FILM FESTIVAL CONTINUES THURSDAY
The 2003 Old Dominion University Film and Video Festival, titled "Soundtracks: Music in Film and Television," will be held March 30-April 4. All events are free and open to the public and will take place on the Old Dominion campus in room 102 of the Mills Godwin Jr. Life Sciences Building unless noted.
Today's events include:
April 3---------
9 a.m.
"Spirits Rising" (1996), with introductory remarks by Araceli Suzara, assistant professor of sociology and director of the Filipino American Cultural Center, and commentary by Al Ascercion, conductor of the Tidewater Winds. The incredible story of Corazon Aquino and her political triumph is framed by a celebration of women in the Philippines through a look at their history, literature, art and film. Winner of a 1996 Student Academy Award. Running time - 56 minutes.
11 a.m.
"The Silence" (1998), with introductory remarks by Fran Hassencahl, assistant professor of communication and theatre arts and director of the Middle Eastern studies minor, Old Dominion University. Set in impoverished rural Iran, a young blind boy with an acute sense of hearing finds work tuning musical instruments to help with family finances. The film, a comment on the economic embargo of Iran, celebrates the simple pleasures of sound and music that remain available to the Iranian people. In Farsi, with English subtitles. Running time - 75 minutes.
11 a.m.
"Dramatic Interpretation of 'The Wiz'," a presentation by the Old Dominion University Speech Chorus, directed by Sandra Joe-Washington, senior lecturer of communication and theatre arts and director of the Old Dominion University Debate and Forensics Program (Location: 2nd floor, Old Dominion University Child Study Center).
2 p.m.
"West Side Story" (1961), with introductory remarks by Kathy Merlock Jackson, professor and coordinator of communications, and Bill Jones, professor of political science, both of Virginia Wesleyan College. (Location: Blocker Auditorium, Virginia Wesleyan College). The winner of 10 Academy Awards, this 1961 musical by choreographer Jerome Robbins and director Robert Wise remains irresistible. Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim wrote the score. Running time - 151 minutes.
7 p.m.
"Steamboat Bill Jr." (1928), with introductory remarks by John Tibbetts (co-founder of the Buster Keaton Celebrations in Iola, Kan., now in its 11th year) and associate professor, department of theatre and film, University of Kansas. Musical accompaniment by organist/pianist Michael Ryan. (Location: Price Auditorium, Norfolk Academy) Buster Keaton stars in the story of a college-educated young man who comes home to help his father work on his Mississippi River steamboat. Running time - 69 minutes.
Parking is free. More information is available by calling 683-3828; via email at dmeltsne@odu.edu; or via the Web at www.odu.edu/filmfest.