Special Events
World premiere!
Michael Caplan in person!
A MAGICAL VISION
2008, Michael Caplan, USA, 56 min.
The practice of magic is clothed in the ancient mantle of the sacred in this intriguing documentary that delves into the history of the magical arts through the work of Chicago magician and philosopher Eugene Burger and other practitioners including Jeff McBride, Max Maven, Larry Hass, and Luna Shemada. With Burger as guide, the film unfolds the history of Chicago in the ‘40s as a center for performance magic, explores the influence of Asian mysticism on contemporary magicians, touches on developments including the 19th-century spirit theater and the Bizarre Magick movement, and advocates a return to magic’s shamanistic healing traditions. HD video. (BS)
Director Michael Caplan, associate chair of the Film/Video Department at Columbia College Chicago, will be present for audience discussion.
Friday, September 12, 7:45 pm
World premiere!
DP Carlson in person!
JOHNNY DODGEBALL
2008, DP Carlson, USA, min.
With Michael Leo Pomeranz, Jessica Szohr
An unlikely young hero with the face of a blonde cherub and the cutthroat drive of a CEO attempts to flog his ragtag dodgeball team, the Chicago Superdawgs, to victory in this mockumentary that distills on the playing field both the sunny days of summer and the worrisome years of teendom. Working with a young, non-professional cast, director Carlson (CHICAGO FILMMAKERS ON THE CHICAGO RIVER) balances the strategies of a sports film with a tale of adolescent angst, schoolyard rivalry, and a hint of budding romance. The soundtrack features music by Chicago’s own Spies Who Surf, Tommy Klein, and Doug Corcoran. DV-CAM video. (BS)
Director DP Carlson and members of the cast and crew will be present for audience discussion.
Saturday, September 13, 8:00 pm
Chicago premiere!
HOLLYWOOD CHINESE
2007, Arthur Dong, USA, 89 min.
“Surveys a century’s worth of Chinese-American actors and filmmakers, visionaries and dragon ladies, kung fu excellence and Fu Manchu insult, Oscar winners and cliché mongers.”--Nathan Lee, The New York Times
“This is no white-washed history--literally and figuratively.”--Thom Powers, Toronto International Film Festival program
Award-winning director Arthur Dong (LICENSED TO KILL, COMING OUT UNDER FIRE) ticks off the pluses and the minuses on Hollywood’s scorecard of cultural awareness in a highly illuminating and never less than extravagantly entertaining look at how the Chinese have been portrayed in mainstream American movies from the nickelodeon to Ang Lee. Dong’s history encompasses the careers of stars including Anna May Wong, Nancy Kwan, and Joan Chen, while examining the ambiguous message of films including FLOWER DRUM SONG and THE WORLD OF SUZIE WONG, and the impact of stereotyped characters like Charlie Chan, created by white actors in yellow-face. Interviews include Kwan and Chen, along with Henry David Hwang, Ang Lee, James Shigeta, Amy Tan, and B.D. Wong. DigiBeta video. (BS)