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REMEMBERING GENE WILDER Q&As

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Remember Gene Wilder Q&A schedule:
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Fri, Mar 22, 7:10pm
Laemmle Royal
Introduction by executive producer Julie Nimoy + Q&A with writer Glenn Kirschbaum
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Sat, Mar 23, 4:10pm
Laemmle Town Center
Introduction by executive producer Julie Nimoy
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Sat, Mar 23, 4:10pm
Laemmle Royal
Q&A with writer Glenn Kirschbaum + Karen Wilder
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Sat, Mar 23, 7:10pm
Laemmle Town Center
Q&A with writer Glenn Kirschbaum + Karen Wilder
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Sun, Mar 24, 4:10pm
Laemmle Royal
Q&A with Hilary Helstein of the L.A. Jewish Film Festival + Karen Wilder
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“If You See Only One Beaver Movie This Year …” HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS are coming!

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This week and next we’re delighted to show the sui generis farce Hundreds of Beavers. The March 14 Hundreds of Beavers screening at the Royal, March 15 & 16 late shows in Glendale, March 18 at the NoHo, and March 19 in Claremont will feature Q&As with the filmmakers plus a beaver or two.

The screenings have become something of a phenomenon, so much so that the New York Times posted a story about them last week. It begins:

“Last week, a bonkers low-budget movie that was shot in black and white and has no Hollywood stars, packed a 200-seat theater on a one-night engagement at the IFC Center in Manhattan. Additional screenings were added.

“Mike Cheslik, the film’s director, and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, its leading man, don’t have Hollywood connections or sacks of cash. What the two 33-year-old friends do have that helped their film make a splash with its New York debut is a secret weapon that would make a shrewd old-school movie pitchman like William Castle tingle with envy.

“We’re talking beavers. Big ones.

“Two life-size beavers, actually — plus a horse, all played by humans — who took selfies with passers-by on the sidewalk and high-fived audience members in their seats before a screening of Cheslik’s frolicsome farce Hundreds of Beavers.

“At a time when Hollywood and scrappy filmmakers alike are stressing over how to get butts into seats, Cheslik and Tews are counting on a live make-believe beaver fight — a marketing gimmick dressed like a vaudeville act — to sell their movie.” Read the rest of the article here.

The filmmakers and distributor have a genius for marketing, as evidenced by some of the parody posters they’ve assembled:

However, this is not just hype; Hundreds of Beavers is good. As of this writing, it’s at 98% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

“A soulful silliness pervades the rootin’, tootin’ live-action cartoon Hundreds of Beavers from Milwaukee filmmakers Mike Cheslik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, merry pranksters who deploy a gleefully inventive lo-fi madness to their gag-stuffed wilderness comedy. Pitting a lovestruck fur trapper against a bucktoothed horde, this underground festival hit is a feverish fit of creative buffoonery — you haven’t experienced anything remotely like it.” ~ Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times

“A marvel of slapstick invention that in terms of pure unbridled creativity puts most big-screen comedies to shame.” ~ Nick Schager, The Daily Beast
“Hundreds of Beavers is fueled by a delirious spirit that reminded me sometimes of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” and that’s a high compliment indeed.” ~ Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
“Part Guy Maddin, part Chuck Jones — a constant delight.” ~ Alonso Duralde, Breakfast All Day

“On paper, it would hardly be expected to remain funny for eight minutes, let alone 108. But this ingeniously homemade lark never runs out of steam.” ~ Dennis Harvey, Variety

“Hundreds of Beavers starts strange, gets stranger, and yet remains resolutely adorable.” ~ Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, AWFJ.org

REMEMBERING GENE WILDER opens March 22 at the Royal and Town Center with the filmmakers in person.

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We are proud to screen Remembering Gene Wilder, a heartfelt and entertaining portrait of the life and career of the beloved actor, featuring an extensive array of highlights from Wilder’s most memorable films as well as interviews with his closest friends, family, and fellow comedians. We open the documentary on Friday, March 22 at the Laemmle Royal and Town Center. Writer Glenn Kirschbaum will participate in Q&As and producers David Knight and Julie Nimoy will introduce a screening or two. Exact Q&A dates and times TBA.

“I love this film! It’s a warm and wonderful tribute to my dear friend, Gene. Don’t miss it!” – Mel Brooks

“A hugely enjoyable walk through Gene Wilder’s entire life” – The Broad Street Review

“Tender and eye-opening tribute.” – Jewish Film Institute

Remembering Gene Wilder is a loving tribute to Gene Wilder that celebrates his life and legacy as the comic genius behind an extraordinary string of film roles: from his collaborations with Mel Brooks in The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Blazing Saddles, to his inspired on-screen partnership with Richard Pryor in movies like Silver Streak, to originating the strange and magical title role of the mysterious chocolatier in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Alongside his brilliant career, Remembering Gene Wilder also captures intimate moments from Wilder’s private life, including his Jewish upbringing in Milwaukee, marriage to Gilda Radner, and his final chapter living with Alzheimer’s. Illustrated by a variety of touching and hilarious clips and outtakes from Willy Wonka, Blazing Saddles, and more; never-before-seen home movies; narration by Wilder himself from the audiobook of his memoir; and interviews with some of his most brilliant friends and collaborators, including Mel Brooks, Alan Alda, Carol Kane, and his widow Karen Boyer Wilder, Remembering Gene Wilder reminds us what an essential performer, writer, and director Gene Wilder was, an all-around mensch beloved by all those whose lives he touched.

Spend the week talking with filmmakers!

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We host filmmaker Q&As all the time but we may set a record this week, we have so many. Come participate! Just don’t say, “my question is more of a comment, really.”
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Thursday, 2/22: Io Capitano writer/director Matteo Garrone (Gomorrah) will participate in a Q&A after the February 22 screening at the Royal. Los Angeles Times film critic Robert Abele will moderate.
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Also: The Omicron Killer actors Paugh Shadow, Bai Ling, Felissa Rose, Kianna Skye and Tony Diaz will participate in a Q&A following the February 22 screening at the Monica Film Center. Richard Bernstein will moderate.
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Also: Seagrass actress Ally Maki will participate in a Q&A after the February 22 screening at the Royal.
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Friday, 2/23: The Arc of Oblivion executive producer Werner Herzog and filmmaker Ian Cheney will participate in a Q&A at the Laemmle NoHo following the 7:20 PM screening on Friday, February 23. Joseph Gordon-Levitt will moderate.
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February 23-26: The following Veselka screenings will feature filmmaker Q&As: Fri. 2/23 7:10p, Sat. 2/24 7:10p, Sun. 2/25 4:10p, Mon. 2/26 7:10p.
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Friday, 2/23-28: Multiple Drugstore June screenings will feature cast & crew Q&As. Click here to learn more.

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Saturday, 2/24: Ingress producer Sienna Beckman, writer-director-actor Rachel Noll James and actor Johnny Ferro will participate in a Q&A following the 4 PM screenings at the Laemmle Glendale on Saturday & Sunday, February 24 & 25.

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Monday, 2/26: Shayda writer-director Noora Niasari will participate in a Q&A after the February 26 screening at the Royal (via Zoom). Film critic Stephen Farber will moderate.
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February 26-29: In Tribute to Norman Jewison: Jesus Christ Superstar actors Ted Neeley and Yvonne Elliman will attend all screenings to speak about Mr. Jewison, answer questions, sign autographs, and take photos with fans at the February 26-29 screenings.
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Wednesday, 2/28: All February 28 screenings of Origin will feature a pre-recorded introduction by and post-screening Q&A with filmmaker Ava Duvernay. Also: The February 28 screening Mambar Pierrette will feature an introduction by Jordan Cronk, film critic, programmer and founder of Acropolis Cinema.

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Thursday, 2/29: Mad Props director Juan Reinoso and the film’s host, Tom Biolchini, will participate in a Q&A after the February 29 screening at the Royal.
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Cherry on top: Dune: Part Two opens February 29.

DRUGSTORE JUNE Q&A schedule.

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Drugstore June Q&A at the Laemmle Noho: 3/2 – 7:10PM Moderator, Nick Rutherford, Nicholaus Goossen, Jenn McClaren and Jordan Ellner; 3/5 – 7:10PM Moderator, Jonnie “Dumbfounded” Park, Nick Rutherford, Brandon Wardell, Britany Furlan, Nicholaus Goossen, and Jordan Ellner; 3/7 – 7:10PM Moderator, Jon Gabrus, Nicholaus Goossen, and Jordan Ellner

 

In-Person Wim Wenders Q&A for ANSELM 3D Saturday in Glendale; 2D runs this week at other venues; MUST END SOON!

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If you haven’t yet seen Wim Wenders’ 3D documentary Anselm in Glendale, there’s still time! We’ll have this fascinating portrait of painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer in 3D for at least one more week in the Jewell City and we’ll open 2D engagements this Friday in Santa Monica, Encino, Claremont and Newhall. What’s more the director will participate in an in-person Q&A following the Saturday, January 13 1 pm screening in Glendale. Matt Carey will moderate.

“Anselm offers both a thrilling portrait of the artist at work and, with the aid of terrific archival footage, lets us see what infuses his work with such intensity.” ~ John Powers, NPR

“The director [Wim Wenders] has fashioned a mesmerizing engagement with Kiefer’s art, including just enough face time with the subject to elevate the work’s immersive, bleak majesty, rather than give it an aggrandizing spin.” ~ Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times

“This is a superbly controlled and expressed film and its high seriousness about the nature and purpose of art really is invigorating.” Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

“The meditative experience is heightened by Wenders’s innovative use of sound: indistinct whispers flutter like bats through the cavernous spaces.” ~ Wendy Ide, Guardian

REVOLUTION ON CANVAS Q&As at the Royal

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Revolution on Canvas Q&A schedule:

THURSDAY DEC 7 • 7:00 PM

Directors Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder and protagonist Nicky Nodjoumi

in-person for Q&A hosted by Houman Sarshar & Farhang Foundation

FRI DEC 8 • 7:20 PM

Directors Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder and protagonist Nicky Nodjoumi

in-person for Q&A

SAT DEC 9 • 4:20 & 7:20 PM

Directors Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder and protagonist Nicky Nodjoumi

in-person for Q&A moderated by Marjan Safinia

Reception & Art Opening of Nicky Nodjoumi’s work to follow at ADVOCARTSY West Hollywood
434 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

MON Dec 10 • 7:20 PM

Directors Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder and protagonist Nicky Nodjoumi

in-person for Q&A moderated by Freida Lee Mock

Documentary classic THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL 20th Anniversary Release with the Filmmaker in Person for Q&As.

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An uncommon bond between man and nature is the focus of Judy Irving’s wonderful and informative documentary, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. The film follows Mark Bittner, an unemployed aging hippie, who lives off the kindness of strangers in the titular San Francisco neighborhood. His life takes on new meaning when he starts feeding a flock of wild Conures, a breed of parrot noted for its green body and cherry-red head. Native to Argentina, the birds soon feel comfortable enough to feed while perched all over Mr. Bittner. Being outcasts who yearn to remain free, a mutual respect is born between them. Daily routine soon leads to growing crowds of curious passersby, as Bittner becomes something of a local celebrity. Based on his up-close observations, Bittner gains some keen insight into the behavior of individual birds, giving them names. The resulting portraits of Connor, Mingus, Olive, Pushkin, Picasso, Sophie, and Tupelo prove that these amazing creatures deserve star credit in their own right.

Wild Parrots features some incredible close-ups, rare in-depth glimpses into the unique and often amusing habits and activities of one flock of parrots, and also a surprise ending.

 

We’re screening the film tonight at the NoHo, tomorrow at the Royal, and December 1-7 in Glendale. Irving will participate in Q&As tonight at the NoHo, tomorrow at the Royal, and after the December 2 & 3 screenings at the Glendale. Joe Lindner, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Preservation Officer, will moderate the Q&As on Nov. 29th and 30th. Screenwriter Elliott DiGuiseppi will moderate the Q&As on Dec. 2 and 3.

Irving recently wrote a piece about her film for Talkhouse. A key passage about her method:

“When I go out to shoot a place or a person or an animal, I think of it as a “rendezvous with destiny” – I do not control what will happen. The real world dictates what to shoot, how to shoot, whether I get to shoot at all. I like stories that keep unfolding in the present, not historical topics that have already closed their doors to time.”