Olympia Dukakis didn’t know when she filmed Steel Magnolias that it would be a movie embraced by generations of women as a prime reason to gather and gush about the good and bad times included in the film. “It really startled me,” Dukakis told SRQ. “But I think it’s because it is a film about friendship. Women know they can have it, and they yearn for profound friendships with one another. That movie is about that.” 

It may not be quite as colorful a friendship as that of Clairee and Ouiser, but Dukakis can now be called a friend of the Sarasota Film Festival. The 84-year-old Academy Award winner will be the honoree at today’s Tribute Luncheon, where journalist Regina Heinrich will moderate a special In Conversation event with Dukakis at the Sarasota Yacht Club at 11:30am. Dukakis’ arrival in Sarasota on Thursday afternoon marked the start of a star-studded closing weekend for the 10-day festival.

In addition to Dukakis, Matthew Modine has come to town both for a special screening of the Stanley Kubrick classic Full Metal Jacket last night and screenings of the new Jen Sesko-directed documentary The Brainwashing of my Dad today at 7:15pm and Saturday at 3:45pm.

The last grand festivities of the festival come on Saturday night at the Closing Night Film and Awards. Political comedy The Congressman, the closing night film, brings with it Rep. Robert Mrazek, who wrote the film, and actors George Hamilton and Treat Williams. The filmmaking team for The Congressman will sit for a special In Conversation piece at Florida Studio Theare on Saturday at 4pm before going to the screening at the Sarasota Opera House.

Read more at SRQ Backlot