The CineVegas Film Festival calls itself the “Most Dangerous Film Festival in the World.”  Having attended more than 100 festivals worldwide where I’ve heard the hype and seen the promotions and the marketing, I will say that CineVegas is not fucking kidding.  Not one damn bit.  I’ve been coming to CineVegas more than five years if memory serves and it probably doesn’t because, well, it’s Vegas and drinking is involved, so it might be seven years.  Anyway, that doesn’t matter, what really matters is that no other film festival can provide the kind of danger… the kind of bad that is so good… like gambling and strippers and clubs and parties and depravity.  You’ll find some of those elements in the films and the ones you miss can be found anywhere in Vegas.

Dangerous Location
Las Vegas tends to bring out every person’s inner porn star.  And while I wish I could say that festival attendees abstain from this, actually, I don’t wish that at all.  You can count on the fact that every person at CineVegas has a little porn star in them… or at least films starring porn stars available for purchase in their hotel room.  A vacation destination is a key element of a successful festival to attract filmmakers and celebrities, which is why premiering a movie at CineVegas is a director’s dream.

Dangerous Parties
Sure, there are the official parties put on by the festival, which are amazing.  A VIP pass will gain quick entry into the hottest clubs where most won’t make it past the velvet rope. And then there are the after parties that take place in private hotel rooms like, um, mine.

Dangerous Guests
The festival has a proud tradition of honoring celebrities who have had, well, somewhat dangerous careers.  This year Jon Voight and Willem Dafoe will be honored along with notorious underground filmmakers the Kuchar Brothers.  I can’t think of another film festival in the world that would make such eclectic choices for honorees.

Dangerous Films
Bad things can happen in Las Vegas, but you will not find bad films… only dangerous ones.  Of particular interest are the Jackpot Premieres, movies making their debut in the desert, as it were.  There are also special screening events that seek to recreate the dying tradition of the Drive-In.  This year, there will be a special poolside screening of The Beatles Yellow Submarine at Mandalay Bay, which will be renamed for the evening the “Dive-In.”  In addition, there are Vegas-themed films about the city and, what else, gambling.

ChinaShop will be attacking CineVegas 2009 for coverage of films, parties, events and seeking out all the danger for you.
Follow the ongoing updates via twitter @Chinashopmag

By Chris Gore, lead photo by Barbie Brady