Director Jeff Kaufman, executive producer Voza Rivers and musician Roy Haynes. Photo: Godlis

The Savoy King: Chick Webb and the Music That Changed America
Director and writer Jeff Kaufman, Executive Producer Voza Rivers, and jazz drummer Roy Haynes sat down with Richard Peña on Thursday to discuss The Savoy King: Chick Webb and the Music That Changed America, a vibrant and inspiring documentary on legendary Swing pioneer Chick Webb that will be screened as part of the On the Arts section at the 50th New York Film Festival.

In discussing the early inspiration for the documentary, as well as the challenges met in dealing with limited footage of Chick Webb performing live, Jeff Kaufman gave insight into his arduous, but rewarding journey in creating The Savoy King. Like the Savoy ballroom itself, Kaufman described the sense of togetherness that developed in working with the vocal cast, which includes the likes of Bill Cosby and Janet Jackson, as well as prominent jazz musicians such as Roy Haynes, who were involved in the film’s many interviews. —Hannah Lee

The Savoy King: Chick Webb and the Music That Changed America screens September 29 at 12:00pm and October 2 at 3:30pm.


Ingrid Caven in a still from the film.

Ingrid Caven: Music and Voice<br />Director Bertrand Bonello was drawn to Ingrid Caven’s performance style as an audience member. His desire to capture on film the experience of watching Caven perform was the focus of Thursday's press conference in the Walter Reade Theater.

In his discussion with Richard Peña, Bonello shed light on Ingrid Caven’s diverse range of genres—from her early training in classical to a more personalized form of cabaret and contemporary music—as well as his own cinematic decision to strip the film of any artificiality or diversion from the pure performance onstage. —Hannah Lee

Ingrid Caven: Music and Voice screens September 29 at 6:30pm.


Director Mick Gochanour, producer Robin Klein and programmer Scott Foundas. Photo: Julie Cunnah.

The Rolling Stones – Charlie is My Darling – Ireland '65
“This was the first generation to come of age since World War II. (The first generation to) have a pause between childhood and adulthood,” said Producer Robin Klein before a press screening of The Rolling Stones – Charlie is My Darling – Ireland '65. This pause between childhood and adulthood is the reason we have the music of The Rolling Stones today. Charlie is My Darling is a documentary revealing the first moving images ever taken of The Rolling Stones by Peter Whitehead on their 1965 tour. The point of Whitehead going to Ireland was to get The Stones used to being in front of a camera, and they were naturals. Sixty percent of the documentary is raw footage, entirely new to audiences, because it was never intended to be a part of the film.

When asked why this footage has never been seen before, Klein and director Mick Gouchanour answered: it's because The Rolling Stones are always looking forward and moving ahead, and this couldn't be more apparent than in the footage itself. After the screening Klein and Gochanour sat down with Film Society's Scott Foundas to talk about the conception of the documentary. Watch full video of the Q&A below for more stories about The Stones in Ireland such as: why they never changed clothes, how the audio was matched up with the visual, and why Charlie Watts often appeared bored. —Anna Husted

The Rolling Stones – Charlie is My Darling – Ireland '65 screens September 29 at 7:00pm and October 3 at 8:30pm.