Thoth (2001)

The Academy opens 2007 with a presentation of two Academy Award-winning documentaries by producer-director Sarah Kernochan, featuring prints from the Academy Film Archive.

The evening will begin with the documentary short subject Thoth (2001), from the original print submitted for Academy Award consideration, followed by the documentary feature Marjoe (1972), from a new print preserved by the Academy Film Archive. Complementing the screenings will be historical footage from past Academy Awards presentations as well as an onstage discussion with Sarah Kernochan, hosted by historian and journalist Perry L. van der Meer.

Thoth
Stephen Kaufman, aka Thoth, is a performance artist in Central Park. Dressed in nothing more than a gold loincloth and warrior headdress, Thoth performs his one-man operas, or "prayformances," with violin accompaniment, to bring divine inspiration and healing to the world. Amateur Rabbit Production. 16 mm. 40 minutes.

Academy Award winner: Documentary Short Subject (Sarah Kernochan, Lynn Appelle).

Marjoe
Marjoe Gortner, an extraordinarily charismatic fire-and-brimstone preacher, candidly reveals the tricks of his trade and his personal belief that religion is really just another business. Cinema X Production; Cinema 5, Ltd. 35 mm. 88 minutes.

Academy Award winner: Documentary Feature (Howard Smith, Sarah Kernochan).