July 9, 2000 - La Jolla, CA. Media Arts Center San Diego (http://www.mediaartscenter.org), in partnership with Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, is proud to announce the upcoming presentation of the Academy Award-winning feature film, "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956, USA, 175 minutes, 35mm). The Saturday, July 15th screening of "Around the World in 80 Days" is the final installment of the series "Around the World in 80 Days". The series is presented in conjunction with the Museum of Contemporary Art's exhibition "Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Twentieth-Century Mexican Art: The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection". "Around the World in 80 Days" will be screened this Saturday, July 15th at 7:30 p.m. at the Museum of Contemprary Art San Diego's Sherwood Auditorium.
Cantinflas became internationally renowned after his turn as Passepartout in this epic comedy produced by self-made millionaire and legendary carnival barker Michael Todd "Around the World in 80 Days" was conceived as a showcase for a prestigious list of major film stars, but for Mario Moreno it was a chance to move beyond his stereotype buffoon Mexican every-boy character and to become a Hollywood star. Alas, it would not unspool as scripted although today the film remains infamous for it's connection to Michael Todd, killed in a crash in 1957 aboard the Lucky Liz the plane named after his wife Elizabeth Taylor, for it's surprise Best Picture win at the 1957 Academy Awards, and for it's legendary pairing of two great actors from two very different worlds, David Niven and Cantinflas.
With over 650 people attending the first two films in the series, Fred Salas, Series Curator, looks forward to presenting San Diego residents with a unique look at one of Mexico's greatest screen legends. Mr. Salas states, " Cantinflas. He was the one name wonder before Cher was ever created. He was Mexican film. A popular/populist comedian of the highest and lowest order. Many of the films starring Cantinflas were produced by Jacques Gelman and what a great way to pay tribute to this Mexican screen legend by presenting the film in conjunction with Gelman's extraordinary collection of Mexican art."
"Mexican Cinema: The Gelman Connection" is curated by Media Arts Center San Diego (http://www.mediaartscenter.org). MACSD nurtures and supports media artists working in film, video, audio, and computer-based multimedia. The organization seeks to provide a forum for and promote the diversity of interests of San Diego Border Region media artists through regular screenings, educational outreach, distribution, film festivals, production and technical assistance, scholarships, and fiscal sponsorships. Most recently MACSD produced the successful Seventh Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival ( http://www.sdLatinoFilm.co m ) held March 2000 at CinemaStar Luxury Theaters in Chula Vista and attended by over 5,000 people.
Upcoming MACSD presentations include the Second Annual Cine Mexicano: Mexican Film Series (August - November 2000) and the Eighth Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival (March 6-11, 2001).
Ticket prices: $7 General Audience and $5 Students/Seniors/Military. Tickets can be purchased prior to the screening at the Sherwood Auditorium box office. For complete series schedule and information visit http://www.sdLatinoFilm.com or call (619) 230-1938. For more information on the exhibition, go to http://www.mcasandiego.org or call (858) 454-3541. Press contact at MCA San Diego: Jennifer Morrissey, (858) 454-3541 ext. 116.
- photos available upon request -
