The Secret Cinema presents FAMOUS DIRECTORS' SHORTS
On Thursday, May 8, The Secret Cinema will return to The Rotunda with a special program called FAMOUS DIRECTORS' SHORTS. It's made up of short subjects created by film directors from around the world, all better known for their feature films. Some were early efforts done before they were handed the reins of longer films, while others were passion projects that could be made quickly and economically in between features, after they'd achieved success.
Included are films made by Jean-Luc Godard, Roman Polanski, François Truffaut, Alan Arkin, Claude Lelouch and more.
There will be one complete show at 8:00 pm. Admission is free (as are all programs in the Rotunda's monthly "Bright Bulb Screening Series").
As always -- still -- Secret Cinema programs are shown using 16mm (not video, not digital) FILM projected on a giant screen.
A few highlights from FAMOUS DIRECTORS' SHORTS include:
TOUS LES GARÇONS S'APPELLENT PATRICK (1957, Dir: Jean-Luc Godard) - This amusing film (English title: ALL BOYS ARE NAMED PATRICK) was written by Eric Rohmer, and tells the tale of a lothario who attempts to pick up two different girls…not realizing they are roommates. Starring Jean-Claude Brialy (CLAIRE'S KNEE, THE PHANTOM OF LIBERTY). This, Godard's fourth short film, was made just prior to his groundbreaking debut feature, BREATHLESS.
PEOPLE SOUP (1969, Dir: Alan Arkin) - Alan Arkin had already achieved fame as an actor (in films like WAIT UNTIL DARK and THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER) when he directed this improvised short. It stars his two young sons Adam and Matthew (both of whom would later enjoy extensive acting careers), in a whimsical story about a magic potion that the brothers mix in their kitchen. The film was based on a short story Arkin had published in a 1958 issue of the science fiction magazine Galaxy. Two years later he would direct a very different kind of movie -- the brilliant black comedy LITTLE MURDERS.
IRAN (1972, Dir: Claude Lelouch) - This remarkable, wordless documentary contrasts the ancient Persian culture of Iran with scenes of daily living in a modern metropolis. Images of factories, oil refineries, and young women in advanced science classes alternate with shots of prayer in mosques and camels galloping across the desert -- all set to Francis Lai's buoyant score. Much was to change in this country a few short years later, when the Iranian Revolution overthrew the Shah's monarchy and Ayatollah Khomeini's repressive, fundamentalist policies were put in place.
BIRTHDAY (1969, Dir: Franc Roddam) - A woman narrates an interesting (yet somewhat confusing?) narrative about falling in love with a fellow leftist protester, then recalls her childhood and the death of her grandfather, and then becomes a mother. This student project was made at the London School of Film Technique by Franc (then "Frank") Roddam. Roddam would have a successful career directing, starting with the Who-produced feature QUADROPHENIA (1979). He did especially well in television, and is perhaps best known for creating the worldwide TV franchise, MASTERCHEF, which is shown in 200 countries worldwide.
Plus LES MISTONS (1957, Dir: François Truffaut) and WHEN ANGELS FALL (1959, Dir: Roman Polanski).