ANNOUNCING FILMS FOR THE FOURTH ANNUAL ROGER EBERT'S OVERLOOKED FILM FESTIVAL:
APRIL 24-28, 2002

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Patton
(1970 - dir. Franklin J. Schaffner - 70mm)
70 mm print courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
(long review)

Our 70mm opening night epic, with the great George c. Scott performance as America's successful, brilliant but controversial World War II general.

Innocence
(2000 - dir. Paul Cox)
35 mm print courtesy of IDP Distribution
(long review)

Director Paul Cox will be attending his second festival. It's a glowing love story about two older people who find that youthful passion has not faded. Cox will be at the festival and star Julia Blake hopes to be present, as does composer Paul Grabowsky.

Grand Canyon
(1991 - dir. Lawrence Kasdan)
35 mm print courtesy of Lawrence Kasdan
(long review)

With Kevin Kline, Danny Glover, Alfre Woodard, Mary McDonnell and Steve Martin in a 1992 story about the gulf between the races that is timelier than ever. Alfre Woodard hopes to be present.

Diamond Men 
(2000 dir. Dan Cohen)
35 mm print courtesy of Panorama
(long review)

With Robert Forster as a diamond salesman whose journey into retirement includes love, crime and unexpected twists. Cohen will be our guest and Forster hopes to be present.

Paperhouse
(1988 - dir. Bernard Rose)
35 mm print courtesy of Working Title Films
(long review)

Scheduled for the family matinee but most emphatically a film for all ages, a visually stunning fable about a sick girl who imagines a friend. Rose will be present.

Hyčnes
(1992 - dir. Djibril Diop Mambety)
35 mm print courtesy of Kino International
(long review)

A dazzling 1992 film from Senegal by Djibril Diop Mambety, retelling Friedrich Durrenmatt's play "The Visit," about a rich woman who returns to a village with old scores to settle.

A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries
(1998 - dir. James Ivory)
35 mm print courtesy of Merchant-Ivory
(long review)
(web site)

Made from Kaylie Jones' novel inspired by her relationship with her parents; her father was the novelist James Jones. Kaylie Jones will be with us.

Kwik Stop
(2001 - dir. Michael Gilio)
35 mm print courtesy of Rachel Tenner and Michael Gilio
(long review)

An adventuresome independent film made in Chicago, which starts out to be a road picture and then detours into a stunning psychological drama. Director Michael Gilio and producer Rachel Tenner will be with us.

Metropolis
(1927 - dir. Fritz Lang - Alloy Orchestra)
35 mm print courtesy of Eastman House
(long review)

The Fritz Lang silent classic, with a live performance by the Alloy Orchestra of Cambridge, Mass.

Metropolis
(2001 - dir. Taro Rin - Japanese Anime)
35 mm print courtesy of Tristar
(long review)

The new Japanese animated film which springboards from the original into a fable about a city of the future. Drew “Moriarity” McWeeny, West Coast Editor of Ain’t It Cool News will be on stage with us to discuss the new “Metropolis.”

Two Women
(1999 - dir. Tahmineh Milani)
35 mm print courtesy of Iranian Film Society
(long review)

About a woman who is allowed the independence to go to university--up to a point. Milani will be coming from Teheran to be with us. 

George Washington
(2000 - dir. David Gordon Green)
35 mm print courtesy of Cowboy Pictures
(long review)

The story of some slow summer days in a decaying Southern town where children meet negotiate the bridge into adulthood. Green will be with us at the festival, as will Curtis Cotton III, one of the stars of the film.

Say Amen Somebody
(1982 - dir. George T. Nierenberg)
35 mm print courtesy of Swank Motion Pictures
(long review)

George Nierenberg's joyous documentary about gospel music, followed by a live performance by a group featured in the film, Chicago's great Barrett Sisters. Nierenberg will also be with us.

Wonder Boys
(USA 2000, Hanson)
35 mm print courtesy of Paramount Pictures(long review)

Starring Michael Douglas as a college professor, a funny and touching story that contains dead dogs, Monroe memorabilia, a stolen car, sex, adultery, pregnancy, guns, dope and cops, but it is not about any of those things. It is about people and especially about trying to be a good teacher.

(This years line up is subject to last minute changes).

Other festival guests include Sony Classics president Michael
Barker, Madstone Films president Paul Speaker, and Indian short film maker Mitra Sen whose short film “Just a Little Red Dot” will be screened in a UIUC cinema studies class.

All the films will be shown at the historic Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Park, Champaign, and IL. Roger and festival guests will be on stage before and after each film to join the audience in discussions about the films. Festival passes are currently on sale at the Virginia Theatre box office 217-356-9053. Passes may also be purchased on-line. Tickets for individual films will be $6 and will go on sale soon.

 

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