V –0 08 - Rehoboth Beach Film Society

doCumenTary films
50
Gonzo, Alex Gibney’s paean to author, journalist, and selfstyled
anti-hero, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, is a multi-layered
visual, literary, and musical journey worthy of a man who
loved to shoot and aimed best with his typewriter. That’s
right—for all of his exploits with guns, drinking, drugs,
politics, women, and motorcycles, for the Doctor it all came
back to the words on the page. Thompson created gonzo
journalism, a harbinger of the currently popular “news”
programs, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. But his
work always had what Colbert calls “truthiness.” Note his
comments on coverage of presidential candidate Ed Muskie:
“I never said Muskie was taking drugs. I said there was a
rumor he was taking drugs, and I started that rumor.” Of
course, Thompson didn’t merely comment on the news,
Isaiah zagar’s distinct mixed-media mosaics that cover over
40,000 square feet of Philadelphia are perhaps the most
recognizable murals in the city. His wife Julia is the owner
of the well-respected Eyes Gallery and an artist in her own
right. Having met in art school, the couple made a home in
Philadelphia where they became parents and cornerstones of
the arts community. Filmmakers Jeremiah zagar (the couple’s
son) and Jeremy Yaches have created a tremendous film that
both celebrates and exposes much more than the viewer could
possibly anticipate about its subjects. Spanning several years,
this incredibly raw and visceral film captures a turbulent time
for the zagar family, involving shattering revelations and deep
personal questioning. Few people would have the courage to
gonzo:
the lIfe and work of
dr. hunter s. thompson
THuRS NOV 6 12:20 PM-2:25 PM
SPONSORED BY: COAST PRESS/BEACHCOMBER/DELMARVANOW!COM
FRI NOV 7 12:20 PM-2:25 PM
SAT NOV 8 7:15 PM-9:20 PM
SPONSORED BY: CAPE WINE & SPIRITS
he lived it. Gibney’s film takes us on the ride that was his
life, intercutting the clear analysis (or mad ramblings?) of
the man himself with remarkably open interviews with his
first and second wives, Rolling Stone editor Jan Wenner,
illustrator Ralph Steadman and respectful opponents such
as Pat Buchanan. Gibney also incorporates scenes from
Terry Gilliam’s film adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las
Vegas, and uses the film’s star, Johnny Depp to give voice
to Thompson’s writing. Gonzo is a fitting testament to the
controlled chaos of its larger-than-life subject.
[Dir. Alex Gibney, 2007, US, 35mm, 120 mins.]
Website: www.huntersthompsonmovie.com
In a dream
Emerging Artist Award Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and
SXSW Film Festival
THuRS NOV 6 2:10 PM-3:40 PM
FRI NOV 7 12:50 PM-2:15 PM
allow such close scrutiny of their private lives unfolding and
unraveling, yet this family does even more. This documentary
is both a powerful testimony to the zagar’s collective artistic
legacy and a heart-wrenching tale of a family in crisis, but by
no means is it a tragedy. In fact, the story covers decades of
triumph and ultimately affirms the strength of the zagars in
all of its multi-faceted beauty. This fitting mosaic of film, video
and animation tied together with a driving score is simply
documentary filmmaking at its best.
[Dir. Jeremiah zagar, 2008, US, video, 80 mins.]
Website: www.inadreammovie.com