Things to Do, Nov. 21-Dec. 5

Gene Wilder
Provided
Cornell Cinema hosts a Chocolate Soirée Dec. 5 with a screening of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," starring Gene Wilder, center.

Juried film festival

The Department of Performing and Media Arts presents the second Centrally Isolated Film Festival, Nov. 21-22 at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts.

This year’s festival received 55 submissions from college student filmmakers across New York state. A committee of Cornell students reviewed and selected the best films for the festival and for a competition screening. The works include narrative, documentary and experimental films in a variety of genres.

The first screening of films is Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m. The competition screening is Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. Both events will be in the Schwartz Center Film Forum. Tickets are $5 per screening.

The competition screening Saturday features a jury of industry professionals and faculty, including Michael Miller ’74, film editor on “Raising Arizona,” “Manhattan,” “Ghost World,” “Armageddon” and other films; Michael Hausman ’57, a film producer and assistant director whose credits include “Brokeback Mountain,” “Amadeus” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”; documentary filmmaker and video artist Marilyn Rivchin, who taught filmmaking and digital media at Cornell from 1979 to 2012; novelist and Cornell professor of English Ernesto Quiñonez; and local filmmaker Becky Lane, director of the short films, “Hens and Chicks” (2010) and “Poker Face” (2010).

Winners of the competition will be announced after the jury panel.

Book/CD release

Associate professor of English J. Robert Lennon celebrates his new book of short stories, “See You in Paradise” (Graywolf Press), and his Starry Mountain Sweetheart Band’s new CD, “The Hate of Love,” at a release party, Nov. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Felicia’s Atomic Lounge, 508 W. State St., Ithaca. Free admission; all ages.

Lennon will read a short story from the book and the band will play an acoustic set of all the songs on the album in order. Books and CDs will be available for purchase and signing.

Lennon is the author of seven novels, including “The Light of Falling Stars” (1997) and “Happyland” (2013), and two previous story collections.

Movies and chocolate

Cornell Cinema ends its semester-long “blaxploitation” series with “Black Dynamite,” director Scott Sanders’ 2009 satire in homage to the ’70s genre, Dec. 1 at 7:15 p.m. in Willard Straight Theatre. Starring Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson and Arsenio Hall, the film will be introduced by Cheryl Finley, associate professor of the history of art and visual studies.

A “Willy Wonka Chocolate Soirée,” Dec. 5 at 8 p.m., features a reception in Willard Straight Theatre with chocolate treats and chocolate-compatible mocktails, followed at 9:15 p.m. by the 1971 fantasy film starring Gene Wilder. Admission to the soirée and film are $12 for the general public and $10 for students;  regular admission prices for the film only.

The event is presented by Cornell Cinema Student Advisory Board and co-sponsored by the WSH Student Union Board and the Epicurean Club. For more information, see cinema.cornell.edu or call 607-255-3522.

Student showcases

The Mini Locally Grown Dance Festival at Cornell, Dec. 4-6, will feature advanced student pieces in a variety of dance styles.

Directed by Jumay Chu, performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the Class of ’56 Dance Theatre in the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $5 each, available at the Schwartz Center box office, 430 College Ave., and online at schwartztickets.com.

Advanced film students at Cornell also will show their recent work Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Schwartz Center’s Kiplinger Theatre. Presented by Sub-Basement Cinema and the Department of Performing and Media Arts. 

Media Contact

Joe Schwartz