Kentucky lost iconic character actor and Irvin native Harry Dean Stanton in 2017, but not before it launched a festival in his honor in 2011 and his scene stealing contributions to film continued to attract audiences to the annual event.
This year the festival — which likes to keep things laid back, mirroring Stanton's own personal style — is putting a focus on one of Harry's loves music, so expect films about musicians filled, with memorable soundtracks.
The festival kicks off tonight with a screening of 1984's Repo Man at Bluegrass Memorial Gardens, where Stanton's headstone is located.
"And then we go from there. We have screenings with the Farish Theater throughout the weekend. We have Tommy Stinson of the replacements and a band called Mydolls, who were in 'Paris, TX' with Harry, who are playing at the Green Lantern on Saturday night," says festival co-founder Lucy Jones. "More movies Sunday. And then we're ending everything with a film called 'This Must be the Place,' which starred Harry's very good friend, Sean Penn."
The event will also connect the dots between Stanton and the group of actors known as the Brat Pack – who also happen to be the subject of a new Hulu documentary. Stanton is referred to as the “spiritual father” of the cohort of actors.
As for the future of the festival, Jones says Stanton's habit of playing brief but memorable roles gives organizers more than enough to work with every year.
"The fact that he was oftentimes in smaller roles means that he was able to do more films a year, so he was very prolific," Jones explains. "He has well over 200 IMDb credits, so we could literally do this festival until the end of time, I would say."
A full schedule of the festival's events is below:
JULY 12
“Repo Man” (1984), Bluegrass Memorial Gardens; gates at 8 p.m. July 12, movie at dusk.
JULY 13
“Cool Hand Luke” (1967), Central Library Farish Theatre, noon
Panel discussion about the making of “Paris, Texas” with Production Assistant Allison Anders and band Mydolls, Farish Theatre, 2:30 p.m.
“Pretty in Pink” (1986), Farish Theatre, 3:15 p.m.
Tommy Stinson and Mydolls, The Green Lantern Bar, 8 p.m. $18 advance, $25 door
JULY 14
“Cisco Pike” (1971), Farish Theatre, 1 p.m.
“The Rose” (1979), Farish Theatre, 2:50 p.m.
“This Must Be the Place” (2012) with pre-show Q&A with Will Oldham, Kentucky Theatre, 7 p.m. $10
More info at harrydeanstantonfest.org.
