Wine Country Film Festival lights up Sonoma Valley

Now its 31st year, the Wine Country Film Festival is known for presenting movies from all over the world in unusual settings.

This year’s festival, running Sept. 22-24, will showcase 51 films from 22 countries.

Venues include the Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen, where films will be screened outdoors, and the Kenwood Depot and the Event Room at the Kenwood Fire Station, both in Kenwood.

“It’s been a stellar year scouting films for the 31st edition,” said Stephen Ashton, founder and program director. The new al fresco venue at Quarryhill is outstanding.”

A few highlights:

“Kincsem,” Hungary, 2017, 121 min. Ernõ Blaskovich lost everything after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, but Kincsem, a magnificent but unruly racehorse, gives him a second chance to get revenge, and win both love and fame. The evening includes a Derby Outfit costume contest. Gates open at 6 p.m., with the film showing at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 22. Quarryhill Botanical Garden, 12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen. $20.

“Duel of Wine,” Argentina and Italy, 2016, 95 min., in English. French, Italian and Spanish. This comedy features cameos by winemakers and chefs playing themselves and stars famous sommelier Charlie Arturaola. Preceded by “Lambrucso, Behind the Glass,” (Italy, 2017, 3 min.) the film will screen at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 23 at Quarryhill Botannical Garden. $20.

The day also includes a wine-tasting seminar titled “Taste Your Senses,” with Arturaola, running from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Quarryhill patio, followed by a one-on-one, question-and-answer session with Arturaola and Sonoma County sommelier Christopher Sawyer. $75 per person.

“Inuit Lands: The Melting Point,” United States, 2017, 112 min. Documentary filmmaker Patrick Morell, travelled across Greenland from 2011 through 2013 to create this tribute to internationally renowned French explorer and historian Jean Maluarie and his lifetime study of the Arctic people. The film will screen at 5 p.m. Sept. 24. Kenwood Depot, 314 Warm Springs Road, Kenwood. $10. Morell also will conduct a master class on documentary filmmaking at 10 a.m. Sept. 24 at the Kenwood Depot. $10.

“Tour de France,” France, 2015, 95 min. Veteran French film star Gerard Depardieu co-stars with rapper Sadek as unlikely pair on a ‘bucket list” tour French ports following the footsteps of painter Joseph Vernet. Gates open at 6 p.m. with the film showing at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 24. Quarryhill Botanical Garden. $20.