Fftsjim Fonda Says Films, Politics Can Mix by Jim Williams Jane Fonda Came to UNL Tuesday Night to Talk Politics
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Wednesday, October 26, 1977 page 8 daily nebraskan arts & fftsJiM Fonda says films, politics can mix By Jim Williams Jane Fonda came to UNL Tuesday night to talk politics. But she took time tp mention her film career and her latest picture, Julia, in a press conference before her Wednesday speech. In the film, Fonda plays the character Lillian. Her relationships with mystery writer Dashiell Hammett and Julia, a Jew in Nazi Germany, form the plot. Fonda told how she thinks her acting career mixes with politics. "I would like to believe they can dovetail," she said. "If they can't, then I'll probably stop acting. That doesn't mean that I want to make message films. I don't like to see them, I don't think people go to them, and then you wind up talking to yourself in the closet." Fonda also said taking advantage of her film back- ground to push her political views does not make her feel hypocritical. "I have moral qualms about the way I used to live," Fonda said. "I was very much part of the numb, apathetic, cynical, I - can't - do anything - about - it - anyway -- so -- why -- bother syndrome. Most ot my lite was spent in a very priv- ileged, rarified atmosphere. Everything about my life has changed. .1 had to make a decision, and obviously g- - - - I've opted to continue working in Hollywood and get as ,- 'I zi - - . much money as I can from the studio. We live very Photo courtesy of Paragon Agency. simply. Most of the money that I earn goes to help The Charlie Daniels Band's Midnight Wind relies on cliches and old ideas that sink the new release. (Left) Freddie build organizational movements." Edwards, Joel DiGregorio, Don Murray, Charlie Daniels, Charlie Hayward and Tom Crain. Daniels owes Allmans more than dedicated cibum ByJeffTaebel in "The South's Gonna Do It Again." town come into the place and tell him he's out of style Charlie Daniels has seen fit to dedicate his new alburn This is not to say that Daniels is an imitator, nor does because he doesn't play rock n roll. The redneck fiddlin' Midnight Wind, to the late Duane Allman and Berry it mean that he simply cashed in on a trend to achieve his man responds to this accusation by playing "a little jazz Oakley of the original Allman Brothers Band. It's hearten- fame. What it does suggest, however, is that Daniels has and a little bluesjust to show 'em he can do it all." ing to know that Daniels still remembers these fine dropped a few names and borrowed a few ideas to get .Instrumental break musicians, but it would seem that Daniels owes them where he is today. Following" the story line, the instrumental break goes more than a dedication. Were it not for the Allman Midnight Wind is a case in point. While there are some through a variety of mood and tempo changes, presum-abl-y Brothers, we probably would not hear much from Daniels , fresh song concepts, Daniels is still, for the most parCt7 to show the listener that the Daniels band can do it today. pushing the .tired old theme of the "good ol' Southern all as well. Unfortunately, this song does more to prove , The Allmans made waves in the rock music world and boy," in his lyrics (which are often supported by music that they can't. " ? opened up the market for what was termed the "southern which is just as tired and old). Despite an abundance of low points, the album has its . sound." National attention was focused on new southern Worst offenders good moments as well, particularily "Grapes of Wrath" artists, some of whom were merely imitations of the All--, The worst such offenders on this album are "Sugar and "Maria Teresa." , ' -- mans and some who played exciting, original music and HUl Saturday Night" and "Good Ole Boy." Both of these "Grapes of Wrath" once again finds Daniels in the role became stars to their own right. songs feature dull, plodding melodies and cliche-ridde- n of s storyteller, only this time the music has a certain With this bit of history in mind, most of those bands playing by the band. The interesting thing is, the charac- sense of urgency that seems to be lacking on the rest of got their big breaks by "singin' songs about the ters in these songs, portrayed with gusto by Daniels, are the album. southland." Daniels got his by singing about those bands much the same as the ones he made fun of in his first "Maria Teresa" is a refreshing change of pace from hit, "Uneasy Rider." Daniels' usual material. The song moves along to a'lazy Perhaps this apparent incongruity indicates that mariachi beat and features some excellent Spanish-styl- e is a musical a Chile revolt film Daniels stuck in the middle of identity crisis, acoustic guitar1 runs by Daniels and Tom Grain. possibility that is further suggested by the most interest- Perhaps the most frustrating thing aobut this record is ing song on the album, "Redneck Fiddlin' Man." that it does not live up to its potential. Daniels has shown This song opens with some country hoedown fiddling before that he can make good music in his own distinc- and goes on to tell the stcry of an old fiddler who plays in tive style, but his reliance on cliches and old ideas ul- tonight a small dance hall in ?ural Mississippi. goes, premiers Everything timately blows Midnight Wind away. fine until some drunken kids from a A stunning film account of South American history, along just nearby The Battle of Chile, is showing at the Sheldon Film Theatre tonight through Saturday. Sheldon's presentation Blue Cult is the Lincoln premiere and part of the first film release Oyster in the United States. X Patricio Guzman has This engaging documentary by ; in Omaha received praise from critics around the world and is sure tonight to tremendous acclaim in America. bring Omaha will come alive with the The Battle Chile is divided into three the last sinister rock sound of of parts, Blue when the band takes of which still is edited. The first two being Oyster Cult, the stage at the being parts Civic Auditorium shown are Part I: "The Insurrection of the Bourgeoisie" tonight. Blue Cult has into one the and Part II: "Coup d'Etat." Oyster developed of nation's counter-revolutio- hard rock with the success its Part I deals with the n of the Right top bands, of albums; and Secret live in early 1P73 against the leftist government of Salvador Tyranny Mutation, Treaties, the On Your Allende. Feet or on Your Knees album, and their most recent ef- Fortune. Guzman has said he originally wanted to make a film fort, Agents of True to its the follow-in- g, about the new socialism in Chile for the Chilean people. name, group has attracted a cult and has With the turning of events leading to the coup in Part II, emerged as a concept band, often dealing Guzman and his" five-ma- n crew found they were filming with cogent, eerie themes. Climaxing in a metallic, five-guit- ar the overthrow of a government with implications not blitz, their shows galvanize unsuspecting audiences. only for Chile but for the world. Also appearing with Blue Oyster Cult will be Black Oak The repressive governments of both Allende and the Arkansas, and Cheap Trick. military made the project a clandestine affair. Guzman Black Oak Arkansas is a group consisting of two grand and his crew were forced to use smuggled film stock, larcenists, one medical school dropout, and an assort- adopt various forged foreign press passes and hide the ment of apparent incorrigiblcs who somehow found each completed film reels. other and rented a house on the outskirts of the peaceful After the coup, four of the five were arrested and only little town of Black Oak, Ark. by carefully concealing their identities were they saved IThey went on to develop their own style of southern hard from long prison terms or execution. During production rock that has paid off in eight successful albums, and a one of the cameramen was shot and in some remarkable reputation for being one of the heaviest touring bands in footage was able to record his own death. America J -- I if , The three This unique piece of recorded history is fast becoming jf band show starts at 8 pin. a landmark in film history. David Robinson of Vie Lon- don Times calls it "essential viewing . , . few historical events have been so comprehensively recorded.' Names spelled Stone of the San Francisco Oironick lm written, In wrong Judy Monday's issue of the Daily Nebraskan, Julie "a landmark in the of living on film. presentation history Zwincki's and Neptalie Reyes' names were incor- day-to-da- Photo of Trioontinental Film Center spelled . charged with the y immediacy of those courtesy in rectly the Bob Hope Search for Collegiate Talent traumatic months' Vie Battle Cliilc, showing at the Sheldon Film article. Venezuelan of Week was attributed to the wrong are at and matinees 3 p.m. Friday and Theatre, documents the 1973 Chilean Revolution The Showings 7pjn. group. International Education Service is sponsoring Saturday. against the leftist government of Salvador tMlendc. the events..