Film News: DAY NINE of 54th Chicago International Film Festival Highlights a ‘Boy Erased’

CHICAGO – DAY EIGHT of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Thursday, October 18th, 2018, spotlights one of the most sensitive and important message films of the years, the stark “Boy Erased,” directed, adapted and featuring Joel Edgerton. Also catch up with Short Films in three programs.

’Boy Interrupted’ on Day Nine of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival/Focus Features

EVENTS An appearance by actor Joel Edgerton on behalf of his new film, “Boy Erased.” Edgerton makes his directorial debut, adapted the screenplay from a memoir by Garrard Conley (who also appears) and has a key supporting role. The film is a 54th CIFF “Gala Presentation” and begins at 6pm. For more information, click here [18].

FILM OF THE DAY “BOY ERASED” (USA) One of the best American films of the year, this story is vital to our current society, and features a stellar cast of Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe and Joel Edgerton. Set in Texas and based on a true-life memoir by the Jared character (Hedges), it involves the high school Senior’s fear of coming out as gay. But as he is eventually discovered to be so by his parents (Crowe and Kidman), the next phase is his forced participation in so-called “conversion therapy” – that is religious based – to “cure him of his homosexuality.” The film exposes the fraud and horror of this medieval practice, still legal in over 30 states. The god in this film is the bright light shined on this terrible torture, cynically facilitated by sleazy profiteers. An important and necessary exposé.

WATCH OUT FOR… Three Short Film programs… “City & State” showcases Chicago and Illinois filmmakers, “Comedy” is one of the “Spotlight” themes at the Fest, and “Animation” puts a cartoon spin on mini-length movies. (click here [19] for the Short Film overview ).

[21]	By PATRICK McDONALD [22] Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [21]