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ASPEN FILMFEST 2010
The 32nd annual Aspen Filmfest will be held September 29 - October 3, 2010. Discover the latest and greatest in independent film from all over the world, along with up-and-coming directors and actors who push the boundaries of movie making.
FILMFEST KEY DATES
labor day weekend sneak program peek + special guests announced
sept 8 full program announced and in print + online
sept 15 tix on sale to the general public at aspen show tickets at the wheeler
SPECIAL OPENING NIGHT PROGRAM - Screening + Live Concert
An evening celebrating the 70th anniversary of John Lennon's Birth!
THE QUARRYMEN John Lennon’s Original Band
+ A Sneak Preview of the Upcoming New Feature Film "NOWHERE BOY"
NOWHERE BOY captures and conveys the crucial formative teenage years of John Lennon. For the first time on screen, it depicts the events and personal circumstances that led to the formation of the Beatles—and the underlying family currents that shaped and molded the creative and inspirational qualities of John Lennon. Qualities that had a revolutionary impact on the world during his brief 40 years of life—and that continue to have immense effect 30 years after his death.
Imagine… John Lennon's teenage years. Liverpool 1955. A smart and troubled fifteen-year-old is hungry for experience and a desire to escape the complexities of his family life and the petty-minded mentality of post-war Britain. In a family full of secrets, two strong women clash over John (Aaron Johnson): Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), the free-spirited mother who for personal reasons gave John away in his infancy—and her sister Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas), the buttoned-up Aunt who stepped in and raised John. John grasps at music as his escape path and in particular the brand-new import from America—rock ‘n' roll. The fledgling musician finds a kindred spirit in the teenage Paul McCartney (Thomas Brodie Sangster) and forms the band that becomes The Beatles. Just as John is embarking on his new life, tragedy strikes. But John channels his anger into creativity and uses his personal pain for his music. The story ends as the young man leaves home and heads to Hamburg with his band. The rest truly is history… Special thanks to The Weinstein Company (U.S. Distributor).
Director: Sam Taylor-Wood
Cast: Aaron Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Anne-Marie Duff, Thomas Brodie Sangster, David Threlfall, Josh Bolt
The Band That Became the Beatles – The Quarrymen
In 1956, a 15-year-old Liverpool schoolboy named John Lennon recruited five of his closest friends to join him in a musical group called The Quarrymen. Over a four-year period the group lineup changed and new members joined. Among the newcomers were Paul McCartney (July 1957) and George Harrison (in February 1958). By early 1960, John, Paul and George comprised the nucleus of the band. In the summer of 1960, the teenage trio changed their band name from The Quarrymen to The Beatles. After adding a new drummer in 1962, things turned out quite well for them...
During the four years that the band performed as The Quarrymen (1956-1960) - a total of eight youngsters passed through the ranks as full members - with a handful of others lending an occasional hand. The three surviving founding members - all hand-picked by Lennon to be in the first lineup of his group - have reformed the band and are celebrating the 70th birthday of their friend and band-mate with a tour of the USA in September/October 2010 - they will play all the key songs that the Quarrymen played with John, Paul & George over the band's four-year run.
• Rod Davis (guitar & banjo). Founder-member. First became friends with John at Sunday School at the age of 5. And then attended grammar school with him through the age of 17.
• Len Garry (guitar & home-made "tea-chest" bass). Founder-member. Longtime schoolmate of Paul who also became very close to John. He played with the band on Paul's first few months with the band and only left the group when he contracted tubercular meningitis.
• Colin Hanton (drums). Founder-member. The Quarrymen's first and only drummer. He played at all the band's live shows till 1959. He also drummed on the band's first two recordings made in 1958.
 
ABOUT ASPEN FILMFEST
Coinciding with Autumn's changing leaves, Aspen Filmfest offers a five-day feast of film and fall color that satisfies filmmakers and film lovers alike. With an emphasis on independent productions from around the world, Aspen Filmfest champions filmmaking at its finest.
Intimate in scale and celebratory in tone, Filmfest offers new features and documentaries, as well as unique presentations, special events, and family films. Special programs include tributes to distinguished artists. Past honorees include such luminaries as Julie Christie, Harrison Ford, Rob Reiner, Sydney Pollack, Bob Rafelson, Michael Douglas, Anjelica Huston and William H. Macy.
LAST YEAR'S HIGHLIGHTS...
Aspen Filmfest 2009 Audience Favorite Feature - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire Directed by Lee Daniels
Aspen Filmfest 2009 Audience Favorite Documentary - Sergio Directed by Greg Barker
Aspen Filmfest 2009 Special Awards:
Independent by Nature Award - Stanley Tucci
New Directions Award - Jason Reitman
Artist To Watch Award - Paula Patton
For more information on Aspen Filmfest's past programs, please see our Filmfest Archives section.
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