The third-annual Boulder International Film Festival kicked off with dinner and a movie Thursday night in the Boulder Theatre at 2032 14th Street.
“We believe that a great film is one that makes us feel and think differently after we leave the theater, one whose characters and images drift through our consciousness for years, one that fundamentally sharpens our perceptions of people and the world,” said Robin Beeck, executive director of the Boulder International Film Festival.
Peter Dillon, a Boulder resident, said he has been to BIFF before and prefers it over seeing new releases at big movie theaters.
“I don’t go see new releases. These movies are generally better movies than Hollywood’s. I come here and have a good time and see a movie or two,” he said.
Despite $50 ticket prices, the Boulder Theater was crowded with finely dressed guests. Dressed for the “black tie optional” gala, they walked into the theater on a red carpet and were shot by paparazzi from FashionistaPhoto.com.
Once inside, The Cheesecake Factory provided dinner and dessert, Samba Dende played live music and drinks were available at the bar.
Susan Armitage, a guest from Estes Park, said, “The food is great, the event is well organized, the music is relaxing, everyone looks beautiful and it is nice to be able to sit and talk with people before the film.”
Mayor Mark Ruzzin welcomed the audience to just before the film started.
“It is amazing to see the creativity of this community,” he said.
The special pre-release screening of the film, “Breach,” from Universal Pictures, is a suspenseful drama inspired by true events.
The film is set inside the FBI and deals with the espionage of an agent working with the Russians: Robert Hanssen.
Directed by Billy Ray, the story is by Adam Mazer and William Rotko.
Starring in the film are Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney, Dennis Haysbert, Caroline Dhavernas, Gary Cole and Kathleen Quinlan.
Beeck said she wanted the festival to be similar to a sandwich. She wanted to start off with a large film and end it with a large film, filling the space between with 50 shorter films.
“Breach” was the opening film, and the festival will end Feb. 18 with “In the Shadow of the Moon.”
The audience clapped their hands and cheered after the performance. “Breach” will be playing in other theaters later this month.
Find out more information about BIFF at biff1.com
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Ashleigh Oldland at ashleigh.oldland@thecampuspress.com
