Interview

ROCHESTER, NY – The last week of the “job well done” certainly applies to the career of Legacy Curator Kathy Connor of the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, New York. After 42 years she retires as of March 31st, after overseeing the renovations and expansion to the Victorian mansion and the preservation efforts of George Eastman’s photography and film heritage.

CHICAGO – In one of the more unusual film releases of late, Caleb Landry Jones and Jojo T. Gibbs are the feature lead actors in “Dogman,” opening in Chicago on March 29th and wider on April 5th. Written and directed by Luc Besson (“The Fifth Element’), the film defies convention in a story that is multi-faceted and symbolic.

CHICAGO – Healing is the goal of the Life Force Arts Ensemble (LFAE). Combining Shamanic practice with the arts of music, dance, poetry and paintings, the current thematic exhibit is “Conscious Body: Living Soul From Sentience to Sovereignty.” In association with that theme will be a Sound Healing Ceremony entitled (click link) “Hawaiian Goddesses: Fire of Life” taking place on Sunday, March 24th, 2024.

CHICAGO – One of the great lesser known pioneers of social and civil rights history is Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. As a black woman in the 1960s/70s, she not only was elected to the House of Representatives but also ran for president in 1972 against all odds. Actor Christina Jackson was in Chicago on behalf of the new biopic, “Shirley.”

CHICAGO – Wednesday, March 20th, will begin Season 18 of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), a film festival that has grown and evolved to become a prime cultural influencer. The Founder and Curator of APUC, Sophia Wong Boccio, provides a preview to the new season below. For details, click SEASON 18.

CHICAGO – The World Premiere of a debut feature film is one of the most important days for the production company and in this case Brittani Ward, the writer and director. ‘Single Car Crashes,” a made-in-Chicagoland film, will have its World Premiere at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California, on March 15th, 2024.

CHICAGO – The names “TJ & Dave” are legion in the Chicago entertainment scene. The improvisation duo – T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi – are improv performers who heighten the status of the city as a comedic destination. Now they’re featured in a indie TV pilot that will premiere at SXSW 2024 entitled “Bettendorf Talks.”

CHICAGO – During Oscar week, all eyes turn to Unit Photographer Dale Robinette, who got the assignment on the Oscar nominated “Barbie.” The following on-set pictures were snapped during the production’s time in Los Angeles, which including the iconic cowpoke wardrobe of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

CHICAGO – The Windy City will be represented at the upcoming SXSW Festival in Austin (March 8th-16th, 2024), and throughout the week there will be a series of articles previewing their interaction. The series begins with Curtis Matzke of Unfinished Films, sitting on the panel he created, “Understanding Artist Residencies & Retreats for Filmmakers” on March 10th.

CHICAGO – The 2024 Chicago Irish Film Festival celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary and the Opening Night is February 29th, with the drama “Verdigris.” The in-person fest is through March 3rd, and the online fest is March 4th-10th. Click IRISH FEST for tickets and details.