See Hughes-inspired 'Drivers Ed Mutiny' at film fest
The spirit of John Hughes lives on in the surprisingly moving (pun intended) low-budget indie comedy "Drivers Ed Mutiny." Don't believe me? See for yourself when the comedy shows at the first Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival at 9:30 p.m. today at the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine.
Former Schaumburg resident and University of Iowa film grad Brad Hansen wrote and directed this homage to the late Chicago filmmaker. He shot it - with local indie cinematographer and Columbia College grad Jenny Stolte - right here in the Northwest suburbs and then across America.
The story traces three high school misfits who commandeer a drivers ed car and take off on a cross-country odyssey of self-discovery and introspection.
Tonight's presentation is a tightened up version of Hansen's feature that won a Gold Eddy Award earlier this year at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival.
"Drivers Ed Mutiny," produced by Columbia grad and Wheeling native Bryan Gerber, is guaranteed to put tear ducts in "mist" mode.
The Blue Whiskey fest is the brainchild of prolific local filmmaker and Fremd High School graduate Michael P. Noens with lots of support from CNGM Pictures, a group of mostly former Fremd film buddies who get together occasionally to make a movie or two. Or three.
Blue Whiskey tickets range from $12 to $40 for an all-fest pass. Go to bwiff.com or call (847) 202-5222.
'Eyes' have the secret The After Hours Film Society presents "The Secret in Their Eyes" at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Juan Jose Campanella's drama won the Oscar for best foreign language film, beating Germany's front-runner "The White Ribbon" for the honor. "Secret" details how a retired attorney in Buenos Aires writes a novel based on an uncracked cold case of a rape/murder while pining away for a female former colleague who has since become a judge. Tickets cost $9 for the public. Go to afterhoursfilmsociety.com or call (630) 534-4528.