2006 Complete Schedule! To view the entire 2006 schedule . . . click

Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director of the CIFF says of this year’s event, "Each film is a premier, so it’s opening night, every night, as we screen world-renowned feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and pioneering short and student films. We don’t just bring you great films; we bring you the visionaries who create them. The best of the best from six continents and more than 30 countries will be screened. With so many diverse movies to choose from, there is something to suit every taste."

Movie lovers look forward to this premiere film festival for a number of reasons. You get an early view of the best major motion pictures, starring some of your favorite actors led by exciting directors. There’s also that chance to see a great gem of a film that may have limited or zero advertising. Since both types of films may play in the same theater back to back, one trip to the movie house provides a high-yield return.

Here are some films to look for. "Babel" with Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Gael Garcia Bernal, is the third film in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s trilogy, which includes "Amores Perros" and "21 Grams." In "Babel," events in Morocco, Japan, the US and Mexico are linked because of a shooting incident. All three films are brilliant, as each is Oscar worthy.

"Venus," starring Peter O"Toole and Vanessa Redgrave is about a man in his 70’s who once again has unexpected youthful yearnings after a 19-year-old woman enters into his life.

"Jasmine Women," with Zhang Ziyi and Joan Chen, focuses on three generations of women who experience loss and love in harmoniously similar ways.

"The Queen," which stars Helen Mirren, presents an objective and nuanced look behind palace walls during the week following the death of Princess Diana.

"The Fountain" explores themes of passion, death, spirituality and the frailty of life as it chronicles the love of a man and woman over the course of 1,000 years. Stars Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman.

"A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" follows a man (Robert Downey Jr.) as he returns to his childhood home to aid his ailing father. He faces the demons of his past and revisits the saints who helped shape his fate as a salvaged man.

"Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing" shares three years of turbulence for the group after they said during a London concert, "Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

Diversity is a hallmark of the festival and we’ve not yet talked about other movies, such as "The Bridge," "The Trials of Darryl Hunt," "Iraq in Fragments," "Ten Canoes" or a number of other provocative films that we’ll discuss in more detail next week.

Films are only shown from one to three times, so buy your tickets early to avoid hearing the words "Sold Out." The films this year screen at two of Chicago’s top rated movie houses, Landmark Century and AMC River East 21. For details on the schedule of films, ticket prices and theater locations, visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com or call 312-332-FILM.

Film Reviews

Week 2 Highlights

Films are only shown from one to three times, so buy your tickets early to avoid hearing the words "Sold Out." The films this year screen at two of Chicago’s top rated movie houses, Landmark Century and AMC River East 21. For details on the schedule of films, ticket prices and theater locations, visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com or call 312-332-FILM.