Thursday, June 25, 2020

Ella Fitzgerald, Just One of Those Things, virtual movie (plus free Q&A)

Available starting June 26:
Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things

From our virtual cinema collection: Ella: Just One of Those Things about the great vocalist Ella Fitzgerald.

Ella Fitzgerald was a 15 year-old street kid when she won a talent contest in 1934 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Within months she was a star. “Ella: Just One of Those Things” follows her extraordinary journey over six decades as her sublime voice transforms the tragedies of her own life and the troubles of her times into joy.

The film uses never-before-seen images and unheard interviews to bring Ella Fitzgerald to life and to tell the story of her music.-a black woman who makes her career in the face of horrifying racism.

Here is an Ella the world never knew –tough, thoughtful, funny, a dazzling musical innovator.The film also uncovers Ella’s commitment to the battle for Civil Rights; and it explores the conflicts that always haunted this intensely private woman: the struggle to reconcile her hunger for adoring audiences with her longing for a domestic life with her husband and son. At a time when she was the biggest singing star in the world, her pianist and friend Oscar Peterson said Ella was “the loneliest woman in the world”. But as Jamie Cullum says “her music is one of the reasons it’s worth being on this planet"

Featuring interviews with: Tony Bennett, Jamie Cullum, Laura Mvula, Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Cleo Laine, Andre Previn, Norma Miller, Patti Austin, Izsak Perlman, Margo Jefferson, Will Friedwald and a rare interview with Ella’s son, Ray Brown Jr.

Watch the film at home, benefit the Strand

Here's the trailer:

Starting June 26 click for live link to see the film:

Plus a bonus Q&A about the film:
Sunday, June 28, at 7pm ET/4pm PT ). 

Producer Reggie Nadelon and author/music critic Will Friedwald will now be joined by author Margo Jefferson and singer Camille Thurman.

Margo Jefferson is distinguished culture critic and author of the acclaimed book Negroland

Camille Thurman, a singer and saxophone player, is a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.






Thursday, June 11, 2020

Picture a Scientist - new film about women in science from the virtual Strand (plus a Q&A)

Watch at home: support the Strand
Picture a Scientist
watch starting June 12
A new film to watch at home while supporting the present and future of the Strand Theatre. Should strike a chord here in Vicksburg where we have and have had so many women scientists. The film is an eye opening examination of the difficult journeys made by so many and the hard won progress that has been made.

PICTURE A SCIENTIST is a feature-length documentary film chronicling the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists. A biologist, a chemist and a geologist lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences, overcoming brutal harassment, institutional discrimination, and years of subtle slights to revolutionize the culture of science. From cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations, we also encounter scientific luminaries who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all.

Check out the trailer:

Click here starting June 12 for a link to the film...

And... 
Virtual Q&A:

A Q&A will take place 8-9 pm eastern time on June 17, with our three star scientists, two directors, and moderator Molly Webster of Radiolab. Viewers will be able to use the YouTube live chat feed to submit questions once the event begins.



Friday, June 5, 2020

Plimpton! New film about the man who did it all.

New Film:
Plimpton!
starting Friday, June 5
Laemmle / Zeller Films Presents
A New York Times Critic's Pick
Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself
A Film by Tom Bean and Luke Poling

One of the great adventurers of the 20th Century, George Plimpton embarked on a lifelong journey akin to fictional characters such as Forrest Gump and Indiana Jones.  He hung out with U.S. Presidents, played quarterback for the Detroit Lions, forced Willie Mays to pop out in Yankee Stadium, photographed Playboy models, was named the "Most Eligible Bachelor in Manhattan" by Esquire Magazine, played goalie for the Boston Bruins, struck the triangle for the New York Philharmonic and acted alongside John Wayne, Warren Beatty and Matt Damon. Some of these things he did well. Some he didn't.  But they were always amusing and inspiring.