CHICAGO – The Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago continues to provide different viewpoints on the American stage, and their latest “Little Bear Ridge Road” is no exception. Featuring ensemble member Laurie Metcalf, it’s the resonate story of a family at the crossroads. For tickets/details, click LITTLE BEAR.
Podtalk: Filmmaker Bing Liu is Essential in ‘Minding the Gap’
CHICAGO – Sometimes, if a filmmaker is aligned, all of their experience, accessibility and life force combine to create a signature production. This is what happened to Bing Liu, who took his life as a skateboarder and explored beyond it to find what was essential. The result is the multiple award winning documentary, “Minding the Gap.”
The film, which is now available on the online Hulu Network, will have a special Chicago run at the Gene Siskel Film Center from August 31st to September 13th, 2018 (Filmmaker Bing Liu will also make various appearances throughout the run). The acclaimed documentary has been cleaning up in honors during its 2018 film festival screenings, including a Special Jury Prize for Breakthrough Filmmaking at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Home in Rockford: Bing Liu (center) with ‘Minding the Gap’ Skaters Keire Johnson (left) and Zack Mulligan
Photo credit: Hulu
The young director Liu has deep experience as a cinematographer and on-set production roles throughout his ten year career. He concurrently is featured as a director on the Steve James’ produced multi-part documentary “America to Me” (on the Starz Network), and has been making the festival rounds on behalf of “Minding the Gap.” He is personally connected to the film in a profound way, as he goes home to Rockford, Illinois, to examine fellow skaters Zack Mulligan, Keire Johnson and finally, himself. It is an extraordinary filmmaker statement.
In PART ONE of the Podtalk with Bing Liu of “Minding the Gap,” with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, the filmmaker observes his process in developing the documentary, and his collaboration with Gordon Quinn of Kartemquin Films.
In PART TWO of the Podtalk, Liu goes deeper into the meaning and memories of “Minding the Gap.”
By PATRICK McDONALD |