Roger Ebert
I have always looked up to Roger Ebert as a hero of sorts. Among many things, his yearly Overlooked Film Festivals held at the Virginia Theatre may be the most well known and have had the most impact on me.
The event features films that have not been shown to their full potential. I’ve attended a few screenings in the past years, accompanied by my dad, who does some research on film.
This year marked the ninth so-called “Ebertfest,” perhaps the most awe-inspiring of them all.
Since last July, Ebert has been unable to speak after a tracheotomy and multiple surgeries to his jaw and throat due to cancer. Nonetheless, he was still able to attend his sold-out festival and communicated by paper and a computer-assisted voice generator.
Unfortunately I was unable to take part in this year’s event, but I heard many fascinating stories from people who go regularly. According to them, the atmosphere was extremely energetic and touching. In past Ebertfests, this has often been the case as well, as various directors and actors tell heartfelt tales of their “overlooked” careers.
These festivals have greatly catapulted the careers of filmmakers, such as fellow U of I alum Ang Lee, director of “Brokeback Mountain.”
Really, the event should not be dubbed the Overlooked Film Festival, since “Overlooked” is sometimes confused as whether it is modifying “film” or “film festival.” OFF certainly could not be the latter, as it steadily gains a larger audience year in and year out. Which is probably why it has been decided that it will officially be called Ebertfest next year, as it is now widely known as.
And you can bet next year is going to be big, too, given that Ebert most likely will be able speak in his ever-popular Q&A sessions.
— Benjamin Fu