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The Starz Denver Film Festival delivers more than 200 films to the Mile High City each year, and its 37th annual event, which takes place November 12–23, is no different. For your convenience, 5280 has narrowed down the extensive roster to seven must-see movies:
If God Comes Let Him Bring A Gun: Five lives collide when a prisoner gets leave for Mother’s Day and must complete a special task for a crime syndicate he joined. Portraying the 2012 conflict in São Paulo between police and organized crime, this film is a part of the Focus on National Cinema: Brazil program and is the first feature-length film by Luis Dantas. Nov. 22–23 (times vary), UA Pavilions, 500 16th St. Mall, #310
A Dangerous Game: Anthony Baxter provides a funny sequel to his award-winning documentary, You’ve Been Trumped, once again examining the environmental and economic cost of high-end golf courses. This time around, Trump himself appears on screen to take a swing at defending himself from another blow to his image. Nov 13-17 (times vary); UA Pavilions
The Imitation Game: It’s hard to get away from Benedict Cumberbatch these days, but who would want to? In this biopic, he delivers an incredible performance as Alan Turing, the British mathematician who played a key role in cracking Nazi Germany’s Enigma code, which helped end World War II. The historical thriller also illustrates how Turing’s life became increasingly difficult post-war, as his homosexuality is revealed. Nov 15, 8 p.m.; Buell Theatre, 950 13th St.
Little Accidents: The sole survivor of a tragic mining accident in a small West Virginia coal town deals with the pressure of having the town’s economic interests depend on his testimony. The lives of three unlikely families become interwoven after more tragedy strikes. Part of the Women + Film program, this is the debut film from director Sara Colangelo, with a cast including Boyd Holbrook, Jacob Lofland, Elizabeth Banks, Chloe Sevigny, and Josh Lucas. Nov 16, 4 p.m.; UA Pavilions
Red Army: For 40 years starting in the mid-1950s, the Soviet Union dominated ice hockey. This documentary by director Gabe Polsky is mostly told through the perspective of Viacheslav “Slava” Fetisov, the team’s captain, who was just one of the many athletes who went from national hero to political enemy when he chose to defect. Nov 17, 6:45 p.m.; UA Pavilions
Two Days, One Night: A working-class mom (played by Marion Cotillard) returns to her job after medical leave to discover that her coworkers have voted to reallocate her duties to receive bonuses. On the verge of poverty, Sandra has one weekend to convince her colleagues to sacrifice their bonuses for her. Nov 22–23 (times vary); SDFF Sie FilmCenter, 1510 York St.
Wild Canaries: Three roommates in a Brooklyn apartment suspect murder when their rent-controlled neighbor dies suddenly. In their quest for answers, they not only discover truths about the crime, but also about themselves. Nov 15–17 (times vary); SDFF Sie FilmCenter