TERRY ZWIGOFF IN PERSON!
GHOST WORLD
One of the most distinct and idiosyncratic talents to ever direct movies inside and outside the Hollywood system, UW Madison alum Terry Zwigoff achieved major national attention with the 1995 premiere of Crumb, an independently made documentary about his friend, artist Robert Crumb. Six years later, United Artists released Zwigoff’s first narrative feature, an adaptation of Daniel Clowes’ graphic novel, Ghost World, the screenplay for which earned Zwigoff and Clowes an Oscar nomination. In 2003, Zwigoff directed Billy Bob Thornton in the cult classic comedy Bad Santa, the release version of which was partially reshot and re-edited by others. All of Zwigoff’s movies show a deep understanding and affection for the American outsider and a healthy skepticism for popular culture. Terry Zwigoff will join us in person November 10-11 to present his personal Director’s Cut of Bad Santa and a 35mm print of Ghost World, along with a special showing of Russell Rouse’s 1954 film noir, Wicked Woman, one of Zwigoff’s personal favorites.
- Fri., Nov. 10 | 3:00 PM4070 Vilas Hall
One of the most distinct and idiosyncratic talents to ever direct movies inside and outside the Hollywood system, UW Madison alum Terry Zwigoff achieved major national attention with the 1995 release of Crumb, an independently made documentary about his friend, artist Robert Crumb. Six years later, United Artists released Zwigoff’s first narrative feature, an adaptation of Daniel Clowes’ graphic novel, Ghost World, the screenplay for which earned Zwigoff and Clowes an Oscar nomination. In 2003, Zwigoff directed Billy Bob Thornton in the cult classic comedy Bad Santa, the release version of which was partially reshot and re-edited by others. All of Zwigoff’s movies show a deep understanding and affection for the American outsider and a healthy skepticism for popular culture. Zwigoff learned his trade as a director and screenwriter through watching great movies, and in this special session, Zwigoff will present a series of clips from his favorite films and discuss how they influenced his work, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
- Fri., Nov. 10 | 7:00 PM4070 Vilas Hall
Foul-mouthed alcoholic Willie (Thornton) poses as a department store Santa, planning to rob the store on Christmas Eve, along with his Little Helper, Marcus (Tony Cox). Willie’s schemes start to go awry when he befriends a troubled kid (Brett Kelly) and runs afoul of a crooked security manager (Bernie Mac). Hilariously unsentimental, Bad Santa will be screened in the version approved by director Terry Zwigoff, who will join us in person to discuss the making of his holiday comedy gem.
- Sat., Nov. 11 | 2:00 PM4070 Vilas Hall
Femme fatale Billie Nash (Michaels) gets a job at a bar, seduces bartender Matt (Egan), and comes up with a plan for them to rob Dora, Matt’s drunk, nagging wife, who also happens to be the bar’s owner. The lovers’ getaway to Mexico is stalled when a nosy neighbor (Helton) gets wind of their sleazy scheme. Overflowing with marvelously colorful dialogue, Wicked Woman is a personal favorite of filmmaker and cinephile Terry Zwigoff, who will join us in person to discuss his affection for this ripe-for-rediscovery film noir.
- Sat., Nov. 11 | 7:00 PM4070 Vilas Hall
Alienated from everyone else in their high school, best friends Enid (Birch) and Rebecca (Johansson) find that their special bond is becoming strained after graduating and being plunged into young adulthood. The increasingly cynical Enid soon finds herself drawn to another outsider, the much older record collector Seymour (Buscemi). One of contemporary cinema’s funniest and most memorable films about dread and angst, Ghost World is an adaptation of a graphic novel by Daniel Clowes, who along with director Terry Zwigoff, received an Oscar nomination for the screenplay. UW Madison alum Zwigoff will join us in person to discuss Ghost World, his acclaimed feature film follow-up to the documentary Crumb.
- Sat., Dec. 2 | 6:00 PM4070 Vilas Hall
Before he tackled Crumb, director Zwigoff’s first movie was this intimate, funny, and moving documentary portrait of musician, artist, and raconteur Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong (1909-2003), whose 1930s recording of State Street Rag captivated the filmmaker. Filmed in Chicago while in his mid-seventies, Armstrong shares personal and professional anecdotes that collectively deliver a colorful portrait of an American life that should not be forgotten, and it’s all set to the wonderful music of Armstrong and his fellow musicians, like guitarist Ted Bogan.
- Sat., Dec. 2 | 7:15 PM4070 Vilas Hall
Underground “comix” pioneer Robert Crumb’s life and work is explored in this revealing, sometimes devastating, and always compelling chronicle that devotes special attention to Crumb’s relationships with his wife Aline, and his brothers Maxon and Charles, all fellow artists. Perhaps the most celebrated documentary about an American artist ever made, Crumb was filmed over several years leading up to Robert and Aline’s self-imposed exile to France, and the movie achieves a remarkable level of honesty and intimacy thanks to the access that R. Crumb provided to his friend, and fellow record collector, Zwigoff.