Opening night of the 31st Portland International Film Festival features "The Band's Visit," a wry comedy by Director Eran Kolirin, which follows the plight of the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra. On their trip to perform at an Arab cultural center, the band is stranded in a remote Israeli village whose amused and generous-hearted locals take them in for a memorable night. Highly visual, Kolirin's humor moves beyond the situational comedy to find characters unexpectedly confronting what one refers to as "tons of loneliness" and an almost existential sadness. Kolirin will attend the screening and join audience members after the film at the Opening Night party at the Portland Art Museum's ballroom. For more information about the festival, screen times or sponsors, visit www.nwfilm.org. "The Band's Visit" costs $9 general, $8 for members and $6 for children younger than 12 and seniors. Opening Night costs $30 or $25 for members. Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-276-4310.