Have you ever wondered what Dr. Allison Arwady watches when she kicks off her shoes and hops on the sofa after a long day of tracking the COVID-19 virus and keeping Chicagoans safe?
Her film choice is not surprising.
What about Chaz Ebert, wife of the famous film critic Roger Ebert and CEO of several Ebert enterprises. Her pick may be more difficult to guess.
Then there’s Jon Carr, Executive Producer, The Second City who reached back to 1952 for his fav. Any guesses?
Or did Joffrey Ballet’s Ashley Wheater go for the obvious with a dance related movie, maybe “Black Swan” or did he select something altogether different?
These prominent Chicagoans along with four others will be revealing their choices at eight curated films at Gene Siskel Film Center in an exclusive series kicking off August 21 and continuing through September 18.
Nashville was the favorite one Chicagoan. Can you guess who?
Chicago Favorites will showcase the hand-picked selections that these Chicagoans have found meaningful both personally and/or professionally.
Each celebrity guest will introduce their film and tell why it is important to them. . Several of the films will be presented in newly restored digital, with two titles–JUPITER ASCENDING and SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN— to be screened in 35mm film.
The series will kick off this Saturday, August 21, at 7:00pm CT with DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, introduced by Chaz Ebert, President of the Ebert Company, Ltd., and will conclude on Saturday, September 28 at 6:00pm CT with PRINCESS TAM-TAM, introduced by Ayana Contreras, host of Reclaimed Soul on WBEZ and Vocalo Radio.
Additional guest curators include Gene Siskel Film Center Advisory Board member Ed Siskel, introducing RUSHMORE (9/13);filmmaker Steve James, introducing NASHVILLE (8/28); LaSaia Wade, Founder and Executive Director of Brave Space Alliance, introducing JUPITER ASCENDING (9/1); Dr. Allison Arwady, MD, MPH, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, introducing, ahem, CONTAGION (9/4); Ashley Wheater, the Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, introducing HUGO (9/11); and Jon Carr, Executive Producer, The Second City, introducing SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (9/9).
The Film Center’s Director of Programming Rebecca Fons says, “Our Chicago Favorites represent an eclectic cross section of Chicagoans. This selection of individuals represents leaders in their fields, voices we admire, and people who inspire us. Curating this group of curators gave us the opportunity to remember the joy that comes when we share cinema that is personal to us. We are surrounded by film lovers.”
Tickets are on sale now for $6 (Film Center members) or $12 (General Admission).
Chicago Favorites Film Series Schedule
8/21 @ 7pm
Chaz Ebert DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST1991, Julie Dash, 112 mins, USA/Germany, Digital
8/28 @ 6pm
Steve James NASHVILLE1975, Robert Altman, 140 mins, USA, Digital
9/1 @ 6pm
LaSaia Wade JUPITER ASCENDING2015, Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski, 127 mins, USA/Australia, 35mm
9/4 @ 6:30pm
Dr. Allison Arwady, MD, MPH CONTAGION2011, Steven Soderbergh, 106 mins, UAE/USA/Hong Kong, Digital
9/9 @ 7pm
Jon Carr SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN1952, Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 103 mins, USA, 35mm
9/11 @ 5pm
Ashley Wheater HUGO2011, Martin Scorsese, 126 mins, UK/USA/France, Digital
9/13 @ 7pm
Ed SiskelRUSHMORE1998, Wes Anderson, 93 mins, USA, Digital
9/18 @ 6pmAyana Contreras PRINCESSE TAM-TAM1935, Edmond T. Greville, 77 mins, France, Digital
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