UNDER THE RADAR

Non-marquee movies to see at the Denver Film Festival

BY MICHAEL J. CASEY

Fire up the projector and dim the lights — the 46th Denver Film Festival kicks off this weekend. This year’s slate opens with a screening of American Fiction, the story of a serious Black novelist (Jeffrey Wright) who becomes unwittingly acclaimed for the very tropes he mocks. And while the film by first-time director Cord Jefferson will no doubt garner a good deal of attention when it enjoys a theatrical run this Christmas, many of the 160-plus movies playing DFF Nov. 3-12 may not. Here, then, is a roundup of films that might not be on your radar but certainly should be.

The Crime Is Mine

1:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, and 4:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, AMC 9 + CO 10, 826 Albion St., Denver.

A fun and funny farce set in 1930s Paris revolving around Madeleine (Nadia Tereszkiewicz), accused of murdering her theater producer, and Pauline (Rebecca Marder), Madeleine’s friend and lawyer. Directed by François Ozon, The Crime is Mine moves at a breakneck pace, never stopping to take itself seriously, even though what it says about gender roles, fame and wealth is pretty spot on.

Fancy Dance

4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, and 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver.

Filmed on the lands of the Cherokee Nation, Lily Gladstone stars as Jax, the aunt of teenage Roki (Isabel DeroyOlson), whose mother has gone missing. Child protective services have come to relocate Roki off the reservation to the home of her white grandfather (Shea Whigham). Part familial drama, part murder mystery, part road movie, Fancy Dance is a quiet narrative that feels at once personal and political. If Killers of the Flower Moon has piqued your interest in either Native narratives or the acting prowess of Gladstone, then Fancy Dance is for you.

The Feeling That The Time For Doing Something Has Passed

6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, and 4:40 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, AMC 9 + CO 10, 826 Albion St., Denver.

Ann (Joanna Arnow, who also writes and directs) is a 30-something drifting through New York City and a handful of sexual relationships as a submissive. The movie is equally passive and droll, depicting a world where no one can be bothered to get excited about anything. Even the sexual encounters are stripped of enthusiasm, which only builds in humor, as does Arnow’s stark naked performance. It’s an odd duck, sure, but it earns its laughs.

The Great Divide

7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 8, Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver.

Documentarian Tom Donahue looks at the historical significance of gun violence in the context of the mass shootings that have come to define the American experience. It’s a familiar argument — especially in Colorado — but Donahue finds enough to keep the conversation from feeling rote thanks to the rapport he exhibits in the interviews. Filmmakers in person

ILEANA’S SMILE

4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, Holiday Theater, 2644 W. 32nd Ave., Denver.

When Denver-based musician Brad Corrigan of Dispatch fame visited Nicaragua in the 2000s, a trip to La Chureca — a massive open-air landfill — introduced him to Ileana, a 14-year-old girl with a million-watt smile living with her sisters and mother in the dump. She left a mark on Corrigan, who returned year after year to understand how and why Ileana, among others, could survive in such a hostile environment. Running a lean 60 minutes, Ileana’s Smile smartly tries not to tackle more problems than the frame can contain.

Filmmaker in person

Richland

7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, AMC 9 + CO 10, 826 Albion St., Denver.

Located in southern central Washington, the city of Richland was erected during World War II with the explicit purpose of working on the

Manhattan Project. Richland contributed to the war effort, but the effects are still lingering, and documentarian Irene Lusztig embeds herself in a town grappling with the long shadow of the 20th century. Filmmaker in person.

STORY AND PICTURES BY

1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, and 1:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, AMC 9 + CO 10, 826 Albion St., Denver.

Easily the most heartwarming pick on this list, Joanna Rudnick’s documentary follows three children’s picture book authors as they practice their craft. Rudnick provides a solid history of the artform, including the challenges and outright banning of these books — many of which are considered classics today. Filmmaker in person.

ON SCREEN: Denver Film Festival. Nov. 3-12, multiple venues. Full schedule and pricing at denverfilm.org

EVERY WEDNESDAY - 7:00PM FREE BouldER

BluEgRass JaM

FRI. 11/3 - 8:00PM aRi MElingERCohEn alBuM RElEasE

SAT. 11/4 - 8:00PM good MusiC MEdiCinE

SUN. 11/5 - NOON sChool oF RoCk

BRooMFilEld - Mid sEason shows

TUE. 11/7 - 7:00PM songCRaFt: songwRitER showCasE w/EBEn gRaCE, katiE MEntlE, saRah

ChRistinE, stonEd & EMotional

FRI. 11/10 - 8:00PM

JERRy gaRCia

BluEgRass night

SAT. 11/11 - 8:00PM

RivER Mann w/guEst MaddiE Cody

SUN. 11/12 - 2:00PM

MoJoMaMMa & FRiEnds

MusiC FoR Maui

THU. 11/16 - 7:00PM

Clay RosE w/ sPECial guEsts

Many Mountains

Purchase Tickets at RMPtix.com RootsMusicProject.org

4747 Pearl Suite V3A

3

QUEER AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT

1-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, Louisville Medical and Professional Center, 325 W. South Boulder Road. Free

This free workshop led by somatic and dance-movement therapist Lauren Pass Erickson is designed to help people in the LGBTQ community relieve stress, heal their bodies and share their stories. The event will include guided practice, open movement and more.

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ADVICE FOR GIRLS: AN ALL-WOMEN’S SKI FILM

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder. $25

Head to Boulder Theater for a screening of an adventure film spotlighting women in the ski industry. “My hope is that the film will help girls skip over some of the limiting beliefs … and inspire them to show up as their truest selves,” says producer and athlete Addy Jacobsend.

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Creative Nations Indigenous Arts Market

9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. Free

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CU HOMECOMING WEEKEND 2023

Nov. 2-4, University of Colorado and off-campus locations, Boulder. Free

CU welcomes back alumni of all ages to celebrate their network of Forever Buffs all weekend long. Homecoming festivities include a stampede, tailgates and other CU traditions to support the Buffs as they take on Oregon State on Saturday night.

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Honoring Astrud Gilberto

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, Muse Performance Space, 200 E. South Boulder Road, Lafayette. $20

The Muse invites audiences to celebrate the life of Astrud Gilberto who was known as “The Girl from Ipanema” and “The Queen of BossaNova.” The event will honor the jazz vocalist with a series of performances featuring vocals from Elena Camerin Young.

Support Native art and artists during the Creative Nations Indigenous Arts Market at the Dairy Arts Center. This showcase of creativity and talent will include vendors, live music, traditional dance performances, panels and more. 4

Sugarloaf Craft Fair

10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, Sugarloaf Fire Station 2, 1360 Sugarloaf Road, Boulder. Free

Show some love for the all-volunteer Sugarloaf Fire Department with a craft-fair fundraiser supporting their efforts in the Boulder area. Handcrafted gifts, home-baked goods and a silent auction are all part of the community-supporting fun.

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12x12 Artsball

7-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, The Arts HUB, 420 Courtney Way, Lafayette. $50

Get up close and personal with Lafayette’s local artists during this show featuring more than 80 works of original art. The adults-only event will celebrate the work with live performances, music, food and drink to help fundraise for the nonprofit ARTS!Lafayette.

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Colorado Sound Music Awards

7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $35

Celebrate the Centennial State at the historic Boulder Theater during the second annual Colorado Sound Music Awards. Winners in each category will be announced live, with performances by Gasoline Lollipops, iZCALLi and 2MX2.

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LOVE LETTER TO A RAVE

6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, Roser ATLAS Center - B2, 1125 18th St., Boulder. Free

BMoCA presents DJ Queen of Air in conjunction with its current exhibition MediaLive: Technology as Healing, on display through Jan. 14. Experience an evening of electronic music and a video dedicated to club culture and the essence of the rave.

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Wine Tasting Party

2-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, The Old Elm Farm, 8912 Arapahoe Road, Boulder. $45

Enjoy the rustic scenery of the historic Old Elm Farm while sipping Colorado wine during this tasting party hosted by Colorado Vintners and Cliff Dweller Wine Company — featuring live music from local bluegrass band Colorado Junction to soundtrack your tastings.

7 An Evening With David Sedaris

7:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St., Boulder. $42

Celebrated humorist and author David Sedaris brings his sardonic stylings to Macky Auditorium at CU Boulder for an evening of storytelling you won’t want to miss. The event will include a reading and audience Q&A, followed by a book signing.

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2023

Boulder Jewish Film Festival

Nov. 2-12, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $25

Head to the Dairy Arts Center for a full week of movies during the 2023 Boulder Jewish Film Festival. Back for its 11th year, the event will feature a variety of international films exploring topics surrounding Jewish life and culture from around the world.