Sat, Nov 1 / 7 pm
Sun, Nov 2 / 2 pm
Thu, Nov 6 / 7 pm
Directed by Ron Mann
2014, Canada, 95 min
While refusing to bow down to Hollywood’s conventions, or its executives, filmmaker Robert Altman (M*A*S*H, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Nashville, Gosford Park and many more) had a unique style of filmmaking that won him friends and enemies, earned him worldwide praise, and occasionally scathing criticism, and proved that it is possible to make truly independent films.
Altman explores his classic TV directing work in the 1950s and ‘60s as well as his rare short and industrial films with terrific film clips from most of his works. There are great stories of his reputation as a rebel, interviews with his wife and children and covers material all way up to the award of his lifetime achievement Academy Award in 2006. The film features guest appearances by Robin Williams, Julianne Moore, Paul Thomas Anderson, Lily Tomlin, James Caan, Elliott Gould, Keith Carradine, Bruce Willis, Philip Baker Hall and Lyle Lovett.
Plays with:
Pot au Feu / Dir. Robert Altman, 1965, USA, 4 min
A tongue-in-cheek, Fellini-esque exploration of pot smoking in Los Angelinos. The film ultimately led to a dramatic career move, after producer Ingo Preminger invited Altman to direct his breakthrough hit M*A*S*H.
The Party / Dir. Robert Altman, 1966, USA, 4 min
Exploring the age-old theme of “revelry” threaded throughout Altman’s life and work.
