Academy to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Thelma & Louise 8/25

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will screen a new print of "Thelma & Louise" in celebration of the film's 20th anniversary on Thursday, August 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Hosted by film journalist Anne Thompson, the evening will feature an onstage discussion with members of the cast and crew, including actress Geena Davis, producer Mimi Polk Gitlin and screenwriter Callie Khouri, following the screening.

An instant critical and commercial success, "Thelma & Louise" (1991) also became something much more: a flashpoint for debate and ultimately, a cultural touchstone. Upending the traditional buddy-movie formula, the film depicts two blue-collar Southern women whose weekend fishing trip takes a dramatic turn when one of them becomes the victim of an attempted rape.

Co-stars Susan Sarandon and Davis earned Best Actress nominations as the waitress and housewife whose uncharacteristic act of self-defense sets them off on a crime spree.

Khouri won an Oscar® for "Thelma & Louise," which was her first screenplay, and Ridley Scott earned a nomination for Directing. The film also garnered nominations for Cinematography (Adrian Biddle) and Film Editing (Thom Noble).

The new print is courtesy of MGM and the Academy Film Archive.

Tickets for "Thelma & Louise" are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Because of the expected demand, tickets for this event will only be available online at www.oscars.org, starting August 1, and by mail. Mail-in orders must be sent to Academy Box Office, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211, and postmarked by August 2 to be eligible for a random drawing.

The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved. For more information, call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org for the latest updates on panelists.