In late 2012, I interviewed Brazilian director Walter Salles for the release of his film adaptation of “On The Road.” Salles, A gregarious and thoughtful conversationalist, mentioned near the end of our chat, that he loves and misses books that filmmakers write about other filmmakers, and that he planned to write one about Chinese director Jia Zhangke (“Still Life,” “A Touch Of Sin”). “For me,” he said, “he’s the most important filmmaker alive.” Only a few years later, Salles made good on that promise. Sort of.
While there’s no sign yet of a book, we do have “Jia Zhangke, A Guy From Fenyang,” a documentary portrait by Salles of the revered filmmaker, screening this weekend along with Jia’s latest film, “Mountains May Depart,” at The Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium. For anyone who follows contemporary world cinema, or who appreciates entertaining, moving, and beautiful films, it’s the highlight of the weekend.
The seven films programmed for the series this year—can’t miss highlights include “Attack The Block,” “Raising Arizona” and “Key Largo”—include something for everyone. As always, it’s an eclectic mix of titles. Where else could you see Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” one week and then John Waters’ musical “Hairspray” only a few weeks later, all projected on a big screen? (If it’s windy up top, the screen will bulge in and out as though you’re watching a 3-D movie without glasses, which is a special treat, believe it or not). Talking Heads frontman David Byrne’s 1986 film “True Stories,” less a musical than an art film inspired by that decade’s music video aesthetics, closes out the series on August 25. But first, this week, there’s Ed Wood’s infamous shitshow “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” which you have to see to believe.