Peter Bogdanovich, who celebrates his 79th birthday today, will be a guest of honor at the prestigious Lumière 2018 Grand Lyon Film Festival in France on October 13-21.
The honor comes during a very busy year for the Oscar-nominated filmmaker: A new interview book; the re-release of Saint Jack; the debut of his The Great Buster, a documentary on Buster Keaton; and the completion of Orson Welles’ The Other Side of the Wind, which he co-starred in and executive produced.
Bogdanovich began his career as a programmer and critic before embarking on a film career. Meeting Roger Corman proved to be decisive: “I went from the guy who hauls his laundry to the laundromat to someone who directs a film in the space of three weeks,” he remarked after making Targets in 1968.
In 1971, his feature film The Last Picture Show, became a monumental success, garnering eight Oscar nominations and enthusiastic reviews. His lengthy film credits include Paper Moon, What’s Up Doc and Mask.
According to festival organizers, Bogdanovich-related events planned at Lumière 2018 include:
- Premiere of the French theatrical re-release of Saint Jack with Ben Gazzara.
- Presentation of the highly anticipated The Great Buster, produced by Charles Cohen and selected at Venice Classics.
- Publication of a book of conversations between Bogdanovich and Jean-Baptiste Thoret.
- Release of The Killing of the Unicorn, never published in France; Bogdanovich re-examines the tragic death of Dorothy Stratten.
- Carlotta’s release of a special limited edition DVD and Blu-ray of Saint Jack and The Last Picture Show.
- French premiere of the 2014 documentary One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovich & the Lost American Film.
- A masterclass at the Comédie Odéon.
(It would be great if The Other Side of the Wind became a late addition to the Lumière 2018 lineup, but no word on that at this point.)
The Bogdanovich tribute will include screenings of The Last Picture Show (1971), Directed by John Ford (1971-2006), What’s Up, Doc? (1972) and Paper Moon (1973).
__________
Post your comments on the Wellesnet Message Board.