True/False, Ragtag rolling into future.

Byline: Pete Bland

Aug. 17--Of all the questions thrown the way of Paul Sturtz these days, the one that the Ragtag Cinema and True/False Film Festival "co-instigator" most often catches comes in the form of something along the lines of, "So, when's the new place gonna be ready?"

As Sturtz mentioned yesterday during an appearance on KFRU/1400 AM with David Lile, he has learned to curb his enthusiasm a bit when it comes to predicting a date for Ragtag's final move to its ameliorated digs at the old Kelly Press building on Hitt Street. With some encouragement from his collaborators, he now makes a point of going out of his way to be more noncommittal, saying only that the relocation initially announced in late 2005 will occur "sometime next year."

You see, hopes are high for the facility, as well they should be. For Ragtag and True/False are riding a wave of good fortune that is taking their brand names to New York, Chicago and beyond in the weeks and months to come.

Before Sturtz and David Wilson, his partner in the delivery of quality cinema to Columbia, head to next month's Toronto International Film Festival, they will help Ragtag embark on an unprecedented Missouri Theatre engagement for "Little Miss Sunshine" -- see the brief review on Page 4. The feel-good indie summer hit will play at the movie house at 6 and 8:15 p.m. tomorrow, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Aug. 25.

The two also are looking forward to the True/False Goes New York event that will take place next week at the IFC Center in Manhattan. The showcase will feature three films from the documentary festival's third and most recent installment, with "Chalk" screening Monday and "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "The Last Supper" showing Tuesday.

"Murderball" co-director Dana Adam Shapiro will be on hand Monday to interview "Chalk" director Mike Akel. And on Tuesday, Sarah Price -- one of the forces behind "American Movie," "The Yes Men" and "Summercamp!" -- will lead a discussion with "Prince" director Marc Isaacs and "Supper" co-helmer Lars BergstrA[paragraph]m.

On Aug. 29, the Passport Series -- an exclusive cycle of foreign films -- begins at Ragtag with "The Death of Mr. Lazarescu," which also plays on Aug. 30. Other films on the Passport schedule: "Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul" (Sept. 12 and 13), "Three Times" (Sept. 19 and 20), "Water" (Sept. 26 and 27), "Only Human" (Oct. 3 and 4), "Heading South" (Oct. 10 and 11), "Army of Shadows" (Oct. 17 and 18), "Sisters in Law" (Oct. 24 and 25), "Lunacy" (Oct. 31 and Nov. 1) and "The House of Sand" (Nov. 14 and 15).

Then on Oct. 26, True/False will hit the Chicago area to host a screening of "The Refugee All Stars" at the Third Coast International Audio Festival, which has brought its product to the Columbia fest on a couple of occasions. Co-director Banker White will be in attendance at a yet-to-be-determined location in Evanston, Ill.

Also, earlier this year, Sundance Film Festival organizers announced a partnership with 14 independent theaters across the country, giving them the opportunity to host special screenings of both more recent festival features and some Sundance classics. Ragtag was one of the lucky cinemas selected to take part in The Sundance Institute Art House Project, and it will bring the spirit of True/False to its offerings by presenting four documentaries October-December.

To help celebrate Sundance's 25th season, "Hoop Dreams" -- accompanied by director Steve James and possibly either Arthur Agee or William Gates, the film's main subjects -- and "Crumb," with director Terry Zwigoff in tow, will play Oct. 20 and Nov. 10, respectively, at the Missouri Theatre. And "Paris is Burning," along with director Jennie Livingston, and "American Movie" -- with Mark Borchardt's best buddy, Mike Schank, on hand -- will be at Ragtag. "Paris" kicks everything off Oct. 6, and "American Movie" closes the festivities Dec. 2.

Finally, with fresh Missouri Arts Council and other grant funds in pocket, Sturtz and Wilson are busy at work on Round 4 of True/False, which is slated for March 1-4 next year.

Queries on where, exactly, Ragtag will be then seem to be moot. As it is, there's too much to enjoy right now.

For more information on all of the above, visit www.truefalse.org and www.ragtagfilm.com.

We wouldn't be a respectable publication if we went without mentioning the premiere of Internet sensation "Snakes on a Plane" somewhere other than just in the movie listings. It opens with special screenings at 10 tonight at Stadium 14 and Forum 8 before beginning a full run tomorrow.

"Mother&(@%!#' snakes!"

Copyright (c) 2006, Columbia Daily Tribune, Mo.

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