CHICAGO – The late playwright August Wilson left a gift to the world in the form of his “American Century Cycle,” a series of plays each individually set in a decade of the 20th Century, focusing on the black experience. Chicago’s Goodman Theatre presents Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” now through May 19th, 2024 (click here).
Film News:‘All Creatures Here Below’ at Midwest Independent Film Fest, Sept. 3, 2019
CHICAGO – Two notable Midwestern filmmakers recently teamed up for their second film together, as the Midwest Independent Film Festival presents “All Creatures Here Below,” written by Colllin Schiffli and lead actor David Dastmalchian, and directed by Schiffli. After acclaim for their first shot-in-Chicago effort, “Animals” (2014), the duo widened their landscape palette in this road picture, as two desperate souls (Karen Gillan and Dastmalchian) seek asylum in their hometown Kansas City. The night’s activities begins at 6pm on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019, at the Landmark Century Cinema in Chicago, with an after party to follow the screening. Click here for details and tickets.
Both Schiffli and Dastmalchian have connections to Chicago. The director attended Columbia College here, and actor Dastmalchian attended The Theater School at DePaul University, before working in storefront theater in the city. Dastmalchian got his break in “The Dark Knight” (2008) as a henchman of the Joker. From there, he has split his time between independent film, TV (the “MacGyver” reboot) and feature films, most notably the Russian Kurt, part of the “Antourage” in the Marvel “Ant-Man” films. Collin Schiffli is currently working on his next film, “Die in a Gunfight.”
Karen Gillan and David Dastmalchian in ‘All Creatures Here Below’l
Photo credit: MidwestFilm.com
The Midwest Independent Film Festival is a year-round movie event in Chicago that takes place the first Tuesday of every month, at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema. The festival has been recognized by Chicago Magazine in their “Best of Chicago” issue, and has become one of the top places for local filmmakers, producers and actors to network in the city.
By PATRICK McDONALD |