To celebrate the recent HBO premiere of
"Angel Rodriguez," Jim McKay’s latest examination of
race, class and culture in Brooklyn, BAMcinematek is presenting
a series of free screenings of the acclaimed Park Slope filmmaker’s
borough-set works.
Frequently praised for the realism with which he depicts his
subjects, the 44-year-old New Jersey native and would-be English
teacher made documentaries, music videos (most notably for R.E.M.
and Ziggy Marley) and public-service shorts before launching
a career directing and writing low-budget narrative films.
The BAMcinematek series focusing on these films will begin Saturday
evening with a big-screen showing of "Angel Rodriguez,"
which earned critical raves when it debuted on HBO on Oct. 30.
With this film, McKay skillfully trains his camera on the relationship
between the titular character, an intelligent, troubled youth
(Jonan Everett) and the white counselor (Rachel Griffiths) trying
to help him, as both individuals are faced with difficult decisions.
McKay and Everett will be on-hand after the screening to discuss
the movie and take questions from the audience.
Slated to unspool Monday evening is "Everyday People,"
McKay’s 2004 valentine to the ordinary folk of Fort Greene. Featuring
a cast comprised mostly of newcomers, the film explores what
happens when a local diner is forced to close its doors to make
way for a yuppie shopping paradise. The movie is a fictionalized
version of stories collected by Brooklyn author Nelson George.
The last film in the series, set to screen Tuesday night, is
"Our Song."
Starring Kerry Washington, Anna Simpson and Melissa Martinez,
this 2002 coming-of-age tale is about three Crown Heights teens
navigating the rough waters of adolescence while finding time
to perform together in the borough’s famed Jackie Robinson Steppers
Marching Band.
"I create characters based on people that I am interested
in exploring and based on images that are already out there,"
McKay told indieWIRE. "I am constantly trying to turn around
expectations, not always just for the sake of turning them around
– (but) to challenge the audience."
BAMcinematek presents "Three by Jim McKay" Nov. 18-21
at 6:50 pm at the BAM Rose Cinemas (30 Lafayette Ave. at Ashland
Place in Fort Greene). Tickets are $10, $7 for students age 25
and younger (with valid I.D. Monday-Thursday, except holidays),
seniors and children younger than age 12. Tickets are available
through (718) 777-FILM; order by "name of movie" option.
For more information, visit the Web site www.bam.org.
