CIFF 2018 preview

By DAVID J. FOWLIE • OCT. 11, 2018 • KEEPING IT REEL

The Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) kicked off last night for the 54th time with “Beautiful Boy”, a harrowing biographical drama from Belgium director Felix van Groeningen (who was in attendance to discuss the film) which follows a father (Steve Carell) determined to help his opioid-addicted son (Timothée Chalamet). But don’t worry, the film will open in Chicago on October 19th and is bound to earn some Oscar nominations for acting. The annual festival, which continues through October 21st, is once again making its home at AMC River East 21, which will arguably become an epicenter for film enthusiasts. As expected, there will be an assortment of films from other countries, as well as some that were locally shot – some have already been picked up by studios, while others await distribution which means this may be the only time to see certain films.

Strangely, the festival’s length is three days shorter than last year and, looking at its schedule of 123 features, it’s also 23 films less than last year.