USA Film Fest - ‘Songwriter’

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• USA Film Festival (official site)

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Description

This Texas-made film never got the distribution it deserved at the time of its release in 1984, and the Festival is happy to revisit the film on the big screen. It wasn’t the first time that distributors didn’t know what to do with southern-fried satire, and it is unlikely to be the last. The film is one of honoree Rip Torn’s favorites, and it is easy to see why: Everyone clearly had a great time making it, and audiences will have a equally great time watching. Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson play a pair of hard-living country singers in this funny, original and very real look at the music business, penned by Bud Shrake. When producer-songwriter Doc Jenkins (Nelson) finds himself trapped in an exclusive contract with shifty exec Rodeo Rocky (Richard C. Sarafian), he comes up with a plan to break free, recruiting old pal Blackie Buck (Kristofferson) and an insecure, alcoholic torch singer named Gilda (Leslie Ann Warren) to help him get even. Featuring a hilarious performance from Rip Torn as Dino McLeish, Gilda’s unscrupulous manager, the kind of slippery promoter who gets pelted from the stage, and with all sincerity utters lines like “Hold it! I wish the vision of how beautiful y’all are could be painted on the Great Wall of China!” With Melinda Dillon and musician Stephen Bruton (in one of the film’s funniest turns). Nelson and Kristofferson wrote most of the film’s songs. Directed by Alan Rudolph. 94mins. Rip Torn in attendance. FREE screening.

Information from the festival's website

Some nearby drink specials on April 26th

• J. Pepe's (Dallas / Lower Greenville): 11 am - 2 pm: $3 mimosas, $4 midori and Chambord champagne cocktails, $4 Bloody Marys
• The Green Elephant: 8 pm - 11 pm: $2.50 you call its
• Trader Vic's: 5 pm - 7 pm: $5 mai tai's, zombies and bahias
• Stan's Blue Note: 11 am - 7 pm: $2.95 vodka drinks, $1.75-$2.95 beer specials / 10 pm - 2 am: $2 wells and domestics

Some nearby restaurants

• Corner Bar & Grill
• St. Martin's Wine Bistro
• Central 214
• Cafe Express (Dallas / Mockingbird Station)
• New York Sub

Some nearby events on April 26th

• Oliver's Army, Barley House, 9 p.m.
• Watching Cars, Mockingbird Station, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• USA Film Fest - 'Stone Angel', Angelika Film Center & Cafe (Dallas), 5 p.m.
• USA Film Fest - 'An MST3K Reunion, of Sorts', Angelika Film Center & Cafe (Dallas), 5 p.m.
• Tartuffe, Greer Garson Theatre (SMU), 8 p.m.

Event posted April 7, 2008
Last updated April 7, 2008