FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2001
Contact: Margot Gerber
THE AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE PRESENTS AN IN PERSON TRIBUTE TO
BRITISH ACTOR MALCOLM MCDOWELL
Featuring Sneak Previews Of His Two Latest Films:
GANGSTER NO. 1 and ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR
June 21-24, 2001
HOLLYWOOD – The American Cinematheque presents OUTSIDE LOOKING
IN: A TRIBUTE TO MALCOLM MCDOWELL, an in-person retrospective of seven of the
actor’s films (June 21-24, 2001), including his latest, the electrifying GANGSTER
No. 1, and the American Premiere of the Cannes entry, ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR.
McDowell will appear in-person for discussion with selected titles. Malcolm McDowell
serves as perfect poster boy for the prototypical British punk, the rebellious missing
link between angry young thespians like Albert Finney and Richard Harris and later
magnetic performers such as Gary Oldman, Tim Roth, Jude Law and musician Johnny Rotten.
McDowell’s working class roots laboring in his dad's pub and his open, vocal disdain
for his short stay in the Royal Shakespeare Company anticipated his brilliant film debut
in IF... and subsequent portrayal of charming sociopath Alex in A CLOCKWORK
ORANGE. This startling, explosive talent was unwilling to ever accept the status quo.
His track record from films like O LUCKY MAN! and TIME AFTER TIME, to later
acclaimed movies such as ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR and his latest film, the stylish, GANGSTER
NO. 1, are evidence of a fiery, youthful brilliance undiminished by time. About the
later, Vincent Canby wrote in The New York Times, "not since reaching his
mature years has McDowell given such a fine, strong, crafty performance."
Thursday, June 21 , 2001
The Thursday, June 21st program begins at 7:30 PM with Stanley Kubrick’s legendary A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, 1971, Warner Bros., 137 min. Master filmmaker Kubrick was so stunned by McDowell's debut
in IF... that he was reportedly unwilling to begin his film of Anthony Burgess' savagely brutal, futuristic satire until he could be assured of McDowell's participation. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE proved to be more prophetic than anyone dreamed, as the punk explosion and skinhead-fomented violence in the later Seventies witnessed. Discussion following with actor Malcolm McDowell. Special Ticket Price of $10.00 General, $8.00 Members (for this show only).
Friday, June 22, 2001
The Friday, June 22nd program begins at 7:00 PM with GANGSTER NO. 1, 2000, Film Four, 103 min. Directed by Paul McGuigan (ACID HOUSE). Malcolm McDowell's much-lauded latest discards the tongue-in-cheek sunniness of many recent British crime films, returning to the gritty brilliance of such hardboiled fore-bearers as GET CARTER, THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY and THE KRAYS. Gangster 55 (McDowell) recalls his cold blooded legacy and the horrific events that led to his usurping leadership from boss Freddie Mays (David Thewlis, in an equally astonishing performance) in Swinging Sixties London (which is stylishly costumed and art directed). Newcomer Paul Bettany (A KNIGHTS TALE) does a star-making turn as the youthful Gangster 55 (who bears a striking resemblance to a young McDowell). Also starring Saffron Burrows. " A smart, violent thriller to take seriously." The GUARDIAN and "Brilliantly dove-tailed performances from McDowell and Bettany." Empire Magazine. the latter is most important in setting up the film's character structure. Discussion following with Malcolm McDowell.
Following at 9:30 PM is CAT PEOPLE, 1982, Universal, 118 min. Dir. Paul Schrader. An intoxicating, visually delirious remake of the Val Lewton original, set in an Italian giallo vision of New Orleans that fearlessly takes the sexual implications of the story to its uncompromising, amoral finale. Virginal Nastassia Kinski wreaks havoc when she reunites with warped, repressed minister brother McDowell, and falls in love with zoo curator John Heard. An immensely entertaining and stylish thriller, from the director of AFFLICTION.
Saturday, June 23, 2001
The Saturday, June 23rd program begins at 5:00 PM with IF ..., 1968, Paramount, 111 min., directed by Lindsay Anderson. More than any other film of the era, IF... perfectly represents the international spirit of youthful rebellion in the late Sixties, establishing a balance between broader, pop culture movies like WILD IN THE STREETS and Jean-Luc Godard's apocalyptic WEEKEND. Boarding school student Travis (McDowell) is one of the great screen outsiders, a poetic rebel individualist and sensitive wild man – McDowell, director Anderson and writer David Sherwin imbue him with an emotional honesty and intellectual depth rarely seen in films about youth. Discussion following with Malcolm McDowell.
Following at 8:00 PM is a Lindsay Anderson/Malcolm McDowell Double-Feature!! Featuring a Brand New 35 mm. Print!! O LUCKY MAN!, 1973, Warner Bros., 178 min. Dir. Lindsay Anderson. This incredible surrealistic allegory is a stunning sequel to IF..., following the adventures of Travis (McDowell) as he seeks his fortune navigating an untamed frontier of nuclear plant meltdowns, experimental genetics clinics and swinging London. With Rachel Roberts, Ralph Richardson, Helen Mirren and Alan Price. Next on the same bill is BRITANNIA HOSPITAL, 1982, MGM/UA, 115 min. Dir. Lindsay Anderson. In the star-studded, hellzapoppin’ conclusion of the trilogy that began with IF... and O LUCKY MAN!, Travis (McDowell) is now a filmmaker shooting a documentary on the disintegrating title institution, a hospital beset by nightmarish labor woes, demonstrators against an African dictator patient, a mad scientist (Graham Crowden) conducting bizarre experiments and an impending visit by the Queen Mother. With Joan Plowright, Jill Bennett, Mark Hamill, Alan Bates and Arthur Lowe.
Sunday, June 24, 2001
The Sunday, June 24th program begins at 5:00 PM with TIME AFTER TIME, 1979, Warner Bros., 112 min. One of his most popular and engaging films finds McDowell as Victorian era writer H.G. Wells, time-traveling to contemporary San Francisco in pursuit of Jack the Ripper (David Warner). He finds help and romance from shy, modern girl Mary Steenburgen. A marvelously entertaining blend of sci-fi, literary history and modern pop culture, from Nicholas Meyer, the director of STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN. Discussion following with Malcolm McDowell.
Following at 7:45 PM is the US PREMIERE of THE ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR, 1991, 104 min., directed by Karen Shakhnazarov. This groundbreaking British/Russian co-production stars McDowell in one of his most daring performances as a mental patient who believes that he, not only assassinated Tsar Alexander in 1881, but that he also spearheaded the execution of Nicholas II's family in 1918. Past and present blend as his doctor (Oleg Yankovsky) attempts to cure him with therapy that will reconstruct the events in question. A telling allegory of the USSR's collapse and the need to heal past societal traumas. Quite remarkable... It is both a mystical and psychological exploration of the murder of the Romanov family. The film is magnificent looking but more important, it is acted with immense skill by McDowell and Yankovsky." Vincent Canby, NY TIMES.
All films are separate admission except those listed as Double Features are one ticket price for both films. There is a five minute break between films on double bills.
Interview requests should be directed to Malcolm McDowell’s publicist Colleen Kirk at 310.231-7912. Call 323.461.2020, ext. 115 for press notes. For information on Malcolm McDowell see: The Genius of Malcolm McDowell Website at www.malcolm-mcdowell.com
BLACK AND WHITE AND COLOR IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.WE DO NOT HAVE GUARANTEED PRESS PASSES TO PUBLIC SCREENINGS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ADVANCE PRESS SCREENINGS.
A complete calendar/flyer listing of these films has been mailed to you.
ALL OF THE FILMS ARE AVAILABLE ON VIDEOTAPE (NTSC) COMMERCIALLY AT LOCAL VIDEOSTORES OR IN OUR OFFICE. SEE LIST BELOW FOR COMPLETE
DETAILS. TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE VIDEOTAPES IN OUR OFFICE PLEASE CALL MARGOT GERBER AT 323.461.2020, ext. 115. THANK YOU.A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (Jerry’s, Rocket Video, Vidiots, Cinefile, Videoactive)
CAT PEOPLE (Jerry’s, Rocket Video, Vidiots, Cinefile, Videoactive)
IF… (Jerry’s, Rocket Video, Vidiots, Cinefile, Videoactive)
BRITANNIA HOSPITAL (Rocket Video, Vidiots)
TIME AFTER TIME (Jerry’s, Rocket Video, Vidiots, Cinefile, Videoactive)
ASSASSIN OF THE CZAR (Cinematheque Office)
GANGSTER #1 (Cinematheque Office)
Eddie Brandt’s Saturday Matinee (Burbank) Walk in only no phone.
Jerry’s Video (1904 Hillhurst, Los Feliz - 323.666.7471)
Rocket Video (726 N. La Brea - 323.965.1100)
Cinefile (11280 Santa Monica Blvd. - Corner of Sawtelle Ave. - 310.312.8836)
Vidiots (302 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica - 310/392-8508)
REQUESTS FOR PRESS TICKETS TO PUBLIC SCREENINGS MUST BE IN WRITING. FAX TO 323.461.9737 ATTN: MARGOT GERBER, 24 HOURS PRIOR TO SHOW TIME. FRIDAY AT NOON IS THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR WEEKEND OR HOLIDAY SCREENINGS. JOURNALISTS WISHING TO AUDIO OR VIDEOTAPE DISCUSSIONS MUST ALSO SEND A WRITTEN REQUEST. YOUR NAME WILL THEN BE ON A LIST AT THE BOX OFFICE.
THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Please note that our ticket prices increased as of Feb. 15, 2001. New Prices: $8 General; $6 Cinematheque Members. $7 Seniors (65+ years) and students with
valid ID card. Must be shown at box office at time of purchase.
Our permanent daily attraction film FOREVER HOLLYWOOD is now open. For press passes to see it for review purposes, please call Margot Gerber at 323.461.2020, ext. 115.
American Cinematheque, 1800 North Highland Avenue, Suite 717, Hollywood, CA 90028
(tel) 323.466-FILM
u (fax) 323.461.9737 On the web: http://www.egyptiantheatre.com