Hidden gems to be unearthed at CineVegas

Geoff Carter

Thursday, June 6, 2002 | 8:27 a.m.

We're in the same boat: I have not yet seen most of the films screening at the CineVegas International Film Festival, which begins Friday at Palms and runs through June 15.

That omission means that I'll be able to enjoy something I haven't in months: opening-night anticipation. This is going to be nothing but pure fun.

As it turns out, that's just the way the festival's organizers want it.

"There are so many great distractions in this city," CineVegas' Director of Programming Trevor Groth said. "A festival has to breathe life into itself. It has to have the energy that comes with new filmmakers and premiere films."

Groth, a lead programmer with the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, has responded to Las Vegas' many distractions with a youthful program of independent and international films and events ranging from a screenwriter's Q& A, moderated by The New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell, to a motorcycle trek to Pahrump.

Instead of pretending to a cultural elitism Las Vegas will never have, CineVegas aims to be the party the film industry won't want to miss: nine days of celluloid, celebration and sin, featuring some of the most exciting films you're likely to see this year. Here are just a few (visit cinevegas.com for more information and the full schedule):

Jackpot premieres

"Sunshine State," a story of reconciliation starring Angela Bassett, Edie Falco and Timothy Hutton, comes from Oscar-nominated writer/director John Sayles.

From Spain, Agustin Diaz Yanes' "No News From God," pits Victoria Abril and Penelope Cruz against each other as an angel and demon fighting for the soul of a world-weary boxer (Demian Bichir).

"Spun," a comedy-drama about speed freaks and those who love them, stars Jason Schwartzman, Mena Suvari and John Leguizamo.

Troy Miller directs "Mr. Show's" David Cross and Bob Odenkirk in "Run Ronnie Run," a comedy that boasts appearances by Jeff Goldblum, Garry Shandling, the creators of "South Park," and even the lead singer of Tool, Maynard James Keenan.

"Happy Here and Now," directed by Michael Almereyda, features Liane Balaban, Ally Sheedy and David Arquette in a high-tech detective story that travels from New Orleans to cyberspace.

"24 Hour Party People," an acclaimed documentary about the Manchester, England, dance music scene, should get filmgoers on their feet.

Ditto "Bubba Ho-Tep," a very B-movie that manages to incorporate Elvis, ancient Egypt and John F. Kennedy. It stars Ossie Davis and Bruce Campbell, better known as Ash from the "Evil Dead" series. Campbell's devotees will pack this screening out, so arrive early.

Gambling in cinema

CineVegas' Gambling in Cinema program is a sure thing in a town not necessarily known for them.

Martin Scorcese's 1995 "Casino" -- the third part of his unofficial "mob trilogy," following "Raging Bull" and "GoodFellas" -- is rolling against some serious talent, including "Magnolia's" Paul Thomas Anderson ("Hard Eight") and Robert Altman ("California Split").

Jean-Perre Melville's "Bob Le Flambeur" and Karel Reisz's "The Gambler" round out this winning hand.

Shorts

Actress Sarah Polley ("Go") makes her directorial debut with the dramatic short "I Shout Love."

"Heat Vision and Jack" is a farce from Ben Stiller -- a never-seen television pilot about an astronaut (Jack Black) and his talking motorcycle (voiced by Owen Wilson). Just you try passing that up.

Diamond discovery

The festival's Discovery program is as good as its name: It's filled with real finds, many of which you're flat-out unlikely to see on HBO:

Michelle Gallagher's comedy-drama "Strange Hearts" stars Robert Forster as a former child star who yearns for his former greatness; Kip Pardue, Harry Hamlin and Rose McGowan co-star.

David Morse and Ryan Gosling star in "The Slaughter Rule," a football drama that Village Voice film critic J. Hoberman called "a remarkably well-tuned (character) study."

Jeff Daniels makes his directorial debut with "Super Sucker," a comedy about rival vacuum-cleaner salesmen.

Alfredo DeVilla's "Washington Heights" looks deep into the New York Latino community of its title.

Pioneer documentaries

CineVegas' documentary program boasts a fascinating range of subjects, of which we can only touch on a few:

"Chiefs" records two years in the life of the Wyoming Indian High School Basketball team, exploring the sport and Native American culture simultaneously.

"Cul de Sac: A Suburban War Story" is the amazing tale of an unemployed plumber who stole a tank and drove it wildly through the streets of San Diego.

"Justice and the Generals" follows a man's quest for justice in war-torn El Salvador.

"Breath Control: The History of the Human Beat Box" examines the roots of modern hip-hop.

"Gigantic" tells the amazingly true story of They Might Be Giants, Brooklyn's Ambassadors of Love and the quirkiest pop duo of the last decade.

International films

"Chicken Rice War," from Singapore, recasts "Romeo and Juliet" as a battle between rival streetside food stands.

Academy Award-nominated "Elling," from Norway, is a story of mentally-challenged friends in the vein of "Rain Man" and "Benny and Joon."

"All About Lily Chou Chou," from Japan, invents a pop singer and follows the effect she has on her fans. "Chou Chou" is so realistic that Groth was compelled to search for the pop singer on the Internet, to convince himself she didn't really exist.

There are many, many more films screening at CineVegas, nearly all of which are worth seeing. Look for me there: I'll be the one not taking notes. I'll be like everyone else in the crowd, marveling at the worlds created by good cinema and wishing I could live in them. In other words, I'm hoping to be distracted.