Hold onto your hats, especially your bowler hats, because Bob Fosse’s final film, the controversial Star 80, will open Ebertfest’s 25th annual film festival at Champaign’s Virginia Theatre. The festival, which runs April 17-20, never disappoints with a blend of old and new films, music, and conversations with filmmakers and critics. Founded and hosted by Chaz Ebert, the widow of legendary film critic Roger Ebert, Ebertfest is the centerpiece of arts in April and it’s looking like this year’s festival is gearing up to get audiences talking.
Star 80 details the life and savage murder of Playboy model Dorothy Stratten, played in the film by Mariel Hemingway, granddaughter of the iconic American writer Ernest Hemingway. Fosse’s 1983 film was maligned by many critics as an exploitation of Stratten’s tragic story. But — and this reveals my age — I remember both Roger Ebert and his television co-host Gene Siskel including it in their top ten films of 1983 discussion as they wondered what future audiences would think of this controversial film. We’ll get to find out in a few weeks.
Ebertfest 25 will also feature director Malcolm D. Lee’s stellar debut, the 1999 breakthrough comedy/drama hit The Best Man, produced by cousin Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. The film stars Taye Diggs and Nia Long, and includes the debut of Regina Hall in a story about a set of friends coming together before one of them gets married.
Tickets for the festival sell out fast so keep your eyes posted on the Ebertfest website for more details and information.
Ebertfest
The Virginia Theatre
203 W Park Ave
Champaign
Apr 17-20
Passes $70-$200; individual tickets not yet on sale
