Rob Christopher's Blog, page 128
May 22, 2019
A very ROY’S WORLD weekend in NYC.
Over Memorial Day weekend, here are two cool events you won’t want to miss:
An Evening with Michael Glover Smith: a double feature at Spectacle
Saturday, May 25 at 5:00 pm at Spectacle in Brooklyn
“In keeping with recent events with independent filmmakers currently forging their own paths – Nuotama Bodomo, Ricky D’Ambrose, Lev Kalman & Whitney Horn, Amir George – Spectacle is pleased to invite Chicago-based film critic and director Michael Glover Smith to our humble theater to present the New York City premiere of two recent works: Mercury in Retrograde (2017) and Rendezvous in Chicago (2018).” (Michael is, of course, producing Roy’s World: Barry Gifford’s Chicago.)
Barry Gifford’s Dream Double Feature: Pickup on South Street + The Strange One
Sunday, May 26 at 1:00 pm at The Metrograph
“I chose The Strange One because Ben Gazzara’s Jocko DeParis is as mean and sadistic as my platoon leader was when I was in the Air Force Reserve at the University of Missouri in 1964. Years later, when I heard that he’d been shot down flying a mission in Vietnam, I was not displeased—not that I was necessarily rooting for the Viet Cong, but I couldn’t help but feel they’d done the world a favor by taking him out of the count. And I chose Pickup on South Street because Thelma Ritter is my favorite actress and this was certainly her greatest role—when I met Sam Fuller I thanked him for giving her such great dialogue and he said, ‘She was the only actress I could think of who could explain her predicament with just the look in her eyes.’”—Barry Gifford
May 18, 2019
3 things about Marc Forster’s QUANTUM OF SOLACE
Quantum of Solace [2008]
1. Full-sized refrigerator behind the bar.
2. A surprise deal for 60% of the water supply.
3. Walking barefoot through the desert.
May 17, 2019
3 things about Paul Wendkos’s THE BURGLAR
The Burglar [1957]
1. Two quarters.
2. He pays for his meal and leaves without taking a single bite.
3. “So buy it.”
May 16, 2019
3 things about Michael Powell’s AGE OF CONSENT
Age of Consent [1969]
1. Quick glimpse of a Francis Bacon hanging in his office.
2. IOU written on the corner of a charcoal sketch.
3. The dog slips back into his collar.
May 13, 2019
A word from David Lynch.
There isn’t any other way to put it: I’ve got good news.
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Through the good graces of various champions of the project, I was able to share the final cut of Roy’s World with David Lynch. And he liked it! In fact he wrote a personal endorsement for us to use as we get the word out—here’s the full quote:
“Barry Gifford is a killer fuckin’ writer and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. His writing is pure and minimal and it sparks things and gets your imagination going. ROY’S WORLD captures his childhood and that time in Chicago, and many other places. I really enjoyed watching it and then contemplating what goes on inside a person with this history. I really love that world and the things that can happen there.”
You can imagine how surreal it is as a filmmaker to learn that one of the greatest directors ever likes your movie! In short, totally amazing.
Coinciding with this good news I am pleased to share the first official trailer for the film. To watch it, surf over to the film’s site. And while you’re there, if you can, kick in a few bucks to our crowdfunding campaign. We need a last bit of funding to help us cover postproduction expenses as we prepare the film to launch on the film festival circuit. Thank you in advance!
May 12, 2019
3 things about Martin Campbell’s CASINO ROYALE
Casino Royale [2006]
1. Vesper is also an orphan.
2. “My friend, bring me one as well, keep the fruit.” That’s a mistake; the lemon peel is essential.
3. The shower scene is basically captured in a single take.
May 11, 2019
3 things about Leos Carax’s HOLY MOTORS
Holy Motors [2012]
1. Gravestones as social media prompts.
2. When there’s no more beholder.
3. Brakelight dialogue.
May 10, 2019
ROY’S WORLD receives an Illinois Arts Council Agency grant!
I am honored to announce that I’ve been awarded a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. This follows an earlier City of Chicago DCASE grant. Thank you, Illinois! This funding is absolutely crucial as the film enters the final stages of post-production.
I’m going to announce some really cool news about Roy’s World on my blog next Monday, so keep your eyes fastened right here!
May 9, 2019
3 things about Terrence Malick’s DAYS OF HEAVEN
Days of Heaven [1978]
1. Making paper flowers.
2. Shoveling the insects by the basketful into the bonfire.
3. “Do you want me to pull it out?”
May 8, 2019
3 things about Don Siegel’s THE LINEUP
The Lineup [1958]
1. Dipso.
2. Another film appearance of the Brocklebank Apartments—and the same year as Vertigo!
3. “You’re dead.”
