Film News: 2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival Opens with 'BlackBerry' on Friday, May 5th

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CHICAGO – One of the best local film gatherings is back, as the 2023 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) opens on Friday, May 5th, with “BlackBerry” at the Music Box Theatre. The Fest runs through May 11th, click CCFF for opening night ticket info.

It’s 1996, and Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and his business partner and best friend Douglas Fregin (Matt Johnson, also screenplay adapter and director) are on the edge of creating the world’s first smartphone. Unfortunately for them, they are less business savvy than they are tech, and struggle to keep their company, Research in Motion, afloat. Everything changes when cunning business man Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton) agrees to join the company, bringing with him the money and experience needed to create and sell a prototype of their invention. Matt Johnson will make an appearance and participate in a Q&A at the May 5th screening.

10th CCFF
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com

The 10th Chicago Critics Film Festival is the the only such festival in the country curated by film critics, and highlights the 2023 films from the early year festivals like Sundance and SXSW. Opening Night will also feature “Sanctuary,” directed by Zachary Wigon and “Dark City” by Alex Proyas. The Closing Night film will be Theater Camp” by Molly Gordon. Previews of the Festival offerings will be published at HollywoodChicago.com at various times during the six day event.

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