Feminism shines bright in ‘Girlhood’
April 20, 2015
Céline Sciamma’s “Girlhood” tackles stereotypes from the first scene. The 2014 French film was screened Friday at the 17th annual Ebertfest. The film is the coming-of-age tale of 16-year-old Marieme, played by Karidja Touré, who comes from a low-income home with two younger sisters, a workin...
“The End of the Tour:” Honoring David Foster Wallace at Ebertfest
April 20, 2015
There’s something kind of “meta” about writing an article about a movie about someone writing an article. But it’s particularly fitting for a review of “The End of the Tour,” which was screened at the 17th annual Ebertfest on Thursday night.The movie, directed by James Ponsoldt and starring Jason...
“A Bronx Tale:” Ebertfest welcomes Chazz Palminteri and Jon Kilik
April 20, 2015
I would never deny that “A Bronx Tale” is a great film; it references important dialogue about race relations, gender construction, class discrepancies and morality. But experiencing “A Bronx Tale” as introduced by Roger Ebert’s wife, Chaz Ebert, viewing it as a personal 35-mm print that bel...
Foreign film “Ida” makes statement at Ebertfest
By Jack Heyden
April 19, 2015
“Ida” was one of the most acutely-shot films of the year, and its achievement for Best Foreign Language film and nomination for cinematography were both well deserved. Set in 1962 in Poland, Ida goes to live with her aunt and learns the true story of her heritage. Her aunt, a sensual alcoholic, clas...
‘The Son of the Sheik’ brings silence fascination to Ebertfest
By Earn Saenmuk
April 18, 2015
It wasn’t my first time at Ebertfest, but this time, I went into The Virginia Theatre nervous, wondering what it would be like to watch a silent film. “The Son of the Sheik” is the first silent film I have ever seen, but it is also the only film created before 1980 that I’ve ever seen, as it wa...
Chaz, Kohn hand-pick films true to vision
April 14, 2015
Festival Director Nathaniel Kohn and Chaz Ebert have worked throughout the last year to hand-pick the films shown at Ebertfest. Kohn said the process of picking the films is ongoing, and many factors are considered when choosing the films, which are announced in March. Some of the film choices com...
Mary Susan Britt: The ‘force’ behind Ebertfest
April 14, 2015
Fourteen years ago, Mary Susan Britt responded to an ad in the paper to work for the University of Illinois’ College of Media. Her family had just moved to Champaign-Urbana from Vicksburg, Mississippi, and she thought she’d try her luck with a new job in a new town. She couldn’t have predicted...
Ramis’ work far more than just ‘Ghostbusters’
April 14, 2015
Harold Ramis is quickly recognized as the quirky Dr. Egon Spengler in “Ghostbusters.” He is also spotted as the neurologist in “Groundhog Day.” But his appearances in these works are not the reason the Chicago native is being honored with the first-ever film tribute at Ebertfest. In addition to his...
Talking with Chaz Ebert
April 14, 2015
When Roger Ebert considered potential films to show at Ebertfest, there was one person in particular who he loved to discuss movies with: his wife, his supporter and his closest friend Chaz. We spoke with Chaz via email and asked her a few questions about her connection to the Champaign-Urbana communi...
Father, daughter volunteer time at Ebertfest
April 14, 2015
For Jessica Elliott, a sophomore in FAA, April not only brings the end of the school year, but also a family tradition: volunteering at Ebertfest. Since childhood, her father, Ray, has been showing film festival guests around the community. “My dad’s been doing it since I can remember, and it was just...
