FREE show Wednesday, August 22: MARLEY at Whistler Olympic Plaza

Film lovers will have another place to watch movies this summer – on the lawn, in the open air, under the stars at Whistler Olympic Plaza. Celestial Cinema  will take place on Wednesday nights from 8-10pm at Whistler Olympic Plaza as part of the Whistler Presents summer entertainment program. The dates are August 1, August 8, August 22 and August 29.

The Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) will be programming the Celestial Cinema screening series which will include a mix of crowd pleasers, audience and critic favorites.This open-air cinema featuring free, family-friendly outdoor film nights  will be hosted by the Film Festival’s Programming Manager Angie Nolan.

Bring your lawn chairs to sit on, blankets to get cozy under and picnic baskets, or pick some snacks and hot chocolate from one of the many eateries lining the plaza or in the village. All ages are welcome and all films will be rated PG or G (Parental Guidance or General). Smoking and alcohol will not be permitted.

The series is weather permitting and will be moved to Millennium Place in the event of rain showers with seating available for free on a first come first serve basis.  The call will be made at 6:00 pm on the evening of the screenings. WFFS gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Province of BC to produce the series.

Wednesday, August 22: MARLEY

Director: Kevin Macdonald  Featuring: Bob Marley (Archival Footage), Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley, Jimmy Cliff

“I think what’s great about the film is though there have been a lot of things done on Bob, I think this one will give people a more emotional connection to Bob’s life as a man – not just as a reggae legend or a mythical figure, but his life as a man.” – Ziggy Marley

“Marley, an ambitious and comprehensive film, does what is probably the best possible job of documenting an important life.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

From Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (One Day In September, The Last King of Scotland) comes the story of a towering figure of musical history, whose music and message has transcended different cultures, languages and creeds to resonate around the world today as powerfully as when he was alive. Bob Marley’s universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. MARLEY is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.

Wednesday, August 29: SCORE: A HOCKEY MUSICAL

Director: Michael McGowan  Starring: Noah Reid, Allie McDonald, Olivia Newton-John, Marc Jordan, Nelly Furtado

“A warm, irreverent and irresistibly goofy love letter to Canada’s national pastime, “Score: A Hockey Musical” pretty much says it all, serving up singing-and-dancing hockey players, gentle satire and even musical icon Olivia Newton-John, in one unapologetically pleasant package.” Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter

Featuring a long list of famous Canadian cameos, Score: A Hockey Musical is a love letter to Canada that is a wry celebration of all the qualities that define us as a people – kindness, politeness, self-effacement and an ability to poke fun at ourselves. The story centres on Farley Gordon (Noah Reid), a 17-year-old who’s led a sheltered life, raised on a diet of organic living, home schooling and trips to the art gallery. His best friend is Eve (Allie MacDonald), the girl who’s lived next door since they were both three. Much to the dismay of his intellectual parents (Olivia Newton-John and Marc Jordan), Farley loves to play shinny with the local rink rats. To their even greater dismay, Farley is signed by a junior league team, where his stick-handling skills make him an instant star. But Farley discovers that hockey fame comes with a price, including the expectation to fight on the ice. Throw in a changing relationship with Eve – and Farley finds himself losing his way.