TALK CINEMA Opens in September at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts'

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts' acclaimed film series, Talk Cinema, which gives audiences sneak previews of new independent and foreign films from Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and other internationally ranked film festivals, returns to the Virginia G. Piper Theater on Sept. 25.

Mixing Hollywood flair with the element of surprise, Talk Cinema offers films personally selected by nationally recognized film critic Harlan Jacobson, who created the series in 1992. His selections may include an award-winning drama, an outrageous indie comedy, a provocative documentary or the next breakout hit.

While this season's selections have yet to be announced, Jacobson scored last year with films such as I, Tonya, for which Allison Janney won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and Lady Bird, which was nominated for Best Picture, Lead Actress, Director, Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress. The Square (Sweden) and A Fantastic Woman (Chile) both were nominated for Best Foreign Language film. The series also featured the recent critically praised film RBG.

New York-based Jacobson knows his stuff: Last season's 12 films at the Center averaged positive reviews 86 percent of the time, according to the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. Scores above 60 percent are designated "fresh," while totals below that tally are considered "rotten." Six of the films scored in the 90s, four in the 80s and one in the 60s.

Jacobson once again aims to bring thought-provoking films to this year's lineup. Over the years, Talk Cinema patrons were among the first to see such other hits as Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader, Rachel Getting Married, Cadillac Records, I Am Not Your Negro and Moscow Never Sleeps.

Viewers are in the critic's chair and what is screened is almost always a surprise. The audience has the opportunity to see films not only before they are in general release, but also ones that won't be screened in the Valley because of limited distribution. After the films, patrons are encouraged to rate them and engage in a discussion led by film scholars and special guests.

"I pick films that are worth a serious look by a serious crowd into having some serious fun," Jacobson said.

In addition to getting the inside scoop on upcoming movies and seeing film festival winners and favorites, patrons also have the opportunity to view the films in an all-digital video and audio format, so they will see and hear exactly what the director intended.

"We have shown the best of independent films from around the world that come out in festivals," Jacobson said. "That festival experience is what we bring to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.'

2018-19 TALK CINEMA SCREENINGS
All shows on Tuesdays.
All start times 7 p.m.

Sept. 25
Oct. 16
Nov. 13
Jan. 29
Feb. 26
March 26
April 23
May 21
General Admission: $14

---

SCOTTSDALE ARTS
Through its partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational opportunities that foster active, lifelong community engagement with the arts. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through four acclaimed branches -Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Education & Outreach - serving more than 400,000 participants annually.

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Since 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has provided a stage for a wide range of artists and genres, creating shared, inspiring experiences for the community that celebrate artistic excellence and cultural awareness. Today one of the premier performing-arts halls in the western United States, the Center presents a diverse season of music, dance, theater, comedy and film from around the world.

LOCATION AND PARKING
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

ACCESSIBILITY
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to enhance audience members' experience, including: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live audio description with two weeks advance notice. Assistive-listening devices and wheelchair seating are also available. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/accessibility/ or contact the Member and Patron Services Box Office at 480-499-TKTS (8587) [TDD: 480-874-4694] for further details. Please inquire about services when ordering tickets.

TICKET DISCOUNTS
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of ticket discounts for Scottsdale Arts members at the Friends level and above, groups of 10 or more and those purchasing packages to four or more events in one order. The Center provides free tickets to selected events for eligible students, teachers and active-duty military and veterans, and 50 percent off tickets to selected events for patrons 29 and under. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/tickets-discounts/ or call 480-499-TKTS (8587) for more information.

THE STORE
The award-winning Store at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts supports the mission and diverse programs of the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts. The Store's unique selection of merchandise includes artist-made jewelry, stylish furnishings for home and office, unique creations by Arizona artists, fair-trade and upcycled/recycled global crafts, music, books, greeting cards and imaginative toys. Purchases are tax free, and members receive a 10 percent discount. Gift wrapping and shipping are also available. The Store is open seven days a week: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.; and throughout most evening events. Phone: 480-874-4644

To post a comment, you must register and login.