Telluride Film Fest: “On the Waterfront”

19 Feb Telluride Film Fest: “On the Waterfront”

Telluride Film Festival Cinematheque presents “On the Waterfront.” Screening Monday, February 22, 6 p.m.,Wilkinson Public Library, Free to All.

“I coulda been a contendah…” – Marlon Brando

For many, spring represents a season of rebirth, awakening, and an opportunity for reflection about change. How appropriate then to welcome this hopeful season with four films that explore the journeys that ultimately lead to personal growth, however big or small, dramatic or subtle.

Join the Telluride Film Festival and Wilkinson Public Library as the winds of change breeze through small-time docks and into the soul of a downtrodden contender (ON THE WATERFRONT); to actress Myrtle Gordon and her big stage (John Cassavetes’ OPENING NIGHT); from a Swedish commune struggling with identity (TOGETHER); to a puttering VW bus traveling across the country to a children’s beauty pageant (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE).

The four-part series begins Monday, February 1, with ON THE WATERFRONT  (1954, 108 minutes), eight-time Oscar winner including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.

This classic story of mob informants is based on true stories and filmed on location in and around the docks of New York and New Jersey. Washed-up boxer Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) has witnessed a murder. He is willing to keep his mouth shut until he meets the dead dockworker’s sister, Edie (Eva Marie Saint).

Of Brando’s performance, director Elia Kazan was said, “If there is a better performance by a man in the history of film in America, I don’t know what it is.”  

“Under Elia Kazan’s direction, Marlon Brando puts on a spectacular show, giving us a fascinating, multi-faceted performance as the uneducated dock walloper and former pug, who is basically a softie with a special affection for his rooftop covey of pigeons,” wrote Variety.

Film will be introduced by TFF Ringmaster, Ashley Boling.

For a preview of the evening, watch the trailer:

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