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Fri., June 28, 1996
Quentin Tarantino is not a native son, but with the
enthusiasm he exhibits for our local film community, he might as well be. The
filmmaker has been as loyal to efforts of the Austin Film Society (AFS) and
hometown movie fans as any of the other young directors with tangible Austin
ties -- and that's saying something, 'cause they're a loyal lot. Last January,
Tarantino brought the world premiere of Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till
Dawn to the Paramount, and the screening raised $9,000 for AFS' then newly
established Texas Filmmakers Production Fund. The benefit filled out the fund
considerably, helping to make it possible for AFS to award grants for the first
time this year. Well, the word is out that Tarantino has been invited back
again by the AFS (along withThe Austin Chronicle and Dobie Theatre) and
this time he's bringing his own personal movie collection with him. The first
week in August, Tarantino will be sharing his favorite movies with Austinites
at the Dobie. Specifics are still being finalized, but hopes are that his
program will include a night of Spaghetti Westerns and an all-nite horror fest
(remember, these are the films that give Quentin Tarantino inspiration). Series
passes will be sold first, and Film Society members have first dibs, so it
wouldn't be a bad time to join up. Stay tuned for ticket and program
information as it gels; there will be an ad in next week's issue promoting the
event whose proceeds will, again, benefit the Texas Filmmakers Production
Fund... With their grant application deadline just a few days away, the AFS
phones are probably ringing off the hook. At least they can enjoy the peace of
mind that the panel judges are in place, an extremely qualified bunch indeed.
This year's panel -- the first -- will consist of Ruby Lerner, executive
director of the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers and publisher
of The Independent magazine; filmmaker Nancy Savoca (Household
Saints, Dogfight, True Love); and filmmaker/distributor Bruce Sinofsky,
co-producer of Brother's Keeper and Paradise Lost. This expert
group will bring a wide range of knowledge about the independent film industry
to the decision-making process; winners will be announced by the Film Society
on September 1... Legendary director Sam Fuller (one of Tarantino's influences)
was recently interviewed by Tim Robbins, whose documentary on the director is
running on the Bravo cable channel this month (see story on next page).
Fuller's very first film I Shot Jesse James, which is about Bob Ford,
the man who shot Jesse James, is going to be shown at a one-time-only
screening, Monday, July 1, 7:15pm at the Dobie Theatre. Our own Marjorie
Baumgarten, Chronicle film critic and die-hard Fuller fan, will make the
introductions. Once past the concession stand be sure to stay on track, because
I Shot Andy Warhol is playing across the hall (and you can see that one
the next night)... Another interesting screening this week at the Dobie is
local film-maker K. Bradford's documentary White-Out, on Friday, June
28, 7:30pm. The film is comprised of interviews with whites and blacks from
Africa and the U.S., examining the various degrees of racism which Bradford
attributes to whites' lack of examination of their own identity. Suggested
donation is $4.