FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RENOWNED DIRECTOR RIDLEY SCOTT TO APPEAR IN PERSON AT THE AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE FOR THE FIRST LOS ANGELES RETROSPECTIVE OF HIS WORK
Featuring the 1992 "Director’s Cut" version of BLADE RUNNER; multiple Oscar Winner GLADIATOR; ALIEN; and a brand new 35 mm print of SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
September 14 – 23, 2001
HOLLYWOOD – GLADIATOR director Ridley Scott will appear in-person on selected evenings for the American Cinematheque’s presentation of MAXIMUM PICTURES: THE VISIONARY CINEMA OF RIDLEY SCOTT (Sept. 14-23, 2001), a six night retrospective of ten of his films. Highlights of the series include a screening of the 1992 "Director’s Cut" of futuristic classic, BLADERUNNER starring Harrison Ford; five-time Oscar winning picture, GLADIATOR starring Russell Crowe; sci-fi, monster movie ALIEN, female road film sensation THELMA AND LOUISE and a screening of a brand new 35mm print of SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME. Scott is scheduled to appear in person with ALIEN and BLADERUNNER. All guests are subject to their availability. All screenings are at the newly renovated Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the historic Egyptian (6712 Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Las Palmas) in Hollywood.
Few contemporary filmmakers have exerted such a powerful influence on cinema as British director Ridley Scott. From the doomed techno-romanticism of BLADE RUNNER (arguably the most-copied film of the past 25 years, from commercials to music videos to cyberpunk literature) to the breathtaking spectacle of the multi-Academy Award winning GLADIATOR, Scott has managed to create films that are both artistically ravishing and commercially successful. It’s a testament to Scott’s gifts that he can take groundbreaking, controversial subjects, often with strong female leads (Sigourney Weaver, Demi Moore, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis), and layer in such a wealth of sumptuous visual detail that even the most diverse audiences respond.
Born in 1937 in Hartlepool, England, Scott was educated at the Royal College of Art, where he studied painting alongside David Hockney and R.B. Kitaj. After working as a graphic designer, and briefly for documentarians Bob Drew and D.A. Pennebaker, Scott became a set designer and later a director at the
BBC on "Z-Cars" and other British television series. In 1965, he founded Ridley Scott Associates (RSA), world (in partnership with his brother Tony), which has since become one of the most successful commercial production houses in the "Blessed with a good eye", as Scott has wryly remarked, he has assimilated his interest in painting, photography, poster and advertising art into a remarkably consistent visual style – a gorgeously over-saturated vision of worlds ancient (GLADIATOR, LEGEND), modern (SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME) and future (BLADE RUNNER).
Friday, September 14 – 7:30 PM
The Friday, September 14th program begins at 7:30 PM with ALIEN, 1979, 20th Century Fox, 117 min. From its cool, sinister textures to its (literally) stomach-churning special effects, director Ridley Scott’s ALIEN reinvented the monster from space movie as something mesmerizing, inescapable and strangely beautiful. It also introduced the American action heroine in Sigourney Weaver’s tough-as-nails Ripley, going head to head with the H.R. Giger-designed Alien. With Tom Skeritt, Yaphet Kotto, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Veronica Cartwright. Discussion following with director Ridley Scott. Special Ticket Price of $10.00 General, $9.00 Sr./Student, $8.00 Members.
Saturday, September 15, 2001
The Saturday, September 15th program begins at 5:00 PM with THE DUELLISTS, 1977, Paramount, 101 min. Scott’s auspicious debut film still ranks among his very best. Honorable officer Keith Carradine is dogged by psychotic Harvey Keitel, a fellow French Hussar demanding satisfaction after an imagined slight. Unable to finish their duel to the death and refusing to let bygones be bygones, Keitel continues to hound Carradine for years against the backdrop of their involvement in the epic Napoleonic Wars. The duels escalate in savagery and stupidity, inevitably altering the course of Carradine’s life and mirroring the pointlessness of the larger conflict that engulfs them. With Albert Finney, Cristina Raines, Edward Fox.
Following at 7:30 PM is GLADIATOR, 2000, Dreamworks, 154 min. Dir. Ridley Scott. A welcome return to the glorious sweep of Hollywood epics such as SPARTACUS and BEN-HUR, GLADIATOR stars Russell Crowe as honor-bound Roman general Maximus, whose freedom and family are brutally taken by jealous emperor Joaquin Phoenix. With the help of slave-owner Oliver Reed (in his last great performance) and fellow warrior Djimon Hounsou, Crowe literally fights his way towards the bloody day of reckoning in the Colosseum. Winner of 5 Oscars including Best Picture, Actor, Visual Effects, Sound and Costume Design.
Wednesday, September 19, 2001
The Wednesday, September 19th program begins at 7:00 PM with a Double-Feautre. First up is a screening of a brand new 35 mm. print of SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, 1987, Columbia, 106 min. Scott’s haunting, Art Deco-inspired noir stars Tom Berenger as a married New York cop who falls in love with the socialite (Mimi Rogers) that he’s been assigned to protect. A companion piece (of sorts) to BLADE RUNNER, SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME more than holds its own as one of Scott’s most visually ravishing pictures. Next on the same bill is BLACK RAIN, 1989, Paramount, 126 min. Dir. Ridley Scott. Tough NYC cop Michael Douglas inadvertently loses extradited hood Yusaku Matsuda upon arrival in Japan, then plummets head first down the neon rabbit hole into a nightmarish yakuza underworld. Violent, gut-wrenching pyrotechnics abound, depicted in the diamond-hard brilliance of Jan DeBont’s cinematography and top-notch performances from an excellent cast that includes Ken Takakura, Andy Garcia, Kate Capshaw and Tomisaburo Wakayama.
Friday, September 21, 2001
The Friday, September 21st program begins at 7:30 PM with a screening of the "Director’s Cut" (1992) of BLADE RUNNER, 1982, Warner Bros., 117 min. Scott’s acknowledged masterpiece, BLADE RUNNER is also one of the most influential films of the past 25 years, a dazzling fusion of retro-noir and future paranoia, set in a decaying, rain-drenched Los Angeles dominated by Mayan pyramids of unimaginable wealth. Harrison Ford stars as the government-sanctioned killer who falls in love with gorgeous, enigmatic Sean Young, while trying to eliminate Rutger Hauer and his rogue band of genetically-engineered replicants. Please note: we will not be screening the 1991 "workprint version" of BLADE RUNNER as was previously announced in our calendar. We will be screening the 1992 "director’s cut" version. This is the version that does not have Harrison Ford’s voice-over. Discussion following with director Ridley Scott. Special Ticket Price of $10.00 General, $9.00 Sr./Student, $8.00 Members.
Saturday, September 22, 2001
The Saturday, September 22nd program begins at 5:00 PM with LEGEND, 1985, Universal, 89 min. Tom Cruise stars as the mischievous, pure-of-heart boy bent on rescuing ethereal heartthrob Mia Sara from the sensual snares of demon Tim Curry and his goblin horde. A master of the otherworldly, Scott creates one of his most intoxicating fantasy realms in LEGEND, aided by superb production design from Assheton Gorton and wonderfully grotesque make-up from Rob Bottin. "A fairy tale produced on a grand scale, a classic tale of the struggle between darkness and light" – Variety. (We will be screening the U.S. release version of LEGEND with a score by Tangerine Dream)
Following at 7:30 PM is THELMA AND LOUISE, 1991, MGM/UA, 128 min. Another go-for-broke, wildly popular saga where Scott’s female protagonists emerge as heroic role models for a generation even as everything disintegrates in an exhilarating thrill ride around them. Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) take a fishing trip to get away from their dead-end relationships only to end up dispatching a would-be rapist. This results in a cross-country rampage on the lam from the law, all culminating in one of the most daring, over-the-top, simultaneously uplifting/downbeat climaxes ever recorded on film. It’s a tribute to Scott that he’s one of the very few directors who could pull it off. With Harvey Keitel and Brad Pitt.
Sunday, September 23, 2001
The Sunday, September 23rd program begins at 5:00 PM with a Double-Feature. First up is WHITE SQUALL, 1996, Buena Vista, 127 min. Scott’s rugged, open-water adventure story is a modern day version of CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS, based on the true story of an ill-fated 1960 voyage in which a tough-but-loving captain (Jeff Bridges) attempted to sail 12,000 miles across the Atlantic with a crew of troubled teenaged boys. With John Savage, Scott Wolf, Ryan Phillippe, Balthazar Getty. Next on the same bill is G.I. JANE, 1997, Buena Vista, 124 min. Demi Moore is made to run the gauntlet as the first woman in the Navy Seals program after outspoken senator Anne Bancroft turns the heat up on Capitol Hill. Scott’s continued fascination with strong women reaches its perfect distillation as Moore goes up against tough-as-
nails drill instructor Viggo Mortensen, commanding officer Scott Wilson and even her supposed ally Bancroft, in this pared-to-the-bone, white hot examination of what it’s like to be a woman in today’s military.
All films are separate admission except those listed as Double Features which are one ticket price for both films. There is a five minute break between films on double bills.
Interview requests should be directed to Ridley Scott’s office. Send a fax to the Cinematheque addressed to Scott and we will forward it. Fax: 323.461.9737.
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BLACK AND WHITE IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. PLEASE SEND YOUR REQUEST TO publicity@americancinematheque.comk
WE DO NOT HAVE GUARANTEED PRESS PASSES TO PUBLIC SCREENINGS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ADVANCE PRESS SCREENINGS. A LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SCOTT’S APPEARANCES.
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. SEE LIST BELOW FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL MARGOT GERBER AT 323.461.2020, ext. 115. THANK YOU.
Eddie Brandt’s Saturday Matinee (Burbank) Walk in only no phone.
VideoActive (2522 Hyperion, SilverLake – 323.669.8544)
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)
ALIEN (Cinefile, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
THE DUELLISTS (Cinefile, Jerry’s, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
GLADIATOR (Cinefile, Jerry’s, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
BLADE RUNNER (Cinefile, Jerry’s, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
LEGEND (Cinefile, Jerry’s, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
THELMA AND LOUISE (Cinefile, Jerry’s, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
WHITE SQUALL (Jerry’s, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
G.I. JANE (Cinefile, Jerry’s, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (Jerry’s, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
BLACK RAIN (Cinefile, Jerry’s, VideoActive, Vidiots, Rocket)
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 (fax) 323.461.9737 On the web: http://www.egyptiantheatre.com