HDS
This year, for the first time, famed actor and Kentucky native Harry Dean Stanton will appear at the festival created in his honor.
June 13-15
Multiple venues
With a career spanning over 60 years, including more than 100 appearances in both popular and cult films, Kentucky native Harry Dean Stanton has cemented his place among the best actors and most recognizable faces of his generation. This annual multi-venue festival in his honor, produced by the Lexington Film League with support from the Lexington Public Library, Downtown Lexington Corporation and others, pays homage to the beloved Kentucky native actor’s life and work in film.
For the first time in its four-year history, this year’s event will feature a celebrated and highly anticipated appearance by Stanton himself, who will be on hand for several events, including Sunday night’s question-and-answer session with his longtime friend and fellow special guest Michelle Phillips, who starred alongside Stanton in the film “Dillinger” and is the last surviving original member of the 1960’s pop group The Mamas & the Papas.
Friday, June 13:
A screening of the 1967 film “Cool Hand Luke” starring Paul Newman and featuring an appearance by a young Harry Dean Stanton. The screening will begin at dusk Triangle Park.
Midnight: Screening of “Repo Man” (1984, directed by Alex Cos and starring Emilio Estevez) at the Kentucky Theatre.
Saturday, June 14:
2 p.m.: Screening of “Christine” (1983, directed by John Carpenter) at the Lexington Public Library’s Farish Theater.
7 p.m.: Screening of “Escape from New York” (1981, directed by John Carpenter) at the Lexington Public Library’s Farish Theatre.
9 p.m.: Following the “Escape From New York” screening, a live music performance by The Please Kill Me's, a musical salute to the '70s/'80s CBGB scene in New York City performed by Palisades and featuring an all-star guest vocalist lineup from some of Lexington's favorite bands. Harry Dean Stanton live music and trivia will take place before the band starts.
Sunday, June 15:
2 p.m.: Screening of “Missouri Breaks” (1975, directed by Arthur Penn) at the Lexington Public Library’s Farish Theatre.
7 p.m.: Screening of “Dillinger” (directed by John Milius) at the Kentucky Theatre followed by a Q&A with Harry Dean Stanton and Michelle Phillips. Following the screening, Stanton and Phillips will discuss the film, their 40-year friendship and their careers in Hollywood.