Friday 12/12 – Thursday 12/18
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13 SATURDAY William S. Burroughs and Anthony Balch’s cut-up film Towers Open Fire, Carl Dreyer’s motor safety industrial short They Caught the Ferry, and Buster Keaton’s The High Sign are among the picks on a program called “Jim Jarmusch’s Favorite Short Films,” which screens tonight at 8 as part of this weekend’s Movieside Film Festival. Afterward the independent filmmaker will be interviewed by Reader critic Jonathan Rosenbaum; it’s Jarmusch’s first such talk in Chicago, and it took some two years to set up, according to festival organizer Rusty Nails. The evening starts at 6 with a performance by the band Joan of Arc and a showing of the rarely seen Jarmusch short Int. Trailer. Night, followed by his 1986 film Down by Law. It all takes place at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln. Tickets are $9 in advance, $10 at the door (773-856-5220). The festival runs through tomorrow night; for a complete schedule see the sidebar in Section Two or go to www.movieside.com.
In 1973, inspired by a London filmmakers’ co-op, a group of local film artists launched Filmgroup at N.A.M.E. Gallery to spotlight avant-garde work. The co-op renamed itself Chicago Filmmakers in 1977, and these days offers classes in everything from directing to digital editing and produces the annual Reeling and Onion City film festivals. “It’s been 25 years of ongoing struggle because we’ve remained committed to our original vision–to screen the least commercial work possible,” says Brenda Webb, the group’s executive director. “I’m proud of the fact we’ve been able to stay true to that mission.” Tonight’s Chicago Filmmakers 30th Anniversary Extravaganza will include screenings of work by past members and teachers–including Adele Friedman, Animal Charm, Chris Sullivan, Tom Palazzolo, Kartemquin Films, and Reader contributor Bill Stamets. There will also be film and video installations, a DJ, and live performances by Lou Mallozzi and Robert Metrick, Cin Salach & Ten Tongues, and jazz musicians Tatsu Aoki and Jonathan Chen (who’ll accompany a screening of Aoki’s Puzzle III). It starts at 8 at Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark. Tickets are $25, $15 for students. Call 773-293-1447 or visit www.chicagofilmmakers.org.
“It’s going to be really silly, I think,” says a spokesperson about tonight’s free Digital Christmas program at the Chicago Cultural Center. The updated take on the holiday will be emceed by electronic performance artist Lord of the Yum Yum (Paul Velat), who will be available for digital photo ops dressed as Santa (sans beard and belly). Tap dancer Reggio “the Hoofer” McLaughlin will perform excerpts from his holiday show The Nut Tapper, and Cycle 60 (aka Enrico Benjamin) will present new, danceable versions of holiday favorites, complete with visuals. The evening will close with karaoke overseen by local musician Steve Munoz. It begins at 6 with DJ Josh Werner spinning discs and two people in teapot costumes serving tea and cookies (a tie-in with the Cultural Center’s “Artful Teapot” exhibit, which runs through January 4). It’s at the center, 78 E. Washington (312-744-6630).
