1996 Telluride Film Festival Diaries
An Introduction

by Leslie Rigoulot

Director Werner Herzog and Jim Dee, Telluride 1996

August 29, 1996

The Telluride Film Festival is charming for number of reasons. First it is held in Telluride, Coloroado, one of the most beautiful places in the United States. The Rocky Mountains lend it an air of grandeur that only the Alps coud rival. A sleepy town twenty years ago, Telluride has been discovered by Hollywood and only its remote location in Southwest Colorado has kept it quaint. Secondly, the organizers of the fest don't tell anyone what it going to be shown, who will be feted at the tributes or who will be attending until the opening day. But it is worth the wait because the powers that be also have a talent for picking winners. In recent years "To Die For", "The Crying Game", "Ed Wood" and "The Piano" have premiered at Telluride. That is an enviable track record and one that the 23rd Telluride Film Festival will surely continue.