The Chi-Town Daily News posts a profile of local filmmaker Bruce Orenstein, who uses video to engage communities in critical thinking and activism. Orenstein says he wanted to provide film/video technology "for low income people to compete in a world where ... virtually every major corporation in the country has their own in-house video production facility and they use it to project a message, to shape an image."
- Lindsay Muscato | Comments (0)
The Music Box Theatre is in the midst of a James Bond film festival. Fortunately it’s not too late to catch a showing of the first four films in the iconic series: Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and Thunderball will all be screened this week. Just hearing those titles makes me nostalgic for the good old days when men were still men and Connery was still Bond.
In addition to more thrown hats, iconic white bikinis, and martinis than you can shake a loaded gun at, the series offers you the chance to see films which have inspired countless sequels, spoofs, and would-be spies. Few franchises have had such longevity and success and James Bond has become an international symbol of taste, style, and ass-kicking. Sure, the movies are sometimes silly (Pussy Galore and Molly Goodhead, anyone?) but they’re also seminal works in the development of the action film as a genre.
Showtimes can be found here – no gadgets necessary.
- Jamie Smith | Comments (0)
As the pundits prognosticate about the upcoming Democratic Convention, the Chicago Film Archives asks us to look back 40 years to the infamous 1968 Convention held in Chicago. Their latest series, “Out of the Vault: Year of Confrontation,” will present four restored films that explore not only the conflict between police and protesters at the convention but also how the media coverage was manipulated by the city after the fact.
- Jamie Smith | Comments (0)
Kt Andresky, the coordinator for Press/Play, is seeking documentarians to contribute a five-minute piece on the Chicago art scene. Check out the details at Justseeds.
- David Schalliol | Comments (0)
MGM Pictures is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the original United Artists with a touring film festival, and Chicago is one of the major stops. Hollywood Chicago reports that the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport, will host the festival starting in April. A schedule of films after the break.
- Andrew Huff | Comments (0)
This weekend, nine companies and artists will present their interpretation of this year's Full Circle Danztheatre Festival theme, Milestones. Performing new works will be: Kate McIlvain, Shabam! Productions, The Core Project, Shahina, Christy Munch, Soul Theatre, Perceptual Motion, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, and Wannapa Pimtong-Eubanks.
The festival aims to "blend all forms of art, dance, text, music, and visual art into performances that capture and stimulate the mind." And media isn't the only diverse aspect of the festival. Take a peek at the subject matter. McIlvain's "dance for the camera," Three Men in Two Parts, follows three young men through a night in a bar. Shabam!'s West Side Story Redux views today's racism and division through the lens of the eponymous musical. Munch's Rubber Coated Chlorine takes a stab at "political speak" while the audience hears recordings of Adlai Stevenson at the United Nations in 1962. Performances will range from political and serious to light and warm-hearted, while subjects range from a Baptist church, to mid-life discovery, to death. There are even promises of belly dancing and traditional Butoh dancing!
Tickets are $15 ($10 students). Shows are March 13 and 14 at 7:30 at the Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater, 3035 N. Hoyne. 773-486-8261
- Rachel Zanders | Comments (0)
Leap year only happens every four years. What are you going to do with your extra day? The following list of arts and culture activities should keep you busy, at least for the next three days...
Literary
Escape the chill and the impending 1-3 inches of snow tonight at Clever Alice where book lovers and other literary types gather for a Bookslut reading. Featured guests include writers Paul Verhaeghen, Deb Olin Unferth, and Dominique Fabre.
Film
The Other Boleyn Girl, starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, opens Friday. Based on the historical novel by British author Philippa Gregory, the film looks at the sibling rivalry of two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, who compete for the attention of King Henry VIII. The book is a sumptuous, delicious read, packed with details about court life and the equally shrewd personalities of Anne Boleyn and the King she set out to win. The film is directed by British director Justin Chadwick.
Chicago 10
Brett Morgen, who directed The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002), a refreshingly honest documentary about the ups and downs of Hollywood, tackles another controversial and complicated topic in this story that looks back on the trial of the eight protesters who made history at the 1968 National Democratic Convention. The film opens at the Landmark Theatre on Friday.
The 2008 Academy Award Nominated Shorts
Here's your chance to see all 5 of the nominated films for the Best Animated Short category, including I Met the Walrus, the Canadian documentary about 14-year-old Jerry Levitan's interview with John Lennon, which he procured after sneaking into the music icon's hotel room in 1969. The films screen at the Landmark Theatre on Friday and Saturday.
The Counterfeiters
Oscar winner for Best Languague Film, this Austrian film documents the true life story of Salomon Sorowitsch. Arrested for counterfeiting in a concentration camp, he went on to work for the Nazis, churning out banknotes in the currency of the enemy countries as the war came to a halting close. Opens on Friday.
- Marla Seidell | Comments (0)
Join the A/C Flickr Pool
Sat May 17 2008
Cajun Dance @ Portage Park Center for the Arts
Sat May 17 2008
Aloft Aerial Dance @ The Aloft Loft
Sat May 17 2008
Wicker Park Gallery Tour @ Around the Coyote
Sun May 18 2008
Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra @ Orchestra Hall
Thu May 22 2008
Blewt! Sings @ Trader Todd's
Thu May 22 2008
Milan Furniture Fair Talk @ DWR Evanston
