As part of the Skirball's Cinema's Legacy Series, Director John Singleton will present Hal Ashby's The Landlord.

Friday, February 29, 2008
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
The Skirball Cultural Center
Magnin Auditorium
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049

The Landlord  --  1970; 35 MM; 114 minutes
DIR Hal Ashby SCR Bill Gunn
CAST Beau Bridges, Pearl Bailey, Lee Grant, Diana Sands, Lou Gossett Jr.

The Landlord was Hal Ashby's (Harold and Maude, Shampoo, Being There, Coming Home) first feature. Director Alexander Payne describes it as, "a time capsule of 70s cinema — direct-to-the-camera dialogue, jagged editing, jarring bursts of music on the soundtrack, echoey on-location sound... and those bellbottoms!"

Based on the novel by African-American novelist Kristin Hunter and adapted by another black writer, Bill Gunn, the film tells the story of Elgar Enders (Beau Bridges), a rich kid who buys a Brooklyn tenement with the intention of evicting all of the residents in order to turn it into his dream bachelor pad, but Elgar soon discovers that he is in way over his head. The film has depth, emotion and a sharp absurdist humor that sets it apart from other films of the time about race in America.

The film features strong performances from Bridges, Pearl Bailey, Lou Gossett Jr. and Lee Grant and beautiful camerawork from cinematographer Gordon Willis (Klute, All the President's Men, Annie Hall, The Godfather).

About John Singleton
Two-time Academy Award® nominated filmmaker John Singleton made his directorial debut with BOYZ N THE HOOD (1991), which took a hard-hitting and haunting look at gang-life and the realities of disenfranchisement for African-American youth in South Central Los Angeles. BOYZ was not only a box office hit, but it earned him Oscar® nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director, making Singleton the first African-American (and the youngest filmmaker in history) to be cited in the latter category.

He went on to write, produce and direct POETIC JUSTICE (1993), HIGHER LEARNING (1995), SHAFT (2000) and BABY BOY (2001). Singleton's additional credits as a director include ROSEWOOD (1997), 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS (2003) and FOUR BROTHERS (2005). His producing credits include HUSTLE & FLOW (2005) and BLACK SNAKE MOAN (2007).

Singleton has received numerous awards including the MTV Movie Award for Best New Filmmaker (1992), the ShoWest Award for Screenwriter of the Year and Directorial Debut of the Year (1992), the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best New Director (1991) and the LAFCA New Generation Award in (1991). In 2003, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

About Cinema's Legacy
Cinema’s Legacy is an ongoing monthly series of conversations where contemporary filmmakers screen work they credit with encouraging and shaping their art and discuss firsthand the films and filmmakers who have influenced their careers. Presented by the American Film Institute and the Skirball Cultural Center, this acclaimed series, now in its seventh year, has featured numerous notable filmmakers including Oliver Stone, Dennis Hopper, Jon Favreau, and Forest Whitaker.

About The Skirball Cultural Center
Hailed by The New York Times as "a lesson on how to connect the eye to heart and mind," the Skirball Cultural Center has established itself as one of the world's most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions, and among the most prominent cultural venues in the United States. Its mission is to explore the connections between four thousand years of Jewish heritage and the vitality of American democratic ideals. It seeks to welcome and inspire people of every ethnic and cultural identity in American life. Guided by our respective memories and experiences, together we aim to build a society in which all of us can feel at home. More information about Skirball can be found at: www.skirball.org

Located in the Sepulveda Pass just off the 405 Freeway, 2.5 miles south of the 101 Freeway. Traveling north or south on the 405, take the "Skirball Center Drive" exit.

Free public parking is available in the northern underground parking garage ("North Lot"), which is adjacent to Ahmanson Hall (lot fills up quickly). Additional parking across the street from The Skirball and usually costs $5 (cash).

Advance tickets available on site at the Skirball, online at www.skirball.org, or by phone at (877) SCC-4TIX. Tickets also available at the door the evening of the program, subject to availability. Free public parking is available in the northern underground parking garage ("North Lot"), which is adjacent to Ahmanson Hall (lot fills up quickly). Additional parking across the street from The Skirball and usually costs $5 (cash).

Cost : Adults $11.50; Students $7.50; Skirball members $9.50

www.skirball.org

Sponsor(s): The Skirball Cultural Center. Information about non-ASC events is posted for informational purposes and does not necessarily reflect opinions of or endorsements by African Studies personnel.