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Spricenieks' Dream Line: where sleeping and waking dreams meet

Two showings of film at Millennium Place Nov. 15.
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Ski mountaineer Ptor Spricenieks is bringing his new documentary to Whistler.

Dream Line, in his words, "is a look at how reality and the world are created by dreams and that the dream world one enters at night is as real as waking life." Spricenieks explores how traditional cultures have a better grip on this impact than modern society, while making the connection within his own life.

Producer, director and cinematographer Bjarne Salen has worked on the film with Spricenieks for about a year.

"The story is told of my 'dreams' coming true and eventually my dreams following me," Spricenieks explains in an emailed response to questions.

"The storyline is rather autobiographical with serendipitous archival footage to support this. The reality that grew out of my dreams was a beautiful family that understands my mountain passions... the film culminates in realizing the dream of an unskied line in perfect conditions in the amazing Himalayan mountains of the Nanga Parbat region in Pakistan."

The film contains supporting interviews by other legendary mountain culture dreamers, including Reinhold Messner and Scott Schmidt. Archival footage ranges from top-end helicopter cineflex shots to 1970s digitally-remastered Super 8 film. Locations include Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Canada and Pakistan.

"It was created for all audiences, skiers and non-skiers alike. Skiing is just the vehicle in the film to take me along in my life's story on a journey of self-awareness," Spricenieks says.

The hour-long film will be shown at Millennium Place on Saturday, Nov. 15 for two showings at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Admission is $20 and 19+.

B.C novelist Abdou holds reading

Fernie novelist Angie Abdou is reading from her third novel Between, a satirical look at family life and domestic help.

BC BookWorld called her short story collection, Anything Boys Can Do (2006), an "extraordinary literary debut" and the Times Colonist commended its original take on female sexuality. The Globe and Mail praised her first novel, The Bone Cage (2007), for its "beautiful writing" and The Quill & Quire called it "vivid, intense, and authentic."

The reading takes place on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Stonesedge gastro pub in Whistler at 5:50 p.m.

WFF names new Rising Stars

Four up-and-coming Western Canadian actors have been named the first honourees of the Whistler Film Festival Rising Stars program.

The four, Sara Canning, Camille Sullivan, Dustin Milligan and Niall Matter, are all premiering films at the festival.

The program is sponsored by UBCP and ACTRA and is designed to showcase the next generation of Canadian actors poised for international careers.

"WFF's 2014 Rising Stars are a diverse group of actors, each carving his or her own path in the industry with unique projects," said Shauna Hardy Mishaw, executive director of Whistler Film Festival, in a release.

"We are excited to welcome them to the program and look forward to supporting their careers in the Canadian industry and abroad. WFF Rising Stars is part of our ongoing commitment to promoting Canadian cinema and talent."

Tickets on sale for Whistler Pride

Tickets for events during January's Whistler Pride and Ski Festival have gone on sale.

The festival is an eight-day culinary, wellness, sports and party event, taking place from Jan. 24 to 31.

Headlining is comedian Margaret Cho, with special guest Selene Luna. Over events include film nights and clubland events, including the annual Snowball with Freemasons from the U.K.

For more information visit www.gaywhistler.com.