| Special Events & Limited
Engagements in May
SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL
April 30 – May 1, 2003
Japan’s largest and most famous short film festival
, the Short Shorts Film Festival celebrates its
second annual event at the American Cinematheque. Two programs of award-winning films from
North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia will make their Los Angeles
premieres. In keeping with its tradition of presenting shorts by world-renowned feature
filmmakers, Short Shorts is especially proud to present Alexander Payne’s
"Carmen", which he made as a student at UCLA Film School. Founded in 1999 to
introduce the short film format to Japanese audiences, Short Shorts continues to honor
short films as a fertile arena for new cinematic talent and to raise public awareness of
the format as powerful entertainment in and of itself, not merely an appetizer before the
feature.
ALL LOS ANGELES PREMIERES! Your ticket enters you
into a drawing for a trip to Japan or a gift bag given out each night before the beginning
of the screening courtesy of the Short Shorts Film Festival.
All films are subtitled in Japanese and all non-English
language films are subtitled in English.
Thursday, May 1 - 7:30 PM
SHORT SHORTS – PROGRAM B
Alexander Payne’s Carmen" (18 min., USA). Acclaimed
director’s (ELECTION, ABOUT SCHMIDT) first short, which involves a dimwitted gas
station attendant, Ding Dongs and taco sauce. Keichiro Kyuma’s "Suzuki"
(1 min., Japan) A mechanical lover takes precedence over his human counterpart. Jeremy
Weinstein’s "Q" (3 min., Australia) L.A. residents will identify
with this tale of endless lines. Gaelle Denis’ "Fish Never Sleep" (6
min., UK) Surreal look at insomnia and fish. Gustavo Moraes’ "Baseado Em
Estorias Reais" (Based on True Stories, 15 min., Brazil) Andrew Horne’s
"Supermarket Trolleys" (1 min., Australia) Ron Dyens’ "Paroles,
Paroles" (4 min., France) Tragic farce details a bad balloon ride. Gabe
Torres’ "Last Stand" (22 min., USA) A new angle on Custer’s
last stand. Powerful argument against violence. Orlando Mesquita’s "The Ball"
(5 min., Mozambique) In a small village, little boys create a new use for condoms.
Discussion to follow with filmmaker Gabe
Torres ("Last Stand"); and "SUZUKI" Director Keiichiro Kyuma &
Producer & Gustavo Moraes ("Based on True Stories").
May 2
- 11, 2003
LAST DANCE
Limited Exclusive Engagement
(Spielberg Theatre except where noted)
Friday, May 2nd | 7:15 PM & 9:30 PM
Saturday, May 3rd | **12:00 PM noon (in the Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre) & 5:00 PM The
entire Pilobolus Dance Company will appear at the noon screening for q & a with the
director!!
Sunday, May 4th | 11:00 AM (in the Lloyd E. Rigler
Theatre) & 4:00 PM
Monday, May 5th thru Friday, May 9 | 7:15 &
9:30 PM
Saturday, May 10 | 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 11 | 11:00 AM & 4:00 PM
Discussion following Saturday, May 3rd
screening with director Mirra Bank and members of the Pilobolus Dance Theatre.
LAST DANCE (2002, First Run Releasing, 84 min.,
USA) A must see for anyone involved in creative endeavors! Filmmaker Mirra Bank had the
incredible opportunity to go behind-the-scenes during a unique collaboration between two
iconoclastic artistic forces with very different approaches to creating their art. Maurice
Sendak, the celebrated, Caldecott winning children's book author-illustrator (Where the
Wild Things Are) considers himself first and foremost, a storyteller. The innovative
Connecticut based Pilobolus Dance Theatre creates
in a spirit of improvisational collaboration.
At the heart of this film is the evolution of artistic conflict into
a powerful piece of theatre (entitled "A Selection"). Bank's camera captures the
moments of disagreement as well as the exhilarating moments of perfect harmony as the two
forces spend months trying to tell a Holocaust inspired story, while remaining true to
their own visions. It is also fascinating to watch the elderly, Holocaust haunted Sendak,
cane in hand, processing the art of dance as he struggles to assign meaning to segments of
improvised acrobatics and conceptual movement performed by the young dancers. In turn they
are obviously in awe of the intricate costume drawings he presents to them (later there is
a classic scene of Sendak hand painting the groin area of his stars' sheer bodystocking
costume while Otis is wearing it). *Note: There is some brief male and female
nudity (of a non-sexual nature) in the dance segments.
You don't need to be a dance enthusiast to be thoroughly enthralled
by LAST DANCE -- although the dance segments are certainly a treat to marvel at. It seems
that at every moment, every muscle in the Pilobolus dancers' incredibly toned bodies are
morphing and molding with the fluidity of aquatic weightlessness - all the while conveying
a myriad of emotions, playfulness and an intimate involvement with the other dancers - you
have to remind yourself that these are real people flawlessly executing these often daring
acrobatic physical feats - LIVE! As a side note, Pilobolus is scheduled to perform at the
Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on May 2 and 4. (www.pilobolus.com)
"Bank does a superb job capturing the dramatic forces and the
chaos of the creative process..." (THE SOUTHAMPTON PRESS)
"The dancer's eloquently convey Sendak's pain and passion. They
are like human paintbrushes expressing Sendak's feelings about how the death camps
destroyed families... It's a rare window on an artistic collaboration." (PHILADELPHIA
ENQUIRER)
"Savor the LAST DANCE -...the creative process that unfolds
could not be more spectacular...moments of pure discovery...inspire awe. This is an
important contribution to the understanding of the creative process, and a damn
entertaining saga to boot." (SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER)
Dance Resources Group members
get a ticket discount of $2 off at the box office. For more dance films in the month of
May see Dance
Camera West schedule.
Tuesday, May 6 –
7:30 PM
Edith Head Tribute – Screening and
Booksigning!
Edith Head (1897 – 1981) was arguably the most influential and sought-after
costume designer in the history of American cinema, with a list of credits that includes
SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS, NOTORIOUS, SAMSON & DELILAH, ALL ABOUT EVE, SUNSET BLVD., A
PLACE IN THE SUN, REAR WINDOW, SABRINA, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, FUNNY FACE, VERTIGO and
dozens of other classics. To coincide with the recent publication of Head friend and
biographer David Chierichetti’s new book, Edith Head: The Life And Times Of
Hollywood’s Celebrated Costume Designer, we’ll be screening Alfred
Hitchcock’s TO CATCH A THIEF, 1955, Paramount, 106 min. Retired cat burglar Cary
Grant and ravishing American party girl Grace Kelly fall in love against a
backdrop of fireworks, the French Riviera and a string of unsolved jewel robberies –
all the while wearing some of Edith Head’s most singularly stunning costumes. Author David Chierichetti will appear prior to the screening at 6:30 PM
for a special booksigning of his new biography of Edith Head, in the Egyptian Theatre
lobby.
Thursday, May 8 –
7:30 PM
Alternative Screen Independent Film Showcase
FRAZETTA: PAINTING WITH FIRE 2003, 95 min. Dir. Lance Laspina.
The life and artistic genius of fantasy painter/illustrator Frank Frazetta is told through
interviews with filmmakers Ralph Bakshi (FRITZ THE CAT) and John Milius (CONAN THE
BARBARIAN) as well as the generation of artists he inspired. An arresting portrait of the
artist who set the standard for fantasy art and film work for the past 50 years, delves
into the artist’s imagination, the museum dedicated to his work, and a stroke that
left him in the position to learn to draw with his left hand! Frank Frazetta’s images
of fierce warriors (Conan the Barbarian), curvaceous princesses and fantastical beasts in
lavish landscapes have transcended the arena of commercial art -- the original paintings
are coveted by everyone from Dino Di Laurentis to George Lucas. Discussion
following with the filmmakers.
With Short "Velvet and
Rat Skins" (2003, 6:38 min., USA). An animated, dark, futuristic Victorian fairy
tale. Directed by Evan James.
Tuesday, May 13 – 7:30 PM
Special Sneak Preview – New from Ken
Loach!!
SWEET 16, 2002, Lions Gate, 106 min. With
Martin Compton, Annmarie Fulton, William Ruane. The latest film from one of England’s
most acclaimed directors, Ken Loach (RAINING STONES, LADYBIRD LADYBIRD, RIFF-RAFF),
SWEET 16 is a heartwrenching portrait of a Scottish teenaged boy determined to change the
course of his and his family’s lives. Liam’s mum, Jean, is in prison but is due
to be released in time for his 16th birthday. This time Liam is determined that things
will be different. He dreams of a family life he’s never had, which means creating a
safe haven beyond the reach of lowlife like Jean’s boyfriend Stan and his own
mean-spirited grandfather. But first he’s got to raise the cash – no mean feat
for a skint teenager. It’s not long before Liam and his pals’ crazy schemes lead
them into all sorts of trouble. Finding himself dangerously out of his depth, Liam knows
he should walk away. Only this time, he just can’t let go. Winner of Best Screenplay
at Cannes Film Festival 2002, and Best Film at the British Independent Film Awards 2002.
(SWEET 16 will be released theatrically by Lions Gate Films on May 16th.)
Mental Hygiene Films
May 16 – 17, 2003
Mental Hygiene films -- with titles such as Mind Your Manners! And What it Means to Be
an American -- were shown widely in American classrooms from 1945 to 1970. They were
created to "adjust attitudes" among young viewers and covered a wide spectrum of
everyday behavior, including date etiquette, personal hygiene, substance abuse, venereal
disease, juvenile delinquency, and the awful things that always happened to kids who drove
too fast on prom night. The creators of these films were anonymous, prized more for their
ability to grind out product their talents as filmmakers. Crews were small, sets were
improvised, equipment was sparse, actors were often just kids from the neighborhood.
Despite these obstacles, distinct filmmaking styles emerged – revealing a range of
talent and technique in a class of filmmaking that is generally thought to have had none.
Thousands of these films were produced during their twenty-five year reign, but only a
handful exist today. Mental Hygiene films are a genre of popular culture that everyone
knows about but that few have had a chance to see. Full of striking images, providing a
glimpse of a more innocent America, this series is an outgrowth of the book Mental
Hygiene. The prints used in this retrospective – in excellent condition,
considering their history -- were provided by Prelinger Archives. Rick Prelinger’s
collection (145,000 cans of film) was recently purchased by the Library of Congress as
"a resource of cultural and historical significance."
We are very happy to be able to bring curator/host Ken
Smith back for three new programs of these popular and entertaining films. Mr. Smith will
introduce each film, giving its background and histor,y as well as doing a Q & A after
each of the three programs.
All films are 16mm prints.
Friday, May 16 – 7:30 PM
Sad Girls, Shy Guys, Bad Hair (120 min.
approx.) "Shy Guy," 1947, Coronet Instructional Films. "Beginning
to Date," 1953, Encyclopedia Britannica Films. "The Dropout,"
1962, Sid Davis Productions. "Name Unknown," 1951, Sid Davis Productions.
"The Prom," 1951, Sid Davis Productions. Ken
Smith will introduce each film and answer questions after the screening.
Saturday, May 17 – 6:00 PM
Snobs, Show-Offs and Typical Americans (120 min.
approx.). "The Show-Off," 1954, Centron Corp. "Mind Your Manners!"
1953, Coronet Instructional Films. "What it Means to Be an American,"
1952, Frith Films. "The Snob," 1958, Centron Corp. "What Makes
Sammy Speed?" 1958, Sid Davis Productions. "What Makes a Good Party?"
1950 Coronet Instructional Films. Ken Smith will introduce each film. Discussion
following with actress Brady Rubin ("The Snob") and curator Ken Smith.
Special book signing following with author Ken Smith Mental Hygiene: Classroom
Films 1945-1970; in the Lobby of the Egyptian Theatre.
Saturday, May 17 – 9:00 PM
Beer, Drugs and the Master State (120 min. approx.)
"Measure of a Man," 1962, Wetzei O. Whitaker for Brigham Young
University. "What to do on a Date," 1951 Coronet Instructional Films.
"The Outsider," 1951, Centron Corp. "How to Lose What We Have,"
1950, Wilding Picture Productions for The American Economic Foundation. "Narcotics,
Pit of Dispair."
Ken Smith will introduce each film. Discussion following with actress Brady Rubin
("The Outsider") and curator Ken Smith.
Sunday, May 18 – 5:00 PM
Kinji Fukasaku Memorial Screening
– Free Event
Please join us for a special Memorial Tribute in honor of Kinji Fukasaku, one of
modern Japanese cinema’s most acclaimed and controversial filmmakers, and a dear
friend to the American Cinematheque, who passed away on January 12th at the age
of 72 in Tokyo while in production on a sequel to his incendiary BATTLE ROYALE. An artist
of great insight and fierce resolve, Kinji seemed like one of the gangster chieftains from
his yakuza classics, with his shock of white hair and ever-present aviator
sunglasses. In gritty, high-octane crime films such as BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR &
HUMANITY, GRAVEYARD OF HONOR & HUMANITY and WOLVES, PIGS & PEOPLE, Kinji captured
the chaotic, post-WWII underbelly of Japanese society like no other filmmaker. Whatever
genre he worked in, from superb action films like SHOGUN’S SAMURAI to the twisted,
psychedelic cult classic BLACK LIZARD, Kinji’s voice was unique, shocking and
undeniably powerful. His last completed film, BATTLE ROYALE, was his most successful, and
his most controversial, inspiring debate in the Japanese Senate on youth violence and
garnering headlines worldwide. To the end, Kinji was defiant and irrepressible, despite a
debilitating battle with cancer, forging ahead with the BATTLE ROYALE sequel, which is now
being finished by his son Kenta. In his hospital room, Kinji left a simple haiku poem:
"Is this the only road there is? At the end of autumn." He will be deeply missed
by all who knew him. In Kinji’s honor, we’ll be screening two of his most
transgressive films:
UNDER THE FLUTTERING MILITARY FLAG (GUNKI
HATAMEKU MOTO NI), 1972, Toho, 96 min. World War II widow Sachiko Hidari pieces together
the Rashomon-style puzzle of her soldier husband Tetsuro Tanba’s fate through a maze
of bureaucracy and the contradictory recollections of his surviving comrades. What emerges
is a Catch- 22 struggle against madness, as she discovers that Tanba had been executed for
killing his insanely violent commanding officer (Shinjiro Ebara). This scathing anti-war
indictment was co-written by Kaneto Shindo (ONI BABA) and was one of Fukasaku’s
personal favorites.
BLACK ROSE MANSION (KURO BARA NO YAKATA), 1969,
Vitagraph Films/American Cinematheque Presents, 90 min. Dir. Kinji Fukasaku. Famous
drag-star/singer Akihiro Maruyama, fresh from success in Fukasaku’s baroquely
psychedelic BLACK LIZARD, returns in this feverishly perverse, campy follow up. Wealthy
Eitaro Ozawa installs songbird "Black Rose" (Maruyama) in his elegant private
men’s club to bolster business -- but he gets more than he bargains for when she
attracts scores of homicidal past lovers, and not only he but his ne’er-do-well son
(Masakazu Tamura) end up falling for the femme fatale. There is
no admission charge to this event; tickets available on a first come, first served basis
the day of the event.
Tuesday, May 20 – 7:30 PM
Special Screening at the El Capitan Theatre – Director
Richard Fleischer In Person!
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, 1954,
Walt Disney, 127 min. Join us for a screening of this beloved adventure classic, to
coincide with the film’s upcoming release on DVD and video from Walt Disney Home
Video! James Mason is the ideal Captain Nemo, opposite salty dog Kirk Douglas,
scientist Paul Lukas and faithful valet Peter Lorre, in this glorious adapation of Jules
Verne’s novel. Academy Award-winning art direction and special effects highlight this
thrilling underwater adventure, from the director of FANTASTIC VOYAGE, SOYLENT GREEN and
DR. DOLITTLE. Discussion before screening with director Richard Fleischer (schedule
permitting). Please note: this screening will be held at the El Capitan Theatre, 6838
Hollywood Blvd. Special Ticket Price of $19 VIP, $10 adults and $7 students/seniors for
this screening only. Tickets are available at the El Capitan Box Office. Please call
1-800/DISNEY6 for further information, or visit their website at:
www.elcapitantickets.com.
Wednesday, May 21 – 7:30 PM
OSCAR SHORTS
In Association with Apollo Cinema.
Ever wonder how to see those shorts that are nominated for the Oscars? Join us for our
third edition of the nominated Oscar shorts and the winning Oscar shorts in the Animation
and Live-Action categories.
All films are 35mm. English subtitles if dialogue is other than English.
Thanks to Carol Crow & Corey Peterson.
Chris Stenner and Heidi Wittlinger’s "Das Rad" (German,
Animation, 8 min.) Two rocks, Hew and Kew, stand on the hilltop they have occupied for
centuries, discussing the frantic activities of the human beings below them. Dirk Belien
and Anja Daelemans "Fait d’ Hiver" ("Gridlock," Belgium,
Live-Action, 7 min.) A man makes a fateful call from his cell phone to his home while in
his car. Beware! Tomek Baginski’s "The Cathedral" (Poland,
Animation, 6 min.) A pilgrim arrives at a strange, forest-like cathedral and finds his
presence there has a purpose he has not anticipated. Steven Pasvolsky and Joe
Weatherstone’s "Inja" (Australia, Live-Action, 17 min.) A farmer
during the apartheid years in South Africa brutally perpetuates that country’s
legacy. Koji Yamamura’s "Mt. Head" (Japan, Animation, 10 min.) A
stingy man eats some cherry seeds and an amazing thing happens. Phillipe Orreindy and
Thomas Gaudin’s "I’ll Wait For the Next One"
("J’Attendrai Le Suivant," France, Live-Action, 4 min.) A man makes an
unconventional attempt to meet a woman in the Lyon subway. Pete Docter and Roger
Gould’s "Mike’s New Car" (USA, Animation, 4 min.) Following his
promotion at Monsters, Inc., Mike has purchased a new sports car and wants to take his
friend Sulley for a spin. Martin Strange-Hansens and Mie Andreasen’s "This
Charming Man" (Denmark, Live-Action, 29 min.) Winner Live-Action Short! Situations
arise when Lars takes on the identity of a North African immigrant when their
identity numbers are confused. Eric Armstrong’s "The Chubb Chubb’s"
(USA, Animation, 6 min.) Winner Best Animated Short! The first digitally animated
short film produced by Imageworks, the award-winning character animation and visual
effects division of Sony Pictures Digital. A tale of the inhabitants of the planet Glorf,
and our hero, Meeper. Funny, musical and suspenseful.
Tuesday, May 27 – 7:30 PM
Los Angeles Premiere!
Presented in association with the Dance Resource Center & Dance Camera West.
IN THE MIRROR OF MAYA DEREN, 2002, Zeigeist, 103 min.
Documentary filmmaker Martina Kudlacek has fashioned not only a fascinating
portrait of a groundbreaking and influential artist, but a pitch-perfect introduction to
the strikingly beautiful and poetic body of work of arguably the most important and
innovative avant-garde filmmaker in the history of American cinema, Maya Deren (1917
– 1961). Starting with excerpts from Deren's landmark films, AT LAND, RITUAL IN
TRANSFIGURED TIME, and her masterpiece, MESHES OF THE AFTERNOON, Kudlacek seamlessly and
effectively interweaves archival footage with observances from acolytes and contemporaries
such as filmmakers Stan Brakhage and Jonas Mekas, dance pioneer Katherine Dunham, and
Living Theater founder Judith Malina. With an original score by experimental composer John
Zorn.
Dance Resource Center Members get
$2 discount on general admission tickets.
Thursday, May 29 – 7:30 PM
Alternative Screen & Slamdance Present:
RAMONES: END OF THE CENTURY, 2003, 122
min., USA A comprehensive look at the lives and music of seminal punk rock icons, The
Ramones. From the early days in Queens to CBGB’s to international stardom, the film
looks at the legend of the Ramones. Features interviews with Joe Strummer of The Clash,
members of the Sex Pistols, Rob Zombie and the Ramones themselves. Directed by Michael
Gramaglia and Jim Fields. Co-presented with the Slamdance Film Festival.
(www.slamdance.com) Discussion
following with directors Michael Gramaglia and Jim Fields & Arturo Vega.. |
