The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) is excited to offer members of the community the opportunity to learn more about some of cinema’s greatest icons and view some of their most famous films with a series of documentary and film pairings beginning on Friday, April 5. Guests are invited to purchase tickets for one film or both films for a great double-feature experience.
“The JPT is excited to offer film enthusiasts and the community at large a unique double-feature experience to watch a small collection of what’s widely considered to be some of the best pieces of filmmaking of our time and to learn more about some of the people behind our favorite films,” said Alex Whitney, General Manager at The JPT “Whether you join us for a film pairing or just one of the upcoming films coming to The JPT, our world-class theater will not disappoint.”
The first set of screenings will feature films by critically acclaimed director Giuseppe Tornatore, Ennio, and Cinema Paradiso.
Ennio
In the documentary film Ennio, Giuseppe Tornatore turns his camera on his longtime collaborator Ennio Morricone (1928 – 2020) in a moving and comprehensive profile of the indefatigable composer. Tornatore’s documentary portrait explores the breadth of the maestro’s career, from his early Italian pop songs to the fistful of unforgettable film scores that he wrote, including The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, The Thing, Days of Heaven, and hundreds of others. Ennio will be screened at The JPT on Friday, April 5 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, April 6 at 4:00 PM. For tickets and more information, click here
Cinema Paradiso
Cinema Paradiso follows young Salvatore Di Vita (Salvatore Cascio) as he discovers the perfect escape from life in his war-torn Sicilian village: the Cinema Paradiso movie house, where projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) instills in the boy a deep love of films. When Salvatore grows up, falls in love with a beautiful local girl (Agnese Nano) and takes over as the Paradiso’s projectionist, Alfredo must convince Salvatore to leave his small town and pursue his passion for filmmaking. Cinema Paradiso will be shown on Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 PM. For tickets and more information, click here.
The second set of films, Remembering Gene Wilder and Blazing Saddles,will be screened at The JPT to honor the legacy of Hollywood icon, Gene Wilder.
Remembering Gene Wilder
In Ron Frank’s affectionate and touching biographical documentary, the full measure of Gene Wilder’s gifts is on display, not only as a comedic actor but as a writer, director and a mensch. Narrated in part through Wilder’s own voice -made possible through his audiobook recording of his memoir – Remembering Gene Wilder is a treat to watch with its generous helpings of film clips from across Wilder’s career.Remembering Gene Wilderwill be screened on Saturday, April 13 at 5:30 PM and Tuesday, April 16 at 5:30 PM. For tickets and more information, click here.
Blazing Saddles
To celebrate its 50 year anniversary and to honor artistic/comedic genius of Gene Wilder, The JPT is proud to be screening Blazing Saddles. In Blazing Saddles’ satirical take on Westerns, crafty railroad worker Bart (Cleavon Little) becomes the first black sheriff of Rock Ridge, a frontier town about to be destroyed in order to make way for a new railroad. Initially, the people of Rock Ridge harbor a racial bias toward their new leader. However, they warm to him after realizing that Bart and his perpetually drunk gunfighter friend (Gene Wilder) are the only defense against a wave of thugs sent to rid the town of its population. Blazing Saddles will be shown on Saturday, April 13 at 8:00 PM. For tickets and more information, click here.