Edward Norton to Walk Red Carpet For ‘Stone’ at 46th Chicago International Film Festival

Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on August 19, 2010 - 4:11pm

CHICAGO – The 46th Chicago International Film Festival will officially open with the highly anticipated drama “Stone,” which stars Edward Norton, Robert De Niro and Milla Jovovich.

Oscar nominee Edward Norton and director John Curran (“The Painted Veil,” “We Don’t Live Here Anymore”) will walk the red carpet and welcome the film for its Chicago premiere at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph St. on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 at 7 p.m. Other surprise guests will be announced at a later date.

Edward Norton (right) and Robert De Niro in “Stone”.
Image credit: Millennium Films

“Stone” delivers powerful performances by Academy Award winner Robert De Niro as a seasoned corrections official and Norton as a scheming inmate whose lives become dangerously intertwined. Norton filmed him first feature, “Primal Fear,” in Chicago.

“De Niro pulls in his best performance in a decade,” said Chicago International Film Festival founder and artistic director Michael Kutza. “Norton and Conroy’s performances are fantastic. Milla Jovovich offers a captivating breakthrough performance. The entire ensemble is at the top of their game.”

Tickets for the opening night of the 46th Chicago International Film Festival are on sale now. For ticket information, visit http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com or call 312-683-0121. Tickets range from $35 for film-only tickets to $150, which includes the screening at the Harris Theater followed by a reception at theWit Hotel at 201 N. State St.

“It is going to be a night to remember. We are so happy to open the festival at the beautiful Harris Theater in Millennium Park and enjoy a wonderful reception at our headquarters hotel,” said Chicago International Film Festival managing director Vivian Teng. The synopsis for “Stone” is below.

As parole officer Jack Mabry (De Niro) counts the days toward a quiet retirement, he is asked to review the case of Gerald “Stone” Creeson (Norton). Stone is in prison for covering up the murder of his grandparents with a fire. Now eligible for early release, Stone needs to convince Jack he has reformed, but his attempts to influence the older man’s decision have profound and unexpected effects on them both.

“Stone” skillfully weaves together the parallel journeys of two men grappling with dark impulses as the line between lawman and lawbreaker becomes precariously thin. The film’s superb ensemble features Milla Jovovich (“The Fifth Element”) as Lucetta: Stone’s sexy, casually amoral wife. The film also features Golden Globe winner Frances Conroy (“Six Feet Under”) as Madylyn: Jack’s devout, long-suffering spouse.

Set against the quiet desperation of an economically ravaged community and the stifling brutality of a maximum-security prison, this tale of passion, betrayal and corruption examines the fractured lives of two volatile men breaking from their troubled pasts to face uncertain futures.