Actress Fatoumata Coulibaly accepts her Golden Thumb Award from Chaz Ebert following the screening of Moolaade. Coulibaly received a standing ovation from the Ebertfest audience for her performance. Media Credit: Blake Stubbs.

I’d like to start by saying that this particular film is definitely one to file away in the “Best Films the General Public Will Never See” category. The film takes place in Africa in a small village where female circumcision is ritual. When four girls run away from being “cut,” they seek refuge with Colle, a woman who refused to let her daughter be circumcised.

She invokes a right of protection upon the four young girls and keeps them in her homestead. What transpires is a small scale battle between the women and men of the village. Without giving too much away, this is hands down one of the most powerful films I have ever seen.

Lead actress, Fatoumata Coulibaly, was on hand to discuss the film afterwards and was introduced to a standing ovation. Pictured above is her acceptance of her Golden Thumb Award.

Up next is Perfume: The Story of A Murderer, and Alan Rickman (Professor Snape from the Harry Potter films, and Hanz Gruber from Die Hard), will be on hand to discuss the film.

Screenwriter Steve Conrad thanks the Ebertfest audience for their appreciation of The Weatherman. Media Credit: Blake Stubbs.

But I doubt it has anything to do with The Weatherman screening that occurred today at noon. The film, starring Nicholas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas), chronicles the midlife crisis of a Chicago weatherman and every one of his problems. Boasting a fantastic cast featuring Michael Caine (Batman Begins), Hope Davis (Arlington Road), and Ebertfest Guest Gil Bellows (The Shawshank Redemption).

I find it surprising that this particular film didn’t receive better audience response upon its first release. Cage gives a very strong performance that is surprisingly different than anything he’s done before. Caine is at his usual state of awesome, playing Cage’s father, who is diagnosed with lymphoma. The special guest on hand Gil Bellows, however, shocked audiences with his chilling portrayal of a drug-rehab counselor who has his eyes set on Cage’s young son.

Possibly the biggest plus to this particular screening was the film’s screenwriter, Steve Conrad (Wrestling Earnest Hemingway, The Pursuit of Happyness). Conrad said in jest the audience on hand is the largest he had ever seen for this particular film. He also expressed the thanks of film director Gore Verbinski, who was unable to attend.

Overall The Weatherman was a hilarious comedy with a great amount of drama that was well delivered by the actors and the script was fantastic. Both Conrad and Bellows were glad to answer any questions the audience still had, and had a great time doing it.

Gattaca Producer, Michael Schamberg and University Political Science Professor, Ira Carmen discuss Gattaca, following the screening Wednesday night at the Virginia Theatre. Media Credit: Blake Stubbs.

Ebertfest has begun! And from the looks of things it seems like it will be one jam-packed weekend.

Despite the grey overcast and the constant drizzling, the Virginia Theater was filled with movie-going enthusiasts. As usual, there were tons of people waiting in the rush line for a chance to get in (though normally most people do) so I figured I chat with some of them to see why they were so eager to get into Ebertfest.

Naturally I went to the very front of the line, to the people waiting the longest, and spoke with Megan Whitney and Jen Goheen, both students here at the University. They’d been there since about 6:15, for the 7:00 showing of Gattaca, and they were both excited for the film. This was Megan’s first Ebertfest and she said she definitely wanted to see a few more films before the festival was up. Jen said that she loved the Virginia Theater and is hoping to catch Come Early Morning and Freddie Mercury: the Untold Story as well.

After my brief chat, I decided to head on in and a few minutes later the main man himself came in to a plethora of applause in the lobby. Then a standing ovation in the theater. Then again when he walked down by the stage, and again when he got on with his wife Chaz. She read his opening remarks and made a great speech herself, both poking fun at the lazy-boy Roger has for his seat this year, apparently a lifelong wish.

With all the introductory things out of the way, they rolled the first film of the festival, Gattaca. Now, I’ve seen the film before, but on DVD, and I must say that watching movies on the big screen with a full audience is quite a different experience. I love going to the theaters, but rarely with this many people. At times like this there is a buzz, an intoxicating enthusiasm for the experience of being engaged by a story simultaneously with an auditorium full of other filmgoers. It’s a heightened event, especially in a space like the Virginia. What’s more is I don’t even think Gattaca is a great film, it is an interesting one that’s for sure, but nevertheless it’s something else when you see it on the silver screen.

For those unfamiliar with the film, it has Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law living in a not-too-distant future where children are selected based on their genetic potential, making a superior strand of human beings. Hawke’s character is cast out, based on his genes, but he is determined to find a way back to the top. There are some basic story elements that I find a bit uneven, but on the whole it’s good. The best thing about this sci-fi drama/thriller is that it raises a lot of interesting questions about scientific progress and ethics, which set up an interesting discussion with the panel after the showing.

And speaking of panels, I really can’t wait until Werner Herzog gets on stage. He is one of my favorite directors and I’m so excited to see him talk about his films. But I’ll have to wait a few more days.

As for now, Ebertfest has got off to a great start and the next few days will have a lot to offer.

Till next time, this is your Silver Screen Madman Ped Naseri.