A K LEO T H E
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12 to THURSDAY FEB. 13, 2014 VOLUME 109 ISSUE 53
Serving the students nts of the University of Hawai‘i a at M Mānoa. ānoa.
V O I C E
www.kaleo.org
Sayles will also be present at other events: Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. Creative Writing Reading and Discussion (Kuykendall 410, UH Mānoa)
Thursday, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. “Amigo” Screening with a Discussion with Filmmaker (Art Auditorium, UH Mānoa )
Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m. “Amigo” Screening & Panel (Filipino Community Center, Waipahu)
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John Sayles
Sayles visits UH to inspire film students World-renowned independent director to promote ‘films about people’ SHELBY DELL Contributing Writer
World-renowned independent film director John Sayles will be on campus this month to talk with students and give screenings of his films. Sayles has made several unconventional films about American history, sometimes showing the grittier side of America’s past. One example of this is in “Amigo,” a film about the Philippine-American War, which will be screening at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He puts a strong focus on relationships. “My main interest is making films about people. ... I’m not interested in cinematic art,” Sayles said. Sayles is also the new Inouye Chairman of Democratic Ideals at UH. According to uhfoundation.org, “chair holders
are selected based on their commitment to democratic ideals and the importance of public life.” Sayles will be giving a number of talks and screenings of his films on campus this month. Sayles has worked under the control of a studio once during the making of “Baby, It’s You.” The director prefers to have complete control of his films, funding many of them by writing scripts for sale and through grants, such as a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant that he received in 1983. Sayles has talent at immersing himself in the environment of the films he makes while doing his research so that every detail in the film is perfect. This allows Sayles to create films that cross boundaries other directors may be afraid to cross. For example, he recently made a film called “Go For Sisters,” which indiewire.com described as a “black female
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKICOMMONS
buddy road movie,” not typical for most white male directors of Hollywood. Yet he makes it believable and adds Mexican culture and actors seamlessly into the mix. Called the “Godfather of Bootstrap Cinema,” Sayles’ work has been nominated for and won many awards at film festivals and worldwide. His films “Lone Star” and “Passion Fish” were both nominated for Academy Awards. “Lone Star” was also nominated for a Golden Globe. While Sayles may be best known for his films, he is also an actor, author and film writer. Among his films, he also directed three music videos for Bruce Springsteen. Sayles’ focus while on campus will be on the importance of storytelling. He will be giving a free public presentation on the topic at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Orvis Auditorium. Doors to the auditorium will open for seating at 6:30 p.m.