Bracketed by films about athletes who overcome daunting hurdles, replete with ones about the ever-unfolding complexity of World War II, the 35th annual Cleveland International Film Festival promises a smorgasbord of cinematic delight. If that sounds fatuous, no apologies. I went to last year’s edition after years of non-attendance and found it one of the coolest events available in a city aching for cool. This year’s is sure to be at least as good.
I plan to review at least a half-dozen movies, many about Cleveland, that complex, ever-unfolding (and shrinking) city. I’ll see far more. Here are 10 musts (there’s nothing wrong with overreach) besides Hamill, the movie about a deaf wrestler from Loveland, Ohio, that launches CIFF 35, and Soul Surfer, the one about a one-armed surfer girl that caps it.
Red Light Revolution
Revolution tells the tale of the sex toy trade in Beijing. Directed by Sam Voutas, an Australian living in China, where the definition of entrepreneurship morphs by the second. Could be a hoot.
Times: Friday, March 25 at 9:20 pm; Sunday, March 27 at 12:10 pm; Wednesday, March 30 at 2 pm
Danny Greene: The Rise and Fall of the Irishman
Directed by Tommy Reid, producer of the fictionalized Kill the Irishman now in local theaters (read the review here), this is a straight documentary about the legendary Irish gangster from Collinwood.
Times: Friday, March 25 at 6:15 pm; Sunday, March 27 at 12:10 pm; Wednesday, March 30 at 2 pm.
Aardvark
Aardvark is a reality-fantasy hybrid about a blind recovering alcoholic’s relationship to his Jiu-Jitsu teacher. Directed by Kitao Sakurai and shot in Cleveland. Passholders and stand-by only.
Time: Friday, March 25 at 8:30 pm.
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