Calgary Cinematheque is excited to present a 25th Anniversary screening of "My Own Private Idaho", with Calgary's Gay History Project.

At 7:00PM, as the last attendees take their seats, the main event will begin! Calgary Cinematheque is pleased to present My Own Private Idaho (1991), written and directed by Gus Van Sant, as part of the 2016-17 FOCUS Series: AMERICAN INDEPENDENT CINEMA OF THE NINETIES.

Gus Van Sant had only released a few shorts prior to the success of “Drugstore Cowboy”. The controversial subject matter, non-traditional approach to Shakespeare’s Henry IV, and innovative storytelling of “My Own Private Idaho” made production and casting even more difficult. Even after Keanu Reeves was on board, it took a 5000KM+ journey by Reeves over the Christmas holidays on his 1974 Norton Commando motorcycle to deliver the script personally, to get River Phoenix on board. It was worth it.

In his review for Rolling Stone magazine, Peter Travers wrote, "Van Sant's clear eyed, unsentimental approach to a plot that pivots on betrayal and death is reflected in magnetic performances from Reeves and Phoenix." Phoenix went on to win multiple awards for his work, including “Volpi Cup for Best Actor” at it’s release in the Venice Film Festival, and Best Male Lead from the Independent Spirit Awards, and Best Actor from the National Society of Film Critics.

The 1990’s was a high point for American independent film and many of the directors who entered with a bang, like Kelly Reichardt and Todd Haynes, continue today to create works that stand out at Sundance and Tribeca. This series spotlights the breakout films that pushed against mainstream norms and first brought attention to these unique voices.

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We look forward to seeing you there! With more news about our 10th Anniversary Season being released every week, stay in touch via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our Member Newsletter. We'd love to hear from you.

FAQs

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please feel free to reach out via programming (a) calgarycinema.org.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Plaza Theatre and Kensington have on-street parking, and parkades off 9th St SW or off Memorial Drive SW.

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

Your tickets can be transferrable under approval by CCS, simply update your registration accordingly before attending event.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Yes! PLEASE present your ticket or smartphone for scanning at the door. In-person purchases accepted via cash and EventBrite only.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?

Absolutely, a ticket makes a great gift and shared experience!