Wednesdays with Cinema at MCF – Short Tribute devoted to Woody Allen and 4 of his hot comedies

MCF, in the line of its overall contribution to the art lovers of the city of Athens with the cooperation, as well as the support of New Star, the independent distribution company for specially selected films and Velissarios Kossyvakis, establishes an informal Cinema Club, every Wednesday at 21:30, with the entrance free of charge, in the foundation’s high standards Cinema Hall.

Films by acknowledged and new filmmakers, films which shape a well-built cinematic language with evident mark of each director, films which have contributed to the specific image as well as the progress of that
cinema which illustrates the diverse, which shapes horizons, entertains and at the same time focuses on humans and situations, relationships and events of wider interest.

The initiation comes into reality with a short tribute devoted to the extraordinary, acclaimed director, screenwriter, actor, author and musician, Woody Allen and four of his hilarious comedies, with the unique dialogues, the sarcastic satire and the extraordinary funny gags, which belong to the top ten of its entire filmography: Take the money and run (1969), Bananas (1971), Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex * But Were Afraid To Ask (1972), The Sleeper (1973). Films classic now on, which someone cannot stop watching, discovering every time new elements.

Moreover, Philippos Nakas Conservatory promises for a pleasant surprise devoted to the audience of Michael Cacoyannis Foundation. Short jazz concerts are a well-suited introduction to the world of “classic” movies by Woody Allen.

On Wednesday 14th as well as on Wednesday 21st of December, from 21:00 the foyer of Michael Cacoyannis Foundation will flood in jazz rhythms and melodies.

The students of Philippos Nakas Conservatory participating are: Panayotis Athanatos– guitar, Panayotis Tsigos – piano, Antonis Arvanitis – contrabass.

Bananas (1971) – Wednesday 7/12/2011, 21:30

Fielding Mellish, a lonely and awkward New Yorker, is falling in love with Nancy, a political activist. He is going to protests and trying with various ways to convince her that he does worth her love, but Nancy is rejecting him, as she wants someone more of a leader. Fielding goes to San Marcos, a tiny Latin America nation that is ruled by a cruel dictator. Riots are happening; Fielding is on the side of the partisans and manages in the end to become the leader of the country. Coming back to U.S.A., to close some trade deals, he meets Nancy again who is the one to fall in love with him this time.

Directed by: Woody Allen
Script: Woody Allen, Mickey Rose
Producer: Axel Anderson, Antonio Encarnacion, Jack Grossberg, Manolon Villamil
Production: Jack Rollins & Charles H. Joffe Productions
Cinematography: Andrew M. Costikyan
Music: Marvin Hamlisch
Editing: Ron Kalish, Ralph Rosenblum
Set Design : Herbert F. Mulligan
Assistant Director: Fred T. Gallo

Featuring: Woody Allen, Louise Lasser, Carlos Montalban,  Natividad Abascal,  Jacobo Morales, Miguel Angel Suarez, David Ortiz

Take the money and run – Wednesday, 14/12/2011, 21:30

“Once in prison, I remember, a psychiatrist asked me if I had ever slept with a woman. I said no. “Do you believe it is nasty?” he asked. “It is” I replied “if you do it the right way”.

Virgil Starkwell, having no talent for his beloved cello, decides to have a career as a petty thief. Always optimistic, he is an overall looser as a criminal despite the fact that most of his jailbreaks are often successful. Supported by his beloved wife, Louise, he might accomplish successfully a bank robbery, given that he will finally be able to write a readable threatening note. His first contact, at a very young age, with the world of crime, his criminal mania, his first arrest, conviction and escape, the birth and the breeding he had been offered by his parents as well as his arrest by the FBI are some of the remarkable events presented.

Gags come one after the other in this wonderful satire by the cinema legend, Woody Allen, in his bright début as a writer, leading actor and director. Allen is hilarious and he does never fail to charm his audience with this inspired comedy which is nothing less but a triumph of craziness. In his first film, Woody Allen uses the strict and severe documentary form in a satiric parody that narrates the life of Virgil Starkwell. Allen, obviously influenced by stand up comedy, creates a screamingly funny comedy. The intelligent monologues alternate with interviews and visual material from Starkwell’s life, as well as the severe, pompous narration of the events with voice over by Jackson Beck.

Take the Money and Run
U.S.A. – 1969 – 85΄- Color- B/W

Directed by: Woody Allen,
Script: Woody Allen, Mickey Rose,
Production: Charles H. Joffe,
Editing: Ralph Rosenblum, James T. Heckert
Music: Marvin Hamlisch,
Artistic Director: Fred Harpman

Featuring: Woody Allen, Janet Margolin, Marcel Hillaire, Jacquelyn Hyde, Lonny Chapman, Jan Merlin, James Anderson, Howard Storm, Mack Gordon

The Sleeper (1973) – Wednesday 21/12/2011, 21:30

When the cryogenically frozen Miles Monroe wakes up following 200 years, after an inside hospital accident discovers that the future is not that bright: all women are cold and all men are inefficient, while the whole world is ruled by a satanic dictator, a nose without body! Chased by secret police and recruited by anti-government rebels with the plan to kidnap the dictator’s nose before clone it, Miles falls in love with the beautiful – however untalented- poet Luna (Diane Keaton). When Allen gets arrested and reprogrammed, in order to be convinced that he is Miss America- it is up to Luna to save him, to lead the rebels and prevent the nose, just because!

U.S.A.  1973  89΄- Color
Directed by: Woody Allen
Script: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman
Producer: Jack Grossberg
Music: Woody Allen
Cinematography: David M. Walsh
Editing: O. Nicholas Brown, Ron Kalish, Ralph Rosenblum
Set Design: Gary Moreno
Assistant Director: Fred T. Gallo
Production: Rollins-Joffe Productions

Featuring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, John Beck, Mary Gregory, Don Keefer, John McLiam, Bartlett Robinson, Chris Forbes

“Painting on the tradition of silent comedy, “The sleeper” is the first movie of Woody Allen which harnesses his verbal intelligence and highlights his rising talent for visual and physical comedy. With Diane Keaton as leading actress (first time ever directed by Allen), the “Sleeper” is a strange mixture of New York neurosis, with exceptional funny visual gags, the irrationality of Alice in Wonderland, as well as the exaggeratedly funny and painful satire.”