Tribute to George Hickenlooper will open the 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival

This came to us on Thursday from Cinema St. Louis.

CASINO JACK to follow Hickenlooper tribute

Because of the tragic, unexpected death of native St. Louisan George Hickenlooper on Oct. 30, the 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF), held Nov. 11-21, is altering its plans and mounting a tribute to the filmmaker.

The festival is slated to open with the St. Louis premiere of “Casino Jack,” directed by Hickenlooper. Featuring a buzz-generating performance by two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, the film chronicles the rise and fall of disgraced super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

The “Casino Jack” screening – at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Tivoli Theatre, 6350 Delmar Blvd. – will continue as planned. But SLIFF is cancelling the cocktail party that was to precede the film and is instead devoting a tribute program to Hickenlooper, a former Cinema St. Louis Award winner.

The tribute will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Tivoli. All “Casino Jack” ticket-holders are welcome to attend the tribute. Seating will start at 6 p.m. and continue throughout the program until the 8 p.m. start of the film. Everyone who attends the tribute must have a “Casino Jack” ticket.

The program will feature a clip reel of career highlights, including excerpts from Hickenlooper’s early 8mm shorts and such key professional work as “Hearts of Darkness,” “The Low Life,” “Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade,” “The Big Brass Ring,” “The Man From Elysian Fields,” “Mayor of Sunset Strip,” and “Factory Girl.” Family members, friends, and professional colleagues – including “Casino Jack” actor Spencer Garrett – will speak on Hickenlooper’s life and work. “Casino Jack” will then screen immediately following the tribute.

Tickets for “Casino Jack” and the tribute are $12, $10 for Cinema St. Louis members and students with valid IDs. They can be purchased in advance at the Tivoli box office or online at tickets.landmarktheatres.com.

The fest schedule and a complete list of films (with descriptions) are available at the Cinema St. Louis Web site (http://www.cinemastlouis.org/). For more information, the public should visit the CSL Web site or call 314-289-4150.

Please read Jim Batts’ heartfelt tribute here and watch the trailer for CASINO JACK.