by Sam Juliano
Thanks to our film writer J.D. Lafrance for sorting out and re-starting the Twitter feed for the site. As a result traffic has improved. The annual Caldecott Medal Contender series is set to launch in a week to ten days and will continue until January, though the number of reviews planned to pen is a matter of uncertainty. Our resident writers Jim Clark and J.D. continue to provide readers with extraordinary and diverse essays.
Lucille is set to have her partial kneed replacement later this morning in Engelwood where I will be holed up awaiting this stressful episode. I’m sure all will be well and appreciate those offering their well wishes.
In a rural village in present day Zambia, an orphaned eight-year-old girl is accused of being a witch in “I Am Not A Witch” She’s offered a choice of punishments: either accept enslavement in state-run camp tethered to a white ribbon or risk transformation into a goat. With a story formed from research on real-life African witch camps, director Rungano Nyoni (in a fantastic feature debut) and cinematographer David Gallego (Embrace of the Serpent) craft a world—and unique cinematic voice nicely mixing Kafkaesque comedy, anthropological inquiry, poignant drama, and feminist fairytale.
I Am Not A Witch **** 1/2 (Saturday) Quad Cinemas
In a rural village in present day Zambia, an orphaned eight-year-old girl is accused of being a witch. She’s offered a choice of punishments: either accept enslavement in state-run camp tethered to a white ribbon or risk transformation into a goat. With a story formed from research on real-life African witch camps, director Rungano Nyoni (in a stunning feature debut) and cinematographer David Gallego (Embrace of the Serpent) craft a world—and cinematic voice—unlike any other, deftly mixing Kafkaesque comedy, anthropological inquiry, poignant drama, and feminist fairytale. A Film Movement release
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Oodles of metaphorical lucky horseshoes, four-leafed clovers and rabbits’ feet coming Lucille’s way! I’m sure it’ll all go smoothly.
Thank you as ever for your exceeding kindness and concern my great friends, and to be sure what you sent has taken glorious hold as Lucille is really coming along so nicely. Therapists have been at the house, the knee is starting to bend, and she is projected September 26th as the date to return to her Principal’s position. Again, you have been incredible and I am so grateful!
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I am eternally grateful to you for all the work you have done to resurrect this great feature my friend!! Many thanks!!
Sam — Here’s wishing for a smooth operation and swift recovery for Lucille!
Thank you many times over my cherished friend! All is moving along beautifully and Lucille is thinking she may be able to return at or around the 26th of this month. If she thinks a bit more is needed so be it, we don’t dare want to rush anything. Deeply appreciated as always my wonderful friend!
RIP Burt Reynolds. He broke Welles’s heart when he turned down the script for The Big Brass Ring, but I forgive him. Just like I forgive Jack Nicholson.
The Longest Yard, Starting Over and Boogie Nights are top-drawer Reynolds.
Thinking of Lucille at this stressful time.
Aye Mark, I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Lucille and I had the great fortune of seeing him at Tribeca two years ago, and of course course he starred in some great films like Borrman’s DELIVERANCE and Anderson’s BOOGIE NIGHTS.
I deeply appreciate your kind words of concern for Lucille. She is doing extremely well and could return to work on the 26th. Thank you so much my great friend!!!
Great news about the procedure’s success Sam! Best to Lucille!
Thank you so very much Ricky, my very dear friend! I have relayed your kind words to Lucille!
Belated best wishes to Lucille – hope she is feeling better now. And, by the way, happy birthday to the site – I was just looking at an old piece and realized it turned 10 a day or two ago. Here’s to 10 more!
Joel, thank you so much! I have relayed your well wishes to Lucille! And further thanks to alert me to something i am embarrassed to say slipped under the radar. Bizarre too, as I was always aware of all the odd year anniversaries, yet this one is the biggest by far. I have dealt with the matter though on the new MMD, publishing a day early today. And you were there doing tons from almost the beginning my excellent friend!!!