Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage, who has starred in both dramas and comedies over the years, will headline the 15th Virginia Film Festival this year, the festival board announced Saturday.
Cage will participate in two of the festival's events, including the presentation of his directorial debut, "Sonny," at Culbreth Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.
Richard Herskowitz, artistic director of the festival, said the event will be a "perfect opportunity" for Cage to present himself as an actor and director.
Herskowitz added that film critic Roger Ebert also will attend the screening.
"Roger Ebert has a reputation of being a great interviewer," he said.
At past Virginia Film Festivals Ebert has interviewed other famous actors, including Anthony Hopkins.
"Sonny" stars James Franco, Brenda Blethyn and Mena Suvari. The story revolves around a young man, Sonny, (Franco) who lives in New Orleans and is forced to abide by the family tradition of male prostitution. In his extreme desire to free himself from the confines of his existing lifestyle, Franco joins the Army.
In addition to the screening of "Sonny," Cage will introduce "Leaving Las Vegas," the movie that won him the 1996 Academy Award as Best Actor. This film, directed by Mike Figgis, stars Cage opposite Elizabeth Shue. This love story delineates Cage as an executive who is fired from his job and ends up moving to Las Vegas where he becomes an alcoholic.
"We invited Cage when we found out about his new film," Herskowitz said. "In addition to that, we felt that his previous film 'Leaving Las Vegas' would perfectly fit the theme of the festival -- Wet.He will be here for the day of the show and leave the next day."
Cage was invited by a friend, Doro Bachrach, who is part of the Advisory Board, Herskowitz said.
The theme of this year's film festival is "WET" and will display films exploring water imagery.
Wesley Hottot, the artistic director of OFFScreen independent foreign and classic film group, described the theme as "a gutsy move, yet a fantastic one."
He added that "the theme of water imagery may not be as clear as that of Film Noir, but it is yet a very interesting one. It gives us an insight into the breadth and depth of [Herskowitz's] knowledge."
The festival, scheduled to take place Oct. 24 to Oct. 27, will include screenings, workshops and discussions held around Grounds and the Downtown Mall.
The installations and performances are coordinated by University students from various art departments and is co-sponsored by the Virginia Film Festival and the McIntire Department of Art.
In addition to Cage, Sissy Spacek will discuss her 1984 film "The River" and film critic Roger Ebert will conduct a three-day workshop on the 1974 film "Chinatown." Todd Haynes also will present his premiere drama "Far from Heaven."
Tickets for the events will be sold at the Drama Box office and online at www.vafilm.com.
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