| Special Events & Limited
Engagements in August
Thursday, August 14 – 7:30 PM Alternative Screen
Co-presented with the Slamdance Film Festival
LA Premiere
ROCKETS
REDGLARE, 2003, 88 min., USA Director Luis Fernandez De La Reguera documents the
life of charismatic NYC underground stand up comic (The Rocket Redglare Taxi-Cabaret) and
actor "Rockets Redglare" who battled life long addictions that eclipsed the
career he might have had. The extremely talented Rockets (who was already addicted in
utero – his mother was a 15-year old heroine addict and his father a gangster)
appeared in a number of films including BIG, BASQUIAT, MYSTERY TRAIN and DOWN BY LAW. To
each role he brought his intimate understanding of New York’s rough and seedy
characters. In addition to his show biz ambitions, Rockets was also bodyguard and drug
dealer to Sid Vicious and Jean Michel Basquiat. With interviews with colleagues, director
Jim Jarmusch, actors Steve Buscemi, Matt Dillon, Willem Dafoe, and others. An official
selection of the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. Discussion
following with the director.
Monday, August 18 – 7:30 PM SOLD-OUT
Special Sneak Preview:
LOST IN TRANSLATION, 2003,
Focus Features, 105 min. Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett
Johansson) are two Americans in Tokyo. Bob is a movie star in town to shoot a whiskey
commercial, while Charlotte is a young woman tagging along with her workaholic
photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi). Unable to sleep, Bob and Charlotte cross paths one
night in the luxury hotel bar. This chance meeting soon becomes a surprising friendship.
Charlotte and Bob venture through Tokyo, having often hilarious encounters with its
citizens, and ultimately discover a new belief in life’s possibilities. Shot entirely
on location in Japan, Sofia Coppola’s LOST IN TRANSLATION is a valentine to the
nature of close friendships and to the city of Tokyo. Ms. Coppola’s film, from her
original screenplay, contemplates the unexpected connections we make that might not last
– yet stay with us forever. Discussion following with
director/writer Sofia Coppola.
DOWN UNDER WONDERS
Co-Presented with LAAFTA (Los Angeles
Australian Film & Television Association) Sponsored by ShowFilm/RockitCargo and
Austrade
We are excited to bring you more exciting new and retrospective work
from Australia. We have acclaimed director Phillip Noyce (RABBIT-PROOF FENCE, CLEAR AND
PRESENT DANGER, DEAD CALM) in-person with one of his earlier films, "NEWSFRONT",
a superlative look at a transitional time in Australian and the world culture of media and
news. Next is a diverse program of shorts, highlighted by Rachel Griffiths (SIX
FEET UNDER, THE HARD WORD, HILARY & JACKIE) latest directorial effort
"Roundabout" and a new claymation short from Adam Elliot (Brother, Uncle,
Cousin) which is narrated by Academy-Award winner Geoffrey Rush. We will have some
of the shorts filmmakers in person and a reception to follow this screening.
LAAFTA members receive $2.00 off tickets (2
maximum per program) to both programs.
Tuesday, August 19 - 7:30 PM
25th Anniversary! Newly Remastered Print,
Rare Screening with Director Phil Noyce in person!
NEWSFRONT, 1978, 110 min. Directed by
Phillip Noyce. One of Mr. Noyce’s personal favorites among his films (THE QUIET
AMERICAN, RABBIT PROOF FENCE, THE BONE COLLECTOR, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, DEAD CALM).
This is the story of two newsreel photographers in post-WW2 Australia. Fresh, spontaneous
look at how television’s instant images knocked out the newsreel industry. Seamless
blend of actual black and white newsreel footage and color narrative make for an
unpredictable ride. Starring Bryan Brown, Bill Hunter and Wendy Hughes. Discussion following with director Phillip Noyce.
Wednesday, August 20 – 7:15 PM
DOWN UNDER WONDERS SHORTS
"Shot" Dir. Puven Pather (10 min.) Powerful story
of a war correspondent photographer who does not heed his own advice and loses
perspective. U.S. Premiere! "Mimi" Dir. Warwick Thornton (13 min). Funny
look at how cross-cultural misconceptions bring out the beast in a piece of art. L.A.
Premiere! "From the Top" Dir. Alistair Reid (14 min). The past bleeds
into the present. Art imitates life. Comedy is no laughing matter. "Beginnings"
Dir. Husein Alicajic (8 min). Compelling, eerie look at a relationship gone wrong. "Bing"
Dir. Eron Sheean (8 min). Surreal, beautiful take on the power of a memory. "Excursion"
Dir. Cris Jones (4 min). You wake up, that’s how it always starts. L.A. Premiere!
"Harvie Krumpet" Dir. Adam Elliot (22 min). Moving claymation biography
about a seemingly normal man cursed with bad luck. Narrarated by Academy-Award winner
Geoffrey Rush. L.A. Premiere! "Roundabout" Dir. Rachel Griffiths (16
min). A mans life suddenly spirals out of control. Strong indictment on our fast-moving
world by actress/director (TULIP, SIX FEET UNDER, THE HARD WORD). "The Waltz"
Dir. David Deneen. Gorgeous-looking short about a pivotal moment in the lives of a
farming couple in the Australian outback. Discussion
following with several of the filmmakers (Husein Alicajic, Darren Dale & Puven
Pather. A reception will follow the discussion.
Thursday, August 21 – 7:30 PM
An Alternative Screen Tribute to John Sayles
John Sayles & Rita Moreno In Person with a Sneak
Preview!
CASA DE LOS BABYS (2003, IFC, 95 min., USA) This provocative ensemble drama from the director
of SUNSHINE STATE and MEN WITH GUNS is about six American women about to adopt babies. The
film is a poignant look at clashing cultures, modern maturity and the mystery of fate.
Trapped together in a South American hotel (run by Rita Moreno (WEST SIDE STORY) they wait
for their adoptions to go through with a local orphanage. Despite the women’s
differences and the necessity of forced friendships, they share a hope and desperation in
their overwhelming desires to become mothers. They also find themselves willingly and
unwillingly involved in the local community where lives are effected by "Casa De Los
Babys." Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal (SECRETARY), Daryl Hannah (BLADE RUNNER), Susan
Lynch (THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH), Marcia Gay Harden (POLLACK), Mary Steenburgen (SUNSHINE
STATE), Lili Taylor ("Six Feet Under") and Vanessa Martinez. Discussion following with John Sayles and Rita Moreno. |
