The Paley Center for Media Celebrates Cinema Verité at 50 during DOCFEST2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
New York, NY-The Paley Center for Media today announced a special lineup of events celebrating the fiftieth anniversaries of the film Primary, its founding of the American cinema verité, the company, Drew Associates that made the film, and the Presidency of its subject, John F. Kennedy. Events will include an October 6th screening of Primary with excerpts from its antecedents Weightlessness and Bull Fight, that will reunite Drew, Maysles, Pennebaker, and Leacock to discuss the making of Primary and the ideas and experiments that led to a new form of filmmaking. Over the next three weeks the Paley Center will screen eight rarely seen masterworks from Drew's early development of cinema verité.
Then, on Wednesday, October 27th the Paley Center will screen A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy, a new film by Robert Drew narrated by Alec Baldwin. Snagfilms, the Paley Center's documentary partner, will also be making classic Robert Drew documentaries available on its website. The Paley Center will also be screening cinema verité documentaries from our collection.
A half century ago, Robert Drew and his filmmaking colleagues- Al Maysles, DA Pennebaker, and Richard Leacock- revolutionized the way we look at the world, capturing freewheeling drama from real life. Drew Associates developed film equipment light enough to move freely with real subjects through crucial points in their lives. Their creative breakthrough was Primary, which captured the dynamic struggle between Presidential hopefuls John Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey seeking votes in Wisconsin. Selected for the first Library of Congress National Registry of outstanding American films, Primary, according to critic Matt Zoller Seitz, "had as immense and measureable an impact on non fiction film making as Birth of a Nation had on fiction film making...Drew is the D.W. Griffith of documentary, the guy who figured out how to show a story rather than tell it."
A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy is composed by Robert Drew from his acclaimed John Kennedy films, which also represent the genesis of the cinema verité movement in America. This new documentary narrated by Alec Baldwin brings to vivid life the Camelot years of the early sixties. We experience the Kennedy White House grappling with major issues, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the desegregation of the University of Alabama, as well as the shock and sorrow of the assassination. After the screening, Drew will discuss with Alec Baldwin why he went through his archives to create a new Kennedy film for the 21st century.
From the Paley Center collection: Starting October 1 through December 31, the Paley Center will also present numerous Robert Drew -related programs from its collection of nearly 150,000 programs. Robert Drew experimented with new forms of the observational documentary throughout the sixties and beyond. He looked for decisive moments in all sorts of human endeavor, including the arts, sports, and the legal profession. We have worked with Robert Drew in selecting exemplary documentaries showcasing the development of his cinema verité.
Wednesday October 6 and Sunday October 10 at 1pm
The Chair
Days before the execution is to take place, lawyers and leading players of a parole board hearing fight over the death penalty sentence of convicted murderer Paul Crump. Famed lawyer Louis Nizer argues to save Crump from the electric chair. Directed by Robert Drew (1962; 58 minutes) -Cannes Film Festival Special Jury Prize; New York Film Festival First Program.
Storm Signal
An intense documentary study about a young married couple in love, and addicted to heroin. Storm Signal covers four months in which drugs totally subvert the couple's aspirations. (1966; 53 minutes) -First Prize, Venice Film Festival
Wednesday October 13 and Sunday October 17 at 1pm
Susan Starr
The documentary follows nineteen-year old pianist Susan Starr as she prepares to compete in one the world's most prestigious piano competitions. (1962; 54 minutes) -Outstanding Film of the Year, London Film Festival
Jane
The camera captures the young Jane Fonda rehearsing for her first starring role on Broadway. Her play, The Fun Couple, opens to devastating critical notices. Directed by Hope Ryden and DA Pennebaker. (1962; 54 minutes) -London Film Festival; Outstanding Film
Wednesday October 20 and Sunday October 24 at 1pm
On the Pole - EDDIE SACHS
Race car driver Eddie Sachs, is captured before, during, and after qualifying for the pole position of the Indianapolis 500. This landmark sports film was broadcast on CBS. (1960; 53 minutes)
Mooney vs. Fowle
Director James Lipscomb depicts the days leading up to the football championship between Edison High School and Miami High School to determine the best team in the state of Florida. The documentary contrasts the teams coaches, Mooney and Fowle, as one of them telegraphs defeat to his players and achieves it most painfully. (1961; 57 minutes) -Outstanding Film London Film Festival
Wednesday October 27 and Sunday October 31 at 1pm
Man Who Dances
From six months in the life of premier ballet dancer Edward Villella. After overwork in non-stop dancing for major productions at The New York City Ballet, Villella struggles to maintain his strength on a day where he must perform multiple times. (1968; 54 minutes) -Emmy Award; First Prize, International Cinema Exhibition Bilboa; Cine Golden Eagle
Kathy's Dance
Dancer and choreographer Kathy Posin composes a new dance. She also explores her philosophy of dance as she takes her troupe on a tour to premiere her new work. (1977; 28 minutes) -Blue Ribbon, American Film Festival; Silver Hugo, Chicago Film Festival; Cine Golden Eagle
For more information about admission and tickets, please visit www.paleycenter.org
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The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit /.
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