Coastal Companion

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SCAD Cinema Circle announces 2009-2010 season, Savannah

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The Savannah College of Art and Design and its historic Trustees Theater announces the 2009-2010 season of the SCAD Cinema Circle. For the first time, all SCAD Cinema Circle screenings will include pre- and post-show discussions and offers membership packages with exclusive benefits, including special offers during the Savannah Film Festival.

The SCAD Cinema Circle seeks to provide film lovers and students with an enriching viewing experience of classic, award-winning and cutting-edge films from around the world. All screenings are presented at Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St.

Offering a stimulating movie-going experience, SCAD Cinema Circle films are introduced with a pre-show discussion that highlights the cinematic, cultural and historic importance of each film. At the conclusion of each film, a post-show discussion, led by SCAD’s Cinema Studies and Film and Television professors, provides an in-depth review of the film and the context in which it was produced.

Robert Eisinger, dean of SCAD’s School of Liberal Arts, said of the series, “Much like great books, great films demand critical and thoughtful analysis. Great films are deemed great because of their relevancy, as well as their entertainment and educational value. The SCAD Cinema Circle Series aims to provide viewers with an outstanding, exceptional experience.”

The SCAD Cinema Circle offers three levels of memberships for viewers to purchase ticket packages and qualify for special benefits. The top-level Producers Circle includes up to 14 tickets a year, a chance to purchase advance tickets to the Savannah Film Festival, free admission to a special screening for SCAD Cinema Circle members during the Film Festival, and advance ticket sales on select SCAD box office events ($100; $75 Senior/Military/Student/SCAD rate). The Directors Circle includes up to 14 tickets per year, free admission to the Savannah Film Festival special screening for SCAD cinema circle members and advance ticket sales on select SCAD box office events ($75; $50 Senior/Military/Student/SCAD rate). The Actors Circle offers six tickets per year ($30; $25 Senior/Military/Student/SCAD rate). All membership levels include the pre- and post-film discussions and the SCAD Cinema Circle quarterly newsletter. Individual film tickets are also available at $8 for the general public and $6 for seniors, students and military; individual tickets are free with valid SCAD ID.

For more information, call 912.525.5051 or e-mail trusteestheater@scad.edu. To purchase tickets, go to www.scadboxoffice.com.

The schedule of films follows:

Dr. Strangelove
Saturday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m.
Starring: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) plummets into madness. Suspecting that communists are trying to rob Americans of their precious body fluids, he sends a bomber wing to destroy the U.S.S.R. The American president meets with his advisers, and the Soviet ambassador tells him that if the U.S.S.R. is hit by nuclear weapons, this will trigger a “Doomsday Device,” which will destroy the United States with buried bombs.

Savannah Film Festival
Special Screening
During the 12th annual Savannah Film Festival, Oct. 31 – Nov. 7, the SCAD Cinema Circle will hold a special screening (to be announced by Oct. 1).

Harold and Maude
Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.
Starring: Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Cyril Cusack
Directed by Hal Ashby
When extremely wealthy Harold (Bud Cort) is not staging his own suicide, he’s crashing funerals. This morbid young man falls in love with fellow funeral-crasher Maude (Ruth Gordon), a woman 50 years his senior, whose lust for life surpasses his own preoccupation with death.

Notorious
Friday, Jan. 15, 7, p.m.
Starring: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
In this classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller, government agent T.R. Devlin (Cary Grant) recruits Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman) to spy on her father’s influential Nazi friends. As part of her cover, she marries ringleader Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains), but finds she is falling in love with Devlin.

Woman in the Dunes
Saturday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m.
Starring: Eiji Okada, Kyoko Kishida
Directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara
An amateur entomologist searching for insects by the sea is tricked by local villagers into living with a mysterious woman, who spends almost all her time preventing her home from being swallowed up by advancing sand dunes. The two begin a strange and erotic relationship that stretches over years, as the man’s hope for escape dims.

film reel

Rosemary’s Baby
Friday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.
Starring: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon
Directed by Roman Polanski
Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), the young wife of a struggling actor (John Cassavetes), is thrilled to find out she’s pregnant. But the larger her belly grows, the more certain she becomes that her unborn child is in danger. Perhaps there’s something sinister behind the odd enthusiasm her eccentric neighbors (Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon, in an Oscar-winning performance) have for her welfare. Or perhaps it’s all in her mind.

The Godfather
Saturday, April 10, 7 p.m.
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, Diane Keaton
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
This shadow epic follows the fortunes of the fictitious Corleone family, a powerful Mafia dynasty with its own system of honor, justice, law and loyalty that transcends all other codes. The film is based on the eponymous novel by Mario Puzo.

Sunset Boulevard
Saturday, April 24, 7 p.m.
Starring: Gloria Swanson, William Holden
Directed by Billy Wilder
In this bizarre tale, Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), an aging silent film queen, enlists the help of a struggling writer (William Holden) to make her comeback. From the unforgettable opening sequence through the unfolding of tragic destiny, the film is the definitive statement on the dark and desperate side of Hollywood. Erich von Stroheim as Desmond’s ex-husband and Nancy Olson as the bright spot in unrelenting omniscience deliver masterful performances in this winner of three Academy Awards.

The Bicycle Thief
Friday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Starring: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola
Directed by Vittorio De Sica
Widely considered a landmark Italian film, Vittorio De Sica’s tale of a man who relies on his bicycle to do his job during Rome’s post-World War II depression earned a special Oscar for its devastating power. The same day Antonio (Lamberto Maggiorani) gets his vehicle back from the pawnshop, someone steals it, prompting him to search the city in vain with his young son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola). Increasingly, he confronts a looming desperation.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Saturday, June 19, 7 p.m.
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef
Directed by Sergio Leone
During the Civil War, a mysterious nomad (Clint Eastwood) enters into a partnership with a Mexican gunslinger (Eli Wallach), a man with a price on his head. The nomad turns the gunman in for the reward money and then rescues him at the last minute. The pair joins a sadistic criminal to pursue much bigger stakes.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Saturday, July 3, 7 p.m.
Starring: Kirk Douglas, James Mason
Directed by Richard Fleischer
In Jules Verne’s underwater tale of high adventure, Captain Nemo (James Mason) is a scientific genius who offers his technological secrets to humanity … but at a price. Journey under the sea in a futuristic submarine in this exciting science fiction classic.

Treasure of Sierra Madre
Saturday, July 17, 7 p.m.
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Tim Holt, Walter Huston
Directed by John Huston
This Academy Award-winning film follows a trio of gold prospectors who set out to strike it rich and agree to split the take … until paranoia and greed consume one of them.

My Fair Lady
Saturday, July 31, 7 p.m.
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison
Directed by George Cukor
Lovable Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) is rescued from the gutter and transformed into a genteel young woman by professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison), who bet a colleague that he could turn any guttersnipe into a lady. The lavishly beautiful costumes and settings, much-loved music and brilliant acting make this an exceptional musical.

Going to the Ritz in Downtown Brunswick, GA

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The Ritz Theater in downtown Brunswick used to be the place to go for movies. The Ritz remained on top for more than 50 years, from the earliest days of silent film up to the 70’s. This is one of those wonderful old theaters reminding you of Hollywood hay days with deep red velvet, gold and a huge silver screen.

With the arrival of the multiplex theater, cable television and home theaters, times changed for the Ritz. But now, Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association has made it possible for us to again experience an old-fashioned movie experience at the Ritz.

When GIAHA brought films back to the Ritz in 2007, the response was overwhelming. Now movies are a regular part of the programming and the Ritz is once again the Grand Old Cinema in downtown Brunswick.

Beginning in July 2009, GIAHA will again present the popular Summer Classic Movies. Escape the summer heat and experience some of the classic films the way they were meant to be seen. If you have young kids or teenagers, this event is definitely something the whole family can enjoy.

The Summer Classic Movies are shown on Thursdays at 7 pm. Tickets are only $5.00 at the door. You can also win door prizes and there’s free popcorn (first come, first served), so make sure to mark your calendar.

Dinner and a Movie
You can even make it a night on the town for the whole family without breaking the bank. Buy your ticket after 5 pm for that night’s show. Go next door to ARTE PIZZA, show them your ticket for any slice of wood-fired pizza, a salad, and a drink for only $5.95. You’ll be back at the Ritz in time for the 6:30 pm short subjects and 7 pm feature.

Here’s the list of the Summer Classics:

July 2 – The Sound of Music (1965)
Do-re-mi…  This is the event for all wanna-be singers and musical lovers. You can be a star too.  Julie Andrews will lead the audience in one  of the most popular musicals ever. The Sing-Along Sound of Music that has packed audiences for years in London, and now Brunswick is next. This film has all the familiar song we love and this time you can watch it on the big screen.  Come in costume (for extra prizes). Dress up as a nun, a lonely goatherd, a drop of golden sun (no Nazis please).

July 9 – All About Eve (1950)
This movie is the winner of six Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and nominated for eight others (including two Best Actress nods). This is one of Bette Davis’s most unforgettable roles (as mercurial, imperious Broadway star Margo Channing). It is also one of the wittiest, most entertaining inside looks at the crazy world of show business.

July 16 – Patton (1970)
Americans love a winner! Those are the words of General George S. Patton (at least according to Francis Ford Coppola’s award-winning screenplay), and audiences loved George C. Scott in his Oscar-winning role as the stubborn, controversial, larger-than-life World War II commander in this powerful screen portrait. It’s all here: the battles, the bravado, the behavior bad and good for which “Old Blood and Guts” was known, brought to amazing life by Scott’s truly remarkable performance.

July 23 – Laura (1944)
Laura is the face in the misty light, the laugh that floats on a summer night, but she’s only a dream…or is she? That’s the question at the heart of this classic 1944 film noir with a twist: the cop investigating a murder falls for the victim! Oozing with atmosphere, Otto Preminger’s “tribute to style over sanity” (according to critic Roger Ebert) takes place in the rarified, decadent world of New York high society, where just about any oily cad could be a killer. And, of course, there’s that unforgettable theme song.

July 30 – Conrack (1974)
The true story of “one beautiful man.” Based on the memoir by author Pat Conroy (Prince of Tides, The Great Santini), this inspiring drama filmed right here in the Golden Isles (worth a look just to spot familiar places) centers on Conroy’s struggles and triumphs as a teacher assigned to an isolated island off the coast of South Carolina. Martin Ritt directs with his characteristically sensitive handling of social issues, and an acclaimed cast contributes brilliant performances to this beloved 1974 film.

For more information, visit www.goldenislesarts.org

Ritz, Brunswick, GA
Ritz, Brunswick, GA

Jewish Film Festival – Savannah, Georgia

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The 2009 Joan and Murray Gefen Memorial Savannah Jewish Film Festival will be held from February 25-March 8, 2009.

Bye Bye Braverman
February 25, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm
Co-sponsored with The Psychotronic Film Society

When idealistic author Leslie Braverman, 41, dies suddenly from a heart attack, his four best friends decide to attend his funeral together. The centerpiece of this almost forgotten classic comedy is a discussion about philosophical observations of death relative to the merits of a classic comic book.

Comedy, 1968, 94 minutes. Starring George Segal, Jack Warden. English.

Toots
February 26, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 1:30 pm; March 6, 10:00 am

Toots Shor was a well known saloonkeeper in New York from 1940 to 1959, and his midtown Manhattan bar was the place to be seen. His granddaughter, documentary filmmaker Kristi Jacobson, takes us on tour of her famous grandfather’s world.

Documentary, Unrated, 2007, 85 minutes. English.

The Case for Israel: Democracy’s Outpost
February 26, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm; March 6, 12:00 pm

A point-by-point defense of the Jewish State, led by Dr. Alan Dershowitz. Utilizing archival footage and compelling interviews with top experts, the film presents a stirring rebuttal to growing criticism from the media and academic and international communities. Nearly thirty commentators lend their points of view, including: former Israeli Prime Ministers Barak, Netanyahu and Peres.

Documentary, Unrated, 2008, 77 minutes. English.

Praying with Lior
Festival Grand Opening, February 28, 2009, Trustees Theatre, 8:30 pm.

A touching documentary about a special boy with Down syndrome during the months leading up to his much-awaited Bar Mitzvah.

Winner of the National Media Award of the National Down Syndrome Congress and Audience Awards for Best Documentary at the Seattle, Vancouver, San Diego & Washington Jewish Film Festivals.

Documentary, 2007, 87 minutes. English.

Encounter Point
March 1, 2009. Trustees Theatre, 3:00 pm.

This award-winning documentary depicts different families that have been affected on all sides by the violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Director Ronit Avni will give a Q&A afterwards.

Documentary, 2006, 89 minutes. Arabic, Hebrew, English subtitles.

Song of David
March 2, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm; March 6, 2:00 pm

A sixteen year old soul-searching yeshiva student is studying to become a rabbi. Alienated by social boundaries, he reaches out to the broader world. He becomes obsessed with hip-hop music, wherein he discovers artistic freedom and honest self expression. He then must choose between diverging worlds.

Documentary short, 2007, 20 min. English.

Yippee
March 2, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance 8:00 pm; March 6, 2:30 pm.

Famous American Jewish film director Paul Mazursky follows an annual Chassidic pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, for his first documentary. Mazursky, a proclaimed secular Jew, wants to understand why so many people feel connected to Uman and returns with this humorous examination of a “journey to Jewish joy.”

Documentary, 2006, 74 minutes. English.

Powder and the Glory
March 3, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 2:00 pm

Join us for tea and the story of two of the first highly successful women entrepreneurs in America, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. One hundred years ago these women immigrated to the United States and created what is today the $150 billion global health and beauty industry.

Documentary, 2007, 96 minutes. English.

First Basket
March 3, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm; March 5, 1:30 pm

David Vyorst explores the impact that basketball had on modern Jewish history, as well as the profound influence that unsung Jewish pioneers had on the evolution of the sport. Bob Weinhauer, former head coach of the University of Pennsylvania and assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves will introduce the March 3rd screening.

Documentary, 2008, 86 minutes. English

Advice and Dissent
March 4, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 2:00 pm.

A frustrated businessman, Jeffery Goldman (John Pankow) tries to end his hopeless marriage to his wife, Ellen (Rebecca Pidgeon) by asking his local Rabbi (Eli Wallach) to place a curse on her.

Comedy, 2002, 21 minutes. English.

The Schwartz Dynasty
March 4, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 2:30 pm

The tale of two women, joined together by their common struggle to determine their own destiny, in a small town torn apart by religious extremism, petty power struggles, and bigotry

Comedy, 2005, 99 min. Hebrew with English subtitles.

Surfwise
March 4, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm

Co-sponsored with The Psychotronic Film Society

Surfer and doctor, Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz decided in the 1950s to leave success behind, heading for a life on the beach, taking with him his wife and nine children (he wanted to “repopulate the world with Jews”). The New York Times calls Surfwise a “wonderfully engaging look at love and family and the relentless pursuit of happiness, personal meaning and perfect waves.”

Documentary, 2007, 93 minutes, English. Rated R for sexual content and language.

Black over White
March 5, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm

Director Tomer Heymann followed the famous Israeli music group, The Idan Raichel Project, on their 2006 concert tour to Ethiopia. Enjoy the exotic scenery and groove to the different and exciting world music that will have you dancing in your seats as the most popular Israeli group travels through uncharted territory.

Documentary, 2007, 54 minutes. English subtitles; Hebrew and Amharic dialogue. Some strong language and adult content.

888-Go-Kosher
March 7, 2009 at the Westin Hotel, 7:30 pm

Who knew there was such a thing as a rapid-response kitchen koshering service? This short documentary follows a day in the life of Rabbi Sholtiel Lebovic as he helps NYC clients go kosher from scratch as he arrives at the scene with his energetic team.

Documentary, 2007, 11 minutes. English.

Circumcise Me
March 7, 2009 at the Westin Hotel, 7:30 pm

“Is it hot in here, or am I the only one dressed for Poland in the 17th century?” Yisrael Campbell (Born Chris Campbell) converted to Judaism not once, but three times – Reform, Conservative and Orthodox – each one requiring a circumcision. Ouch!

Docu-comedy, 2008, 48 minutes. English.

Making Trouble: Three Generations of Funny Jewish Women
March 7, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 8:00 pm.

Directed by Rachel Talbot and produced by Jewish Women’s Archive, this is a tribute to Molly Picon, Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker, Joan Rivers, Wendy Wasserstein and Gilda Radner.

Documentary, 2007, 85 minutes. English.

Sixty Six
March 8, 2009, Victory Theatre, 4:00 pm.

It is the summer of 1966, and England is about to be consumed by World Cup Fever. For 12 year-old Bernie though, the biggest day of his life is looming: his Bar Mitzvah — the day he becomes a man. The Cup Final is scheduled to take place on the same day

Comedy, 2006, 93 minutes. English, PG-13 due to some suggestive language and some mild adult content. Starring Helena Bonham Carter..

One Day You’ll Understand
March 8, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm

Veteran French actress Jeanne Moreau stars in this dignified French film helmed by rising Israeli director Amos Gitai. As the trial of Gestapo head Klaus Barbie plays out in 1987, businessman Victor Bastien (Hippolyte Girardot) finds himself distracted from his work and increasingly obsessed with piecing together his family’s history.

Drama, 2008, 90 minutes. French with English subtitles.

For more information, please go to www.savj.org, or contact Programming Associate Benjamin Kweskin (ben@savj.org or 355.8111).
Savannah Jewish Film Festival

XXY film – Jacksonville, FL

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This film will be played at The New Jacksonville Landing Cinematheque, admission is $8.00 per person. For just about everybody, adolescence means having to confront a number of choices and life decisions, but rarely any as monumental as the one facing 15 year-old Alex (Inés Efron,) who was born an intersex child. As Alex begins to explore her sexuality, her mother invites friends including their 16-year old son Álvaro (Martín Piroyanski.) from Buenos Aires to come for a visit at their home on the gorgeous Uruguayan shore. Alex is immediately attracted to the young man, which adds yet another level of complexity to her personal search for identity, and forces both families to face their worst fears.

Please note: Due to the strong theme of the film, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information please visit our website at www.filmfestival.jacksonville.com