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Somewhere between Sundance and Cannes is film critic Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival, now in its second year. The festival celebrates films initially passed over by critics and audiences that Ebert deems deserving of a second chance. The movies will be playing from April 26-30 at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, Illinois, and at the University of Illinois (Ebert's alma mater). Can't get to Illinois this month? Never fear — many of Ebert's selections are available here at Reel, so we can bring the festival to you.
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American Movie (1999)
Starring: Mark Borchardt, Mike Schank
Director: Chris Smith
Crowd-pleasing documentary about a Wisconsin filmmaker's attempts to make his low-budget magnum opus. Frequently hilarious and peopled with colorful characters.
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Dark City (1998)
Starring: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland
Director: Alex Proyas
Eye-popping paranoid thriller about an amnesiac pursued through a gloomy metropolis by wraith-like "strangers." DVD includes an audio commentary by Ebert.
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Deja Vu (1997)
Starring: Victoria Foyt, Stephen Dillane
Director: Henry Jaglom
An engaged woman and a happily married man fall in love at first sight in this magic-tinged romantic comedy.
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The Terrorist (1998)
Starring: Ayesha Dharker, Bhanu Prakash
Director: Santosh Sivan
Suspenseful Indian drama about a young female revolutionary chosen to assassinate a powerful political figure by means of explosives strapped to her chest.
Currently not available.
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The Castle (1997)
Starring: Michael Caton, Anne Tenney
Director: Rob Sitch
Amiable Aussie comedy about a family's home threatened by an airport's expansion. Features unique, warm, slightly off-kilter relationships between characters.
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The Children of Heaven (1997)
Starring: Amir Naji, Mir Farrokh Hashemian
Director: Majid Majidi
Poor children try to hide the loss of their shoes from their parents in this thought-provoking Iranian drama. Offers rich characterizations, and potent criticism of Iranian society.
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A Woman's Tale (1992)
Starring: Sheila Florance, Gosia Dobrowolska
Director: Paul Cox
A senior citizen diagnosed with terminal cancer makes the most of her last days, which are spent with her young nurse and the elderly people who live in her apartment building.
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Sidewalk Stories (1989)
Starring: Charles Lane II, Nicole Alysia
Director: Charles Lane II
Unusual, largely silent comedy about a homeless man trying to survive on the Streets of Greenwich Village.
Currently not available.
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Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Starring: Akemi Yamaguchi, Ayano Shiraishi
Director: Isao Takahata
Extremely poignant animated tale of a brother and sister who survive the U.S. bombing of Japan only to awaken in a hellish reality.
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Oklahoma! (1955)
Starring: Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones
Director: Fred Zinnemann
This lively, epic-length Western musical about a cowboy vying for the pretty girl features still-catchy tunes and highly acclaimed dance sequences.
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Un Chien Andalou (1928)
Starring: Pierre Batcheff, Simone Marevil
Director: Luis Bunuel
This early surrealist montage of bizarre images with a methodical pace and symbolic plot was considered revolutionary when it was released.
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The Last Laugh (1924)
Starring: Emil Jannings, Hermann Vallentin
Director: F.W. Murnau
Classic of fairy tale-like simplicity tells the story of a hotel doorman reduced to being an ignoble washroom attendant.
Currently not available.
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