Canadian films profiled on the beach
Nikos Theodosakis will treat Penticton to the best the Canadian film industry has to offer at the Beach Blanket Film Festival
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Updated: July 15, 2009 9:05 AM
A batch of Canadian films will be featured on the big screen floating on Okanagan Lake this weekend for the 16th annual Beach Blanket Film Festival.
The three day festival, which runs from July 17-19, kicks off with The Stone of Destiny — an adventure/comedy that will be played on the full size screen floating 25-feet offshore.
Entertainment for Friday nights kick off to the film festival will be Ari Neufeld.
On Saturday the Canadian drama Only brings viewers to a small Northern Ontario town to follow Daniel, a 12-year-old who befriends a girl who changes his life.
Over the course of a single day, they venture on a journey, exploring deep secrets, dark fears and first love.
Canada’s contender for the Best Film in a Foreign Language at the Oscars, The Necessities of Life, will be the finale on Sunday.
The film uses a 1950s-era tuberculosis epidemic in the Far North as its starting point. The spread of the disease forced many Inuit to go to various Canadian cities for treatment. Uprooted, far from his loved one TIvii (Natar Ungalaaq) is faced with a completely alien world and finds himself unable to communicate with anyone.
By sharing his culture with a young boy who is also sick, Tivii rediscovers his pride, energy and hope.
“Definitely it’s an all-Canadian feast,” said film festival creator Nikos Theodosakis. “There is a few of us on the film fest committee who have researched to see what is playing at different film festivals across Canada and the world to see which films we should consider for our event. We also have watched them ourselves and we hear of films from friends in the film industry or people have been to our festival in the past that have suggestions. It’s a combination of recommendations from audience, friends and tradespeople.”
Theodosakis said it is best to get to Okanagan Lake Park early and bring along a lawn chair, or, if preferred a blanket to sit on the beach with. It is also suggested to bring a sweater or jacket so viewers are prepared if the weather changes. Beverages and light snacks are available for purchase at the event.
Gates open at 8 p.m. at Okanagan Lake Park beside the Lakeside Resort and entertainment starts at 9 p.m..
Tickets are $10 per evening pass, $25 for a weekend pass and $35 for a one evening family pass (two adults, two children).
To purchase tickets visit www.beachblanketfilmfest.ca or Theo’s Restaurant, The Penticton Lakeside Resort, The Green Beanz Cafe or buy at the gate.
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