PORT TOWNSEND — With the appearance of a film icon as its special guest, the 15th annual Port Townsend Film Festival has gained greater legitimacy with connoisseurs, according to its executive director.
The festival, which will screen 84 films at seven venues in Port Townsend this Friday through Sunday, is hosting John Sayles and Maggie Renzi, a team responsible for powerful films about the path toward social justice, according to Janette Force, who is in her fifth year of running the festival.
“Bringing in a visionary producer-director-writer gives us some gravitas about film — not just about entertainment but insight into the social experience,” Force said.
“John and Maggie have worked tirelessly in films about social justice and issues of race.
“They’ve been visionaries in the racial conversation in America.”
While Sayles has never had huge commercial success, his movies have resonated with audiences who aren’t attracted to mainstream fare.
He has written, directed and edited 18 films, including “Return of the Secaucus 7” (1979), “The Brother from Another Planet,” (1984) “The Secret of Roan Inish” (1994) and “Lone Star” (1996), the latter two of which will be screened during the festival.
He joins a list of 14 other special guests, all of whom have impressive film resumes, beginning with Tony Curtis in 2000.
Those following were Eva Marie Saint, 2001; Patricia Neal and Stewart Stern, 2002; Peter Fonda and Shirley Knight, 2003; Jane Powell and Dickie Moore, 2004; Debra Winger and Arliss Howard, 2005; Malcolm McDowell, 2006; Elliott Gould, 2007; Piper Laurie, 2008; Cloris Leachman, 2009; Dyan Cannon, 2010; Buck Henry, 2011; Bruce Dern, 2012; and Karen Allen, 2013.
Sayles, not a well-known celebrity, is an atypical addition to the list.
“What’s really been wonderful for us is the number of people who’ve said, ‘Oh, my gosh, John Sayles,’” Force said.
“The difference between star appeal and having a cinematic icon, someone who’s really changed the industry, is resonating for people and shows audiences that film isn’t just about entertainment but also insight into the total human experience.”
A highlight of past festivals has been the special guest’s appearance in the Port Townsend High School library, where he or she engages in intimate, personal conversations about the art of film and the trappings of celebrity.
This has changed this year. Sayles and Renzi will address the students at 1:10 p.m. Friday in the Port Townsend High School auditorium, 1500 Van Ness St., in an appearance that is free and open to the general public.
“When you have a guest that so many people are eager to hear and meet, if we can make that possible for the public and the people who aren’t able to or willing to purchase passes, we want to do that,” Force said.
The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. Friday at the corner of Washington and Taylor streets, where guests will be introduced before a ribbon-cutting for the weekend.
The free event includes performances by Rhythm Planet and the Marilyn Monroes, who will perform a synchronized routine with lawn chairs.
Dinner for festival attendees will be served by the Silverwater Cafe on Taylor Street.
Free movies will be shown each night at 7:30 on an inflatable screen; Sayles’ “The Secret of Roan Inish” is on Friday, followed by “The Black Stallion” on Saturday and “Annie Hall” on Sunday, at the Taylor Street Outdoor Cinema at 211 Taylor St.
Unlike past years, hay-bale seating will be limited, so attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Other changes this year include using the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St., as the large venue and a conversion to all-digital projection for the six indoor venues.
In addition to the Taylor Street Outdoor Theater, free films will be shown at the Peter Simpson Free Cinema at the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St.
Along with the Northwest Maritime Center, venues that require passes will be at Rose Theatre and Rosebud Cinema, both at 235 Taylor St.; Starlight Room, 237 Taylor St.; and Key City Public Theatre, 419 Washington St.
Force said nearly 300 people have volunteered for the festival, including a “geek” team of 20 that is handling all of the projection technology.
A variety of passes are available, from the $35 “one pass” to the $1,250 “mogul pass,” which entitles the bearer to all-area access.
Force said the best value is the $100 “six-pack,” which includes tickets to six films that can be shared by two or more people.
People without passes can purchase $12 “rush” tickets for any screening if seats are available.
All passes include one year of membership in the Port Townsend Film Festival.
For more information, visit www.ptfilmfest.com or phone 360-379-1333.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
