Special Events
Opening Night — VIP Reception + Tamas
Fri Nov 7 — 5:30 — Regent Square
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Tickets are $75. Cocktails at 5:30 at Concept Art Gallery, adjacent to Regent Square Theater.
A full evening of fun and film! Includes cocktail reception, admission to 7:30pm screening of Tamas: a Portrait at the Regent Square Theater, and the Three Rivers Film Festival Gala after-party at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. The opening-night Gala will be held again this year at 477 Melwood Avenue – transformed for one night into a classic Hollywood nightclub, with a DJ, food, drinks and dancing
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Opening Night — Tamas
Fri Nov 7 — 7:30 — Regent Square
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Tickets are $25 and include a gala reception after the film, at 477 Melwood Avenue in Oakland.
In 1956, Tamas Szilagyi fled his native Hungary after the Soviets invaded, landing in Pittsburgh. He eventually became a beloved and respected history teacher and coach at the Kiski School in Saltsburg, PA. He’s the subject of this documentary produced by well-known actor David Conrad, a Kiski graduate (and Edgewood native). We feel a sense of privilege getting to know this colorful character through his wonderful stories, old photos, and the testimony of those he inspired. His journey back to Hungary, returning for the first time in 50 years, is touching and exhilarating. Szilagyi, it turns out, is as comfortable giving a history lesson on the streets of Budapest as he is in a classroom, or around a kitchen table. The film is beautifully edited with lots of fascinating archival footage and great Hungarian music. (David Conrad; USA; 2008; 79 min)
Presented in cooperation with Pair Networks.
Conrad and Szilagyi are scheduled to attend the Nov 7 screening.
KDKA segment on the film.
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Opening Night — My Tale of Two Cities
Fri Nov 7 — 7:30 — Melwood
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Tickets are $25 and include a gala reception after the film, at 477 Melwood Avenue in Oakland.
This funny valentine to Pittsburgh ponders that whole "coming home" dilemma for so many talented folks who have followed their dreams elsewhere. It chronicles Carl Kurlander's decision to leave his life behind as a screenwriter and producer in Hollywood (St. Elmo's Fire, Saved By The Bell) and move back home to teach at Pitt. We follow Carl as he searches for (with much self-deprecating humor) a more meaningful life — even appearing on "Oprah" — only to find that Pittsburgh itself was experiencing a mid-life crisis. This heartfelt documentary asks what a once-great industrial city still needs to do to reinvent itself. It stars the City of Pittsburgh, and features many of its best-loved ambassadors. (Carl Kurlander; USA; 2008; 85 min)
Presented in cooperation with Steeltown Entertainment Project.
(Note: On November 28, as part of "Pittsburgh's Homecoming Weekend" celebrating the city's 250th birthday, Pittsburghers everywhere are invited to come home for a special Thanksgiving weekend red-carpet screening of this film at The Byham Theater.)
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Opening Night — Louise Bourgeois: The Spider, the Mistress and the Tangerine
Fri Nov 7 — 7:30 — Harris
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Tickets are $25 and include a gala reception after the film, at 477 Melwood Avenue in Oakland.
"Uncommonly elegant and evocative" — NYTimes. If you’ve ever walked through Katz Plaza in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District, you've seen the work of sculptor Louise Bourgeois: those amazing, oversized eyeballs and 25-foot-high bronze fountain. This film portrait is a journey inside the life and imagination of Bourgeois. Co-directed by Marion Cajori, who died in 2006, and art critic Amei Wallach, this creative probe reveals much about the woman and the artist.
For six decades Bourgeois was at the forefront of her field, but always on her own powerfully inventive and disquieting terms. In 1982, at the age of 71, she became the first woman to be honored with a major retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. Starting back in 1993, Bourgeois invited the filmmakers into her ritualistic process by which memories become embodied in her art. Their intimate conversations reveal a quick wit as well as festering recollections of her girlhood. Along with guided first-person tours of her sculptures, this is a privileged look into the psyche of a fascinating artist. (Marion Cajori and Amei Wallach; USA; 2008; 99 min)
Director Amei Wallach is scheduled to appear at both screenings.
Presented in cooperation with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Watch the trailer ... Wallach interview.
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Film Factory Brunch
Sat Nov 8 — 11:00am — Melwood
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Tickets are $15.
Join us for a lively discussion over brunch as we meet filmmakers featured in the 2008 Three Rivers Film Festival and discuss independent filmmaking in Pittsburgh, Learn what it takes to create, shoot, and distribute a film, hear from a group committed to Pittsburgh and to film, and have a bagel all at the same time.
MODERATOR:
Adrienne Wehr — Producer: The Bread My Sweet, Actress, Associate Producer: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
PANELISTS:
David Conrad — Producer: Tamas: A Portrait; Actor: Ghost Whisperer, Wedding Crashers, Men of Honor.
Laura Davis — Producer: A Shot Felt ‘Round the World; Public Enemies, Miami Vice & Memoirs of a Geisha DVDs
Tjardus Greidanus — Director of Photography: A Shot Felt ‘Round the World, Public Enemies & Miami Vice DVDs; Editor: My Tale of Two
Cities
Mark Knobil — Director of Photography: My Tale of Two Cities,The Bread My Sweet, NOVA’s The Great Robot Race.
Carl Kurlander — Producer and Director: My Tale of Two Cities, Screenwriter: St. Elmo’s Fire, Writer/Producer: Saved By the Bell.
Film Factory Brunch created in partnership with:
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The Passion of Joan of Arc with The Bach Choir
Sun Nov 9 — 2:00 — Regent Square
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Tickets are $25.
With stunning camerawork and striking compositions, Carl Theodor Dreyer convinced the world that movies could be art. This silent masterpiece details the last hours of the young maiden who died for God and France. Similar to a passion play, it details her trial, imprisonment and final execution. Unusual at the time was an emphasis on the actors' facial features. Dreyer shot most of the film in close-up to tell the story through their expressions. Critic Pauline Kael wrote that Renee Falconetti's portrayal of Joan of Arc "may be the finest performance ever recorded on film." (Carl Theodor Dreyer; France; 1928; 82 min)
Performing live with the film, is the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh with composer Richard Einhorn's score for chorus, orchestra and soloists.
These are the only shows NOT included with the Silver Screenie pass.
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Twists of Fate
Wed Nov 12 — 8:00 — Melwood
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Tickets are $15, and include a reception.
Polish director Jerzy Stuhr will present his gripping film of crimes and misdemeanors that spans two generations. It's the tale a former secret police officer under Polish socialism who faces the consequences of his past actions. Meanwhile, an unscrupulous student finds a briefcase, a coat, and a cell phone on a train. When the phone begins to ring, it sets off a shocking series of events that changes their lives forever. With subtitles. (Jerzy Stuhr; Poland; 2007; 112 min)
Actor, screenwriter and director Jerzy Stuhr (The Big Animal) has won a host of Polish and international film awards, including the 2005 Life Achievement Award at the Venice Film Festival. Internationally he's best known for his role as the slow-witted hairdresser in Kieslowski's White. In Poland youngsters know him as the voice of Donkey in the Polish version of Shrek. In Stuhr’s long and distinguished career he’s worked alongside such legends as Krzysztof Kieslowski, Agnieszka Holland, Andrzej Wajda and Krzysztof Zanussi.
Stuhr is scheduled to appear.
Presented in cooperation with the Polish Cultural Council.
Watch the trailer.
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Three Rivers Film Symposium: The Short Film
Fri Nov 14 — 10:00am-to-5:00pm — Melwood
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Tickets are $25 in advance.
The first annual 3RFF Symposium is a day-long event is entitled "The Short Film: A Genre Unto Itself?" and will examine what makes short films effective. Distinctions between the traditional genres of narrative, documentary, experimental, and animation will be looked at. There will be screenings, presentations, discussions and a catered lunch for the attendees — filmmakers, film scholars, film students, and lovers of film of all types. A dozen speakers will participate, including featured guest, Ernie Gehr, a New York-based experimental filmmaker and educator. Cost at the door: $30 (or $15 with the purchase of a six-pack pass, for PF/PCA members, students, Screenie subscribers). Click here for more information. There is an additional discount with advance registration, by November 11. It is free for holders of a Silver Screenie festival pass. For more information call: 412-681-5449, ext. 219.
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The Last Command with Alloy Orchestra live
Sun Nov 16 — 8:00 — Regent Square
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Tickets are $15, or two punches from a Six-Pack Pass.
This restored print of legendary director Josef von Sternberg's acclaimed melodrama was nominated for Best Picture in 1928, and won its lead actor, Emil Jannings, the first-ever Best Actor Oscar. It tells the story of a Hollywood extra (Jannings) called upon to play a general in a movie about the Russian Revolution. But he’s no ordinary extra. He is Sergeus Alexander — former commanding general of the Russia army! And in a cruel twist of fate, the director of the movie happens to be an old adversary (William Powell), who delights in humiliating the general. Even the costume department bullies him. When Alexander is directed to give a speech to a group of actors playing soldiers, he loses his grip on reality. The Last Command is one powerful movie with brilliant acting all-around, and is enhanced by Alloy Orchestra's live music — a stirring combination of found percussion and state of the art electronic synthesizers. For years Alloy has captivated Pittsburgh audiences performing with Blackmail, Phantom of the Opera and other silent classics. (Josef von Sternberg; 1928; USA; 85 min)
Presented in cooperation with Pittsburgh magazine.
Alloy Orchestra homepage ... Not Coming review.
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Art + Technology Roundtable
Tue Nov 18 — 5:00 — Melwood Screening Room
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Event is free and open to the public.
During the 2008 Three Rivers Film Festival, the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Pittsburgh Filmmakers partner to bring you an unprecedented Art + Technology Roundtable. This panel discussion will feature several of our region’s foremost thought leaders in this arena, as they explore how the intersection of art and technology is impacting our lives, our culture and our future. Join us for thoughtful insight from Mickey McManus, Maya Design; Jesse Schell, CMU Entertainment Technology Center and Dylan Vitone, CMU College of Fine Arts School of Design / Pittsburgh Filmmakers School of Film, Photography and Digital Media. Moderated by Audrey Russo, Pittsburgh Technology Council.
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The Passion of Joan of Arc with The Bach Choir
Fri Nov 21 — 8:00 — Regent Square
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Tickets are $25.
With stunning camerawork and striking compositions, Carl Theodor Dreyer convinced the world that movies could be art. This silent masterpiece details the last hours of the young maiden who died for God and France. Similar to a passion play, it details her trial, imprisonment and final execution. Unusual at the time was an emphasis on the actors' facial features. Dreyer shot most of the film in close-up to tell the story through their expressions. Critic Pauline Kael wrote that Renee Falconetti's portrayal of Joan of Arc "may be the finest performance ever recorded on film." (Carl Theodor Dreyer; France; 1928; 82 min)
Performing live with the film, is the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh with composer Richard Einhorn's score for chorus, orchestra and soloists.
These are the only shows NOT included with the Silver Screenie pass.
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Pittsburgh Reframed [at 250]
Sat Nov 22 — 8:00 — Regent Square
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Tickets are $15, including a reception with the artists, next door at Concept Art Gallery.
Closing night's program of shorts by local film and video artists sprang from a promotional film, simply called Pittsburgh, which was commissioned in 1958 for the city's bicentennial. It's believed there were several versions of Pittsburgh, in an attempt to please a large committee with conflicting views. But the final version (28 minutes) pleased no one, and the project was shelved. For 20 years the camera negatives, the out-takes and the print rolls were in storage. In 1978 the 35mm print rolls and all of the camera negatives were given to Pittsburgh Filmmakers, by Ted Hazlett and the project's primary funder, the A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Foundation.
The original footage, which was recently inspected, cleaned and copied to high-definition video, will run on a loop in the lobby of the
Regent Square Theater.
Each short film in Pittsburgh Reframed (at 250) is two minutes and fifty seconds long, and will include sections of the original footage, reconfigured. Local artists participating include: Mike Bonello, Tony Buba, Olivia Ciummo, Brian Cohen, Matthew R. Day, Tess Allard, Carolina Loyola Garcia, Anna Hawkins, Ben Hernstrom, Charlie Humphrey, Thad Kellstadt, Brady Lewis, Michael Mallis, Jesse McLean, Bob Rutkowski, Elizabeth Seamans, Minette Seate, Chris Smalley, Josh Tonies and Lucian Wintrich.
The project is supported by the Allegheny Regional Asset District.
1979 Pittsburgh Press story part 1 ... part 2.
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POLISH SERIES
As a sidebar this year, we are partnering with the Polish Cultural Council, which has helped bring five exceptional Polish films to Pittsburgh. The titles are: Twists of Fate (directed by Jerzy Stuhr); Katyn (directed by Andrzej Wajda); Infallible System (directed by Izabela Szylko); Tricks (directed by Andrzej Jakimowski); and A Warm Heart (directed by Krzysztof Zanussi).
We are especially grateful to their members, staff and film committee. Founded 75 years ago to foster coordination among the Polish fraternal, social and religious organizations, part of the Polish Cultural Council’s mission is to showcase Polish arts and sciences in western PA. For more information go to: polishculturalcouncil.org.
On November 12, actor, screenwriter and director Jerzy Stuhr will be here to present his film, Twists of Fate, a gripping tale of moral choices spanning two generations. Stuhr has won a host of international and Polish film awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 Venice Film Festival. Tickets for Twists of Fate with Jerzy Stuhr are $15; 8:00pm at Melwood.
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GALLERY SHOWS
Through the full course of the film festival, two shows are presented at Filmmakers Galleries at 477 Melwood
Avenue adjacent to the Melwood theater.
"Plakat! Poster Art from Poland" is presented in the Outer Gallery from November 7, 2008 through January 10, 2009. Surveying work from 1990 to present,
these fine art works continue the successes of Polish graphic "art of the street" that began at the end of the 19th century. This exhibit was curated by
Dr. Irene Kabala and Krzysztof Dydo. Presented in partnership with the University Museum, College of Fine Arts, Indiana University of Pennsylvania,
and underwrittenby The Kosciuszko Foundation of New York.
The Great Depression, by filmmaker and photographer Bill
Daniel, is on view in the New Gallery from October 24, 2008 through January 10, 2009.
Consisting of projected video, large-scale still photography and several interactive installations. The show is a continuation of Daniel's on-going
Sunset Scavenger project and his interest in wrecked landscapes and improvised homes inhabited by boat squatters, freight train tramps, desert
rats, swap meet guitar players, and other homeless Americans. Daniel's film, "Who is Bozo Texino?" will be screened in the film festival with Craig
Baldwin's Mock Up on Mu on Nov. 21. (Daniel is the cinematographer for
Mock Up On Mu.)
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