Photos: 54th Chicago International Film Festival Ends with Ruth E. Carter & ‘The Front Runner’

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – That’s a wrap. The 54th Chicago International Film Festival ended on Sunday October 21st, 2018, with a screening of “The Front Runner,” directed by Jason Reitman (who made an appearance). Also on Saturday, the Black Perspectives event was a career overview of Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter, who contributed to “Black Panther” and “Selma,” among many others.

Jason Reitman of ‘The Front Runner’ at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce for Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Jason Reitman is a filmmaker with a social conscience, having directed cutting edge stories in “Thank You for Smoking” (2005) “Juno” (2007) “Up in the Air” (2012) and “Tully,” also in 2018. “The Front Runner” reaches back to the 1988 U.S. Presidential campaign, when candidate Gary Hart (Hugh Jackman) looked certain to win the Democratic nomination and presidency. But when it came to his personal life, including his wife Lee (Vera Farmiga), the secrets he covered up proved to be his undoing. The film communicates a great deal about our media and political structure today, and features a stellar supporting cast including J.K. Simmons and Alfred Molina. The nationwide release is scheduled for November 21st, 2018.

Ruth E. Carter was Honored at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce for Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

The Black Perspectives Series – an influential category of films at the Chicago International Film Festival – honored Ruth E. Carter, Oscar-nominated Costume Designer for films including “Do the Right Thing,” “Amistad,” “Selma” and one of 2018’s most popular films, “Black Panther.” Actress Regina Taylor (“I’ll Fly Away”) moderated a perspective on Ruth Carter’s career and her notable body of work.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com