To give an insider’s look at this year’s festival, we’ve collected some of the most interesting press from around the region. Check back frequently to read new stories and listen to the latest interviews.
FilmColumbia: Exquisite ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ a complicated yet simple story of doomed lovers
Berkshire Eagle, October 26, 2019
Excerpt:This is an exquisite film shown at this year’s FilmColumbia, perhaps one of the most beautiful films I have seen in a very long time. It is a complicated yet simple story of doomed lovers. Their slow motion seduction of each other develops into a short-lived rapturous romance.
FilmColumbia: Gorgeous, inspiring ‘Varda by Agnes’ highlights Varda’s joie de vivre
Berkshire Eagle, October 24, 2019
Excerpt:Tucked into the FilmColumbia film festival is a gorgeous, inspiring film that I hope will be seen by all aspiring filmmakers, and truthfully, the rest of us!! “Varda by Agnes” (which premiered at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival) is a film that shows us that miracles are all around us if we just open our eyes to them.
FilmColumbia: 20th anniversary festival a treasure trove of films from all over the world
Berkshire Eagle, October 23, 2019.
Excerpt: “This has been a really good year for cinema in general,” Laurence Kardish, co-artistic director of FilmColumbia, observed. If the 60 films selected here are any indication, indeed it has been. There may not be any theme this year for the festival, but it appears to be a very strong year. Peter Biskind (executive director and co-artistic director of FilmColumbia) and Laurence Kardish “scoured all the festivals” this year and chose the “cream of the crop.” It is truly a treasure trove of great films from all over the world.
Read the entire article.
James Schamus to be Celebrated at FilmColumbia
WAMC Roundtable, October 17, 2019.
News director Ian Pickus interviews festival honoree James Schamus.
Listen to the interview.
20th Anniversary of FilmColumbia
WAMC Roundtable, October 15, 2019.
Joe Donahue’s on-air interview with Calliope Nicholas, Peter Biskind and Larry Karidsh
Listen to the interview.
Cannes in Chatham
Berkshire Eagle, October 12, 2019, Ben Cassidy interview with Larry Kardish.
Excerpt: “FilmColumbia is a festival for early adopters. While Sundance and Cannes are destinations for top-notch movie premieres, FilmColumbia has often been one of the next landing spots for those films.”
Read the entire article.
Our Very Own Major Minor Festival
The Columbia Paper, October 11, 2019, Reporter Debby Mayer’s interview with Calliope Nicholas and Larry Kardish.
Excerpt: “FilmColumbia begins its 20th anniversary season Friday, October 18, and on tap among some 70 films from 15 nations are two that kicked off the first festival, 20 years ago.”
Read the entire article.
Eight Things to Do and See in the Hudson Valley this October
Chronogram Magazine, October 1, 2019.
Excerpt: “This October, FilmColumbia celebrates its 20th year presenting world-class films to Crandell Theatre patrons and Hudson Valley residents. The event began as a small-scale local movie festival and has grown into an attraction for film buffs across the region.”
Read the entire article.
Two Decades On
Berkshire Homestyle, October 1, 2019, Ned Depew.
Excerpt: “Hard to believe—but true—that is has been twenty years since FilmColumbia was launched. From its modest beginnings in 1999, it has grown to be one of the most anticipated events in the county each year.”
Read the entire article.