VANCOUVER — Three Canuck films will share the limelight at the Vancouver Intl. Film Festival, marking a change of direction for a fest that usually goes for foreign pics.
Denys Arcand’s Cannes winner “The Barbarian Invasions” will open the 16-day fest on Sept 25, fresh from its opening perf at Toronto.
The bittersweet French-lingo ode to family and friendship took the screenplay award as well as actress honors for Marie-Josee Croze at Cannes, where it was acquired for U.S. release by Miramax.
Guy Maddin’s Winnipeg-based “The Saddest Music in the World” was selected for the fest’s 22nd annual anniversary gala on Oct. 4. It stars Isabella Rossellini in a story set in a prairie city in 1933.
Popular on Variety
Charle’s Martin Smith’s far north epic “The Snow Walker” will close the fest on Oct. 10. Shot in Rankin Inlet, it stars Barry Pepper as a downed bush pilot in 1953. Co-star is Annabella Piugattuk, a young Inuit actress in her first role.
“Choosing Canadian films for the galas is an unprecedented move for us,” said fest director Alan Franey. “It’s a change of direction and celebrates the stylistic versatility of Canadian cinema today.”
The fest’s 300-strong lineup, which will emphasize films from Asia, will be announced on Sept. 3. The 18th Vancouver film and television trade forum runs Sept. 24-27.
