Virtual MSP film festival starts this week

By Kathy Berdan

kberdan@pioneerpress.com

A virtual dance party on Thursday, featuring DJ Jake Rudh spinning songs from film soundtracks, launches Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, which is now “The MSPIFF39 REDEFINED: A Virtual Film Festival.”

The festival, which runs through May 23, has a selection of the films that were originally programmed for the 2020 MSPIFF, as well as virtual Q&As and festival parties each night of the fest. More than 40 films from around the world (including several made in Minnesota) will be featured.

Two of the Minnesota-made movies are “Bridge,” which is about the sudden collapse of the 35W bridge; and “Stories I Didn’t Know,” which follows Rita Davern, a descendant of Irish immigrants who settled in St. Paul (yup, Davern Street). According to MSPIFF news release, “As Rita digs into her family history, she unearths the complicated legacy of settling on Dakota land, and set out on a quest of understanding and reconciliation.” Both films will have live Q&As with the filmmakers.

The full schedule is at MSPfilm. org.

Most of the films will be available for the duration of the festival. Tickets are $5 for MSP Film Society members, $10 for general public, available at the website.