The American University School of Communication Presents: The 2004 Political Comedy Festival

September 16-19

OPENING EVENT
Special Sneak Preview!
Writer/Director John Sayles and Producer Maggie Renzi Live On Stage!

SILVER CITY

From John Sayles, one of the essential iconoclastic voices of American independent cinema, comes a film equal parts scathing political lampoon and neo-noir detective story. Against the backdrop of a mythic "New West," the film follows the gubernatorial campaign of grammatically challenged, "user-friendly" candidate Dickie Pilager (Chris Cooper), the scapegrace scion of Colorado's venerable Senator Jud Pilager (Michael Murphy). When Dickie discovers he's reeled in a corpse during the taping of an environmental political ad, his ferocious campaign manager Chuck Raven (Richard Dreyfuss) hires journalist-turned-private-detective Danny O'Brien (Danny Huston) to investigate potential links between the corpse and Pilager family enemies. In the tradition of great noir films, Danny's investigation pulls him deeper and deeper into a complex web of influence and corruption-high-stakes lobbyists, media conglomerates, environmental plunderers and undocumented migrant workers-speckled with performances by Darryl Hannah, Maria Bello, Thora Birch, Tim Roth, Kris Kristofferson, and Mary Kay Place. Pitch-perfect dialogue, an unerring sense of place and slashing satire mark Sayles's timely and toxic look at the state of the union on the eve of the 2004 elections.

Directed/written by John Sayles; produced by Maggie Renzi. Rated R

"Anonymous" Author Joe Klein & NPR's Pat Dowell Live On Stage!

PRIMARY COLORS

Years after it caused a sensation, who can say where fact and Bill Clinton-inspired fiction stop and start in Joe Klein's roman à clef? Perceptive about politics and the people that practice them, the novel was ably adapted for the screen by Oscar-nominated Elaine May. Stellar performances include John Travolta as Governor Jack Stanton, Emma Thompson as his wife, and Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates as campaign staffers.

Directed/produced by Mike Nichols; written by Elaine May, after the novel by "Anonymous," (aka Joe Klein). US, 1998, color, 143 min. Rated R

NPR/WETA-FM film critic and American University School of Communication adjunct professor Pat Dowell will interview Primary Colors author Joe Klein live on stage after the screening.

Live! On Stage! Introductions by Turner Classic Movies Host Ben Mankiewicz At THE GREAT McGINTY & ELECTION!

THE GREAT McGINTY

In Preston Sturges' 1940 political satire, Brian Donlevy (as Dan McGinty) succeeds in his chosen field of crooked politics, but risks it all in a moment of honesty. With stellar performances by Akim Tamiroff (The Boss) and William Demarest. Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Sturges.

Directed/written by Preston Sturges; produced by Paul Jones. 1940, US, b&w, 82 min.

ELECTION

"It's like my mom said: the weak are always trying to sabotage the strong," proclaims monstrously ambitious Reese Witherspoon, running unopposed for student council president. Teacher Matthew Broderick decides she needs to be taken down a peg, but quickly discovers how weak he is against Tracy's heightened state of ambition. Dazzling performances and an Oscar-nominated script make for perhaps the best satire of the 1990s.

Directed/written by Alexander Payne; co-written by Jim Taylor, from the novel by Tom Perotta; produced by Albert Berger, David Gale and Ron Yerxa. US, 1999, color, 103 min. Rated R

SPECIAL PANEL DISCUSSION
A Discovery Times "Political Dish" post-screening discussion on the impact of political humor on the 2004 election follows the screening. Hosted by the New York Times' Todd Purdum, panelists include Internet humorist Andy Borowitz (CNN's AMERICAN MORNING; author of The Borowitz Report: The Big Book of Shockers) and Matt Cooper (TIME magazine's White House correspondent-and sometime stand-up comedian).

AN EVENING WITH DICK GREGORY AND FRIENDS

A tribute to the legendary comedian, actor, political activist and writer that will include clips from his television appearances and some live, free-wheeling political and social humor contributed by Gregory himself and some of his friends. Hosted by ABC's (AU Alumnus) Tony Perkins and Gene Policinski and co-sponsored by the First Amendment Center and In The Public Eye Communications, the evening also features stand-up comics including LAST COMIC STANDING's Kathleen Madigan live on stage!

BOB ROBERTS

Sunday, September 19, 3:00 This farcical mockumentary marks the directorial debut of Tim Robbins, who also portrays the eponymous folksinging right-wing Senate candidate. His songs include the anti-Dylan The Times They Are A-Changin' Back, he may be involved in illegal drug and weapons trafficking, and he'll stop at nothing to unseat liberal incumbent Brickley Paiste (Gore Vidal). Supporting players include Susan Sarandon, James Spader, Peter Gallagher, Helen Hunt and Jack Black.

Directed/written by Tim Robbins; produced by Forrest Murray. US, 1992, color, 102 min. Rated R

SPECIAL PANEL DISCUSSION
An American Forum panel discussion, "Presidential Shtick and Political Speechwriters," will follow the screening. Moderated by AU professor and FOX NEWS WATCH's Jane Hall, the panel features former Gerald Ford speechwriter Pat Butler (Vice President, The Washington Post Company), former Bill Clinton and now Senator John Kerry speechwriter Terry Edmonds; Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush speechwriter Chriss Winston; and Mark Katz author of the Clinton biography Clinton and Me.

AU Alumni Director Barry Levinson & Critic Desson Thomson Live On Stage!

WAG THE DOG

When the President of the United States is accused of relations with an underage girl, shady spin doctor Robert De Niro plans to invade Albania to crowd the scandal coverage off the front page. To save the cost of a real war, De Niro hires Hollywood producer Dustin Hoffman to fake one-with surprising consequences. The title remains part of the popular political lexicon today, and it's time for a second viewing.

Directed/produced by Barry Levinson; written by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet; co-produced by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal. US, 1997, color, 97 min. Rated R

Director Barry Levinson returns to AFI Silver for a post-screening discussion with Washington Post film critic Desson Thomson. Both are alumni of the American University School of Communication.