<<< September 2006 >>>

Tuesday, September 19 – 7:30 PM

Presented in Association with University of Southern California and The Pacific Council On International Policy.

ALL THE KING’S MEN, 2006, Columbia Pictures, 120 min. Dir. Stephen Zaillian. Based on Robert Penn Warren's 1946 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, this new version tells the story of an idealist's rise to power in the world of Louisiana politics and the corruption that leads to his ultimate downfall. With Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Patricia Clarkson and Anthony Hopkins. Discussion following with Director Stephen Zaillian and Producer Mike Medavoy moderated by USC Dean Geoffrey Cowan.

American Cinematheque members had an early opportunity to purchase tickets to this event, before tickets go on sale to the public. Call 323-634-4878.

Click for a schedule of events in this series at the Egyptian Theatre, Sept. 22 - 24, in Hollywood.

Series produced by Gwen Deglise and Ray Greene. Special animation programming consultant: Charles Solomon. Animated shorts programmed by Ray Greene and Gwen Deglise. Program assistance from Margot Gerber, Robert Koehler, Wade Major, Andrew Crane and Chris D. LAFCA and the Cinematheque would like to thank: The Museum of Modern Art (New York); the Canadian Consulate (Los Angeles); the French Consulate (New York); the Estate of Ladislas Starewitch; Canal Plus; Scott Roesch/Atom Films.

WHISPER OF THE HEART (MIMI WO SUMASEBA), 1995, Studio Ghibli/Buena Vista International, 111 min. Dir Yoshifumi Kondo. Produced and written by Hayao Miyazaki. In the mid-1990’s, the great Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki (SPIRITED AWAY) wanted to begin mentoring a new generation of animation artists in Japan. The result was WHISPER OF THE HEART, a gentle coming-of-age drama scripted, produced and storyboarded by Miyazaki and then directed by Yoshifumi Kondo (later animation director on PRINCESS MONONOKE), whom Miyazaki hoped would introduce new blood into the directors at his Studio Ghibli. Adapted from the manga by Aoi Hiragi, the film tells the story of Shizuku, a shy student with high school entrance exam worries and inchoate aspirations, who meets a magical cat on a commuter bus and follows it to a boutique where significant objects abound, each with a story of its own. Notable for its celebration of the mysteries of daily living, in WHISPER OF THE HEART "Miyazaki's script suggests that a sense of magic can exist, even in everyday Tokyo," according to animation historian Charles Solomon. The story of a young girl finding her voice both literally and figuratively, WHISPER OF THE HEART is a film tinged by tragedy: Sadly, Yoshifumi Kondo died of a brain aneurysm in 1998. His only feature attests to his talent, and Miyazaki has yet to find an equally talented protégé. English Dubbed Version. Discussion following with Voice Talent from the English Language Version, hosted by historian Charles Solomon. Plus Rare Miyazaki promotional merchandise will be given away at the screening!

Sunday, September 24 – 3:00 PM

Family Matinee: LAFCA Animation/Films That Got Away Series Presents

Ultra Rare Screening! First Time English-Subtitled!

THE STORY OF THE FOX (LE ROMAN DE RENARD), 1937 (1940-41), 65 min. Russian/French animation pioneer Ladislas Starewitch is considered the first animator ever to use stop-motion puppetry to tell coherent stories, and his alternately darkly humorous and lyrical works have influenced generations of animators, from George Pal to Jan Svankmajer to Tim Burton and the Brothers Quay. For Americans, REYNARD THE FOX (LA ROMAN DE RENARD) is his largely unseen masterpiece, a stop-motion marvel filmed mostly between 1929 and 1931 about the charming animal trickster of European folklore and his adventures as an unrepentant rogue. Shelved for six years as Starewitch adapted his techniques to the new medium of movie sound, this unique work had its world premiere in Paris in 1937 before being re-voiced and rescored for a 1940 – 1941 French re-release during the WWII German occupation. Starewitch’s techniques are remarkable for their cinematic sophistication, deploying crash zooms, whip pans and motion blurs to lend his whimsical, often life-sized puppet creations (some nearly as large as their creator) the feel of real life. Despite some overtly subversive political messages, the unfortunate Vichy connection has kept REYNARD THE FOX largely unseen in America. The film’s master elements languished in storage for 25 years after Starewitch’s death before being reassembled and restored in 1990, a restoration on which the current version is based. Plus rare short films by Ladislas Starewitch. Screening to be introduced by animation historian, Charles Solomon.

Wednesday, September 27 – 7:30 PM

Sneak Preview – Director Sofia Coppola In-Person!

MARIE-ANTOINETTE, 2006, Columbia Pictures, 123 min. Oscar-winner Sofia Coppola brings to the screen a fresh interpretation of the life of France's legendary teenage queen Marie Antoinette. Betrothed to King Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman), the naïve Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst) at the age of 14, she is thrown into the opulent French court which is steeped in conspiracy and scandal. Alone, without guidance, and adrift in a dangerous world, the young Marie Antoinette rebels against the isolated atmosphere at Versailles and, in the process, becomes France's most misunderstood monarch. Kirsten Dunst stars as the youthful princess whose fateful life became the stuff of myth and legend. The story begins when 14-year-old Marie Antoinette is whisked away from her family and friends in Vienna, stripped of all her possessions and deposited in the sophisticated and decadent world of Versailles, the lavish royal court near Paris. Marie Antoinette is merely a pawn in an arranged marriage meant to solidify the harmony between two nations. Her teenage husband, Louis the Dauphin is heir to the French throne. But Marie Antoinette is ill prepared to be the kind of ruler for whom the French populace yearns. Beneath her finery, she's a sheltered, frightened and confused young woman, surrounded by vicious detractors, insincere flatterers, puppet masters and gossips. Trapped by the conventions of her station in life, Marie Antoinette must find a way to fit into the complex and treacherous world of Versailles. Adding to her woes is the indifference of her new husband, Louis. Their marriage goes unconsummated for an astonishing seven years. The awkward future king proves to be a disaster as a lover, sparking grave concerns (and relentless gossip) that Marie Antoinette will never produce an heir. Overwhelmed and distraught, Marie Antoinette seeks refuge in the decadence of the French aristocracy and in a secret love affair with the alluring Swedish Count Fersen (Jamie Dornan). Her indiscretions are soon the talk of France. Whether she is being idealized for her impeccable style or vilified for being unforgivably out of touch with her subjects, reaction to Marie Antoinette is always extreme. Yet, slowly, as she matures, she begins to find her way as a wife, mother and Queen — only to be tragically swept up in a bloody revolution that alters France forever. Also starring Judy Davis, Rip Torn, Rose Byrne, Asia Argento. Director Sofia Coppola will introduce the screening.

Thursday, September 28 – 7:30 PM

Sneak Preview:

FLYBOYS, 2006, MGM Pictures, 139 min. Dir. Tony Bill. Forced to abandon his family's ranch, Blaine Rawlings (James Franco) finds his future in a newsreel chronicling the adventures of young aviators in France. At a small train station in rural Nebraska, William Jensen (Philip Winchester) promises to make his family proud. In New York, spoiled Briggs Lowry (Tyler Labine) embarks on a trans-Atlantic passage. Meanwhile, in France, black expatriate boxer, Eugene Skinner (Abdul Salis), vows to repay his debt to his adopted racially tolerant country. Together, these American boys arrive at an aerodrome in France, eager to learn how to fly. What they don't realize is that they are about to embark on a great, romantic adventure, becoming the world's first combat pilots. Fighting a war that wasn't theirs, these young, naïve adventure-seekers slowly learn the true meaning of love, brotherhood, heroism, courage and tolerance and, in return, gain a true reason to risk their lives. This is inspired by the true story of the legendary Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron of 38 pilots during The Great War. Discussion following with producer Dean Devlin and director Tony Bill and other guests.