TO HELLMAN AND BACK: AN EVENING WITH MONTE HELLMAN – June 8

The Film Society of Lincoln Center presented an evening of cinema, literature and music celebrating the return of iconoclastic director Monte Hellman and the release of a new edition of Charles Willeford's long out-of-print novel Cockfighter. FSLC, Picture Box Books and Monterey Media presented a movie double bill of Hellman's new film ROAD TO NOWHERE and his 70s cult-favorite COCKFIGHTER followed by a book party in the Furman Gallery  fueled by a live musical performance by Matt Sweeney.

 

FSLC's John Wildman and Monte Hellman listen to a question from the audience during the Q&A held in between screenings of Hellman's films. (Photo by Justina Walford) 

 

You shouldn't be intimidated in the least to ask this guy a question. (Photo by Justina Walford)

 

Film Comment's Chris Chang with Hellman at the book party following the screening. (Photo by Wildman)

 

Matt Sweeney provided the evening's bluesy soundtrack in the Furman Gallery. (Photo by Wildman)

 

Jesse Pearson, who wrote the forward in the new edition of Cockfighter and Picture Box Books' publisher Dan Nadal admire their handiwork at the book party. (Photo by Wildman)

 

Matt Sweeney does his best Warren Oates next to some guy's calf doing its best Warren Oates. (Photo by Wildman)

 

Torrey Oates compares notes with Jesse Pearson about her late father's work in COCKFIGHTER. (Photo by Wildman) 

 

 

OPEN ROADS: NEW ITALIAN CINEMA – June 1-8

Led by Gianni Di Gregorio, the writer/director/star of Opening Night favorite THE SALT OF LIFE, the Open Roads: New Italian Cinema film fest played to packed houses throughout the week. From Mario Martone's historical epic, WE BELIEVED to Giorgia Cecere's THE FIRST ASSIGNMENT and Giulio Manfredonia, seats were at a premium and audiences were treated to spirited Q&As attended by several of the films' directors and stars.

 

THE SALT OF LIFE's Gianni Di Gregorio is joined by the impressive Open Roads contingent of filmmakers and stars as he introduces the film on Opening Night. (Photo by Wildman)

 

 

THE SALT OF LIFE's Gianni Di Gregorio is clearly hating his life, flanked by co-stars Silvia and Laura Squizzato.

 

WE BELIEVED director Mario Martone and FSLC's Richard Pena take a question from the audience following the U.S. Premiere screening of Matone's film about Italy's 19th Century path to independence. (Photo by Wildman) 

 

Antonio Albanese (WHATSOEVERLY) and Alba Rohrwacher (SOLITUDE OF PRIME NUMBERS) outside the Walter Reade.

 

Marco Giallini introduces a screening of LOVE AND SLAPS (Photo by Godlis)

 

Directors Luca Lucini (THE WOMAN OF MY LIFE) and Giovanna Taviani (RETURN TO THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS) outside the Walter Reade.

 

Directors Carlo Mazzacurati (THE PASSION) and Lucio Pellegrini (UNLIKELY REVOLUTIONARIES) outside the Walter Reade.

 

Antonio Monda listens as director Carlo Mazzacurati explains his inspiration behind the THE PASSION. (Photo by Godlis)