FILM/SNEAK PEEK : LACMA FOCUSES ON VAN GOGH.Byline: - Bob McCarthy It's only human to feel like a failure now and then, but Vincent van Gogh's losing streak was herculean by all standards. He suffered mental illness, poverty, the infamous loss of his ear and ultimately suicide. While his genius is recognized today more than 100 years after his death, van Gogh sold just one painting in his lifetime. Various filmmakers have looked at van Gogh from different angles, either directly examining the artist's struggle to be understood, his devoted brother, his friendship with fellow artist Paul Gaugin or in purely fictional terms as an intriguing figure whose meaning eludes us. As a preview to this month's opening of the ``Van Gogh's Van Goghs'' exhibit, Los Angeles County Museum Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles, Calif. The original museum opened in 1913. Among its important patrons was William Randolph Hearst, whose enormous collection brought the museum major status among the country's art houses. of Art's film department is hosting a three-night Van Gogh series starting Thursday night. French director Maurice Pialat's ``Van Gogh'' from 1992, with subtitles, will screen at 7:30 p.m. Woven into this account of the productive final months of the artist's life are his patron, Dr. Gachet; the doctor's flirtatious flir·ta·tious adj. 1. Given to flirting. 2. Full of playful allure: a flirtatious glance. flir·ta daughter; the French painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec Noun 1. Henri Toulouse-Lautrec - French painter who portrayed life in the cafes and music halls of Montmartre (1864-1901) Toulouse-Lautrec ; and van Gogh's brother, Theo. Robert Altman's treatment of the bond between brothers, ``Vincent & Theo,'' will screen Friday. Tim Roth stars as Vincent, with Paul Rhys Paul Rhys (December 19, 1963), is a Welsh actor, best known for his television work. Rhys was born in Neath, and studied at RADA. While there, he obtained his first major screen role, in Absolute Beginners (1986). as his art-dealer brother in a first-rate biography that sheds light on Theo through the letters they shared. A short excerpt from the late Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's ``Dreams'' about a young painter who walks into a van Gogh painting for a talk with its creator also is being shown. Kirk Douglas gives a riveting performance as the tormented artist in director Vincent Minnelli's ``Lust for Life'' from 1956, being shown Saturday night. Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn (April 21, 1915 – June 3, 2001) was a two-time Academy Award-winning Mexican/American actor, as well as a painter and writer. co-stars as Paul Gaugin, with whom van Gogh shared a testy tes·ty adj. tes·ti·er, tes·ti·est Irritated, impatient, or exasperated; peevish: a testy cab driver; a testy refusal to help. friendship, a performance that won Quinn an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor supporting actor n → attore m non protagonista . A second film about Gaugin, ``Wolf at the Door'' from 1987, will follow. This overlooked film by Christopher Hampton (``Les Liaisons Dangereuses'') concentrates on Gaugin's attempt to break into the Parisian art scene, and stars Donald Sutherland and Max von Sydow. Closer encounter Steven Spielberg's director's cut director's cut n. The version of a film in which the editing process is overseen, executed, or approved by the director, usually including footage not included in the standard release. of ``Close Encounters of the Third Kind'' will be shown in its entirety at 8 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Sony Pictures' film restoration department has created this new version that combines digitally remastered sound with sequences from the first and special editions of the 1977 production about UFOs and the shrouded arrival of extraterrestrials. ``Close Encounters'' won Oscars for cinematography cinematography: see motion picture photography. cinematography Art and technology of motion-picture photography. It involves the composition of a scene, lighting of the set and actors, choice of cameras, camera angle, and integration of special and a special achievement award for sound-effects editing, and was nominated in seven other categories, including Best Director and Best Supporting Actress supporting actress n → attrice f non protagonista (Melinda Dillon). The cast and technical crew will convene on stage afterward for a panel discussion. Spielberg wrote the screenplay, and Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr and Francois Truffaut co-star. Tickets cost $3 for academy members and $5 for the public, and may be purchased during regular business hours BUSINESS HOURS. The time of the day during which business is transacted. In respect to the time of presentment and demand of bills and notes, business hours generally range through the whole day down to the hours of rest in the evening, except when the paper is payable it a bank or by a or on the night of the screening. The academy is at 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Call (310) 247-3600 for information. Top documentaries Contemporary Documentary Series resumes Tuesday at UCLA's James Bridges Theater with ``Frank Capra's American Dream'' and ``Riding the Rails'' being screened. Now through March 16, exemplary documentaries will be shown as part of the 17th annual documentary series, co-sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy Foundation and the UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX Film and Television Archive. ``A Story of Healing'' - the 1997 Oscar winner for short documentary from 1997 - and three other nominated productions are on the slate. Seating is free, and the program begins at 7:30 p.m. Whenever possible, the filmmakers will attend. The theater is near Sunset Boulevard and Hilgard Avenue on the northwest corner of the Westwood campus. Parking in Lot 3, next to the theater, costs $5. Call (310) 205-3456 for information. Writers network Guest speaker Scott Frank, whose writing credits include ``Out of Sight'' and ``Get Shorty short·y also short·ie Informal n. pl. short·ies 1. A person short in stature. 2. A thing of less than average size, length, extension, or duration. adj. ,'' will talk about the art of adaptation to the Scriptwriters Network on Jan. 9. The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. at Universal Studios in Building 476, Rehearsal Hall B. Frank is a repeat guest speaker. Seating is limited, and reservations must be made by calling (323) 848-9477. Nonmembers are invited and pay $15. The Scriptwriters Network is a nonprofit group of film and television writers that hosts monthly speakers and holds an annual script competition. For going online: http://scriptwritersnetwork.com for club information. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Steven Spielberg's director's cut of ``Close Encounters of the Third Kind'' will be shown in its entirety at 8 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. |
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