San Rafael, CA - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will
honor independent filmmaker Les Blank with an Academy Salute at the
Rafael Film Center in San Rafael on Friday, November 22, at 8 p.m. The
evening also will celebrate the restoration of the Les Blank Film Collection
by the Academy Film Archive.
The program, open to Academy members and the general public, will feature
conversations with Blank and the screening of restored prints of three
of Blank's earliest documentaries. "God Respects Us When We Work,
But Loves Us When We Dance," a 1968 documentary focusing on the
fashions, energy and idealism of the Easter '67 "Love-In"
in Los Angeles; "The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins,"
a 1969 portrait of the great Texas bluesman; and "Dry Wood,"
a 1973 film that looks at black Creole life in French Louisiana, will
be shown during the evening.
Blank's films focus on people at the periphery of mainstream life and
in particular, their music, culture and cuisine. From the Louisiana
Bayou to the Tex-Mex border, from forgotten blues legends to Polish-American
polka dancers, Blank is able to capture the unique character of his
subjects on film.
"An Academy Salute to Les Blank" will continue on November
23 and 24 with a weekend of screenings open to the public which will
include five more films from Blank's collection that have been preserved
by the Academy Film Archive.
The weekend schedule is:
Saturday, November 23, at 2:00 p.m.
"Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe" (1979) 20 minutes
"Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers" (1980) 51 minutes
Sunday, November 24, at 2:00 p.m.
"A Well Spent Life" (1971) 44 minutes
"Always for Pleasure" (1978) 58 minutes
Sunday, November 24, at 7:00 p.m.
"Burden of Dreams" (1982) 95 minutes
For additional details and ticket information about "An Academy
Salute to Les Blank," Academy members should contact the Academy
at 310-247-3000, ext. 185. All other inquiries should be directed to
the Film Institute of Northern California at 415-454-1222.
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Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
8949 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90211-1972
(310) 247-3000
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