I’m proud to say that Mobile is one of stops on the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers; the first event in this exciting series is Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 6:45 p.m. in Bernheim Hall of the Ben May Main Library (701 Government St.)
The screening will be “The Short Films of Roger Beebe: Documents/ Experiments/ Wisecracks,” which, for those enthusiastic about film but short of attention span, comprises seven short pieces. After the screening, the filmmaker, who is also an Associate Professor of Film and Media Studies at the University of Florida and the Artistic Director of the Florida Experimental Film/Video Festival, will be on hand to answer questions in a discussion moderated by yours truly.
A reception will follow. This will be great opportunity to meet other film buffs, members of the arts community, and Roger Beebe himself, who, based on what I’ve seen of his work, must be a rather interesting guy. You can also confront me in person about my hatred of the film “Crash.” And it’s all free.
Beebe’s goal is to “document the world and attempt to understand where we are, where we are going and what we left behind,” and his films are skillfully crafted essays, thought-provoking and engaging. His artistic vision embraces the mundane American shopping center in “The Strip Mall Trilogy” and suburban decay in “S A V E” and recognizes something beautiful in them.
Beebe also exhibits a comic, philosophical nature. For example, in “Famous Irish Americans,” the filmmaker humorously explores our traditional way of thinking about race by proposing that prominent African Americans with Irish last names, like Shaquille O’Neal, are also famous Irish Americans. In addition to those films, the program includes “A Woman, A Mirror,” “Composition in Red & Yellow,” “Flicker Primer” and “(rock/hard place).”
Beebe’s work has screened at venues and film festivals around the world including the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, the CBS Jumbotron in Times Square, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Beirut Experimental Film Festival, and the Museum of Modern Art.
We can add Bernheim Hall to that impressive list Sept. 18. The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers is the kind of event we (I) love to complain that we never get. Well, guess what? It’s here. Don’t miss it.
Visit the Southern Arts Federation, which sponsors this event in sixteen regional communities, at www.southarts.org. For more information locally contact the Mobile Arts Council at 432-9796.
The celebration of eccentric cinema continues at the first meeting of the newly formed Mobile chapter of the International Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, “The Sons of the Desert.” Those enamored of the timeless comedic duo, or film fans looking to learn more about the roots of American comedy, can attend a free screening of two of the pair’s famous films at the Playhouse in the Park in Langan Park, Sept. 23 at 3:00 p.m.
Formed in 1953, this organization is named after the film “The Sons of the Desert,” a comedy which itself satirizes a fraternal organization such as this. Each chapter is referred to as a “tent” and each is named after a Laurel and Hardy movie. The Mobile tent has chosen the 1928 silent “You’re Darn Tootin’” as their moniker.
It should be noted that the official crest of this organization bears a Latin inscription which reads, “Two Minds Without a Single Thought.” If this sounds like your kind of group, you should attend this event to learn more. At the very least, you will have occasion to say and hear the word “tootin’” repeatedly.
The nascent local chapter will show “The Sons of the Desert” from 1933 and the silent “You’re Darn Tootin’” from 1928. Afterwards there will be a short lecture from University of South Alabama professor Richard Ward, who published a book in 2006 called A History of the Hal Roach Studios, which is where Laurel and Hardy and many other films were produced.
Organizers want to introduce younger generations to these brilliant films from the early days of American cinema. To that end, free concessions will be served. Sated by complimentary Snicker’s, attendees will find themselves drawn in to a distant but powerful world of the early cinema. If you’ve never experienced these comedies, you owe it to yourself to check it out.
Call Danny Mollise at 602-0630 for more information.
Contact Asia Frey at afrey@lagniappemobile.com.
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