Tucci set to revisit old films

John Waters is not the only filmmaker appearing in Utah as part of the weeklong Sundance Institute 25th anniversary retrospective program.

Stanley Tucci will be hosting Saturday night festivities at the Broadway Centre Cinemas, 111 E. 300 South, with a Q&A session beginning at 7:30. They will include screenings of his films "Big Night" (1996) and "Joe Gould's Secret" (2000), both of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. (A third film he directed, 1998's "The Impostors," also premiered at Sundance, but isn't being shown.)

A much-in-demand character actor, Tucci has been keeping busy with film and television projects, including the upcoming TV program "3 lbs.," in which he plays a neurosurgeon. But he said he's cleared time in his rather cluttered schedule to help promote the Sundance Institute and its various programs.

"Considering how much they've done for me and my career, this is the least I could do," the 45-year-old filmmaker said in a phone interview from New York City. "I have the utmost respect for the Sundance Institute. There's a lot more to it than just the Sundance Film Festival — as important as it is."

And he's looking forward to returning to Utah, though he'll be appearing in Salt Lake City, rather than Park City, the festival's "official" home.

"The audiences there always seem to appreciate what I do and have been terrific. And it will be nice to revisit those movies, so I can try to correct any mistakes with the next movie I make," he said, noting that he's planning to direct a film next year titled "Blind Date." (Tucci's frequent co-workers and friends Tony Shalhoub and Patricia Clarkson will be among the cast.)

The weeklong Sundance retrospective will include a panel discussion Saturday afternoon and showings of films that have appeared at previous festivals, including the award-winning sports documentary "Hoop Dreams," the science-fiction thriller "Primer" and the drama "Gas Food Lodging."

A full schedule of programs scheduled at the Tower and Broadway is online at www.saltlakefilmsociety.org and www.towertheatre.com. Or for more information, call 321-0310.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com