The Last Showgirl to open Whistler Film Festival as it unveils full program of 118 movies
Running December 4 to 8, fest features expanded series and major offerings like Ben Affleck-helmed Unstoppable, Queer with Daniel Craig and Jason Schwartzman, and September 5 with Peter Sarsgaard
Pamela Anderson in The Last Showgirl.
Universal Language.
THE WHISTLER FILM Festival has announced that its opening-night film on December 4 will be the Vegas-set The Last Showgirl, starring Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis.
The event unveiled the entire program for its 24th edition this morning, with 118 films screening and expanded programs running from December 4 to 8.
Other big titles announced today include September 5 (with Peter Sarsgaard and Ben Chaplin) and Queer (with Daniel Craig and Jason Schwartzman).
Canada’s Oscar contender Universal Language, the absurdist tryptic set between Winnipeg and Tehran, will also be screened. Elsewhere in the Canadian programming, Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties: The Bubbles and the Sh*trockers Story follows Bubbles (screenplay writer Mike Smith of Trailer Park Boys) and his band the Sh*trockers as they head out on a European tour opening for Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters. Guest stars include musicians Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan, Nashville’s Lennon Stella and Maisy Stella, and Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen. There’s also Heretic, the buzz-worthy thriller starring Hugh Grant, shot primarily in Squamish with music supervised by Vancouver’s Natasha Duprey. The fest previously announced other Canadian films on the program here.
Music fans will want to check out a new program titled Play It Loud!, launching December 5 with the world premiere of Blue Rodeo: Lost Together; band founders Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy, plus director Dale Heslip, will be in attendance. Elsewhere, Maria Markina’s documentary Harkness follows the Toronto musician of the same name as he releases his debut album, cleaning bathrooms in dingy venues prior to his gigs. Alison Tavel’s Resynator traces a young woman’s quest to revive her late father’s forgotten music synthesizer and uncovers hidden truths about his life and legacy. Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted, directed by Isaac Gale and Ryan Olson, delves into the lives of cult musician Swamp Dogg, and housemates MoogStar and Guitar Shorty, who turn their suburban L.A. home into a haven from the turbulent music business.
The fest is also expanding its Mountain Culture showcase for all things alpine, beyond adventure sports.
The Content Summit, WFF’s industry and networking component, announces its slate of programming later this week. Approximately 1,200 filmmakers and industry professionals are expected to attend.
The festival will once again take place in the former Village 8 Cinemas in the heart of Whistler Village, with additional screenings happening in the Whistler Conference Centre’s Rainbow Theatre, Maury Young Arts Centre, and Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
Tickets are now available individually and in packs at whistlerfilmfestival.com. 
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