PREVIOUS SCREENINGS IN CINEMASPACE

CinemaSpace at the Segal Centre presents an evening with Le Cinéclub de Montréal: «THE FILM SOCIETY»

Event: Screening of THE PUBLIC DEFENDER (1931, 70 mins plus shorts and Q&A, B&W)
Topic: Origins of “The Dark Knight”
Guest speaker: Jean-Michel Berthiaume
Date: Wednesday, July 16th, 2008, 7pm
Tickets: A one evening Film Society membership is only $8. $6 for students (with ID) and seniors (65+).
Available at the Segal Centre box office and Admission.com.
Seating is limited. Call in advance for tickets: 514-739-7944.

In the early 1930’s celebrated comic book artist Bob Kane went out to the movies one night and saw a film that was to significantly influence the creation of his best-known work, “Batman”. That film was THE PUBLIC DEFENDER released in 1931. It starred one of the big name leading men of the day, Richard Dix. Most notably, it also features Boris Karloff before he was to be made famous in his role as Frankenstein’s monster in the James Whale Universal Studios film. Its basic plot involves a millionaire playboy who takes it upon himself to clandestinely punish criminals while leaving behind a mysterious calling card with a distinct symbol, signed “The Reckoner”. The mystery avenger also has an older Alfred-like assistant named “Professor” (Karloff) who lives with him in his large mansion and performs criminal research for him.

There are no bats, no capes and no underground labs but there are enough elements here for the avid fan of “The Dark Knight” to identify as being influential in the creation of the most popular comic book character of all time.

No one knows for sure where Bob Kane actually first watched the film, but it was likely one of the newly built grand old movie palaces of that golden age. What we will offer you is the recreation of a typical movie theatre program of the early 1930’s including a serial chapter, early cartoon and a few surprise shorts. So whether you are a fan of the famed comic book character or want to experience a 1930’s-style night at the movies, this is going to be one fun screening!

Guest Bio: Jean-Michel Berthiaume is a freelance Montreal-based comic dealer and Masters student in Literature. He currently hosts a internet radio show about classic film called 7eime Antiquaire for Choq.fm radio and sells comics to pay for his tuition. His goal in life is to get as many people into comics as humanly possible with Poste Moderne. He enjoys Philip K. Dick, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and long walks on the beach with magical creatures.

Web: http://www.postemoderne.ca, http://web.choq.fm/7eantiquaire.html

Film Society events take place every second Wednesday at The Segal Centre’s brand new CinemaSpace screening room. To be on our mailing list, please email esoiferman@segalcentre.org

CinemaSpace at the Segal Centre presents an evening with Le Cinéclub de Montréal: «THE FILM SOCIETY»

Event: Screening of GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1946)
Topic: Art Direction
Guest speaker: Réal Proulx
Date: Wednesday, June 18th, 2008, 7pm
Tickets: A one evening Film Society membership is only $8. $6 for students (with ID) and seniors (65+).
Available at the Segal Centre box office and Admission.com.
Seating is limited. Call the Segal Centre in advance for tickets: 514-739-7944.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1946, U.K., approx. 118 mins, B&W) Director David Lean is best known for his sweeping epics such as LAWRENCE OF ARABIA or DOCTOR ZHIVAGO but his best work is actually from his pre-color period. They include such titles as BRIEF ENCOUNTER, HOBSON’S CHOICE, THE SOUND BARRIER and SUMMERTIME. His Dickens adaptations stand out as the most sumptuous productions from that period. This film in particular is notable for its stunning production design by John Bryan and photography by Guy Green and won Oscars in both those categories. Excellent performances are given by John Mills and a young Tony Wager as Pip, Valerie Hobson and a young Jean Simmons as Estella, Bernard Miles, Alec Guiness, Martita Hunt with the best role going to Finlay Currie in the role of Magwitch. From its famous opening tracking shot through an eerie graveyard to its powerful finale in a run down mansion, it is something you will definitely want to see here on our big screen. As this is considered to be one of the best British-made films of all time and being the 100th anniversary of David Lean’s birth, you can expect more screenings of his best works throughout 2008.

Synopsis: We follow the life of a poor humble orphan boy who grows up to become a true London gentleman with the help of a mysterious benefactor. Based on the novel by Charles Dickens.

Special guest: Our invited guest speaker is one of Quebec's top art directors. Réal Proulx has the distinction of having worked alongside such respected directors as Rolland Emmerich, Yves Simoneau, Brian DePalma, John N. Smith, Paul Mazursky, Bruce Beresford and Martin Scorsese. Some of Mr. Proulx's most recent credits include work on the forthcoming summer blockbuster, MUMMY 3 as well as Martin Scorsese's SHUTTER ISLAND, due for release in 2009. With nearly twenty years of experience, there will be no shortage of interesting anecdotes on the subjects of set décor, props and production design in some of the biggest and best productions ever to be shot here in Quebec. Since our featured film is particularly celebrated for its stunning production design, what better guest speaker to have than a master of the craft of creating environments inhabited by movie characters.

Watch a scene from the film by clicking HERE.

Film Society events take place every second Wednesday (except July 2) at The Segal Centre’s brand new CinemaSpace screening room. To be on our mailing list, please email esoiferman@segalcentre.org.

CinemaSpace at the Segal Centre presents another special evening with Le Cinéclub de Montréal: «THE FILM SOCIETY»

Date: Wednesday, June 4th, 2008, 7pm
Featuring: NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955, U.S.A., approx. 93 mins, B&W)
Special guest: Bruno Philip (CSC)
Topic: Cinematography
Tickets: A one evening Film Society membership is only $8. $6 for students (with ID) and seniors (65+).
Tickets available at the Segal Centre box office and Admission.com.
Seating is limited.
Please call in advance to reserve tickets: Segal Centre box office 514-739-7944.
Address: 5170 Cote St. Catherine, corner Westbury. 2 blocks West of Métro Côte-Sainte-Catherine.

On the heels of The Film Society’s successful launch at CinemaSpace featuring Buster Keaton films, live piano by Eric Kaplin and a Q&A with the esteemed director Gerald Potterton, Le Cinéclub and CinemaSpace now bring you NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955, U.S.A., approx 93 mins, B&W) on Wednesday, June 4th.

Directed By Charles Laughton and starring Robert Mitchum in a riveting performance along with Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish, Night Of The Hunter has been hailed as a veritable masterpiece. This visually stunning film is a fine example of the creative use of shadow and light in film. The thematically gritty film becomes a dark dreamlike expressionistic fable supported by innovative camera work and set design. It makes great use of numerous techniques such as: aerial photography, deep and split focus lenses, silhouettes, forced perspective and haunting underwater shots.

Special guest: Bruno Philip (CSC). Originally from the town of Gap, France, director of photography Bruno Philip has had a successful career here since the 1980’s. His credits include HEAVY METAL 2000, LES IMMORTELS and THE ARRIVAL 2. He has worked with respected directors such as Rodney Gibbons, Christian Duguay, Giles Walker, Paul Thinel, Roger Cardinal and Doug Jackson. His camera has captured the images of actors such as Helen Slater, Michael Ironside and Andrew McCarthy. One of his favorite films happens to be our feature presentation NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. Mr. Philip will no doubt have many interesting things to say about it during the Q&A. And he is only too happy to spend his birthday with us!

Read the full film synopsis and all about our featured guest speaker Bruno Philip by clicking HERE.

Watch a scene from the film by clicking HERE.

Film Society events take place every second Wednesday at The Segal Centre’s brand new 77-seat CinemaSpace screening room. Call now for tickets: 514-739-7944

To be on The Film Society and CinemaSpace email list, please email esoiferman@segalcentre.org

CinemaSpace at the Segal Centre presents the inaugural evening with Le Cinéclub de Montréal: «THE FILM SOCIETY»
Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 7pm
Tickets: One evening membership is only $8. $6 for students (with ID) and seniors (65+)
Available at the Segal Centre box office and Admission.com.
Box office: (514) 739-7944
Seating is limited.

Acclaimed filmmaker GERALD POTTERTON to speak at the opening Film Society event CinemaSpace.

The feature attraction on May 21st is a very rare color-tinted 16mm print of the silent comedy masterpiece THE GENERAL (1926) by Buster Keaton with live piano accompaniment. It will be preceded by STEPHEN LEACOCK'S THE AWFUL FATE OF MALPOMENUS JONES (1983) and THE RAILRODDER starring Buster Keaton (1965), two short films made by the evening’s esteemed guest speaker, GERALD POTTERTON (director of HEAVY METAL; animator for YELLOW SUBMARINE). Mr. Potterton has the distinction of being the last living person to have directed Buster Keaton in a starring role. He will have no shortage of fascinating anecdotes to share about his collaboration with the great master of silent comedy.

Over the years, The Film Society has been screening a wide variety of titles from incredibly obscure experimental shorts to popular four hour epics. Works dating from the 1890s to the 1990s. Guest speakers have included film industry professionals and fascinating experts in a variety of disciplines.
This is a unique event not to be missed!

Film Society events, will run EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY at CinemaSpace, are co-productions of Le Cinéclub de Montreal: «THE FILM SOCIETY» and the Segal Centre. Future installments of the Film Society will be announced soon...

Read the full press release HERE.

Baghdad Twist
(Documentary, English version, NFB, Canada, 2007, 35 mins. plus Q&A with filmmaker Joe Balass)
Screening Dates: Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 7:00pm (SOLD OUT) and Thursday, May 15th, 2008, 7:00pm (SOLD OUT). NEW SHOW ADDED: Tuesday, May 20th, 7:00pm.
Tickets: $7 general, $5 students (with ID)/Senior (65+).
Reserve tickets in advance by calling our box office at 514-739-7944.
Tickets also available at Admission.com.

Baghdad Twist is a visual memoir of one family’s life in Iraq before escaping to a new home in Canada in the fall of 1970. Featuring a never-before-seen collection of archival images, home movies and family photographs from Baghdad, the film pulls back the curtain on Iraq’s once thriving Jewish community, its perilous final years and its remarkable ability to find solace in the shadow of fear. Baghdad Twist was selected to the 2007 International Documentary Film Amsterdam and the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival (US premiere).

A Q&A with director Joe Balass will follow the projection. Seating is limited.

See the film's trailer.

Six Days In June
(Documentary, orig. English version, Canada, 2008, directed by Ilan Ziv, 100 mins, plus Q&A)
Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2008, 8:30pm
Tickets (at the door): $8 general, $6 students (with ID)/Senior (65+).
Tickets also available at Admission.com.

Special Yom Ha’Atzmaut screening of this ground-breaking new documentary that brings a contemporary perspective to the Six Day War by documenting how the 1967 war forever transformed the politics of the Middle East. The weeks that preceded the war, its six days of fighting and the repercussions serve as the narrative spine of the film.

Producer Ina Fichman will be present for a Q&A.

See the film's trailer.

S&M: Short and Male
SNEAK PREVIEW!
(Documentary, orig. English version, Canada, 2007, 84 mins. plus Q&A)
Screening Dates: Tuesday, May 6th, 2008, 7:00pm and 9:00pm
Tickets (at the door): $8 general, $6 students (with ID)/Senior (65+).
Tickets also available at Admission.com.

It's our dirty little secret -- size matters. We're obsessed with height. We like our men tall, dark and handsome but at what cost? S&M: Short and Male, explores the relationship between height, self-esteem and success. With a touch of humour, S&M: short and Male examines the obstacles that short statured men face every day in life, love and work.

Q&A with filmmaker Howard Goldberg and producer Ina Fichman after the film. Seating is limited.

See the film's trailer.

Exclusive Short Film Screening: Award-winning shorts by students at Tel Aviv University’s Department of Film and Television
Sunday, May 4, 2008, 7:30pm
Tickets: $25. Available by calling the Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University office at (514) 344-3417
Featuring a Q&A with Tel Aviv University’s Dean of Arts, Prof. Hannah Naveh.
A reception will follow the Q&A.

All profits from this fundraiser will be directed to Tel Aviv University’s Department of Film and Television

Films being screened:

Roads
(Israel, 2007, 22 minutes, in Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles)
Directed by Lior Geller, Montreal Premiere.

A gripping story two young Israeli Palestinian children caught up in drug-running and an Israeli addict who is tormented with the complexities of life in the Middle East. This fast-paced film exposes Israeli contemporary challenges.

Prizes: Best Short Film: Jerusalem International Film Festival 2007; Special Mention: Poland 2007; Young Audience Award: France 2007; and Best Asian Film: China 2007.

Pinhas
(Work in progress, Israel, 2008, 34 minutes, in Hebrew and Russian with English subtitles)
Montreal Premiere.

A moving story of a 10 year-old immigrant boy, who is searching for a sense of belonging and identity. Pini Tavger is a compelling young talent in Israeli cinema who has won numerous awards for previous works. This “work in progress” no doubt will also be celebrated as a prize-winning film.

Second Watch
(Israel, 1995, 15 minutes, in Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles)
Directed by Udi Ben Arieh, Montreal Premiere.

The humorous tale of two soldiers “on watch” on either side of the border who find a way to communicate and have some fun. Berkowitz, an Israeli Reserve soldier, is guarding a remote post along the Israeli-Jordanian border. Just a few yards away across the border, he finds an equally bored Jordanian soldier. The interaction between the two guards makes for an irresistible comic exercise and speaks volumes about the simple human truths underlying the complexities of life in the Middle East.

Prizes: 1996 Dresden International Filmfest: Best Short Film; and 1996 Student Academy Awards: Nominee for Best Foreign Film.

Visit the Tel Aviv University Department of Film and Television web site.

Ralph Benmergui: My Israel, An evening with Ralph Benmergui
Saturday, May 3rd, 2008, 9pm (approx. one hour)
Tickets: Entry is free. Reservations required. Please call the Segal Centre box office at (514) 739-7944 to RSVP.

Ralph Benmergui: My Israel, coming to VisionTV on May 5, 6 and 7, is a new, five-part documentary series that looks at the past, present and future of Israel through the eyes of one of Canada’s most renowned journalists. The series brings Ralph, a Moroccan-Canadian Jew, face to face with Israelis from every stratum of society, and shows the Holy Land in ways that few Canadians have been privileged to experience. Broadcast in honour of Israel’s 60th anniversary, the program is a heartfelt exploration of belief and values, ethnicity and identity, conflict and reconciliation in a country coming of age in the 21st century.

The Segal Centre’s new CinemaSpace is pleased to invite you to an evening with Ralph Benmergui on Saturday, May 3rd at 9:00pm, as he offers a sneak peek at video clips and shares stories of his recent experiences in Israel. Come out and meet Ralph Benmergui at CinemaSpace on this special occasion. Entry is free.

See the trailer for My Israel.

Join the My Israel's Facebook Group.

Check out more My Israel photos.

Esti Mayer: Artist. A live lecture on The Holocaust Suite
A special Yom Ha'shoah illustrated lecture presentation at the Segal Centre
Thursday, May 1st, 2008, 7pm (Approx 1 hour)
Tickets: Entry is free. Reservations required. Please call the Segal Centre box office at (514) 739-7944 to RSVP.

Esti Mayer, the artist/creator of a 50 painting masterpiece titled the Holocaust Suite, has been on the lecture circuit for a year now. Her presentations include a PowerPoint slide show of the paintings, and a personal, hard hitting, and inspirational talk about the historical-personal perspective she employed when creating the Holocaust Suite.

The Holocaust Suite has been donated to the State of Israel by the artist. Exhibited in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem, the Holocaust Suite has received a great deal of media attention in Israel and was featured prominently on Holocaust Memorial Day in the Israeli newspaper, Yediot Acharonot. It is currently an educational resource and a document of national importance, housed at the Jerusalem Academy for Teachers. Esti’s work has received countless accolades from those who have attended a lecture or have read her outstanding companion book – among them Elie Wiesel, who upon receipt of said book, took the time to respond with a handwritten note of thanks.

Esti will be available for book signings at the end of her presentation.

Anne and the Reverend
(Documentary, France, 2008, 50 mins, in Japanese and English with English subtitles)
Dates: Wednesday, April 30th, 2008, 9pm; Thursday, May 1st, 2008, 9pm

Directed by Francois Uzan
Montreal premiere
Tickets (available at the door): $8 general, $6 students with ID, seniors (65+).
Tickets also available at Admission.com.

A reverend from Hiroshima who speaks Hebrew fluently… A museum about the Shoah lost in the middle of the Japanese countryside… Anne and the Reverend tells the story of Makoto Otsuka, a reverend from Hiroshima, who met Anne Frank's father Otto Frank 30 years ago and ever since then has shared the memory of the Holocaust to Japanese children. Through the portrayal of this man, both funny and moving, Anne and the Reverend presents an unexpected approach to the Shoah and an unknown side of Japan. In the spirit of Paper Clips and Hanna's Suitcase, this film will take you by surprise and leave you wanting to make the trip to Reverend Otsuka's incredible museum in Japan.

Director Francois Uzan will be present for a Q&A on April 30th and May 1st.

Watch the trailer.

Visit the web site for Makota Otsuka's Holocaust Education Center.

SLEEPWALKING THROUGH THE MEKONG
(USA, documentary, in English, 70 mins.)
March 8th, 2008, 9:30PM

Director: John Pirozzi (in attendance at screening)
Tickets (at the lobby box office): $8 general, $6 students and seniors

Sleepwalking Through the Mekong follows Los Angeles based band Dengue Fever on their recent journey to Cambodia to perform 60s and 70s Cambodian rock n' roll in the country where it was created and very nearly destroyed. The odyssey is a homecoming for singer Chhom Nimol and a transformation for the rest of the band as they perform with master musicians and record new songs along the way.

More than a rockumentary, the film serves up a portrait of modern Cambodia as the band tours through Phnom Penh and beyond, crossing a great cultural chasm with the same spirit of Cambodia's original rock pioneers.

Cambodia is often synonymous with the brutal Khmer Rouge regime that left millions dead and scattered refugees around the globe. This tragedy overshadows the story of Cambodia's music scene in the 1960s and 1970s. Cambodian musicians reinvented Western rock n' roll with a distinctly Khmer flavor to create a sound that is at once familiar and completely original.

Sleepwalking Through the Mekong celebrates this vibrant but long-overlooked music and reveals the power of music to weave a common thread between extremely different cultures.

The director, John Pirozzi will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film.

Also, see the band Dengue Fever, featured in the film, performing LIVE at Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent) on Friday, March 7th at 9pm.

Director’s Bio:

As a director John Pirozzi has made music videos for Queens of the Stone Age, Calexico, Victoria Williams, Vic Chesnutt, Earthlings, Dengue Fever and the Japanese Metal band Outrage. As a Cinematographer he has numerous documentary credits including Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man which premiered in Sundance last year, Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession with a premier in Canne, Too Tough To Die: A Tribute to Johnny Ramone, Speed Racer :The Story of Vic Chesnutt and the forthcoming Bling A Planet Rock which explores the Diamond Wars of West Africa. John's Cinematography credits also include the feature films Broken English by Zoe Cassavetes, Matt Dillon's City of Ghost for which he was the 2nd unit Cinematographer and Kimberley Pierce's Boys Don't Cry for which he shot the distinctive time lapse photography.

More about the film and trailer: www.sleepwalkingthroughthemekong.com

Finalist Films of the Annual Alex et Ruth Dworkin Foundation Tolerance Prize
Presented by Les Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois
At CinemaSpace in the Segal Centre
February 16-21, 2008, 7pm nightly
5170, Cote-St-Catherine Rd.
Métro Côte-Ste-Catherine
514.739.7944

The Annual Alex and Ruth Dworkin Foundation Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance through Cinema: A $5000 prize awarded to the producer whose team has demonstrated, through the winning film, the intention of conveying a message of comprehension and tolerance. Come see the finalists at the Segal Centre’s brand new high-def surround sound projection room, CinemaSpace.

Tickets: Admission.com or at the door before the show
$8 General (plus $1.15 Admission service charge)
$7 Students (under 22) and seniors (55 and over) (plus $1.15 Admission service charge)
Note: Service charge is waived if you’re buying tickets at the door from 6pm-7pm the night of the show.

See the full list of films here.

See the schedule of show times here.

The Line King - The Al Hirschfeld Story
(USA, Documentary, directed by Suzanne Warms Dryfoos, 55 mins.)
February 10 (Sunday, 4:30PM), February 16th (Saturday, 9:30PM), March 1st (Saturday, 9pm and 11pm, part of Nuit Blanche)
Tickets are free!

Oscar nominated documentary about legendary New York artist and caricaturist Al Hirschfeld (1903-2003).

Amid the entertainment super-stars of the twentieth century—Carol Channing, Lauren Bacall, Joan Collins, Barbara Walters, and more—the white-bearded, bright-eyed Al Hirschfeld cuts a humorous and humble figure. This visual historian doesn't make the stars beautiful in his drawings; he makes them interesting. ESP-like, the line of Hirschfeld's pen reveals an essential and vital character within each of the performers he draws, capturing the rare exuberance with amazing specificity: the gestures, the movements, the facial expressions—all become playfully recognizable as the spirit manifest. What the documentary does especially well is show Hirschfeld at work, and talking about the work. He was 90 years old when interviewed in the film, but seems almost childlike in his delight for his life-long passion. Hirschfeld emerges as the century's most beloved cartoonist, truly earning him the title of The Line King.
-Synopsis by Lorena Anderson, IMDB

See our Hirschfeld exhibit (“Al Hirschfeld: The Magic of Performance”) in The Studio on the main floor of the Segal Centre. February 3rd - March 2nd, 2008.

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