| Special Events in November:
ON SET WITH FRENCH
CINEMA
November 1 – November 22,
2004
Co-presented with Unifrance, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and the French Film & TV Department – Consulate General in Los
Angeles.
American Cinematheque is thrilled to once again be part of On Set
with French Cinema, a partnership between Unifrance and the French Ministry of Foreign
Affairs that brings some of the most exciting voices in contemporary French Cinema into
American universities for MFA seminars this fall. We couldn't pass up this opportunity to
invite these same directors to share their films with our own audiences at the historic
1922 Egyptian Theatre.
Join us this fall for screenings and
discussions with French Master Filmmakers Jean-Paul Rappeneau and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Although Jean-Paul Rappeneau directed his first film, CHRONIQUE
PROVINCIALE, in 1958, he worked largely as a writer in the early sixties, collaborating on
scripts for director Louis Malle's ZAZIE DANS LE METRO (1960) and A VERY PRIVATE AFFAIR
(1961) and director Phillipe de Broca's THAT MAN FROM RIO (1964). Rappeneau's first
acclaimed film as director was the comedy, A MATTER OF RESISTANCE (La Vie De Chateau)
(1966). He continued with such comic souffles as THE SCARLET BUCCANEER (1971) and CALL ME
SAVAGE (1975, w/Yves Montand and Catherine Deneuve) and the comedy drama ALL FIRED UP
(1982, w/ Yvs Montand and Isabelle Adjani). 1990 saw the release of his tragic-comic CYRANO
DE BERGERAC, arguably the greatest version of this well-known tale, with an incredible
performance by Gerard Depardieu in the lead role. Rappeneau's swooningly romantic period
adventure HORSEMAN ON THE ROOF, starring Olivier Martinez and Juliette Binoche, followed
in 1995. Rappeneau's latest is BON VOYAGE (2003), a comedy-drama set during World
War II as Paris is about to be invaded by the German army and starring Gerard Depardieu
and Isabelle Adjani.
Monday, November 1 – 7:30 PM
CYRANO DE BERGERAC, 1990, Hachette
Premiere, 135 min. Dir. Jean-Paul Rappeneau. A great tragi-comic, swashbuckling film.
Seventeenth century France is the setting for this famous adventure of the Cadet of
Gascogne, Cyrano (Depardieu), the Soldier-poet expert in fighting who is shy in love and
embarrassed about his large nose. Three men, the powerful Comte de Guiche, the handsome
Christian and the famous Cyrano, are in love with the same woman, the gorgeous Roxane.
Certainly the greatest version of the brilliant play by Edmond Rostand, with an incredible
performance by Gerard Depardieu in the lead role. The film went on to be nominated
for several Oscars and won many Cesars, including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Film.
It also won awards at Cannes for Best Actor and Best Cinematography (Pierre Lhomme). Discussion following with Jean-Paul Rappeneau.
Thursday, November 4 – 7:00 PM
An Evening With The Polish Brothers
– Identical twins Michael and Mark Polish have emerged as one of the
hottest creative teams in American independent cinema with their elegant and inventive
trilogy centered around the intricacies of small town life in the Northwest. We are
pleased to present the complete trilogy, with director/writer/actor Michael Polish and
writer/actor Mark Polish in-person!!
Triple Feature:
TWIN FALLS IDAHO, 1999, Sony
Pictures Classics, 111 min. Dir. Michael Polish. Scr. Mark & Michael Polish. Living in
a dilapidated hotel in the title town, conjoined twins Blake and Francis Falls (Mark &
Michael Polish) lead a simple yet eccentric life of shorthand dialogue, cotton candy, and
a custom-tailored suit. Blake’s healthy heart is enough to keep Francis’
faltering health from overwhelming them – but when an enchanting young woman (Michele
Hicks) enters the picture, the brothers must re-define their individuality. An eccentric
and refreshing love story.
JACKPOT, 2001, Sony Pictures Classics,
97 min. Dir. Michael Polish. Scr. Mark & Michael Polish. When aspiring country singer
Sunny Holiday (Jon Gries) decides to go for the big time, he leaves wife Bobbi (Daryl
Hannah) and their new baby behind to embark upon a small-town tour across the west. With
his manager (Garrett Morris) in tow, he sets sail in a pink Chrysler into a whirlwind of
women, smoky bars, and home appliances. Soon, Sunny discovers that the big-money,
glamorous lifestyle he yearns for is about as likely as a winning lottery ticket in his
hometown of Jackpot, Nevada. With Anthony Edwards.
NORTHFORK, 2003, Paramount Classics,
103 min. Dir. Michael Polish. Scr. Mark & Michael Polish. Northfork is a small Montana
town set to be demolished by a flood in two days time in order to accommodate a dam for a
hydroelectric project. As the town’s inhabitants say goodbye to their homes and
histories, several take a stand and refuse to leave. Enter the trench-coated Evacuation
Committee: six men charged with removing the remaining stubborn residents. A surreal and
poetic story of acceptance and change that unfolds across extraordinary, majestic
landscapes. With James Woods, Nick Nolte, Daryl Hannah, Kyle MacLachlan, Claire Forlani,
and Anthony Edwards. Discussion following the first feature
with Mark and Michael Polish.
Tuesday, November 9 – 8:00 PM
25th Anniversary Cast &
Crew Reunion:
BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25th
CENTURY, 1979, Universal, 89 min. Dir. Daniel Haller. If you were a kid
in the late 70s with a hankering for sci-fi on TV, there was nothing better than
producer/writer Glen A. Larson’s "Buck Rogers In The 25th
Century" (shown here in the theatrical feature version). Gil Gerard brought
just the right mixture of tongue-in-cheek humor and muscular action to the title role,
opposite feisty Erin Gray as Colonel Wilma Deering and stunning, slinky Pamela
Hensley as Princess Ardala. Co-starring Henry Silva, Joseph Wiseman. Sponsored by
Universal Studios Home Video. Co-presented with Cinefantastique Magazine. Discussion following with series producer Glen Larson, actors Tim
O’Connor and Eric Server, actress Erin Gray, technical director/2nd Season
F/X supervisor Peter Anderson and costume designer Jean-Pierre Dorleac.
Costume & memorabilia display in the
lobby.
Wednesday, November 10 – 7:30 PM
FLICKER: ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT REELS
4th annual event! Twenty-five filmmakers brave the
unknown, each shooting one roll of super-8mm film, handing it over to Flicker for
processing and holding their collective breath until they finally get to see their films
along with the audience and other filmmakers – the night of the screening! All
editing is done "in camera" and sound is created without the filmmakers seeing
the film. The filmmakers will introduce what they hope is a masterpiece. We have seen many
delightful and exciting films over the past few years. Come and enjoy the beauty of
Super-8 film on the big screen! For more information, please go to www.flickerla.com.
Sunday, November 14 – 5:00 PM
An Evening With director Neil Jordan +
Booksigning
Please join us for a special evening with one of the most acclaimed
filmmakers in contemporary cinema, Neil Jordan, who will appear beforehand
for a signing of his new novel Shade:
Double Feature:
THE CRYING GAME, 1992, Miramax, 112
min. Director Neil Jordan’s provocatively original and suspenseful love story
follows the quest for redemption of an IRA kidnapper (Stephen Rea) after the death of his
British soldier hostage (Forest Whitaker), a man he’d befriended. The surprising
twists and turns of the plot about transcending sexual as well as national identities
hypnotically draw the viewer in – a remarkably poignant and beautiful film that won
Jordan an Oscar for Best Screenplay. With Jaye Davidson, Miranda Richardson. Some "extras" from the upcoming Special Edition DVD
(Jan. 25th) will be screened after the film.
THE COMPANY OF WOLVES, 1984,
MGM/UA, 95 min. Director Neil Jordan’s first feature film is a charmingly
phantasmagorical dream collage of werewolf lore, pitched somewhere between a creepy fairy
tale and full-blown Hammer horror. A beguiling metaphor for sexual awakening and the loss
of innocence, headed by an exceptional cast that includes Sarah Patterson, Angela
Lansbury, David Warner and Stephen Rea. Discussion between
films with director Neil Jordan.
[Note: Neil Jordan will appear prior to the screening from 4:00 PM
– 5:00 PM for a signing of his new novel Shade in the
Theatre Lobby.]
Monday, November 15 – 7:00 PM
Cecil B. DeMille Tribute Evening
Sponsored by Cecilia DeMille Presley
CECIL B. DEMILLE: AMERICAN
EPIC, 2004, Turner Classic Movies, 116 min. An extraordinary two part
documentary on the life and films of one of America’s most intriguing and spectacular
directors, Cecil B. DeMille. English director and film historian Kevin Brownlow
painstakingly documents all phases of the filmmaker’s life, from his early silents to
his epics THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. With exceptional interviews
including Gloria Swanson, Charlton Heston, Angela Lansbury, Elmer Bernstein, Martin
Scorsese and Agnes DeMille, the film is a must-see document for both De Mille aficionados
and film buffs.
THE GOLDEN CHANCE, 1915, approx.
60 min.. Dir. Cecil B. DeMille. Starring Cleo Denby, Wallace Reid, Ernest
Joy, Edyth Chapman and Raymond Hatton. One of of DeMille’s lesser known
and earliest silent masterpieces is a tale of blackmail. We’ll be screening a
beautifully-restored, color tinted 35 mm. print, preserved by the George Eastman House
Film Archive. Presented with live musical accompaniment by
Robert Israel.
There will be a panel on DeMille between films
chaired by director Kevin Brownlow and film historian Bob Birchard, author of the book Cecil
B. De Mille’s Hollywood. Panel guests include De Mille’s
Granddaughter, Cecilia DeMille Presley, Patrick Stanbury of Photoplay Productions, and
actress Nina Foch (THE TEN COMMANDMENTS).
Thursday, November 18 – 9:30 PM SOLD OUT [This is
not a typo, this screening starts at 9:30 PM.] Unfortunately,
due to a schedule change director Wes Anderson will not be able to appear in person.
Please check back for updates on alternate guest appearances.
Alternative Screen:
Special Sneak Preview – Anjelica
Huston & Jeff Goldblum In Person
THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU,
2004, Buena Vista Pictures. Oscar-nominated writer/director Wes Anderson (RUSHMORE,
THE ROYAL TENNENBAUMS) has assembled an all-star cast to set sail for outrageous
misadventures on the high seas in this wildly original comedy. Eccentric, down-but-not-out
oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) and his motley crew - Team Zissou - find
themselves in troubled waters when they attempt to track down the mysterious "jaguar
shark" that ate his partner while filming a documentary of their latest adventure.
Adding to his nautical nightmares, Zissou must contend with a beautiful journalist (Cate
Blanchett) assigned to write a profile, and a new member of the team who might
possibly be his long-lost son (Owen Wilson). The unsinkable Zissou faces hilarious
complications trying to keep his expedition afloat while bailing out from budgetary woes
and a host of other challenges (including a close encounter with marauding pirates). Also
starring Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Gambon, Bud Cort. The previously announced discussion following with actors Anjelica
Huston & Jeff Goldblum has been cancelled.
ON SET WITH FRENCH CINEMA
November 22, 2004
Co-presented with Unifrance, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Film & TV Department – Consulate
General in Los Angeles.
The American Cinematheque is thrilled to once again be part of On
Set with French Cinema, a partnership between Unifrance and the French Ministry of Foreign
Affairs that brings some of the most exciting voices in contemporary French Cinema into
American universities for MFA seminars this fall. We couldn't pass up this opportunity to
invite these same directors to share their films with our own audiences at the historic
1922 Egyptian Theatre.
Monday, November 22 – 8:00 PM
On Set With French Cinema
Jean-Pierre Jeunet Tribute:
Please join us for a special evening with Jean-Pierre Jeunet,
director of such beloved phantasmagoric favorites as DELICATESSEN, CITY OF LOST CHILDREN
and AMELIE. Largely self-taught, Jeunet began as a director of shorts (including the
award-winning "Bunker Of The Last Gunshots" (Le Bunker de la Derniere Rafale,
1981), commercials and videos, and early on began his sometime collaboration with
artist/designer, Marc Caro. Their first feature film together DELICATESSEN (1991) set the
absurd, surreal, darkly comic tone of other masterpieces to follow and won 4 French Cesar
Awards, including Best New Director and Best Scenario. The success of the film enabled
them to do their long-planned CITY OF LOST CHILDREN (1995), a charmingly dark children's
sci-fi fantasy which went on to reap box office success and lasting cult status. After a
brief foray into Hollywood directing the fourth installment in the Alien franchise, ALIEN
RESURRECTION (1997), Jeunet returned to France with the intention of making a more
personal film. The result was the bittersweet romantic fantasy AMELIE (2000), a picture
that broke box office records not only in France but all over the world. His latest, A
VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (2004) is opening in Los Angeles end of November.
New Print! DELICATESSEN, 1991, Miramax, 102 min. Dirs. Jean-Pierre
Jeunet and Marc Caro. Set in a surreal, post-apocalyptic world that’s equal parts
Terry Gilliam, Jan Svankmajer and Bozo the Clown, DELICATESSEN stars Dominique Pinon as
rubber-faced acrobat Louison, and Marie-Laure Dougnac as his myopic sweetheart Julie,
trying to find love while they evade the murderous meat-cleaver of her father (Jean-Claude
Dreyfus) and a tenement filled with cannibalistic neighbors!
AMELIE, 2001, Miramax, 120 min. Director
Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s marvelous poetic fantasy about a wide-eyed young Parisian
waitress (played by the sensational Audrey Tautou) who manages to influence the destinies
of all who meet her. Filmmaker Mathieu Kassovitz (LA HAINE) co-stars as Amelie’s
would-be boyfriend. Discussion between films with director
Jean-Pierre Jeunet (schedule permitting).
Wednesday, November 24 – 7:30 PM
Bollywood Nights @ The Egyptian!
KANDUKONDAIN, KANDUKONDAIN (I HAVE
FOUND IT), 2000, AP Int’l/Cinema India, 150 min. Dir. Rajiv Menon. Before
the Bollywood/Hollywood hybrid BRIDE & PREJUDICE hits the screen, it’s a good
time to re-visit the other Indian musical make-over of a Jane Austen story –
and ironically, both films star the same actress, the ravishing former Miss World, Aishwarya
Rai - ! Loosely based on Sense & Sensibility, KANDUKONDAIN, KANDUKONDAIN
revolves around two bright, beautiful sisters trying to make their way in the world: one a
starry-eyed dreamer with a lovely singing voice (Rai), the other a level-headed computer
programmer (the equally beautiful Tabu) who’s been dubbed an "unlucky
person" because her first fiance committed suicide. You can bet no Jane Austen novel
ever opened with a pyrotechnics-packed commando raid in the jungle like this does –
and there are many more surprises in store, including the glossy, deliriously over-the-top
musical numbers that no Bollywood film can do without.
November 26 - 28, 2004
Special Return Engagement – In Glorious
70 mm.!!
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, 1962,
Columbia, 216 min. The beautiful, near-godlike Peter O’Toole stars as the
tortured, Man Who Would Not Be King in director David Lean’s absolute
masterpiece – as close to perfect as a film can get. Featuring one of the finest
casts in any motion picture: Omar Sharif (in his first major English-speaking
role), Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Claude Rains and Alec Guinness as Prince
Feisal. D.P. Freddie Young’s 70 mm. photography is rightly considered to be a work of
genius, matched by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson’s screenplay, Maurice Jarre’s
stirring score and John Box’s production design. Winner of 7 Academy Awards,
including Best Picture and Best Director. "When you’re in the desert, you
look into infinity … It makes you feel terribly small, and also in a strange way,
quite big." – David Lean.
Showtimes:
Friday, November 26 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 27 – 1:00 PM
Saturday, November 27 – 5:15 PM
Saturday, November 27 – 9:15 PM
Sunday, November 28 – 2:00 PM
Tuesday, November 30 – 7:30 PM
Laurel & Hardy
Night!
Co-presented with the Way Out West Tent
of the Sons of the Desert.
70th Anniversary Screening!
BABES IN TOYLAND (aka MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS),
1934, MGM/UA, 77 min. Dir. Gus Meins & Charley Rogers. The Victor Herbert
operetta was adapted as a musical comedy vehicle for funnyman duo Stan Laurel and
Oliver Hardy, and it remains as fantastically fresh and entertaining as when it was first released.
In addition to the whimsical slapstick hijinks supplied by the boys, the fantasy elements
are especially well-handled with the march of the wooden soldiers and the shivery
climactic invasion of the bogeymen emerging as memorable highlights. Discussion following with actors Joy Lane, Dickie Jones and Payne Johnson,
moderated by Laurel & Hardy historian Richard Bann.
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