Kilgore film fest has strong lineup
By JIM ALLEN for the News Herald

Fans of independent and foreign films have the opportunity of taking in a variety of acclaimed movies at the 2008 Kilgore Spring Film Festival hosted by the 4 Star Cinema in here. The six-film series runs from April 16 through May 8.

On April 16, the 4 Star Cinema will host an opening night wine and cheese reception prior to the 7:30 PM screening of the festival's opening film, The Savages. The reception begins at 6:30 PM, with festival regular, Kathy Housby (formerly with Kilgore College's public radio station, KTPB) offering a brief introduction to the festival immediately before the film.

The 2008 Spring Festival offers a wide array of features, including the first animated film to be included in the series, Persepolis. Other highlights include this year's Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film, The Counterfeiters, Julian Schnabel's acclaimed The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and In Bruges, which was the opening night film at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

"It is certainly one of the strongest lineups we've had since the festival's founding in 1997. We are excited by the diversity of this spring's schedule," said Byron Berkley, owner of the 4 Star Cinema.

Showtimes for the three week festival are 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM on weeknights, with the exception of opening night when there will be no matinee. Saturday and Sunday show times are 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM. The cost is $6 per ticket, $5 per ticket for seniors & college students with ID.

Additional information is available from the theater at 903-983-1249. Information is also available on KZQX radio and on the station's website, www.KZQX.com.

The 4 Star Cinema is located on Highway 259 in Kilgore.

The Kilgore Spring Film Festival lineup is as follows:

April 16-19, The Savages (Fox Searchlight)

Indy Film favorites Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in this critically acclaimed film that deals with an all too common dilemma: Baby boomers caring for their aging parents. Writer/Director Tamara Jenkins finds dark humor in the process in this award winning feature. (Rated R, 113 minutes)

April 20-22, Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Miramax)

The touching and true story of ELLE magazine editor Jean- Dominique Bauby, who, after suffering a stroke, was able to control only the movement of his left eyelid. Director Julian Schnabel takes audiences inside Bauby's world as he learns to communicate again, and write his autobiography - one letter at a time. Just knowing it is a true story makes this one worth seeing. (Rated PG-13, 112 minutes)

April 23-26, Persepolis (Sony Pictures Classics)

Animation comes to the Film Festival with this coming of age story of a young Iranian girl. This film was nominated for an Academy Award as best animated feature and won the Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. The film's unique visual style adds to the power of its personal story and its historical perspective. (Rated PG-13, 95 minutes)

April 27-29, In Bruges (Focus)

The opening night film at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, "In Bruges" follows the story of two hit men holed up in Bruges, Belgium, awaiting orders, and how they are changed by their forced vacation. Critically acclaimed playwright, Martin McDonagh makes his feature film directing debut with a cast lead by Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes. (Rated R, 107 minutes)

April 30 through May 3, Mrs. Pettigrew Lives For a Day (Focus)

Coming off her success in the family film "Enchanted," Amy Adams stars with Frances Mc- Dormand ("Fargo") and Lee Pace (TV's "Pushing Daisies") in this charming story of a middle-aged governess and the glamorous actress who tries to show her a new way to navigate her now hectic, event filled life. (Rated PG-13, 92 minutes)

May 4-8, The Counterfeiters (Sony Pictures Classics)

The first Austrian entry to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, this fact-based story tells of the largest counterfeiting operation in history, set up by the Nazis in 1936. Central to the story are a group of prisoners who are forced to produce fake foreign currency and face the moral dilemma of their actions. (Rated R, 98 minutes)