Tuesday, February 11, 6 - 8 p.m.
Magnolia Pictures | Harry Benson: Shoot First (2016)
Harry Benson: Shoot First (2016)
ABout the film:
Renowned photographer Harry Benson rose to fame alongside The Beatles, having been assigned to cover their inaugural trip to the United States in 1964. With unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, Benson captured some of the most vibrant and intimate portraits ever taken of the most popular band in history.
Profiling famed photographer Harry Benson, who has shot iconic portraits of such celebrities and notable figures as Winston Churchill, Michael Jackson, Muhammad Ali and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
However, he may be best known for his coverage of the Beatles during their first trip to the U.S. in 1964.
“Entertaining and Poignant, A fascinating celebration of a Genius!”
Directors: Justin Bare, Matthew Miele | Producers: Justin Bare, Heather Silverman, Gigi Benson | Executive producers: Matthew Miele, Stephen John McCarthy | Production companies: Quixotic Endeavors, Magnolia Pictures | Editor: Heather Silverman
Harry Benson has had 40 gallery solo exhibitions and fourteen books of his photographs have been published. His photographs are in the permanent collection of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, both museums hosted his Harry Benson: Being There exhibition (2006-7). A major retrospective exhibition of Harry’s photographs was at Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow from June to September, 2008.
“His work has appeared in publications including Life, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker.
Now 86, workaholic Benson has no intention of stopping.
”
More Information:
Harry Benson was born in Glasgow, United Kingdom in 1929 and he has had a remarkable career as a photojournalist. At the age of thirteen, he left school and began working for the local newspaper, the Hamilton Advertiser.
In 1958 he began working for the Daily Sketch and the Daily Express. It was in 1964 that Benson came to America with The Beatles.
© Alan McAteer | Portrait of Harry Benson, July, 2016
Saturday, February 22, 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
© Ric Burns | Andy Warhol: A documentary Film, 2006 | Donald RosenFeld
Andy Warhol: A Documentary (2006)
Produced by Steeplechase Films, directed by Ric Burns, and featuring an Emmy Award-winning script by James Sanders and Ric Burns, Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film is a two-part, four-hour film that will be presented with a brief intermission.
Ric Burns’s portrait of the most resoundingly influential American artist of the second half of the twentieth century. Combining on-camera interviews and never-before-seen still and archival motion picture footage, the film was the first to exploit the immense archives at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. It was also the first to explore the complete spectrum of Andy Warhol’s astonishing artistic output, stretching across five decades from the late 1940’s, to his untimely death in the 1980’s.
More Information
Ric Burns’s comprehensive documentary delves into five decades of the iconic pop artist’s life, from his early years to his breakthrough soup can paintings to the Factory years, tracing the arc of his rise to household-name fame. Narrated by artist Laurie Anderson, this portrait combines insider and critical interviews with rarely seen, extensive archival material.
©Ric Burns | Andy Warhol: A documentary Film, 2006 | Donald RosenFeld
A Co-Production of Steeplechase Films, Daniel Wolf, High line Productions and Thirteen/WNET New York
Directed By Ric Burns Written by James Sanders and Rick Burns | Produced by Donald Rosenfeld, Daniel Wolf and Rick Burns | Executive producers Peter Brant, Larry Gagosian and Diane Von Furstenberg | Edited by LI-Shin Yu and Juliana Parroni Narrated by Laurie Anderson Voice of Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons | Additional Voices Philip Bosco, Josh Hamilton, Robert Sean Leonard, Callie Thorne | Co-Producers Marilyn Ness, Mary Recine and Robin Espinola Co-Executive Producer Roger Kass | Senior Producer Mary Recine | Co-Producers for high line productions Henry J. Simonds and Alexis Zoullas music by Brian Keane | Cinematography Buddy Squires, Peter Nelson, Allen Moore and Michael Chin and Don Lenzer | Senior Creative Consultant Judy Crichton Executive Producer for American Masters Susan Lacy
Tuesday, February 25, 6 - 8 p.m.
Magnolia Pictures | Smash His Camera (2010)
Smash His Camera (2010)
ABout the film:
Profile of paparazzo Ron Galella, infamous for shooting candid photographs of celebrities since the 1960s. He shares stories of unforgettable run-ins with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Marlon Brando and others.
A film centering on the life and work of Ron Galella that examines the nature and effect of paparazzi.
Galella was a celebrity photographer known for his intimate and aggressive style. His work is considered to have helped define the culture of celebrity.
““Smash his Camera” ”
A quote attributed to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Jackie O) about photographer Ron Galella. The quote refers to an incident in 1969 when Jackie O asked a bodyguard to smash Galella's camera after he took pictures of her.
Smash His Camera is a 2010 documentary film directed by filmmaker Leon Gast about the life and career of paparazzi photographer Ron Galella.
To add, his photographs have been exhibited at museums and galleries throughout the world and his book Disco Years was honored as the Best Photography Book of 2006 by the New York Times.
Director: Leon Gast | Distributed by: HBO, Magnolia Pictures, HBO Documentary Films
Executive producers: Bill Ackman, Jeffrey Tarrant, Daniel Stern | Cinematography: Don Lenzer
“A great photograph, shows the famous doing something unfamous. Ron Galella is my favorite photographer.”
About Ron Galella:
Galella's career began during the Korean War when he served in the Air Force. He studied photojournalism at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. His favorite subject was First Lady Jackie Kennedy, whom he called his muse. Unfortunately, Galella passed away on April 30, 2022 at the age of 91. Until 2004, he continued around the streets of Manhattan photographing famous people, crashing private parties, and developing pictures in his private darkroom.
© Betty Burke Galella, Ron Galella at his Westchester home circa 1982
Tuesday, March 4, 6 - 8 p.m.
Rear Window (1954)
ABout the film:
A New York magazine photographer is confined to his apartment after breaking his leg. He passes the time by spying on his neighbors from his window, and suspicious goings-on in one of the apartments lead him to believe that someone has been murdered.
Brief Synopsis: Ben Mankiewicz Introduces: Rear Window, (1954)
Original Release, (1954) Lobby Card
Universal Pictures | Rear Window (1954)
More Information:
1954 American mystery thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and written by John Michael Hayes based on Cornell Woolrich's 1942 short story It Had to Be Murder in Dime Detective (Feb 1942).
Click below to read:
Cornell Woolrich's 1942 short story It Had to Be Murder.
Director: Alfred Hitchcock | Adapted from: It Had to Be Murder | Story by: Cornell Woolrich
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Home Video Brazil
““Rear Window” lovingly invests in suspense all through the film, banking it in our memory, so that when the final payoff arrives, the whole film has been the thriller equivalent of foreplay.”
Tuesday, March 11, 6 - 8 p.m.
Samuel Goldwyn Films | Henri Dauman: Looking Up (2020)
Henri Dauman: Looking Up (2020)
ABout the film:
This feature film titled “Henri Dauman: Looking Up” was released in the Spring of 2020, documenting the life and work of Henri Dauman.
As one of the preeminent photographers of the 20th century, self-taught Henri Dauman took the international photojournalism scene by storm with his cinematic images that redefined the methods of capturing historical icons.
Exploring both the photographer’s traumatic past and the contrasting vibrancy of the city that would define his work, director Peter Kenneth Jones’s film is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the man behind the camera.
“A fascinating portrait of the man behind the camera.”
Holocaust survivor Henri Dauman becomes a world-renowned photographer
Leaving behind his past as an orphaned Holocaust survivor, Dauman created a new life for himself in New York City, where his timeless style quickly gained momentum amidst high society and celebrity culture.
His name may not be known to many, but photojournalist Henri Dauman’s pictures of 20th century historic events and figures, including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley, have become iconic.
Director: Peter Kenneth Jones | Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films | Cast: Henri Dauman
© Henri Dauman/Daumanpictures.com
““Through his determination to succeed and his excellent skills in framing a scene, he had invented a style, which meant that even when he was able to buy better equipment, he chose to continue taking the close-ups in the same style,” ”
Portrait Henri Dauman 2020 © Henri Dauman/Daumanpictures.com
Tuesday, March 25, 6 - 8 p.m.
Gary Winogrand: All things are Photographable (2018)
ABout the film:
Chronicling the life and career of U.S photographer Garry Winogrand, this documentary details his work through three pivotal decades of the mid-20th century, and discusses the mystery of the many undeveloped film rolls left behind after his death.
Discover the life and work of Garry Winogrand, the epic storyteller in pictures who harnessed the serendipity of the streets to capture the American 1960s-70s.
His “snapshot aesthetic” is now the universal language of contemporary image-making. Directed by Sasha Waters Freyer (Independent Lens: Razing Appalachia).
“The true business of photography is to capture a bit of reality (whatever that is) on film.”
Greenwich Entertainment | Gary Winogrand: All things are Photographable (2018)
More Information:
Photographer Garry Winogrand uses his Leica M4 to capture ordinary Americans at the turn of the 20th century in spontaneous moments of everyday life.
“Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable will satisfy fans of its subject’s work - and serves as a thoroughly entertaining primer for the unconverted.
”
Director: Sasha Waters Freyer | Producer: Sasha Waters Freyer
Distributed by: Greenwich Entertainment
Executive producer: Michael Kantor
Editor: Sasha Waters Freyer
Tuesday, April 1, 6 - 8 p.m.
IFC Films | Finding Vivian Maier (2013)
Finding Vivian Maier (2013)
ABout the film:
This documentary examines the art and life of Vivian Maier, a nanny whose secret collection of more than 100,000 photographs were discovered and eventually came to be considered one of the most definitive photographic works of the 20th century.
This intriguing documentary shuttles from New York to France to Chicago as it traces the life story of the late Vivian Maier, a career nanny whose previously unknown collection has earned her a posthumous reputation as one of America’s most accomplished and insightful street photographers.
““As the documentary shows, her eye was nothing short of brilliant.””
Directed by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel, Maier’s strange and riveting life and art are revealed through never before seen photographs, films, and interviews with dozens who thought they knew her.
More Information:
Vivian would further indulge in her passionate devotion to documenting the world around her through homemade films, recordings and collections, assembling one of the most fascinating windows into American life during that time.
Currently, Vivian Maier’s body of work is being archived and cataloged for the enjoyment of others and for future generations.
© Vivian Maier, Contact sheet, Chicago, IL | VM19XXW01144
“An exciting electric current of discovery runs through Finding Vivian Maier””
Directors: John Maloof, Charlie Siskel | Nominations: Academy Award for Best Documentary (Feature)
Producers: John Maloof, Charlie Siskel | Distributed by: IFC Films
About Vivian Maier:
An American of French and Austro-Hungarian extraction, Vivian bounced between Europe and the United States before coming back to New York City in 1951. Having picked up photography just two years earlier, she would comb the streets of the Big Apple refining her artistic craft. By 1956 Vivian left the East Coast for Chicago, where she’d spend most of the rest of her life working as a caregiver.
““Well, I suppose nothing is meant to last forever. We have to make room for other people. It’s a wheel. You get on, you have to go to the end. And then somebody has the same opportunity to go to the end and so on.” ”
© Vivian Maier, March 31, 1966. Chicago, IL | VM1966W01174-04-MC
© Vivian Maier, 1950s. Canada | VM195XW00017-06-MC
© Vivian Maier, 1953. New York, NY | VM1953W03395-03-MC
© Vivian Maier, 1960 | VM1960W00217-04-MC
Discover more from her vast collection below.
Tuesday, April 8, 6 - 8 p.m.
Art & Craft (2014)
ABout the film:
Legendary art forger Mark Landis, who gave his replicas to charities and museums, is profiled.
ART AND CRAFT follows Mark Landis as he is exposed and must confront the legacy of his 30-year career.
““Perversely satisfying. The art world deserves him.””
Oscilloscope Pictures | Art & Craft (2014)
Mark Landis has been called one of the most prolific art forgers in US history.
His impressive body of work spans thirty years, covering a wide range of painting styles and periods that includes 15th Century Icons, Picasso, and even Walt Disney.
““Spectacular. An engrossing cat-and-mouse story.””
ART AND CRAFT starts out as a cat-and-mouse art caper, rooted in questions of authorship and authenticity—but what emerges is an intimate story of obsession and the universal need for community, appreciation, and purpose.
Directors: Jennifer Grausman, Sam Cullman
Producers: Jennifer Grausman, Sam Cullman
Executive producers: Bonni Cohen, Julie Goldman
Production company: Motto Pictures
Jennifer Grausman directed and produced the feature documentary Art and Craft, which was winner of the National Board of Review Top 5 Documentaries in 2014.
Tuesday, April 29, 6 - 8 p.m.
The Monuments Men (2014)
ABout the Film:
Allied WWII-era art experts go behind enemy lines in Germany to recover works of art stolen by the Nazis, which are slated for destruction if the Third Reich falls. With little combat experience, the ragtag squadron have their work cut out for them.
During World War II, the Nazis steal countless pieces of art and hide them away. Some over-the-hill art scholars, historians, architects and other experts form a unit to retrieve as many of the stolen masterpieces as possible. The mission becomes even more urgent when the team learns about Hitler's "Nero Decree," which orders destruction of the artworks if the Third Reich falls. Caught in a race against time, the men risk their lives to protect some of mankind's greatest achievements.
“Inspired by an incredible true story and armed with a wonderful ensemble cast, “The Monuments Men” has all the ingredients to be a sure thing.”
The 2014 movie The Monuments Men is based on the true story of the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Section (MFAA) of the Allied Forces. The movie is also based on the 2007 book of the same name by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter.
“The film boasts a talented ensemble featuring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, and others, bringing a sense of star power and entertainment value. ”
Director: George Clooney
Adapted from: The monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History
Story by: Robert M. Edsel, Bret Witter
Distributed by: 20th Century Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group
