Sunday, May 15, at 6:00 PM (Cocktails begin at 5:45)
at The Fifth Estate, 506 5th Avenue, Park Slope
I am really excited about this Sunday’s filmwax event. Not only are we screening Alexander Olch’s “The Windmill Movie” but it is the official DVD release party as well. The DVD has been released by The Film Desk under the auspices of Jacob Perlin. Both Jacob and Alexander will be at the screening this Sunday night. We’ll have a Q&A after the screening and DVDs will be available for purchase as well. I’m sure Alexander will be happy to autograph copies. It’s worth having a copy. Not only is a totally fascinating and moving film, but it’s stunning.
Filmmaker Richard P. Rogers tried for twenty years to make a documentary about his own life. He died in 2001, leaving the project unfinished, until his widow, acclaimed photographer Susan Meiselas, commissioned his former student Alexander Olch to make a film out of the pieces. Starting in the Hamptons, in the town of Wainscott, the film weaves Rogers’ footage into a journey through childhood memories, a less than encouraging mother, a family background of privilege, and Rogers’ persistent, dogged attempts to document his own life. Rogers’ friend, actor and writer Wallace Shawn, joins in the process, as the film investigates the differences between documentary and fiction, and tells the tragic story of Rogers’ life – a uniquely cinematic experience.
On Sunday, May 22 at 6:00 PM filmwax will present the documentary “Excuse Me, Mr. Speaker” with both filmmaker Justin Sullivan & the film’s subject, activist Paul Newell, in attendance. It’s a highly entertaining movie which puts the word scrappy back into campaigning. Check out the website for details. I’ve already posted an invite on Facebook.
