Camera Cinema Club Events

Also on this page...

• Overview of Current Season
• Overview of 2004-2005 Season
• Overview of 2003-2004 Season
• Overview of 2002-2003 Season
• Overview of 2001-2002 Season
• The 2000-2001 Season
• The 1999-2000 Season
• The 1998-1999 Season
• The 1997-1998 Season
• The Inaugural 1996-1997 Season

The Camera Cinema Club events are the most unique cinematic experiences offered in the Bay Area. Jessica Yu, Academy Award-winning filmmaker for her short documentary, "Breathing Lessons: The Life And Works of Mark O'Brien", was the featured guest at the April 20th, 1998 club screening. In a stunning act of generosity, Ms. Yu brought along her Oscar and allowed it to be passed amongst the members in attendance--certainly one of the highlights of our inaugural season.

October 16 - THE CALIFORNIANS

The 2005-2006 Cinema Club season got off to a humorous start with Jonathan Parker's political satire THE CALIFORNIANS, filmed largely in and around the Bay Area, and using humor and music to explore the tensions between land developers eager to build houses in open areas and environmentalists who want to preserve the beauty of nature. Parker and co-screenwriter/producer Catherine DiNapoli were on hand for post-film discussion.

November 13 - THE DYING GAUL

The Camera Cinema Club screened THE DYING GAUL, writer/director Craig Lucas' (LONGTIME COMPANION) cinematic amalgam of deceit, emotional and psychic manipulation, identity-switching, the Hollywood filmmaking process and politics. Unable to appear in person due to scheduling conflicts, Lucas took questions from the audience via telephone.

January 8 - ILLUSION

The Club presented ILLUSION, a moving and provocative film about love, loss and redemption starring legendary actor Kirk Douglas in an Oscar-quality performance as a dying movie director reflecting back on his life of achievement but no love. In attendance for question-and-answer sessions was the film's writer/director and Emmy Award winning co-star Michael Goorjian (Party of Five; SLC Punk). For more information, visit http://www.illusionthemovie.com/

February 12 - BRICK

The Camera Cinema Club got a taste of what writer-director Rian Johnson calls "patois noir" through his innovative feature debut, BRICK, in which he translates pulp fiction/film noir archetypes into the realm of a 21st-century SoCal high school where Brendan stumbles into a world of drugs and violence after an ex-girlfriend calls on him for help and then winds up dead. Johnson spoke to the club via telephone from Malta, Spain. His film received a Special Jury Prize for Originality of Vision at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.

March 19 - FRISBEE: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A HIPPIE PREACHER

The Club presented FRISBEE: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A HIPPIE PREACHER, a provocative documentary of chronicling the Jesus Movement that peaked in the U.S. in the early 70s through the persona and life of Lonnie Frisbee -- self styled drug user, hippie and Jesus Freak -- who brought the Christian Evangelical Movement to the counter culture (and vice versa) and who died of AIDS in 1993 at the age of 44. In attendance was filmmaker David Di Sabatino.

April 9 - HARD CANDY

Club members were riveted to HARD CANDY, the intense story of 14-year-old Hayley's (Ellen Page) meeting with photographer Jeff (Patrick Wilson) after an online flirtation that turns violent when Hayley discovers that Jeff may be a child pornographer. Director David Slade conducted a telephone Q&A from Los Angeles with the audience.

May 21 - COLMA: THE MUSICAL

The Cinema Club screened COLMA: THE MUSICAL, a catchy and exuberant home-grown indie feature set in Colma, California, with 13 tuneful songs featuring all original music. In attendance were director Richard Wong, ensemble cast member, screenwriter and composer/lyricist H.P. ("Patrick") Mendoza; and ensemble cast member/producer Paul Kolsanoff.

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July 9 -

August 13 -

October 12, 2004		Primer - Sci-fi thriller Primer, the Grand Jury Prize winner at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, in which four young corporate engineers create a new device in their garage.
November 14, 2004		Assassination of Richard Nixon - Chilling drama focusing on the tragic true story of Sam Bicke, who in 1974 attempted to assassinate Nixon.
January 9, 2005		The Chorus - French Oscar nominee about a new teacher who forms a boys' choir at a French reform school in 1949.
February 13, 2005		The Delicate Art of Parking - Mockumentary comedy in which Lonny Goosen, a scheming filmmaker with an atrocious parking record who gets revenge through a searing expose.
March 27, 2005		The Mudge Boy - Gripping drama chronicles the troubled existence of Duncan Mudge, a 14-year-old misfit traumatized by his mother's passing.
April 17, 2005		Lipstick and Dynamite - Colorful documentary profiling lady wrestlers of the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, including Gladys "Killem" Gillem, the Fabulous Moolah, the Great Mae Young.
May 15, 2005		Mad Hot Ballroom - Inspiring look inside the lives of New York City school kids journeying into the world of ballroom dancing.
June 12, 2005		March of the Penguins - Filmed over 13 months in Antarctica, the story of the Emperor Penguin's struggle to eat, live, and reproduce.
July 17, 2005		Last Days - Gus Van Sant's fictional meditation on the inner turmoil that engulfs a brilliant, but troubled musician in the final hours of his life.
August 21, 2005		The Talent Given Us - An original and humorous "road'' movie about a middle aged couple who head cross country to track down their long-lost son.

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October 12, 2003		Zero Day - In Ben Coccio's chilling directorial debut, two best friends record on video the planning and execution of an assault on their high school classmates.
November 16, 2003		My Flesh And Blood - This powerful Sundance Film Festival winning documentary chronicles a year in the life of northern California single mother Susan Tom, raising 13 handicapped children, ages 8 to 19.
January 11, 2004		Straight Into Darkness - This war drama focuses on two American army deserters struggling to survive as they embark on an emotional journey of combat and self realization.
February 15, 2004		The Best Thief In The World - A compelling drama exploring the many ways a father's stroke affects a working-class Manhattan family, centering on a stormy mother-son relationship.
March 14, 2004		The Prince And Me - In this cinematic fairy tale, Wisconsin farm girl Paige (Julia Stiles) falls in love with the Prince of Denmark, leading to a cultural and generational clash.
April 18, 2004		Valentin - The autobiographical story of an eight-year-old boy in 1960s Argentina who just wants to be loved and to have a "normal" family.
May 16, 2004		Cock And Bull Story - The friendship of a gifted young boxer and his emotionally imbalanced best pal are put to the test as the boxer prepares for the biggest fight of his life.
June 13, 2004		Frankie And Johnny Got Married - Based on a true story, actress Lisa Chess drops everything to self-finance a modest production of a romantic comedy about two lost people finding each other.
July 18, 2004		Maria Full Of Grace - Spirited and rebellious Maria, frustrated with her deadend life in rural Bogota, is drawn to Franklin, a stylish young man who talks of a cool job that involves travel.
August 22, 2004		Broadway: The Golden Age - Rick McKay's survey of American musical theater offers tantalizing snippets of long ago performances, and many priceless interviews.

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October 20, 2002		The Good Thief - This feature film debut follows Chris, a young Irish-American man just released from prison for taking the fall for the local Irish mob.
November 17, 2002		Tully - Hilary Birmingham's quietly told drama exploring a legacy of love between two young men and their troubled father.
January 12, 2003		Max - Daring historical drama exploring a fictional post-World War I friendship between Adolph Hitler and wealthy German Jews Max Rothman.
February 16, 2003		The Weather Underground - Sam Green's extraordinary doc about the infamous Weathermen, who stirred domestic havoc with their violent protest measures against the Vietnam war.
March 16, 2003		Stone Reader - Mark Moskowitz's fascinating journey--and love song to reading--to find the author of a book, "The Stones of Summer", that changed his life.
April 13, 2003		The Man In The Glass Booth - Arthur Hiller powerful drama about wealthy Jewish businessman Arthur Goldman, and his possible connections to the Holocaust.
May 4, 2003		Charlotte Sometimes - Sex, love and loneliness converge in a love triangle in Eric Byler's haunting and challenging drama.
June 22, 2003		Prey For Rock and Roll - Playwright, screenwriter and composer Cheri Lovedog's autobiographical account of her years in an all-girl rock band.
July 13, 2003		Skin Deep - Former Cinema Club director Ken Karn produced this psychological murder-mystery-thriller, best film/actor at the 2003 American Black Film Festival.
August 3, 2003		American Splendor - Genre-defying film based on Harvey Pekar's seminal autobiographical comic book first published in 1976.

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September 23, 2001		Happy Accidents - Sci-fi/romantic comedy starring Oscar winner Marisa Tomei.
October 21, 2001		Innocence - Late-life, second-chance romance from Down Under.
November 18, 2001		Go Tigers! - Documentary portrait of high school football powerhouse.
January 13, 2002		Waydowntown - Award-winning urban drama from Canada.
February 17, 2002		Baran - Romantic drama among Aghan refugees in Iran.
March 17, 2002		The Medicine Show - Autobiographical drama of courage in the face of death.
April 14, 2002		The Salton Sea - High-octane film noir thriller starring Val Kilmer.
May 5, 2002		Maelstrom - Unique urban folk tale from Canada.
June 9, 2002		The Believer - Riveting take of love, hate and faith.
July 14, 2002		Lovely And Amazing - Brenda Blethyn in an intimate family portrait of four hapless but resilient women.

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September 24, 2000		Girlfight - Powerful Sundance Grand Prize winner about Latina girl who finds herself in boxing ring.
October 14, 2000		Venus Beauty Institute - France Cesar Award winner starring Nathalie Baye as Angele, a 40-something cosmetologist who has written off the possibility of love in her life.
November 19, 2000		Me And Isaac Newton - Documentarian Michael Apted journeys into the hearts and minds of seven scientists who have solved mysteries that are centuries old.
January 14, 2001		Ratcatcher - Scottish director Lynne Ramsay's first feature following 2 weeks in the life of James, a gaunt 12-year-old living in the slums of Glasgow during an epic garbage strike in the 70's.
February 18, 2001		The Widow of St. Pierre - Patrice Leconte drama based on true story of sailor sentenced to death in mid-1800s Newfoundland, starring Juliette Binoche and Daniel Auteuil.
March 18, 2001		With A Friend Like Harry - Dominik Moll's Hitchcockian drama about a family on their way to their holiday home, approached by Harry, a school acquaintance they can't remember, who then proceeds to invade their lives.
April 15, 2001		The Party Crashers - A comedic heist film about a group of disillusioned but desperate actors and writers who hijack a Hollywood party and hold it hostage.
May 27, 2001		The Anniversary Party - Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming (who also direct) star as a Hollywood couple celebrating their 6th wedding anniversary, and the fact that they have reconciled after a years separation.
June 17, 2001		Jerome - One day, Wade Hampton leaves his old life in LA behind and heads off to Jerome, Arizona, an enclave of artists and bohemians.
July 15, 2001		Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Born a boy named Hansel in Communist East Berlin, Hedwig finds his other half and seeks musical fame in America in this rock musical.

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September 26, 1999		Getting To Know You - An ingenious adaptation of several dark short stories by Joyce Carol Oates, and a dramatic look at the dysfunction and chaos which often afflict everyday people.
October 17, 1999		Last Night - Canadian writer/director/actor Don McKellar's end of the world comedy/drama about the different ways a few average individuals choose to spend their remaining hours on Earth before the impending apocalypse.
November 14, 1999		American Movie - Award-winning documentary charting two years in the life of Mark Borchardt, a sporatically employed, divorced father of two who refuses to give up his dream of making the Great American Movie.
January 9, 2000		A Map Of The World - Oscar-nominated Sigourney Weaver as teacher and mother trying to find her way in the world after a series of tragedies forever alters her life in small-town Wisconsin.
February 13, 2000		Mr. Death/Beautiful People - Errol Morris' documentary about death house technician Fred Leuchter; and Jasmin Dizdar's comedy/drama about several immigrant families in contemporary London.
March 19, 2000		Detention - Andy Anderson's subversive tale of every educator's fantasy, a substitute teacher who doesn't back down.
April 16, 2000		The Girl Next Door - Documentary on the life and times of Oklahoma housewife-turned-porn star Stacy Valentine.
May 21, 2000		Croupier - Mike Hodges brilliant 1998 noir thriller about frustrated novelist Jack Manfred, who takes a job as croupier in an elegant London gaming house.
June 11, 2000		Blessed Art Thou - Tim Disney's first feature film, in which monks at a northern California monastery experience a miraculous encounter, with implications that are both stunning and uplifting.
July 16, 2000		The Five Senses - Canadian director Jeremy Podeswa's award-winning drama pivoting around, you guessed it, the five senses, and the lives of five characters, each searching for a significant and intimate human connection.

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September 27, 1998		Hands On A Hardbody - Documentary about 24 Texans competing in a "hands-on" endurance contest for a new Nissan truck.
October 18, 1998		Pleasantville - Comedy/drama where two teenagers are mysteriously transported into a 1950s black-and-white sitcom.
November 15, 1998		Elizabeth - Oscar-nominated thriller depicting the dramatic rise to power of Queen Elizabeth.
January 10, 1999		Jay Rosenblatt's Short Films - Found footage shorts, Short Of Breath, The Smell Of Burning Ants and Oscar-nominated Human Remains
February 21, 1999		Cleopatra's Second Husband - Local filmmaker Jon Reiss' debut feature, a harrowing, yet wickedly funny, exploration of power and submission.
March 21, 1999		The Living Museum - Patients in a psychiatric center express themselves through art in Academy Award winner Jessica Yu's documentary.
April 18, 1999		Three Seasons - Local filmmaker Tony Bui returns to Vietnam to make this poetic and moving drama of a country in transition
May 30, 1999		The Third Man - Restored version of 1949 Carol Reed classic starring Orson Welles.
June 13, 1999		Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl - Powerful story of young Shanghai girl "sent-down" for rural training during Cultural Revolution.
July 11, 1999		The Dinner Game - Hilarious French farce about wealthy and obnoxious yuppies engaged in a never-ending game of oneupsmanship.

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September 21, 1997		Waco: The Rules Of Engagement - Gripping Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary
October 26, 1997		A Self-Made Hero - A French deserter from WWII appropriates a war hero's identity
November 28, 1997		Welcome To Sarajevo - Michael Winterbottom's harrowing true story of war
January 11, 1998		AfterGlow - Alan Rudolph directs Academy Award nominee Julie Christie
February 15, 1998		Mrs. Dalloway - Academy Award winning director Marleen Gorris and Vanessa Redgrave
March 15, 1998		River Red - Powerful debut feature from Sundance '98
April 19, 1998		Paulina - Vicki Funari's Spanish language docu-drama
May 31, 1998		Habit - Critically-acclaimed debut feature from Larry Fessenden
June 14, 1998		Stuart Bliss - Hilarious black comedy hit from L.A. Indie Fest
July 12, 1998		The Chambermaid on The Titanic - Bigas Luna's lush and romantic tale of love and deceit.

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November 17, 1996		Sling Blade - Academy Award, Best Screenplay
January 19, 1997		Kolya - Academy Award, Best Foreign Film
February 16, 1997		love jones - Sundance Audience Award Winner
March 16, 1997		Kissed - The Year's Most Controversial Film
April 6, 1997		Citizen Ruth - Laura Dern's Best Performance
April 20, 1997		Jessica Yu Films - Breathing Lessons, Better Late, Sour Death Balls
May 18, 1997		Shall We Dance? - Japanese film hit
June 15, 1997		Ulee's Gold - Critically-acclaimed Victor Nunez film starring Peter Fonda
July 13, 1997		The Full Monty - Oscar-nominated Comedy from Peter Cattaneo

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