Announcements Nov 06 2008 @ 01:00 pm
“Dear Zachary” opens tomorrow in L.A. and Chicago
I want to get the word out on a small documentary that’s currently storming the critics’ castle: Dear Zachary: A Letter To a Son About His Father. After its grand premiere last week in New York, it’s opening tomorrow in L.A. and Chicago, and the reviews on this one are stunning. Although I haven’t seen it yet myself (I have a screener sitting on my desk courtesy of Kurt Kuenne, the film’s gracious director), I am anticipating it as much or more than any other film I’m anticipating this fall (and yes, that includes Benjamin Button).
The consensus appears to be that it’s best to go into this one cold, but suffice to say it’s an intimate portrayal of one family and the horrible miscarriage of justice that was perpetuated against them. Think Capturing the Friedmans, Murder On a Sunday Morning, or Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills.
I realize many of you will not have access to this, but for any of our readers in L.A. or Chicago (or even New York – it’s still playing there), go out and see it this weekend! And if you’re in L.A., the director will be coming out himself on 3 separate occasions, including 1 Q&A session. I’m getting behind this one 100% – expect to hear much and more about it, especially as we enter Oscar season.
Hit the jump for the trailer and show times.
Los Angeles
Laemmle’s Sunset 5
8000 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood
Showtimes daily: 1:30 PM, 4:10 PM, 7 PM, 9:45 PM
www.laemmle.com/viewtheatre.php?thid=2
(I will be appearing at the 7 PM and 9:45 PM shows on Friday (11/7) and Saturday (11/8) at the Sunset 5 for Q&A. Hope to see you all there!!!)
Chicago
Gene Siskel Film Center
164 North State Street
Friday and Mon-Thu: 6 PM, 8 PM
Saturday: 3:15 PM, 5:15 PM, 7:45 PM
Sunday: 2:15 PM and 4:15 PM
And it’s still playing in New York City at:
Cinema Village
22 E. 12th St, Manhattan
Showtimes daily thru Thursday: 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM, 9:15 PM
(”Dear Zachary” is staying on at Cinema Village for at least a second week! But showtimes vary daily as of Friday 11/7, so check the website below.)
on Nov 06 2008 @ 1:52 pm 1. Nick Plowman said …
I have a screener of this myself courtesy of the amiable, super helpful Kurt Kuenne that is shipping over to me right now. Can’t wait.
on Nov 06 2008 @ 1:55 pm 2. Phillip Johnston said …
Phew — I’ve never heard such strong pre-movie endorsement from you, Evan. I can’t wait to get the screener.
on Nov 06 2008 @ 3:16 pm 3. Sam Juliano said …
I am a big fan of CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS and ROBIN HOOD HILLS, and you have my word Evan that I will see this over the weekend!!! You have me excited here.
on Nov 06 2008 @ 3:40 pm 4. Evan Derrick said …
Awesome, Sam! I have a feeling (much like Friedmans and Paradise Lost) that you’re in for a significant dose of outrage. I’ll look forward to your piece, if you do see this and if you do end up writing on it.
on Nov 08 2008 @ 3:15 pm 5. Kristena said …
I’m still in mourning. This is the most powerful film I’ve ever seen. I don’t care if that sounds like an overstatement. It’s absolutely true.
on Nov 08 2008 @ 8:45 pm 6. Evan Derrick said …
Yeah, Kristena and I are still recuperating from this. It might be a few days before things get back to normal. This film is impossible to forget.
on Nov 10 2008 @ 8:06 am 7. Ryan Dunlap said …
Wow, that’s incredibly powerful. I can’t wait to see that!
on Nov 12 2008 @ 1:47 pm 8. Daniel said …
Need…to…see…
on Nov 14 2008 @ 6:51 am 9. Sam Juliano said …
I saw DEAR ZACHARY last night at the Cinema Village. Like the other patrons I exited in anger and tears. It is a strong contender for the year’s ten best list, and it’s a documentary that won’t easily be shaken. Evan and Kristina’s reaction is fully warranted, and behind all the overwhelming sadness, it’s a film of communal love and how much some people can really matter in this life. It really puts things into proper perspective as to what’s really important in this life.
on Nov 14 2008 @ 3:36 pm 10. Sam Juliano said …
DEAR ZACHARY: A LETTER TO A SON ABOUT HIS FATHER has resonated all day in school with me today. I found myself this afternoon googling the characters and reading about this wrenching case, amd tears watered up in my eyes again…
I will soon begin to write my four-and-a-half star review of one of the year’s best films…….
Again, I salute Kristena and Evan Derrick with giving this film that moving roll-out. It fully deserved it.
on Nov 14 2008 @ 4:16 pm 11. Evan Derrick said …
Thanks, Sam. I’m so glad it affected you as powerfully as it did us, and I’m excited that us bloggers can help get DEAR ZACHARY out there and noticed just a teensy bit more.
on Nov 17 2008 @ 12:40 am 12. joel said …
I saw this one today and I agree it’s best to go in with little or no knowledge of the story. It’s sorta like a punch in the gut (or more accurately multiple punches in the gut) that are worth taking. Definitely not a movie that will be easily forgotten once you’ve seen it.
I noticed MSNBC was one of the producers on this, but it didn’t feel like it was made for television. Does anyone know if this aired on network or cable TV before it hit theaters, because I believe the arcane rules of the Academy would deny it a potential nomination in that case.
Anyway, it deserves to be seen and to be appreciated. I wouldn’t wish the events of the film on anyone, even my worst enemy.
Thanks Evan, I would not have seen this without your forceful recommendation.
on Nov 17 2008 @ 8:54 am 13. Evan Derrick said …
Awesome, Joel. I’m glad you managed to get out and see it. It actually will be airing on MSNBC Deb. 7th, if I’m not mistaken. Either the 7th or the 9th. I’ll definitely post about it as the time gets closer.
I hadn’t thought about it being disqualified for running on television, but I also spoke with the director, and he just wants to affect change. He could care less about accolades – he didn’t even want to have to make the film.
on Nov 19 2008 @ 8:22 pm 14. Phillip Johnston said …
Just watched this. Wow. I’ll try to have the review up tomorrow.