<<< February 2004 >>>

THE BEST OF THE 2004 SLAMDANCE
FILM FESTIVAL
February 5 & 12, 2004

If you didn't make the trek to the snow-capped peaks of Park City, Utah for the 10th annual Slamdance Film Festival - or simply couldn't see EVERYTHING while you were there - you'll have two nights at the Egyptian to catch up with 2004 festival winners, as well as "fest best" from Slamdance Poland. Fresh from the January 23rd award ceremony, we'll bring you the Audience Award winning short and feature; the Grand Jury selections; "Best Documentary" and various other prize-winners. Schedules permitting, filmmakers, still clutching their coveted "Sparky" award statuettes, will appear with their films. Winners will be announced at www.slamdance.com by Jan. 25th. The exact screening schedule will be available at www.egyptiantheatre.com or at 323.466.FILM by Jan. 28th.

Thursday, February 5 - 7:00 PM 

The Best of the 2004 Slamdance Film Festival

Double Feature: TOUCH ME (DOTKNIJ MNIE, 82 min.) Slamdance Poland 2003 Festival Winner. This examination of several characters desperately looking for love in Poland is directed by Ewa Stankiewicz and Anna Jadowska. Polish short film "The Hat" ("Kapelusz", 9.5 min.) from director Smoczynska Agnieszka will screen first. A man receives a hat from his despotic father. Will the hat turn him into a mature man? Filmmakers in person following the screening.

Grand Jury Sparky Award for Best Narrative Feature Sponsored By Panasonic

HOMEWORK (USA, 77 min., Narrative, 2003) WORLD PREMIERE A 16-year-old ballet dancer explores her sexual and emotional world in unexpected ways when she encounters a plumber with a life beyond her controlled environment. Starring Paz de la Huerta, Isaach De Bankolé and Evan Neumann.  Directed by Kevin Asher Green. Kevin Asher Green to appear in person following the screening.

Thursday, February 12 - 7:00 PM  

The Best of the 2004 Slamdance Film Festival
Audience Sparky Award for Best Short Sponsored by Iron Mountain Film & Sound Archives

"Tackle Box" (USA, 10.5 min., Narrative, 2003) An elderly couple has fished the Lowcountry waters for decades. When they are separated by death, the story turns on the strange and lingering effect of the old woman’s passion for fishing, a love so powerful that it ultimately leads a group of thrill-seeking losers to a peculiar redemption. Directed by Matthew Mebane. Filmmakers in person following the screening. www.tackleboxthemovie.com

Followed by:

Audience Sparky Award for Best Film Sponsored by Maryland Film Office

BIG CITY DICK (USA, 129 min., Documentary, 2003) WORLD PREMIERE This captivating journey into the world of a savant street musician and his lifelong struggle to become a successful recording artist. His celebrity obsessions range from Jeff Bridges to Johnny Mathis and then The Stone Temple Pilots discover his music... Directed by Scott Milam, Ken Harder, Todd Pottinger. Filmmakers to appear in person for discussion following the screening. www.bigcitydick.com

February 6 –8, 2004

"Of all the wonders associated with this trio of films – the literate, generally well structured overall script, the perfection of the New Zealand locations, the visionary scenic designs, the exceptional visual effects, the costumes, hair and armor, and the excellent cast – perhaps the most impressive feat of all has been Peter Jackson's ability to keep it all in his head through the years and deliver a cohesive work with a proper sense of balance and proportion." – Variety

J.R.R. Tolkien's literary masterpiece The Lord of the Rings has influenced generations of readers worldwide and continues to captivate new fans around the globe. After an unprecedented year and a half of production, with the three films in the trilogy shooting simultaneously, director Peter Jackson and a brilliantly talented cast and crew have brought to cinematic life the epic adventure of good against evil. The future of civilization rests in the fate of the One Ring, which has been lost for centuries. Powerful forces are unrelenting in their search for it. Fate has placed it in the hands of a young Hobbit named Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), who inherits the Ring – and undertakes a heroic quest revealing how, through courage, commitment, and determination, even the smallest of us can change the world.

This special screening of the entire LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy is a unique opportunity to experience the three films with in-person appearances by the creative team responsible for this epic achievement, including director Peter Jackson, producers Robert Shaye, Fran Walsh and Mark Ordesky, and actors Elijah Wood and Sean Astin.

Friday, February 6 - 7:30 PM - MEET THE DIRECTOR SOLD OUT!

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, 2001, New Line Cinema, 178 min. Director Peter Jackson conjures a heroic quest set in a time of uncertainty in the land of Middle-earth. The future of civilization hangs in the balance, as dark powers search unrelentingly for the One Ring that has been lost for centuries. A young Hobbit named Frodo (Elijah Wood), inherits the Ring and steps into legend. With Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen. Discussion following with director Peter Jackson.

Special Ticket Prices: $10 General; $9 Students/Seniors; $7 Members. General Admission Passes for all 3 screenings are available for $25. We will be showing the original Theatrical Release versions of all 3 films, not the extended versions.

Saturday, February 7 - 4:00 PM MEET THE ACTORS SOLD OUT!

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS, 2002, New Line Cinema, 179 min. Dir. Peter Jackson. THE TWO TOWERS follows the continuing quest of Frodo (Elijah Wood) and the Fellowship that has joined together to destroy the One Ring and stand against the evil of the dark lord Sauron. Actors Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, Costume Designer Ngila Dickson and composer Howard Shore to introduce screening.

Special Ticket Prices: $10 General; $9 Students/Seniors; $7 Members. General Admission Passes for all 3 screenings are available for $25. We will be showing the original Theatrical Release versions of all 3 films, not the extended versions.

Sunday, February 8 – 5:00 PM - MEET THE FILMMAKERS SOLD OUT!

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING, 2003, New Line Cinema, 200 min. Dir. Peter Jackson. Mankind has never been more desperately in need of its King. The Fellowship, and the forces united behind them, have come at last to the greatest battle of their lifetimes. Vastly outnumbered, their fight now hinges on a single, urgent goal: to allow Frodo to complete his quest in this final decisive moment. With Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen. Director Peter Jackson, producers Robert Shaye, Mark Ordesky, Fran Walsh (writer/producer) and Philippa Boyens (writer) to introduce screening.

Special Ticket Prices: $10 General; $9 Students/Seniors; $7 Members. General Admission Passes for all 3 screenings are available for $25. We will be showing the original Theatrical Release versions of all 3 films, not the extended versions.

Tuesday, February 10 – 7:30 PM

Co-presented by Asifa-Hollywood.

World Premiere!

Oscar winning animator Gene Deitch is a maverick cartoonist and veteran animation director, who has spent most of his career creating western-style cartoons from his studio in Prague. Deitch’s innovative approach to animation has won him awards and admiration since his earliest work for UPA in the 1950s. He revitalized the CBS-Terrytoons studio of the 1950s by enlisting such talents as Ernest Pintoff, R.O. Blechman and Jules Feiffer, and creating neurotic anti-heroes as TOM TERIFFIC, SIDNEY and FLEBUS. Moving to the Czech Republic in late

1950s, Deitch produced numerous theatrical and television shorts, including his Oscar-winning film MUNRO (1960), and dozens of children’s book adaptations including the works of Maurice Sendak and William Steig.

The program includes a wide range of his animated films and the world premiere of new shorts, from stories by Jules Feiffer, "Bark, George" (a collaboration with Feiffer) and "I Lost My Bear." Discussion following with animator Gene Deitch.

Wednesday, February 11 – 7:30 PM

FORREST J. ACKERMAN TRIBUTE IN PERSON

Join us in celebrating the life & passion of the Cinematheque’s good friend Forrest J Ackerman, "Mr. Science Fiction," with in-person guests (including John Landis, Curtis Harrington, Joe Dante, Frank Darabont and more) honoring his immense contributions to Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Cinema, plus a special "Ackerman Clip Reel," followed by a screening of one of Forry’s favorite films, DEAD OF NIGHT (1945).

"Uncle Forry," as friends and fans affectionately call him, is credited not only with coining the term "Sci-Fi" in 1954, but inspiring a legion of future filmmakers (including Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, John Landis, Joe Dante, Tim Burton, Peter Jackson and others) with his groundbreaking magazine "Famous Monsters of Filmland." Forry saw his first "imagi-movie" in 1922 (ONE GLORIOUS DAY), purchased his first Sci-Fi magazine ("Amazing Stories") in 1926, created The Boys' Scientifiction Club in 1930, and contributed to the first fanzine ("The Time Traveller") in 1932. He attended the First World Science Fiction Convention in 1939 and every Worldcon but two since. He received the first Hugo Award, has had 50 stories published, and edited 200 issues of the world's first film monster magazine "Famous Monsters of Filmland." He’s also appeared in over 100 films including THE TIME TRAVELLERS, THE HOWLING, INNOCENT BLOOD, and AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON. For several generations of science fiction fans, the ultimate experience has been a trip through the fabled "Ackermansion," where Forry would generously host public tours of his legendary collection of sci-fi movie artifacts, magazines and artwork. Forry’s many treasures from his private collection will be displayed for posterity at the new Seattle Science Fiction Museum opening in June 2004.

DEAD OF NIGHT, 1945, Canal Plus, 102 min. Dirs. Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden and Robert Hamer. Walter (Mervyn Johns) is stuck in a nightmare of déjà vu’s. Visiting a country house, he knows he’s been there before and that something dreadful will happen. But he must first listen to the ghost stories of the house’s guests before he leaves, something which may make it too late to avoid disaster. Keep an eye out for Michael Redgrave and his friend Hugo!

Saturday, February 14

11:35 AM, 2:00 PM & 3:30 PM FOREVER HOLLYWOOD

Sunday, February 15

11:35 AM, 2:00 PM & 3:30 PM FOREVER HOLLYWOOD

Tuesday, February 17 – 7:30 PM

DAVID HEMMINGS MEMORIAL TRIBUTE

David Hemmings (1941 – 2003) came of age as a performer during the heyday of Britain’s era of film renaissance, its "angry young cinema." He started in 1954, doing minor bits then moving up to supporting roles, but it wasn’t until Antonioni’s BLOW UP in 1966 where he hit his stride as a leading man, winning acclaim and cementing his image as an intelligent, amoral, impossibly sexy Mod icon. Roles in films like CAMELOT, CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE, BARBARELLA, ISLANDS IN THE STREAM, DEEP RED and many others followed. In the 1970’s and 80’s, Hemmings reinvented himself as a producer (co-founding Hemdale Films) and director in features (JUST A GIGOLO) and television. He recently returned to acting with excellent supporting performances in GLADIATOR and GANGS OF NEW YORK. We fondly remember him as not only a great actor, but a restless and unpredictable artistic spirit, with this double feature of two of his films:

BLOW UP 1966, MGM (Warners), 111 min. Dir. Michelangelo Antonioni. In-demand fashion photographer David Hemmings shags half the models in London – before running into enigmatic beauty Vanessa Redgrave, who only wants a certain roll of film from him. A riddle within a riddle, Antonioni’s most famous film has often been imitated (De Palma’s BLOW-OUT, Greenaway’s DRAUGHTSMAN’S CONTRACT) – but never equaled.

FRAGMENT OF FEAR, 1971, Columbia, 96 min. One of director Richard Sarafian’s (VANISHING POINT) most underrated pictures delivers a disturbing psychological mystery as ex-addict Tim (David Hemmings) travels from Italy to London to try to find out the answers behind his aunt’s (Flora Robson) death. But the more he investigates, the more tangled the web. Director Sarafian supplies a surplus of intrigue but refuses to deliver easy answers, straying into Roman Polanski nightmare terrain. Hemmings turns in a knockout performance in this rarely-seen thriller, recently restored by Columbia Pictures. Co-starring Gayle Hunnicutt (Hemming’s then spouse), Adolfo Celi.

Thursday, February 19 – 7:30 PM

L.A. Premiere – New Music Documentary:

JANDEK ON CORWOOD, 2003, 88 min. Who is Jandek? What is Corwood Industries? Over the past 25 years, an enigmatic musician named Jandek has released 35 albums on his own label; the music has been described as sounding like "a deathbed Neil Young" and "someone who has a completely untuned guitar and is just sort of meandering and yelling over it." Jandek has counted among his incredibly small circle of admirers such people as Beck, Kurt Cobain and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth. What adds to his mystique is the fact that he’s steadfastly refused to grant any interviews or give out any biographical information – making him arguably the most underground/obscure/cult musician of the past 25 years. Director Chad Friedrichs’ documentary pieces together the few known facts about this artist’s life and music into a hauntingly beautiful portrait of loneliness, eccentricity, and persistence in the face of almost complete indifference from the world at large. Director Chad Friedrichs and Co-producer Paul Fehler will appear for discussion following the screening.

Wednesday, February 25 – 8:00 PM

Film Week Event with KPCC (120 min.)

Larry Mantle's AirTalk and FilmWeek, FM 89.3 KPCC Southern California Public Radio taped for later broadcast in front of a live audience.

8:00 - 9:00 PM - The State of the Movie-Going Experience in Southern California. Panelists include Barbara Smith, American Cinematheque, Greg Laemmle, VP Laemmle Theatres, Peter Dobson, CEO of Mann Theatres, Jerry Pokorski, Executive Vice President Head Film Buyer for Pacific Theatres.

9:00 - 10:00 PM - FilmWeek, reviews of the week's new releases and a special Academy Awards Preview with local film critics including Peter Rainer, NewYork Magazine; Jean Oppenheimer, New Times; Henry Sheehan of henrysheehan.com; F.X. Feeney, L.A. Weekly; Charles Solomon, animation critic for amazon.com; and Andy Klein, CityBeat and Valley Beat. Audience discussion to follow.

A special dinner for KPCC Leadership Circle members will be held at the Pig & Whistle at 6:30 p.m. For more information on the KPCC Leadership Circle go to www.kpcc.org

Saturday, February 28 – 10:00 AM

Presented by American Cinema Editors (A.C.E.)

You saw their names in the opening credits. Then you saw their names in Variety. Now discover how they went from dailies to Oscar-nominated films. An open discussion with all of this year's Oscar-nominated editors. Admission is free, first come, first served.