Organizers don’t know what movie will open the Starz Denver International Film Festival on Nov. 10 – but we know what’s closing it. “Brokeback Mountain” will screen Nov. 19 at the Last Reel Party at the Ellie. The heralded, edgy, homoerotic cowboy movie isn’t exactly the kind of “up” flick that usually ends a festival.
“I saw this film in Toronto (International Film Festival), and I was truly and profoundly moved,” says the fest’s artistic director, Ron Henderson. “This is such a powerful piece of work and so satisfying, I would never call it a downer.”
The movie just won best film at the Venice Film Festival. The screening here came together through part-time LoDo resident Annie Proulx, who wrote the short story in her acclaimed collection “Close Range: Wyoming Stories.” Director Ang Lee will be here to receive the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Screenwriters Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana will also be on hand. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger will not appear. Look for a panel with Ang and the writers on the challenges of getting a story from the page to the screen.
Other movies booked: “Mrs. Henderson Presents,” “Matador,” “Breakfast on Pluto,” “White Countess,” “Transamerica” and “Duane Hopwood,” with David Schwimmer in town for the screening.
Wasted
Word comes from Nuclia Waste, Denver’s favorite transvestite, that she’s appearing in the Neil Young video “Walkin’ to New Orleans.” Seems Ms. Waste won best overall costume at the Bourbon Street Awards at the 2003 Mardi Gras – a high honor, given that it’s known as the Ultimate Costume Contest.
Some footage of her strutting her stuff that year is in the video, which was used as a funder for Katrina relief and is in rotation on Country Music Television. You can watch it at cmt.com.
“Cool beans,” says Waste. “Cool red beans and rice.”
Till you drop
Serious shoppers will be happy with the Colorado Children’s Campaign’s “Colorado Shops for Kids” coupon book. Fifty dollars gets you 25 percent to 30 percent off at 106 Denver stores in October. And we’re not talking a few bucks off your sandwich. Some big discounts are in store if you buy something at Andrisen Morton Women’s, Cry Baby Ranch, Djuna, Tattered Cover, Limeade, HW Home, The Lodge at Cordillera, Molly’s of Denver, Mondo Vino, Salon Posh, plus various two-for-one restaurant deals. Go to
coloradokids.org.
And the Cherry Creek Shopping Center gets a new holiday look this year with snow globes you can walk through in the theme of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
City spirit
JW Marriott continues with Danny Wein doing Sinatra on Thursday nights, jazz vocalist Teresa Carroll and her band on Saturday nights … Sightem: Randy Jackson and Ryan
Seacrest at Sambuca last weekend, in town for “American Idol” auditions … Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive starts today with a delivery from Mr. McFeely to ARC Thrift Store in Broomfield … Sez who: “Henry James chews more than he bites off.” Mrs. Henry Adams
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears on Fox 31 News. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
