The 12th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival will present 20 features and over 130 short films at the Music Box Theatre from August 18 - 25, 2005. CUFF’s programming committee screened well over 1500 submissions to select this year’s lineup.
Based on actual events, FIRECRACKER, the critically acclaimed second feature by Steve Balderson, will make its Midwest Premiere on Opening Night, Thursday August 18. Set against the stark beauty of Middle America, this story of abuse, suffering and denial stars Mike Patton (Tomahawk, Fantomas) and Oscar nominee Karen Black, each playing dual roles. When Jimmy is lured away from his abusive family by a traveling sideshow carnival, he encounters Sandra, one of the main attractions. The happiness they find together will force them to confront the darkness in their lives.
The first film by director John Roecker LIVE FREAKY! DIE FREAKY! makes its Midwest debut on Closing Night, Thursday August 25th. The film is described as “an ultra-twisted, two-years-in-the-making, pornographic, stop-motion animation musical comedy retelling of the Manson crimes (!), voiced by a legion of punk rock icons (including Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day as the voice of Charles Manson!)
For more info, visit the Chicago Underground Film Festival website.
