Rob Christopher's Blog, page 100
August 28, 2020
A Q & A featuring Lili Taylor.
Wow! Immediately following the livestream of Roy’s World: Barry Gifford’s Chicago on Sunday, September 6 at Dances With Films, stick around for a live Q & A featuring yours truly, Barry Gifford, and Lili Taylor. Lili is part of the trio of actors who brilliantly bring Gifford’s stories to life in my film. Don’t miss it!
3 things about Inon Shampanier’s PAPER SPIDERS
Paper Spiders [2020]
1. She suddenly notices the security cameras. Her mood changes instantly.
2. Everything converges the night the electricity is shut off.
3. “I haven’t had a drink all day. I’m 100% here for you.”
August 27, 2020
3 things about Robert Siodmak’s PHANTOM LADY
Phantom Lady [1944]
1. “You like jive?
“You bet! I’m a hep kitten!”
2. The court proceedings are depicted using stenographer’s notes.
3. On a cabinet against the wall in his bedroom, a large white sculpture of two hands reaching upwards.
August 26, 2020
3 things about Mike Leigh’s ANOTHER YEAR
Another Year [2010]
1. During a cloudburst they share a thermos of hot tea underneath the lean-to in the garden.
2. Bad parking.
3. We open on Imelda Staunton’s face, we end on Lesley Manvile’s face. A powerful rhyme.
August 24, 2020
3 things about David Farrier & Dylan Reeve’s TICKLED
Tickled [2016]
1. “We heard laughter coming through the vents.”
2. Tickle cells.
3. A trove of documents accidentally posted to the public web.
August 18, 2020
3 things about Matt Wolf’s SPACESHIP EARTH
Spaceship Earth [2020]
1. “Biosphere 2 isn’t a cautionary tale. We don’t need cautionary tales anymore.”
2. Trouble closing the airlock.
3. Banana wine.
August 17, 2020
3 things about Simon Wincer’s D.A.R.Y.L.
D.A.R.Y.L. [1985]
1. Mom hair, mom shorts, doing mom things in the kitchen.
2. On the computer monitor: “I’m scared.”
3. Pole Position for real.
3 things about Bradford Thomason & Brett Whitcomb’s JASPER MALL
Jasper Mall [2020]
1. Starting pay for a maintenance job at the mall: $8/hour.
2. Terrified little girl on the merry-go-round: “I’m going to die!”
3. Ghostly light trails in the vacated J.C. Penney.
August 16, 2020
3 chances in September.
About four years ago when I started making a documentary, I never would have dreamed that it would finally be ready for the world during a pandemic. But here we are. And after much ado, I’m thrilled to announce the North American premiere of Roy’s World: Barry Gifford’s Chicago at Dances With Films LA!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
livestreaming at 2:45PM/Pacific to US viewers
Q & A immediately after the film featuring yours truly + some surprise guests
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
livestreaming at 2:00PM/Pacific to US viewers
Q & A immediately after the film featuring yours truly + some surprise guests
Be aware that while this is a virtual film festival, all screenings are live. That means, if you click on the link late, you will enter the screening late. Just like a real theater. And since the event is being livestreamed, you will not be able to rewind. (I highly recommend “casting” the screening to your TV so that you aren’t a prisoner of your computer. More info here.)
And guess what? If you live in California, you have one more chance to watch the film in September!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 @ SF DocFest
video-on-demand presentation available any time on September 18
live Q & A at 7:45PM/Pacific, featuring yours truly + Barry Gifford
This screening (using geoblocking technology) will be viewable to those in California only.
Although I dearly wish I could be sharing the film with you on the big screen right now, I’m still really excited about being included in two such stellar festivals. Staff at both of them are nothing short of cinematic heroes. They’re reinventing their events on the fly while pioneering ways to preserve the communal aspects that make film festivals so special. We’re going to have an amazing Q & A no matter which screening you choose. Please do me a kindness and help spread the word. Thanks again for your support and your patience—I hope to see you there!
August 15, 2020
3 things about Frank Simon’s THE QUEEN
The Queen [1968]
1. At the draft board. “Did you tell them you were a homosexual?”
“No, they told me I was a homosexual!”
2. Stunning a capella “Honey Bun.”
3. The managers of Town Hall anxious for them to clear out.
