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Special Screenings
Umberto D Dir. Vittorio De Sica; writ. Cesare Zavattini; feat. Carlo Battisti, Maria-Pia Casilio, Lina Gennari (unrated) Italian actor turned filmmaker Vittorio De Sica was a famous proponent of neorealism, one of Italy's greatest contributions to the cinema; the genre used non-professional actors and low-key screenplays to tell stories about working class characters. De Sica is best known for The Bicycle Thief, but many believe that Umberto D, which did poorly in theaters, is a better example of neorealism's virtues. Its story of an impoverished but dignified pensioner and his dog earns our sympathy without the sentimental tricks usually associated with this sort of tale. — John DeFore Umberto D screens 7:30pm July 13 as part of Texas Public Radio's "Cinema Tuesdays" series, at the Bijou at Crossroads Theater. Admission is $10 members / $12 non-members. 614-8977 or tpr.org for reservations.
La Virgen de los Sicarios / Our Lady of the Assassins Dir. Barbet Schroeder; writ. Fernando Vallejo; feat. German Jaramillo, Anderson Ballesteros (NR) Fernando Vallejo returns to Medellin, the city in which he was born. He soon becomes involved with 16-year-old Alexis. Tragedy strikes because of Alexis's involvement in the world of cocaine and gang warfare. Shot without permits on location in Colombia, this film explores the harsh reality of the country. — Eric Bradshaw La Virgin de los Sicarios screens 4 pm Sunday, July 11, and 7 pm Wednesday, July 14 as part of the Instituto de México's "Cine Columbiana " series, at the Instituto, 600 Hemisfair. Admission is free. For more information, call 227-0130, Ext 12.
One-Eyed Jacks (1961) Dir. Marlon Brando; writ. Guy Trosper, Calder Willingham; feat. Marlon Brando, Karl Malden (NR) A unique chance to see the only film directed by Marlon Brando, starring Brando and Karl Malden as bank robbers. Their personas, Kid Rio and Dad Longworth, hold up a Mexican bank but only Longworth gets away. After spending five years in prison, Rio seeks revenge, but the situation is complicated. — Eric Bradshaw One-Eyed Jacks screens at approximately 9 pm Thursday, July 8 as part of the series "In the Public Domain," at the Slab, across the street from La Tuna, 100 Probandt. Admission is free. For more information, call 212-9373. •
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