IFC to Screen "Jane," Documenting Jane Fonda's Broadway Debut Tonight, 9/22

Tonight, the IFC Center in Manhattan will screen "Jane," a new film that documents the Broadway debut of Academy Award winner Jane Fonda, at 8:00pm.

Jane Fonda debuted on Broadway in THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL in 1960, followed by INVITATION TO A MARCH later that year, THE FUN COUPLE in 1962, and STRANGE INTERLUDE in 1963.  After more than a four decade hiatus, Fonda returned to Broadway last year to star in 33 VARIATIONS. 

Documentary makers Robert Drew (who also produced the film), DA Pennebaker and Hope Ryden are scheduled to attend. 

According to press notes, "Jane" is a "fascinating bridge between the more narrative origins of documentary and the naturalistic style then being ushered in. For 'Jane' Drew assembled an A-team of talents on their way to becoming noted cinéma vérité artists: DA Pennebaker and Hope Ryden, and Richard Leacock, already well known as cameraman for Robert Flaherty. Following a 25-year-old Jane Fonda in her ill-fated Broadway debut, the film unflinchingly documents the highs and lows, joy and pain of launching a new play, and features cameos by The Actors Studio's Lee Strasberg and critic Walter Kerr."

The IFC Center is located at 323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street. Call (212) 924-7771 or visit www.ifccenter.com for more information.

Jane Fonda is an actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as "Barbarella" and "Cat Ballou" and, excluding a 15 year hiatus, has appeared in films ever since. She has also starred in 5 Broadway shows. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other awards and nominations. She announced her retirement from acting in 1991, but returned to film in 2005 with "Monster in Law," and later "Georgia Rule," released in 2007. She also produced and starred in several exercise videos released between 1982 and 1995. Fonda has served as an activist for many political causes, one of the most notable and controversial of which was her opposition to the Vietnam War. She has also protested the Iraq War and violence against women. She describes herself as a liberal and a feminist. Since 2001, Fonda has been a Christian. She published an autobiography in 2005 and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.