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May 2003 Next Cinema LoungeThe Cinema Lounge meets Monday, May 12 at 7:00pm to discuss "Femmes Fatales and Dirty Heroes." The film noir is alive and well in Hollywood. Join us as we talk about some classic and modern film noir. Suggested viewing: The Maltese Falcon (1941), Double Indemnity (1944), Laura (1944), The Big Sleep (1946), Kiss Me Deadly (1955), Touch of Evil (1948), The Grifters (1990), LA Confidential (1997), and Croupier (1998). Tired of Watching Ads at the Movies?Take a look at this website and let advertisers know that you are tired of being forced to watch ads (not movie trailers or previews) during the time you have paid to watch a film. Also, check out this website for some links to news stories, including a patron who sued for "lost time." According to a Variety article, "in certain European territories, newspaper listings and box office signage stipulate both movie times and times for pre-show ads and trailers." The following interview by Cheryl Dixon was posted late last month and is being re-run for those who may have missed it. Confidence - A Film By James FoleyBy Cheryl Dixon Edward Burns is the Player. Dustin Hoffman is the King. Rachel Weisz is the Bait. Andy Garcia is the Law. These and other "A-List," stellar ensemble cast members, which also include Paul Giamatti, Donal Logue, Luis Guzman, Brian Van Holt, Franky G, and Morris Chestnut, interact in the movie, Confidence, an absorbing tale of grifters pulling off a con game in L.A. Skillfully directed by James Foley (Glengarry Glen Ross, The Chamber), this movie is stylish, smart, and sexy. A Lions Gate Film, it opens this Friday, April 25. With a great script (Screenwriter Doug Jung's first feature film) chock full of memorable dialogue, witticisms and hilarity abound and there are excellent performances all around. Expect to be entertained. This movie is so much fun. It hooks you in early, keeps you guessing until the end, and ties up nicely. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much in a movie theatre. Dustin Hoffman has never been creepier in his role as the sexually ambiguous "King." Rachel Weisz has never been lovelier in her role as the seductive, tough, yet tender "Lily." Paul Giamatti shines in his role as the quipster "Gordo." But, make no mistake about it; this movie belongs to Edward "Ed" Burns, whose character "Jake" introduces us to the confidence, i.e., "con" game, which is at the heart of this movie. Jake is cool, suave, and, dare I say it? - SELF-CONFIDENT. He's a master of the con game. Ed Burns' portrayal of Jake is convincing and sizzling. His charisma oozes off the screen. He has all the right moves whether in the boardroom as leader of the con artists or in the bedroom with Lily. I had noticed the multi-talented actor/writer/producer/director Ed Burns since his debut with The Brothers McMullen. I must confess, however, that with his character, Jake, looking remarkably like Ben Affleck, I became intrigued. More notes on Jake and observations on the movie follow. The Player The Style The Story I won't give away any more plot details, except to say that the movie thrives on the element of surprise and plot twists and delights the audience with the cross, double-cross, and triple cross. Production notes reveal that the entire cast and crew were "tightlipped and guarded" as "appropriately enough, a group of con artists." Quotable Quotes
The Skinny An Interview with director James FoleyBy Cheryl Dixon James Foley. Twenty minutes to talk with the Director who worked with Madonna and on Glengarry, Glen Ross. I had seen Confidence and absolutely loved it, but what to do? So many questions/comments, so little time. I decided to tell him upfront that I loved Confidence and that I thought it was stylish, smart, sexy, and fun. I mentioned that there was great memorable dialogue and excellent performances all around, especially those of Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz, and Paul Giamatti, but that this movie clearly belonged to the cool, suave and sexy, Ben Affleck-lookalike, Ed Burns. In Hollywood pitch-style I said that this movie was "where Ocean's 11 meets The Score." Finally I said that the movie would keep the audience hooked, and keep them guessing until the end. Mr. Foley anticipated my first question, I didn't have to ask: Storyboard: Why this project? Foley: I realized that I wanted to make a fun movie. There's something about the breezy surface of the movie that I'm in love with. Doing this movie… it was done in a very pleasurable way. It was like drinking to clear the palette. Foley mentioned that he kept on getting ready to do a "great' film, a great classic, and the Confidence script came to his attention. He said that he enjoyed doing a great work of cinematic art, which is going to include humor, brightness of the human spirit. He mentioned that after The Corruptor, he wasn't interested in making a film. He had worked nonstop since USC film school. He didn't have to work, so he didn't. He read a bunch of scripts, but nothing really stood out, until he read this one. He said that it was easy to read and he read it in one sitting. When he got to the end, he felt something unique, a pleasurable rush and he realized that he was on to something. He said that he is not driven "by what turns people on in Iowa." He is, however, pleased to watch this film with an audience. He said that this was the most people-pleasing movie that he's made and it has been a pleasure to witness the universal positivism emanating from the theatre audience as he has felt the audible signs of their enjoyment of this movie. That audience satisfaction means more to him than focusing on box office receipts. However, he is fully aware of that bottom-line Hollywood indication of a commercially successful movie. He talked about the director's talent to make a good film being an example of the "good" side of Hollywood. Storyboard: I noticed the use of strong primary colors, mostly reds and greens and also the birds motif. Would you comment on this? I think I have an idea of where you were going with this. Foley: The DP uses light-play as much as possible. To some degree you are taping the unconscious. I try to guide so that the technical things are less automatic. You can go on instinct with what looks good and the results are wonderful. Storyboard: Are you more a hands-on or hands-off Director? Foley: I am incredibly "hands- on" about everything. Well, gentle hands. You have to know when to apply or relieve pressure … be empathetic and feel and modulate the actors. You have to make the actors aware that you're empathetic. The best actors want to be directed. Once you're on the same wavelength you get incredible results. I closed the interview after Mr. Foley gave a remarkable analogy. He mentioned the Director's challenge as being one where you have all of this heavy machinery, lights, camera, action on the one hand, and the other that you have up front something quite delicate going on and finding a marriage between the equipment and the art that emerges from it is the task at hand. I didn't get the opportunity to share with Mr. Foley that the Washington, DC Film Society had organized the sold-out D.C. premiere of Glengarry Glen Ross with Producer Stanley Zupnick attending (Ed Harris had to cancel at the last-minute due to a family emergency) and that Film Society members are definitely fans of his work. We now have that opportunity! With Scotland as the featured country at this year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Jim McCaskill gives us a little background on current filmmaking in Scotland. Also see below for a program of short films from Scotland. And check out the dozens of programs about Scotland at the Smithsonian Associates. Upcoming Films From ScotlandBy Jim McCaskill Historical Films on TrialBy Jim McCaskill Calendar of EventsFILMSAmerican Film Institute Check out the AFI's magnificent new theater! Films in May include the new Swedish film from Lukas Moodysson, Lilya 4-ever (2002) and continuation of the trilogies and films from 1938, the year the Silver Theater was built. A new series of films from Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Portugal, Greece and Belgium will be shown in May along with films from Israel, films by Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki and lots more. American Film Institute Don't forget the old AFI at the Kennedy Center. Only the Strong Survive and Beauty and the Beast will have extended runs in May. Freer Gallery of Art A short series of films with Shirley Yamaguchi starts in May with Madame White Snake (1956) on May 16 at 7:00pm and Escape at Dawn (Senkichi Taniguchi, 1950) on May 18 at 2:00pm. National Gallery of Art A series of films by Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky starts in May with Ivan's Childhood (1962) preceded by his diploma film The Steamroller and the Violin (1960) on May 2 at 2:30pm and May 4 at 4:00pm. Andrei Rublev (1966) is on May 9 at 2:00pm and May 11 at 4:30pm; Solaris (1972) is on May 16 at 2:00pm and May 18 at 4:00pm; The Mirror (1974) is on May 15 at 2:30pm and May 17 at 3:00pm; Stalker (1979) is on May 23 at 2:30pm and May 25 at 4:00pm; The Sacrifice (1986) is on May 24 at 12noon and 3:00pm; and Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky (Michal Leszczylowski, 1988) is on May 29 at 2:30pm and June 1 at 4:00pm. Also in May is The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Robert Wiene, 1919) on May 4 at 12:00noon; The Black Pirate (Albert Parker, 1926) on May 3 at 3:30pm; Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (Walter Rutmann, 1927) on May 14, 15, 16, and 17 at 12:30pm and May 18 at 12:00noon; and Faust (F.W. Murnau, 1926) on May 31 at 3:00pm. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden On May 1 at 8:00pm is A Decade Under the Influence (Richard LaGravenese and Ted Demme), a documentary overview of American cinema during the 1970s with interviews from filmmakers of that generation. Richard LaGravenese will be present for questions. National Museum of African Art On May 1 at 7:00pm is A Family Called Abrew (1992), about a family of film and stage performers of African descent whoo have lived in Scotland since the late 19th century. It is shown with A Son of Africa: The Slave Narrative of Olaudah Equiano (1996), a BBC production bringing the 1789 slave autobiography to life. On May 8 at 7:00pm is Mississippi Triangle (1984), a portrait of life in the Mississippi Delta where Chinese, African Americans, and Whites live in a complex world of cotton, work, and racial conflict. The history of the Chinese community is framed against the harsh realities of civil, religious, and class politics in the mid-1980s American South. On May 16 at 7:00pm is Deluge (Salem Mekuria, 1987) about the collapse of Haile Selassie's government in 1974 with the director present to answer questions. Remembering Wei Yi-Fang, Rembering Myself (Yvonne Welbon, 1995), a short autobiographical documentary about the filmmaker's experiences as an African American woman living in Taiwan for 6 years will be shown on May 29 at 7:00pm with Cornerstone Blues (1994) set in New York's Little India, about an Indian longing to become a Black blues musician despite his Bombay accent. Museum of American History The winner of an Oscar for best documentary, The Anderson Platoon (1967) will be shown on May 29 and May 31 at 6:30pm. The film tracks Lt. Joseph B. Anderson leading his troops through jungles of Vietnam. A discussion with Joseph Anderson will follow. Renwick Gallery Four different documentaries about Frank Lloyd Wright will be screened in May. On May 7 at 1:00pm is Frank Lloyd Wright: The Masterpieces; on May 14 at 1:00pm is Frank Lloyd Wright: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick; on May 21 at 1:00pm is Frank Lloyd Wright: The Mike Wallace Interviews and on May 28 at 1:00pm is Three Wright Eras. Films on the Hill May is John Barrymore month at Films on the Hill with films representing three phases of Barrymore's career. On May 16 at 7:00pm is Rasputin and the Empress (Richard Boleslawski, 1932), from the early sound era which also includes John's brother Lionel and sister Ethel in the only film in which all the Barrymores appeared. On May 21 at 7:00pm is the first Vitaphone feature ever made, Don Juan (Alan Crosland, 1926) with the original Vitaphone score, representing John's popular silent era, and finally, just a few years before his death is The Great Man Votes (Garson Kanin, 1939) with John playing an alcoholic ex-professor who finds that his vote will decide an election. DC Jewish Community Center On May 12th at 7:00pm is Live Nude Girls Unite! (Julia Query, 2000) about the unionization of exotic dancers and the rights of women in the sex industry. Julia Query, a dancer at the Lusty Lady club in San Francisco and her Jewish mother who has worked for the rights of prostitutes are both speakers at a public health conference. On May 13 at 7:00pm is Jenin Diary: The Inside Story (Gil Mezuman, 2002), a video about a clash inside the Jenin refugee camp and the officers and soldiers involved. Special guests are Colonel Nitzan Nuriel, Military Attaché, Embassy of Israel; and Barbara Psotka, Jewish Social Service Agency. JUST ADDED! On May 19 at 7:00pm is Late Marriage (Dover Kosashvili, 2001), winner of nine Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Picture. JUST ADDED! On May 20 at 7:00pm is Berga: Soldiers of Another War (Charles Guggenheim, 2002), about a little-known incident of World War II when thousands of American GIs were captured by Nazis during the Battle of the Bulge and those with Jewish sounding names were shipped off to work as slave laborers in a camp. Grace Guggenheim, the late director's daughter will attend the screening. Pickford Theater In May the Pickford Theater will feature pre-code films including The Black Cat (1934) on May 1 at 7:00pm, Applause (1929) on May 9 at 7:00pm, and Love Me Tonight (1932) on May 23 at 7:00pm. Check the website for others. Goethe Institute The series of Karl Valentin films continues in May with The Eccentric (Walter Jervin, 1929) on May 5 at 6:30pm; a series of short films At the Photographer's Studio (1932), The Orchestra Rehearsal (1933), The Maledict Spotlight (1933) and A Visit to the Theater (1934) on May 12 at 6:30pm; and another series of short films The Confirmation Candidate (1934), At the Record Shop (1934), A Disastrous Violin Solo (1936), and The Inheritance (1936) on May 19 at 6:30pm. Karl Valentin (1882-1948) was an early pioneer in the German film industry who wrote, directed short comedies and sketches using styles derived from the circus and music hall. The Nazis censored most of his work which was finally rediscovered in the 1960s. Also in May is Faust (Peter Gorski, 1960) on May 26 at 6:30pm. Griot Cinema at Erico Cafe On May 1-3 at 7:30pm and May 4 at 4:30pm is The Nanny (Nikodimos Fikru, 2003) about an Ethiopian girl who flees to America, finding work as a nanny, but finding her dream turned into a nightmare. A discussion will be held on May 1 and 4. French Embassy CORRECTION: The series of films by Nicolas Philibert listed here previously for May have been postponed until fall. National Museum of Natural History On May 23 at noon is Wild Asia/At the Edge (2001) about animal and plant adaptations on Asia including extensive footage of the elusive wild snow leopard. Smithsonian Associates To complement its many programs on Scotland, The Smithsonian Associates presents an evening of short films on May 10 at 7:00pm. Titles include Leonard, Family, Love Is a Four-Letter Word, Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life, The Choir, Lunar Jig and Unscrew. FILM SEMINARS Smithsonian Associates On May 4 from 1:00-5:00pm is a half-day seminar, "Strange Bedfellows: The Military and the Movies," with seminar coordinator Lawrence Suid, military historian and author of Guts and Glory: The Making of the American Military Image in Film. Speakers include Phil Strub, General Henry Kinnard, Delbert Mann, John Horton, Stephen Hunter, and David Hogan, raising such issues as the use of dramatic license in films about historic events, the accurate portrayal of military procedures, and the efficacy of anti-war messages in combat movies. FILM TALKS Smithsonian Associates SPECIAL PRICE FOR DCFS MEMBERS!! An Evening with Carl Reiner Carl Reiner will reminisce about his long and illustrious film and television career on May 5 at 6:30pm at the Lisner Auditorium. Among the most influential comedic actors, writers, directors and producers of his generation, Carl Reiner has been associated with many famous comedians of the post-World War II era, including Mel Brooks, Dick Van Dyke and Steve Martin. Reiner was part of the first generation of writer-performers on the new medium of television. He created and co-starred in the classic "Dick Van Dyke Show" and later directed major film comedies including The Jerk, Where's Poppa?" and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. Winner of 12 Emmy Awards and a Grammy, Reiner was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame and received the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize in Humor. He has written five books, including Enter Laughing, and one Broadway play. In his newest book, My Anecdotal Life, he reminisces about his days in World War II and talks about his early acting career on Broadway with many stories about his experiences as a comic, producer, director, novelist and playwright. The book will be available for signing after the program. Special price for DCFS members: $15.00. Corcoran Anne Makepeace: Documentary Filmmaker Extraordinaire On May 12 at 7:00pm is an evening with Anne Makepeace who will talk about and show clips from many of her films including the most recent Robert Capa in Love and War. She also discusses the creative process and the realization of her work from genesis to distribution. Talking Movies with the Movie Guys On May 19 at 7:00pm Joe Barber and Bill Henry will show clips from their favorite films, discuss how and why they became critics and answer questions from the audience. FILM FESTIVALS Third International Jewish Film Festival The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia presents a series of films to be held at Cinema Arts and George Mason University. Titles include All My Loved Ones (1998, Czech Republic); God is Great, I'm Not (2001, France); Giraffes (2001, Israel); Autumn Sun (1999, Argentina); The Sky is Falling (2000, Italy); The Believer (2001, USA); Shanghai Ghetto (2001, USA); Rosenzweig's Freedom (1998, Germany); Gripsholm (2000, Germany); Time of Favor (2000, Israel); The Pianist (2002, USA); Max (2002, USA); Tevye (1939, USA); Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song (2001, Germany/USA); Mamadrama--The Jewish Mother in Cinema (2001, Australia); and a double feature of Strange Fruit (2002, USA) with Keep on Walking (2001, USA). Check the website for exact times. D.C. Underground Film Festival More than 60 short films and documentaries will be shown May 17-18 at the Carnegie Institute, 1530 P Street, NW. SPECIAL EVENT Community Open House at the Avalon Theater On May 4 from 11:00am to 3:00pm is a community open house to celebrate the theater's reopening. At 11:00am is a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the Avalon and talks will take place at 11:30am, 12:15pm and 1:15pm. Reena Racki will talk about the Avalon as as architectural icon, Ruthie Edmonson talks about the trials and tribulations of the restoration and Robert K. Headley, discusses the history of Washington movie theaters. This on-line version of the newsletter was last updated on May 12. Please check periodically for additions and corrections. Previous Storyboards
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