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JOHN C. REILLY TIPS HAT TO CHICAGO ROOTS
Chicago, IL -- Actor John C. Reilly took a sold-out crowd on a trip down
memory lane during a special event held at the AMC River East on October 12.
The
one-on-one with Reilly (Chicago, Boogie Nights, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story)
was part of the 47th Chicago International Film Festival’s Chicago Connections
program sponsored by WBBM Newsradio. It was moderated by Phyllis E. Griffin, a
faculty member of the Theatre School at DePaul
University, who directed
Reilly while he was a student in a production of Sam Shepard’s Curse of the
Starving Class, presented as part of The Theatre School Showcase of
Contemporary Plays and Classics.
Reilly graduated from DePaul in 1987 with a BFA in Drama.
During the
conversation, Reilly paid tribute to those who encouraged his pursuit of
acting, including his high school drama mentor, who was in the audience. Reilly
jokingly recalled the Chicago
of his youth as a city totally painted in green, in a reference to then Mayor
Richard J. Daley’s dominant presence in city life. Reilly also encouraged young
directors to really listen--to the actors, to each other, to everyone. And
even though improvisation played a vital role in training as an actor, Reilly underlined
the importance of a well-written text.
Reilly also presented
the Chicago
premiere of We Need to Talk about Kevin on
October 11. He walked the red carpet at the AMC River East 21 and participated
in a Q&A discussion after the film that was moderated by Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune.
Chicago Connections,
a ticketed series of screenings, discussions and Q&A’s, was created to
honor notable Chicagoans who have left their special mark on the film industry.
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TICKET INFO
All events,
except for some Spotlight: South Asia
screenings, are at the AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois Street. Tickets for the
47th Chicago International Film Festival are on sale now. All individual
tickets must be purchased by phone 312-332-FILM (3456), in person by visiting
the Festival box office at AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.), or through Ticketmaster.
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Led by Presenting
Partner, Columbia College Chicago, the 47th Chicago International Film
Festival’s sponsors include: Premiere Partners-- American Airlines, Lincoln;
Producing Partners-- AMC Theaters, DePaul University's School of Cinema and Interactive Media, The
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Major Partners-- Allstate,
Intersites; Supporting Partners-- Applitite, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Brugal
Rum, Kodak, Second City Computers, WBBM, and the Festival's Headquarters Hotel,
JW Marriott Chicago.
ABOUT CINEMA/CHICAGO
Cinema/Chicago
is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to
encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive
contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Chicago International
Film Festival is part of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago,
which also include the International Screenings Program (May-September), the
Hugo Television Awards (April), CineYouth Festival (May), Intercom Competition
(October) and year-round Education Outreach and Member Screenings Program.
For images
and press materials go to http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/press/ ;
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