In advance of Veteran's day brings you a truly fascinating account of a US soldier who mysteriously vanished during the Vietnam war, only to be spotted decades later, seemigly peacefully living amongst the Khmer Rouge. This leads his family to launch an investigation, aided by legendary documentarian Henry Corra. Mr. Corra will be joining us on Thursday for a special presentation of his latest work, The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan.
We are also thrilled to let you know about a late addition to our calendar: a sneak preview screening of The Lie with Director/Actor Joshua Leonard (The Blair Witch Project, HBO's Hung) in attendance. The film, a razor-sharp black comedy, was an instant hit at the Sundance Film Festival, and we're giving you a chance to see it before its theatrical release!
***Both of the films above are FREE for members (adv registration is strongly encouraged)
Another Sundance Favorite (in fact, Audience Award Winner) Senna graces the main hall all week long, while the screening room promises to deliver for fans of NY Times Bestseller "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" with Hedgehog.
Finally, don't forget about JP Lipa and Carole Murko's upcoming cinematic feast, Heirloom Meals, Thanksgiving, a tasty way to ring in the holiday!
topDOCS presents
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF
MCKINLEY NOLAN
Dir. Henry Corra (77min, USA, 2011)
Private McKinley Nolan vanished 40 years ago on the Cambodian frontier. Henry Corra's haunting meditation on war, memory and love follows the search, taking unexpected twists and turns along the way. After retired Army Lieutenant Dan Smith thinks he sees McKinley in a small Vietnamese town, devoted younger brother Michael travels from rural Texas to Vietnam to try to unravel the story. He meets the Vietnamese family McKinley married into as well as members of the Khmer Rouge who knew him. Though the search does not resolve all of the family's questions, deeper issues of family ties, cover-ups and remarkable personal histories are revealed.
Director Henry Corra in conversation with author and film critic
Michael Atkinson (Film Comment, Village Voice) after the screening.
"Instantly one of the most moving and utterly compelling documentaries of recent years." -Collin Parker, New York Examiner
*topDOCS is generously supported by Frank V. Sica
Thursday, November 10 - Reception 7pm | Film 7:30pm
Advance Tickets/At Door Price: General Admission $13 / $16 | Seniors $11 / $14
Members: FREE (adv registration strongly suggested)
College Students FREE with ID!
More Information and Tickets :: Trailer
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Reel Insider present a special preview screening of
THE LIE
Dir. Joshua Leonard (80min, USA, 2011) - Rated R
The feature directing debut from actor Joshua Leonard (The Blair Witch Project and HBO's Hung) is an insightful black comedy about a young disillusioned couple looking for relevance in an increasingly mundane world. When they first met, Lonnie and Clover were young idealists, but an unplanned baby forced them to flip the script. Lonnie put his music on hold and got a dull office job. And now Clover is abandoning her activism for an "opportunity" in the corporate world. Drowning in disappointments, Lonnie decides he needs some time off work to reexamine his life. He calls in sick, but his abusive boss demands he show up or get fired. Lonnie panics and tells a shocking lie to justify his absence - and once the lie if out, there's no going back. Now it's only a matter of time before the grenade he's thrown on his life explodes and Lonnie is suddenly pushed to figure out who he is, what he wants, and just maybe, what it means to be a father.
"A fresh take on familiar compromise-vs.-idealism angst, The Lie gets laughs without sacrificing its fairly serious look at a marriage...Likeably shaggy, with a winning cast." -John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter
Director/Actor Joshua Leonard will participate in a Q&A moderated by critic David Edelstein (New York Magazine, NPR's Fresh Air) after the screening.
*Reel Insider is generously supported by the Laurence W. Levine Foundation
Monday, November 14 - Reception 7pm | Film 7:30pm
Advance Tickets/At Door Price: General Admission $13 / $16 | Seniors $11 / $14
Members: FREE (adv registration strongly suggested)
More Information and Tickets :: Trailer
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HEIRLOOM MEALS, THANKSGIVING
Dir. JP Lipa (60min, USA, 2011) - Unrated
Heirloom Meals is a storytelling show about treasured family recipes, stories, and tips...savoring yesterday's traditions today. Murko's love of food and strong interviewing skills translated easily to camera as they filmed the special. The Thanksgiving Special features people from across the country and across cultures, as they talk about their favorite Thanksgiving recipes and memories. Featured interviews range from a direct descendant of the pilgrims to a newly minted citizen; from a Midwestern housewife to a Southern gentleman to an Italian grandmother. In an interview with a butcher who sells only local pasture-raised meats, we learn the importance of sustainable farming and of buying local food.
Director JP Lipa and Series Host/Producer Carole Murko in Person!
Pete and Gerry's Heirloom Eggs and Alex Elman Wine Treasures provide the food and beverage for a seasonal pre-screening reception.
***Please bring a non-perishable food item.
We will be collecting for the local food bank***
Wednesday, November 16 - Reception 7pm | Film 7:30pm
Advance Tickets/At Door Price: General Admission $13 / $16 | Seniors $11 / $14
Members: Everyday low price of $10 (at the door or in advance)
More Information and Tickets :: Trailer
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SENNA
Dir. Asif Kapadia (104min, United Kingdom, 2011) - Rated PG-13
Winner of the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, this high-octane documentary recounts the remarkable story of Ayrton Senna, the dashing young Brazilian who in the 1980s and 90s became a superstar and multiple World Champion in Formula One racing. Constructed entirely from archival footage with voiceovers, Senna spans the racing legend's years as an F1 driver, using previously unseen material, including astounding perspectives shot from behind Senna's wheel at several Grand Prix races. The film also traces the dramatic signposts of Senna's career, from his competitive relationship with French rival Alain Prost to his public differences with French F1 head Jean-Marie Balestre. An absorbing and exciting movie, even for those with no prior interest in racing, Senna is a captivating portrait of a sports artist at the height of his powers.
"Real life eclipses fiction in delivering a tale that combines heroism, villainy, suspense and a surprising amount of emotional resonance." -Bruce Demara, Toronto Star
Playing in the Main Hall: Nov 4-10
Advance Tickets/At Door Price: General Admission $9 / $12 | Seniors, Students, Child $8 / $10 Members: Everyday low price of $6 (at the door or in advance)
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THE HEDGEHOG
Dir. Mona Achache (98min, France, 2011) - Unrated
Inspired by the beloved New York Times bestseller, "The Elegance of the Hedgehog", by Muriel Barbery, The Hedgehog is the timely story of Paloma (Garance Le Guillermic) a young girl bent on ending it all on her upcoming twelfth birthday. Using her father's old camcorder to chronicle the hypocrisy she sees in adults, Paloma begins to learn about life from the grumpy building concierge, Renée Michel (Josiane Balasko). When Paloma's camera reveals the extensive secret library in Renée's back room, and that the often gruff matron reads Tolstoy to her cat, Paloma begins to understand that there are allies to be found beneath the prickliest of exteriors. As the unlikely friendship deepens, Paloma's own coming of age becomes a much less pessimistic prospect.
"The sweet, the comic and the tragic blend together most agreeably in the winsome French romance "The Hedgehog." -Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Playing in the Screening Room: Nov 4-10
Advance Tickets/At Door Price: General Public $8 / $6
Members: Everyday low price of $5 (at the door or in advance)
Showtimes & More Information :: Trailer
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Few Tickets Remaining - Will Sell Out
DECONSTRUCTING SGT. PEPPER
with Beatles expert Scott Freiman
The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is one of the most influential albums of our time. In the history of popular music, there is “Before Sgt. Pepper and “After Sgt. Pepper Rolling Stone described it as “the most important rock & roll album ever made, an unsurpassed adventure in concept, sound, songwriting, cover art and studio technology by the greatest rock & roll group of all time.”, In Deconstructing Sgt. Pepper, composer, musician, and Beatles expert Scott Freiman looks at the seminal album from multiple angles, exploring the history behind the music. Using rare and unreleased recordings, Mr. Freiman walks the audience through the construction of songs from take one to the final version. You are guaranteed to leave amazed at the Beatles' innovation in the studio and have a new found appreciation for the writing of Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison and even the drumming of Ringo Starr!
Thursday, December 8, 7:30pm
General Admission $11| Seniors/Student $9 | Members $6
More Information and Tickets