Behind The Screen at Somerset House (2008)
Preview by Jack Foley
FILM buffs are once again invited to go Behind the Screen with Somerset House’s latest programme of screenings, talks and discussions taking place literally behind the giant screen.
This is your chance to see the UK premiere of Piazza di Spagna (pictured), a photography and video installation by Massimo Vitalli and Mike Figgis. Or to come and listen to talks and discussions with directors, critics and artists about their work and the films being screened.
In addition, you can enjoy specially-selected screenings of short films, including a family screening of Oscar-winning Peter & The Wolf together with a free family workshop, and a provocative and inspiring programme of award-winning shorts, including In Bruges by Martin McDonagh and Dog Altogether by Paddy Considine.
Video & Art Installation
Piazza di Spagna
The Terrace Rooms
Open daily from 10am to 6pm, and to Film4 Summer Screen ticket holders until 8.30 FREE
The UK premiere of Piazza di Spagna, a photo and video installation by contemporary Italian photographer Massimo Vitali and acclaimed British director Mike Figgis. Presented by agnès b. and produced by Vito Di Rosa.
Together, Mike Figgis and Massimo Vitali have created a piece with an intriguing narrative, which explores the relationship between digital cinema and the static image. Filmed at the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome, the installation comprises four plasma screens with moving images by Mike Figgis, flanked by two large-format photographs by Massimo Vitali.
Screenings
Peter & the Wolf Family Workshop FREE
Saturday, August 2: 12noon Peter and the Wolf, Lecture Theatre
A special family screening of the Oscar winning animated short film, Peter & The Wolf. An animated re-telling of the famous story, set to Prokofiev’s suite. 30 mins
After the screening, you can join our regular free Saturday Family Workshop which today is Look Animated, taking inspiration from the early days of cinema to create some simple moving images. This free drop-in workshop, for families with children aged 6-12, runs from 12 noon to 4pm.
Sunday, August 3: Channel4 Shorts, Lecture Theatre, 4pm
A packed and provocative 75-minute programme from Film4 productions that brings you bang up-to-date with some essential short films. The Oscar-winning Six Shooter shows you what writer/director Martin McDonagh got up to before In Bruges, while Soft and One Minute Past Midnight showcase British filmmaking talent for the future. Finally, actor Paddy Considine will be on hand to talk about Dog Altogether, his directorial debut which won this year’s Best Short BAFTA. (75mins)
Tickets £5 for all screenings
Talks & discussions
Saturday, August 2: Mike Figgis on Piazza di Spagna Terrace Rooms/Portico Rooms, 4pm
Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas, Timecode) discusses his latest art project Piazza di Spagna. This unique collaboration with contemporary Italian photographer Massimo Vitali explores the relationship between digital cinema and the static image. (60mins)
TBC Tuesday, August 5: 6.30pm
Wednesday, August 6: Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes, Lecture Theatre, 6.30pm
Join us for a special screening of the More4 documentary Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes, which follows writer Jon Ronson to the Kubrick family home where he discovers the director’s artistic secrets stored in ordinary cardboard boxes. An illuminating and charming portrait of the visionary filmmaker, followed by a post-screening discussion with Jon Ronson and former Kubrick assistant Tony Frewin. (80mins)
Thursday, August 7: Betsy Blair in conversation with Andrew O’Hagan, Portico Rooms, 6.30pm
Betsy Blair, Gene Kelly’s first wife, in conversation with writer Andrew O’Hagan about her life and times and her experiences with one of the world’s most famous and talented dancers. Betsy gives her own personal insight into the making of Singin’ in the Rain, one of the most famous and best-loved musicals of all time, plus her life together with Kelly in Hollywood and her experience of being black-listed and investigated by McCarthy’s House of Un-American Activities.
Betsy Blair will also be available to sign copies of her book The Memory of All That after the talk. (60mins)
Tickets £5
Find out about Film4’s Summer Screen 2008