Curtain rises Wednesday on the 18th Sonoma International Film Festival

A Little Chaos” describes both the Sonoma International Film Festival offices this week, and the film that opens its 18th annual cinema celebration next Wednesday, March 25.

Nevertheless, festival director Kevin McNeely promises five days of great films, food, music and parties. (Some pass holders will even get a sneak peek at the films at a special preview and reception at 6 p.m. this Sunday, March 22 at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.)

The five-day festival opens March 25 with a private opening night in the Plaza Backlot Tent for sponsors, filmmakers and Cinema Soiree and VIP pass holders (who attend all events free of charge), and closes with the Awards Ceremony at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building. Food and drink will be available, included or for sale, at most special events.

On Thursday, March 26, the public is invited to party like rock stars at the “Whisky-a-Go-Go” event, featuring music by Jamie Clark, in the Backlot Tent from 7 to 10 p.m. (tickets $20).

On Friday morning, the tent will host a “Rave Your Day, Sunshine” morning dance party with DJ Cally from 8 to 10 a.m. (tickets $15). In the evening, the community is invited to celebrate the LGBT community at the Prom in the Backlot Tent, with music by Ari Rosenberg and DJ Jimmy Hits (tickets $20).

Saturday evening begins with a Latin dance party, Vamos al Cine-Fiesta, from 7 to 10 p.m., with Freddy Clarke and Wobbly World (tickets $20). The after-party, Despues de la Fiesta Party, will be held at Rossi’s 1906 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., and will feature the San Francisco band, Kiwi Time (tickets $20).

Between parties, 3,500 film fans, give or take, will descend upon the seven festival screening venues around the Plaza and decide between dozens of movie offerings each day. While each of the 60-plus feature films were carefully selected by SIFF programming staff to have wide appeal to festival audiences, here are 10 films that arrive in Sonoma with considerable buzz.

Ten Films Not To Miss

The opening night film, “A Little Chaos,” is a lavish British historical drama directed by actor Alan Rickman. King Louis XIV, played by Rickman, is determined to prove that France can conjure unparalleled splendor and commissions the famous landscape architect André Le Notre to design the grand gardens of the still-to-be-completed Palace of Versailles. Academy Award winner Kate Winslet plays the revolutionary gardener hired by Le Notre. Sebastiani Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25.

“The Week” is a dramatic comedy about a washed-up TV host whose wife leaves him the day before a big anniversary trip. He decides to do all of the events they had planned by himself and the week becomes his personal vision quest, filled with odd characters, awkward romance, and some overdue self-examination. A Q&A with directors John Mann and Jon Gunn follows the film. Sonoma Community Center, 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. Vintage House, 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 27.

“A Shot of Whisky” chronicles the Hollywood Strip nightclubs that changed music history. The Whisky A Go Go, the Roxy, the Viper Room, and the Troubadour were clubs where bands such as the Doors, Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Motley Crue and Van Halen got their start. World Premiere. Burlingame Hall, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26. Vintage House, 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28.

Sonoma is the site of the world premiere of the timely documentary “California High.” Californians have been debating whether or not marijuana should be legal for more than 100 years. From secret indoor grow rooms in Los Angeles to the fields of Humboldt County, this film explores the legalization battle from the perspective of growers, cops, politicians and activists. There will be a Q&A with the directors after the film. Sonoma Community Center, 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 27 and 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28.

“Sold” is the powerful and disturbing story of a young Nepali girl who is sold by her father, unknowingly, to a brothel in India. She is beaten and raped until she finally plans a daring escape. The film stars Gillian Anderson and David Arquette. There will be a Q&A with Arquette and director Jeffrey Brown after the screening. Sebastiani Theatre, 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 27. Burlingame Hall, noon Saturday, March 28.

Jennifer Siebel Newsom returns to SIFF (“Miss Representation,” 2012) with her new documentary, “The Mask You Live In.” The film examines how our culture’s narrow definition of masculinity is harming our boys, men and society at large and explores what we can do about it. A Q&A with Newsom follows the film. Burlingame Hall, 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 27 and at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29.

The buzzworthy and thought-?provoking documentary “Do I Sound Gay?” explores whether there is such a thing as a “gay voice.” Why do some people “sound gay” but not others? Why are gay voices a mainstay of pop culture – but also a trigger for anti-gay harassment? The documentary includes interviews with Margaret Cho, Tim Gunn, Dan Savage, David Sedaris and George Takei. Sonoma Community Center, 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 27. Woman’s Club, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28.

“The Connection” is a stylish, ‘70s-period French crime thriller inspired by true events. The cast includes Academy Award-winner Jean Dujardin as real-life Marseille magistrate Pierre Michel about his crusade to dismantle the most notorious drug smuggling operation in history: the French Connection. U.S. Premiere. Sebastiani Theatre, 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29

The suspenseful feature “Backcountry” is based on a true story about a couple who became lost while camping in the Canadian wilderness, putting their already-fragile relationship in further peril. That all pales when they realize they have unwittingly entered a bear’s territory. A Q&A with the director follows the film’s screenings. Vintage House, noon Thursday, March 26. Sonoma Community Center, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28.

“The Search,” a powerful French film directed by Academy Award winner Michel Hazanavicius (“The Artist”), closes the festival. Set during the Second Chechen War, the conflict is told through four lives that are brought together by a shocking twist of fate. Annette Bening plays a Red Cross worker in one of the refugee centers. Sebastiani Theatre, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29.

“Not only did we screen more than 400 submissions, but our staff also attended festivals around the world scouting out the best movies for this year’s festival,” said Kevin McNeely, the festival’s executive director. “Whether you love documentaries, dramas, shorts or foreign films, we really believe there is something great for everyone this year.”

Individual tickets can be purchased to any films with space once pass holders are seated. The complete schedule, as well as festival and day passes, event tickets and the volunteer application form are all available online atsonomafilmfest.org.

‘We really believe ?there is something great for everyone this year.’

- Festival director Kevin McNeely