Avon Theatre Announces Talk Back Series

From The Avon Theatre:

The Avon Theatre & Sacred Heart University present The FTMA Talk Back Series.

Free to the public!

THE YAKUZA (1974), April 6

Post-film Q&A with Professor Justin Liberman

CAPE FEAR (1962), April 20

Post-film Q&A with Professor Damon Maulucci

SOMETHING WILD (1986), May 4

Post-film Q&A with Professor Damon Maulucci

MARRIED TO THE MOB (1988), May 18

Post-film Q&A with Professor Justin Liberman

All screenings are at 1:00 p.m.

THE YAKUZA (1974)

In Sydney Pollack's thriller THE YAKUZA, former soldier Harry Kilmer (Robert Mitchum) returns to Japan to help rescue the daughter of his friend (Brian Keith). Once he arrives in the country, he discovers that the daughter has been kidnapped by the Japanese mafia, called the Yakuza. In order to battle the Yakuza, Kilmer has to ask for a favor from his old enemy, Tanaka (Ken Takakura). Pollack's direction is tight, the story by Paul Schrader and Robert Towne is thrilling, and Mitchum and Takakura are excellent, making THE YAKUZA a first-rate thriller.

Rated R | In English | 112 minutes

CAPE FEAR (1962)

After an eight-year prison term for rape and assault, Max Cady (Robert Mitchum) is set free. Immediately making a beeline to Sam Bowden (Gregory Peck), the former prosecutor responsible for Cady's conviction, Cady laconically informs Sam that he intends to "pay back" the attorney for his years behind bars. Conducting a meticulous campaign of terror, Cady is careful to stay within the law. Things come to a head when Sam moves his family to the seeming safety of a remote houseboat on Cape Fear river. Cady shows up unannounced and is about to ravage Bowden's wife and daughter when Sam turns the tables.

Not Rated | In English | 106 minutes

SOMETHING WILD (1986)

Uptight tax consultant Charlie Driggs (Jeff Daniels) is picked up by eccentric free-thinker Audrey "Lulu" Hankel (Melanie Griffith). Although he's not entirely certain how he's going to explain his sudden disappearance to his wife and his boss, Charlie accompanies Lulu on an impulsive journey to the farthest reaches of New Jersey. The mismatched pair comes in contact with a steady stream of oddball hitchhikers; Lulu swigs liquor by the quart, then buys Charlie a bizarre new set of clothes; she introduces Charlie as her husband to her friends and relatives; and, as a capper, the couple is held hostage by a man (Ray Liotta) who forces them to participate in a robbery. Somehow or other, Charlie survives his descent into insanity and returns to his own world...then discovers that he just can't live without Lulu.

Rated R | In English | 113 minutes

MARRIED TO THE MOB (1988)

Angela (Michelle Pfeiffer) regularly chastizes her Mafia hitman husband Frank for his underhanded line of work. Frank refuses to entertain any thoughts of quitting the mob-and besides, he's got a good thing going with the promiscuous girlfriend of the mob boss Tony Russo. When Russo catches on, he murders both his mistress and the unlucky Frank. At the funeral, Russo is overwhelmed by Angela's beauty, and immediately begins plying her with expensive gifts. Angela leaves town, hoping to start life anew but soon makes the acquaintance of bumbling, seemingly sincere man, who turns out to be an FBI agent, ordered to get to Russo by using her as bait.

Rated R | In English | 102 minutes

ABOUT FTMA:

The Film and Television Masters program (FTMA) at Sacred Heart University is a one-year conservatory dedicated to the art of storytelling. Students engage in dynamic classroom workshops and lectures focusing on directing, screenwriting, producing, and new media arts. Based in Stamford, FTMA draws from talent and resources in the area and neighboring New York City. Each student produces a cinematic portfolio and rounds out their experience with industry internships. For more information, please visit FTMA.sacredheart.edu.

ABOUT THE PROFESSORS:

JUSTIN LIBERMAN was a directing fellow at Columbia University’s School of the Arts. His award winning films have played in many international film festivals, museums, and galleries. He has worked under Michael Mann (HEAT, THE INSIDER), David Mamet (HOUSE OF GAMES, SPARTAN), and Allen Coulter (The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire) and as a commercial director he has worked with American Express, ESPN, and General Mills.

DAMON MAULUCCI received his MFA in Screenwriting at Columbia University. He wrote, directed and produced the feature film, DETONATOR, now available on iTunes, Amazon and Hulu. Damon also served as a producer on the feature documentary, PAUL WILLIAMS STILL ALIVE, now airing on Showtime Networks. His films have screened all over the world including Toronto International Film Festival, SXSW, Cinequest, Cork Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival and Indie Memphis. Damon Maulucci lives in Brooklyn, NY and teaches as a Visiting Professor in the Film and Television Master's Program at Sacred Heart University.

ABOUT THE AVON: The Avon Theatre is a member-supported, non-profit cultural hub, dedicated to presenting film in its highest form, and thriving because of the support of our patrons and community. In addition to an exciting slate of new releases, The Avon brings you one-of-a-kind special events and monthly programs. We are proud to provide a forum for in-person, community dialogue with directors, actors and other luminaries in a vibrant “Main Street America” setting.

Avon Theatre Film Center | 272 Bedford St., Stamford, CT 06901 | 203.967.3660

Website: avontheatre.org | Twitter: @avontheatre | Facebook: facebook.com/avontheatre