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LunaFliks returns with A Scanner Darkly

Outdoor summer series of films at Lost Lake starts July 5
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Dark and intimate. The Animated science fiction film A Scanner Darkly kicks off the summer LunaFliks series at Lost Lake on July 5. Films will be shown each Thursday night through July and August.

By Claire Piech

What: LunaFliks

Where: Lost Lake Park

When: Thursday nights starting July 5

Picture cutting edge movies, sandy beaches, sunsets giving way to starlight behind snow-peaked mountains, a lake, DJ tunes, a huge screen, and a killer sound system.

You have just pictured a typical evening watching movies at LunaFliks, Whistler’s summer film series.

In its fifth year, LunaFliks returns to Lost Lake Park on July 5 th to continue showcasing cutting-edge movies for the 18+ crowd every Thursday night throughout July and August.

The series exhibits international and cult hits, along with a special mountain bike adventure film as part of Crankworx festival at the end of July. In the past, it has screened such films as Run Lola Run, Baraka, Donnie Darko, City of God, and Fight Club.

And the 2007 program will kick off Thursday, July 5 with the science fiction animated film A Scanner Darkly.

Directed by Richard Linklater, A Scanner Darkly stars Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder in a faithful adaptation of a Philip K. Dick novel.

The movie is set in California seven years in the future, where a drug known as Substance “D” has transformed society into two groups: addicts and people who have not taken Substance “D”. The epidemic has morphed society into a state of fear, and the government has imposed a surveillance state, where neighbours spy on neighbours, license plates are bar-coded, and security is all DNA based.

The film follows a close-knit group of addicts, including main character Bob Arctor, as they slowly spiral into paranoia. Bob’s girlfriend, Donna, cannot handle being touched, his friend Charles sees insects crawling on his skin, and his two roommates are fried beyond recognition. As Bob’s addiction grows, his grasp of reality weakens, and he falls into a state of hallucination.

A Scanner Darkly is also noteworthy for its unusual visual style. Animation is applied directly over live footage with a process called interpolated rotoscoping. Linklater is the first director to use digital rotoscoping to create an entire feature film.

The film will begin rolling at 10 p.m., but get there early to catch DJ FSU spinning beats at 9 p.m. Hailing from New Zealand, DJ FSU’s last big gig was the Rhythm & Vines New Year’s Even Festival in Gisborne, New Zealand, the first city in the world to see the sun on January 1. He has also played in Australia, France, and England and is a member of the Big Company Crew.

Bring a blanket, a picnic, and your friends for a booze-free night under the stars. And do not forget a jacket to keep you warm as temperatures drop with the setting sun.

The outdoor film series is hosted by LUNA (Late and Unusual Nighttime Alternatives), a non-profit group dedicated to offering alcohol-free alternative entertainment outside of the usual nightclub circuit.

The Lost Lake Bus service will also be available at the Gondola Transit Exchange for a $0.50 fare.

Entry to LunaFliks is $5 general or $3 for LUNA Cardholders. In the event of rain, films will be cancelled. Check the LUNA Hotline for event day updates at 604-966-4800.