Podtalk

CHICAGO – Carla Bruni is a Chicago preservationist, and had a unique idea for a Fellowship within her discipline. Her idea became “Community Glue,” a gathering of repair artists and seamstresses to … you guessed it … repair/mend broken and damaged items, instead of throwing them away.

CHICAGO – A hugely successful Season 16 of Sophia’s Choice Asian Pop-Up Cinema concludes this weekend … April 15th & 16th … with four films from Taiwan, part of the Taiwan Cinema Showcase. For tickets and more information, click links to DAY OFF, MARRY MY DEAD BODY, GAGA and LOST IN FOREST. “Lost In Forest” includes an appearance and Q&A from director Johnny Chiang and featured actor Lee Kang Sheng.

CHICAGO – The world broke open and came to a more evolved place after the digital campaign of #MeToo and #TimesUp late last decade. In the entertainment industry especially, the stories of institutional sexual harassment was legion and pervasive.

CHICAGO – Spring is busting out all over for film festivals, and upcoming is the Wisconsin Film Festival, taking place within the environs of the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Wisconsin, from April 13th-20th, 2023, The popular fest is celebrating 25 years, and features a mix of current festival films, local filmmakers, International films and special presentations of cinema history. For all information and ticket availability, click WIfilmfest.org.

CHICAGO – Another Chicago creator has a World Premiere. Alyssa Thordarson, who makes her director debut with Michael Glover Smith, will present the short “Paper Planes” at the AfterImage Film Fest (Fox Valley, Illinois) on April 15, 2023.

CHICAGO – Perseverance is most likely the greatest trait, beyond talent and creation, in filmmaking. Jennifer Scott had a passion project that she co-wrote 13 years ago, and after the various stops and starts over a course of getting it off the ground, the film “Eyes Upon Waking,” went before the cameras in 2019, and is currently on the film festival circuit.

CHICAGO – This Easter weekend it’s worth noting that one of the greatest renditions of “the greatest story ever told” celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2023. “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the film adaptation of the 1970 rock opera by then 21-year-old Anthony Lloyd Webber and 24-year-old Tim Rice, was directed by Norman Jewison and starred Ted Neeley.

CHICAGO – The acclaimed director Kelly Reichardt has been an influencer in cinema since her debut film “River of Grass” in 1994. Her multi-award winning films include “Wendy and Lucy” (2008), “Meek’s Cutoff” (2010) and “First Cow” (2019). Her most recent film, set to release April 7th, is “Showing Up.”

CHICAGO – On April 1st (2:30pm), director Ka Sing Fung will represent the North American premiere of his film “Lost Love,” part of Season 16 for the Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), with screenings at AMC New City in Chicago. The film, part of Hong Kong Cinema Showcase, will feature a Q&A moderated by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. Click HONG KONG for location and timing details, including for the rest of the films in the series, including “The Sparring Partner,” “Remember What I Forgot,” and “Port of Call.”

CHICAGO – To indicate how the timeline is off during the pandemic period, Karen Cardarelli has been Executive Director of FACETS cinema since February of 2020, but impact began post pandemic. Besides reformulating FACETS, she also is spearheading the beginnings of the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals.