The infamous Chelsea Hotel in New York City could not have asked for a better chronicler of her raunchy lugubrious past than native son Abel Ferrara. A grand old dame of the once dirty and dangerous city, The Chelsea was home to artists, musicians and other assorted types who couldn't make their rent, or who paid it with the art that distinguished the Chelsea's gloriously funky lobby. Presided over by longtime manager and part-owner Stanley Bard, himself an eccentric of the first order, the list of people who lived, worked and sometimes died at the Chelsea is a virtual who's-who of American culture, including Nancy Spungen and Sid Vicious, Dennis Hopper, Ethan Hawke, Grace Jones, Milos Forman, Patti Smith, Bob Dylan, Tennessee Williams, Charles Bukowski, Stanley Kubrick, Arthur Miller, Joni Mitchell, Dee Dee Ramone, Larry Rivers, Dylan Thomas, Mark Twain, Janis Joplin, Andy Warhol, Leonard Cohen, Robert Mapplethorpe, Tom Waits, Courtney Love, Jasper Johns, Jimi Hendrix and countless others. Despite its landmark status, there are plans to convert the Chelsea into a boutique hotel, its scabrous, glorious history just another fading memory from America gone by. But before that happens, Ferrara sings the Chelsea a swan song. In typical Ferrara fashion, there are few rules observed here; the director has the bad habit of interrupting the people he's supposed to be interviewing, even wandering occasionally into the frame. But that only adds to the rough and rude feeling of the film that kicks apart the usual documentary politesse. Producer will be in attendance

Screening Times:
Sat. Sep 27, 9:30pm, Granville 7
Fri. Oct 3, 9:45pm, Ridge
Sun. Oct 5, 2:30pm, Granville 7Buy Tickets

Call the FILM INFO LINE: 604.683.FILM (3456) for the latest info and listings from September 4 to October 10, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

2008 Single Ticket Prices

Regular $10
Senior $8
Matinees $8

Membership required for all VIFF screenings $2

Why do we charge Membership? As a registered non-profit society, the VIFF and VIFC screens films that have not always been seen by the BC Film Classification Board. Under BC law, any person wishing to see these unclassified films must belong to the VIFC society and be 18 years or older. Valid for one year based on the date of purchase, the VIFC basic membership cost is $2.00

Group Sale discounts available for groups of 10+.
Contact Laine Slater, laine@viff.org or Sasha Iwanick, sasha@viff.org at 604-685-0260

Full box office information is available at www.viff.org, including ticket packages, pass prices, Visa Advance Outlet locations, venues and more.

A free Sneak Preview Guide containing short descriptions of most films is available at Rogers Video stores in Metro Vancouver and the Program Catalogue is now available for purchase - see the online listing for locations. The complete program, including the festival schedule, film descriptions and photos is now online. 

Visa cardholders may buy tickets and passes at www.viff.org anytime or, from noon to 7 p.m. daily, by phone at 604-685-8297 or in person at the Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St. The comprehensive Program Catalogue goes on sale September 15, and the box office opens, noon to 7 p.m., for cash and cheque sales the same day.