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30/7/2001

Donald Cammell

American Cinematheque, Hollywood

The American Cinematheque presents "The wild outlaw eye: A tribute to the late director Donald Cammell, (July 31 - August 1, 2001)".

This two night program features two double features of Cammell's films:
PERFORMANCE (1970) co-directed with Nicolas Roeg and starring Mick Jagger; and the sci-fi thriller DEMON SEED (1977) will play on Tuesday, July 31, followed by a discussion between films with editor Frank Mazzola.

On Wednesday, August 1st is a double bill of an Ultra Rare Director's Cut of the serial killer thriller WHITE OF THE EYE (1987) coupled with the Director's Cut of THE WILD SIDE (1995), starring Anne Heche, Christopher Walken and Joan Chen. There will be a discussion between films with Cammell's wife and writing partner China Kong. Guests are subject to their availability. All screenings are at the newly renovated Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the historic Egyptian (6712 Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Las Palmas) in Hollywood.

Rooted in romanticism, but possessed of a sublime dark humor and a worldliness completely devoid of illusion, director and screenwriter Donald Cammell was unique in his devotion to emotionally truthful, deeply-layered narrative.

An uncompromising visionary from the start, Cammell repeatedly had his work tinkered and tampered with, from his scriptwriting for such Mod satires as THE TOUCHABLES and DUFFY, through his co-direction (with Nicolas Roeg) and editing of PERFORMANCE and later forays into consciousness-expanding, outlaw cinema like DEMON SEED and THE WILD SIDE. His superb psychological thriller WHITE OF THE EYE - ironically one of his most radical pictures - received the least interference due to sympathetic producer Elliot Kastner.

Unfortunately, the majority of Cammell's projects - including several writing collaborations with Marlon Brando - have not yet seen the light of day. In 1996, at the age of 62, Donald Cammell took his own life.


Donald Cammell

Tuesday, July 31, 2001

The Tuesday, July 31st program begins at 7:30 PM with a Double-Feature. First up is PERFORMANCE, (1970, Warner Bros., 105 min.), directed by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg and edited by Frank Mazzola. Perhaps the wildest, most deeply layered psychedelic movie ever made. Gangster James Fox goes on the lam, hiding out in reclusive pop star Mick Jagger's decaying townhouse in the hippie London ghetto. Jagger and poly-sexual pal Anita Pallenberg put Fox through his paces with mind games and large doses of psylocibin mushrooms - all climaxing in the mind-blowing "Memo for Turner" production number. Brutal beatings, sexual identity crises and prodigious drug taking are punctuated by one of Jack Nitzsche's best scores (highlighted by Ry Cooder's incredible bottleneck guitar work).

Next on the same bill is DEMON SEED, (1977, MGM/UA (Warner Classics), 94 min.), edited by Frank Mazzola. This provocative, imaginative sci-fi thriller is even more relevant today than when it was originally released. Scientist Fritz Weaver's supercomputer decides it wants to impregnate his wife Julie Christie with its artificially-created DNA, in a sinister attempt to take over the world with its hybrid progeny! A terrifying cat-and-mouse game follows as Christie is trapped alone in the house with the omniscient computer. Discussion between films with PERFORMANCE and DEMON SEED editor, Frank Mazzola.

Wednesday, August 1, 2001 The Wednesday, August 1st program begins at 7:30 PM with a Director's Cut Double-Feature starting with WHITE OF THE EYE (1987, Palisades Entertainment, 110 min.), co-written by China Kong. Exhilarating and disturbing thriller about a hip, happily-married custom stereo technician (David Keith) who also may happen to be a deranged serial killer. Cathy Moriarty, in her most pyrotechnic role outside of RAGING BULL, is his loving, no-nonsense wife who ends up having to fight for survival. Cammell's use of the rural New Mexico locations, his attention to back story for Keith's warped cosmic worldview, his dazzling visuals and direction of actors, come together in one of the most heady, bone-chilling depictions of insanity ever committed to film.

A certified must-see - especially in this unique, Director's Cut print, containing several additional minutes of footage never before screened in public! Next on the same bill is THE WILD SIDE (1995, Metro Tartan, 113 min.), co-written by China Kong and edited by Frank Mazzola. Ann Heche, an investment banker who likes to hook on the side, becomes involved with outlaw millionaire securities trader Christopher Walken, falls-in-love with Walken's larcenous wife (Joan Chen) and is blackmailed by Walken's psycho chauffeur (Steven Bauer)! If that's not enough to intrigue you, then be aware that this painstaking reconstruction of Cammell's director's cut (it was butchered by the original producers, and sported Cammell's "Franklin Brauner" pseudonym) has some of the most incredible crosscut-saw editing ever put on film, with a wealth of mind-blowing dialogue that plays like a hybrid of Beckett and Pinter. Discussion between films with Cammell's wife and collaborator China Kong.

Double Features are one ticket price for both films. There is a five minute break between films.

For additional information about some of Cammell's films please see the site:
http://www.mazzolafilmco.com

American Cinematheque
1800 North Highland Avenue, Suite 717
Hollywood, CA 90028
(tel) 323.466-FILM u (fax) 323.461.9737

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