 DOCUMENTARIES & SHORT SUBJECTS Every year we run a stunning collection of extraordinary documentaries in Theatre 3 (The Video Theatre) at the DGA. They continue our exploration of our REEL MYTHS theme and they're free. And every year we get complaints that it's too hard to pick between going to the documentary and short program or the features and panels in Theatre 2. This year we've redoubled out efforts to make your festival going experience stress free: we're running the entire documentary program on Saturday... and repeating it on Sunday! You have two chances to see these films. And you may want to see each one twice. But then you'll have to miss some of the features... The dilemma continues. JOSEPH CAMPBELL AND THE POWER OF MYTH Chapter One: THE HERO'S JOURNEY - 1:00 pm Part of the acclaimed PBS documentary series hosted by Bill Moyers. A fascinating interview with the extraordinary Joseph Campbell. He was a legendary teacher and storyteller and perhaps the world's foremost authority on the origin and meaning of myth. This first chapter in the series deals with, among other things, the mythical underpinnings of classic Hollywood films, in particular the film "Star Wars." (1988, appr. 56 min.) Sponsored by Reel Spirituality DIVINING THE HUMAN: THE CATHEDRAL TAPESTRIES OF JOHN NAVA - 2:15 pm written & directed by David Tlapek Explores artist John Nava's innovative creation of tapestries for the newly constructed Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, in downtown Los Angeles. Delving into questions about what the word 'sainthood' truly means, the film provides insight into the connections between art, faith and the human community. (2003, appr. 57 min.) SID VISION - 3:30 pm John Jack, Donna Pazdera & Todd Southern This Angelus Award winning student film explores the filmography of a man who produced numerous educational films aimed at American youth in the 1950's and 60's. It illuminates a fascinating slice of our film history as it deftly observes a mythology of youth that emerged from post-war America and lingers to this day. (2003, appr. 30 min.) A TURNING OF THE EARTH: JOHN FORD, JOHN WAYNE AND THE SEARCHERS - 4:15 pm directed by Nick Redman Tells the story of the making of what many consider the best Western of all time, John Ford's "The Searchers." It features a wealth of behind the scenes footage, along with insightful commentary from many of those who knew Ford and Wayne the best. It celebrates two great icons of film history, along with the Monument Valley locations that they both so loved and that have formed a mythic iconography of the American West. (1999, appr. 60 min.) Sponsored by Reel Spirituality LOST IN LA MANCHA - 6:00 pm written & directed by Keith Fulton & Louis Pepe Harsh realities lurking beneath the mythic veneer of movie making are hilariously revealed. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong in the making of Terry Gilliam's ill-fated, would-have-been rendering of the classic mythical figure, Don Quixote. (2002, appr. 95 min.) |
