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30th Anniversary Restoration of Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy to Close 2013 Tribeca Film Festival
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Jerry Lewis and Robert De Niro in The King of Comedy directed by Martin Scorsese.[/caption]The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), has chosen the 30th Anniversary of Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy, restored in association with The Film Foundation, Regency Enterprises and Twentieth Century Fox, to close its 12th edition on Saturday, April 27.
The King of Comedy – directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Paul D. Zimmerman, produced by Arnon Milchan, and starring Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Diahnne Abbott and Sandra Bernhard –was originally released in 1983. Lauded as “shockingly prescient” by Moviefone, the film is recognized for its groundbreaking foresight into reality-TV culture and lack of distinction between renown and notoriety. It also holds up as the finest dramatic work of Lewis’ career, one of Martin Scorsese’s most underrated movies and a darkly funny film that features Robert De Niro playing the scary and fascinating character, Rupert Pupkin.
The King of Comedy is being restored digitally in 4K from the original camera negatives at Sony Colorworks; John Polito at Audio Mechanics is digitally restoring the soundtrack.
“Twelve years ago when we announced the first Festival, it was Marty’s idea for us to feature Restored and Rediscovered films. This year we are proud to close our 12th Festival with a restoration of his The King of Comedy,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder, Tribeca Film Festival. “The King of Comedy was so ahead of its time; it seems more relevant today than it was 30 years ago. We are so grateful to Jim Gianopulos and Regency for helping to restore such an iconic film and ensuring it remains a part of our cultural heritage.”
In this unforgettable film, a funny thing happens to talk show host Jerry Langford (Lewis) on his way to the studio. Kidnapped by stand-up comedian Rupert Pupkin (De Niro) and his wacky sidekick (Bernhard), Langford is forced to give Pupkin a shot at the big time by allowing the struggling comic to perform his routine on Langford’s show. What unfolds is an incredibly funny and poignant story about the darker side of comedy.
“I was a big fan of the script and was very excited to do it with Marty and happy that we finally made it. The fact that it’s been restored (hard to believe so many years have passed) is even all the better, and I can’t wait to see it on our closing night,” said Robert De Niro, co-founder, Tribeca Film Festival.
Scorsese said, “I’ve always been partial to comedians – the irreverence, the absurdity, the hostility, all the feelings under the surface – and to the old world of late night variety shows hosted by Steve Allen and Jack Paar and, of course, Johnny Carson, to the familiarity and the camaraderie between the guests. You had the feeling that they were there with you, in your living room. Robert De Niro and I were both drawn to Paul Zimmerman’s script for The King of Comedy, which really captured the show business atmosphere and the desperate attachments that some of the people on the other side of the screen could form, the ones that in certain cases turned dangerous.
“Making the picture was quite an experience. We had Sandra Bernhard in her debut. We had New York in summer. We had the beautiful Diahnne Abbott. We had all those wonderful guest stars like Tony Randall and Victor Borge and Ed Herlihy and Dr. Joyce Brothers, and the people who were really in the business, like Freddy De Cordova and Ed Scherick. We had my mother, and my father, and my daughter Cathy. We even had The Clash in a couple of shots, in the role of ‘street trash.’ And, we had a living legend, the great Jerry Lewis.
“I’m so happy that after all this time, The King of Comedy is finally getting a restoration, from our wonderful friends at Fox.”
The 12th annual Tribeca Film Festival will take place from April 17-28, 2013.
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RIP: Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter Fay Kanin
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Fay Kanin (r) with Academy President Sid Ganis. [/caption]Oscar-nominated screenwriter and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Fay Kanin, died Wednesday. She was 95.
Kanin wrote screenplays for 1958 Clark Gable-Doris Day comedy “Teacher’s Pet”, for which she received an Oscar nomination, and the 1954 Elizabeth Taylor romantic drama “Rhapsody”.
Kanin served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1979 to 1983, and was its second female president after actress Bette Davis. Kanin also was a longtime chairperson of the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress and served on the board of the American Film Institute.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released a statement, “The Academy is deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved former president and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Fay Kanin. She was committed to the Academy’s preservation work and instrumental in expanding our public programming. A tireless mentor and inspiration to countless filmmakers, Fay’s passion for film continues to inspire us daily. Our prayers and condolences go out to her loved ones.”
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BLANCANIEVES to Open 2013 Cine Las Americas International Film Festival and 7 BOXES to Close The Festival
Pablo Berger’s BLANCANIEVES will open the 16th Cine Las Americas International Film Festival, on Tuesday, April 16 at the Stateside Theatre. Winner of multiple awards and chosen to represent Spain at the 2012 Academy Awards, the film stars Maribel Verdú, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Angela Molina and newcomer Macarena García.
Closing the festival is 7 CAJAS (7 BOXES) on Sunday, April 21 also at the Stateside Theatre. A cunningly plotted action thriller, the film shows a rarely seen Paraguay on the cinematic map, bringing an inventive, lo-fi ingenuity to the traditional crime thriller.A re-telling of the classic Brothers’ Grimm fairy tale “Snow White”, BLANCANIEVES is described as a breathtakingly beautiful film and a uniquely spirited homage to the black-and-white Golden Age of Europe’s silent cinema. Set in a romanticized 1920s Seville, Berger’s Snow White is Carmen, the daughter of a famous bullfighter, who lives under the tyrannical rule of her monstrous, evil stepmother, Encarna. She escapes and joins a troupe of bullfighting dwarves, where her beauty and natural talent in the ring attract notices from the press. But soon the news reaches Encarna, who at last she knows where to find Carmen, and she prepares for the final showdown.
7 CAJAS develops on a single, sweltering hot night in Asuncion, Paraguay. Víctor, a 17-year-old wheelbarrow delivery boy, dreams of becoming famous and covets a fancy TV set in the infamous Mercado 4. He’s offered a chance to deliver seven boxes with unknown contents in exchange for a quick hundred bucks. But what sounds like an easy job soon gets complicated. When something in the boxes is highly coveted, Víctor and his pursuers quickly find themselves caught up in a crime they know nothing about.
The 16th Cine Las Americas International Film Festival, which runs April 16-21, 2013, will take place at the Stateside Theatre in downtown Austin, the Alamo Drafthouse Village, and the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), with additional screenings at St. Edward’s University. All screenings at the MACC and at St. Edward’s University are free and open to the public. All films are subtitled in English.
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Mickey Sumner, Cheryl Hines Among Stars Attending 2013 Sarasota Film Festival
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Greta Gerwig and Mickey Sumner in Frances Ha[/caption]Sarasota, FL – Mickey Sumner will receive the Breakthrough Performer Award at the 2013 Sarasota Film Festival for her performance in the closing night film FRANCES HA. The award will be presented at the annual Tribute Luncheon, Sarasota Yacht Club on Friday, April 12th. Ms. Sumner was seen most recently on stage in New York City opposite Carol Kane in the Atlantic Theater Company’s production of THE LYING LESSON. Ms. Sumner joins previously announced guests Suzanne Clément, Griffin Dunne, Mariel Hemingway, Barbara Kopple and Lili Taylor in receiving honors at the Tribute. Ms. Sumner will also introduce the festival’s screening of FRANCES HA on Saturday, April 13th at The Sarasota Opera House.
Cheryl Hines, star of the festival’s Spotlight film PASADENA, will serve as host for the festival’s Filmmaker Awards, Saturday, April 13th at 6:00 PM at The Sarasota Opera House.
In addition, several former Sea World whale trainers have announced that they will be joining the festival’s Opening Night screening of BLACKFISH to participate in a provocative post-screening Q&A, along with the film’s director Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The group includes John Hargrove, Samantha Berg, Carol Ray, John Jett and Jeff Ventre.
Also joining the festival is David Call (GOSSIP GIRL, TINY FURNITURE) who has three films in the festival with DEAD MAN’S BURDEN, NOR’EASTER, and the short film MOBILE HOMES while WWE superstar Brodus Clay will attend with his film NO ONE LIVES on Saturday, April 13th.
“We are honored to welcome these wonderful guests to our festival,” says Festival Director Tom Hall. “Sarasota is a city that celebrates the arts, and we hope our community joins us in embracing these artists and their work.”
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American Documentary Film Festival to Present World Premiere of BEAUTY FACTORY
Palm Springs, CA – BEAUTY FACTORY, which will have its world premiere at this year’s American Documentary Film Festival, follows five Venezuelan contestants over the course of four months as they compete for the coveted Miss Venezuela Crown; offering an intimate look into the world of beauty, and the sometimes-ugly things people do to be part of it.
Venezuela has won more international beauty pageants than any other country. With 6 Miss International Crowns, 6 Miss World Crowns, and 6 Miss Universe Crowns, what is it that makes Venezuelan beauty queens so special? This film takes viewers behind the scenes as the girls are told how much weight to lose, how big their breasts need to be, what diet they need to follow, how long their hair should be and what color it should be, what gym routine they should follow, and even what plastic surgeries they should have prior to competing. For many of the contestants, the ultimate goal isn’t the Miss Venezuela crown, or even the Miss Universe crown. These are smart, savvy women who are using their beauty as the launching pad for something greater. BEAUTY FACTORY is a film about Female empowerment, with some positive twists.
For Tickets and/or More Information,
visit http://americandocumentaryfilmfestival.com/
The American Documentary Film Festival
April 4-8, 2013
Camelot Theatres
2300 E Baristo Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-325-6565
Cinemark Century Theatres at The River
71800 Hwy 111Suite A-137
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270760-836-1940
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College Student, Allison Koch Wins Charleston International Film Festival’s Spire Award Design Contest
(Charleston, SC ) – A senior and Studio Art major at the College of Charleston, Allison Koch, concepted and created the winning design for Charleston International Film Festival’s Spire Award. The award will be given annually during the festival to recognize those who exhibit the very best in the art of filmmaking and writing.
Chosen by the festival’s directors from more than a dozen award designs by College of Charleston students, Koch’s prototype truly captured the essence of the Spire, which alludes to Charleston’s iconic steeple-dotted skyline. Furthermore, the shape of a Spire demonstrates a reach for the skies, something the festival’s winning filmmakers and screenwriters truly embody.
Koch, who is from New Jersey, but grew up in North Myrtle Beach said she was influenced by art deco movie theatre architecture. “The geometric, streamlined look seemed to suit the award,” Koch said. Her piece evolved, however, as it developed. Koch explained, “the initial form I had in mind is not at all what I felt worked best in the end.”
The award will be cast in glass and given out for the first time during the 6th annual Charleston International Film Festival, April 24 – 28, 2013.
For having the winning submission, Koch will receive a cash prize of $500.
To learn more about Charleston International Film Festival or buy tickets, visit CharlestonIFF.org.
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Jill Morley’s Documentary, Fight Like A Girl to World Premiere at 2013 American Documentary Film Festival
The World Premiere of Fight Like A Girl at the 2013 American Documentary Film Festival, will screen at 4:30pm on Fri. Apr 5, 2013, at the Cinemark Century Theatres at The River in Rancho Mirage, California. Jill Morley’s documentary, Fight Like A Girl, is a gritty, first person insider’s narrative shot over five years.
March 25, 2013, Palm Springs, CA – Boxers training for the Golden Gloves – the world’s most famous amateur boxing tournament – live in a world of sweaty leather gloves thudding against heavy bags, twirling jump ropes, and fierce competition. Many of these rising fighters must overcome obstacles of child abuse, depression, addiction and eating disorders to become champions on their own terms, facing their own mortality and demons within. The game changer: these fighters are women.
Jill Morley’s documentary, Fight Like A Girl, is a gritty, first person insider’s narrative shot over five years. Delving into the little-known world of female boxers, Jill discovers they all have a lot in common. Emotional traumas surface to reveal histories of battles with suicide, abuse, sexism, depression, racism and drugs.
While there has always been a fascination with women fighting, they were not allowed to compete in the New York Golden Gloves until 1995. 2012 saw the debut of female boxing in the Olympic games. From amateurs training for local tournaments to world champions, you meet the women who are passionate about fighting hard.
“When I decided to compete in the New York Golden Gloves, I was fascinated by this sisterhood of female boxers,” says Morley. “I realized how much more I had in common with these women than I originally thought. That inspired me to tell their stories. And gave me courage to tell my own.”Taking us into the world of sweaty boxing gyms where women must fight for respect in an alpha male culture, Fight Like A Girl shows the real fight that happens within, and the struggle to emerge as champions inside and outside the ring. The World Premiere of Fight Like A Girl will screen at 4:30pm on Fri. Apr 5, 2013, at the Cinemark Century Theatres at The River in Rancho Mirage.
For Tickets and/or More Information,
visit http://americandocumentaryfilmfestival.com/
The American Documentary Film Festival
April 4-8, 2013
Camelot Theatres
2300 E Baristo Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-325-6565
Cinemark Century Theatres at The River
71800 Hwy 111Suite A-137
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
760-836-1940
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Launch Pad program brings World Premiere genre films to 2013 Fantastic Planet Film Festival in Sydney, Australia
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THE TAKING, directed by The BAPartists [/caption]Fantastic Planet Film Festival announced it’s inaugural LAUNCH PAD program of world premiere films.
“Launch Pad was developed to provide a solid starting point for genre feature films just commencing their festival run,” explains festival director Dr. Dean Bertram. “Festivals often tend to focus their publicity on films that already have buzz from previous screenings, those which originate from within the studio system, or from a name director. We wanted to provide a specific component of the festival dedicated to discovering, showcasing, and promoting exceptional independent feature films and talented filmmakers beginning their journey.”
The three fantastic films accepted into the inaugural LAUNCH PAD program are:
A DARK MATTER, directed by James Naylor (Twisting cerebral sci-fi thriller.)
THE TAKING, directed by The BAPartists (Deep and disturbing art-house horror.)
WET AND RECKLESS, directed by Jason Trost (Hilarious buddy-caper come reality TV parody.)
All of these filmmakers, as well as some cast members from the films, will be attending the festival and partaking in Q&A sessions after their screenings. Launch Pad is a component of the 4th edition of Fantastic Planet Film Festival. Taking place in conjunction with the 7th annual A Night of Horror Film Festival, at Dendy Cinemas Newtown, April 11 to 21. Combined, the festivals will screen over 100 films. Together they are dedicated to presenting Sydney audiences with a stunning showcase of the latest in horror, sci-fi, fantasy and cult cinema.
A brief synopsis and the screening details of this year’s three (3) Launch Pad films follow:A DARK MATTER (Screens Friday April 19, 9:00pm at Dendy Newtown)
Director: James Naylor
CAN / 2013 / 100 min
World Premiere
In this compelling and mind-bending sci-fi thriller, an artist struggles to find love in an underworld where murder, and what might be an alternate time-stream, distort his perception of reality. Angus and Laura love each other deeply…but Laura is holding a deep dark secret. When she leaves him inexplicably, Angus slips into a foreboding realm, where the Demon of Nothingness reigns supreme. After Laura’s exit, Angus questions his role in her disappearance and sets out to uncover the truth. Working his way through a cunning gallery of underworld figures, Angus slowly unlocks Laura’s secret while discovering sinister truths about himself. With nothing but his own Demon to guide him, Angus ventures across dimensions and alternate states of reality to find Laura and win her back. A powerful exploration of love and existence tinged with the type of masterful high strangeness one finds in a P. K. Dick novel or a David Lynch film. Lovers of cerebral sci-fi should not miss this mesmerising movie.
THE TAKING (screens Saturday April 13, 9:00pm, at Dendy Newtown)
Directors: The BAPartists (Cezil Reed and Lydelle Jackson)
USA/2013/77 min
World Premiere
If David Lynch had written and directed THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE it well could have resembled this feverish and stylised nightmare. A man seeking vengeance against his best friend and unfaithful fiancee, and a woman determined to kill the man who murdered her daughter, are drawn into the depths of a mysterious forest. There, sadistic locals have far more horrifying plans for the vengeful interlopers than just torturing the flesh of their bodies. A dark, disturbing, independent masterpiece, that proves that there are still original stories to be told in the horror genre, and masterful ways to tell them.
WET AND RECKLESS (Screens Monday April 15, 7:00pm, at Dendy Newtown)
Director: Jason Trost
USA/2013/87 min
World Premiere
Imagine Wes Anderson’s BOTTLE ROCKET fused with the reality TV show SURVIVOR, and you might get the slightest inkling of this hilarious buddy-comedy-crime-caper that spins entirely off the rails. Two party-animal, reality TV stars (Jason Trost – THE FP, and Lucas Till – X-MEN: FIRST CLASS) are dumped in Thailand by the producer of their over-the-top reality show. The only way home, and last chance of reclaiming their reality star-status? A treasure map… to a treasure map… Hilarity and adventure ensue in this indie comedic gem.
