From Deseret News archives:
Foursite Film Festival is returning with some edgier movies this year
The Foursite Film Festival, an Ogden-based movie event that touts the fact that its cinematic selections are "all in good taste," returns this year with a slate of films that are perhaps the edgiest in its six-year history.
For example, this year's festival opens March 4 with the premiere of a movie titled "Saving God."
However, festival organizers note that the PG-13-rated film is actually a redemption drama. "Saving God" follows a former gang member (played by Ving Rhames) who becomes a preacher after he is released from prison.
And Foursite's founder and director, Scott C. Halford, says the movie is a fitting festival selection because it is "diverse, original, independent … successful without controversy." (Halford's own short film, "Father Forgive Me," will precede the feature attraction.)
Seven more features were selected for this year's programming, which include the movies:
"Hi My Name Is Ryan," a locally produced documentary about a colorful Arizona teen.
The documentary "Inheritance of War," which looks at U.S. Army soldiers held prisoner in the Philippines during World War II.
"The Long Look on Life," Michael Paul's documentary about drug use among the homeless.
The noir thriller "Yesterday Was a Lie," which has some science-fiction elements and which features co-stars Chase Masterson ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") and Peter Mayhew (the original "Star Wars" trilogy).
More than 50 films in all — including local productions, student-made projects and shorts — will be shown during Foursite's four-day run this year.
And for those who are looking for something that's appropriate for all ages, this year's Foursite programming includes two days' worth of kid's films.
(Halford added that the festival Web site, www.foursitefilmfest.com, includes information on which films may feature mature themes or language.)
According to Halford, Foursite "celebrates cinema" and gives filmmakers an opportunity to show off their work. He added that it also provides more film choices for local audiences. "In this way, Ogden will be able to fully embrace the growing motion picture industry in Utah."
Halford said he is "extremely proud of the growth and notoriety (Foursite) has achieved over the past several years." He added that on average the festival has hosted 50 filmmakers each year.
His nonprofit Foursite Institute operates out of offices in downtown Ogden that include production facilities, and he said he hopes that it may give local filmmakers the opportunity to make and produce their own films.
As for the festival's unusual name, Foursite does use four different venues for screenings and other events: the Megaplex 13 at the Junction, Peery's Egyptian Theater, Treehouse Children's Museum and the Wildcat Theater at Weber State University.
(Some previous incarnations of the festival went by the less-impressive Just Another Film Festival moniker.)
If you go
What: The 2009 Foursite Film FestivalWhere: Megaplex 13 at the Junction, Peery's Egyptian Theater, Treehouse Children's Museum and Wildcat Theater (Weber State University), Ogden
When: March 4-7
How much: $10 ($7 for students and senior citizens)
Phone: 801-621-0616
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com
