Best of the Orphan Film Symposium has appeared at STF every two years. The third edition on March 9 featured a sneak preview of a newly discovered film by Henri Cartier-Bresson, shot during the Spanish Civil War, along with other rarely seen works spanning the 20th century from left-wing newsreels to experimental animation to sublime home movies. Below are some photos from the night, courtesy of STF passholder EJ.
Playing catch up on the past couple weeks of STF. On Feb 23, director Dan Klores brought his highly entertaining film WINNING TIME: REGGIE MILLER VS THE NEW YORK KNICKS. As a basketball fan, I wasn’t sure if non-fans would share my appreciation for this. But did they ever. My favorite reaction came from passholder Hemal Trivedi who admitted that she didn’t know a Knick from a knack, but the film reminded her of a rivalry closer to her own experience between India and Pakistan’s cricket teams. (Photo courtesy of Joshua Weinstein – Thom Powers, director Dan Klores and editor David Zieff) Two days later, for a Thursday night special, STF audiences braved a blizzard to turn out in full force for the Oscar-nominated BURMA VJ. Joining for the Q&A was the editor-in-chief of the Democratic Voice of Burma, Aye Chan Naing, visiting from his base in Scandanavia. Naing described his organization’s efforts to smuggle footage out of Burma for the rest of the world to have a better understanding of the country. Afterwards, I introduced him to another political exile Ngwang Choephel who brought his film TIBET IN SONG to STF last spring (photo).
On March 2, filmmaker Judith Helfand celebrated her 20th anniversary of having beaten cancer as chronicled in her film A HEALTHY BABY GIRL. The intensely personal documentary was even more poignant for the presence of Helfand’s mother and other family in the audience. During the Q&A, Helfand previewed a few outtakes that she’s contemplating for a new DVD release of the film from Docurama. (Photo courtesy of EJ)
BEST OF THE ORPHAN FILM SYMPOSIUM returns for its third STF engagement with its most exciting line-up ever on Tuesday, March 9. (Tickets now on sale). Archivists use the term “orphan” to describe a variety of works whose origins are obscure. Every other year, NYU professor Dan Streible organizes a symposium to present the most exciting of these works and he brings a sampling to STF. Headlining this third edition is a rediscovered film shot by Henri Cartier-Bresson called “With the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain” (1937-38). Film scholar Juan Salas (who will introduce the film) recently discovered the 18-minute silent work in the collection the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives at NYU’s Tamiment Library. The original 16 mm print has been preserved and blown up to 35 mm. The STF event will mark its first public sneak preview.
Other highlights of the night include:
Bill Morrison, the acclaimed filmmaker of DECASIA, presents his 11-minute film HOW TO PRAY (2005). Read an interview with Morrison here.
THE JUNGLE (1967), a ground-breaking 22-minute film about a Philadelphia street gang, recently named to the National Film Registry
Author Farai Chideya introduces the delightful animated work SCRATCH AND CROW (1995), directed by Helen Hill, courtesy of Harvard Film Archive
THINK OF ME FIRST AS A PERSON (1960-75, Dwight Core, Sr. and George Ingmire III) sound; 35mm; 8 min. Print source: Library of Congress, Center for Home Movies Collection
CHUCK & VINCE: WEDDING OF THE YEAR, APRIL 8, 1978 (1978, Christine Wynne) 6 min. Super 8 sound home movie
“That’s where I edited my first documentary,” Robert Kenner said, pointing to a building on a walk through Soho on Wednesday. That fledgling effort, filmed in 1971, focused on George Jackson, the author of “Soledad Brother” who was killed in prison. Since then, Kenner has many years of documentary work behind him, including extensive work for PBS’s “American Experience” and a collaboration on “The Road to Memphis” in the series THE BLUES produced by Martin Scorsese. Not to mention Kenner’s production crew credit in RUNNING FENCE recently seen at STF.
After nearly four decades of work, Kenner has broken through to a new level with FOOD, INC., nominated for an Academy Award. Produced by Participant Media, FOOD, INC. had made extensive penetration into the national consciousness since its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008 – distributed via theaters, VOD, in-flight and more. Now on DVD, the film was recently topping Amazon charts after being featured on Oprah a few weeks ago.
On Wednesday, Kenner paid a visit to STF where the film played strongly on the big screen. Introducing the night, STF host Thom Powers noted that it was somehow fitting to hold the screening on the day when Lent begins “because this film will make you want to give up all food.”
Last Tuesday, THE ART OF THE STEAL screened as a sneak preview at STF with the filmmakers in person. Inclement weather didn’t deter viewers from filling the theater, following the film’s critical acclaim at the Toronto and New York film festivals last fall.
Director Don Argott was joined on stage by producer Sheena Joyce and executive producer Lenny Feinberg (pictured) to discuss their muck-raking investigation into the fate of Albert Barnes’ art collection, valued in the billions. The film is the subject of a Sunday New York Times article and won attention for its poster on the Auteurs site.
This film will begin its official run at the IFC Center starting on Friday.
Best of the Orphan Film Symposium has appeared at STF every two years. The third edition on March 9 featured a sneak preview of a newly discovered film by Henri Cartier-Bresson, shot during the Spanish Civil War, along with other rarely seen works spanning the 20th century from left-wing newsreels to experimental animation to sublime home movies. Below are some photos from the night, courtesy of STF passholder EJ.
Playing catch up on the past couple weeks of STF. On Feb 23, director Dan Klores brought his highly entertaining film 
Two days later, for a Thursday night special, STF audiences braved a blizzard to turn out in full force for the Oscar-nominated 
On March 2, filmmaker Judith Helfand celebrated her 20th anniversary of having beaten cancer as chronicled in her film 
Bill Morrison, the acclaimed filmmaker of DECASIA, presents his 11-minute film HOW TO PRAY (2005). Read an interview with Morrison 
THE JUNGLE (1967), a ground-breaking 22-minute film about a Philadelphia street gang, recently named to the National Film Registry 
“That’s where I edited my first documentary,” Robert Kenner said, pointing to a building on a walk through Soho on Wednesday. That fledgling effort, filmed in 1971, focused on George Jackson, the author of “Soledad Brother” who was killed in prison. Since then, Kenner has many years of documentary work behind him, including extensive work for PBS’s “American Experience” and a collaboration on “The Road to Memphis” in the series THE BLUES produced by Martin Scorsese. Not to mention Kenner’s production crew credit in 
Last Tuesday, THE ART OF THE STEAL screened as a sneak preview at STF with the filmmakers in person. Inclement weather didn’t deter viewers from filling the theater, following the film’s critical acclaim at the Toronto and New York film festivals last fall.