The eyes of the entertainment world will be on Chicago when the 48th Chicago International Film Festival opens with the World Premiere of the highly anticipated film “Stand Up Guys.” Produced by Chicagoan Tom Rosenberg (Academy Awardยฎ winner, “Million Dollar Baby”) and directed by Chicagoan Fisher Stevens (Academy Awardยฎ winner, “The Cove”), the film features an all-star cast including Academy Awardยฎ-winners Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin and Emmyยฎ and Golden Globeยฎ-winner Julianna Margulies, all of whom will be in Chicago to celebrate the opening night of the Festival on October 11 at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Dr.). Lionsgate will release “Stand Up Guys” for an Oscarยฎ-qualifying run in Dec. in Los Angeles and New York, and nationwide on January 11.
“Bringing the World Premiere of ‘Stand Up Guys’ to Chicago is a tremendous honor,” said producer Tom Rosenberg. “Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin are a powerhouse trio on screen โ audiences are truly in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am grateful to my friend Michael Kutza for his kind invitation for all of us to be there opening night.”
“This is without a doubt the most exciting opening night for the Chicago International Film Festival in many years,” said Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival. “Tom Rosenberg has been a long friend of the Festival and we are honored that he and Lionsgate have chosen this year’s Festival for the world premiere of this extraordinary film, and for bringing to Chicago this extraordinary assemblage of film legends and luminaries, several of whom give award-worthy performances in this film.”
“The Chicago International Film Festival strives to bring the best in cinema to the city of Chicago and to open the 48th Film Festival with the World Premiere of ‘Stand Up Guys’ does just that,” said the Chicago International Film Festival‘s Programming Director Mimi Plauchรฉ. “To showcase the work of native Chicagoan Fisher Stevens in his hometown is thrilling not only for the Festival, but for Chicago audiences.”
“Stand Up Guys” stars Academy Awardยฎ winners Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin in a tough but touching action comedy as retired gangsters who reunite for one epic last night. Val (Pacino) is released from prison after serving twenty-eight years for refusing to give up one of his close criminal associates. His best friend Doc (Walken) is there to pick him up, and the two soon reteam with another old pal, Hirsch (Arkin). Their bond is as strong as ever, and the three reflect on freedom lost and gained, loyalties ebbed and flowed, and days of glory gone by. And despite their age, their capacity for mayhem is still very much alive and well – bullets fly as they make a hilariously valiant effort to compensate for the decades of crime, drugs and sex they’ve missed. But one of the friends is keeping a dangerous secret- he’s been put in an impossible quandary by a former mob boss, and his time to find an acceptable alternative is running out. As the sun rises on the guys’ legendary reunion, their position becomes more and more desperate and they finally confront their past once and for all.
Lionsgate, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Lakeshore Entertainment present a Lionsgate, Sidney Kimmel, Lakeshore Entertainment Production. Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin “Stand Up Guys” Julianna Margulies. Casting by Tricia Wood, CSA, Deborah Aquila, CSA; Music by Lyle Workman; Costume Designer Lindsay Ann McKay; Editor Mark Livolsi, A.C.E; Production Designer Maher Ahmad; Director of Photography Michael Grady. Executive Producers Eric Reid, Ted Gidlow, Bruce Toll, Bingham Ray, Matt Berenson. Produced by Sidney Kimmel, Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Jim Tauber. Written by Noah Haidle. Directed by Fisher Stevens.
Star-Studded Opening Night Ticket Information
Tickets for Opening Night of the 48th Chicago International Film Festival are on sale now and can be purchased online at the Festival Store: http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/catalog/ or by phone at 312- 332-FILM. Film-only tickets are: Balcony, $35 for Cinema/Chicago members and $40 for non-members; Main Floor, $45 for Cinema/Chicago members and $50 for non-members. VIP Ticket packages including a main floor seat and admission to the after party at The Sidney Yates Gallery of The Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph St., 4th Floor) are priced at $150/ticket.
Festival Passes and Theater Info
A variety of Festival Passes are on sale now. Pass options include:
• Moviegoer (10 regular admissions): $95 for Cinema/Chicago members, $125 for non-members.
• Passport (20 regular admissions): $180 for Cinema/Chicago members, $240 for non-members
Passes can be obtained by visiting www.chicagofilmfestival.com or by calling 312.683.0121.
Festival screenings will be at the AMC River East 21 Theater (322 E. Illinois St.). The full schedule will be unveiled on September 20.
Festival Sponsors
Opening Night of the 48th Chicago International Film Festival is sponsored by presenting partner Columbia College Chicago and evening partners American Airlines, Land Rover, JW Marriott Chicago, Gibsons Restaurant Group, Public, Park Hyatt, Stella Artois, Brugal Rum, EC
Charro, WBBM NEWSRADIO 780 AND 105.9FM, ShutterBox Photobooth and Cultivate Studios.
Led by Presenting Partner, Columbia College Chicago, the 48th Chicago International Film Festival‘s sponsors include: Official Airline – American Airlines; Producing Partners – AMC Theaters, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Major Partner – Intersites; Supporting Partners – DePaul University School of Cinema and Interactive Media, Stella Artois, Chris Pagano – Realtor, Land Rover, WBBM NEWSRADIO 780 AND 105.9FM,, ShutterBox Photobooth; Participating Partners: iN Demand, EC Charro, Brugal Rum, Creative America, Gibsons Restaurant Group, Second City Computers, Optimus; and the Festival’s Headquarters Hotel, JW Marriott Chicago.
About Cinema/Chicago
Cinema/Chicago is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Chicago International Film Festival is part of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago, which also include the International Screenings Program (May-September), the Chicago International Television Competition (April), CineYouth Festival (May), Intercom Competition (October) and year-round Education Outreach and Member Screenings Program.