos – will be honored with WFF’s 2011 Maverick Award at this Saturday evening’s Gala at Backstage Studio Productions in Kingston. Actors Mark Ruffalo and Ellen Barkin, along with Creative Coalition founder Robin Bronk, will also be receiving honors that night.
The odds aren’t good for getting into the awards ceremony, nor for a seat at the opening-night feature presentation at the Woodstock Playhouse of the locally made Jane Fonda vehicle Peace, Love & Misunderstanding, directed by Bruce Beresford. But you still might be able to see Peace, Love & Misunderstanding without so much hoopla on Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the much-larger Rosendale Theatre. And there remain dozens of choices of screenings, panels and live music performances associated with the Festival at venues in Woodstock, Bearsville, Rhinebeck, Kingston, Rosendale and Boiceville right through Sunday.
For more information on what’s playing where and when, and whether tickets are still officially available for a particular screening or event that you find of interest, visit the WFF website at ulsterpub.staging.wpenginefilmfestival.com/festival2011/films_all.php or call the box office at (845) 810-0131.
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