Hello Friends of Film,
I hope everyone enjoyed the off season and is ready for our upcoming Summer of Cinema!

I recently returned from the 2023 Cannes Film Festival where I was fortunate to see many of this year’s prize-winning films. It was an exciting and diverse festival, and getting the opportunity to see such world-class films as they make their international debuts never gets old. I have been going to Cannes since 1997, having only skipped about five festivals since then. It is still a thrill and a pleasure, though also a lot of work, and often comes with a lot of frustration.
                 
Due to another year of system glitches, accessing tickets to films in competition was a real challenge, requiring a bit of creativity and strategic screening. The upside to this, and all the rain that fell upon the Cote d’Azur, was that I was able to see several films the day after their premieres, by waiting in rush lines, which did not require standing in the rain in formal attire!

I was quite fortunate to see some incredible films from some of the top filmmakers working in the world today, several of which were award-winners at the festival. For me, some of the strongest were Jonathan Glazer's THE ZONE OF INTEREST (Grand Prix); Justine Triet's ANATOMY OF A FALL (Palme d'Or), both of which feature German actress Sandra Hüller; Todd Haynes' MAY DECEMBER with outstanding performances by Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman; Wim Wenders' gorgeous and moving ANSELM; breakout first feature, HOW TO HAVE SEX (Un Certain Regard winner), and Sudan's first-ever Cannes competition film GOODBYE JULIA directed by Mohamed Kordofani.

I am very much looking forward to Wim Wenders' PERFECT DAYS, Tran Ahn Hung's THE POT-AU-FEU, and of course, the latest Wes Anderson, ASTEROID CITY, which screened the day I left.

June is already off to a great start at Aspen Film, and we have several exciting offerings coming:

Tomorrow’s Indie Showcase screening (these are always FREE to Aspen Film Members), THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS, is an award-winning, must-see story of a friendship over decades. The film premiered in competition at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival where co-directors Charlotte Vandermeersch + Felix van Groeningen were awarded the Jury Prize, and was also part of the Sundance 2023 Official Selection.

Next, on Sunday June 11 and Monday, June 12, be sure to check out the fantastic Willie Nelson celebration on screen - LONG STORY SHORT: WILLIE NELSON 90. This special documentary features a selection of the most memorable moments and unforgettable collaborations from the star-studded two-day concert event at the legendary Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, featuring many of the most acclaimed musicians performing today - all in honor of Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday!  This is one music fans will not want to miss.

On Tuesday, June 20, we are excited to bring back three phenomenal Colorado short from our 2023 Oscar®-qualifying Shortsfest in April: SEAN AND THE RAMBLINGS OF A SCULPTURE ARTIST, ALL CHOKED UP, and HOW WE GET FREE.

From comedy to documentary, the subjects of these films cover an engaging range of timely and relevant topics. Portraying a colorful artist, a wife with a dilemma, and an activist-turned-Colorado State Representative, these three short films have one thing in common: Colorado roots, and are made by or featuring Colorado residents. Following the screening of each short, there will be a Q+A with filmmakers and/or film subjects to discuss the work.

And for our Dead Head friends (who may or may not be heading out on the final Dead & Company Summer Tour), we have two special Grateful Dead Meet Up at the Movies treats for you!  

Come dance and shake your bones at the Aspen Film Isis Theatre on June 22 and 24 at 7 PM for the Grateful Dead’s Soldier Field June 22, 1991 show.

We hope you’ll join us and Aspen Public Radio for what promises to be a very special and informative community event on June 28.  

As part of their June 28 Lawn Bash, Aspen Public Radio in partnership with Aspen Film, will host a robust discussion around the documentary film FOOD AND COUNTRY which had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in January. Following the panel, the film will screen at the Aspen Film Isis Theatre at 7 PM and is FREE with RSVP here.

A panel of local voices will be joined by FOOD AND COUNTRY film director Laura Gabbert, moderated by national public radio host, Jenn White of 1A. The discussion will aim to dive into some of the big themes of the film – ranchers, farmers, chefs all dealing with changes in the food ecosystem throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to serious questions about how we can do better; with innovators attempting to shake up political and social divides as they explore where our food comes from and how fragile America’s food system has become.

Also, we are thrilled to announce our first-ever Aspen Film Isis Summer Family Film Series, beginning on June 28! This series will run each Wednesday at 11am weekly throughout the summer.

Admission is only $1 for viewers of all ages!
We will offer a $10 concession combo of popcorn and a fountain drink for these
screenings as well. Bring the family or enjoy these classics with friends:

Tickets will be on sale soon at aspenfilm.org.

And this is just the beginning! We have a big Summer of Cinema announcement coming soon which will reveal our roster of programming through August. As always, we have some exciting partnerships to share and there will be some very special film events coming - something for everyone as we say.

Some of our offerings will be exclusively for Aspen Film Members (membership does matter), so if you are interested in joining our film community, please view our membership opportunities here.

And save the dates for our 44th Filmfest - September 19-24 - details coming this summer…

Looking forward to seeing you at the cinema!

Warm regards,

--Susan Wrubel
Executive Director + Artistic Director, Aspen Film