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Summary: 17-film Festival Covers Much Ground (Press, 22 April 1982)
The Canterbury Film Festival, set to commence on 23 April 1982 at the Avenue in Riccarton, offers a diverse programme over two weeks, featuring 17 international films aimed at a variety of audiences. Among the films is "Gloria" (showing on 23 April), directed by John Cassavetes, which presents a fresh take on the classic gangster genre, led by Gena Rowlands in a powerful performance. On the same day, "The Glacier Fox" (2 p.m.) explores the life of a shy animal through concealed camera work, while "She Dances Alone" (5.30 p.m.) is a dramatised documentary featuring Nijinsky's daughter, mixing fact with fiction in a humorous and poignant narrative. The festival continues on 24 April with a double feature including "J-Men Forever" and "Little Shop of Horrors" at 8 p.m. This pairing of films, noted for their bad taste, offers a satirical take on J. Edgar Hoover’s policies and a humorous monster movie, respectively. Monday, 25 April features "Oblomov" (8.15 p.m.), a Russian comedy that delves into the theme of laziness as the protagonist struggles against the desire to avoid responsibility. On Tuesday, "Renaldo and Clara" (8.15 p.m.) recounts Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue tour, blending concert footage with improvised scenes related to his lyrics. Wednesday, 27 April sees the screening of "From Mao to Mozart" (8.15 p.m.), featuring violinist Isaac Stern's journey through China in 1979, showcasing Western music's brief reintroduction to the country. Late-night sessions from 29-30 April present "Army of Lovers" ("Revolt of the Perverts") (11 p.m.), which tackles the evolution of gay identity in America, along with two screenings of "Some Like It Hot" (8.15 p.m. on 30 April and 5.30 p.m. on 1 May)—often regarded as one of the greatest American comedies. 1 May also features "The Tinderbox" (2 p.m.), a Danish animated adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, while "Cutter's Way" and "Windows" (8 p.m.) offer more adult themes, exploring corruption and voyeurism, respectively. On 3 May, "Hullabaloo" (8.15 p.m.) presents a comedy against the backdrop of the disintegrating British Raj, whereas "Lemon Popsicle" (8.15 p.m. on 4 May) gives a lighthearted take on teenage life in the 1950s. The festival concludes with "Romance on Lushan Mountain" (8.15 p.m. on 5 May), a significant film from China that aims for international audiences, followed by "The Stalker" (8.15 p.m. on 6 May), a Russian film whose release had been previously restricted by Soviet authorities. This broad selection reflects the festival's intention to cater to a wide range of cinematic tastes, highlighting both classic and contemporary works, and invites local audiences to engage with diverse storytelling from across the globe.
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