Since 1998, the CineVegas Film Festival has sought to prove that there’s an ocean of difference between other celluloid events and “The World’s Most Dangerous Film Festival.” Appropriately enough, this year’s festival will open with the Las Vegas-set summer 2007 blockbuster “Ocean’s Thirteen,” it was announced today by Artistic Director Trevor Groth. The film’s producer Jerry Weintraub will be honored with the Vanguard Producer Award during opening night festivities —Lights, Camera, Take Action— on Wednesday, June 6 at 7:00pm at the Palms Casino, which will benefit the aid group, International Rescue Committee for Not On Our Watch, an organization whose initial campaign is to support existing Darfur humanitarian relief efforts and to ensure the protection of civilians in that region. Weintraub will be joined by his all-star cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Ellen Barkin and Andy Garcia in Las Vegas, where the festival President Robin Greenspun will present Weintraub and Not On Our Watch with a check representative of the proceeds of the festival’s fundraising efforts. The ninth annual CineVegas Film Festival returns to the Palms Casino Resort and Brenden Theatres from June 6-16.
In the third installment of the franchise, Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and the gang look to pull off their most ambitious and riskiest heist after ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) double-crosses Ocean’s friend and mentor Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould). Ocean’s plan is elaborate, dangerous and damn near impossible – but there are no limits when it comes to one of their own. Directed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, Ocean’s Thirteen (Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures) stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin and Al Pacino.
“CineVegas has truly hit the jackpot with ‘Ocean’s Thirteen,’” said festival Artistic Director Trevor Groth. “From the original – starring the iconic Vegas legends the “Rat-Pack” – through the first two installments of the new Ocean’s franchise, the films have emanated an unsurpassed coolness fueled by the essence of Las Vegas. CineVegas is honored to open the festival with a film based on our turf that will launch us into the stratosphere of global recognition.”
“Jerry has always been a producer of movies for the people and his body of work – from ‘Ocean’s’ to such films as ‘Diner,’ ‘Cruising’ and ‘Nashville’ – also proves that he cares deeply about taking chances and breaking cinematic new ground,” remarked festival President Robin Greenspun. “Besides being a major force in the film industry, Jerry is one of the most philanthropic individuals I know. It is our pleasure and honor to help him in his humanitarian efforts with Not On Our Watch.”
