<<< June 2009 >>>

Also see Outfest Wednesdays!

Then come to the American Girl® Cafe for a meal. Additional American Girl® programs on July 19 and August 15!

[Spielberg Theatre] QUEER GAZING: EXPLORING GAY FILM AESTHETICS Whether it’s "lavender," "pink," gay or queer in visual and narrative design, homosexuality’s influence in cinema is now pretty much mainstream. But is there an actual "gay film aesthetic"? How have "homo-revisionist" readings of classic films added creative depth to gay cinema's foundation? Take a wild ride through everything from homoeroticism to the establishment of the queer POV called "The Gay Gaze" and rediscover queer cinema in more of its flamboyant glory. Thomas Ethan Harris instructs. Film clips will be used to inspire an open dialogue with the audience.

Click for more information about the Cinematheque's Seminar Series.

We hope that you will join us!In this informative seminar, film festival programmer/film consultant Thomas Ethan Harris (former Director of Programming, Los Angeles Film Festival and Palm Springs International Short Film Festival) will examine the European Film Movements that have defined contemporary filmmaking. For more details click here. $20 General, $15 Students/Seniors and $12 Cinematheque Members.

INK, 2009, Double Edge Films, 102 min. Dir. Jamin Winans. As the light fades and the city goes to sleep, two forces emerge. They are invisible except for the power they exert over us in our sleep. They battle for our souls through our dreams. One force supports our hopes and gives us strength, the other force leads us toward desperation through our nightmares. A brutal mercenary named Ink is on a mission for those who give the nightmares, though he has his own unknown purposes. Tonight as the city sleeps, 8-year-old Emma (Quinn Hunchar) awakens in the dream world. Before she can catch her breath, she is ripped from her sleeping body by Ink. The fight is on for Emma's life, as Ink races her through the many dimensions of the dream world. To save her, the dream-givers marshall all their resources. They focus in the real world on winning back the soul of Emma's tragically broken father (Chris Kelly). Shot on DV on a ridiculously low budget, director Winans achieves startling imagery and effects, conjuring a surreal nightmare world much like an unholy cross between Terry Gilliam and Shinya Tsukamoto (IRON MAN). "Film geeks, there is a new ‘it’ movie – INK. It is not easy to fully convey the experience of this film in words, because it is so visual, has such a complicated narrative, and looks and feels so different than anything else I've seen…When I'm searching for films to compare it to, I think of things like THE MATRIX, DARK CITY, DONNIE DARK, and BRAZIL…a lock to achieve cult phenomenon status, and launch the career of Jamin Winans into the stratosphere." – Ain’t It Cool News Discussion following with Filmmakers moderated by Copernicus from Ain't It Cool News.

THE LITTLE FOXES, 1941, Samuel Goldwyn Films, 115 min. Southern belle or Southern hell? The claws come out when family fortunes are on the line. Bette Davis is a ruthless member of a Southern clan facing financial decline, and she's backed up by a stunning supporting cast that includes Dan Duryea and Teresa Wright in their film debuts. Director William Wyler pioneered a new form of screen realism with his subtle but elaborately designed deep-focus compositions in this essential film. The same year that he shot CITIZEN KANE for Orson Welles, cinematographer Gregg Toland crafted some equally impressive images for this powerful portrait of family intrigue, based on Lillian Hellman’s play. Discussion following with the director of Pasadena Playhouse’s production, Dámaso Rodriguez, Deborah Martinson (author of Lillian Hellman: A Life With Foxes and Scoundrels) and play cast members Rachel Sondag (Alexandra Giddens) and Sean Lee (Leo Hubbard) as well as costume designer Mary Vogt, plus David Wyler. Reception following sponsored by Southern Literary Trail (www.southernliterarytrail.org)

Pasadena Playhouse presents The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman May 22 – June 28. 2-for-1 Tickets for American Cinematheque Members! Valid for performances through June 28. Mention code AMCN. Section B only. You must have a current American Cinematheque membership card to use this discount. Restrictions apply. (626) 356-7529 More info: www.pasadenaplayhouse.org More

TRIPLEPLAY: A SHOWCASE OF SHORT FILMS FROM THE STUDENTS OF CLEVELAND, HOLLYWOOD AND KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOLS, 2009, 90 min. From three of the top film and video programs in the Los Angeles Unified School District, this collection of narrative short films is an example of the best of what the digital revolution has brought to high school education in Los Angeles. Discover tomorrow’s Hollywood superstar filmmakers at the beginning of their creative careers. Brian Lowry of Variety writes about these student filmmakers, "These are the kind of teenagers you actually root for to make it." Special admission price for everyone: $5.

Mission Statement:
In an ever-changing world, media communication is one of the most powerful means of influencing the minds and hearts of people around the world. The Media Academies make our future filmmakers aware of this power, and their responsibility to use it thoughtfully. As future professionals in the entertainment industry, our students learn technical, intellectual and artistic skills. More importantly, the curriculum develops their vision, integrity and character. Media Academy students will become artists and craftspeople that lead the way for the future with imagination, compassion and courage.

Some of the films on the schedule include:

BREAK AWAY
Directed by Franchesco Ramos (Cleveland High School). Based on her battle with leukemia, Guadalupe Garcia has fashioned a story about Kenya, a young girl who relapses and must endure, yet again, years of chemotherapy, hair loss and loneliness. In the movie, as in real life, our young heroine finds strength through the love and support of her brothers, who are mother, father and everything to her.

CRACKER JACK'D
Directed by Kelly Jensen (Kennedy High School). Amanda White couldn't catch a break--three failed driving tests and a nagging mother. Not to mention a pesky younger sister who now is old enough to take the test herself. Which one will pass the test first and get the car? With Amanda's evaluator from hell anything could happen.

THE END OF HIGH SCHOOL
Directed by Jonathan Jayasinghe (Cleveland High School). A high school athlete finds himself attracted to another boy for the first time. The two begin a complex and beautiful courtship in this impressionistic recollection of first love and the confusion of sexual identity in high school.

THE GENTLE ART OF MAKING FRIENDS
Directed by Joshua Marroquin (Hollywood High School). A troubled teenager attempts to make friends with a group of popular seniors who pity him. His displaced confidence goes awry when he finds a faulty handgun in his garage.

IN THE CROSSHAIRS
Directed by Steve Delgadillo (Kennedy High School). The government is going to conduct a deadly test on the last female pleatherback turtle in existence; with the power to heal Don Alberto's rare blood disease. The mob is willing to do anything to save its boss. the hippies will do anything to save the turtle. everyone wants the turtle and only detectives Ross Smith (Sonny Decker) and Anthony DeTriste (James Gaier) can stop them. The mob incorporates a twisted plot to kidnap the turtle. It's up to the detectives to make sure the testing goes as planned.

IT SOUNDS LIKE PUBERTY
Directed by Javier Rodriguez (Kennedy High School). A young boy suffers from puberty and is quick to assume that the transformation is not nature taking it's course but an unfortunate curse.

TEN TO TEN
Directed by Kelle Leonard (Kennedy High School). A breakfast of champions. A notoriety for being late, really late. Will Frank get to his internship on time? That choice may be out of his hands, and in those of his watch.

Instructor Bios:

James Gleason (Cleveland High School):
Mr. Gleason has written, produced, directed - and taught film production for over twenty years. He achieved national recognition for his program at Pacoima Middle School in the 1990s, when he inspired his students to produce a feature film shot in 16mm which screened at the Sundance Film Festival. He has won countless awards, including those sponsored by AFI, Videomaker Magazine and Lucas Films/MGM.

Aaron Lemos (Kennedy High School):
Mr. Lemos has been teaching filmmaking for 8 years in the LAUSD. Prior to teaching Mr. Lemos was a post production supervisor for Walt Disney/Touchstone Television. His credits include various television shows and made for television movies for ABC, NBC, HBO, TNT and VH1. He has degrees from San Francisco State University and UCLA. He is very proud of his students for all their hard work and dedication to their craft.

Antonio Manriquez (Hollywood High School):
Mr. Manriquez has led dual careers as an educator and filmmaker for the past decade. He began his career at the age of 14, directing a feature film which screened at the Sundance Film Festival. Mr. Manriquez is an Apple Certified Final Cut Pro Trainer who was instrumental in bringing the Apple Authorized Training Center for Education (AATCe) program to both Cleveland and Hollywood High Schools.

Evelyn Seubert (Cleveland High School):
Ms. Seubert worked as a teacher, actress, producer and director in the theatre in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles before working behind-the-scenes in television and film production. She has taught at Cleveland High since 2000, where she founded the Teen International Media Exchange and the International Youth Media Summit. She also co-created Media Craft Workshops at the Museum of Television & Radio.

Links:
Cleveland High School Media Academy website
Hollywood High School Media Academy blog
Kennedy High School Filmmaking Magnet website
Daily Variety article on Cleveland High School
Moviemaker Magazine article on Antonio Manriquez

For the total “Old Hollywood” experience take a docent-led tour of the legendary 1922 Egyptian Theatre. See what it would have been like to be in a Grauman stage show with a visit to the dressing rooms and singers' boxes. Check out our state-of-the-art projection booth and more! Discover the painstaking restoration work and the marriage of modern technology with a landmark of Hollywood history. Tours will start promptly at 10:30 AM at the box office. Tours are approximately 60 min. Wear your walking shoes! You will see the old dressing rooms, the singer's boxes and the projection booth (not normally included on our tours). Reservations are not required, we have room for everyone. You can check our website or our voicemail for emergency cancellations. Tours will be held rain or shine.
Tickets: Tour & movie: $10.

What Mother doesn’t like gossip on Hollywood legends, scintillating stories of the silent screen and dramatic tales of historical architectural preservation? Bring yours! Special Treats for Moms Attending the Tour Today!

For the total “Old Hollywood” experience take a docent-led tour of the legendary 1922 Egyptian Theatre. See what it would have been like to be in a Grauman stage show with a visit to the dressing rooms and singers' boxes. Check out our state-of-the-art projection booth and more! Discover the painstaking restoration work and the marriage of modern technology with a landmark of Hollywood history. Tours will start promptly at 10:30 AM at the box office. Tours are approximately 60 min. Wear your walking shoes! You will see the old dressing rooms, the singer's boxes and the projection booth (not normally included on our tours). Reservations are not required, we have room for everyone. You can check our website or our voicemail for emergency cancellations. Tours will be held rain or shine.
Tickets: $5. Tour & movie: $10.