More first-time features from soon-to-be acclaimed directors.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24 @ 7:30 p.m.
“The Learning Tree” (Warner Bros – Seven Arts, 1969)) – Directed by Gordon Parks
A group of African-American boys grow up in 1920s Kansas. With this tender and clear-eyed coming-of-age odyssey, the renowned photographer turned filmmaker Gordon Parks not only became the first Black American director to make a Hollywood studio film, he also served as writer, producer, and composer, resulting in a deeply personal artistic achievement. Gordon Parks would later go onto direct the iconic film Shaft and its first sequel Shaft’s Big Score. Color, 107 minutes. Added to the National Film Registry in 2011.
To learn more about this film, see this essay at the National Film Registry page.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 @ 7:30 p.m.
“Duel” Universal, 1971) – Directed by Steven Spielberg
A salesman driving home in, a small car, innocently passes a very large and monstrous tanker truck. What follows is a battle between the two drivers, their vehicles and the open road. Dennis Weaver stars and the screenplay is from the legendary Richard Matheson (The Twilight Zone). Spielberg went on to direct a certain film about a small boat and a big shark named… Jaws. He also directed Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, etc.. Color, 90 minutes.
For more about the National Film Registry, see this link.
For more information on LC screenings, see this link.