<<< January 2004 >>>

Limited Engagement!

THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED, 2002, 72 min. Dirs. Kim Bartley and Donnacha O’Briain. While shooting a documentary on Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, an Irish film crew found themselves caught in the middle of an attempted coup by opposition leaders and members of the military (who claimed they were staging a "peaceful, democratic takeover"). While the new, pro-Bush leaders quickly whisked Chavez away to an undisclosed location, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans poured into the streets, demanding his return – leading to one of the most gripping and suspenseful reversals of fortune ever captured on film.

In the Spielberg Theatre

Saturday, January 31 3:30 PM & 5:00 PM

Tuesday, January 6 – 7:30 PM

Holly Hunter in Person!!

THIRTEEN, 2003, Fox Searchlight, 100 min. Dir. Catherine Hardwicke. Straight-A student Tracy lives peacefully with her divorced mother Melanie (an intense performance by Holly Hunter), until she befriends the cool Evie (Nikki Reed, also co-writer), the most popular and beautiful girl in school. The thirteen-year-old girl's relationship with her mother is put to the test as Tracy discovers drugs, sex, self-mutilation and petty crime. "A raw psychodrama about a girl who leapfrogs from pre-adolescent innocence to reckless rebel... THIRTEEN is a deliberately unvarnished shock piece... Catherine Hardwicke's helming debut, which won the jury's directing prize at Sundance, can fairly be compared to the work of Larry Clark, such as KIDS. – Variety

Discussion following with actress Holly Hunter.

Wednesday, January 7 – 7:30 PM SOLD OUT!

Benicio Del Toro, Naomi Watts and Alejandro González Iñárritu in Person!!

21 GRAMS, 2003, Focus Features, 125 min. Another story of hope, humanity, and survival from AMORES PERROS director/producer Alejandro González Iñárritu and writer/producer Guillermo Arriaga. Unexpectedly, the lives and destinies of three people are brought together – Paul Rivers (Sean Penn), a mortally ill mathematician married to an English émigré; Jack Jordan (Benicio Del Toro), an ex-convict who finds in his faith the strength to raise a family; and Christina Peck (Naomi Watts), an upper-middle-class suburban housewife and mother. 21 grams is the weight that one loses at death. Discussion following with actor Benicio Del Toro & actress Naomi Watts. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu will not be able to attend as was previously announced.

Monday, January 12 – 7:30 PM

Tim Robbins In-Person Tribute: As an actor, Tim Robbins has captivated audiences in films as diverse as JUNGLE FEVER, THE PLAYER, SHORT CUTS, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, and MYSTIC RIVER. As a writer and director, he has challenged hearts and minds with the compelling political oeuvres BOB ROBERTS, DEAD MAN WALKING, and CRADLE WILL ROCK. Please note that THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION will screen first followed by CRADLE WILL ROCK. Tim Robbins will speak between films.

THE SHAWSHANK REDEPMPTION (1994, Columbia Pictures, 142 min.) directed by Frank Darabont. Andy Dufresne is a young and successful banker who is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her lover. Set in the 1940's, the film shows how Andy, with the help of his friend Red, the prison entrepreneur played by Morgan Freeman, turns out to be a most unconventional prisoner. Based on the Stephen King short story "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption." Discussion between films with actor/director Tim Robbins.

CRADLE WILL ROCK, 1999, Disney/Buena Vista, 132 min. Based on a still-relevant true story, CRADLE finds writer/director Tim Robbins passionately examining the growing political skepticism and abandonment of arts support in 1930s New York City. Controversy arises over an Orson Welles theatrical production of Mark Blitzstein’s pro-union musical and a politically-charged Diego Rivera mural commissioned by Nelson Rockefeller. With an all-star cast (including Emily Watson, Susan Sarandon, Vanessa Redgrave, Bill Murray, John Cusack, and many more), CRADLE brings to life some of the 20^th century’s most significant figures.

Tuesday, January 13 – 7:00 PM

Free Seminar Hosted by Tom Hatton

HISTORIC PROGRAM – Sid Grauman and the Courtyard Theatres of California
"The Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation presents noted architectural historian Alfred Willis' multi-media program featuring a talk illustrated with slides and a brief presentation on the endangered Fox Fullerton Theatre, a courtyard theatre built by the same firm that built Grauman’s Chinese and Egyptian Theatres, as well as many of the early silent film studios.

Special guests (including Louise Holler Craddock, granddaughter of the architects) relating to the architecture and decoration of the Chinese, Egyptian, and Fox Fullerton theatres, have been invited. Alfred Willis received his Ph.D. in architectural history at Columbia University. Previously, he headed the Arts Library at UCLA and served as architecture librarian at Kent State University. Willis is currently assistant director for collection development at Hampton University’s Harvey Library in Virginia, and actively researches, writes and speaks on topics including the thousands of notable Meyer & Holler structures located throughout greater Los Angeles.

Plans have been submitted to the City of Fullerton to tear down the 1925 Italian-Renaissance Fox Fullerton Theatre to build apartments. The non-profit foundation is raising funds in order to buy, restore and re-open the original vaudeville and silent movie house as a multi-use venue featuring independent, art films, and live performances. more information on efforts to save the Fox Fullerton Theatre, call 714/607-0884 or visit www.FoxFullerton.org.

Thursday, January 15 – 7:30 PM

SPACE IS THE PLACE, 1974, Plexifilm, 82 min. Dir. John Coney. Avant-garde jazz legend Sun Ra, along with Intergalactic Solar Arkestra, returns to planet Earth to save the Black race in this long-lost 1970's cult gem, recently restored to its full-length director's cut. Via "trans-molecularization," Sun Ra plans to convert harmonic progressions into energy and transport fellow African-Americans to a better world. But not if NASA, the FBI, and a mysterious cardshark club-owner have anything to do with it!! A deliciously crafted homage to 50s and 60s ultra low-budget sci-fi films, SPACE IS THE PLACE also tips its hat to blaxpoitation, fairy tales, and concert films. Starring and featuring original music by the legendary Sun Ra. Discussion following with producer Jim Newman.

Saturday, January 17

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

Sunday, January 18

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

Sunday, January 18 – 2:00 PM

LLOYD E. RIGLER MEMORIAL TRIBUTE

Join Cinematheque staff and friends of long-time Los Angeles philanthropist Lloyd E. Rigler in a celebration of his life. In a continuing expression of his passion for cinema, Mr. Rigler provided funds to bring popular guests such as Farley Granger and Kim Novak to the Egyptian Theatre. The 616-seat theatre at the Egyptian was named for him to recognize his major contribution to the renovation of the theatre. A buffet will be served following the memorial and guests are invited to stay for the 5:00 PM double feature. There is no charge for this program.

Patricia Kennedy Board member of the Joffrey Ballet

Wednesday, January 21 – 7:30 PM

Alfred Hitchcock Screening + Booksigning:

FRENZY, 1972, Universal, 116 min. Director Alfred Hitchcock revisits his theme of the wrongfully accused man, but with a ferocious vengeance not seen outside of PSYCHO. Chip-on-his-shoulder bartender Jon Finch is mistaken for the strangler in a London murder spree perpetrated by his elegant flower-merchant friend, Barry Foster. With a great cast that includes Anna Massey, Alec McCowen, and Vivian Merchant. There will be a booksigning with author Patrick McGilligan for his new book, Alfred Hitchcock – A Life In Darkness And Light, prior to the screening from 6:30 – 7:30 PM in the Lobby.

Wednesday, January 28 – 7:30 PM

Tribute to Marvin Paige: If you've been to a see a revival screening of a classic Hollywood film with directors or stars in attendance recently in L.A., you probably have Marvin Paige to thank for it. One of the unsung heroes of the repertory film scene in town, casting director and Cinematheque Board of

Trustees member Marvin Paige devotes countless unpaid hours to arranging for legendary actors, writers, and directors to appear in person for audience discussions. To thank him for all his efforts, and to celebrate his indelible contributions to Hollywood film culture, we're screening one of Marvin's favorite films, LAURA, plus a Hollywood homage that he cast himself, THE MAN WITH BOGART'S FACE ! American Cinematheque members will be admitted free to this screening.

LAURA, 1944, 20^th Century Fox, 88 min. Dir. Otto Preminger. Investigating a murder, chain-smoking Detective McPherson (Dana Andrews) falls in love with the dead woman – only to find out that it wasn't her that was murdered. Even in a genre known for its convoluted twists, LAURA is a film noir one-of-a-kind. The brilliant cast includes: Gene Tierney as the gorgeous Laura, Clifton Webb as Waldo Lydecker, and Vincent Price as Laura's fiancée, Shelby Carpenter. The famous haunted and nostalgic musical theme by David Raskin is unforgettable.

THE MAN WITH BOGART’S FACE, 1980, 20^th Century Fox, 106 min. Dir. Robert Day. Ex-cop Sam Marlow (Robert Sacchi) undergoes plastic surgery, has a name change, hires a blonde secretary, and opens up a detective agency – all to emulate his movie hero, Humphrey Bogart. Action, murder, and laughs follow as Sam is called upon by a goofy assemblage of clients (a parody of Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Mary Astor) and goes from yachts to mansions and winds up on a boat docked at the island of Santa Catalina. A funny parody of hard-boiled detective films, with Sacchi bearing a remarkable resemblance to Bogart. Discussion following with Marvin Paige, actor Robert Sacchi, actress Michelle Phillips, and screenwriter/novelist Andrew J. Fenady.

Wednesday, January 28^th – 7:30 & 9:30 PM. Spielberg Theatre

COMEDY SHORTS! Our third installment of this popular program. We have two alumni directors: Mitchell Rose and the team from "Japanese Tradition." We have a documentary, a docu-comedy, and comedies on subjects dear to any Angeleno’s heart – SUV’s, tanning salons, and a man who only converses in lines from Christopher Walken film roles. Highlights also include two World Premieres and several of the filmmakers in person for a discussion. This program is in the smaller Spielberg Theatre, so get your tickets early!

Mitchell Rose’s "Case Studies from the Groat Center for Sleep Disorders" (7 min). A faux-scientific investigation into sleep patterns and their origins. Javier Prato’s "Vegas Knock-Out" (4 min). This will knock YOU out! World Premiere! Tsirbas Aristomenis "Tank Up.US" (11 min). Is this a critique of SUV-lovin’ Angelenos or a celebration of the gas-guzzling road hogs? Junji Kojima & Kentaroh Kobayahsi’s "The Japanese Tradition: Relationships" (30 min). The second short in a series devoted to deconstructing the rigorous rules dictating behavior in Japanese society. Oskar Axelsson’s "Nylon" (9 min). This criminal gets it ALL wrong. World Premiere! Dusty DePree’s "Golden Showers" (11 min). A dark spoof on Angelenos’ obsession with appearance. Philip Zlotorynski’s "WalkenTalk" (11 min). A young man finds it much easier to converse as Christopher Walken than himself. Hilarity ensues. Filmmakers Mitchell Rose, Javier Prato, Tsirbas Aristomenis, Dusty DePree & Philip Zlotorynski will appear at a post-screening Q & A.

Friday, January 30 - 7:00 PM & 9:15 PM (the same show will repeat at 9:15 PM)

Alternative Screen Independent Film Showcase

The Wonderful World of Sid’s Cinema

[Spielberg Theatre]

Now 95, former Vaudevillian one-man band Sid Laverents was already in his fifties in 1959 when he bought his first Bolex camera and began shooting travelogues, nature films, and humorous experimental shorts to screen for his local San Diego Amateur Film Club. Over the next five decades, Sid made dozens of short films and videotapes that are remarkable for their technical skill, creative ambition, highly personal (and often bawdy) subject matter and corny humor. Chief among them is "Multiple SIDosis" (1970, 9 minutes, 16mm film), one of only four amateur films ever accessioned into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Also included in the program are: "It Sudses and Sudses and Sudses" (1963, 9 minutes, 16mm film; "The Butterfly with Four Birthdays" (1965, 25 minutes, 16mm film); "Dinosaur Dream" (1995, 9 minutes, video); "The Making of Dinosaur Dream" (1995, 8 minutes, video); "The One-Man Band" (1964, 10 minutes, 16mm film); "Shine on Harvest Moon" (1982, 2 minutes, 16mm film). UCLA restorationist Ross Lipman will be on hand to discuss his restoration of "Multiple SIDosis" and UCLA’s ongoing work with Sid’s films.

All shorts are presented in Super VHS produced under the supervision of Sid Laverents, except "Multiple SIDosis," which is a 35mm restored print. Program compiled by Kim Cooper and Al Guerrero.