20.1°C Not observed 
Whistler – LUNAFLIKS: Just when you thought the LUNA movie season was over, the late-night alternative event producers have one last screening up their sleeves on Friday (Sept. 5). And for those of you heading off to school this week, or sending your offspring back to the hallowed halls, this double feature is the perfect way to kick off the school year.
At sundown (about 8 p.m.) at Blackcomb Base II, the classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off begins the back-to-school movie fest with a film that’s all about skipping school for a day. Starring Matthew Broderick as the title character, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off follows the most impossibly popular boy in school on a series of misadventures with his girlfriend and best friend. If you’ve not seen this classic at least five times by now – welcome back from the coma! The film has given us classic and quotable lines (“Bueller? …Bueller? …Bueller?”) and memorable scenes – and it still stands the comedic test of time.
The evening’s second feature, The Breakfast Club, is another classic school movie that brings back lots of memories and also stands the test of time. With a truly fantastic ensemble cast featuring Charlie Sheen, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall, this is an endearing look at high school cliques and what lies beneath the stereotypical jock, tough guy, weirdo, prom queen and nerd. Anyone who has been to high school will recognize a bit of her or himself in this movie and in every character. You’ll also have Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me” playing in your head for days after.
Parking is first-come, first-served and if you don¹t have a car, you can grab a seat in the event’s school bus. But no horsing around back there! Admission is $8 per person and $20 per car, with a discount being offered to Club Shred and LUNA members. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the Whistler Employment Resource Centre, in the Chamber of Commerce office by the taxi loop until Friday at 5 p.m. Everyone who attends will be entered into a raffle for great back-to-school prizes. The film screenings will be cancelled if it rains.
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DOC TALK: If you’re a documentary producer with an idea you think just can’t miss, time’s running out to get your proposal in to have the opportunity to mingle with industry professionals and participate in Pitch Fest West, a part of Doc Talk at Whistler.
Doc Talk, part of the 2008 Whistler Film Festival, is a two-day documentary conference in Whistler that showcases Western Canadian documentary production talent to broadcasters from around the world. Highlights of the conference include case studies, master classes and panels, one-on-one meetings, networking events with broadcasters and distributors as well as the signature event — Pitch Fest West on Dec. 3. Up to 10 documentary producers will pitch projects to Canadian and international broadcasters in front of a live audience for feedback and potential partnership. Producers must be residents of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or the Yukon. The deadline for applications is Oct. 1. Go to whistlerfilmfestival.com for more information.
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REEL ALTERNATIVES: Since we’re on the subject of movies and the Whistler Film Festival folks already, you can now buy special subscription packages to the monthly Reel Alternatives film screenings that start Oct. 15. The new subscription packages guarantee a ticket to every screening, plus free bonus tickets to the 2008 Whistler Film Festival screenings and events. The limited packages range in price from $65 to $135. More info can be found at www.whistlerfilmfestival.com.
The first Reel Alternatives movie, Before the Rains, hits the Village 8 Cinemas on Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Regular admission is $12.
