Northwest Film Forum

Howl

Oct 29 - Nov 04, 2010

(Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, USA, 2010, 35mm, 90 min)

The beats are alive and well thanks to a soaring performance by James Franco in Howl, a mesmerizing channeling of Allen Ginsberg, set in 1957 San Francisco as his poetic masterpiece is put on trial. 

"Attempts several exciting things all at once, and you remember that biopics don't have to fit some awards-friendly formula. They can actually be ambitious experiments, too." —The Stranger

"Howl...is that rarity: a film that celebrates language. It's a unique blend of documentary, feature and performance art...effective and at times thrilling." —Seattle Times

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Ornette: Made In America

Oct 29 - Oct 30, 2010

(Shirley Clark, USA, 1985, 35mm, 80 min)

Shirley Clarke was one of the key figures of the American independent film movement, with the films The Connection (1961) and The Cool World (1963) building her reputation. Both had strong jazz elements, and for her final film Clarke returned to the jazz scene, making this brilliant music documentary featuring the legendary Ornette Coleman, a toweringly innovative yet humble figure. 

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Ed Thigpen: Master of Time, Rhythm and Taste

Nov 01 - Nov 03, 2010

(Don McGlynn, USA/Denmark, 2009, Beta-SP, 91 min)

Apart from being an incredible musician with a rare feel for music, the drummer Ed Thigpen, who passed away this year, was also a human being with a fascinating personal history. This multifaceted portrait film, tells the story of Thigpen, whose work (on no less than 900 albums) has included collaborations with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Herbie Hancock and Ella Fitzgerald.

"I can imagine no better tribute to Mr. Thigpen than Don McGlynn’s extremely personal  documentary that plays more like a friendly  visit than a historic document, although it is both." —Seattle Post Globe

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