CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.
Education
Podtalk, Review: Director Ilker Çatak of ‘The Teachers’ Lounge’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 17, 2024 - 4:44pmCHICAGO – Public education is in the fight of its life. As curriculums are determined more through the state, parents and politics, the local authority of a child’s educator is being consistently diminished. This subject is the centerpiece of “The Teacher’s Lounge,” co-written and directed by German/Turkish filmmaker Ilker Çatak.
Flashback Interview: Jamie Redford, Filmmaker of ‘Resilence’ and Son of Robert, Dies at Age 58
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 20, 2020 - 6:32amMARIN COUNTY, CALIF. – James “Jamie” Redford was on a righteous mission. The activist filmmaker created documentaries that spoke of the ills society is facing, including “Toxic Hot Seat” (chemicals in households), “Paper Tigers” (childhood psychology), “Resilence” (a deeper dive into Adverse Childhood Experience) and his recent “Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution.” Jamie Redford died of bile duct cancer on October 16th, 2020, at his home in Marin County, California. He was 58.
Interview: Kristin Broadwell on Co-Creating ‘Paper People Play’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 2, 2020 - 5:44amCHICAGO – When the world stopped in March during the pandemic quarantine, there was an online kids-and-play concept invented by two sisters that really took off. “Paper People Play” is a deceptively simple website that evolves the paper doll form, bringing it to 21st Century children. Kristin and Brooke Broadwell were the co-creators, and the story of the concept is fascinating.!—break—>
Film News: ‘Filmscape Chicago’ Event at Cinespace Film Studios on Sept. 7 & 8, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 6, 2019 - 8:19pmCHICAGO – There is an expo this weekend that is providing educational and product info for the entire Chicago filmmaking community, and every other interested party. FILMSCAPE CHICAGO will take place on September 7th and 8th, 2019, at the magnificent Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. The event itself is free, with some small fee educational panels. For details, hours and ticket information, click here.
Interview: Director James Redford on His Essential Film ‘Resilience’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 4, 2016 - 3:13pmCHICAGO – James “Jamie” Redford is on a righteous mission. Using the power of his latest documentary film, “Resilience,” he is informing all of society to something WE ALL can relate to – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). Why is this important? Because virtually everyone is affected by these traumas, and it may be the key to healing many mental AND physical health problems, as well as some societal ills.
Film Review: ‘Won’t Back Down’ is an Agenda Disguised as a Film
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 28, 2012 - 3:54pmCHICAGO – There is an interesting trend in the financing of films, actual partisan organizations are fostering their points-of-view through the movies. This is nothing new in documentaries, but now it appears in a fictional film called “Won’t Back Down,” featuring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis.
Interviews: Programmers at 2011 Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 20, 2011 - 11:55amCHICAGO – Behind the scenes at the 2011 Chicago International Film Festival is a corp of programmers who determine what films, documentaries and special events will take place during the run of the festival. Their views and passions are the basis for the success of the two week film extravaganza.