Thursday, December 28, 2017
FREE
Volume 63 | Number 18
www.DesertMobileHomeNews.com
CELEBRATING THE RESIDENTIAL PARK COMMUNITIES FOR 63 YEARS
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE INSIDE!
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Indulge in world class films and star-studded events By Alison Elsner The movie industry may have gone through some tumult recently, but fans and film aficionados will be happy to know that “all systems are go” for the 29th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, January 2 through 15, 2018. The festivities begin with the Film Awards Gala on January 2, a lavish affair held at the Palm Springs Convention Center with a red carpet walk, plenty of formal attire and dozens of Hollywood stars at every turn. The Gala honors the year’s best performances both in front of and behind the camera. Honorees announced to date include Mary J. Blige (Breakthrough Performance Award), Jessica Chastain (Chairman’s Award), Willem Dafoe (Icon Award)…and many other big names. Tickets sell out quickly for this event. (Call 760-318-8371). As for the film screenings, opening night on January 4 kicks off with Steven Spielberg’s rousing, knuckle-biting film The Post, the account of the publication of the Pentagon Papers. Meryl Streep stars as Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham, and Tom Hanks plays editor Ben Bradlee, as they take on the might of Nixon’s White House. These are hot tickets, so much so that they are on standby, but if you manage to score entry, the film starts at 6:30pm at the Richards Center for
the Arts at Palm Springs High School, and it’s followed by an after-party. Multiple films will be screened each day to eager audiences at several theaters around Palm Springs. Chaired by the visionary and generous Palm Springs philanthropist and businessman, Harold Matzner, in concert with a board of influential locals, the Festival features over 200 films from 60 countries, and its audience now tops 137,000 people. Attendees include thousands of locals, however 70% of participants are from outside the Coachella Valley, many from Canada and Europe. The modest little gathering that was launched two and a half decades ago by then-Mayor of Palm Springs Sonny Bono is now known as a world-class event that takes over the entire Coachella Valley and much of the southern California film community. It is recognized as one of the largest, most highly regarded film festivals in North America as well as a predictor of upcoming Oscar winners. The Festival is actually noted for screening the most foreign Oscar nominees. In 2013, the festival screened 42 of the 71 movies that were submitted by countries around the world to the Oscars for that year’s foreign language film prize. The closing night film on January 14, also at Palm Springs High School, will feature the film The Last Movie Star, directed by Adam Rifkin. This capti-
vating story centers around an elderly movie star, played by octogenarian Burt Reynolds, in a trip down memory lane that stirs his long-dormant heart. Reynolds shares scenes with his ’70sera self and delivers a resonant performance in this poignant, often funny drama. Screening only tickets are still available, and the reception which follows the film is on standby availability. Here’s a sampling of some of the other films that have been accepted for screening: Amerika Square: This Greek, British and German film tells the story of a Greek nationalist who, amid the growing refugee population in his low-income neighborhood, takes extreme measures to “make Athens Greek again,” while a Syrian man must sacrifice everything to secure safe passage out of the city for himself and his daughter. Silk Road: Directed by Mark de Cloe, this Dutch film depicts a young woman who becomes infatuated with the drug trade on the internet’s infamous Silk Road. When her morally questionable partners begin to trade bitcoins for murder, she must make a choice that could end in jail time or, worse, death. The Leisure Seeker: Much to the dismay of their overbearing children and physicians, older couple Ella (Helen Mirren) and John Spencer (Donald
Sutherland) take to the road for what could be their final outing in the family’s vintage RV. This film is from Italy and France. The Cage Fighter: Directed by Jeff Unay, this American documentary follows 40-year-old Joe Carman, whose life is guided by his obsession: mixed martial arts. Though his family begs him to stop, it’s only in the ring that Joe feels proud of himself. A fascinating journey into the psyche of a man willing to risk everything for one more fight. The best way to purchase tickets, aside from soon, is by calling the box office at 800-898-7256 or 760-778-8979 Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm or by visiting the website at psfilmfest.org. Guests may also visit the Ticket Information Center at 777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Unit 113, in Palm Springs. The PSIFF presents us with top notch talent as well as insights into the world around us and into ourselves. People travel halfway around the globe to attend events of this caliber; since it’s taking place just a few blocks or miles from most of us, it makes a lot of sense to schedule at least one or two screenings (trust us…you won’t want to stop). What a great way to drink in some thoroughly enjoyable culture at the start of the New Year!
VALLEY NEWS
RECIPE
FUNNY COMICS
Ring in the New Year with Live Entertainment at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
Bake up something special for Christmas: Cranberry Panettone Muffins.
The Spats, Just like Cats & Dogs, They’ll do it every time.
Page 8
Page 10
Page 15