News Fri Oct 17 2008

Reel Sports

By Ken Green

While you might think it's all angst-ridden, Ingmar Bergman-esque examinations of man's search for his place in the universe (and taking at least three hours to find it), the Chicago International Film Festival has something even sports fans might like. Several of the films at this year's festival use an athletic backdrop to tell stories of struggle and achievement. So consider giving the television remote a rest and checking out some of the following (all info taken from the official CIFF website):

Kassim The Dream
(Dir. - Kief Davidson)
Friday, Oct. 25, 5:50 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m.
River East 21 Theater (7)

Kidnapped by rebel soldiers at the age of six. A war-hardened veteran by 12. A boxing champion at 15. Kassim "The Dream" Ouma's extraordinary journey from Ugandan child solider to world-class athlete is a tale of survival and determination that turns tragedy into inspiration. 87 min.

Olympic Dreams
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.
River East 21 Theater (5)

As Chicago gears up for its 2016 Olympic bid, join us for a very special free event showcasing scenes from classic Olympics-related films and a screening of the Chicago 2016 Committee's official short films used to champion our fair city as a gold-medal contender for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The evening will include behind-the-scenes discussions with the filmmakers behind the shorts, aspiring Olympic athletes featured in the films, and other special guests. Join us on the journey to get the Games.

This is a free ticketed event.

The Wrestler
(Dir. - Darren Aronofsky)
Today (Friday), 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m.
River East 21 Theater (9)

In the late '80s, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, 20 years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of diehard wrestling fans in gyms around New Jersey. Estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and unable to sustain any real relationships, Randy lives only for the thrill of the show. However, a heart attack forces him into retirement. As his sense of identity starts to slip away, he tries to reconnect with his daughter and strikes up a blossoming romance with an aging stripper (Marisa Tomei). Yet all this cannot compare to the allure of the ring, which threatens to pull Randy back into his world of wrestling. Director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) presents this powerful portrait of a battered dreamer. 105 min.

Truth In 24
(Dirs. - Keith Cossrow, Bennett Viseltear)
Saturday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
River East 21 Theater (7)

At the infamous, endurance-testing 24 Hours of LeMans auto race in France, the German Audi Sport team is looking to upset the local favorite, Team Peugeot, for its fifth straight win. In this high-octane documentary, Sports Emmy Award-winning directors Cossrow and Viseltear shadow the Audi camp to discover the high-tech genius of engineers and drivers as they set out to make history. 100 min.