Summer Blockbusters Continue to Blast Off:
Coming Attractions Film Trailer Preview!

By Cheryl Dixon

O.K. Just when some of you thought the rush on the BIG summer movies was over with the release of “Spiderman” and “Attack of the Clones….” Well, the rest of us are braced for what promises to be a HUGE summer movie box office. This is only the beginning; all kinds of box office records will be broken this summer. Were you one of the lucky ones to attend the “Coming Attractions” summer movie preview on June 4? You would have had your chance to view some of the other contenders competing for your box office dollars. Here’s a quick review.

Our ever-popular film critics Joe Barber and Bill Henry presented 29 trailers in six categories of movie trailers: “Digitally Yours/Come Again,” “Please, Just Kill Me Now,” “Sorbet Course (Art House Fare During the Time of Blockbusters),” “Didn’t You Used to Be Big?” “Greasy Kid Stuff,” and “Small Screen Refugees.” As always witty, insightful, no-holds barred discussion was the rule for the evening. After viewing each of the six categories of films, Joe and Bill, as they are affectionately known, gave their opinions, asked scintillating questions, and moderated the comments and questions of our never-shy audience.

They opened up discussion with the question of whether trailers give out too much information (a decisive “yes”), Star Wars vs. Spiderman (soliciting comments on popularity and predicted box office winnings). They educated us on the existence of title sequence/credits awards and the tendency for the same “trailer shops” for art houses and for identical trailer shops to create trailers for the same movie serials, e.g., James Bond movies, Alfred Hitchcock or Woody Allen films; the vices and virtues of digital movies; the latest DC metro area casting calls; and the agony and the ecstasy of becoming a movie critic.

While it will be exceedingly difficult to discuss the commentary on all 29 movies in six categories, here are a few general thoughts:

Digitally Yours/Come Again: The big winner in this category was 8 Legged Freaks, with a hilariously effective trailer featuring terrified small townsfolk and hairy, scary, gross out spiders (the real thing, only larger than life!), Men in Black 2, was predicted to be another megahit. Both Minority Report and Reign of Fire were lauded as movies set in a future, but recognizable world, with Reign of Fire gaining extra kudos for its portrayal of “dragons – back in the land of George” (this movie is set in London in 2084).

Please, Just Kill Me Now: This category applied to trailers that don’t fill one with hope, even if the movies themselves just might be fantastic. Bad Company, Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, 8 Mile (Eminem’s story looks interesting!), Jackass, Juwanna Mann, and Mr. Deeds were included.

Sorbet Course (Art House Fare During the Time of Blockbusters): Two movies, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and Lagaan, which looks absolutely gorgeous! The trailer doesn’t hint the latter might be what Joe and Bill considered the “best four-hour Indian musical you’ll see all summer.” Big comment on art house fare: you don’t usually see the subtitles in trailers….

Didn’t You Used to Be Big?: Let me guess who this refers to – The Bourne Identity/Matt Damon, Never Again/Jill Clayburgh, One Hour Photo/Robin Williams, Pluto Nash/Eddie Murphy, The Sum of All Fears/Ben Affleck. Am I right?

Greasy Kid Stuff: Is Country Bears really based on an amusement park ride? Lilo & Stitch allows Disney to make fun of itself instead of Dreamworks SKG doing it. Most of the kids who want to be like Mike, should love Like Mike. Hey Arnold looks like a regular TV cartoon version of Jimmy Neutron.

Small Screen Refugees: John Sayles’ Sunshine State has a bad (as in, “not good” trailer, but is it a good movie? Undercover Brother has a bad (as in “very good”), extremely funny trailer. Can M. Night Shyamalan duplicate the success of The Sixth Sense with Signs? It’s a suspenseful trailer, Mel Gibson is haunting…. Scooby Doo -- we loved you as a cartoon. Are you still one?

Of course, thanks and praise go out to all of the coordinating committee on this event, especially the event coordinator, Cate Nielan, the fabulous prize coordinators, Liz Wagger and Michael Kyrioglou, the p.r. committee, Karrye Braxton, Larry Hart, Ky Nguyen, Tuan Tran, our flyer designer, Billy Wickert, and myself (shameless promotion), Raiford Gaffney, Megan Sussman, and Bonnie Joranko, and all other volunteers. Special thanks to Joe Barber and Bill Henry*, Chipotle for the excellent burritos, and Allied Advertising, for the posters, CDs, DVDs, t-shirts, hats, etc. Don’t miss out on the next trailer program! See you at our fall event.

*You can catch Joe and Bill at Borders, 19th and L Streets, N.W. on August 27 for their summer movies review.

Next Cinema Lounge

The Cinema Lounge meets Monday, July 8 at 7:00pm to discuss the topic "Get a New Agent." Once promising actors and directors seemed like they could do no wrong. Now they are just doing wrong.

Cinema Lounge, a film discussion group, takes place the second Monday of every month at 7:00 PM at Borders Books, 600 14th St., NW in Washington, DC (near the Metro Center Metro stop).

Special Discount Offer from Visions Cinema

The folks at Visions (1927 Florida Ave., NW) have offered members of the DC Film Society a $2.00 discount off the normal ticket price - which is $8.50 - (Excluding special events & matinees) on:
All shows Monday evenings,
All shows after 8:00pm Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday.
Proper ID is required (your member card) and the discounted price is for the member only (does not apply to guests)...ENJOY!

The Edinburgh Film Festival Preview

By Jim McCaskill

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND. Summer is here and that means festivals in Edinburgh. The 56th Edinburgh International Film Festival, under new Artistic Director Shane Danielsen is set to launch on 10 July but word about the films is beginning to emerge. This year will be a wee bit shorter than in the past compacting to 12 very crowded days of films, master-classes, panel discussion, industry events and premiere showcases. Some of the major films have been announced.

Mike Leigh's All or Nothing (UK) will have its UK premiere. This film, staring Timothy Spall, Alison Garland, and Lesley Manville, focuses on a working-class housing estate and the relationship of Penny and her taxi-driver partner, Phil. He is a gentle philosophical guy and she works at a supermarket checkout. Their daughter Rachel cleans in a home for elderly people and their son Rory is unemployed and aggressive. The joy has left their life. An unexpected tragedy occurs that affects their life and their neighbors. All experience an emotional journey. Mike Leigh is scheduled to be here for the premiere.

Gary Winick's film Tadpole (USA) will have its European premiere. Sigourney Weaver, John Ritter and Bebe Neuwirth star in this unexpectedly sweet sex comedy. A teenage boy gets an unexpected initiation into the world of older women in this Sundance Film Festival hit. This hilarious tale of misdirected lust centers on precocious young Oscar who is hopelessly in love with his step-mother (Weaver) but is seduced by her best friend (Neuwirth). With razor-sharp, elegant dialogue and an outstanding ensemble cast, this sophisticated comedy of manners is a pure delight.

The World Premiere of Daisy van Scherler Mayer's The Guru (UK/US) stars Heather Graham, Jimi Mistry and Maria Tomei. Its working title The Guru of Sex may give the story away. A young Indian dance teacher named Ramu Gupta (played by Mistry) heads for the bright lights of Broadway only to end up as so many others working as a waiter. The shy, inexperienced Ramu has a chance meeting with anything but shy and inexperienced Sharonna (played by Heather Graham). She is an adult film star. The plot turns on Ramu being mistaken for a spiritual leader, the Guru of Sex, and he becomes an overnight celebrity. The price of his new found fame has Ramu choosing between his fame and his growing love for the beautiful Sharonna.

High drama and tragedy will be here with the European premiere of Philip Noyce's Rabbit-Proof Fence (Australia/UK), based on the true story of three young aboriginal girls where were forcibly taken from their parents and forced to assimilate into white society. This powerful film is the story of their journey home. Kenneth Branagh stars as the Chief Protector of Aborigines in this study of what is called The Stolen Generation. Christopher Doyle's luminous cinematography and Peter Gabriel's original score help make this an unforgettable film.

The director of the superb film Sous le Sable (Under the Sand), Francois Ozon, brings the UK Premiere of 8 Women (France). What an array of talented French actresses (Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Beart and Fanny Ardant) in this genre-bending comedy/mystery/musical. Somewhere in the French countryside, a murder most foul has been committed but which of the eight glamorous women is the guilty party? Part whodunnit, part musical and always bitchy fun, Ozon's latest is a witty, affectionate homage to the lavish costumes and faux-Technicolor of Hollywood's Golden Age. With these divas, how can he go wrong?

Another USA film will have its UK Premiere here in Edinburgh with Bill Morrison's meditation on the human quest to transcend physicality, Decasia. Picture if you will a kind of anti-Koyaanisqatsi, experimental epic where Morrison has assembled decaying, turn-of-the-century film footage and set that to an original score by Bang On A Can's Michael Gordon. Abstract psychedelia? Ethnographic documentary? An argument for the benefits of film preservation? Your choice. This is an exercise in visual overload while dazzling you with its beauty even as it assaults you through the force of Gordon's thunderous orchestral score. And thunder it is when played by the 55 members of the Basel Sinfonietta. This is more experience than film and the results promise to be astonishing.

A film festival is not complete without a retrospective. This year one of the grand masters of the Japanese cinema gets his due. Only one decade of the extraordinary prolific Kon Ichikawa will be explored. In this decade (mid-50s to mid-60s) were some of Ichikawa's best: The Harp of Burma (1956), Conflagration (1958), Fires on the Plain (1959) and An Actor's Revenge (1963). All hallmarks of one of the great film talents.

Not all Hollywood talent will be on the silver screen. Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins are bringing a production of the off-Broadway play, The Guys, to the Edinburgh Fringe. Like several production here this summer, this one focuses on events of 11 September. This play is based on the experience of a fire officer who is obliged to compose eulogies for his fallen comrades. A key figure in this production is Jim Simpson, the artistic director of New York's Flea Theatre. He is married to Sigourney Weaver, star of Tadpole and stars, along with Anthony La Paglia, in the film version that was shot in New York last April.

Ken Loach, director of Cannes favorite Sweet Sixteen will speak at the Fringe Festival. This film stars the highly praised young actor Martin Compston. Compston is not certain about a career in film. He has just signed a contract to play professional football (soccer) but at age 18 has lots of options. Loach directed My Name is Joe and Bread and Roses.

Not to be outdone, the Edinburgh Book Festival has Harold Pinter lined up. Pinter is battling throat cancer but is determined to attend. He is, of course, one of the most influential playwrights of the modern era. Trained as an actor, he became a successful playwright with The Birthday Party and The Caretaker and with them established the spare, cryptic style that characterizes his work. Works that became film include: The Guest, The Birthday Party, The Pumpkin Eater, Turtle Day. He was nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplays of The French Lieutenant's Woman and Betrayed.

All in all, it is going to be a very busy August in Edinburgh. Film festival tickets go on sale on 10 July. Details can be found on their website.

An Interview with Igor Sterk

By Jim McCaskill

ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. Director Igor Sterk was interviewed at the 2002 Rotterdam Film Festival. Their 2003 festival is from January 22 to February 3.

Slovenia is a young nation with an old film tradition. A decade ago Yugoslavia imploded allowing its member states to become separate countries. Much of Yugoslavia's film industry had been centered in Ljubljana and its outstanding academy of theatre, radio, film and television. Igor Sterk is a graduate of that school and a leading Slovenian director. His second film, Ljubljana, was one of the outstanding films at this year's Film Festival Rotterdam. This is his second film, the first being the highly regarded 1996 film Express, Express (Gone With the Train was the international title). While Slovenia has a long tradition of film today it makes only two or three films a year. That output is dwarfed by larger European countries. Italy's 200-300 films a year equal Slovenia's entire output.While Sterk graduated from the Academy he feels you can learn everything you need outside film school. A degree gives you an opportunity but you learn more when you, "make your own film and make your own mistakes."

Most of the films from the post-Communist era focus on the problems of the young urban generation. Ljubljana is no exception as it tells the story of five young people between 20 and 25 who have come to the capital to find their careers. The film centers on the medical student Mare (Grega Zorc) coming to gripes with his life and the dynamics of the others. In one day Mare finds wild rave parties, house music and XTC pills. No knowing how to handle this sudden freedom mirrors the Lost Generation of Slovenia. While they are unleashed from rigid Communist rule, freedom has become excess. Mare, like others in his generation, neglects his studies and begins to fall apart. It is Sterk's directing skills that make this film challenging and the story interesting as he gives the film a unique feel. Sterk quotes John Berger when he says, "Narration must step as a human or animal does, each stride stepping over something left unsaid. The is where the essence of suspense lies; not so much in the mystery of the final goal as in the mystery of the spaces between the individual steps advancing toward the final goal."

Sterk admits he is "not very good with dialogue." "I am more concerned with what comes out of a scene. The main actor never learned the script by heart but searched for his own words." "He had to know where a scene began and where it must end."

The film had a 50 day shooting schedule spread through the year. "The birth scene was shot 4 days before film production began. Zoo scenes were also shot before the scheduled shoot." "For the seaside scene I wanted a particular location. It took four months to get the military's permission. Once, the day before shoot began, it was withdrawn." It took a clever line producer to have the area declared a tourist location thus clearing the way for filming.

"I am growing older. My first two films looked at the lives of young people. As I age so must my protagonist." His next film will look at the paradox of marriage.

"I am crazy about sailing. This fall the telephones will ring and someone else will answer as my father and I plan to sail across the Atlantic, non-stop, in a 21 foot boat." What would his ultimate film project be? "The year 2017 is the anniversary of Magellan sailing round the world. I want to make that film." I wonder if Magellan faced such dangers as being alone with your father for most of a month in a small boat.

Calendar of Events

FILMS

American Film Institute
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (Frank Capra, 1936) is playing from July 22-25 (see AFI website for exact schedule). Also in July is the restored version of Fritz Lang's great classic Metropolis (1927) from July 26-August 8, and some composer biopics, including Song of Summer (Ken Russell, 1968) on July 25 at 6:30pm, and Stars and Stripes Forever (Henry Koster, 1952) on July 31 at 6:30pm. More in August.

Freer Gallery of Art
The seventh annual summer Hong Kong Film Festival at the Freer includes action films, romantic comedies and martial arts fantasies. In July the films are La Brassiere (2001) on July 11 at 7:00pm; A Chinese Odyssey I: Pandora's Box (Jeffrey Lau, 1995) on July 12 at 3:00pm; A Chinese Odyssey II: Cinderella (Jeffrey Lau, 1995) on July 12 at 7:00pm; The Stormriders (Andrew Lau, 1998) on July 14 at 2:00pm and July 19 at 3:00pm; In the Mood For Love (Wong Kar-Wai, 2000) on July 21 at 2:00pm and July 26 at 7:00pm; and City of Glass (Mabel Cheung, 1998) on July 26 at 3:00pm. The series continues in August.

National Gallery of Art
For the fifth successive year, the Gallery presents a selection of new documentary films from Canada. Frédéric Back, "the animator's animator" will appear in person July 6 at 2:30pm with four of his films from the 1980s and 1990s. On July 7 at 4:00pm is Much Ado About Something (Michael Rubbo, 2001); on July 13 at 3:00pm is Tyler's Barrel (Matt Gallagher, 2002) shown with McLuhan's Wake (Kevin McMahon, 2002); on July 14 at 4:00pm is Cyberman (Peter Lynch, 2001) shown with Le Coq de Montreal (Guy Sprung, 2001); and on July 20 is Bollywood Bound (Nisha Pahuja, 2002) shown with Tina in Mexico (Brenda Longfellow, 2002).

To accompany the exhibition of Egyptian artifacts is a short series of films including Cleopatra (Cecil B. DeMille, 1934) shown with Land of the Pharaohs (Howard Hawks, 1955) on July 27 at 2:00pm; The Eyes of the Mummy Ma (Ernst Lubitsch, 1918) shown with The Mummy (Karl Freund, 1932) on July 28 at 4:00pm; and Faraon (Jerzy Kawalerowicz, 1966) on August 3 at 2:00pm. Shown throughout the summer is a short documentary The Quest for Immortality in Ancient Egypt (2002).

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
On July 11 at 8:00pm is a first feature by Gerardo Tort, Streetwise (2001), about life on the streets of Mexico City.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts
Bette Gordon's films are featured this summer with Variety (1983) on July 24 at 7:00pm. Bette Gordon will be present to answer questions.

Films on the Hill
In July, Films on the Hill features Lon Chaney in two films: The Unholy Three (Tod Browning, 1925) with piano accompaniment by Ray Brubacher, is on July 19 at 7:00pm; Shadows (Tom Forman, 1922) has Lon in one of his best Asian roles, shown with The Toll of the Sea (Chester Franklin, 1922), starring a teenaged Anna May Wong on July 22 at 7:00pm. The Toll of the Sea has high historical importance as the first feature film made entirely in the two-strip Technicolor process. On July 3 at 7:00pm is Virginia City (Michael Curtiz, 1940) with Errol Flynn, based on a historical incident from the Civil War.

DC Jewish Community Center
Summer films outside at the DC Jewish Community Center include The Frisco Kid (Robert Aldrich, 1979) on July 20 at 9:30pm and Spaceballs (Mel Brooks, 1987) on July 27 at 9:30pm.

Pickford Theater
A Tribute to George Harrison, The Rutles: All You Need is Cash (Eric Idle, Gary Weis, 1978) is on July 5 at 7:00pm; Platoon (Oliver Stone, 1986) is on July 26 at 7:00pm; and Gal Young Un (Victor Nunez, 1979) is on July 30 at 7:00pm. Check the website for others.

Goethe Institute
Continuing its summer "Made in Berlin" film series is Wings of Desire (Wim Wenders, 1987) on July 10 at 6:30pm and Run Lola Run (Tom Tykwer, 1998) on July 17 at 6:30pm. This series will conclude in August.

The National Theatre
Summer films on Mondays at the National Theatre in July are Do the Right Thing (Spike Lee, 1989), Camille (George Cukor, 1937), Wit (Mike Nichols, 2001), and Tea With Mussolini (Franco Zefferelli, 1999). All are at 6:30pm.

Screen on the Green
For the fifth year, Screen on the Green shows classic films outdoors on a giant 20' x 40' screen on the grounds on the Washington Monument. July films are On the Town (Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, 1949) on July 15; Strangers on a Train (Alfred Hitchcock, 1951) on July 22; and Blackboard Jungle (Richard Brooks, 1955) on July 29. All start at sunset.

National Museum of Natural History
Wild Horses of Mongolia with Julia Roberts (2000) is on July 5 at noon, Keep the River on Your Right (2000) is on July 26 at noon.

Smithsonian Associates
Bears, a new IMAX film will be introduced by Chris Palmer, president of National Wildlife Productions on July 18 at 7:00pm.

Previous Storyboards

June, 2002
May, 2002
April, 2002
March, 2002
February, 2002
January, 2002
December, 2001
November, 2001
October, 2001
September, 2001
August, 2001
July, 2001
June, 2001
May, 2001
April, 2001
March, 2001
February, 2001
January, 2001
December,2000
November, 2000