© 2024 WUTC
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Here Are 5 Must-See Movies at the Chattanooga Film Fest

Chris Dortch, director of the first-ever Chattanooga Film Festival,joins us to discuss a few highlights among the 50+ films being screened between April 3rd and April 6th.

Here are five must-see movies mentioned in the interview:

"A Life in the Death of Joe Meek"has its North American premiere 3/3 at 8 p.m., kicking off the festival.  A feature-length documentary, it tells the story of Joe Meek, an eccentric music visionary known as Britain's first independent record producer.  NME.com hails Meek as the greatest record producerof all time, saying "the legacy of his endless experimentation is writ large over most of your favourite music today."

The festival's Web site says:

Among the thousands of tracks Joe Meek recorded at his small apartment studio in North London from 1960-1967, the apex was "Telstar," a multi-national No.1 instrumental hit that he also composed, in 1962. Special appearance from filmmakers Howard S. Berger and Susan Stahman and Richard Routledge, who appears in the film and worked with Meek. Unrated.

Another highlight: horror film "The Sacrament" screens 3/5 at 9:15 p.m.

Two Vice media correspondents set out to document their friend’s search to find his missing sister. They travel outside the United States to an undisclosed location, where they are welcomed into the world of "Eden Parish." At the centre of this community is a mysterious leader known only as "Father".

The film stars Chattanooga actress Kate Forbes, who will be at the screening, along with lead actor AJ Bowen and producer Peter Phok.

"Cheap Thrills" screens 3/5 at 6:45 p.m. with star Pat Healy in attendance. 

Craig loses his job and is threatened with eviction. He heads to a local bar and meets an old friend. A wealthy stranger and his wife engage the two friends in a series of innocent dares in exchange for money, each challenge upping the ante in both reward and boundaries.

Festival director Chris Dortch says, "You will not have a better communal experience in a theater this year than this movie.  You will lose your mind over how funny it is."

Science-fiction film "Coherence" screens 3/5 at 12:45 p.m.

A mind-bending puzzle that twists logical thought to the breaking point. A group of friends gather on the night a strange celestial object passes overhead, causing reality and relationships to fracture.

Dortch says the film is "straight out of the 'Primer'... cerebral school of sci-fi.  It's just such an amazing film, and I hope folks give it a chance."

"The Raid 2"screens 3/6 at 2:30 p.m.

Immediately following the events of the original, The Raid 2 tracks Officer Rama as he is pressured to join an anticorruption task force to guarantee protection for his wife and child. His mission is to get close to a new mob boss by befriending his incarcerated son.

"It's, to me, set a bold new standard for what an action movie can even do," Dortch says.  "I cannot even tell you how amazing this film is."

Film screenings, mixers, panels and other events will take place at several downtown Chattanooga locations, including Carmike Majestic Theater, Hunter Museum of American Art, Alleia Restaurant, The Flying Squirrel, Loose Cannon Gallery, Society of Work and the Doubletree by Hilton.

The complete schedule is available on the festival's Web site.  Badges and VIP packages can be purchased at the Web site, as well.