Presented by the College of Media at Illinois April 21-25, 2010 The Virginia Theatre 203 W. Park, Champaign (217) 356-9063 Ebertfest.com !"#$%&'()*$%+'$,#-(.%#$%/'/#0(,'/%,1% !"#$%&'(#)*%+%,-./%0"#1)-

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231,"%0)'(,'/% /#$,#40,#-'%-#),5(.%61)./$% +)17%,"'#)%#7(8#4(,#14$9: 2%0"()-%,3)-4 !"#"$ ACADEMIC PANEL DISCUSSIONS PANEL ACADEMIC LIVE WDWS ON-AIR INTERVIEW LIVE WDWS ON-AIR WORKSHOP

!"#$%&'($%)*+&,-./&,$+)-01.& +23$45.$ "6&$0$7)+ Saturday, April 25, 2010 Saturday, 9:00am -10:30 am No Budget Filmmaking An Amateur Guide to by Don Tingle Moderated Floor 2nd Lounge, Illini Union/General Thursday, April 22, 2010 Thursday, 9:30 10:45 am am – Getting the Damned Thing Made by Nate Kohn Moderated April 23, 2010 Friday, 1st Floor Lounge, Pine 9:00 am – 10:15 am Much About Know Do Film Students Really Need to Classic Films? by Eric Pierson Moderated 10:30 am – 11:45 am 1st Floor Lounge, Pine Film Lovers of The Global Web by Omer Mozaffar Moderated 1st Floor Lounge, Pine the public and open to Free Please Tune In to WDWS-AM 1400! Please Tune April 21, 2010 Wednesday, 9:00 am - 10:00 am Interview (WDWS)Ebertfest Jim Turpin’s

The Soloist Barfly Song Sung Blue I Capture the Castle I Capture Vincent: A Life in Color Trucker Departures Camera Man with a Movie York New Synecdoche, You, the Living You, Munyurangabo Age The New Redux Apocalypse Now Pink Floyd The Wall Wall The Pink Floyd

SPECIAL POST-FESTIVAL SCREENING SPECIAL POST-FESTIVAL FILM SCREENINGS AT THE VIRGINIA THEATRE THE VIRGINIA AT FILM SCREENINGS

2:00 pm Sunday, April 25, 2010 April 25, Sunday, 4:30 pm Sunday, April 25 April 25 Sunday, Noon 4:30 pm 9:00 pm Saturday, April 24, 2010 Saturday, 11:00 am 8:00 pm Friday, April 23, 2010 Friday, 1:00 pm 4:00 pm 8:00 pm Thursday, April 22, 2010 Thursday, Noon 7:00 pm 10:00 pm Wednesday, April 21, 2010 Wednesday, The Champaign County Anti-Stigma Alliance is pleased to THE SOLOIST of showing will have a special that they announce Ebertfest (April 25). The close of the following immediately and disability discrimination to challenge was formed Alliance will be at the This screening awareness. and education promote The public. to the it will free at 4:30 pm and Theatre Virginia guest speakers. of by a panel will be followed screening 3:00 pm Shop Apple On Campus

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2 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%#$& Welcome from Roger Ebert ...... 4 MOVIE REVIEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010 Welcome from President Stanley O. Ikenberry ...... 6 Pink Floyd The Wall(7pm) ...... 30 You, the Living (10pm) ...... 32 Welcome from the College of Media ...... 9

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2010 Festival Dedication...... 11 Munyurangabo (noon) ...... 36 The New Age (3pm) ...... 38 Complete Schedule of Events...... 12 Apocalypse Now Redux (8pm) ...... 40

Important Information about the Festival ...... 17 FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 Departures (1pm) ...... 44 Dining Tips...... 19 Man with a Movie Camera accompanied by the (4pm) ...... 46 Festival Guests ...... 21-29 Alloy Orchestra Synecdoche, New York (8pm) ...... 50

Festival Sponsors ...... 68 SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2010

A Look Back at Last Year’s Festival ...... 71 I Capture the Castle (11am) ...... 54 Vincent: A Life in Color (2pm) ...... 56

Special Thanks...... 75 Trucker (4pm) ...... 60 Barfl y (9pm) ...... 62

Parking Information and Area Map...... 77 SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2010

Bringing Apocalypse Now to Today ...... 78 Song Sung Blue (noon) ...... 64



 
   
   
 

  
 
   
   
 
    
   
 
  
             Presented by the College of Media at Illinois Ebertfest.com April 21-25, 2010 The Virginia Theatre Presented by the The Virginia Theatre 203 W. Park, Champaign 203 W. Park, Champaign (217) 356-9063 Ebertfest.com College of Media at Illinois (217) 356-9063 April 21-25, 2010 "#$%&'# to the 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival This year's festival is dedicated to John Hughes and Eric Rohmer

From Roger Ebert and represents their agreed-upon final cut. Anyone familiar with ometimes it seems to me film and sound editing and with Ebertfest is not so much “Apocalypse Now” will realize !a film festival as a revival that Murch in some ways is its meeting. We have a special re- co-author. lationship with the movies, and I saw the film for the first time here we gather with others of our at its world premiere at Cannes. It persuasion. We love a big screen is a film that cries out to be seen and great sound. We enjoy being on a big screen, with surround part of an informed, like-minded sound. If you never have, in some audience. We detest 3-D and the sense you haven’t seen it at all. marketing mind-set that goes At the other end of the budget along with it. We are open to all scale, we’ll honor “Munyuran- forms of movies, from 16mm to gabo,” a brilliant feature filmed 70mm, from silents to talkies, in Rwanda, and its director, the from wide-screen to the clas- Arkansas-born Lee Isaac Chung, sic 1:1.33, and from all over the writer, Samuel Gray Anderson, world. and co-producer Jenny Lund. This began as the Overlooked The film received acclaim after Film Festival, “for films that its initial screenings in the Un have been, or will be, wrongly Certain Regard, section at Cannes; overlooked.” Some filmmakers I missed that year’s festival, and were understandably not eager to asked Chung for a DVD. It deeply have their works so labeled. Now Drawing by Roger Ebert touched me. After blogging about we simply celebrate films. I don’t it, I heard from its admirers from have a set of criteria in my selec- a blog entry about it, however, I waves his coats to tourist boats all over, and most interestingly tions. It’s more that I see a film received an outpouring of agree- passing under bridges on the Chi- from a former high school teacher and am seized with the desire to ment about its greatness. cago River. of Chung’s in Arkansas, who share it with the Ebertfest family. This is one of those films, like This film was recommended to painted a portrait of a bright, cu- Again this year, our principal “It’s a Wonderful Life,” that will me by my Sun-Times colleague rious student. emcee will be the ebullient Chaz go directly from failure to time- Neil Steinberg, who wrote about Our free Saturday morning Ebert, who assists with the festi- less classic without going through it in his column. Like many Family Matinee will showcase the val at every stage. I hope to play an intermediate stage of suc- Chicagoans, I’d noticed Vincent inspired 2003 film “I Capture the a larger role, but warn guests: The cess. Indeed, if you give it some P. Falk around the Loop--how Castle,” based on the beloved new computer voice you’ve heard thought, “It’s a Wonderful Life” could I not?--and was moved by novel by Dodie Smith. It tells the about doesn’t allow me to “speak wouldn’t have been such a bad the fullness and joy of his life story of a real family living in a again.” I type, it talks. It’s just title if it weren’t already taken. in the face of impaired vision. I real castle with real problems. that it sounds more like me. I feel it’s a singular, stand-alone, invited it, and soon found myself Like all of our family films, it’s “Synecdoche, New York” is this one-off film, like “Metropolis,” exchanging e-mails with Vincent, definitely not for children only. It year’s poster child. I believe many “2001,” the works of Tati, “My whose visit this year will mark was produced by our friend Anant of its early viewers simply never Winnipeg,” “Songs from the Sec- a return to his old stomping- Singh from South Africa. understood what the film was ond Floor,” or anything by Bela grounds at the University. It helps illustrate a feeling I’m demonstrating, or how. Trained Tarr. Walter Murch, the Academy getting, that modern “children’s on countless shallow linear narra- Perhaps at the other end of Award-winning sound and film films” work actively to dumb tives, they were unaccustomed to the fame scale, we’ll have an ap- editor, will appear after our gi- down our children. With their a film which, in its content and pearance by, and Jennifer Burns’ ant-screen presentation of a bright colors, simplistic stories structure, was about life itself-- lovely documentary about, Vin- newly restored print of Francis and reliance on repetitive action, and Charlie Kaufman’s constant cent P. Falk, the man in the coats Ford Coppola’s great film “Apoca- they’re like fast food, giving an subject, the workings of the hu- of many colors who is a regular lypse Now Redux.” This is the immediate rush but no nutrition. man mind (“Being John Malkov- outside the State Street windows version of the great film that Children instinctively like good ich,” “Adaptation”). When I wrote of Channels 7 News, and often Murch supervised with Coppola, movies, but then the bad ones

4 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival drive out the good. They love woman who believes in the literal formal beauty of the film. Note can see we haven’t forgotten our “2001” until they see “Transform- word of scripture. The film is re- its compositions. The eye-level roots. Even in these hard times, ers.” They love “E.T.” until they markable because it doesn’t differ scenes of corpse preparation sug- she performed a magic act in fly- see “Monsters vs. Aliens.” If I with her, but bravely follows her gest Ozu. Even an exterior shot of ing Director Yôjirô Takita all the were a parent I would lay down logic to the end. I wish Tolkin a building is framed in a beautiful way here from Japan. the law: “Kids, you can see most would direct more. These times way. Jameel Jones and his cheer- any movie not rated R, but it call for his films. This will be the tenth year the ful staff at the Virginia Theater must be a Real Movie. I respect Barbet Schroeder, the ac- famed Alloy Orchestra of Cam- put out the welcome mat. The you too much to allow you to see claimed French director whose bridge, MA will be in the Virgin- Champaign Park District and the films for kids.” career began by acting in early ia’s orchestra pit to accompany a Champaign Police Department are In an opening night program New Wave films, will appear with silent classic, this year the Rus- always helpful. Local volunteers of contrasts, we’ll be screening his “Barfly” (I987). It’s based sian “Man with a Movie Camera.” act as drivers and guides for our the only surviving 70mm print of on the novel by the cult legend The score will, as always, be of guests. Betsy Hendrick throws her “Pink Floyd the Wall,” the rock Charles Bukowski, and stars Mick- their own composition. now-legendary Saturday night opera by Roger Waters. It’s a loan ey Rourke and Faye Dunaway. I The festival traditionally closes party. Where would we be without from the British Film Institute. spent an unforgettable day on on Sunday afternoon with a our fabled projectionists James Directed by Alan Parker, it com- the set with Barbet, Bukowski film followed by a live musical Bond and Steve Kraus, who bring bines live action and animation in and Dunaway, when Rourke, performance, and do we have a their own digital projectors to a surrealistic portrait of a man in while acting, bashed through a discovery this year! We’ll show complement the theater’s vintage despair. I saw this film at its To- door with his fist and Schroeder Greg Kohs’s documentary “Song 35/70mm projectors? A shout-out ronto Film Festival premiere, and had to break the news to him Sung Blue,” about a Milwaukee to our good friend Bertha Mitch- have loved it ever since. When that he was off-camera at that husband and wife duo named ell, who serves her famous down- Alan Parker came to the Chicago moment. Lightning and Thunder, whose state barbeque from the tent in festival years ago, I dragged him One of the greatest perfor- tributes to Neil Diamond and front of the theater. Try it! You’ll home with me and for the first time he saw a laserdisc; I played “Pink Floyd.” He called his office to order a laserdisc player. Now we simply celebrate films. I don’t have a set of criteria in We’ll follow Parker’s film with my selections. It’s more that I see a film and am seized with the desire to surrealism in a decidedly lower key: Roy Andersson’s “You, the share it with the Ebertfest family. Living,” from the Swedish direc- tor of the legendary “Songs from the Second Floor.” Appearing in person will be actress Jessika mances of 2009 was by Michelle Patsy Cline won large and loyal like it! The Illini Union plays Lundberg and production man- Monaghan, in the title role of audiences. Then “Thunder,” Claire host for most of our guests in the ager and assistant director Johan “Trucker.” She played a fiercely Sardina, will perform, and trust heart of the campus. We lost our Carlsson, the author of a book independent owner-operator of me on this: She’s dynamite. beloved meeter-and-greeter Dusty about Roy Andersson. a big highway rig, forced to look This festival doesn’t simply Cohl in 2008, but the no less be- Ebertfest regulars will recall after the son she is estranged happen. It is a tribute to the hard loved Lady Joan Cohl returns as our screening of “Songs from the from. Both actress Michelle work and generosity of spirit of Conspirator-in-Chief. Second Floor,” and our guests, Monaghan and writer-director hundreds of volunteers from my The festival is a production two actors, one of whom never James Mottern will be with us. alma mater and my home town. of the College of Media of the spoke. Somehow, after an An- When I regard the names of My parents, Walter and Annabel University of Illinois at Urbana- dersson film, we understood. I the Best Actress nominees every Ebert, saw many movies at the Champaign, whose dean, Walt am so grateful when I discover a year, I reflect that the Academy Virginia, and dad even recalled Harrington, has been generous in filmmaker who has no interest in rarely strays off the reservation. seeing the Marx Brothers on the his support and encouragement. repeating a formula or mining a Sometimes it will unbend a little stage. The restoration of this Leone Advertising is our invalu- genre but has a completely origi- to include someone like “Frozen palace has preserved a precious able webmaster at ebertfest.com; nal vision. River’s” Melissa Leo, but I ask chapter in C-U history. Carlton Bruett is responsible for Michael Tolkin, the writer of you: Isn’t Monaghan’s perfor- Nobody will ever know how the posters and the look of the the screenplay and the novel mance here Oscar-worthy? hard Nate Kohn and Mary Susan festival; The Daily Illini, my other which inspired Robert Altman’s We’ll show Yôjirô Takita’s bril- Britt and her staff work on the alma mater, produces this splen- “The Player” (1992), will appear liant 2009 Oscar-winning Japa- festival. Nate, an Urbana native did program. A special thank after the screening of a film he nese film, “Departures,” which now professor at the University you to our leading sponsor the wrote and directed, “The New few people had seen when it won, of Georgia and administrator of Champaign County Anti-Stigma Age” (1994), starring Judy Davis and not many more have seen the Peabody Awards, helps me Alliance. and Peter Weller. I thought it a since. I fell in love with its story choose the films. He obtains the And very special thanks to great film at the time, and now of an out-of-work classical musi- prints and permissions. He and University President Stanley find its story of a well-off couple cian who finds himself employed Mary Susan work with our guard- Ikenberry and his wife Judy, and facing financial ruin to be eerily in the ceremonial preparation of ian angel, Mary Frances Fagan Chancellor Robert Easter and his relevant. corpses. Takita will be coming all of American Airlines, to arrange wife, Cheryl, for their generous I was also considering Tolkin’s the way from Japan to visit us. transportation here. Mary Frances support. great “The Rapture,” about a Apart from its story, I love the is another C-U native, so you

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com April 21-25, 2010  The Virginia Theatre 5 "#$$%&'"( from Interim President Stanley O. Ikenberry

Welcome to the Roger’s roots grew deep in the soil of Champaign- 12th Annual Urbana and the University of Illinois. Roots of the Ebert Film Roger Ebert’s Festival have taken hold as well. They have grown from the power of a remarkable man and the delight of a creative idea. Film Festival!

oger Ebert recently remi- of a creative idea. Why not bring sion Roger Ebert and his business nisced about the day his overlooked films to a community and life partner Chaz Ebert cre- !“Daddy” took him to the that will enjoy them? This cre- ated more than a decade ago. first movie he ever watched, the ative idea turns to magic when So, sit back and enjoy the Marx Brothers in “A Day at the the venue for the Festival is the movies. Linger in the company Races.” The movie was just one place where that man – Roger of others. Let these remarkable of many activities father and son Ebert – lived, learned and grew films receive the recognition shared together – watching tele- Urbana and the University of to love movies, to write, and they deserve. Roger and Chaz: vision in the basement, listen- Illinois. critique. Add the magic of local, We are grateful for your magic ing to music, attending athletic Roots of the Ebert Film Festival national and international panel and for all you have given to our events, taking long drives and have taken hold as well. They members who analyze the mak- community and University. much more. Roger’s roots grew have grown from the power of a ing, meaning and medium of film deep in the soil of Champaign- remarkable man and the delight and you have “Ebertfest,” the vi- Let the fun begin. !"#$%%

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6 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival "#$$%&'"( from Interim President Stanley O. Ikenberry ! ! Welcome to the Roger’s roots grew deep in the soil of Champaign- Ippatsu will pay your Urbana and the University of Illinois. Roots of the Ebert Film 12th Annual parking meter! Roger Ebert’s Festival have taken hold as well. They have grown from the power of a remarkable man and the delight of a creative idea. visit our website for details Film Festival! www.ippatsusalon.com oger Ebert recently remi- of a creative idea. Why not bring sion Roger Ebert and his business nisced about the day his overlooked films to a community and life partner Chaz Ebert cre- !“Daddy” took him to the that will enjoy them? This cre- ated more than a decade ago. first movie he ever watched, the ative idea turns to magic when So, sit back and enjoy the Marx Brothers in “A Day at the the venue for the Festival is the movies. Linger in the company !"#$%&'$(#&)*+,$&-".&+&-/.(#&%+#$&012& Races.” The movie was just one place where that man – Roger of others. Let these remarkable & & 3$+.(&/4&+&."5&'3&6788&9+:+8/4$ of many activities father and son Ebert – lived, learned and grew films receive the recognition shared together – watching tele- Urbana and the University of to love movies, to write, and they deserve. Roger and Chaz: 122 N. Neil St. !!"#$#%&'()*#+*,#-.&/0&12(,#34#5!678##7!9:;"6:997"#<&=1>/&<1&/ vision in the basement, listen- Illinois. critique. Add the magic of local, We are grateful for your magic Downtown Champaign ing to music, attending athletic Roots of the Ebert Film Festival national and international panel and for all you have given to our 217-356-6547 events, taking long drives and have taken hold as well. They members who analyze the mak- community and University. much more. Roger’s roots grew have grown from the power of a ing, meaning and medium of film deep in the soil of Champaign- remarkable man and the delight and you have “Ebertfest,” the vi- Let the fun begin.

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   and our wider community with premier film festivals. Roger’s vi- ence to make Ebertfest a gift to Interim Dean, College of Media good films and exciting visits sion has been not only to show his hometown community. from some of filmdom’s best ac- great movies to joyful audiences We are grateful to many spon- tors, producers and directors. but to take viewers behind the sors, volunteers, Champaign Park he 12th annual Roger From the showing of obscure but curtain to see how movies are District and the University of Il- Ebert’s Film Festival, brilliant movies to artistic and imagined and created by those linois officers and staff members "produced in coopera- popular Hollywood blockbusters, making them. As one of Ameri- who work so hard on behalf of tion with the College of Media, Ebertfest honors the talent, cre- ca’s great film critics, a Pulitzer the festival. promises to be the best ever. ativity and artistry of film. Prize winner and a graduate of But most of all, we are grate- Every year, the five-day event Thanks go to Roger and Chaz the College of Media’s Depart- ful to Roger, the founder of this brings tens of thousands of visi- Ebert, who have worked tireless- ment of Journalism, Roger is a great feast of films. tors to Champaign-Urbana and ly and selflessly as hosts of what favorite son from Urbana who enlivens the University of Illinois has become one of the world’s has used his stature and experi- Enjoy Ebertfest!

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 watching a movie is not some- Festival Director thing to be done alone – it is a communal activity, bringing That is what this festival is all about t is a great privilege to wel- together friends and strangers in – about sharing, and community, and Roger Ebert, and come you to the 12th annual a mutual emotional adventure. !Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, a When we sit in the darkened Vir- the love of great movies. special event of the University of ginia, both alone and together, Illinois’ College of Media in part- we enter another world, trans- nership with the greater Cham- ported for a couple of hours from paign-Urbana community and the routines of our everyday lives James Bond, projectionist Steve forward to their unwavering sup- lovers of movies everywhere. into the wondrous dreamscapes of Kraus, theatre manager Jameel port, and yours, as our festival Our festival has changed little shared imagination. Jones and all the people at the continues to blossom each year in over the years, remaining true to That is what this festival is all Virginia Theatre and the Cham- the Central Illinois Spring. Roger’s original vision: the cel- about – about sharing, and com- paign Park District who are restor- Finally, I want to recognize ebration and shared enjoyment of munity, and Roger Ebert, and the ing this magnificent movie palace. Associate Festival Director great movies, as they were meant love of great movies. We also thank Michael Barker Mary Susan Britt, Dean Walt to be seen by those who made Together at this festival, we of Sony Pictures Classics, Tom Harrington, President Stanley them. Ebertfest is all about the are seeing – and by seeing, we Luddy and American Zoetrope, Ikenberry, and Chancellor Robert films. We give no prizes, have are celebrating – movies that MGM, Film Movement, Jennifer Easter, without whose hard work no categories, and no business is Roger considers worthy of our Burns, Greg Kohs, Alloy Orchestra, and enthusiastic support this done at our festival. That’s how full attention, films that reveal Meyer Gottlieb at Samuel Gold- festival would not be possible. we conceived the festival and and reflect the wonder of the hu- wyn, Marilee Womack at Warner This festival is Roger Ebert’s that’s how it still is today. man condition. We are honored Bros, Sue Jones at the British gift to his hometown, and for In 1997, when Roger hosted a to bring these movies to you, to Film Institute, Regent Entertain- that we thank him and his wife screening of “2001: A Space Odys- share Roger’s choices with you. ment, Debbi Berlin at Palisades Chaz. They are a remarkable sey” at the Virginia Theatre as And we are seeing them as the Pictures, and Monterey Media for team, and it is an honor to work part of the University’s birthday women and men who made them graciously loaning us their very with them. party for HAL the computer, we intended them to be seen -- with best 70mm and 35mm prints and So as the lights dim and the got to talking about what makes state-of-the-art projection and digital masters. curtains open, please sit back and a successful film festival. We sound on a screen the full width I also want to thank all of our let the festival once again em- agreed that movies are best seen of the Virginia Theatre. For that, sponsors and volunteers for join- brace you. on a really large screen. And we thank our cinema designer ing us in this endeavor. We look

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com  


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10 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival FILM FESTIVAL DEDICATION "#$%%&'()*+)(%(%,()(-.+)(/012#3(-+ 40)+#25()2&5#02&$+&//0%6$#*7%(25*

By Marie Wilson, Daily Illini Staff Writer

t’s Roger Ebert’s film festival “Usually, if a major filmmaker died in e-mail interview. and he chooses everything. the last calendar year that Roger really The contrast between the films of Rohm- respected and thought highly of, then he’ll er, a native of France who worked mainly The films to be shown, of dedicate the festival to that person,” said as a director, and Hughes, an American who ! Nate Kohn, festival director. wrote more films than he directed, makes course, and also who the festival This year’s Ebertfest will be dedicated to the pair an interesting choice, Kohn said. will be dedicated to. He usually Eric Rohmer and John Hughes. “One is a French director and one is a “They both died during the past year. quintessential American director,” Kohn chooses a late figure in the world And both created distinctive virtual worlds said. “Both achieved international recogni- of cinema. from their imaginations,” Ebert said in an tion for their work.” EricROHMER French New Wave director, writer, actor March 20, 1920 – Jan. 11, 2010 Alternate names: Awards: Maurice Henri Joseph Scherer, Jean-Marie National Society of Film Critics Award in Maurice Scherer, Gilbert Cordier 1971 for Best Screenplay “My Night at First breakthrough movie: Maud’s”; National Society of Film Critics Award in 2000 for Best Foreign Language “The Bakery Girl of Monceau” 1962 Film “Conte d’automne” Other popular movies: “Claire’s Knees” 1970 Other facts: “Chloe in the Afternoon” 1972 A common theme in his "Six Moral Series" movies was men dealing with temptations Last movie directed: outside their relationships. “Astree and Celadon” 2007

HUGHES

American writer, director, producer Feb. 19, 1950 – Aug. 6, 2009

Alternate names: Awards: Edmond Dantes ShoWest Award for Producer of the Year First breakthrough movie: 1991 “Sixteen Candles” 1984 Other facts: Other popular movies: The “Brat Pack” of actors including Joan Cusack, John Cusack and Anthony Michael “The Breakfast Club” 1985; “Ferris Hall were in many of Hughes’ popular Bueller’s Day Off” 1986; “Home Alone” movies. series 1990, 1992, 1997, 2002 Last movie written:

“Drillbit Taylor” 2008 SOURCES: INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE; NEW YORK TIMES OBITUARIES







  11 !"#$%&'$ of events for Roger Ebert’s Film Festival Presented by the College of Media April 21-25, 2010 This year's festival is dedicated to John Hughes and Eric Rohmer FILM SCREENINGS AT THE VIRGINIA THEATRE SPECIAL POST-FESTIVAL SCREENING Wednesday, April 21, 2010 Sunday, April 25, 2010 7:00 pm Pink Floyd The Wall 4:30 pm The Soloist 10:00 pm You, the Living The Champaign County Anti-Stigma Alliance is pleased to Thursday, April 22. 2010 announce that they will have a special showing of THE SOLOIST immediately following the close of Ebertfest (April 25). The Noon Munyurangabo Alliance was formed to challenge disability discrimination and 3:00 pm The New Age promote education and awareness. This screening will be at the 8:00 pm Apocalypse Now Redux Virginia Theatre at 4:30 pm and it will free to the public. The screening will be followed by a panel of guest speakers. Friday, April 23, 2010 1:00 pm Departures ACADEMIC PANEL DISCUSSIONS 4:00 pm Man with a Movie Camera 8:00 pm Synecdoche, New York Illini Union 1401 Green Street, Urbana, IL

Free and open to the public Saturday, April 24, 2010 11:00 am I Capture the Castle Thursday, April 22, 2010 2:00 pm Vincent: A Life in Color 9:30 am – 10:45 am 4:30 pm Trucker Getting the Damned Thing Made 9:00 pm Barfl y Moderated by Nate Kohn Pine Lounge, 1st Floor Sunday, April 25, 2010 Noon Song Sung Blue Friday, April 23, 2010 9:00 am – 10:15 am All fi lms will be shown at the Historic Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Do Film Students Really Need to Know Much About Park Ave., Champaign, IL. Roger and festival guests will appear Classic Films? on stage after each fi lm to join the audience in discussions Moderated by Eric Pierson about the fi lms. Festival passes ($125), individual tickets ($12) Pine Lounge, 1st Floor and student & senior citizen tickets ($10) are on sale at the Virginia Theatre box offi ce, at 217-356-9063. 10:30 am – 11:45 am For more information contact: The Global Web of Film Lovers Mary Susan Britt at [email protected] or 217-244-0552 Moderated by Omer Mozaffar College of Media Pine Lounge, 1st Floor

12 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival ACADEMIC PANEL DISCUSSIONS Saturday, April 24, 2010
 9:00am -10:30 am An Amateur Guide to No Budget Filmmaking  
Moderated by Don Tingle  General Lounge, 2nd Floor  DIRECTIONS TO THE PANEL DISCUSSIONS:  From the Virginia Theatre to the Illini Union: =
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LIVE WDWS ON-AIR INTERVIEW Please Tune In to WDWS-AM 1400! Wednesday, April 21, 2010 9:00 am - 10:00 am  Jim Turpin’s (WDWS)Ebertfest Interview 
 

WORKSHOP Free and open to the public

Saturday, April 25, 2010 !"#$%&&#'($!#)#*+,,#-(./# 9:00am -10:30 am An Amateur Guide to No Budget Filmmaking Moderated by Don Tingle Illini Union/General Lounge, 2nd Floor

Whether you call it “amateur movie making” or “no-budget filmmaking,” it’s still making a movie, and you don’t need expensive equipment to do it. Shooting and editing a short film is within reach of anyone with access to a video camera and a computer that can burn a DVD.

This workshop provides a basic overview of the amateur, no-budget filmmaking process. Filmmaking can be complicated, but you’ll learn to break it down into small steps. You’ll learn how to organize your story, plan the production, and shoot and edit your film using simple techniques. You’ll learn low and no cost ways to give your short film a professional look, and how to overcome many of the technical obstacles to filmmaking.

Mr. Don Tingle is the Workshop Director for the Alabama Filmmakers Co-op, a Huntsville-based community service organization. Don has presented over 80 workshops on various aspects of low budget and amateur moviemaking. He leads multiple workshops for the North Alabama community, has served as host and moderator for panel (217) 378-7429 or discussions at film festivals and has interviewed actors, screenwriters and filmmakers. By day, Don is a Technical Director at a Huntsville (800) 765-1468 Email: [email protected] based aerospace company and past president of Huntsville’s Association www.maxmitchell.com | www.movewithmax.com of Community Artists.

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com April 21-25, 2010 - The Virginia Theatre 13 GINGER ASIAN BISTRO 1902 center drive, champaign il 61820 Hassle free online reservations and several direct routes across the street from market place mall on neil street are two of the integral part that make LEX Express the phone 217. 352. 6688 easiest way to get to Chicago. Since 1999, LEX has become one of the largest regional transportation providers in Central Illinois, operating :_`e\j\ 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With daily schedules and 24 hour online reservations, LEX AXgXe\j\ Express makes sure they get students where they need to be EFN safely and quickly. LEX employees go the extra mile for all their FG

www.gingerab.com

14 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival COMING SOON! Tootsie’s Lobby The Virginia Theatre will be closed June 15 – November 1, 2010 for Renovation

In June of this year the Virginia April marks the 12th year for Roger Theatre will close to complete one of 203 West Park Ave Ebert’s Film Festival in this historic the biggest renovations of her time. facility and although the renovations Champaign, IL 61820 Thanks to a $1 million gift left by that will occur once the doors close in 217-356-9063 Michael Carragher and other donations, June will indeed be spectacular, there www.thevirginia.org the entire front part of the theatre will is still much to be done. The undergo a major transformation. New auditorium, upper lobby and dressing exterior doors and transoms will be rooms still need considerable work to installed along with new interior doors. bring this facility back to her original A new marquee, fashioned after the glory. By donating online now at original, rectangular sign, will soon light www.champaignparkdistrict.com, the entrance and boast the names of you can help complete the restoration shows being featured for all to see. of one of Champaign’s oldest Step inside and you will be greeted by remaining flm palaces and in doing so the warmth of restored plaster and ensure EbertFest and other events like woodwork, and a new concession stand it will always have a home in the and lighting, all reminiscent of the days Virginia Theatre. when the theatre frst opened her doors in 1921.






 
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16 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%&'(!$" what you need to know about the Festival

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18 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival

      


 


  

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(+-. well as gourmet specialty pizzas http://www.boltinilounge.com http://www.greatimpasta for the more adventurous. Enjoy !you’re hungry or if it's late Boltini has quickly become de restaurant.com our fi ne selection of domestic, imported and microbrewer beers. night and you need a quick rigueur for downtown folks. Downtown Urbana’s favorite pasta Intimate seating and a beautiful restaurant with over 50 variations Open daily until 2:00 am. interior soothe you as you peruse of pasta made fresh daily. bite to eat … Champaign- 39 Main Street, Champaign, IL the best-chosen list of liquor in Excellent wine selection, fresh (217) 398-5988 Urbana has dining options for town. Light fare includes small seafood specials, and a relaxing everyone. plates, cheese plates, salad atmosphere. Free parking. and soup, fl at breads, tacos, Monday thru Thursday 11:00 am "0")
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$".," 19 1999 | Dance Me to My Song | A Tale of Autumn | Surrender Dorothy | Hamsun | Maborosi | Battleship Potemkin | Household Saints | Shiloh | Thirteen | Tron CONGRATULATIONS CHAZ & ROGER ON 2000 | Sidewalk Stories | Grave of the Fireflies | American Movie | Legacy | The Terrorist | The Castle | A Woman’s Tale | Children of Heaven | The Last Laugh | Dark City | Oklahoma! | Deja Vu 2001 | Everyone Says I Love You | Girl On the Bridge | Jesus’ Son | The King of Masks | Maryam | Nosferatu | On the Ropes | Panic | Songs from the Second Floor | A Simple Plan | Such A Long Journey | 3 Women | 2001: A Space Odyssey | Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures 2002 | Patton | Innocence | Grand Canyon | Diamond Men Paperhouse | Hyenes | A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries | Kwik Stop | Metropolis | Two Women | George Washington | Say Amen, Somebody | Wonder Boys 2003 | The Right TAKE 12! Stuff | Stone Reader | The Grey Automobile | Your Friends Thank you for bringing C-U and Neighbors | Blood and Wine | Medium Cool | What’s Cooking? | The Black Pirate | L.627 | The Golden Age of Silent Comedy | Shall We Dance? | Charlotte another year of excellent cinema. Sometimes | 13 Conversations About One Thing | Singin’ in the Rain 2004 | Lawrence of Arabia | Tarnation | The Son | Once Upon a Time…When We Were Colored Tully | The General with short subject The Scapegoat El Norte | My Dog Skip | Gates of Heaven | People I Know | Invincible | Sweet Old Song/Louie Bluie 2005 | Playtime | Murderball | The Saddest Music Cheers! Betsy of Hendrick House in the World with The Heart of the World | After Dark, My Sweet | Yesterday | The Phantom of the Opera Baadasssss! | The Secret of Roan Inish | Primer | Map of the Human Heart | Me and You and Everyone We Know | Taal 2006 | My Fair Lady | Man Push Cart Duane Hopwood | Spartan | Somebodies | The Eagle Ripley’s Game | Millions | Claire Dolan | Junebug Bad Santa | U-Carmen eKhayelitsha 2007 | Gattaca The Weather Man | Moolaade | Perfume: The Story of a Murderer | Sadie Thompson | Come Early Morning La Dolce Vita | Freddie Mercury, the Untold Story | Holes | Man of Flowers | Stroszek | Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus | Beyond the Valley of the Dolls 2008 | Hamlet | Delirious | Yes | Canvas | Citizen Cohl: The Untold Story | Shotgun Stories | Underworld The Real Dirt on Farmer John | Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters | Hulk | The Band’s Visit | Housekeeping The Cell | Romance and Cigarettes 2009 | Woodstock | My Winnipeg | Chop Shop | Trouble the Water | Begging Naked | The Last Command Frozen River | The Fall | Sita Sings the Blues | Nothing But the Truth | Let the Right One In | Baraka

20 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%$ A warm welcome to our 2010 & #$
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he following are in- Munyurangabo The New Age "Under Radar," all of which have been translated around the world, vited special guests (Thursday, April 22, 1:30pm) (Thursday, April 22, 3:00pm) and "The Player, The Rapture, The for the festival. New Age: Three Screenplays by 

 (director)   
 (director) has Michael Tolkin." His fourth novel, & grew up on a small farm in rural been called “an LA Antonioni As always, their attendance "The Return of The Player," was Arkansas and then attended Yale with a sense of humor” (The New published in 2006. is contingent on factors University to study Biology. At Yorker, 1993). In Artforum he over which they have little Yale, with exposure to art cinema was called, “The only American in his senior year, he dropped his fi lmmaker working near the level control, such as unforeseen plans for medical school to pursue of Pasolini and Kiezlowski.” As fi lmmaking. His fi rst feature, a writer/director, his two fi lms, Apocalypse Now changes in their work sched- "Munyurangabo," premiered "The Rapture" and "The New Age," Redux ule. But we hope that most, at Cannes 2007 ("Un Certain were opening night selections (Thursday, April 22, 8:00pm) Regard") and the Berlin Film at the Telluride Film Festival. if not all, will be with us Festival ("Generations"). His new As a writer/producer, he is best  
  (sound & fi lm fi lm, "Lucky Life," will premiere at known for "The Player," for which — plus additional surprise editor/sound designer) has the Tribeca Film Festival in 2010. he won awards from the Writers been honored by both British last-minute guests. Lee resides in New York with his Guild, The British Academy, and and American Motion Picture wife Valerie and manages Almond The Chicago Film Critics. His Academies for his fi lm editing and Tree Films, a production company screenplay also won the PEN sound mixing. In 1997, Murch he founded with his collaborators, Center USA West Literary Award received an unprecedented double Samuel Anderson and Jenny Lund. and the Edgar Allan Poe Award Oscar® for both fi lm editing and for best crime screenplay and an sound mixing on "The English SAM ANDERSON (co-writer & pro- Academy Award® nomination for Patient" (directed by Anthony Pink Floyd The Wall ducer) was born in Latrobe, PA in Best Screenplay. As one of the Minghella), as well as the British (Wednesday, April 21, 7:00pm) 1981. He studied English Literature fi lm’s producers he was awarded Academy Award for Best Editing. at Yale University. While there, the Golden Globe®, the New York In 1980 he received the Oscar® he encountered the fi lms of the Film Critics Circle Award and the for Best Sound for "Apocalypse French New Wave and was inspired Independent Feature Project Now" and a nomination for Best You, The Living to pursue a life in fi lmmaking. Sam Spirit Award for Best Picture. The Editing. He’s received three other now lives in Queens NY with his Rapture (1991), starring Mimi (Wednesday, April 21, 10:00pm) Oscar® nominations for Best wife, Susan. He wrote and co-pro- Rogers and David Duchovny, Film Editing for "Julia" (1977), duced "Munyurangabo," as well as was nominated for three Spirit  
  (actor) "Ghost" (1991), "The Godfather Lee Isaac Chung’s upcoming fi lm, Awards. Tolkin has also co-written Part III" (1991) and "Cold plays the lead role of Anna in "Lucky Life." four fi lms: the HBO movie, "The Roy Andersson’s "You, the Living" Mountain" (2004). His Oscar® Burning Season," starring the nominations for Best Sound (2007). She is currently a fourth- JENNY LUND (co-producer) loves late Raul Julia and directed by year student at the Medical also include "The Conversation" to explore people, places, and the late John Frankenheimer, for (1974). School, Faculty of Medicine at ideas. She grew up in southern which he shared the Humanitas Umeå University, Sweden. His most recent work is "Tetro" Missouri and studied sculpture Prize and an Emmy® Nomination; for director Francis Coppola and political science at Webster "Deep Cover," starring Laurence (2009), and "Wolfman" for Joe JOHAN CARLSSON (production University in St Louis before Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum; manager/assistant director) has Johnston (2010). Among Murch’s dropping out and moving west to "Deep Impact," a Dreamworks other credits are picture editing been involved in fi lm production play in the wilderness of southern co-production with Paramount and directing since 2000. His for "The Unbearable Lightness Utah. She eventually graduated Pictures; and also for Paramount, of Being," "Romeo is Bleeding," production credits include "Songs with a B.A. in Film from the "Changing Lanes," which was from the Second Floor" (2000), "The Talented Mr. Ripley," "K-19: University of Utah and has since named Best Picture of the Year The Widowmaker" and "Jarhead." "You, The Living" (2007) and worked in independent fi lm as a by Catholics in Media. His most "A Time for Everything" (2010), Murch also directed and co-wrote producer and camera operator. recent credit, which he shares with Gill Dennis the fi lm "Return a feature-length documentary, Jenny currently resides in New with the late Anthony Minghella, which he also directed. He to Oz," released in 1985. York and is a partner of Almond is the screenplay for "Nine," He has also been involved in also directed the short fi lm, Tree Films along with Lee Isaac which was nominated for four "Everywhere" (2000). fi lm restoration, notably Orson Chung and Samuel Anderson. Academy Awards®. Welles’s "Touch of Evil" (1998), His books, all published by Francis Coppola’s "Apocalypse Grove/Atlantic Books include "The Player," "Among The Dead," continued on next page

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com &'#$


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" )' 21 Now Redux" (2001), and the at the New York Film Festival, "Edison-Dickson Experimental and his subsequent fi lmography Sound Film" (1894). Murch was includes "The Yen Family" (1988), also sound effects supervisor "We Are Not Alone" (1993), for "The Godfather" and was "The Exam (Daddy’s Last Run)" responsible for sound montage and "Secret" (both 1999). In and re-recording on THX-1138, 2001, his special-effects fantasy American Graffi ti, and "The "Onmyoji (The Ying-Yang Master)" Godfather Part II," as well as was a box offi ce bonanza and being re-recording mixer on all led to a sequel, "Ohmyoji 2," in of the fi lms for which he has also 2003. This was followed by the been picture editor. critically acclaimed historical Between fi lms, he pursues drama "When The Last Sword Is interests in the science of Drawn" (2003), which garnered human perception, cosmology many awards, culminating in the and the history of science. Since Best Picture prize at the 2004 1995, he has been working on Japan Academy Awards. Since a reinterpretation of the Titius- then he has released "Ashura" Bode Law of planetary spacing, (2005), "The Battery" (2007) and based on data from the Voyager "Departures" (2008), which won Probe, the Hubble telescope, and the prestigious Academy Award® recent discoveries of exoplanets for Best Foreign Language Film. orbiting distant stars. He has also His latest feature fi lm is "Sanpei published a number of previously The Fisher Boy" (2009). untranslated works by the Italian poet and novelist Curzio Malaparte (1899-1956). Murch has written on fi lm editing, "In the Man With a Movie Blink of an Eye" (2001), and his Camera work has been the subject of two (Friday, April 23, 4:00pm) other books, "The Conversations" by Michael Ondaatje (2002) and THE ALLOY ORCHESTRA is a "Behind the Seen" by Charles three-man musical ensemble, Koppelman (2004). writing and performing live Murch is the son of the painter accompaniment to classic silent Walter Tandy Murch (1907-1967). fi lms. Working with an outrageous Coming Soon! He graduated Johns Hopkins assemblage of peculiar objects, University with a B.A. in Liberal they thrash and grind soulful Arts in 1965, and was awarded music from unlikely sources. an Oakley Fellowship to study Performing at prestigious fi lm Cinema at the Graduate Program festivals and cultural centers in at USC. In 2006 Murch was made the U.S. and abroad (The Telluride an Honorary Doctor of Letters by Film Festival, The Louvre, Lincoln The Emily Carr Institute of Art Center, The Academy of Motion + Design in Vancouver, BC. He Pictures Arts and Sciences, the married Muriel (Aggie) Slater in National Gallery of Art, and 1965. They have four children, others), the Alloy Orchestra has Walter, Beatrice, Carrie and helped revive some of the great Connie. Walter and Aggie live masterpieces of the silent era. The staff and students of in California just north of San An unusual combination of found Francisco. percussion and state-of-the-art Booker T. Washington Elementary electronics gives the Orchestra the ability to create any sound Welcome Departures imaginable. Utilizing their famous (Friday, April 23, 1:00pm) “rack of junk” and electronic Roger and Chaz Ebert synthesizers, the group generates YÔJIRÔ TAKITA (director) was beautiful music in a spectacular born in 1955 and joined Hiroshi variety of styles. They can conjure to Champaign. Mukai’s Shishi Productions as up a simple German bar band of an assistant director in 1976, the 1920s or a French symphony. making his directorial debut in The group can make the audience 1981 with Chican Onna Kyoshi think it is being attacked by ! and going on to helm some tigers, contacted by radio signals twenty feature fi lms. His fi rst from Mars or swept up in the commercial feature, "Komikku Russian Revolution. Enjoy the Festival! Zasshi Nanka Iranai!" (1986) Terry Donahue (junk was enthusiastically received percussion, accordion, musical 22 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival saw, banjo), Roger Miller BBC production "The Girl in the (synthesizer, percussion) and Ken Café" (2005). Winokur (director, junk percussion Bill’s work in fi lm spans 30 and clarinet). years, including award-winning performances in "Still Crazy" (1998), "Love, Actually" (2003) and "The Constant Gardener" Synecdoche, New (2005). Other cinema credits York include "Underworld: Evolution, (Friday, April 23, 8:00pm) Shaun of the Dead," and "Enduring Love." In 2003, Bill CHARLIE KAUFMAN (director) won four LAFCA Best Supporting is the writer of "Being John Actor awards for his performances Malkovich," "Human Nature," in "AKA, Lawless Heart," "I "Adaptation," "Confessions of a Capture the Castle," and "Love Dangerous Mind," and "Eternal Actually." And nobody will forget Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." his stellar turn as the half-squid, He is the writer and director of half-human pirate captain Davy Synecdoche, New York. Jones in Gore Verbinski’s "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (2006) and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" (2007). Bill appeared with Dame I Capture the Castle Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett (Saturday, April 24, 11:00am) in Richard Eyre’s "Notes on a Scandal" (2007), and co-starred BILL NIGHY (actor) was born with Tom Cruise in "Valkyrie" in Caterham, Surrey in 1949 (2008), a World War II thriller and trained for the stage at based on true events in Nazi the Guildford School of Acting. Germany at the height of Hitler’s Following his debut at Newbury's power. His 2009 credits include Watermill Theatre, he worked in the animated adventure "G Force, regional theatres in Edinburgh, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," Chester, and in Liverpool, where "Astro Boy," Richard Curtis’s he formed a touring theater "Pirate Radio" and "Glorious 39." company with Julie Walters and In 2010 Bill will be seen in "Wild Peter Postlethwaite. Target," opposite Emily Blunt, Bill’s long association with in "Harry Potter and the Deathly David Hare began in the early Hallows," and in "Chalet Girl," 1980s as a cast member in which is currently fi lming. "Dreams of Leaving," a BBC fi lm written and directed by Sir David. When Hare became Associate Director of the National Vincent: A Life in Theatre in London, Bill became Color a founding member of the (Saturday, April 24, 2:00pm) theater’s ensemble, which also included Anthony Hopkins. He JENNIFER BURNS (director has appeared regularly to rave & producer) is the founder of reviews, including the prestigious Zweeble Films, and "Vincent: A Olivier Award for Best Actor. On Life in Color" marks her debut as Broadway, Bill received critical Director/Producer. Prior to moving acclaim for his role in David behind the camera, Jennifer had Hare’s production, "The Vertical been working as an actor in Chi- Hour," co-starring Julianne Moore. cago in both theater and fi lm and The Observer called it “one of the is an original member of the criti- most remarkable performances cally acclaimed improv company, ever seen on a New York stage.” pH Productions. Jennifer had Bill’s long list of television been looking for the right project credits includes virtually every to kick start her production com- major drama series on British pany and found it right outside TV. He won a BAFTA Best Actor her window: a spinning, jacket- Award for the cult-series "State of twirling vision in fuchsia. Play" and a Best Supporting Actor Golden Satellite Award for "The VINCENT P. FALK (star) Lost Prince," both in 2003, and a Best Actor Golden Globe® for the continued on next page

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com %&"#
 

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JAMES MOTTERN (writer & BARBET SCHROEDER (director) director) has written and directed (pronounced bar-BET) was born in award-winning documentaries 1941 in Tehran, Iran. His father for a variety of media outlets is a Swiss geologist from Geneva, 8()&)#'()#5*3#9*:;#7%1)#'%#2+0< including BBC and Discovery his mother a German physician. Networks. He is the former He grew up in Colombia, then producer of the annual Slamdance at the age of 11 arrived in Film Festival in Park City, Paris, where he entered the Utah. He is the recipient of the French Lycée system and went Academy of Motion Pictures on to study philosophy at the Arts and Sciences Nicholl Sorbonne. His film experience !""#$%&'(#$)*+##,%-.'%-.#/(0120*3.###./012031344/ Fellowship in Screenwriting. was a collaboration at the French ---45%+'*.*+%6.3)47%1 Mottern has several projects film magazine, Cahiers du Cinéma in development with studios, and L’Air (1958-63). In 1962 he including an original screenplay, worked as an assistant to Jean- "Boomerang," financed by Luc Godard for "Les Carabiniers," Mandate Pictures and produced by and directed two short B & W 16 Bona Fide Productions. mm films. In 1963, he created "Trucker," which he wrote and the production company Les directed, had its World Premiere Films du Losange and produced at the Tribeca Film Festival last Eric Rohmer’s "Chloe in the spring. Afternoon" (1972) and "Claire’s Knee" (1970). MICHELLE MONAGHAN (actor & Schroeder received both Oscar® executive producer) continues and Golden Globe® Best Director to be one of the most sought- nominations for "Reversal Of after actresses in Hollywood. Fortune" (1990) and a DGA Best Most recently Michelle starred in Director nomination for "Terror’s the box office hit thriller "Eagle Advocate" (2007), for which he Eye" for DreamWorks opposite also won the French César for Shia LaBeouf. Prior to that, she Best Documentary (L’avocat De La starred opposite Patrick Dempsey Terreur). in the romantic comedy "Made of In a career that spans nearly Honor." 50 years, he has directed 18 films Michelle burst onto movie and produced 20 films. Some of screens and received rave reviews the films he is most well known for her performance in "Kiss for in the U.S. include "Murder Kiss, Bang Bang," in which she by Numbers" (2002), "Desperate starred opposite Robert Downey Measures" (1998), "Before and Jr. and Val Kilmer for writer/ After" (1996), "Kiss of Death" director Shane Black. She then (1995), "Single White Female" joined Charlize Theron, Frances (1992) and "Barfly" (1987), McDormand, and Sissy Spacek all of which he both directed in "North Country" for director and produced. For his complete Niki Caro. More recently she biography and filmography, visit starred in "Gone Baby Gone" www.barbetschroeder.com. with Casey Affleck and Morgan Barbet Schroeder has also Freeman; in "The Heartbreak appeared in a number of movies, Kid" opposite Ben Stiller; and mostly directed by friends. in "Mission: Impossible III" Audiences will remember him as opposite Tom Cruise and Philip the mechanic in Wes Anderson’s Seymour Hoffman for director J.J. "Darjeeling Limited" (2007), as Abrams. Her other film credits Monsieur Henny in Christopher include "Perfume," "It Runs in the Doyle’s segment of "Paris, Je Family," "Winter Solstice," "The t’aime" (2006), as the French Bourne Supremacy," and "Mr. & President in "Mars Attacks!" Mrs. Smith." (1996), and a man in a Porsche in "Beverly Hills Cop III" (1995).

24 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival Song Sung Blue 2010 Panelists & (Sunday, April 25, 2009, noon) Special Guests

GREG KOHS (director), ten- ALI ARIKAN is a cineaste and time Emmy® Award-winning blogger from Turkey. Ali’s writing filmmaker, has applied his on film, music, television and passion for emotional, human culture appears on his blog storytelling to still photography, "Cerebral Mastication" (http:// commercials, and documentaries. cerebralmastication.blogspot. Kohs began his career while an com), Slant Magazine’s official undergraduate at Notre Dame blog, "The House Next Door" as a sports photographer. His (http://www.slantmagazine.com/ work was featured in national house/), and "Edward Copeland magazines such as Sports on Film" (http://eddieonfilm. Illustrated and Sporting News. blogspot.com/). In addition, he In 1991, Kohs joined NFL Films, is a contributor to various film allowing him to combine his love and pop-culture sites on the of sports with his passion for blogosphere. He also believes filmmaking, all while honing his in the transformative potential skills as a storyteller. It is there of Twitter (http://twitter.com/ that Kohs cultivated his real- aliarikan). as-dirt, captured-not-contrived Ali’s first encounter with the filmmaking style. In 2000, Kohs awesome power of cinema was successfully transitioned from when he saw Ray Harryhausen’s "The Clash of the Titans" at the making Super Bowl films to now-defunct Akün Sineması in making award-winning Super Kavaklıdere, Ankara. This led to an Bowl commercials. This occurred interest in both cinema and Greek as he signed an exclusive world- Mythology, eventually paving the wide agreement as a commercial way for a lifelong immersion in director with @radical.media. the arts. His eclectic cinematic His international client roster interests include the films of the includes Nike, MasterCard, AT&T, ‘movie brats,’ Alfred Hitchcock, Walmart, EA Sports and Disney, Jewish comedy, film noir, among many others. Kohs, a biographies, and movies about member of the DGA, recently contemporary British history. completed his first independent Originally from Ankara, Turkey, ! ! feature-length documentary, Ali has lived in Cologne, Germany; "Song Sung Blue." Over ten years Durham and London, U.K. He in the making, this powerful currently resides in Istanbul, award-winning film tells the story Turkey. of Lighting & Thunder, a husband Richard D. and wife singing duo, and their MICHAEL BARKER has been the pursuit of the American Dream. A Co-President of Sony Pictures native of Detroit, Kohs now lives Classics since its inception over Mohr outside of Philadelphia with his 18 years ago. Sony Pictures wife and three children. Classics produces, distributes, and acquires independent films from CLAIRE SARDINA (“Thunder”), all over the world. a native of Milwaukee, is an Films currently playing or entertainer and one half of recently released on DVD include Milwaukee’s very own Lightning the Academy Award® nominated & Thunder, a husband and wife features "An Education" (Lone ! singing duo who pay tribute to Scherfig), "The Imaginarium of the music of Neil Diamond, ABBA Doctor Parnassus" (Terry Gilliam), Robert W. and Patsy Cline. "The Last Station" (Michael Hoffman), "Coco Before Chanel" (Anne Fontaine) and three of the five Oscar® nominees for best Switzer Foreign Language film category: "A Prophet/Un Prophét" (France), "The White Ribbon" (Germany), Proud supporters of Ebertfest and winner, "The Secret in Their Eyes" (Argentina). These films collectively earned 13 Oscar® nominations. ! ! continued on next page

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com April 21-25, 2010 # The Virginia Theatre 25 New and upcoming features consciousness forms biological include "Please Give" (Nicole matter, not the other way around. Holofcener), "Mother and Child" If they are wrong, no harm done. (Rodrigo Garcia), "Wild Grass" In any case, it is time for new (Alain Resnais), "Get Low" (Aaron ideas. The more basic, cheaper Schneider), "Lebanon" (Samuel and the more accessible to Maoz), "You Will Meet a Tall Dark individual experimentation, the Stranger" (Woody Allen), and better. "Micmacs" (Jean-Pierre Jeunet). Tom has worked as an Over the years Michael has editor, writer, copywriter, worked with some of the world’s promoter, producer, sound finest filmmakers including Akira engineer, musician, actor, Kurosawa, Louis Malle, Pedro scriptwriter, political organizer, Alomodóvar, Yimou Zhang, Ingmar public speaker and a host of Bergman, Guillermo del Toro, and occupations, forgotten but for Robert Altman. Past successes the philosophical experiment include "Capote," "Crouching they represented. This experiment Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and began in adolescence, owing to "Howards End," all nominated for independent reading, wondering the Best Picture Academy Award®. what philosophy ever had to do with anything. Forty years into DAVID BORDWELL is retired this experiment, the question from teaching at the University has become “what makes people of Wisconsin-Madison. He has keep dismissing philosophy?” Tom written several books on film estimates he has watched about aesthetics and history, and he is a 20,000 movies in his life so far, particular fan of silent movies and but almost never meets anyone Asian filmmaking. A collection of who recommends a film he has his essays, "Poetics Of Cinema," already seen. was published in 2007. He and Kristin Thompson, who have JIM EMERSON is a writer and collaborated on "Film Art: An film critic with experience in Introduction" (9th edition, 2010), nearly every aspect of making write about film regularly at www. and watching movies, including davidbordwell.net/blog. screenwriting (and re-writing and re-writing), production, editing, JAZZY FIRST LOOK OPENING The Eighteenth Annual volunteer- SEONGYONG CHO was born in exhibition, marketing, publishing Thursday, April 22 Jeon-ju, South Korea. He is features, interviews, criticism, from 7 – 9 p.m. operated exhibition and sale, featur- 27 and is currently a graduate and academic study. He is the with music from Grooveyard. student at the Korean Advanced founding editor-in-chief of, and A limited number of tickets, ing over 200 local artists works will Institute of Science and a contributor to, RogerEbert.com, at $50 per person, Technology (KAIST) in Dae-jeon, where he maintains a blog called are available by calling be held in downtown Champaign. where he has lived in campus "Scanners." GCAP @ 217.351.2437 dormitories for over 10 years. Emerson was the editor of Friday, April 23 Proceeds go directly to The Greater He will complete his graduate the late Microsoft Cinemania, a 6:00pm – 10:00pm course this summer and, so he is multimedia movie encyclopedia Los Angeles Film Critics DJ Mertz: 7:00pm – 9:00pm 2008 and wrote 380 reviews (in Association (while based in LA as Korean) last year. In the midst of the movie critic for the Orange Sunday, April 25 NEW LOCATION: 1:00pm – 7:00pm that, he manages to find time for County Register), he has written Exhibition continues. M2 books, music, exercise (usually for many on- and off-line outlets, Artist’s Reception: 4:00pm – 6:00pm 301 N. Neil St., 2nd fl oor, Champaign treadmill and swimming), and including Knight-Ridder, the with Leila Ramagopal, harpist corresponding with Mr. Ebert and Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times, Monday, April 27 If you would like to volunteer your time or services or other bloggers. Chicago Sun-Times, Lincoln Center 1:00 – 7:00pm if you would like to become a sponsor of this event, Film Society’s Film Comment, Exhibition continues and closes please call 217.351.2437 TOM DARK is a literary agent The Rocket, Seattle Weekly, MSN for the Heacock Hill Literary Movies, Premiere, Amazon.com, Agency (http://www.heacockhill. CinePad.com and NPR affiliate com/). Certain of his clients, if KUOW. they are correct, may point the He is also the co-author way toward faster-than-light (with his friend and sometime technology, or present classically writing partner, Julia Sweeney) 2010 www.gcapnow.com empirical evidence that suggests of the play and screenplay,

26 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival "Mea’s Big Apology," the film prefers to write about the history on "The View" and appeared His mother grew up in much "It’s Pat," and other projects. He of motion pictures, film theory, on "Good Morning America," harder conditions, having only was a consultant on Sweeney’s and film analysis. To satisfy this "Today," "American Morning," a pair of shoes to walk several monologues (and films) "God Said preference, he created his own "The O'Reilly Factor" and "Charlie kilometers to get to school in the Ha!" and "Letting Go of God," blog, The Cinephile Fix, where Rose," to name a few. She also province. Though she was a local and was a guest writer for SNL in his film essays and reviews are fills in regularly on "What the beauty, she was smart and tough, 1994. Emerson has programmed available for movie buffs around Flick?!" the movie review spin- working hard all the way to high loads of films and series at the world to read. His goal of off of the political talk show school. Once she got the chance the University of Washington, having most of his work published "The Young Turks." Christy grew to move to the city to study at Seattle art houses, the Seattle and publically recognized, he up in Woodland Hills, Calif., the University of the Philippines, International Film Festival, and has achieved! He has always felt and graduated from Southern she never looked back. It was still the Floating Film Festival (1998- that film was a medium often Methodist University in Dallas. pretty tough for her even after 2006). misunderstood as simply a form She and her husband, Chris, had she finished, helping support her of entertainment (much like video a baby boy, Nicolas, in November. six sisters. But she did find her C.O. “DOC” ERICKSON, an games) and, while it is that, NELL MINOW reviews movies way to work as a secretary for executive producer, has over fifty some films exceed that notion, every week as The Movie Mom for several government offices. His years’ experience as a producer becoming masterpieces of art, Beliefnet.com and radio station father grew up in the same kind and production manager on many regardless of the medium. He is across the country. She is the of environment (same province, of Hollywood’s biggest films. He working on a book that should author of The Movie Mom’s Guide Bicol region) with his three began his career at Paramount help films be taken more seriously to Family Movies, and her articles brothers. He told of childhood Pictures, serving as production in both the Middle East and the and reviews have appeared in the memories dating back to the manager on five Alfred Hitchcock rest of the world. Chicago Sun Times, Kansas City Japanese occupation of the films: "Rear Window," "To Catch A Star, USA Today, Child Magazine, Philippines during World War II. Thief," "The Trouble with Harry," TROYLENE LADNER is an architect and the Chicago Tribune. He too was tough, but with a "The Man Who Knew Too Much" working as a project manager razor-sharp intelligence. He was and "Vertigo." He left Paramount in Jersey City, NJ, where she MICHAEL MIRASOL was born in a slacker in high school and in to become John Huston’s lives with her husband, takes 1975, into a quiet family in San his early college days. But then associate producer on "The music lessons, and goes to the Juan, Metro Manila (Philippines). he discovered the military, joined Misfits," "Freud" and "Reflections movies. She started going to the He writes, “From what I recall, I the Philippine Military Academy, in a Golden Eye." He was movies at the Roseland, Beverly, grew up in a fairly middle class and applied to both West Point production manager on Joseph L. and Normal Theaters in her neighborhood, but my mother and Annapolis. His preference was Mankiewicz’s "Cleopatra." He also hometown, Chicago. She first used would tell you that we were always the army, but he got his entrance spent three years supervising film the internet in the late 1990s, poor. Thanks to mom and dad production for Brut Productions and subscribed to CompuServe though, it never felt that way.” continued on next page and later became associated with specifically to participate in Robert Evans on "Chinatown," the “Go Ebert” forum. She has "Players," "Urban Cowboy" contributed to various subjects and "Popeye." Other producer/ on Roger Ebert’s Journal (http:// production credits include "55 blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/), Days at Peking," "Blade Runner," questions to the Movie Answer   "Groundhog Day," "Fast Times at Man, and a cliché to his Movie Ridgemont High," "Magic" and Glossary. "The Lonely Guy."    CHRISTY LEMIRE is the movie WAEL KHAIRY is an Egyptian critic for The Associated Press, journalist born in London. After based in Los Angeles. She began five years in the UK, his family reviewing films for the AP in     moved back to their home March 1999 while covering country, Egypt, where Khairy has general assignments in the Dallas been living in Cairo ever since. bureau, then moved to New York His passion for cinema started at in 2000 to write about all aspects a very young age when his father of entertainment. There, she    gave him an old video cassette became the first full-time film of "Jaws" as a birthday gift, critic in the AP's history in 2004. the viewing of which triggered Christy is a member of the Los      a movie-watching frenzy. Eager Angeles Film Critics Association. to know more about the art She has covered the Oscars, form of the twenty-first century, Golden Globes, Emmys, Grammys, he devoted most of his time Latin Grammys and MTV Video to reading and learning about Music Awards. She's also reported motion pictures. At the American from the New York, Tribeca, AFI University in Cairo, he studied and South by Southwest film Communication Media Arts, Film, festivals. Christy filled in several and Business. times as a guest critic on "At He writes on a regular basis, the Movies With Ebert & Roeper"  and, while he works as a film and appeared on the show's most critic for Egypt’s only English- subsequent incarnation, "At the  language film magazine C, he Movies." She's been a guest host  

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com April 21-25, 2010 & The Virginia Theatre 27

         exams results first for the Navy, AFI Lifetime Achievement Award: Far-Flung Film Correspondents, Things Considered” since 1987. which he aced. Just as he was Sidney Poitier,” he also produced a member of the San Francisco He has a BA in English from the preparing to leave for Annapolis, and co-created the NAACP Image Film Critics Circle, and is the San University of Pennsylvania and a he received his results from West Award winning “The Black List: Francisco Indie Movie Examiner PhD in English from the University Point. He aced them too. Volume One,” a documentary for Examiner.com (http://www. of Colorado at Boulder. From 1966 focusing on achievement in the examiner.com/x-27041-SF-Indie- to 1969 he was a VISTA Volunteer ELVIS MITCHELL has hosted “The African American community that Movie-Examiner). You can find in rural New Mexico and Colorado. Treatment,” with its inside look HBO acquired and ran after the more of his commentary on He became a film critic as a at the creators of popular culture, film’s debut at the 2008 Sundance The Blog Reel, http://popreel. direct result of his now 40-year since KCRW first aired the program Film Festival (where Mitchell has blogspot.com/, You Tube (http:// friendship with Roger Ebert. in April 1996. Mitchell served twice served on the Dramatic www.youtube.com/popcornreel), as the film critic at the New York Competition Jury). “The Black Twitter (http://www.twitter. OMER MOZAFFAR is a part-time Times from January 2000 until List: Volume Two” was carried by com/popcornreel) and FaceBook instructor at various colleges May 2005. In October 2002, he HBO in February 2009, and the (http://www.facebook.com/ throughout the Chicago area, gave the prestigious Alain Locke final installment had its premiere popcornreel). including the University of lectures on African American February of this year. Chicago and Loyola University. culture at Harvard University KIM MORGAN is author and He usually lectures on Theology, and, subsequently, has been a OMAR MOORE has loved film, it proprietress of Sunset Gun, in Mysticism, History, and Literature. visiting lecturer at Harvard in seems, forever. He loves to see, which she covers the grand He was recently named by Roger Visual and Environmental Studies write and talk about them. He spectrum of cinema -- classic to Ebert as one of his “Far Flung and in African American Studies. writes and edits "The Popcorn current, screwball to grindhouse, Correspondents.” The former entertainment critic Reel" (http://www.popcornreel. arthouse to noir. She also writes for NPR’s “Weekend Edition,” com), his movie review and for MSN Movies where she RICHARD NEUPERT coordinates Mitchell has also been film critic celebrity interview website. He authors, The Hitlist. Her film, the Film Studies program at the at the Fort Worth Star Telegram, has contributed letters about music and culture pieces have University of Georgia, where he is where he received the 1999 film and legal issues to The been published at Huffington the Wheatley Professor of the Arts AASFE award for criticism, the New York Times. He is a lawyer, Post, GQ, IFC, Entertainment and a Josiah Meigs Distinguished LA Weekly and the Detroit Free athlete, songwriter, interviewer, Weekly, Garage Magazine, LA Teaching Professor. His books Press. He has been editor-at-large photographer, political junkie, Weekly, Salon and more. include "The End: Narration at Spin magazine and is special music lover and sports fanatic. In addition, Kim served as and Closure In The Cinema," "A correspondent for Interview Born and raised in London, he editorial consultant and writer History Of The French New Wave," magazine. He also hosts the lived in New York City for many for ClickStar, where she worked and the forthcoming "History TCM interview program “Under years and currently lives in San with Peter Bogdanovich, Morgan Of French Animation." Neupert the Influence.” A WGA Award Francisco. Freeman, and Danny DeVito, is also on the board of the Ciné nominee for his work on “The Moore is one of Roger Ebert’s writing and producing DeVito's movie theater in Athens, GA. documentary series, "Jersey Docs." MICHAEL PHILLIPS is the film Previously, she was head film critic of the Chicago Tribune. $0.&
7*4*5 critic for the Willamette Week and With A.O. Scott, he has co-hosted weekly film critic for Portland's “At the Movies” since September daily newspaper, The Oregonian. 2009. He wrote about film for the She's also appeared on AMC, VH1, San Diego Union-Tribune and the Reelz and Starz and in various Twin Cities Weekly “City Pages,” film documentaries, including where he served as arts editor. the upcoming feature, "American He was also the film critic for Grindhouse." She recently guest Minnesota Public Radio. Across !"#$%&'(!%)'$"* programmed for Turner Classic the last twenty years, he has been #&7&3-:

$*/&."4 Movies. Her most exciting moment the drama critic of the Dallas was sitting in for Roger Ebert, Times Herald, San Diego Union- guest hosting "Ebert & Roeper." Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, A film noir expert, she's Los Angeles Times, and Chicago presented movies and moderated Tribune. Currently he teaches at interviews for both the Los the University of Chicago Graham Angeles and the Palm Springs School and the annual USC/NEA Noir Festival. In addition, she arts journalism workshop in LA. DLP DIGITAL co-wrote "The Official Michael His popular two-minute video Jackson Opus," the first biography reviews of the latest releases approved by the Jackson family can be found at chicagotribune. CINEMA IN ALL and estate. She currently lives in com/movies. He lives on Chicago’s Los Angeles. northwest side with his wife AUDITORIUMS and their 9-year-old son, who HOWIE MOVSHOVITZ is currently considers hot buttered popcorn director of film education in the “the ace of snacks,” one step College of Arts & Media at the above “king.” Michael is proud to University of Colorado Denver. He call Roger and Chaz his colleagues has been film critic for Colorado and his friends. Public Radio since 1976 and a 
.FJKFS
%SJWF  contributor on film topics to NPR’s “Morning Edition” and “All

28 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival ERIC PIERSON is an associate affiliate in Chicago. Prior to that, Movie Yearbook. He has also GRACE WANG is a writer and professor and department chair he was a regular commentator for contributed to Time Magazine’s dreamer who strives to merge of the Communication Studies seven years on the Fox affiliate “10 Questions” (segments on Alex reality with her inner world of Department at the University in Chicago, winning three Emmy® Trebek, Andy Roddick and Hillary fantasy and imagination. Her of San Diego. His current awards. Roeper has appeared Swank) and to “Freeze That writings have been published book project, "Blaxploitation: as a guest on “The Tonight Frame” in the long-defunct Video in both Chinese and English, in Hollywood’s Cash Cow Revisited Show,” “Top Chef,” “Entourage,” Review Magazine (1991). mediums ranging from a national and Reframed," focuses on the “Nightline,” “Oprah,” “The Howard Valero has won prizes in a children’s newspaper to medical political, economic, and social Stern Show,” “The O’Reilly Factor” number of trivia contests: an journals to international law and climate that contributed to the and many other programs. Omega watch for the James Bond policy publications. manufacturing and maintenance contest (1995) and a VCR for the Grace has a deep passion for of Blaxploitation films. His work LISA ROSMAN, a former labor Lethal Weapon one (1996), both cinema and writes related musings on black images and audiences organizer, writes as a film by Premiere Magazine (Mexico on her website, Etheriel Musings has appeared in the Encyclopedia reviewer and journalist for such Premiere), and his first DVD player (http://etheriel.wordpress. of African American Business publications as Us Weekly, Salon. in the Godfather trivia contest by com). Her film pieces have been History, Screening Noir, and the com, Time Out New York, and her Cinemex, a Mexican movie chain published on highdefdiscnews. Encyclopedia of the Great Black own indieWire blog, New Deal (1998). His main interests are com, http://culturemagazine. Migration. He has done research Sally. She has commentated on movies and DVDs, playing tennis, ca and rogerebert.com. Grace is in the area of public policy, the Oxygen Channel, TNT, the following the NY Yankees and, a regular contributor to Roger of which his most recent work IFC, and for public radio. From whenever possible, traveling. His Ebert’s Far-Flung Correspondents appears in the Journal of Mass 2005-2009, she served as the film favorite film is still Jaws, but the feature on his website. Media Ethics. He is co-author editor of the online magazine first two Godfather movies make In her spare time, Grace of “The Rhetoric of Hate on the Flavorpill. Most notably, she also him question his standings every tends to wander (4 continents, Internet: Hateporn’s Challenge once served as the assistant for time he watches them. 15 countries so far) and has to the Modern Media Ethics,” Elmo on Sesame Street. experience in performing arts which explores the role and KIM VOYNAR is the features and modeling. Samples of responsibility of internet service GERARDO VALERO was born in editor and a film critic for Movie her short stories, poetry and providers with regard to content 1962 in Mexico City, where he City News, Hollywood’s homepage. photography can be found on that encourages bigotry and hate. currently resides with his wife When she’s not seeing movies or Etheriel Musings Pierson holds two degrees Monica. He has a degree in writing about movies, she stays Grace lives to write, and hopes from the University of Illinois Architecture and a MBA from the busy homeschooling her four to write to live. She currently at Urbana-Champaign, a BFA in IPADE Business School in Mexico. youngest kids and chasing after resides in Toronto. Fine Arts in 1983 and a Ph.D from His interest in movies started at Sophie, her recalcitrant Jack the Institute for Communications a very young age as his father Russell Terrier. Research in 1999. used to take him and his brothers to double or even triple features DAVID POLAND is the creator at their neighborhood theater. and publisher of moviecitynews. He mostly remembers seeing com, host of the half-hour online Tarzan movies and Disney classics, interview series DP/30, and he though mostly they watched !"#$%"%&#%' still finds time to stir it up daily a lot of forgettable war and on The Hot Blog. cowboy movies. He remembers !"#$%&'(")*+#,-.%!"/$0"$ "The Poseidon Adventure" being RICHARD ROEPER was the co- talked about by everyone at his host of “Ebert & Roeper” for school, and by the time he saw (")*+&,)-.#%'#!//)"%), eight years. He reviews new "Jaws" at age thirteen, it became 0/1,,#%'#2342 movies every week for Starz, on his favorite all-time film and richardroeper.com and for YouTube somehow still remains so, even !"#$%&'('()'&*%+#',% and hulu.com. Roeper also review after watching it more times than -./-/$,%+0*%1234*'('*-'&56 films and is a correspondent for he can recall. the Reelz Channel. Along with Roe Valero first learned of Siskel Conn, Roeper hosts a daily radio & Ebert in the mid-eighties show on WLS-AM from 2-6pm. during one of many summers he Roeper's newspaper column has spent with friends in Columbus, been appearing in the Chicago Ohio. By 1988 it appeared on a 7,%('($&8%$9 Sun-Times since 1987 and has cable station in Mexico and soon been syndicated to newspapers became a must-watch for him. throughout the world. The column Then the internet came along, 1/"2#0%34%'(")*+#,-#50/1,,#%'#23267 has garnered numerous honors, and in 1999, he emailed Roger his including the National Headliner very first suggestion for his Little 5#6$--%&'(")*+#,-.%7"-$89%#50/1,,#%'#23887 Award. He has contributed to Movie Glossary, which, incredibly, Esquire, TV Guide, Entertainment he chose for one of his coming :"6"(/;%&'(")*+#,-.%<""+#50/1,,#%'#23897 Weekly, Maxim and other Yearbooks! Since then Valero has publications. sent him dozens (or hundreds) Roeper is the author of eight of suggestions and, even though books, including "Bet the House," his days of batting 1.000 in that which was published in April department didn’t last very long, 2010. From 2002-2005, Roeper he has happily been published was the film critic for the CBS about 20 times in Roger’s annual

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com April 21-25, 2010 & The Virginia Theatre 29 "#$%&'()#*++,&-+%.($-%#&/0%'&*1*02%#*

By Roger Ebert

he rock opera "Pink Floyd the Wall," first performed This isn't the most fun to listen to and some !in 1978, came at a time when some rock artists were tak- viewers don't find it to much fun to watch, but the 1982 ing themselves very seriously indeed. While the Beatles and film is without question the best of all serious fiction Stones had recorded stand-alone songs or themed albums at the films devoted to rock. most, The Who produced "Tom- my" in 1969 and "Quadrophenia" in 1973. David Bowie and Genesis ing rock star. It touches on sex, ten almost entirely by Roger Wa- followed, and "Pink Floyd the nuclear disarmament, the agony ters, the band's intellectual, self- Wall" essentially brought a close of warfare, childhood feelings of analytical, sometimes tortured to that chapter. abandonment, the hero's deep lead singer. Its central character, This isn't the most fun to listen unease about women, and the life named Pink, is played by Bob to and some viewers don't find style of a rock star at the end of Geldof, of all people, who could it to much fun to watch, but the his rope. not be less like Pink. The credits 1982 film is without question What it doesn't depict is rock say he is being "introduced." He's the best of all serious fiction performance. There are no actual onscreen more than anyone else, films devoted to rock. Seeing it concert scenes, although there goes through punishing scenes,

!6*&7(.. now in more timid times, it looks are groupies and limousines and and even sings at times, although more daring than in did in 1982, a personal manager. Or perhaps this isn't a performance film but

& when I saw it at Cannes. Alan there are concert scenes, and essentially a 95-minute music Parker, a director who seemed to they're disguised as an extended video. Geldof morphs through deliberately choose widely varied portrait of a modern fascist dic- several standard rock star looks, projects, here collaborates with tator whose fans morph into an all familiar from other stars: The Gerald Scarfe, a biting British adoring populace. I don't believe big-haired sex god, the attractive political caricaturist, to make this dictator is intended as a leading man, the haunted neu- what is essentially an experimen- parallel to any obvious model like rotic, the cadaverous drug victim. tal indie. It combines wickedly Hitler or Stalin; he seems more a In his most agonizing scene, he powerful animation with a sur- fantasy of Britain's own National shaves off all his body hair in a realistic trip through the memory Socialists led by Oswald Mosley. bloody reprise of Scorsese's fa- and hallucinations of an overdos- "Pink Floyd the Wall" was writ- mous short "The Big Shave." 3-#4&5.%2)

A scene from "Pink Floyd The Wall"

30 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%&'(")**+%,*$-'#,$"%./$&%)0)/1$") Wednesday 7pm

There's also a scene where he trashes a hotel room; he must A CLOSER have carefully studied the room destruction in "Citizen Kane." The !"
scene involves a terrified groupie (Jenny Wright) who flees around the room and cowers behind fur- +/,
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for Sex, nudity, niture but inexplicably doesn't violence, gore, profanity flee immediately into the cor- ridor. More frightening is that al- though Pink narrowly misses her Directed by Alan Parker with a wine bottle and a piece of Written by 0)'2
"#-4'23 furniture, he doesn't seem really aware that she's there. Bob Geldof The girl is earlier portrayed as as Pink *2+34+/'
#2)2'#6'3 concerned about him, and rather A scene from "Pink Floyd The Wall" sweet. That sets her aside from as Pink's mother the other females in the movie. resonates with British audiences, The best audience for this film James Laurenson There is Pink's mother, so devas- an educational system ruled by would be one familiar with film- as J.A. Pinkerton (Pink's father) tated by her husband's death in stern, kinky headmasters. The op- making techniques, alert to di- '6+/
%'0/ war that she becomes smothering era's most famous song becomes rectorial styles, and familiar with as Young Pink and domineering toward her son. its best scene. As Parker visual- Roger Waters and Pink Floyd. I 0$
03,+/3 Then Pink's wife, alienated by his izes "Another Brick in the Wall," can't imagine a "rock fan" enjoy- as Rock and Roll manager zombie-like disconnection from students on a conveyor belt are ing it very much on first viewing, life, turning finally to an anti-war fed into blades that extrude them although I know it has developed Running time: 95 minutes lecturer to cheat with a man who as ground meat. In the process, a cult following. It's disquieting Print Courtesy: 2+4+3*
+-.
cares about something. These are the students lose their faces be- and depressing and very good. /34+454' both at least recognizable women. hind blank masks, which are seen No one much enjoyed making it. The most grotesque female figure again in the faces of the dictator's I remember Alan Parker being dark places in his soul, fueled in the film is created by Scarfe's followers. Message: Education pro- somewhat quizzical at the time; by his contempt for rock stars in animation. duces mindless creatures suitable I learn from Wikipedia that he general, himself in particular, and This is a flower so gynecological as cannon fodder or the puppets fought with Waters and Scarfe their adoring audiences. He was, that Georgia O'Keefe might have of fascists. I gather Waters wasn't and considered the film "one of in short, composing not as an been appalled. The bloom seduces keen on attending the reunions the most miserable experiences entertainer but as an artist. Sir a male flower, ravishes him, plun- of his old school. of my creative life." Waters' own Alan Parker is a cheerful man, al- ders him, and ultimately devours There is a narrative, although verdict: "I found it was so un- though not without a temper, and him. Perhaps she reflects Pink's "Pink Floyd the Wall" doesn't un- remitting in its onslaught upon there is no apparent thread to terror of castration. Scarfe distorts derline it. It suggests that Pink the senses, that it didn't give me, connect this film with his cred- the flower into other shapes for has vivid images of his father's anyway, as an audience, a chance its such as "The Commitments," disquieting transformations, as a ordeal under fire, is raised too to get involved with it." "Fame," "Bugsy Malone" or even dove becomes a screaming eagle protectively, was incapable of So it's difficult, painful and such heavier films as "Shoot the and then a warplane, landscapes a successful marriage, took no despairing, and its three most Moon: and "Angela's Ashes." I are devastated and walls and pleasure in casual sex, and finally important artists came away from can't say I really know Parker, but goose-stepping hammers march disappeared into psychological it with bad feelings. Why would I've spent enough time around across the land. catatonia under the influence of anybody want to see it? Perhaps him to sense he wasn't congeni- As you have gathered, I'm not drugs. The opening scene returns because filming this material tally drawn to this material. describing what we think of as a later, suggesting all of the action could not possibly have been Those tensions and conflicts "musical." This is a bold, relent- in the film takes place in Pink's a happy experience for anyone produced, I believe, the right film less visualization of Waters' de- head in that hotel room in more -- not if it's taken seriously. I for this material. I don't require spair. It incorporates a theme that or less the film's running time. believe Waters wrote out of the that its makers had a good time. I'm reminded of my favorite state- ment by Francois Truffaut: "I demand that a film express either the joy of making cinema or the This is a bold, relentless visualization of Waters' despair. agony of making cinema. I am not at all interested in anything in between."

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com 12+-
 

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A scene from "You, the Living"

By Roger Ebert

n a sad world and a sad end off a 10-foot runner. movie was constructed on a set. city, sad people lead sad So it goes. There are 50 vi- It took three years to shoot, gnettes in this film, almost all was financed from six countries !lives and complain that shot with a static camera, in me- and 18 sources, and used mostly they hate their jobs and no- dium and long shots. Sometimes plain-looking non-actors. It is the characters look directly at us meticulous, perfectionist, in its body understands them. The and complain. A psychiatrist says detail. Andersson’s tone has been result is in some ways a com- he has spent 27 years trying to compared to Jacques Tati’s, and edy with a twist of the knife, help mean and selfish people be certainly they’re similar in con- happy and asks, what’s the point? structing large, realistic sets that and in other ways, a film like A girl imagines her marriage with allow them to control every detail nobody else has ever made the rock guitarist she has a crush of the decor, sound and lighting. on. The tuba player is hated by There’s joy in watching a

1#(0'-2*'3454)6 — except for its director, Roy his wife and his downstairs neigh- movie like “You, the Living.” It Andersson of Sweden. bor. A bass drum player is also is flawless in what it does, and unpopular when he rehearses. we have no idea what that is. It’s Andersson’s “You, the Living” This is the kind of comedy in sympathy with its characters. is hypnotic. Drab, weary people where you don’t laugh aloud, I It shares their sorrow, and yet slog through another depressing think, although I’ve not seen it is amused that each thinks his day in a world without any bright with an audience. You laugh to colors. A bitter alcoholic woman yourself, silently, although you’re sits on a park bench hatefully in- never quite sure why. Andersson sulting a fat, meek man, screams choreographs the movements of that she will never see him again, actors who enter and leave rooms, finds out there’s veal roast for call off-screen or interact with dinner, and says she may drop other people we see in other by later. A tuba player complains rooms beyond them. He films in that the bank has lost 34 percent bedrooms, living rooms, kitch- of his retirement fund. He says ens, a bar, restaurants, offices, a this while a naked Brunnehilde courtyard, a barbershop and a bus Jessika Lundberg plays the lead role of Anna in Roy Andersson's "You, the with a Viking helmet has loud sex stop in the rain. Living." She is currently a fourth-year with him. A carpet salesman loses Or it looks like he does. I student at the Medical School at Umea a sale because someone sold the learn that every space in this University in Sweden.

32 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#"$%&'($)*+,-($+&.)/&("*&)($'*)+&.%&,'#- $#-$1# 5
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suffering is unique. The alcoholic this production. spoke in the movie and never woman who complains over and Roy Andersson, now 66, has spoke onstage, either.
 over that no one understands been one of Europe’s most suc- “You, the Living,” is a title her is all too understandable. She cessful directors of TV commer- that perhaps refers to his char- 
calls her mother a sadist for serv- cials, but has made only four acters: Them, the Dead. Yet ing non-alcoholic beer with din- features in 30 years. I showed this isn’t a depressing film. His .3
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0 2(-& ner: “What’s the point of living if you can’t get drunk?” Several elaborate set pieces Written and Directed by .5
are masterful. One involves long There's joy in watching a movie like “You, -#$011.- banquet tables lined with joy- the Living.” It is flawless in what it does ... It’s in ous people in eveningwear who $11(*
3-#!$0& enact a peculiar, traditional ritual sympathy with its characters. It shares their sorrow, and as Anna involving them standing on their +(1 !$2
$+ -#$0 chairs. Another involves a man yet is amused that each thinks his suffering is unique. as Mia who proposes to yank a tablecloth ).0-
-&+3-# out from under all the dishes on a as Tuba player table. And then there’s the scene his “Songs from the Second characters are angry and bitter, $(%
 011.- of the young woman imagining Floor,” winner of the Jury Prize but stoic and resigned, and the as Carpenter her honeymoon with the rock at Cannes 2000, at my Ebertfest. musicians (there are also a banjo ++($
+1.- guitarist. This one I won’t say a I can only imagine what he must player and a cornetist) seem as Consultant word about: You have to watch it be like. After the failure of his happy enough as they play Dix- $, +
$-$0 as it plays. Keep in mind that the second film, he waited 25 years ieland. In their world, it never as The Barber film was all shot on soundstages. to make the third one. We invited seems to get very dark out, but I believe the publicity blurb that him to Ebertfest, and he sent two in the bar, it’s always closing Running time: 95 minutes states 26,200 screws were used in of his actors — one who never time. Print Courtesy:  +(1 #$1
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34 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Overlooked Film Festival April 21-25, 2010


  
  35 "#$%&#'&()*+,%&-#./&)'&'+0($&1.(2&30.'/.

By Roger Ebert

erhaps the best way to approach a subject of !bewildering complexity is with simplicity. “Munyurangabo” considers the genocide in Rwan- da entirely through the lives of two adolescent boys. They are not symbols. They are simply boys who have been surviving on their own in a big city but are not toughened and essentially good. That's all. Its story involves one of those miracles that can illuminate the cinema. It was directed by Lee Isaac Chung, 30, a first-genera- tion Korean-American who grew A scene from "Munyurangabo" up on a small farm in rural Arkansas. It was shot on loca- this boy he is traveling with? less reaction shots and obvious tion in Rwanda in two weeks. It The answers to those ques- payoffs; his strategy is to view involved only local actors. It is tions comes in the unfolding of a scene, give it weight and let the first film in the Kinyarwanda the story, an experience you it stand. Everything is perfectly language (with few, excellent should have without viewing clear, but nothing is hammered and easy-to-read subtitles). It is the trailer, which provides an home. We get the point. He in every frame a beautiful and item of information you don't knows we do. powerful film — a masterpiece. require. I will discuss instead The timing and precision of An opening shot shows Sang- the rural society Sangwa (Eric the way Chung explains the wa and Munyurangabo, called Ndorunkundiye) rejoins, and boys' journey and the way he Ngabo, as friends embarking on a the city boy, Ngabo (Jeff Ru- spaces out the information is so cross-country journey. They trek tagengwa), sees for the first much more effective than crude through a pastoral landscape, time. These people are poor. narrative storytelling. Since all stricken by drought. There are They catch water in plastic jugs no dangers along the way. They from a trickle on the hillside. have been in Kigali, the capital They till the soil by hand. city. They will stop at Sangwa's They live in a house made from family farm. He hasn't seen his mud bricks. But this is not the mother for three years. All seems wretched poverty you imagine. well, although weighing in our These people possess dignity mind is the machete Ngabo car- and have a life they accept on 45'$5-.'6.7# ries in his knapsack. Sangwa's its own terms, which is all they mother is joyful to see him, his have known. Children run and father reserved and stern: What laugh. Everything is done in its kind of a boy runs away from own time. home for three years? Why did Sangwa's mother (Narcicia he not stay to help his family Nyirabucyeye) cherishes her boy raise his younger siblings? What and finds food for him when kind of a thing is that? Who is there is none. His father (Jean Marie Nkurikiyinka) is stern and not quick to forgive, but speaks to his son in reasoned The timing and precision of the way Chung words that obviously sink in. He knows what life is likely to Director Lee Isaac Chung's explains the boys' journey and the way he spaces bring Sangwa. "Munyurangabo" premiered at Cannes Chung, who also co-wrote in 2007. Lee resides in New York with out the information is so much more effective than with Samuel Gray Anderson, is a his wife Valerie and manages Almond born filmmaker. You see that in Tree Films, a production company he crude narrative storytelling. his eye, his cinematography and founded with his collaborators, Samuel Anderson and Jenny Lund. his editing. He avoids point-

36 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%"&%'()*+$%,"-.%(&%&*/'#%0-'1%2/-&.- %0-.!3
*++*

is known between the boys, they canvas, Rwanda, its past, its never have to tell each other future. The poet is played by
 anything simply so we can lis- Edouard B. Uwayo, and this is ten. All dialogue is to the mo- his own poem. Chung's decision 
ment, and therefore we under- to use it as he does is the right stand everything. The playing one, and the young poet's face 0*30-*$ +  
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-/&*$ out of Ngabo's big decision is evokes depths of wisdom. handled with a perfect sense of “Munyurangabo” played in the time he takes to arrive at the Un Certain Regard section Directed by ""
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0/$"*$2 side restaurant. When Ngabo prize at the AFI Film Festival. as Munyurangabo approaches it, an older boy is The Tomatometer stands at 100. -&
!+-0*'0*!&3" sitting outside in the shade. He If it seems like I'm trying to as Sangwa sees the machete in the knap- persuade you about this film, 
&**"3
'0-&'&3&*' sack. He takes a swig from his I am. It is rolling out across Samuel Anderson, writer and co- as Papa Sangwa beer and observes that tomor- country in those few places producer for "Munyurangabo" first - & &
3&- 0 3"3" row is National Independence where a film like this is wel- encountered French New Wave films at as Mama Sangwa Yale University. He now lives in New Day. He has been asked to comed. "*
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-"-&)* York with his wife, Susan. recite a poem he wrote. “Would You can find it on DVD, and as Gwiza you like to hear me say it?” it went to Film Movement sub- More about this film in Ebert's He doesn't wait for a reply. scribers, who receive and can blog http://blogs.suntimes.com/ Running time: 97 minutes He begins with confidence and keep a film a month. They cer- ebert/2009/07/the_light_in_the_ Print Courtesy: &()
+1")"*/ pride. It is all there, the whole tainly got their money's worth. tunnel.html

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All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com ,-&(
 

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By Roger Ebert

hat's what we're good at boutique. One of their gurus - shopping and talking." (played by the droll voluptuary !- Dialogue from "The New Patrick Bauchau) stands in the Age" Peter and Katherine Witner center of the empty storefront, are conduits for vast amounts tuning in to the space, before of money, which flow from their advising them where to place the extravagant Beverly Hills salaries dressing room. Opening night is into the hands of the people a great party, but soon the store they buy their lifestyle from. is failing, and the few customers They live in a designer house who do wander in are not much with walls covered by "impor- encouraged by the Witners' in- tant" paintings, and their friends creasingly bizarre adaptation to are as wealthy as themselves. the world of retail. Their personalities are made out Tolkin gives us one richly of psychobabble and arrogance; detailed set piece after another, they are obsessed with their involving luncheons, openings, toys, but, hey, you're okay, I'm massages, telephone tag, psychic okay, and that's okay. consultations, sex, heartfelt Then one day they both find conversation, and pagan rituals themselves out of work, with led by a bald-headed woman who only enough cash in the bank sees what others cannot see. Movie poster for "The New Age" to finance about 30 more days Meanwhile, the material universe of opulence before the whole remains the one thing Peter and structure of their lives comes from meditation in the desert to Katherine can really count on. crashing down. "The New Age," all-night pool orgies. This is the kind of movie where Michael Tolkin's film about This need to believe in some- ancient Chinese sayings can find their dilemma, is a satire, but it thing is almost required by themselves in the same conver- avoids making them into easy the hedonistic lifestyles of the sation with co-dependency. targets. They're too vulnerable characters. While many spiritual For the Witners, everything to really dislike; without their programs advocate humility, the centers on themselves. "We were credit cards, they're like Boy New Age beliefs of the Witners born when the economy was Scouts without any way to start allow them to star as the objects expanding," Peter says. But now a campfire. of their own worship. If you that it's contracting, there's no Tolkin knows the world of Pe- feel right about yourself, if you room for people who consider !.)'2),'3&) ter and Katherine from the inside think positive, if you send out their jobs primarily as a source out, as he showed in his screen- the right aura, then success, of of money to finance their "real" play for "The Player," another course, will come to you. The lives. Down and down they go, X-ray of the lifestyles of the rich catch is that failure and poverty the Witners, auctioning their and famous. "The New Age" also are therefore somehow your own important paintings, losing their has something in common with fault, too. house and their cars, failing at the 1992 film Tolkin wrote and At one point in the movie, the business, all the time looking for directed, "The Rapture." It shows Witners are encouraged to get spiritual fixes, as they wander his characters caught up in the in touch with their own fears, through the New Age supermar- search for quick spiritual fixes. and Peter utters a classic line: "I ket of Southern California. It's As their bank account shrinks, know what I fear the most. Hav- as if they have a disease named the Witners (played with fright- ing to work to make money." But Overdrawn. One former friend of ening accuracy by Peter Weller work they do. The Witners pool Katherine is frank about why she and Judy Davis) turn to a series their diminishing savings and didn't invite them to her latest of gurus whose prescriptions run borrow money to open a trendy party: It makes people uncom-

While many spiritual programs advocate humility, the New Age beliefs of the Witners allow them to star as the objects of their own worship.

38 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$"#%&'()"(*&+",-&$+"#$)"#%&./#(0 ThursdayThursday 3pm 3pm

fortable to be around failure. The ending of the movie is A CLOSER perhaps a bit too manipulative. Maybe not. Tolkin is a director 
who is not afraid to push stories to their limits, and the final situ- $"
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for Sexuality and themselves is one which was a language real possibility right from the first. Written and directed by % $ "'
What's best about the movie *'&%) is that Peter and Katherine are so smart. ".",
"''", They understand everything as Peter Witner that's happening, they're articu- Judy Davis late, sardonic, witty and savage as Katherine Witner about it, and yet there's not  .,% &
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Michael Tolkin, director and writer of "The New Age"

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All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on !the internet at www.ebertfest.com +,%'
 

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By Roger Ebert ore than ever it is clear that Francis To those who wrote me defending the banality !Ford Coppola's of "Pearl Harbor," I wrote back: "See 'Apocalypse Now' "Apocalypse Now" is one of and reflect on the difference." the great films of all time. It shames modern Hollywood's timidity. To watch it is to The movie comes to us now in and vivid, with deep, rich, true a new version, 49 minutes longer blacks." feel yourself lifted up to the than the original. The most unex- The physical look of the film heights where the cinema can pected thing about "Apocalypse is therefore voluptuous and Now Redux" may not be the saturated. This is what would be take you, but so rarely does. restored footage, however, but at risk with digital projection. The film is a mirror reflecting the new Technicolor dye-transfer Coppola also pushes the envelope prints. An expert on prints, Jeff with the remastered soundtrack, our feelings about the war in Joseph, tells me: "This is es- and I was reminded of the film's Vietnam, in all their complex- sentially a reworking of the old world premiere at Cannes in 1979, three-strip Technicolor process. when the old Palais was so filled ity and sadness. To those who Instead of the chemical develop- with light and sound that I felt wrote me defending the banal- ment of colors, color dyes are enveloped; the helicopters in the transferred to the film directly, famous village assault could first ity of "Pearl Harbor," I wrote resulting in the stunning `Tech- be heard behind me, and then back: "See 'Apocalypse Now' nicolor' look of the '40s and '50s: passed overhead, and yes, there and reflect on the difference." Lush, gorgeous, bright, sharp were people who involuntarily

54(.6024&$'7(8'9$3,: A scene from "Apocalypse Now Redux"

40 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$#%&'(&)"'**'*)&*+,&-".//.,0/1&2##3 Thursday 8pm

ducked. To be able to come home approach to Kurtz's compound, day," and 20 years later, seeing from the hellish production con- the shadowed Kurtz and his bleak it again, he found it "relatively A CLOSER ditions on the Philippines loca- aphorisms, and the giggling as- tame." tions with a film of such techni- sent of the stoned photographer To consider "Apocalypse Now" 
cal mastery is miraculous. (Dennis Hopper), who is the Fool mainstream or tame in either -," )5-/$
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Col. Kurtz (Marlon Brando) – one crew to a French plantation, a where he confessed he had "prob- Coppola of the Army's most decorated colonial leftover that somehow lems with the ending," and many soldiers, now leading his own survives. At dinner the Americans critics thought he was talking  .),+
. +#, band of tribesmen. The story is and French discuss the colonial about the Kurtz episode, and not as Kurtz (as he was) the closing titles. My own feeling is that the ,!$.0
12 )) as Kilgore original cut was neither main- In a note released with the film, Coppola stream nor tame, but epic film-  .0'+
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American venture in Vietnam. and byplay on the boat, a second age, including some more pointed ,$0.,-$ When you get to the bottom of encounter with the Playmates, analysis of the war, is a valuable who Kurtz has become and what and additional dialogue by Kurtz. addition. The Playmate footage he is thinking, you can see how In a note released with the simply doesn't work; it was left the war transformed the original film, Coppola emphasizes that out of the original because a ty- Coppola explains that he sees the American idealism. this new material was not simply phoon prevented him from com- French like ghosts; I questioned The movie consists of a series shoehorned into the original pleting its filming, Coppola says, how they had survived in their of set pieces. The most famous version of the film, but that but "Walter found a way to get little enclave, and accept his is the assault on the village, "Redux" is "a new rendition of in and out of the sequence." Per- feeling that their spirits survive opening with the helicopter the movie from scratch." He and haps, but no reason to be there. as a cautionary specter for the loudspeakers blasting Wagner his longtime editor Walter Murch It is the French plantation Americans. at the terrified students and "re-edited the film from the origi- sequence that gives me the most Longer or shorter, redux or not, teachers, and continuing with nal unedited raw footage – the pause. It is long enough, I think, "Apocalypse Now" is one of the Lt. Kilgore (Robert Duvall) and dailies," he says, and so possibly that is distracts from the overall central events of my life as a film- his swashbuckling bravado on even some of the shots that look arc of the movie. The river jour- goer. To have it in this beautiful the beach ("I love the smell of familiar to us are different takes ney sets the rhythm of the film, print is a luxury. This new version napalm in the morning"). Other than the ones we saw before. and too much time on the banks will make its way to DVD and be sequences are also in the perma- The 1979 version "terrified" interrupts it (there is the same welcome there, but the place to nent memory of moviegoers: The him, he says, because it was problem with the feuding families see it is in a movie theater, sit- drugged monotony of the river "too long, too strange and didn't in Huckleberry Finn). Yet the ting not too far back, your eyes journey, the sudden gunfire that resolve itself in a kind of clas- sequence is effective and provok- and ears filled with its haunting kills everyone on the sampan, the sic big battle at the end." Facing ing (despite the inappropriate vision. Now this is a movie. Playboy Playmates entertaining financial disaster, he shaped it for music during the love scene). It "Apocalypse Now" is one of the troops, the dreamlike final the "mainstream audience of its helps me to understand it when Roger Ebert's "Great Movies."

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com -.')
 

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42 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Overlooked Film Festival !"#$%&'#()%*+) !"#$%&'#()%*+) ,#('-$.%/(#+01+234%%56$78%9%*-$$#( ,#('-$.%56$78%9%*-$$#( 5+3#%:-.83%,"#7-+;2 /(6$78%E$%,6$F+)2

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April 21-25, 2010


  
  43 "#$#%&'()#*+',-+,.-#%&'/0-'12#%&

By Roger Ebert

eath is for the living abandonment. Now about 30, and not for the dead so Daigo is a cellist in a small clas- !much. sical orchestra that goes broke. That observation from the He and Mika (Ryoko Hirosue), his mourner of a dead dog in Errol wife, decide to move back to a Morris' "Gates of Heaven" strikes town in the north of Japan and me as simple but profound. It live in his childhood home, willed is the insight inspiring "Depar- to him by his recently departed tures," the lovely Japanese movie mother. He finds no work. He an- that won this year's Oscar for swers a want ad for "departures," best foreign film. which he thinks perhaps is from The story involves a young a travel agency. man who apprentices to the The company serves clients trade of "encoffinment," the making their final trip. Daigo Yojiro Takita, director of "Departures", preparation of corpses before is shocked to discover what the which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign language Film. their cremation. As nearly as I owner (Tsutomu Yamazaki) does; can recall, there is no discussion he cleans and prepares bodies of an afterlife. It is all about the and painstakingly makes them up and snubs him. The clients are living. There is an elaborate, ten- to look their best. The ritual in- generally grateful; one father der ceremony carried out before volves undressing them in behind confesses cheerfully that the pro- the family and friends of the artfully manipulated shrouds in cess freed him to accept the true deceased, with an elegance and front of the witnesses. The owner nature of his child. care that is rather fascinating. is a quiet, kind man, who talks A lot is said about the cast- The hero is a man who feels little but exudes genuine respect ing process for a movie. Director he is owed a death. The father of for the dead. Yojiro Takita and his casting di- Daigo (Masahiro Motoki) walked Daigo doesn't tell his wife rector, Takefumi Yoshikawa, have out on his mother when the boy what he does. They need the surpassed themselves. In a film !+,.-34-+5 was 6 years old, and ever since money. His job is so low caste with four principal roles, they've Daigo has hated him for that that an old friend learns of it found actors whose faces, so very human, embody what "Depar- tures" wants to say about them. The music is lush and sentimental in a The earnest, insecure young man. His wife who loves him but subdued way, the cinematography is perfectly framed is repulsed by the notion of him working with the dead. The boss, and evocative, and the movie is uncommonly absorbing. oracular, wise, kind. His office manager, inspirational but with an inner sadness. All of these faces are beautiful in a realistic human way. The enterprise of undertaking is deadly serious, but has always inspired a certain humor, perhaps to mask our fears. The film is sometimes humorous, but not in a way to break the mood. The plot involves some developments we can see coming, but they seem natural, inevitable. The music is lush and sentimental in a subdued way, the cinematogra- phy is perfectly framed and evoc- ative, and the movie is uncom- monly absorbing. There is a scene of discovery toward the end with tremendous emotional impact. You can't say it wasn't prepared for, but it comes as a devastating Masahiro Motoki in "Departures" surprise, a poetic resolution. 44 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#"$%&'(")*&+,*+-,"$%&./,&01"$% /'#"3
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Directed by !-('/-
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!-0&'32)' handles it when the couple is a blur. And how certain composi- tance of death. It is not a time as Tsuyako given an octopus for their dinner tions suggest that we are all in for weeping and the gnashing of and are surprised to find it still waiting to be encoffined. teeth. It is an observation that a Running time: 130 minutes alive. See how vividly Daigo re- In this film, Kore-eda's "After life has been left for the contem- Print Courtesy: $%$,1
$*$"0',% calls a time on the beach with his Life" and of course Kurosawa's plation of the survivors.

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All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com ./'*
 

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A scene from "Man with a Movie Camera"

By Roger Ebert featuring n 1929, the year it was re- locked into the tradition of stage day of a Russian city. It took him leased, films had an average plays, and it was time to discover four years to film this day, and he !shot length (ASL) of 11.2 sec- a new style that was specifically worked in three cities: Moscow, onds. "Man With a Movie Camera" cinematic. Movies could move Kiev and Odessa. His wife Yeliza- had an ASL of 2.3 seconds. The with the speed of our minds when veta Svilova supervised the editing ASL of Michael Bay's "Armaged- we are free-associating, or with from about 1,775 separate shots don" was – also 2.3 seconds. Why the speed of a passionate musical – all the more impressive because /*3%.#4('.5( would I begin a discussion of a composition. They did not need most of the shots consisted of silent classic by discussing such any dialogue – and indeed, at the separate set-ups. The cinematog- a mundane matter? It helps to opening of the film he pointed raphy was by his brother, Mikhail understand the impact the film out that it had no scenario, no in- Kaufman, who refused to ever made at the time. Viewers had tertitles, and no characters. It was work with him again. (Vertov was never seen anything like it, and a series of images, and his notes born Denis Kaufman, and worked Mordaunt Hall, the horrified au- specified a fast-moving musical under a name meaning "spin- thor of the New York Times review, score. ning top." Another brother, Boris wrote: "The producer, Dziga Vertof, There was an overall plan. He Kaufman, immigrated to Holly- does not take into consideration would show 24 hours in a single wood and won an Oscar for filming

#1%,2#(# the fact that the human eye fixes for a certain space of time that which holds the attention." This There is a temptation to review the fim reminds me of Harry Carey's advice in 1929 to John Wayne, as the simply by listing what you will see in it. Machinery, talkies were coming in: "Stop half- way through every sentence. The crowds, boats, buildings, production line workers, audience can't listen that fast." streets, beaches, crowds, hundreds of individual faces, "Man With a Movie Camera" is fascinating for many better rea- planes, trains, automobiles, and so on. But these shots sons than its ASL, but let's begin with the point Dziga Vertof was have an organizing pattern. trying to make. He felt film was /(0

46 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%&"'()*+"'"#$%&"'()*+"$+,-%# -&! 3
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"On the Waterfront.") tion line workers, streets, beaches, hanging in a basket over a water- Born in 1896 and coming of age crowds, hundreds of individual fall. We see a hole being dug be-
 during the Russian Revolution, faces, planes, trains, automobiles, tween two train tracks, and later Vertov considered himself a radical and so on. But these shots have a train racing straight towards the 
artist in a decade where modern- an organizing pattern. "Man With camera. We're reminded that when ism and surrealism were gaining a Movie Camera" opens with an the earliest movie audiences saw  *
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stature in all the arts. He began empty cinema, its seats stand- such a shot, they were allegedly  )"- by editing official newsreels, ing at attention. The seats swivel terrified, and ducked down in   
+

- /&*$ which he assembled into montages down (by themselves), and an their seats. that must have appeared rather audience hurries in and fills them. Intercut with this are shots of Written and directed by 4&$
surprising to some audiences, They begin to look at a film. This this film being edited. The ma- "-/+1 and then started making his own film. And this film is about – this chinery. The editor. The physical films. He would invent an entirely film being made. film itself. Sometimes the action &'% &(
 0#) * new style. Perhaps he did. "It The only continuing figure halts with a freeze frame, and we as The cameraman stands as a stinging indictment of – not a "character" – is the Man see that the editor has stopped almost every film made between With the Movie Camera. He uses work. But that's later – placing it Running time: 68 minutes its release in 1929 and the appear- an early hand-cracked model, right after the freeze frame would Print Courtesy: ((+3
- %"./- ance of Godard’s 'Breathless' 30 smaller than the one Buster Ke- seem too much like continuity. years later," the critic Neil Young aton uses in "The Cameraman" If there is no continuity, there is wrote, "and Vertov’s dazzling (1928), although even that one a gathering rhythmic speed that with a shock cut in a horror film, picture seems, today, arguably is light enough to be balanced on reaches a crescendo nearer the we are focused on the subject of the fresher of the two." Godard is the shoulder with its tripod. This end. The film has shot itself, ed- the shot, not the shot itself. Con- said to have introduced the "jump Man is seen photographing many ited itself, and now is conducting sidered as a visual object, "Man cut," but Vertov's film is entirely of the shots in the movie. Then itself at an accelerating tempo. With a Movie Camera" decon- jump cuts. there are shots of how he does it Most movies strive for what structs this process. It assembles There is a temptation to review – securing the tripod and himself John Ford called "invisible edit- itself in plain view. It is about the film simply by listing what to the top of an automobile or the ing" – edits that are at the service itself, and folds into and out of you will see in it. Machinery, bed of a speeding truck, stoop- at the storytelling, and do not crowds, boats, buildings, produc- ing to walk through a coal mine, call attention to themselves. Even continued on next page %"
((+3
- %"./- Alloy Orchestra is a three-man musical ensemble, writing and performing live accompaniment to classic silent films. Working with an outrageous assemblage of peculiar objects, they thrash and grind soulful music from unlikely sources.

Performing at prestigious film festivals and cultural centers in the U.S. and abroad (The Telluride Film Festival, The Louvre, Lincoln Center, The Academy of Motion Pictures, the National Gallery of Art), Alloy has helped revive some of the great masterpieces of the silent era.

An unusual combination of found percussion and state- of-the-art electronics gives the Orchestra the ability to create any sound imaginable. Utilizing their famous “rack of junk” and electronic synthesizers, the group generates beautiful music in a spectacular variety of styles. They can conjure up a French symphony or a simple German bar band of the '20s. The group can make the audience think it TERRY DONAHUE (junk percussion, accordion, musical saw, banjo), KEN is being attacked by tigers, contacted by radio signals from WINOKUR (director, junk percussion and clarinet) and ROGER MILLER Mars or swept up in the Russian Revolution. (synthesizer, percussion).

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com ,-&(
 

5
%"
&-$&*&
%" /-" 47 !"#$%&'($)"*+," continued from previous page itself like origami. It was in 1912 cessing what had been seen, and that Marcel Duchamp shocked the finally seeing it. It made explicit art world with his painting "Nude and poetic the astonishing gift Descending a Staircase." It wasn't the cinema made possible, of ar- shocked by nudity – the painting ranging what we see, ordering it, was too abstract to show any. They imposing a rhythm and language were shocked that he depicted the on it, and transcending it. Godard descent in a series of steps taking once said "The cinema is life at 24 place all at the same time. In a frames per second." Wrong. That's way, he had invented the freeze what life is. The Cinema only frame. starts with the 24 frames – and What Vertov did was elevate besides, in the silent era it was this avant-garde freedom to a level closer to 18 fps. It's what you do encompassing his entire film. That after you have your frames that A scene from "Man with a Movie Camera" is why the film seems fresh today; makes it Cinema. 80 years later, it is fresh. There The experience of "Man With performed by the Michael Nyman accompanying silent cinema. To had been "city documentaries" a Movie Camera" is unthinkable Band on May 17, 2002 at London's mark the 80th anniversary of earlier, showing a day in the life without the participation of music. Royal Festival Hall. As the tempo the film, the Alloy obtained and of a metropolis; one of the most Virtually every silent film was seen mounts, it takes on a relentless restored a print from the Moscow famous was "Berlin: Symphony of with music, if only from a single momentum. Another score was Film Archive, and performed their a Great City" (1927). piano, accordion, or violin. The created by the Cinematic Orches- revised score in the city. They By filming in three cities and Mighty Wurlitzer, with its sound tra, and you can hear it while will tour with the print in 2010, not naming any of them, Vertov effects and different musical voic- viewing nine minutes of the film and on their schedule is Ebertfest had a wider focus: His film was es, was invented for movies. here: http://www.youtube.com/ 2010. about The City, and The Cinema, The version available in the watch?v=vvTF6B5XKxQ The surrealist milestone "Un and The Man With a Movie Cam- U.S. is from Kino, and features a A famous score was created by Chien Andalou" (1928), by Luis era. It was about the act of seeing, score by composer Michael Nyman the Alloy Orchestra of Cambridge, Bunuel and Salvador Dali, is also being seen, preparing to see, pro- ("The Piano"). It was premiered Mass., which devotes itself to in Ebert's Great Movies Collection.

48 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival Founding Sponsors JJooaannnnee aanndd RRooggeerr PPlluummmmeerr Extend their congratulations to RRooggeerr EEbbeerrtt and TThhee UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff IIlllliinnooiiss CCoolllleeggee ooff MMeeddiiaa on the 1122th AAnnnnuuaall EEbbeerrttffeesstt

April 21-25, 2010


  
  49 "#$%#&'()*+%($#,-+&./0-+'.102*.+3%0'

By Roger Ebert

air warning: I begin with pastor has a pretty good idea that is, for a cadre of eggheads a parable, continue with what goes on during the other who hail the work as a visionary !vast generalizations, fi- six days of the week. achievement." nally get around to an argument This dynamic radiates out I imagine he speaks for a ma- with Entertainment Weekly, and into every other life on earth jority opinion on this film. I am move on to Greek gods, "I Love and down through time, shad- resigned to belonging to a cadre Lucy" and a house on fire. ing gradually into other religious of eggheads hailing "Synecdo- The parable, The lodestars of or irreligious value systems. che," although I have praised John Doe's life are his wife, his Every other life relates to those many a film, like "The Golden children, his boss, his mistress, encounters in the same way, Compass," that Gleiberman dis- and his pastor. There are more, depending on local conditions. missed as not Great Trash but the but these will do. He expects his Life's a stage, and we bit play- compacted variety. Naya, naya, wife to be grateful for his loyalty. ers upon it. Charlie Kaufman's naya! Who's the egghead now? His children to accept him as a "Synecdoche, New York" is a film But Owen is a terrific chap and mentor. His boss to value him as that boldly tries to illustrate this we like each other, especially a worker. His mistress to praise universal process by using a di- when we find ourselves enlisted him as a sex machine. His pastor rector immersed in a production in the same cadre. to note his devotion. These are of indefinite duration on a stage He cites "Last Year at Marien- the roles he has assigned them, representing his mind. bad" (1961) as another example and for the most part they play The film is confused, con- of obscure obfuscation. How them. tradictory and unclear, so I am clearly I remember seeing that In their own lives, his wife informed by those unmoved by film in the early 1960s at the feels he has been over-rewarded it. Owen Gleiberman of Entertain- University of Illinois. My reaction for his loyalty, since she has done ment Weekly grades it "D plus" was precisely the same as the one all the heavy lifting. His children and has what I agree is a reason- I felt after seeing "Synecdoche." don't understand why there are able reaction to this film: "An I watched it the first time and so many stupid rules. His boss artist makes a movie that is so sensed it might be a great film, considers John Doe as downsiz- labyrinthine and obscure, such a and that I had not mastered it." able, and fears he may also get road map of blind alleys, such a We all met with Gunther Marx, a the axe. His mistress asks herself turgid challenge to sit through professor of German. We sat over why she doesn't dump this creep that it sends most people skulk- coffee in the Illini Union, late on and find an availableman. His ing out of the theater – except, that rainy night in Urbana. "I will explain it all for you," he said. "It is a working out of the anthro- pological archetypes of Claude Levi-Strauss. We have the lover, the loved one, and the authority figure. The movie proposes that the lovers had an affair, that they didn't, that they met before, that they didn't, that the authority figure knew it, that he didn't, that he killed her, that he didn't. Any questions?'' We gaped at him in awe. I was instructed long ago by a wise edi- tor, "If you understand something you can explain it so that almost anyone can understand it. If you don't, you won't be able to un- derstand your own explanation." That is why 90% of academic film theory is bullshit. Jargon is the last refuge of the scoundrel. Yes. But if a work seems baffling yet remains intriguing, there may be a simple key to its mysteries. I Philip Seymour Hoffman looks up at Hope Davis in a scene of "Synecdoche, New York" doubt that James Joyce's Ulysses 45)#&60&.#7+8#9+:01;

50 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$"%&'()*$'#"+,*%-./,*&-0/1)-*2$/& +$ 0
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Ramis' "Groundhog Day" (1993) on the same double bill with "Synecdoche." Bill Murray plays
  a weatherman caught in a time loop. As I wrote at the time: "He  
is the only one who can remem- ber what happened yesterday. 0(  )# 
 /
)+% That gives him a certain advan-  
-

for language and tage. He can, for example, find some sexual content and nudity out what a woman is looking for in a man, and then the 'next' Written and directed by #+&$
day he can behave in exactly the .!'( right way to impress her." Not science fiction. How the #$&$*
 0').+
)!!'( world works. On "I Love Lucy," as Caden Cotard even ditzy Lucy understood -# +$(
 ( + this process. I will act as if I am as Adele Lack the kind of woman Cary Grant  $
)& ,- $( would desire. We all live through as Olive Charlie Kaufman, director, and Anthony Bregman, producer, stand on the set of "Groundhog Day," but it is less )'
))(( "Synecdoche, New York" confusing for us because one day as Sammy Barnathan follows another. Or seems to. My first time through "Synec- Running time: 124 minutes had a big opening weekend. You was Apollo and that was that. doche" I felt a certain frustration. Print Courtesy: )(0
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start it and start it and start it, We envisioned them on moun- The plot would not stay still. It &,,$, and you shore up in uncertainty taintops, where they were were kept running off and barking at and dismay. Then someone tells little given to introspection. cats. The second time was more you, "It's an attempt to record We took the situation as given, soothing. I knew what was going but has a brief extra scene at the one day in the life of some did our best, created arts that on. It is what goes on every day people in Dublin, mostly focus- were always abstractions in the end where Batman slips on a wet of our lives, made visual by the floor in the Batcave, hits his head ing on Leopold Bloom. It uses or sense that they existed outside inspired set design, rooms on top parodies many literary styles and ourselves. Harold Bloom believes on the floor, and is killed. Then of rooms, all containing separate the camera slowly pulls back to introduces a new one, the stream Shakespeare introduced the hu- activities, with the protagonist of consciousness, which defines man personality into fiction. show the dead caped crusader in trying to satisfy, or direct, or the gathering gloom and then up itself. Try finding somebody Irish When Richard III looked in the obey or evade, or learn from, or to read the tricky bits aloud." mirror and asked himself what in an invisible wipe to the Moon receive solace from, the people in over Gotham City. What's your Voila! And now we celebrate role he should play, and Hamlet all of the rooms. Bloomsday, June 16. asked the fundamental question best guess? Final gross over a Jerry Lewis' "The Ladies' Man" billion? For thousands of years, fiction To be, or not to be,the first shoe (1961) does the same thing, with made no room for characters who was dropped, and "Synecdoche" Yes, Owen, I think "Synec- a famous set that must have been doche, N.Y." is a masterpiece. changed. Men felt the need for and many other works have an inspiration for "Synecdoche." an explanation of their baffling dropped the second shoe. But here I've written all this ad- Maybe that's another film I need ditional wordage about it, and existence, created gods, and pro- Sometimes the most unlikely- to see again. Those French, what jected onto them the solutions seeming films will slot right into I still haven't reviewed it. How philosophers. Jerry Lewis, shake could I? You've seen it. How could for their enigmas. These gods of this groove of projection, strat- hands with Alain Robbe-Grillet. course had to be immutable, for egy and coping, as they involve I, in less time than it takes to see The French are correct that Jerry the movie, summarize the plot? they stood above the foibles of the achievement of our needs is funnier. men. Zeus was Zeus and Apollo and desires. You could put Harold I must say that in your finite EW It occurs to me that many space, you do a heroic job of de- movies tell the stories of pre- scribing what happens. But what Shakespearian gods. The hero happens is not the whole point. Yes, Owen, I think "Synecdoche, N.Y." is a is introduced, remains constant The movie is about how and why throughout the movie, behaves the stuff that happens – hap- masterpiece. But here I've written all this additional as he can and must, and wins at pens. Might as well try to de- the end. That is comforting for scribe the plot of Ulysses in 800 wordage about it, and I still haven't reviewed it. How us, and one reason we go to the words or less. All you can do is movies. Imagine that "The Dark try to find a key. Just in writing could I? Knight" was exactly similar, frame by frame, from beginning to end, continued on next page

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com *+$&
 

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quite know what he means. Very that, I think I have in a blinding hypertextual. flash solved the impenetrable Why is the house always on fire, mystery of Joyce's next novel, but nobody seems to notice it? Finnegans Wake. It is the stream Don't unhappy homes always seem of conscious of a man trying to like that? Aren't people always write Ulysses and always running trying to ignore it? off to chase cats. The voice-over. Maybe the only time I've heard coughing in a Footnotes: voice-over. Comparable to great fiction? That matte painting. Right. It Yes, with the same complexity and moves. slow penetrability. Not complex as What does the title mean? In a strategy or a shortcoming. Com- my review, I wrote: "It means it's plex because it interweaves and the title. Get over it." Not so fast cross-refers, and every moment there, Mickey Spillane. As I should of apparent perplexity leads back have positively known in a Charlie somewhere in the movie to its Kaufman screenplay, it is a word A scene from "Synecdoche, New York" solution. Some great fiction, like that has a meaning. Wikipedia Ulysses or The Sound and the Fury informs me: * a term denoting a thing (a * a term denoting a material is or The Golden Bowl, was hypertext "whole") is used to refer to part used to refer to an object com- when hypertext wasn't a name, Synecdoche (pronounced "si-nek- of it, or posed of that material. but only a need. Henry James duh-kee"; from Greek sinekdohi * a term denoting a specific class seems the steadiest of hands, but SUNEKDOC , meaning "simultane- of thing is used to refer to a In other words, the playwright's life underneath, his opening chapters ous understanding") is a figure of larger, more general class, or refers to all lives, and all lives refer are straining to touch the clos- speech in which: * a term denoting a general class to his life. So Kaufman gives the ing ones, and the middle hides * a term denoting a part of some- of thing is used to refer to a whole thing away right there in his concealed loyalties. And when he thing is used to refer to the smaller, more specific class, or title. Talk about your spoilers. writes "intercourse," you never whole thing, or

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52 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival MICHAELS’ CATERING

IMAGINATIVE FOOD FOR CORPORATE AND SOCIAL OCCASIONS. 271.351.2500 MichaelsCateringChampaign.com

April 21-25, 2010


  
  53 "#$%&%&'()*&+,-)*.%,)&')/)0,1/2&'()1/34*,

By Roger Ebert

Information for parents: As the movie opens, the Mort- plans to sell herself on the streets The MPAA advises: This movie is main family on a country outing and will borrow the train fare to rated R "for brief nudity." For finds a castle – small and run- the city from the vicar. more information please visit down, it is true, but undeniably The girls' mother died some IMDB FAQs and Parents Guide. No a castle – and the father, James, years earlier, and Topaz does her children will be admitted without stands on the battlements and best with two ungrateful girls and parent or adult guardian. declares, "I will write master- a husband who seems on the edge pieces here!" He is given to such of madness. Then one day all Capture the Castle" is the pronouncements, often followed changes when two young Ameri- kind of novel dreamy adoles- by a sideways glance to see if cans arrive in the district. They !cents curl up with on rainy anyone believes him. He did write are Simon and Neil Cotton (Henry Saturdays, imagining themselves one well-regarded book, it is true, Thomas and Marc Blucas), the as members of a poor but bril- but now he descends into a long sons and heirs of the owner of the 8/9&*2)9/4&',, liantly eccentric family living in barren period, and in 1936, when property, and rather than collect a decrepit English castle. It's that the story takes place, the Mort- the back due rent, they proceed kind of movie, too, about a sub- mains are behind on the rent, to fall in love with Rose – Simon limely impractical family given to short on food money and increas- obviously, Neil quietly. Their Brit- sudden dramatic outbursts. It's a ingly desperate. ish mother (Sinead Cusack) is romance ever so much more in- The Mortmains are: James (Bill both appalled and amused by the spiring for teenage girls than the Nighy), the father who seems to family, and invites them over to materialist propaganda they get be going around the bend; his dinner, an event that has to be from Hollywood, teaching them wife, Topaz (Tara Fitzgerald), a seen to be believed. to value genius above accessories. long-tressed artist; younger sister "Why are you all dressed in And there's a serious undercur- Cassandra (Romola Garai), who green?" the brothers ask on their rent; this story was close to the is the narrator, and the official first meeting with this family. heart of the author, Dodie Smith, family beauty, Rose (Rose Byrne), It has to do with a surfeit of whose other novel, 101 Dalma- who is so impatient with poverty dye, and too much time on their tians, was more light-hearted and that at one point she runs out hands. The family is educated, aimed at younger readers. into the rain and announces she literate, creative, but alarmingly unworldly; what the brothers take for artful naivete is artless lack of sophistication. Rose however knows that she will marry anyone to get out of the leaky, drafty castle, and that leads to a compli- cated romantic melodrama which also involves Cassandra and Neil's secret feelings, not necessarily for each other. The film is shot with that green British palette that makes everything look damp and makes us imagine the sheets will be clammy. The countryside is un- speakably picturesque, and the girls flourish here; it is sad to see the wild-haired Rose in town, after her engagement and after the hairdressers have styled her into a copy of everyone else. The father, meanwhile, sinks into de- spondency, and the family finds

!)5/64#$,)47,)5/34*, a way to treat his writer's block that is heartless but effective. The first-time director, Tim Fywell, handles his material with an excusable fondness for the "I capture the Castle" movie poster eccentricities of his characters,

54 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%$%&'()%*+,()-$+(%&(.(/+0.1%&'(0.23)+ Saturday 11am

It's a romance ever so much more inspiring for A CLOSER teenage girls than the materialist propaganda they get 
from Hollywood ... And there's a serious undercurrent; 
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 for brief nudity this story was close to the heart of the author, Dodie Directed by "$
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but generates touching emotion It would be fun to be a member as Cassandra Mortmain through the plight of Cassandra, of the Mortmain family – maybe &)
-(% who is honest and true, and finds the younger brother, who shows as Rose Mortmain her way almost blindly through every sign of growing up to be  %(-
!&$) the labyrinth of love, trusting her Harry Potter. as Simon Cotton best instincts. Romola Garai, who Actor Bill Nighy, who plays James (
#+) was Kate in "Nicholas Nickleby," is Note: The R rating ("for brief Mortmain, will appear at the showing as Neil Cotton heart-winning in the role. nudity") is another attempt by of "I Capture the Castle." "##
" !- We like these people, which is the MPAA to steer teenagers away as James Mortmain important, and we are amused by from useful and sophisticated board has no shame. Better the them, which is helpful, but most entertainments, and toward vul- Angels as strippers than an inno- Running time: 113 minutes of all we envy them, because they garity and violence. If this movie cent nipple during a swim in the Print Courtesy: $+ #
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negotiate their romantic perplexi- is R and "Charlie's Angels: Full castle moat? "#$) ties with such dash and style. Throttle" is PG-13, then the rating

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All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com '("#
 

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! *( 55 "#$%&'(&$)#*'+*%&$*',(*#--'./

By Roger Ebert

ou might never have heard of Vincent P. Falk, !but if you've been a visi- tor to Chicago you may well have seen him. He has performed for the patrons on every single tour boat cruising the Chicago River. And he is known to every viewer of the NBC/5 morning news, and the ABC/7 afternoon news. He's the smiling middle-aged man with a limitless variety of spec- tacular suits. He stands on the Michigan or State street bridges, showing off his latest stupefying suit. He flashes the flamboyant lining, takes it off, spins it in great circles above his head, and then does his "spin move," pivot- ing first left, then right, while whirling the coat in the air. Then he puts it on again and waves to the tourists on the boat, by now passing under the bridge, always wearing a suit for the occasion: Shimmering black for Kwanzaa, red for Christmas, neon green for St. Patrick's Day so blinding Mayor Daley wouldn't have the nerve to wear it. For ABC/7, he stands outside

Film screening sponsored by: Champaign County Anti-Stigma Alliance the big windows of the news studio, which open onto State Vincent P. Falk in canary yellow in Chicago. Falk plans to attend the showing at Street. You can't miss him. For the festival. NBC/5, he's worked his way up to regular Friday morning appear- Michigan Av. "I make it a point shots. But, recently, I've been ances. The station's news studio to not interact with people who getting in the shots on week- overlooks Pioneer Court Plaza, try to get my attention," he says, ends. This is when Michael Wall and when the anchors go outside "but Vincent..." It's possible Vin- is usually the director. But I'm to chat with people, there's Vin- cent's eyesight is so bad he can't still being cut out of the shots all cent. He's agreed to appear ex- even see Williams behind behind the time on weekdays, when Jef Kos is usually the director." How

many viewers with 20/20 vision know those names? I can easily believe he buys his own suits. You might be forgiven for suspecting that Vincent is a few What I can hardly believe is that they are sold. doughnuts short of a dozen. I know I did. Then I saw a remark- able new documentary by Jenni- clusively on the Channel 5 early tinted glass in the daytime, but fer Burns named "Vincent: A Life news, where I have never seen he knows the studio is there, in Color," which unfolds into the him, because his usual spin on just as he seems to know a lot of mystery of a human personality. Fridays is just before the 6 a.m. other things. His life is one that Oliver Sachs, sign-on of the Today show. He's well-informed on the per- the poet of strange lives, might He also does radio; WGN talker sonnel of the TV news operations, find fascinating. Considering that John Williams, interviewed in the for example, recently writing Vincent has been showing up for film, does his show in a Tribune me: "For months, Channel 7 has years and performing his "show" Tower studio with a window on been cutting me out of the crowd with flamboyant new suits, would 0&(-1()2*3*4&+1*&(*5'6'.

56 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%&'%#(")&*)$%#)&+')",,&-.  12/# 4
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it surprise you to learn that he is is how differently life could have Vincent wrote: "I really don't a college graduate? A computer turned out for Vincent. remember who would have taught A CLOSER programmer? A former deejay in What Burns discovered was not me to read. Maybe one of the gay North Side discos? Owns his quite the story we might have ex- other nuns. Maybe when I started 
own condo in Marina City? Buys pected. Vincent, whose surname going to school. I went to pre- his own suits? Legally blind? comes from one of his foster school (they didn't have Kinder- (,"$,1

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All of these things are true. families, was an orphan aban- garten), 1st grade, and 2nd grade (,
-*-/ I can easily believe he buys his doned by his mother, and raised at St Joseph's. Then, I started 3rd  
-

/ 1(,& own suits. What I can hardly at St. Joseph's Home for the grade my first school year after believe is that they are sold. We Friendless. He was already blind moving in with the Falks. And, Directed by $,,(%$/
2/,0 accompany him on a visit to his in one eye, and glaucoma was I did attend all those grades at customary clothing store, which dimming the sight in his other. the proper time, with respect to (,"$,1
 *) perhaps caters otherwise to mem- After eight years he was placed in my age (they didn't see a need to as Himself bers of the world's second oldest a foster home with Clarence and hold me back a year or so before profession. Surely he's their best Mary Falk, who he considers his starting me in 1st grade, or any- Running time: 96 minutes customer; I don't recall ever see- father and mother; he has had thing like that)." Print Courtesy: 3$$!*$
(*+0 ing the same suit twice in the a star named after her. In the I asked Burns what she film. documentary, Sister Bernadette thought. "I'm sorry this wasn't Jennifer Burns, who both pro- Eaton, who taught him as a boy, more clear in the film, Sister a monocular telescope for spot- duced and directed the film, says says at first she didn't realize he Anna Margaret (who declined to ting approaching tour boats. His that like most Chicagoans, she'd could read. be interviewed) recognized that optometrist says he has severe seen Vincent and his colorful I e-mailed Vincent: "I'm miss- Vincent's problem wasn't intel- tunnel vision; his good eye is a suits around for years. How could ing something here. The nun says lectual but visual and taught him fraction of normal, and the visible she not? Then one day she was she was 'surprised' to learn you to read, along with the rest of the image is like an iris shot sur- looking out her office window, could read. So she didn't teach class, making sure he was always rounded by blur. He walks freely watching him performing for a you. Did you teach yourself?" He pushed up against the blackboard all over the Chicago Loop, often tour boat, "and I was struck by responded quickly with a e-mail so he could see. It was the ad- running a few steps or even skip- the look of sheer joy I saw on his that was articulate and friendly. ministration, who had previously ping, so high are his spirits. The face. I thought to myself, what- That was a surprise, because in written him off as incapable of movie uses graphics to represent ever else you have to say about the film he has some difficulty learning, who were surprised to what he can see; it is terrifying this guy, he has figured out what in expressing himself. His words learn that Vincent could read." to think of him crossing a street. makes him happy and he does it, don't flow smoothly, he repeats In high school he was picked On his web site, he does report regardless of what anyone else himself, gets tangled up, deflects on; a classmate recalls students one injury: "For the six week thinks." She approached him, and questions with a joke. A co- would sneak up behind him, tap period from February 1, 2003 he agreed to be the subject of a worker in the doc says if you ask him on the shoulder, and jump - March 8, 2003, there were no film – not surprising, since his him something, he'll patiently re- away before he could whirl and pictures posted to this site. This pastime is drawing attention to spond, and then he's outta there. try to see them. He began to hiatus was caused by personal in- himself. The subtext of the film No small talk. defend himself with humor, espe- jury, due to being hit by a taxicab cially with puns, which are still on January 29, 2003 (specifically, an addiction. He didn't want to a Ford Crown Victoria). The ac- be considered blind any longer, cident occurred on Clark St. right Burns says, so he stopped using by Quaker Tower." a cane. He was a member of the Vincent, a bright student, was National Honor Society, the chess accepted at the Illinois Institute club, the debate team...and the of Technology, studying aero- diving team, luckily never div- nautical engineering. Yes. After ing into a pool without water. two years he transferred to the We meet his diving coach, who University of Illinois, where he was as surprised as we are. It was planned to study computer sci- in high school that he started ence in a program where admis- wearing colorful suits, for reasons sion standards are ruthless. At he does not explain. My theory: Urbana he became fascinated by Being the class clown was better audio equipment, not unusual than being the class misfit. among the visually impaired, "but Vincent reads with his left eye my parents didn't like that, and Jennifer Burns, director and producer of "Vincent: A Life in Color," is the founder held less than an inch from a hauled me back up to Chicago. of Zweeble Films. She got into production, creating her own company after book or computer screen. He uses dabbling in both theater and film in Chicago. continued on next page

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com ./(*
 

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They boxed up all my audio stuff and put it in the garage." He got back into the audio field, and became a popular dee- jay, first for the go-go boys at Stage 618, and then at the gay disco Cheeks. He didn't exactly fit the image, his old boss recalls, and he held the albums an inch from his face, but he was a great spinner. It was during this time he concluded he was gay. For the past 20 years, he's been a computer programmer for Cook County, helping to track billions of dollars in tax revenue. "He's one of the most brilliant program- mers I've ever met," his current boss says. All of which is admirable, but how does it explain the suits? Having worn them since he was a teenager, he says he gave his first Chicago River bridge perfor- mance around 2000, adding the Falk entertains people on boats on the Chicago River. "spin move" about a year later. He knows the times when every tour boat passes his bridges, and the speculates that Vincent has spent screen. But he spends hours every Building, which stands across the guides know his name and point a lot of his life being stigmatized day in the fresh air and sunshine, street as an affront to the tinny him out as a landmark somewhere and isolated, and the suits are a picking up that tan and getting new Trump Tower. As least they between the Wrigley Building and way of breaking down barriers. I lots of exercise. can smile and wave and tell the Marina City. To the guides on the confess that the first time I saw That's why I respond to Vin- folks at home about that wacky Mercury boats, he is "Riverace" him, I saw a man with unfocused cent, and applaud him. If people guy they saw on the bridge. (rhymes with "Liberace"). The squinting eyes and a weird suit, take one look at me and don't ap- The film gathers an impressive captain of one of the Wendella and leaped to conclusions. But by prove of what they see, my posi- array of people who have had boats says you can set your watch the time I saw this documentary, tion is: Fuck 'em if they can't take roles in Vincent's life, including a by him. His bridges and the TV things had changed in my life. a joke. So here is a man who likes lifelong friend who was another studios are within a short walk of Anyone seeing me walk down the to wear pimp suits and wave them foster child with the Falks. It his home. street would notice an unsteady at tour boats. So why not? What is beautifully photographed by There is a great deal of discus- gait, a bandage around my neck, are the people on the boats so Patrick Russo, who contrasts sion in the documentary about and my mouth sometimes gaping busy doing that they don't have Vincent's life in color with the Vincent's motivation. It explains open. If they didn't know me, time for that? I suspect some- looming riverside architecture and nothing. Vincent himself will they might assume I was the Vil- thing like 99 percent of them are its busy sidewalks. Vincent will only say that he likes to enter- lage Idiot. You can easily imagine more entertained by Vincent than never be mistaken for a man in tain people, to cheer them up Vincent becoming an isolated ag- by the information that Mies the crowd. a little. One person in the doc oraphobe, locked onto a computer van der Rohe designed the IBM

Having worn them since he was a teenager, he says he gave his first Chicago River bridge performance around 2000, adding the "spin move" about a year later. He knows the times when every tour boat passes his bridges, and the guides know his name and point him out as a landmark somewhere between the Wrigley Building and Marina City.

58 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival April 21-25, 2010


  
  59 "#$%&'#&(#)(*'+,+#-+%./#&(#'()+/&0

By Roger Ebert

here's one of those perfect moments in "Trucker" It opens after a one-night stand with a guy who !when I'm thinking, This is the moment to end! Now! Fade tries to be nice, but she doesn't need a nice guy in her to black! And the movie ends. It is the last of many absolutely life. Nor does she need to be nice with Peter, but one right decisions by the first-time writer-director James Mottern, thing she does do: She's always honest with him ... Her who began by casting two actors performance clearly deserves an Oscar nomination. who bring his story to strong emotional life. Both of them show they're gifted and intelligent art- ists who only needed, as so many steps all sentimentality, in a film to do with him. "Just for a few do in these discouraging times, that correctly ends when a lesser weeks," Jenny pleads. Just until a chance to reveal their deep film would have added half an Len gets better. Sure. talents. hour of schmaltz. You are anticipating, as I did,

!,123+, Michelle Monaghan was on Monaghan is Diane Ford, a that "Trucker" would turn into the brink of inhabiting forever trucker who just paid off her one of those predictable movies the thankless role of the good- own rig. She's 30-ish, cold, hard- where the mother and son grow looking, plucky female in action drinking, promiscuous, a loner. to love each other. It doesn't end movies about men ("Mission: Bennett plays her son, Peter. She with mutual hate and abandon- Impossible III"). She was excel- left him with his father Len (Ben- ment, but it damn near does. lent in "Gone Baby Gone," and jamin Bratt) soon after his birth, The kid is as tough as his mom. here she confirms her talent. has stayed away, doesn't like "Answer me!" she says. "I don't Jimmy Bennett, who was 11 or kids – or men, either, although talk to bitches!" he says. Len and 12 at the time of shooting, has she uses them. One man (Nathan Jenny seem nice enough. Where been good in heavy-duty projects Fillion) has been her best friend did he learn to talk like that? before ("Orphan") and played the for four years, but that involves Little pitchers have big ears. young Captain Kirk in "Star Trek" getting drunk together and never I concede the story arc is fairly (2009), but here shows a subtlety having sex. predictable, assuming neither one and command of tone that is Len gets sick. Colon cancer. murders the other. But Mottern remarkable. (It's time for him to He's been living for years with and his actors take no hostages. start billing himself as James. Jenny (Joey Lauren Adams), who Diane is hard and tough, and He'll be relieved when he's 20.) now needs time to care for him. stays that way. Her son is angry Together these actors create an It's up to Diane to look after the and bitter, and stays that way. abrasive relationship that side- kid. She doesn't want anything Does they need to love and be loved? Sure. We know that, but they don't. By the end of the film, she hasn't called him "Peter" and he hasn't called her "Mom." He's "kid" or "dude," and she's "you." They have to be together whether they like it or not, and they know it. That said, Monaghan makes Diane more sad than off-putting. She isn't a caricature. She works hard, values her independence, is making payments on her small suburban home on an unpaved street, is living up to her bargain with herself. The movie spares us any scenes where she's "one of the guys." It opens after a one- night stand with a guy who tries to be nice, but she doesn't need a Courtesy monterey media inc. COPYRIGHT © MMVIII Trucker Productions, LLC nice guy in her life. Nor does she A scene from "Trucker" need to be nice with Peter, but

60 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%&"%'"(')&*+*",*$-."%'"&'(*.%/  01." 2
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one thing she does do: She's al- ways honest with him and speaks A CLOSER with him directly, and I think he knows that. Her performance  
clearly deserves an Oscar nomina- tion. .1!(#. Peter is loved by his father and  
 0#"
 for language and Jenny. He hasn't been mistreated. sexual situations He probably senses how sick his dad really is and knows he wasn't Directed and written by  *#/ parked with Diane because any- Written by  *# one wanted him there. He's been told things about his mother that &!%#))#
,+ $% + are, strictly speaking, true. She as Diane did leave him and Len soon after Courtesy monterey media inc. COPYRIGHT © MMVIII Trucker Productions, LLC &**2
#++#00 his birth. She does want to avoid Michelle Monaghan, star of "Trucker," plans to attend the showing of "Trucker." as Peter seeing him. He says something  0% +
&))&,+ revealing that he knows of her Lauren Adams are precisely what expect certain things in a story as Runner promiscuity, although he may not is needed: direct, open, no "act- about a mother and a son? Aren't #+' *&+
. 00 quite understand it. ing," good tone control. They are those things in fact generally true as Len What Mottern does is lock good people, but very real people, to human nature? I hope to feel these two characters in a story with no illusions about life. elevation at the end. But a film and sees what happens. Some- I value films that closely regard should earn it, not simply evoke Running time: 90 minutes thing will have to give. The sup- specific lives. I know they usually it. "Trucker" sets out on a diffi- Print Courtesy: ,+0#.#2
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porting performances by Nathan must have happy endings. Not cult and tricky path, and doesn't +! Fillion, Benjamin Bratt and Joey always. Haven't we all learned to put a thing wrong.

ADVANCED HEARING SERVICES

!""""Ebertfest dvanced Hearing Services was founded to provide It really is the most wonderful time of the year! Atop quality audiology and hearing aid services to people in the downtown area of Chicago.

We have seen some of the most famous ears in Chicago – writers, musicians, actors - and also those of students, waiters, frefghters, teachers, ministers, parents and grandparents. We believe that everyone who comes to Advanced Hearing deserves our attention, understanding and our respect as we work together to bring the pleasure of conversation and the joy of music and flm into their lives.

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Roger, Thanks for all the movie memories!

Eileen & Chuck Kuenneth #

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By Roger Ebert

ouis Armstrong was try- from his drink and sees, sitting up in the bar, Wanda is already ing to explain jazz one at the other end of the bar, a there. The rich girl and Wanda do 5day, and he finally gave woman named Wanda (Faye Dun- not coexist. up and said, "There are some away). She looks like she belongs That's basically what the mov- folks that, if they don't know, in the place and she doesn't look ie is about. "Barfly" is not heavy you can't tell 'em." The world like she belongs in the place, you on plot, which is correct, since of Charles Bukowski could be know? She looks like a drunk, in the disordered world of the addressed in the same way. all right, but she's still kind of drinker, one thing rarely leads to Bukowski is the poet of Skid classy. Henry and Wanda strike another through any visible pat- Row, the Los Angeles drifter up a conversation and, seeing tern. Each day is a window that who spent his life until age 50 that Henry is flat broke, Wanda opens briefly after the hangover in an endless round of saloons invites him home. and before the blackout, and you 3)%0(4 and women, all of them cheap, expensive, bad or good in various degrees. "Barfly," based on his original screenplay, is a grimy comedy about what it might be like to spend a couple of days in his skin – a couple of the better and funnier days, although they aren't exactly a lark. The movie takes place in a gutbucket bar down on the bad side of town, where the same regulars take up the same posi- tions on the same bar stools every day. Your private life is nobody's business, but everybody in the joint knows all about it. To this bar, day after day, comes Henry (Mickey Rourke), a drunk who is sometimes also a poet. The day bartender hates him, A scene from "Barfly" probably for the same reason all bartenders in gutter saloons hate The dialogue scenes between can never tell what you'll see their customers: It's bad enough Rourke and Dunaway in this through that window. that they have to serve these movie are never less than a plea- "Barfly" was directed by losers, without taking a lot of lip sure, but their exchanges on that Barbet Schroeder, who commis- from them, too. first night are poetry. She ex- sioned the original screenplay by Henry and the bartender head plains that if a guy comes along Bukowski and then spent eight for the back alley to have a with a fifth, she is likely to leave years trying to get it made. (At fight. Henry is beaten to a pulp. with that guy, since when she one point, he threatened to cut Hawking up spit and blood, he drinks she always makes bad off his fingers if Cannon Group tosses down another drink and decisions. He nods. What other president Menahem Golan did heads off for the hovel he calls kinds of decisions are there when not finance it; the outcome of his room. Another day, another you're drunk? They drink, they the story can be deduced by the adventure. One day he looks up talk, they flirt, they coexist. An- fact that this is a Cannon re- other day, another adventure. lease.) Rourke and Dunaway take One day a beautiful rich girl their characters as opportuni- with long hair (Alice Krige) ties to stretch as actors, to take Each day is a window that opens briefly after comes to the bar looking for changes and do extreme things. Henry. She publishes a literary Schroeder never tries to impose the hangover and before the blackout, and you can never magazine and has purchased too much artificial order on the some of Henry's stuff. He likes events; indeed, he committed to tell what you'll see through that window. this development. They go to her filming Bukowski's screenplay house and drink, talk, flirt and exactly as written, in all its ram- coexist. The next time she turns bling but romantic detail.

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6,00 past films. He plans to attend the showing of the film. Photo copyright Albane Navizet as Jim

The result is a truly original characters Saroyan and O'Neill than some of our more visible Running time: 90 minutes American movie, a film like no would have understood, the friends. "Barfly" is one of the Print Courtesy:  other, a period of time spent kinds of people we try not to year's best films. in the company of the kinds of see, and yet might enjoy more

There to tell the story on screen and off. “I write because I love to write. For 42 years, the Sun-Times has given me that privilege. The paper has allowed me to speak in my own voice and express my own feelings. I feel a personal bond with the readers. The paper trusted me at a young age to be a film critic, when I didn't even guess that would become my vocation. Every time I go to review a movie, I remind myself that I am a very lucky guy.” –Roger Ebert, 2009 Roger Ebert with novelist Charles Bukowski and Faye Dunaway on the set of “Barfly” (1987) Sun-Times Library

The Chicago Sun-Times is very proud to honor one of If you miss a day, its own, film critic Roger Ebert, for setting the standard you miss the whole story. in independent film critique for over 42 years.

GET HOME DELIVERY FOR ONLY 25¢ A DAY suntimes.com | 888-84-TIMES Chicago’s Original Daily

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com 23,.
 

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By Roger Ebert

Hold me, and make it the truth... That when all is lost there will be you. Cause to the universe I don't mean a thing And there's just one word that I still believe and it's Love... love. love. love. love. – "Love Boat Captain," Pearl Jam

ong Sung Blue" tells a love story about two people !who are apart only three days after 1989, who love each other in good times and in bad, and whose romance blossoms in shabby bars, smoky clubs and, once, in front of 30,000 people. Their names are Mike and Claire Sardina. If you're from Milwaukee, you oughta know them. They performed under the name "Light- ning & Thunder," and were famous enough locally that they sold out their bookings. When they had troubles it made every local TV news show. And they had trou- bles. Who else do you know who had two out-of-control cars run into their house in four years? Because they made a lot of "Song Sung Blue" is director Greg Kohs's first independent feature-length home videos, their earliest days documentary. He plans to attend the viewing of "Song Sung Blue." together are recorded. We even see them performing at the Wis- of Eddie Vedder when he chooses ther afield than Chicago. Nor did consin State Fair, and being mar- them to do an encore with Pearl they make any recordings that ried after the ceremony with 700 Jam at Summerfest, the huge iTunes has heard about. They (Thunder) or 1,000 (Lightning) Milwaukee music festival. That's were popular in Milwaukee, a guests. His proposal was made when they had the audience of friend explains, "because they !)02'!302'4(3$ over the phone: "This is Light- 30,000. Backstage, Lightning were normal, and Milwaukee is ning. Will you be my Thunder?" tells Eddie he doesn't think it's a normal." They lived in a normal Their act was built around Neil Diamond kinda crowd. But house on a normal street with a Mike's covers of Neil Diamond Vedder is no superstar snob and normal van and a normal flag- songs, and Claire doing Patsy joins them onstage, sits on a box, pole. It was the second marriage Cline, Abba and Blondie mate- and reads the lyrics while singing for both, and Thunder's kids rial. I know, but they were good. "Forever in Blue Jeans." He makes Rachel and Dana lived with them. Close your eyes and with Mike it a Neil Diamond crowd. He had the Diamond haircut and you almost think you're hearing Lightning & Thunder fans sideburns, and a little more hair. the real thing. Mike was standing would travel to hear them, but She was on the plumpish side. behind a red velvet crowd control they never performed much fur- Then the first car ran into their rope once at a Neil Diamond con- cert, "and when he walked by, he looked at me, and it was like he was looking in a mirror." L&T are strong people. There's a time when There's one session in a jam- packed club where L&T and the Thunder has every reason to quit her career, and she audience are having such a blast, their joy of performance is pal- stays cheerful and carries on. Can't let Lightning down. pable. They've never even heard

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This documentary, directed by Greg Kohs, is a superb marriage of home A CLOSER movies, TV, clippings and posters, and concert footage.  
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!0$(,! ning served in Nam as a "tunnel make a living on the internet. Kohs was doing some filming at as Lightning rat," crawling with a machine-gun "Keep your eyes on the prize," he a Harley-Davidson convention in *!(0%
!0$(,! into Cong tunnels. When he came told her. They aimed for Vegas. Milwaukee (birthplace of the mo- as Thunder home he became an alcoholic and I think they were dreaming of a torcycle) and came upon L&T per- Also featuring !#'%*
heroin addict and it nearly killed main stage, which was unlikely A forming for some wildly dancing !0250(&'2
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!0$(,! themselves to their careers. One help how much he looked like triumphs and heartbreaks. L&T of their managers even turns out guy. But if a booker had found are strong people. There's a time Running time: 87 minutes to be Lightning's dentist. Times the imagination to book them when Thunder has every reason Print Courtesy: -0,
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got very rough for them, but they as a lounge act, I think they to quit her career, and she stays ,# were always still in love, and still would have been wildly popular, cheerful and carries on. Can't let dreaming of that big break, even compared to those insipid quasi- Lightning down. unknown outcome. I won't tell after their career was pretty much karoke acts. Maybe too popular. This kind of film, like "Hoop you how it ends, except that Ed- a memory. Not for them the 9 to I'd walk away from blackjack to Dreams," is only possible when die Vedder does something out of 5 life. listen to them. a filmmaker stakes a bet on an the blue that is simply astonish- ing, and shows genuine class. Stars do nice things for people all the time, but this is something that shows thoughtfulness and insight, and with no expectation that the world would ever hear about it.

And for Mike and Claire Sardina, when all is lost there will be you. Cause to the universe I don't mean a thing

You can't see this film because it hasn't been picked up for distribution. It won both audi- ence awards at Slamdance 2008 (the popular vote, and the juried award). It was named best docu- mentary at the Chicago and At- lanta underground film festivals, and at the surface-level Boston, Philadelphia, Sydney, and Mem- phis festivals. Distributors, get your hands on a screener!

Mike and Claire Sardina, or Lightning and Thunder, performed for years. Claire Sardina plans to attend the showing.

All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com .0(*
 

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66 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Overlooked Film Festival The News-Gazette loves Ebertfest!

!"##"$%"&'%()*#+%,"-.')/.%"0%12.%0.31*-)#%*4%12.%5)/.3%"0%62.%7.$389):.11.;%62*3%*3%$2)1%<"/.'%=>.'1%3)*(%)>"&1%31)00%$'*1.'%?.#*33)%?.'#*;

“The quality of her writing was<"/.'%(".3; splendid, her curiosity was boundless and her word volume was worthy of a Super Bowl.” www.news-gazette.com @*,A%&5%)%7.$389):.11.%1"()+%)4(%'.)(%?.#*33)B3%,"-.')/.%"0%=>.'10.31;

April 21-25, 2010


  
  67 !"#$!#%! thanks to those who made the Festival possible

FILM CIRCLE SPONSORS DIAMOND SPONSORS $25,000 + $10,000 + Roger & Chaz Ebert Betsy Hendrick Champaign County Anti-Stigma Alliance Illinois Film Offi ce American Airlines/American Eagle Leone Advertising !"#$%&'"()*+,-

'"()*+,-&'./$"

PLATINUM SPONSORS $5,000 + Joanne & Roger Plummer President & Mrs. Stanley O. Illinois Arts Council Ikenberry Anonymous Michaels’ Catering

DIAMOND SPONSORS $10,000 + The News-Gazette * Digital Theater Systems ** Geoffrey and Ann Poor/Balanced Audio Technology *** GOLD SPONSORS $2,500 + Steve & Susan Zumdahl Roger & Marsha Woodbury Brand Fortner Chicago Sun-Times Don Tingle JSM Development

* The News-Gazette has made a one-time donation of $50,000 toward the remodeling of the Virginia Theatre’s projection booth. ** DTS has made a one-time donation of $10,200 worth of digital audioequipment for the Virginia Theatre. *** Champaign Rotary Club, Geoffrey and Ann Poor/Balanced Audio Technology, !"#"$%&'"() Glenn Poor’s Audio-Video and Phase Technology: a one-time donation of $26,000 worth of equipment for speakers for the Virginia Theatre.

68 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival SILVER SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS MEDIA SPONSORS GIFTS-IN-KIND $1,500 + $1,500 + WAND TV 17 Adams Outdoor Advertising Stan Lanning & Colleen Quigley That’s Rentertainment The Great Impasta Advanced Hearing Services Bill Schroeder Boltini Lounge Max Mitchell Sam Murphy & Steve Peltz 40 North/88 West Richard D. Mohr & Chipman Adams Architects Thompson.McClellan Robert W. Switzer Diane Kennedy Ralph & Joe, Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan Anna-Maria Marshall & Film Festival Tours The BankVertising Company Richard McAdams GIFTS-IN-KIND Andrews McMeel Publishing Prairie Gardens & Jeffrey Allens Premier Print Group Community Concierge Magazine Anonymous Leone Advertising, Website Champaign County Tent Ann Benefi el & Joseph Kunkel Stella Artois Sun Singer Wine & Spirits, LTD. Jerry’s IGA Silver Creek & The Courier Cafe Carter’s Furniture Maxine & Jim Kaler Robert Baird, Festival Photo Blog Herriott’s Coffee Company Marc & Nicole Miller PATRONS CarltonBruettDesign Relax The Back / Lincoln Park Chuck & Lynn Nelson $750 + Illini Media/The Daily Illini Bullock & Associates, Michele Thompson Champaign Park District Cheryl & Don Bullock Bill & Wilma O’Brien Virginia Theatre Chuck and Eileen Kuenneth Paul & Martha Diehl eGIX web hosting Cynthea Geerdes & Todd Martinez Ashley Rodman & Matt Gladney News Talk 1400/Lite Rock 97.5 Carol Livingstone & Dan Grayson Hilary Frooman & John Lee Project Te, Inc. Sharon Shavitt & Steven Route 7 Productions Zimmerman Bowen Cho Fraeda & Gary Porton Carol Spindel & Thomas J. Bassett Robeson Family Benefi t Fund Louis & Sandy Rice Lex & Loren Tate Jim Johnson & Coleen Quinn Cowboy Monkey Guido’s Soma Ultra Lounge Jupiter’s Pizzeria & Billiards Seven Saints FESTIVAL FRIENDS $500 + Gary & Connie Wikoff Todd Salen Marci Dodds & Jon “Cody” Sokolski One Main Development Busey Bank/Busey Wealth Management Melvyn Skvarla

FESTIVAL ASSOCIATES $250 + Jean and Hiram Paley Yvette Scheven Ed & Nancy Tepper Dianna K. Armstrong Dan & Marge Perrino Charles E. Erickson Tom & Regina Galer-Unti Troylene Ladner Luna David Raats Robin & Robert Fossum Robert & Karen Rynerson

April 21-25, 2010
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!"# !"#$%&'()&'*+*)&,&"-.-&/0123 24&5$#&46&789()&76$:;#<$=>&4?&8%%$64$<&@5A%;&@B566;%& 56C&46%$6;&5=D&&.;C$5-$%%$64$<-;CEF<;#:$@;FE$(%$:;-B=.% $%&# '( )%* +,*- 70 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%&'"( Photos courtesy of A look back at the 2009 Festival Thompson McClellan

The festival audience listens to Chaz Ebert's introduction of “The Last Command” on Friday, April 24, 2009 as the Alloy Orchestra sits in the pit.

Catinca Untaru, actress in “The Fall,” smiles.

"Trouble the Water" director Carl Deal, second from left, pauses for a picture with David Bordwell, right, moderates a discussion at the Illini Union. Scott and Kimberly Roberts and their daughter during dinner. All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com 





  71 From left, festival director Nate Kohn, Chaz Ebert, producer Mark Magidson and director Ron Fricke receiving their Kimberly and Scott Roberts perform after Golden Thumb awards after the screening of “Baraka.” “Trouble the Water” screening.

From left, David Bordwell, director Rod Lurie and actor Matt Dillon discuss "Nothing But Nina Paley, director of “Sita Sings the the Truth" after the screening. Blues,” accepts her Golden Thumb award.

Roger signs books at a book signing at the Illini Union Bookstore From left, Guy Maddin, Kristin Thompson, Michael Phillips sit on stage with Alloy Orchestra during 2009 festival. members Roger Miller, Ken Winokur and Terry Donahue after “The Last Command” screening. 72 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival From left, critic Dean Richards, director Courtney Hunt, actress Misty Upham and Michael Barker, of Sony Michael Wadleigh, director of “Woodstock,” answers Pictures Classics, converse after the screening of “Frozen River.” questions during the Q & A.

From left, festival director Nate Kohn, director Karen Gehres and Lisa Rosman speak on stage after “Begging Naked."

From left, former Chancellor Richard Herman, Chaz, Roger, former President B. Joseph White and Roger welcomes attendees to the 11th annual film festival. Susan Herman at the 2009 Opening Gala. All Q&A sessions and panel discussions will be streamed live on the internet at www.ebertfest.com April 21-25, 2010  The Virginia Theatre 73 Everyday Essentials for the Eco Lifestyle

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74 12th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival !"#$%&' to those who made the 2010 Festival possible

 
  
 
Program Supervisor 
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By Liz Kalkowski, Daily Illini Staff Writer

arlon Brando came to the set overweight and !Martin Sheen suffered a heart attack. Extreme weather destroyed several expensive sets. Release dates were continually delayed, and the movie had few Oscar nominations. With all these setbacks the record for Francis Ford’s "Apocalypse Now" looked bleak. Not unlike the themes and techniques of for its interpretation of the Viet- nam War, application to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. But since its 1979 release, the film gathered sincere reaction, both praise and criticism, from the public. So much that the creators re- evaluated footage and expanded the original 49 minutes into "Apocalypse Now Redux." And Roger Ebert noticed, choosing it as one of the films in this year’s festival. “It is a film that demands to A scene from "Apocalypse Now" be seen in widescreen and sur- round sound, and a restored ceivably, closer to the original African American studies and powerful. Stories are the most version became available,” Ebert idea. Including some new sub- professor of cinema studies, said powerful discourses we have wrote in an e-mail. plots, such as when the United that while the film does ap- available.” Tim Newcomb, associate pro- Service Organizations become proach some of the same issues Ebert said the viewer should fessor of English at the Univer- more and more unruly during of race, culture and militarism decide if theme and message of sity for almost 10 years and who a performance by three women confronted today, it also pro- the film are applicable today. has taught "Apocalypse Now" in until they are almost attacking duces issues of xenophobia. “Certainly it is one of the Intro to Film, said that the film the women. "When considering the greatest American films, the has been shown and discussed as “The 'Redux' extends (to show) contemporary relevance of most ambitious, the most en- part of the class for longer than that American troops are so 'Apocalypse Now,' a film released tertaining,” Ebert wrote in an he’s been at the University and adrift they don’t belong,” New- in 1979, there are clearly sig- e-mail. thousands of undergrads have comb said. “They just become nificant parallels to present-day Ellen Warmbrunn, who has at- been taught it. more and more crazed and redux United States related to war and tended the festival for the past “Over time its stature has tries to bring that out.” xenophobia," Jackson said. "At eight years, said she is really grown,” Newcomb said. “One of Newcomb said the film sees the moment we declare war we looking forward to the discus- the most unique films ever at- little overlap to today, other declare an enemy and the politi- sion to follow the showing of the tempted by a U.S. filmmaker.” than American’s imperial army cal and economic interests of our film. He said that "Apocalypse Now trying to control foreign space. position toward the enemy tend "After the (Vietnam) war, a lot Redux," as an expanded version “Vietnam as setting is a big to drive a sense of xenophobia or of movies were made," she said. of the original "Apocalypse Now," part of 'Apocalypse Now',” he anxiety toward the stranger. This "It will be good to see the reac- is “monumentally ambitious” in said. “With the wars in the happened with the Vietnam War tion of people from that era, and striving to deal with the Ameri- jungle and Arabian desert pres- and it is happening now with new viewers too." can experience in Vietnam. ents such different conflict (than Operations in Iraq and Afghani- Newcomb added that the today).” stan. The film will be shown on original film was three to four Others have more issue with “It doesn’t do much to help Thursday at 8 p.m. hours longer, and had to be cut. ties to today. us,” Jackson said. “People have "Apocalypse Now Redux" is, con- Dr. Ronald Jackson, head of to remember that words are

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  79 145 Films, 125 Filmmakers, 45 Countries. But there is only 1 Roger.

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