SUNDAY, October 11th – 7:30
IN A DREAM (2008, 80 minutes, USA, DVD)
SPECIAL DVD LAUNCH SCREENING!
Director Jeremiah Zagar, Producer Jeremy Yaches, and Executive Producer Ross Kaufman present for a discussion with Aaron Hillis following the screening.
“In A Dream abounds in visual pleasure.” — Nathan Lee, The New York Times
“Stunning. Deeply Personal.” — Steven Rea, The Philadelphia Inquirer
In the vibrant, bohemian neighborhood of South Philadelphia, 50,000-square feet of concrete are covered with tile and mirrors—mosaics that were created by renowned artist Isaiah Zagar. The murals chronicle his love for his wife, Julia, and subtly hint at the darker corners of an extraordinary imagination. Where Isaiah is obsessive and self-absorbed—a former Peace Corps volunteer who has become an icon in South Philly’s art community—Julia is gracious and warm. For decades, their opposing natures complemented one another perfectly. But, in a moment of great stress, just before picking up their oldest son from a rehabilitation center, the family implodes. Isaiah confesses to an affair with his assistant, is kicked out of the house, and spirals into a debilitating nervous breakdown.
A fascinating portrait of love and betrayal, artistic invention, and the enduring power of family bonds. Winner of awards far and wide, the film features music by The Books, Explosions in the Sky, Efterklang, and Kelli Scarr.
In A Dream has won numerous awards, including SXSW’s Emerging Visions Audience Award, Woodstock Film Festival’s Best Documentary Feature, Frame Documentary Film Festival’s Guggenheim Eemerging Artist Award, and was chosen for the 2009 Oscar shortlist.
Aaron Hillis is Vice-President of the boutique label Benten Films, the editor of GreenCine Daily, and a regular contributor to The Village Voice, LA Weekly, IFC, and Time Out New York. His co-directorial feature debut, Fish Kill Flea, played at UnionDocs in 2007.
This event is made possible in part by The Experimental Television Center’s Presentation Funds Program, which is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. This weekend is presented with Rooftop Films and IndiePix.
