Passing

SAN MARCOS, Calif – There was an Alan Arkin for every generation. Post World War Two adults may have seen him at Chicago’s “The Second City.” Baby Boomers remember his films “Wait Until Dark” and “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians are Coming” and Gen X saw him in “The In-Laws” (“Serpentine, Shel”), “Glengarry Glen Ross” and his Oscar winning turn in “Little Miss Sunshine.” He even did a Netflix series, “The Kominsky Method.” For every generation, for every form of acting, there was Alan Arkin. He passed away on June 29th, 2023, at the age of 89.

LOS ANGELES – Stella Stevens had a prolific and adventurous career, especially considering all the famous co-stars and directors she encountered over her 60 year run. She began near end of the studio system in the late 1950s, and worked through the first decade of the post millennium. Stevens was 84 years old when she passed away February 17th, 2023, in her native Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES – Raquel Welch never let anyone define who she was, despite being touted as a sex symbol in her early career. She defined sexy in films such as “One Million Years B.C.,” “Fantastic Voyage” and the 1970s Three Musketeers series. The movie star and entrepreneur died at age 82 at her home in Los Angeles.

CHICAGO – Chaz Ebert carries on. The standard bearer for representing Chicago’s film world also continues her advocation for the community beyond film, since the passing of her husband Roger Ebert in 2013. Chaz will be honored by FACETS Chicago at their Screen Gems Benefit on September 28th, 2022.

CHICAGO – The sweeping and majestically searing “The Power of the Dog,” directed by Jane Campion, was named Best Picture in 2021 by the Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) on Wednesday, December 15th. The film also received recognition as Best Director, Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), Supporting Actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography and Original Score.

CHICAGO – Rebecca Hall is not content being one of the best actors of her generation. She also has directed her first feature film, “Passing,” streaming on Netflix beginning November 10th, 2021. Set in the 1920s, the story is of two female friends who reconnect after many years, revealing secrets affecting both of them.

CHICAGO – Rebecca Hall is not content being one of the best actors of her generation, she also has directed her first feature film, “Passing.” Representing the film at the 57th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF), she walked the Red Carpet … Joe Arce got the Exclusive Photo and Patrick McDonald got the interview.

CHICAGO – Day Eight of the 57th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) welcomes actor Rebecca Hall, presenting her debut film as director, “Passing,” the emotional story of racial identity in the early 20th Century (click PASSING for details).

CHICAGO – The 2021 Sundance Film Festival is winding down on Day Five, after a huge weekend of film premieres. This year’s festival is virtual and online, meaning anyone with a ticket or a pass can indulge in the film offerings throughout the festival, which runs until Wednesday, February 3rd.