Preview of the 58th Chicago International Film Festival | Festivals & Awards



“King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones”

This year’s Black Perspectives section, a sidebar dedicated to presenting Black stories from around the world, is centered around three documentaries chronicling aspects of the past, present, and potential future of the African-American experience. Harriet Marin Jones’ “King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones” takes an entertaining look at the astonishing, though mostly forgotten, real-life exploits of her grandfather, a man who rose from poverty to build a multi-million dollar empire in the 1930s and ’40s by developing and implementing the so-called Policy game of chance in the city of Chicago. Noted civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton is scheduled to appear at the screening of “Loudmouth,” Josh Alexander’s in-depth documentary chronicling his evolution from a crusader equally celebrated and berated for his brash manner and unique fashion sense into the more toned-down, though no less committed, activist of today. Erika Alexander and Whitney Dow’s “The Big Payback” looks at how in 2021 Evanston, IL became the first city in America to implement a reparations program for its Black residents, thanks to the tireless efforts of freshman Alderman Robin Rue Simmons. Acclaimed documentarian Alice Diop makes the switch to narrative features with “Saint Omer,” a drama in which a writer travels to a French town to observe the trial of a woman accused of killing her baby—she admits to the crime but claims she was under supernatural influence at the time—and finds the case inspiring memories of her own troubled upbringing.

Outlook, the long-standing sidebar dedicated to films concerned with the LGBTQ+ communities, is led this year by My Policeman,” a British historical drama about the decades-spanning and constantly evolving relationships between a policeman (played by Harry Styles in his younger incarnation and Linus Roache as the older version), a schoolteacher (Emma Corrin and Gina McKee) and a museum curator (David Dawson and Rupert Everett). Lukas Dhont’s Close won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes this year for this sensitive story of about the bond between two 13-year old boys that develops beyond mere friendship and which is challenged when they return to school after an idyllic summer vacation. Elegance Bratton’s “The Inspection” tells the semi-autobiographical story of a young gay Black man who decides to enlist in the Marines as a way of giving direction to his existence. On the documentary side of things, Mercedes Kane’s “Art and Pep” tells the story of the relationship between Art Johnson and Pepe Pena, a longtime couple whose bar Sidetracks has been a focal point for the gay community since it opened in the early ’80s. The film also serves as a smart and effective recounting of the past 40 years of the LGBTQ experience in Chicago, ranging from the onset of AIDS to the in-your-face awareness campaign led by the brash activist group ACT-Up to the onset of COVID.

“Sr.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be a film festival without a number of titles revolving around cinema itself and CIFF is no exception to that rule. For his latest exploration of cinema history, “The March on Rome,” filmmaker/historian Mark Cousins explores the story behind “A Noi!,” an infamous 1923 Italian propaganda film that supposedly chronicled a 1922 march from Naples to Rome by a group of blackshirts led by Benito Mussolini. On a slightly less fascistic note, Chris Smith’s “Sr.” offers up an affectionate look at the life and work of Robert Downey Sr., the iconoclastic filmmaker behind such outrageous and still-potent satires as “Putney Swope” and “Greaser’s Palace.” 

You can view the original article HERE.

Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
There is money being made in live music – give it back out to the people
There is money being made in live music – give it back out to the people
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!