VIFF Live! 2019: Song Exploder w/ Chuck D & others!

VIFF Live brings a contemporary lens to cinema culture through a series of entertaining, thought-provoking and socially relevant live events

A live edition of Song Exploder with Chuck D headlines VIFF Live’s expanded program

This year VIFF is thrilled to further expand its VIFF Live program, delivering an innovative celebration of genre-defining work with a contemporary twist, bringing together some of theatre, comedy and music’s brightest performers for six memorable live events at VIFF, beginning on September 26th. Highlights include Song Exploder Live, legendary hip hop icon and Public Enemy founder Chuck D dissecting “Fight the Power” from Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, and a live episode of Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington’s much-loved AdultSwim.com series, On Cinema at the Cinema Live!.

“VIFF Live has created a platform to push the boundaries of festival programming, exploring how a multitude of artistic genres intersect with cinema to create unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences for VIFF audiences. Having seen the success of live events over the last number of years, we are excited to expand our program from two to six events this year, exploring music, comedy, podcasting and cultural commentary,” said Ken Tsui, VIFF Films+ programmer and curator.

VIFF Live, for which tickets are currently available at viff.org, will also feature Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin Playing Dario Argento’s Deep Red Live, a female-led Live Score of This is Spinal Tap to celebrate the film’s 35th anniversary, as well as the much loved all-women Feminist Live Reads presenting Some Like It Hot, and the acclaimed Pop-Up Magazine bringing its live multimedia performance to Vancouver for the first time.

“Our aim for this year’s program is not only to connect with diverse audiences and communities but also to represent how film and live events reflect contemporary cultural shifts. We’re proud to share performances that are thoughtfully curated to represent a current moment in time, events that will spark conversation, challenge perceptions, and demonstrate how film, music, and performance are powerful activists for social issues,” Tsui continued.

PROGRAM DETAIL

Song Exploder Live with Chuck D

Mon. Oct 7, 7:00 pm, Playhouse

This show, exclusive to VIFF, pays tribute to the 30th anniversary of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing by celebrating its specially commissioned theme song “Fight the Power” and the main man behind it, Chuck D. This live episode of the hit podcast Song Exploder with host Hrishikesh Hirway, will see the Public Enemy frontman break down the militant, strident anthem for audiences.

On Cinema at the Cinema Live! Featuring Tim Heidecker, Gregg Turkington, and Special Guests

Sun. Oct 6, 8:00 pm, Playhouse

This multi-media stage show provides a mega-dose of the movie expertise and colorful disagreements you’ve come to expect from hosts Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington. The show features special guest appearances from beloved cast members of the On Cinema/Decker Universe.

Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin Plays Deep Red Live

Thu. Oct 3, 6:00 pm, Rio Theatre

Key to the power of Deep Red, Dario Argento’s 1975 horror classic, is the eerie, keyboard-heavy score by Claudio Simonetti and his band Goblin. Playing live at VIFF, Goblin will perform these haunting melodies alongside Argento’s cinematic work of art, giving audiences the opportunity to feel that effect as few others have. Once the end credits have rolled, Simonetti and the band will play an extra special set of other soundtrack classics.

This is Spinal Tap: Anniversary Live Score

Sun. Sep 29, 7:00pm, Rio Theatre

35 years on from the groundbreaking mock-rock-doc This Is Spinal Tap being released, VIFF Live! celebrates with a live score led by Louise Burns, and some of Vancouver’s leading musicians including Jody Glenham (Jody Glenham and the Dreamers), Catherine Hiltz (bassist, Tegan & Sara, Hot Panda), Ayla Tesler-Mabe (guitar, Calpurnia, Ludic) and Adam Fink (drummer, ACTORS) playing the soundtrack as the ever-quotable cult classic plays.

Feminist Live Reads present Some Like It Hot

Tue. Oct 1, 6:30 pm, Rio Theatre

Celebrating 60 years, Some Like It Hot has seen a cultural resurgence, gaining new resonance in the #MeToo era. Led by filmmaker/critic Chandler Levack, Feminist Live Reads are dedicated to pointing out the disparity of roles available to women onscreen. For VIFF, the all-female cast, known for previous performances of Entourage, Reservoir Dogs, and Ocean’s Eleven, will play men, who are playing women, bringing Billy Wilder’s classic comedy to life.

Pop-Up Magazine

Sat. Sep 28, TBA

The acclaimed touring “live magazine” show, Pop-Up Magazine, is coming to VIFF — and Vancouver — for the first time! These never-before-told multimedia stories accompanied by illustration, animation, photography, and an original score performed onstage by the Magik Orchestra will make for a night of vivid entertainment. Stay tuned for more details; tickets will go on sale 8/20.

38th Vancouver International Film Festival

September 26 – October 11, 2019

About VIFF | viff.org

Founded in 1982, the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is a not-for-profit cultural society and federally registered charitable organization that operates the internationally acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the year-round programming of the Vancity Theatre at the Vancouver International Film Centre. VIFF produces screenings, talks, conferences and events that act as a catalyst for the community to discover the creativity and craft of storytelling on screen. For its 38th year, VIFF welcomes the world to Vancouver from September 26 – October 11, 2019 as it showcases the top international, Canadian and BC films and plays host to industry professionals from around the globe.

Festival Information

●      VIFF Live Tickets: VIFF Live tickets are available online on August 6, 2019 Visit viff.org for more information

●      Festival Tickets: Passes and ticket packs are available online at noon on August 22, 2019. Single tickets are available online at noon on September 5, 2019 and in-person at the Vancity Theatre Box Office from September 12, 2019. Visit viff.org for more information.

●      Programming Announcements: Released weekly throughout August and September.

●      Press Conference: September 4, 2019 at the Vancouver International Film Centre (1181 Seymour St)

●      Volunteer Registration: Each year VIFF relies on the hard work of more than 1,000 volunteers to assist in running the festival. Volunteer registration is now open at goviff.org/volunteer.

Media release and videos provided by Orna Daly, Yulu PR.

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