Clint Eastwood’s ‘Jersey Boys’ to Close L.A. Film Festival
Warner Bros.’ “Jersey Boys,” directed by Clint Eastwood, will be the closing night film for the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 19.
The film stars John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, Vincent Piazza and Christopher Walken. Warner Bros. will open the film the next day.
Other key titles announced Tuesday for galas include Ira Sachs’ “Love Is Strange,” Justin Simien’s “Dear White People” and Hossein Amini’s “The Two Faces of January.”
The narrative competition includes Lee Yong-Seung’s “Ten Minutes,” Sam Esmail’s “Comet,” Dave Boyle’s “Man from Reno,” Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia’s “Recommended by Enrique,” Kimberly Levin’s “Runoff,” Pernille Fischer Christensen’s “Someone You Love,” Nathan Silver’s “Uncertain Terms” and Kerem Sanga’s “The Young Kieslowski.”
The documentary competition includes William J. Saunders’ “Billy Mize and the Bakersfield Sound,” Gabriel London’s “The Life and Mind of Mark DeFriest,” Geeta V. Patel and Ravi V. Patel’s “Meet the Patels,” Farida Pacha’s “My Name Is Salt,” Blair Dorosh-Walther’s “Out in the Night,” N.C. Heiken’s “Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story,” Debra Granik’s “Stray Dog” and Eliza Kubarska’s “Walking Under Water.”
The festival had announced last month that Bong Joon-ho’s “Snowpiercer” would be the opening night film on June 11. The festival, now in its 20th year, is centered in downtown Los Angeles at L.A. Live and its Regal Cinemas.
The festival, which runs from June 11 to 19, will screen nearly 200 films. Pedro Almadovar’s “I’m So Excited” opened last year’s festival.
Lisa Cholodenko will serve as guest director, and Sony Pictures Classics’ Tom Bernard and Michael Barker will receive the Spirit of Independence Award.
The festival includes 35 premieres, including 23 world premieres. Programs include a Master Class with producer/composer Atticus Ross; a conversation with Key and Peele; and the Festival’s annual celebration of women’s achievements in film “Women Who Call the Shots: A Celebration of Women Directors and Showrunners,” featuring Debra Granik, Nicole Holofcener, Marta Kauffman and Gina Prince-Bythewood.
The festival has also partnered with Funny Or Die to launch Make ’em LAFF, an internet talent search to discover content creators of color and underrepresented voices who specialize in comedy.
“Los Angeles has nurtured the collective hopes and dreams of generations,” said festival director Stephanie Allain, Festival Director. “This year in honor of our 20th anniversary, we’re putting the spotlight on films, conversations and performances inspired by the spirit of L.A. Many events are One Night Only so come out and celebrate!”
Related stories
Watch: Clint Eastwood's 'Jersey Boys' Gets First Trailer
Lisa Cholodenko Set as Guest Director for L.A. Film Festival
'Snowpiercer' to Open L.A. Film Festival
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
Solve the daily Crossword
