SLIFF 2017 – The Screening of THE UPSIDE, A Film Distributed by The Weinstein Company, Has Been Cancelled.

The 26th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) screening of THE UPSIDE, a film distributed by The Weinstein Company (TWC), has been cancelled.

Given the serious allegations of sexual misconduct against TWC co-founder Harvey Weinstein, SLIFF has decided to replace the film with a work that specifically addresses such issues. The fest will offer a special presentation of “The Light of the Moon” (U.S., 2017, 95 min.), which also plays the fest on Nov. 6 and 8 at Plaza Frontenac. This new screening — in the same time slot that “The Upside” was scheduled — will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the main house of the Tivoli Theatre, 6350 Delmar Blvd.

The feature-film debut of Emmy-nominated Australian filmmaker Jessica M. Thompson, “The Light of the Moon” tells the story of Bonnie (Stephanie Beatriz), a successful Latina architect who is sexually assaulted while walking home from an evening out with friends in Brooklyn. At first, she attempts to keep the assault a secret from her long-term boyfriend, Matt (Michael Stahl-David of “Narcos”), but the truth quickly emerges. Bonnie emphatically denies the impact of what has just happened to her. She fights to regain normalcy and control, but returning to her old life is more complicated than expected. Her attempt to recapture the intimacy she previously had with Matt falters, and cracks begin to surface in their relationship. Another attack in the neighborhood only drives Bonnie further into denial, before an encounter with an at-risk woman causes her to face the truth and confront her own self-blame. Beatriz (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Short Term 12”) gives a powerful performance as Bonnie, a woman who maintains her dignity and sense of humor as she deals with the aftermath of a life-altering experience.

A panel about sexual violence against women will follow the screening. The panel will be organized by Safe Connections, one of the St. Louis region’s oldest and largest organizations working to prevent and end domestic and sexual violence while helping survivors reclaim their lives. When participants are finalized, full information on the panel will be posted on the SLIFF website (cinemastlouis.org) under the film listing “Special Presentation: The Light of the Moon.”

Cinema St. Louis is donating the proceeds of the screening to Safe Connections.