Have any questions?
(614) 292-3535
Contact Us
Mon, Oct 23, 2006
In November, the Wexner Center presents a retrospective of the films of Ellen Kuras, one of the country’s most sought-after cinematographers, who will also visit to discuss and screen clips of her films. The nine-film retrospective—featuring such titles as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 4 Little Girls, and I Shot Andy Warhol—is the Wexner Center’s first to be focused on a cinematographer. During her onstage conversation November 10, she will discuss her career as a director of photography in collaboration with such movie directors as Spike Lee, Michel Gondry, and Jonathan Demme.
“Ellen Kuras is equally adept at shooting documentaries and narrative work, indie films, and Hollywood fare, and has made, and continues to leave, an indelible mark on contemporary cinema,” notes Film/Video curator and organizer of this series, Dave Filipi.A commemorative brochure will be given out to audience members at the November 10 event.
This retrospective is part of the Wexner Center’s ongoing series of filmmaker series that feature visits by the filmmakers, helping to build the center’s reputation as a hub of film activity in Columbus and the region; past years have included retrospectives of the work of (and visits by) Christine Vachon, Olivier Assayas, Gus Van Sant, Lodge Kerrigan, and more.
Tickets for each evening of the retrospective are $7 for the general public, $5 for Wexner Center members, students, and senior citizens (unless otherwise noted). All screenings take place in the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St. Call 614-292-3535 for advance tickets.
The schedule follows.
Thursday, November 2 7 pm | 2nd film 9:30 pm Summer of Sam (Spike Lee, 1999) and I Shot Andy Warhol (Mary Harron, 1996)
Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam is the epic tale of New York City’s summer of 1977, a season marked by a heat wave, a blackout, Reggie Jackson, and the serial killer David Berkowitz. Starring John Leguizamo, Mira Sorvino, and Adrien Brody (142 mins., 35mm). Starring Lili Taylor, I Shot Andy Warhol is the biopic of quasi-feminist Valerie Solanas, the author of the The S.C.U.M. Manifesto who gunned down Warhol in his Factory studio (103 mins., 35mm).
Thursday, November 9 7 pm | 2nd film 9 pm Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004) and Angela (Rebecca Miller, 1995)
The sci-fi romantic comedy Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind stars Jim Carrey as a single man who discovers his ex-girlfriend (Kate Winslet) has undergone a procedure to erase all of her memories of him. It was written by Adaptation and Being John Malkovich scribe Charlie Kaufman (108 mins., 35mm). Rebecca Miller’s first film, Angela, follows a young girl who attempts to cope with her mother’s deteriorating mental state by inventing elaborate magical rituals with her younger sister (99 mins., 35mm).
Friday, November 10 7 pm Conversation with Ellen Kuras
Ellen Kuras discusses her career as a cinematographer and her collaborations—with star directors Spike Lee and Jonathan Demme as well as indie filmmakers Michel Gondry and Mary Harron—in this conversation with Wexner Center Film/Video Curator David Filipi. Clips from her film work and other projects punctuate the program (program approx. 90 mins.).
Saturday, November 11 7 pm Swoon (Tom Kalin, 1992) preceded by Geoffrey Beane 30 (Tom Kalin, 1993)
Commissioned by the designer to mark the 30th anniversary of his company, Tom Kalin’s Geoffrey Beene 30 elegantly evokes the silent film era while celebrating the timelessness of Beene’s couture (32 mins., 35mm). Featuring striking black-and-white cinematography, Swoon gives the truest account yet of one of the 20th century’s most notorious crimes: the 1924 thrill-killing of a 13-year-old boy by “genius” college students (and probable lovers) Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb (82 mins., 35mm).
Friday, November 17 7 pm | 2nd film 8:50 pm Neil Young: Heart of Gold (Jonathan Demme, 2006) and Blow (Ted Demme, 2001)
Director Jonathan Demme is known for his excellent music documentaries (Stop Making Sense, Storefront Hitchcock) as much as his feature films. His latest is Neil Young: Heart of Gold, a remarkably intimate concert portrait of the legendary rocker premiering his songs from Prairie Wind. Also with Emmylou Harris, Ben Keith, and Spooner Oldham (103 mins., 35mm). Blow stars Johnny Depp in the cock-eyed, rags-to- riches true story of George Jung, a man who became one of the biggest cocaine importers of the 1970s and 80s. With Penélope Cruz, Franka Potente, and Rachel Griffiths (124 mins., 35mm).
Sunday, November 19 2 pm | Free screening 4 Little Girls (Spike Lee, 1997)
Few films have revisited a historical event as thoroughly and compellingly as Spike Lee’s 4 Little Girls. Examining the tragic 1963 bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church, the film allows the families of the murdered girls to tell their stories about the horrible day and its effect on the era’s Civil Rights movement (102 mins., 35mm). This print for this screening is courtesy of George Eastman House.
SEASON SUPPORT
Major support for the film/video season generously provided by Abercrombie & Fitch and Mills James Productions.
Significant contributions made by the Rohauer Collection Foundation.
Additional funding provided by the Corporate Annual Fund of the Wexner Center Foundation and Wexner Center members.
