On Saturday, February 4, at 7 p.m., the Redford Theatre’s big screen will be filled with one of the biggest films of all time: Seven Samurai.
We are presenting the film’s complete restoration (in Japanese with English subtitles) for just one performance. The story takes place in 1586 during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. Here’s a preview of the action: vid.puffyan.us/watch?v=wJ1TOra…
Real samurai armor was used in the film and many of the samurai can be seen carrying two swords. This practice was known as “daisho,” and literally translates to “big-little”. The big blade was the curved "katana," which was generally used for dueling and combat, while the short sword was the “akizashi," which is traditionally associated with performing “seppuku” (ritual suicide, i.e. hari kari).
(The Samurai warriors do not exist today. It is illegal to carry swords and arms in Japan. However, the cultural legacy of the samurai still exists today, and the descendants of the samurai families also exist today.)
While it initially received mixed reviews from Western critics, Seven Samurai is now considered one of the greatest films in cinema history. Its influence shows up in any number of American films. The Magnificent Seven is a perfect example. Director John Sturges adapted the film to the Old West, with the samurai being replaced by gunslingers. You can probably think of many other films in which there is a theme of assembling a team to carry out a specific mission. Even the Star Wars franchise has adapted this famous story template more than once.
The celebration includes screenings of famous silent films, with musical accompaniment on the Barton Theatre Pipe Organ that has been played at the Redford Theatre since it first opened. The organ will be played by organists who are well-known in the Detroit area for their many fine performances at the Redford Theatre and other area venues.
Also part of the celebration will be a special personal appearance in May by Harold Lloyd's granddaughter Suzanne Lloyd, for a weekend of movies starring Harold Lloyd.
The anniversary fun starts this Friday and Saturday with a movie from the 1920s and a movie about the 1920s: * Sunrise (1927), with organ accompaniment by Stephen Warner * Singin' in the Rain (1952), starring Gene Kelly in a musical comedy about the transition from silent to talking pictures
You won't want to miss this chance to help the Redford Theatre celebrate a special anniversary. redfordtheatre.com/events/redf…
As of April 1, 2022, masks are recommended but not required for all patrons and staff at Redford Theatre events.
For information about the safety measures taken by the Redford Theatre to protect patrons and staff from COVID-19, click the following link: redfordtheatre.com/covid-19-th…
Redford Theatre 95th Anniversary Weekend January 27: Sunrise (redfordtheatre.com/events/redf…) (NR) (1927) with live organ accompaniment by Stephen Warner January 28: Singin' in the Rain (redfordtheatre.com/events/redf…) (NR) (1952) ------------------------------------------------------------ February 3: Funny Girl (redfordtheatre.com/events/funn…) (PG) (1968) ------------------------------------------------------------ February 4: Seven Samurai (redfordtheatre.com/events/seve…) (NR) (1954) ------------------------------------------------------------ February 12: Valentine's Day Mystery Movie (redfordtheatre.com/events/secr…) ------------------------------------------------------------ February 17: True Romance (redfordtheatre.com/events/true…) (R) (1993) ------------------------------------------------------------ February 18: Princess Mononoke (redfordtheatre.com/events/prin…) (PG-13) (1997) ------------------------------------------------------------ February 24: Bonnie and Clyde (redfordtheatre.com/events/bonn…) (NR) (1967) ------------------------------------------------------------ February 25: Black Panther (redfordtheatre.com/events/blac…) (PG-13) (2018) ------------------------------------------------------------ March 3 Evening and March 4 Matinee: Vertigo (redfordtheatre.com/events/vert…) (NR) (1958) ------------------------------------------------------------ March 4 Evening: To Catch a Thief (redfordtheatre.com/events/to-c…) (NR) (1955) ------------------------------------------------------------ March 10: The Notebook (redfordtheatre.com/events/the-…) (PG-13) (2004) ------------------------------------------------------------ March 17: The Quiet Man (redfordtheatre.com/events/the-…) (NR) (1952) ------------------------------------------------------------ March 31: Who Framed Roger Rabbit (redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage…) (PG) (1988) ------------------------------------------------------------ April 2: Ben-Hur (redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage…) (NR) (1959) ------------------------------------------------------------ Silent Movie Weekend With Live Organ Accompaniment by Andrew Rogers April 14: Show People (1928) and Laurel & Hardy Short Comedies (redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage…) April 15: Seventh Annual International Youth Silent Film Festival (redfordtheatre.com/events/sile…) ------------------------------------------------------------ April 21-22: Three Stooges Festival (redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage…) (NR) (1942-1950) ------------------------------------------------------------ Harold Lloyd Weekend With Special Guest Appearance by Lloyd's Granddaughter Suzanne Lloyd and Live Organ Accompaniment by John Lauter May 19 Evening and May 20 Matinee: The Freshman (1925) and Short Comedies (redfordtheatre.com/events/95th…) (NR) May 20 (5:30-7 p.m.): VIP Event with Suzanne Lloyd (redfordtheatre.com/events/vip-…) May 20 Evening: Speedy (1928) and Short Comedies (redfordtheatre.com/events/95th…) (NR) The movies shown at the Redford Theatre often reflect the time period when they were produced. They do not necessarily represent the views of the Motor City Theatre Organ Society. DONATE (redfordtheatre.com/donate/) Our Film Series Sponsors mailto:tshirtguy123@yahoo.com www.nationalheating.com/ knightfoundation.org/ redfordtheatre.com/events/
We were hoping to perform 'නොදුටු ඇස් / Unseen Eyes' in May, marking the 10th anniversary of the end of the communal war. That was not to be, due to obvious reasons. But we are making a comeback! :)
And if you are in and around #Kandy, we will be performing on Wednesday!
Nodutu Es (Unseen Eyes) : A devised play based on Kumari Kumaragamage's and Bertolt Brecht's poems, directed by Kanchuka Dharmasiri. Oct 3 at 7pm at EOE Pereira Theatre, Faculty of Engineering, #Peradeniya.