| Special Events & Limited
Engagements in April
Wednesday, April 7 – 7:30 PM
Special 45th Anniversary Screening
– Actresses Susan Kohner and Juanita Moore In Person!
IMITATION OF LIFE, 1959,
Universal, 124 min. Dir. Douglas Sirk. Based on Fannie Hurst's best-selling novel, Douglas
Sirk's IMITATION OF LIFE dramatizes two mother-daughter relationships, one white, the
other black. Lora Meredith, an ambitious, spoiled, self-involved actress (Lana Turner in
her greatest performance), clashes with her cheery, all-American daughter (Sandra Dee
– who else?) over the same persistent beau, Steve Archer (the improbably good-looking
John Gavin). Meanwhile, Lora's loyal servant Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore) faces heartache
as her light-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner), struggles to pass as white.
Dropping her movie-star mask in the shattering climax, Turner performs a scene that would
have aroused the admiration and envy of Sarah Bernhardt; and the sublime, Oscar-nominated
Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner offer one of the best-acted mother-daughter relationships
in the history of American film. Under the supervision of master showman, producer Ross
Hunter, IMITATION OF LIFE is a virtuoso display of late-era studio mannerism, from the
alternately lustrous and moody cinematography of Russell Metty, to the lush and sometimes
wrenching Frank Skinner score, to the cunning sets, filled with mirrors and looming
stairs. The recent FAR FROM HEAVEN was an intelligent homage, but perhaps unavoidably an
imitation: Sirk's version is the Source, the real thing, a delirious, monumental artifact
that evokes genuine tears. This knockout melodrama that delivers the goods, to a degree no
other film of its genre ever has, is a shrewd comment by Sirk (an acerbic emigre German
director) about Hollywood melodrama, as well as about such crucial issues as race, gender,
and materialism in l950s America. A feast to be savored again and again. Program Notes
courtesy Foster Hirsch. Discussion following with lead
actresses Susan Kohner and Juanita Moore and Ann Robinson and Peg Shirley, moderated by
film historian & author Foster Hirsch.
Thursday, April 8 – 7:30 PM
Terence Stamp
In-Person Tribute: With an Oscar-nominated debut in BILLY BUDD,
internationally-acclaimed actor Terence Stamp went on to become an icon of 60s cinema,
working with masters like Ken Loach, Federico Fellini, John Schlesinger, and Pier Paolo
Pasolini. With each successive performance, his intense characters and commanding presence
become increasingly more impressive and refined – including remarkable turns in later
hits like WALL STREET, THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT and THE LIMEY.
Double Feature:
THE COLLECTOR, 1965, Columbia Pictures,
119 min. Dir. William Wyler. In one of his earliest and most chilling roles, Stamp stars
as Freddie Clegg, a low-life bank clerk with a penchant for collecting butterflies.
Freddie’s hobby transforms into obsession and spirals out of control when his
collections expands to include females… of the human species! Featuring Samantha
Eggar in an outstanding performance. Based on John Fowles’ top-selling novel.
PRINCE OF SHADOWS (BELTENEBROS),
1992, Lolafilms, 109 min. In acclaimed Spanish director Pilar Miró’s moody political
drama, Stamp plays communist and reluctant civil war hit-man Darman, sent from exile back
to Spain where he is to knock off a communist traitor. As the trail to his victim
shortens, his hesitation swells. Winner of 3 Spanish Goya Awards, including Best
Cinematography. Discussion between films with actor Terence
Stamp.
Tuesday, April 13 – 7:30 PM
Special Sneak Preview – Oscar Nominee For
Best Foreign Film!
THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI (TASOGARE
SEIBEI), 2003 , Empire Pictures, 129 min. Director Yoji Yamada (director of the
famous, long-running TORA-SAN series) delivers a moving portrait of an impoverished
samurai (Hiroyuki Sanada, star of the original RING trilogy) who becomes a single father
to his two daughters after his wife dies of consumption during the turbulent Meiji
Restoration. When a childhood sweetheart (Rie Miyazawa) parts from her violent samurai
ex-husband, Sanada’s drawn into the fray and easily defeats the man. This sets off
changed perceptions in Sanada’s colleagues who draft him into killing a famous,
seemingly invincible swordsman from a rival clan, something that may not only disrupt his
fragile family but also destroy his chances with long-lost love, Miyazawa. In addition to
being an Oscar Nominee for Best Foreign Film for 2003, TWILIGHT SAMURAI is also winner of
12 Japanese Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Wednesday, April 14 – 7:30 PM
Special Basque Film Evening – Los Angeles
Premiere:
ERE ERERA BALEIBU ICIK
SUBUA ARUAREN, 1968-1970, 75 min, silent. Dir. José Antonio Sistiaga. The
French/Spanish Basque painter Jose Antonio Sistiaga, founder of the GAUR group and
strongly influenced by the work of Kandinsky and De Stael, made this mind-blowing abstract
feature film between 1968 and 1970, an explosion of colors that explores lights, movement
and rhythm to create rare and powerful poetry. Using his own homemade inks, Jose Antonio
Sistiaga painted directly on the print and divided it into 67 variations, including one in
black & white. It caused a scandal when it was originally shown in the 1970s in Europe
where it was compared to an LSD experience. Projected silent, without a soundtrack, the
symphony of lights and shadows ultimately transforms the film into a profoundly musical
experience.
Thursday, April 15 – 7:30 PM
Alternative Screen
DEAR PILLOW, 2004, 84 min. In director
Bryan Poyser’s directorial debut, it’s summertime and 17-year-old Wesley (Rusty
Kelley) is stuck with his neanderthal father in a boring apartment complex. Eager for his
first sexual encounter and starved for companionship in general, Wesley reluctantly forms
a friendship with Dusty (Gary Chason), an older gay man who writes erotic letters for
"Dear Pillow" magazine. Dusty brings Lorna (Viviana Vives), the lusty apartment
complex manager, into their inner circle, and suddenly Wesley enters adult situations
where he must choose between the safety of sexual fantasies and reality. "…a
striking debut for Austin filmmakers Bryan Poyser and Jacob Vaughn. Pic plays in the same
uncomfortable, intersecting zone of adult and teen sex as the work of Larry Clark and Todd
Solondz…" – Robert Koehler, Variety Discussion
following with the cast & crew.
Saturday, April 17 – 2:00 PM
Special Children’s Matinee – Los
Angeles Premiere!
Paul McCartney – The
Music & Animation Collection
A special program of three award-winning animated short films
written, produced, voiced and scored by Paul McCartney: "Tropic Island Hum,"
"Tuesday" and "Rupert And The Frog Song" (approx. 45
min. total running time.) Featuring two songs and an orchestral suite never released on
disc in the USA! The program also includes two mini-documentaries showing Paul
McCartney and his team of artisans creating these animations by the traditional
hand-crafted method (24 min. total). And an interview in which Paul speaks of his
passion for animation and the early Disney films that inspire him (15 min.). Suitable for
children age 6 and older (all the way up to 100!). Program courtesy of MPL and
Miramax Home Entertainment – celebrating the DVD release of "Paul McCartney
– The Music & Animation Collection." Children 12
and under $6.
Tuesday, April 20 – 7:30 PM
Rare Revival Screening – Early Ken Loach
Masterpiece!
KES, 1969, MGM/UA, 110 min. Ranked #7 on the
British Film Institute’s list of the 100 Best British Films Ever Made (in between
KIND HEARTS & CORONETS and DON’T LOOK NOW), Ken Loach’s remarkable KES is
one of the least-known and least-screened Great Movies of the past four decades – an
oversight we hope to correct with this rare revival showing. Adapted from Barry
Hines’s novel A Kestrel For A Knave, the film is a wholly unsentimental but
overwhelmingly moving portrait of an working class boy who finds relief from his
colorless, poverty-stricken world by training a small falcon. KES is not available in the
U.S. on video, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a truly overlooked
masterpiece. With David Bradley, Lynne, Perrie, Colin Wellan, Freddie Fletcher, Brian
Glover.
Wednesday, April 21 – 7:30 PM
VELVET HAMMER
Documentary and Live Burlesque Performance!!! Post-noir fever!
THE VELVET HAMMER BURLESQUE, 2003, 94 min. Dir. Augusta. Founded
in 1995 by Michelle Carr, the Velvet Hammer wrote the neo-burlesque bible. Augusta
followed the troupe for three years, from New York to New Orleans and back to Los Angeles,
where the troupe is based, documenting auditions, rehearsals and sold-out performances.
Gorgeously shot live footage and candid interviews with the cast are punctuated with
sublime and often hilarious surreal vignettes, this film literally undresses a unique
cultural phenomenon, the American folk art known as Burlesque. There are beautiful women
of all shapes and sizes, glittering costumes, raunchy music, elaborate stage sets, magic,
comedy & unadulterated glamour. Discussion following with
director Augusta.
Enjoy lively refreshments in the lobby then
join us for BROAD DAYLIGHT, 59 min. Dir. John
Michael McCarthy. Retro-style stag loops featuring today’s modern burlesque stars
with a garage-rock soundtrack. Starring Kitten de Ville, the Fishnet Floozies and Candy
Whiplash. Join us as a dancer from each of the movies will
perform live, capped off with an audience-pleasing performance by the legendary Kitten de
Ville. |
