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Celebrating Robert Frank Thursday, May 15, 2008 Fifty years ago today, one of the most influential photography books ever assembled was published. Robert Frank’s The Americans offered a vision of the United States that was, and remains, extraordinary, revealing faces and places completely ignored in mainstream media. The influence of The Americans went far beyond the world of photography; indeed, it is easy to trace much of what’s best in American independent cinema back to this monumental work. German publisher Steidl is reissuing The Americans in an edition revised by Frank himself. They are also in the process of editing a DVD on Frank’s entire body of work in film and video. There’s never been a better time to celebrate this extraordinary artist, and we’re honored to welcome him to the Walter Reade Theater for a rare conversation on his art. Program One Robert Frank, US, 1961-80; 96m Frank’s second film, The Sin of Jesus (1961), shows Frank’s increasing skill as a filmmaker. A kind of wry response to the era’s biblical epics (as well as Bergman’s spiritual musings), the film depicts a Jesus who refuses mercy to a young woman. Conversations in Vermont (1969), one of Frank’s best-known films, centers on Frank’s children, Pablo and Andrea. Through conversations, candid scenes and interviews, a portrait not only of his children but also of Frank himself emerges. A profoundly moving work about loss and continuity, Life Dances On… (1980) deals with the loss of people close to Frank as well as his gathering of strength through deepened contacts with family and friends. Thu May 15: 2 Program Two Robert Frank’s first feature-length work Me and My Brother (US, 1968; 85m) focuses on the world of poet Peter Orlovsky and his schizophrenic brother Julius. Touring the country together with Peter’s companion, poet Allen Ginsberg, Frank explores the boundaries between physical and psychological experience, trying to capture and understand the extraordinary rapport between the brothers. Staged scenes include casting sessions in which the actors who will portray the Orlovsky brothers are tested and selected. The director is played by none other than Christopher Walken, enjoying his first major screen role. "An intriguing mix of fact and fiction.” - Time Out New York Thu May 15: 4:15 An Evening with Robert Frank We welcome Robert Frank to the Walter Reade Theater for an evening featuring his most famous film, Pull My Daisy (US, 1959; 30m), co-directed by Alfred Leslie. A slideshow from Gerhard Steidl titled "Re-Making The Americans" will precede the film. The screening will be followed by a preview of An American Journey (France, 2008; 15m video), a new documentary on Frank by Philippe Séclier, and a presentation by Sarah Greenough, senior curator of photographs at the National Gallery of Art, on the upcoming National Gallery exhibition, "Looking In: Robert Frank's The Americans." The artist will then join journalist Charlie LeDuff onstage to discuss his unparalleled work. The evening will end with a performance of the song "Pull My Daisy" by David Amram. Thu May 15: 7 Admission: $20 general public, $15 Film Society members & students (with ID). No passes ~ no vouchers accepted to this event.