Films at the Freer|Sackler

This weekend marks the reopening of the Freer|Sackler here in DC. The films shown at this Smithsonian gem are always worthwhile, and there are a few coming up. Check out their website for the lineup: https://www.freersackler.si.edu/events/films/ …if we may be allowed to highlight, here’s the trailer for Neko Atsume House, a film based on the popular … Continue reading “Films at the Freer|Sackler”

This weekend marks the reopening of the Freer|Sackler here in DC. The films shown at this Smithsonian gem are always worthwhile, and there are a few coming up. Check out their website for the lineup: https://www.freersackler.si.edu/events/films/

…if we may be allowed to highlight, here’s the trailer for Neko Atsume House, a film based on the popular app, which will be shown Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 3:30. It’s free!!

 

Smithsonian Film Series

The Smithsonian is presenting several French language films in conjunction with it’s Francophonie 2008: Celebrating Cultural Diversity in the French-Speaking WorldTHE WAY I SPENT THE END OF THE WORLD Tues., Mar. 25, 7 p.m.The Way I Spent the End of the World is a testament to the power of love to transcend even the most … Continue reading “Smithsonian Film Series”

The Smithsonian is presenting several French language films in conjunction with it’s Francophonie 2008: Celebrating Cultural Diversity in the French-Speaking World

THE WAY I SPENT THE END OF THE WORLD Tues., Mar. 25, 7 p.m.
The Way I Spent the End of the World is a testament to the power of love to transcend even the most tragic circumstances.

RETOUR À GORÉE Tues., Apr. 1, 7 p.m.
The musical road movie, Return to Gorée, tells of African singer Youssou N’Dour’s epic journey following the trail left by slaves and by the jazz music they invented.

WRESTLING GROUNDS ” THE CALL OF THE ARENA” Tues., Apr 8, 7 p.m.
Combining sporting prowess and fabulous music, this film dramatically demonstrates the cultural importance of wrestling in Senegal. Shamans and punching bags are the cornerstones of 17-year-old Nalla’s training in this colorful foray into the world of Senegalese wrestling.

SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL Tues., Apr. 15, 7 p.m.
Official selection of the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, the Atlantic Film Festival and CINEFEST, this film adaptation of the Romeo Dallaire autobiography Shake Hands with the Devil, tells the personal journey of Dallaire through the 1994 Rwandan genocide and how Dallaire’s request for more aid went ignored by the United Nations.

It’s FREE!: Film/Video Art series this fall at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

I missed the first one, an exhibition of a couple Hollis Frampton films this past weekend, but there are four more screenings on the calendar. The screenings will be at the McEvoy Auditorium in the museum which is located at 8th and F Sts. NW. (Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown on the Red Line). The remaining programs … Continue reading “It’s FREE!: Film/Video Art series this fall at the Smithsonian American Art Museum”

I missed the first one, an exhibition of a couple Hollis Frampton films this past weekend, but there are four more screenings on the calendar. The screenings will be at the McEvoy Auditorium in the museum which is located at 8th and F Sts. NW. (Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown on the Red Line). The remaining programs are:

Thursday, Sept. 20, 6 p.m., Mediated Narratives

This program features a selection of titles drawn from the history of independent film and video art. The works all represent, through a variety of formal and narrative strategies, how we see and imagine our world through the media. Included in the program are Morgan Fisher’s Projection Instructions (1976); George Landow’s Film in Which There Appear Sprocket Holes, Edge Lettering, Dirt Particles, Etc. (1965–66); Nam June Paik’s Videotape Study #3 (1967–69); John Baldessari’s Ed Henderson Recreates Movie Scenarios (1973); Sadie Benning’s It Wasn’t Love (1992); Peggy Ahwesh’s A Scary Movie (1993); Robert Breer’s Fuji (1974); and Kota Ezawa’s The Simpson Verdict (2002). (Approx. 90 min.) Please note that programs are unrated and some material may not be appropriate for all audiences.

– from their website.

Saturday, Oct. 13, 3 p.m., Vito Acconci: The Red Tapes

Thursday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m., Gary Hill: Word and Image

Thursday, Nov. 29, 6 p.m., Dan Graham: Rock My Religion

link

Congress schedules hearing on Smithsonian – Showtime deal

press release –Media Advisory: Ehlers schedules hearing on Smithsonian Institution Business VenturesWASHINGTON – Chairman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Mich., announced today that the Committee on House Administration will conduct a hearing on the operations and investments of Smithsonian Business Ventures, including Smithsonian on Demand, at 12 noon, Thursday, May 25, 2006, in room 1310 of the … Continue reading “Congress schedules hearing on Smithsonian – Showtime deal”

press release –
Media Advisory: Ehlers schedules hearing on Smithsonian Institution Business Ventures
WASHINGTON – Chairman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Mich., announced today that the Committee on House Administration will conduct a hearing on the operations and investments of Smithsonian Business Ventures, including Smithsonian on Demand, at 12 noon, Thursday, May 25, 2006, in room 1310 of the Longworth House Office Building.
With the growing concerns surrounding Smithsonian on Demand, the Smithsonian Business Ventures’ announced partnership to create and distribute Smithsonian-related programming with CBS/Showtime Networks, Inc., the Committee will call upon experts from the Smithsonian to provide insight on the potential risks involved with curtailing access and use of the Smithsonian collections to filmmakers, rival networks, journalists and scholars. The hearing will also include testimony regarding the overall financial and operational strategy behind Smithsonian Business Ventures.

Hearing on Thursday, May 25, 2006:
· WHAT: Smithsonian Institution Business Ventures Hearing
· WHO: Lawrence M. Small, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution
Alice Maroni, Chief Financial Officer, Smithsonian Institution
John Huerta, General Counsel, Smithsonian Institution
Gary M. Beer, Chief Executive Officer, Smithsonian Business Ventures
· TOPIC: Smithsonian Business Ventures Informational Briefing
· WHERE: 1310 Longworth House Office Building
· TIME: 12 noon

The hearing will be available via live webcast on the Committee website, http://cha.house.gov.
For more information, contact the Committee press office at (202) 225-8281.

Filmmakers up in arms: Smithsonian sells out – Can they do that?

The Smithsonian has cut a deal with Showtime allowing them the right of first-refusal for works created using Smithsonian archival material. This means that if a filmmaker uses materials owned by the Smithsonian in his/her film, then Showtime on demand is given dibs on airing it first, unless they choose not to. Many filmmakers and … Continue reading “Filmmakers up in arms: Smithsonian sells out – Can they do that?”

The Smithsonian has cut a deal with Showtime allowing them the right of first-refusal for works created using Smithsonian archival material. This means that if a filmmaker uses materials owned by the Smithsonian in his/her film, then Showtime on demand is given dibs on airing it first, unless they choose not to. Many filmmakers and lawyers are now wondering what it means to be a public trust, especially a tax-funded one, if the organization has the ability to sign this kind of exclusive deal with a private company for the use of its vast collections. Many thorny issues have been brought to light by the arrangement along with various misconceptions and it has become the subject of much online chatter.

NYT article

Daily Kos Blog article