The True West Film Center continues to work its way into the cultural heart of Healdsburg, at least in the cinematic sphere, with its new Film Festival of Love (FFoL), from June 24-28. Rather than a frothy celebration accompanied by bouquets, chocolates and suggestive greeting cards, this one’s different: It consists of a handful of classic celluloid love stories, fronting a full four days of the lesser-known, undiscovered and one-of-a kind movies that are propelled by love.
Unlike a “Pride Month” festival, which it’s not, or a dizzy bridesmaids’ fantasia, which it’s also not, the FFoL is not limited to one aspect of love, but rather embraces the full palette and canvas. That’s by design, of course. I asked the artistic director if FFoL had anything to do with Pride Month—not inappropriately, since as well as being former director of the Sundance Film Festival, he served as programming director of Outfest, an annual Los Angeles film event.
“It is a festival celebrating what connects us to one another, and it happens to take place in June. But the scope is very broad, all kinds of love—romantic connections, familial bonds, friendships,” John Cooper responded. “We hope to welcome a wide-ranging audience to the festival.”
He was quick to point out that the “headline movies,” the Hollywood (or New York, or Paris) blockbusters, are only part of the playbill. “The evening outdoor screenings feature classic love stories, but the majority of the program is made up of newer work that hasn’t been widely seen,” he said.
Many film festivals are largely the latter—little-known movies that either failed to break through or haven’t yet had their chance to. While some 17 films and three “surprise screenings” are spread out over the four-day festival, that obscure majority is outweighed in impact by four classic love stories, including Roman Holiday, The Birdcage, Umbrellas of Cherbourg and none other than Nick Cage and Cher, in Moonstruck.
The 1987 romantic comedy, shown Wednesday, June 24, will cap an opening night “block party” at the Community Pavilion, with restaurant pop-ups, wine, beer and live music. Like previous parties at the 371 Healdsburg Ave. film center itself, the venue is sure to be dolled up for the event, including the tropes of Hollywood premieres like red carpets and spotlights.
Saturday night a similar event—dubbed “Amore per Tutti,” which translates to “love for all”—will be held at Bacchus Landing. The “immersive experience” of food, wine and cinema will include a seated Italian dinner by Catelli’s, wine pairings, baroque music and an outdoor screening of Roman Holiday, the 1953 romance with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
Two other classics are shown under the stars (weather permitting) at the West Plaza Park: The Birdcage with Nathan Lane and Robin Williams on June 25; and the French romance Umbrellas of Cherbourg with Catherine Deneuve’s turn as a beautiful young Frenchwoman on June 26. Both picnic screenings will offer True West concession items including wine and popcorn.
Referencing the non-headline films in the festival, Cooper said. “Some are beautiful films that in my opinion got overlooked during their release, yet they deserve to be seen in this context.”
He cited My Old Ass with Aubrey Plaza and The Baltimorons starring and directed by Jay Duplass. These off-marquee films will typically screen three times during the festival. The venue is usually one of the three True West screening rooms, though the Pavilion, BloodRoot Wines and the Harris Gallery also host events.
The impact of film festivals on a town can be profound; for the handful of days when “cinema” is the hot topic of conversation, rising stars or guests of honor circulate. Some of the more popular festivals in the area are the Sonoma Valley International Film Festival in March, Sebastopol’s Documentary Film Festival and, of course, the Healdsburg International Short Film Festival in September.
The FFoL is a decided newcomer on that list, and time will tell if it’s penciling in a date on the cineaste’s calendar. “This is the first annual Film Festival of Love, so we will be back with a new edition on the same theme next summer,” said Cooper.
“I find our audiences are curious, adventurous and interested in exploring the nuances and the universality found in different depictions of how we connect with one another.”
Schedule, ticket links and other details available at truewestfilmcenter.org.
