Jared Leto. Alexander Skarsgard. Ewan McGregor. Liam Neeson. These well knowns and so many more are soaking up the sun in Los Cabos, Mexico this week as the International Film Festival of Los Cabos takes center screen.
Kicking off its fourth edition with a Gala presentation, the Cabos Film Fest opened with the featured Mexican premiere of Quebec Director Jean-Marc Vallée’s Demolition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Naomi Watts.
The film, which opened the Toronto International Film Festival, was an anticipated highlight of the Los Cabos agenda, as it won’t be released to theaters in the States until April 2016.
Special showcases of the Festival include premieres of such films as The Witch, The Reflektor Tapes, Racing Extinction, and Cooking Up a Tribute; films receiving critical acclaim — and much Oscar talk! — like Black Mass with Johnny Depp, Room with Brie Larson, and Carol with Cate Blanchett; as well as movies by up-and-coming Mexican talents.
Opening night also included a special tribute for Vallée, now a major Hollywood presence, in advance of his Demolition showing. The Director is no stranger to the Festival as his blockbuster Wild, was its 2014 opener. This year, attendees will have opportunities to see two other of his previous major works: Crazy (2005) and Café de Flore (2011).
“Jean-Marc Vallee changes things,” said Jared Leto, on hand to introduce Vallée and present his accolade for building up — certainly not demolishing — the industry. “He changed me… from a chronically unemployed actor into an award winner.”
Said Vallée, “Tonight I feel like a hero.”
*Images credit Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Leisure Opportunities
