The Sedona International Film Festival will present the Sedona premiere of “Youth in Oregon” — featuring an all-star cast including Frank Langella, Billy Crudup, Christina Applegate and Mary Kay Place — showing Friday through Thursday, Feb. 3 through 9, at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
When 79-year-old curmudgeon Raymond [Langella] makes arrangements to be euthanized in Oregon for his 80th birthday, his family refuses to accept his decision.
But when another family emergency arises, Raymond’s daughter, Kate [Applegate], turns to her husband Brian [Crudup] for a little help. So Brian reluctantly volunteers to drive the cantankerous Raymond and his wine-loving wife Estelle [Place] 3,000 miles to Oregon.
Determined to change the old man’s mind before they reach the Beaver State, it becomes quickly apparent to Brian that convincing your father-in-law to keep living when he’s ready to check out is no simple task.
“This film is dear to my heart,” said director Joel David Moore. “I was born and raised in Portland, Ore. Post-Kevorkian laws were being voted on when I was young, where these moral decisions were being made in our progressive state. This film colors in the lines of all the struggles that are felt with these end-of-life choices. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished.
“It was a major topic of discussion between family and friends and the complexities that go into making end-of-life decisions. The film is a fun, funny, heartwarming and a powerful look into what a family goes through in this type of circumstance.”
Showtimes will be 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday, Feb. 3, 4 and 7; and 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 8 and 9.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, call 282-1177. Both the theater and Film Festival office are located at 2030 W. SR 89A in West Sedona. For more information, visit SedonaFilmFestival.org.
