What to see at this year’s Berkshire International Film Festival

GREAT BARRINGTON – From May 30-June 2, movie theaters throughout The Berkshires will be bringing in the best of worldwide independent cinema.

“We are thrilled about the extraordinary lineup of films, many coming straight from their success at Sundance,” Berkshire International Film Festival Executive Director Kelley Vickery said.

The eighth annual Berkshire International Film Festival begins May 30 at 6 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington with a screening of the documentary Twenty Feet from Stardom, which follows the lives of back-up singers who have performed with legendary acts such as Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones.

The festival is known for bringing filmmakers and stars to discuss the films, and Darlene Love, one of the featured back-up singers in the doc, will have a special performance following the screening.

Twenty Feet from Stardom is the first in a lineup of 76 films, consisting of 27 documentaries, 25 narrative features and 24 shorts.

One of the major highlights of this year’s festival is the closing night feature, Frances Ha, from filmmaker Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Kicking and Screaming). The film stars Greta Gerwig (Lola Versus, Hannah Takes the Stairs) as a modern dancer in New York City who is trying to remain optimistic through her struggles.

Frances Ha was co-written by Mr. Baumbach and Ms. Gerwig, and they both will be in attendance at the closing night screening at the Mahaiwe on June 2. Local artist Gregory Crewdson will moderate a question-and-answer session with the pair following the screening.

Other notable films showing in Great Barrington include Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight (June 2 at the Triplex Cinema), Thomas Vinterberg’s The Hunt (May 31 at the Triplex) and the British mystery Broken (May 31 at the Triplex).

Pittsfield highlights

In addition to the Triplex and the Mahaiwe, The Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield will also host screenings of festival films.

The opening night at the Beacon includes a screening of The Spectacular Now, a coming-of-age tale from the screenwriters of (500) Days of Summer.

In addition to The Spectacular Now, other films to check out at the Beacon include the Stockbridge-based documentary Cherry Cottage (June 2) and a couple of shorts programs (both on June 2) featuring short films by directors from around the world, including Americans Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) and Albert Maysles (Grey Gardens).

More information about the festival, including a complete schedule, can be found online at biffma.org.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on May 23, 2013. Filed under Arts and Entertainment,Community Events,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry