2008 Starz Denver Film Festival: Cinematic Paradise

The 31st Starz Denver Film Festival is in full swing and, this year, I've had a very inside look at all the behind-the-scenes action. With my new job at the Denver Film Society, I've been able to watch this year's fest grow from a tiny seed into a gigantic tree of cinematic enjoyment. (If that wasn't enough of a hippie metaphor for you, I don't know what is!)

Opening Night kicked off with The Brothers Bloom, a new film starring Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz and Mark Ruffalo from director Rian Johnson, who readers will remember from Brick, a fantastic original take on film noir.

Big Night was equally impressive with Slumdog Millionaire, a film that has received rave reviews from nearly every critic. The red carpet that evening featured a large selection of guests including actor Richard Jenkins, Dr. Marci Bowers, star of the documentary Trinidad, world-renowned cinematographer Wally Pfister and Ari Lehman, the original Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th among others. As the stars entered the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, dancers performed a Bollywood-inspired number on the red carpet.

The festival isn't just red carpet screenings either.

For 11 days the Starz FilmCenter is transformed into a cinematic paradise with screenings, discussion panels, and in-person Q&A sessions with directors and stars.

One of my personal highlights was the world premiere of His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th, a documentary that examines the entire franchise and, of course, all those who have appeared as one of films most famous murderers through out the years.