At The Cinema

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 16, 2009 5:00PM

A whole lot more than just the Oscars comin' up. For instance:

• Tuesday at Sonotheque sees the launch of a series, INDIE FLICKS, that aims to bring local filmmakers and other industry folks together. The doors open at 6 p.m. with a DJ set, followed by shorts (Kalpana, directed by Mihir Desai, and Lost and Found, directed by Zach Litwack) and a feature (To Live and Die in Dixie, directed by Harper Philbin). Admission is $7; more info here.
• As a tribute to Studs Terkel, on Thursday Facets will screen one of his favorite movies. The Organizer stars Marcello Mastroianni as a traveling labor organizer in the 1890's who tries to help a group of striking miners. This film, described by the New York Times as "engrossingly human, compassionate and humorous," features an Oscar-nominated screenplay. And while you're at it, check out Facets' series of films featuring Depression-era Russian babe Lubov Orlova.
• Chicago Filmmakers presents an encore presentation of Thom Andersen's witty film essay Los Angeles Plays Itself. Using clips from nearly 200 movies, Chicago-born Andersen highlights the differences between how LA has been depicted onscreen and what it's like in reality. Voted Best Doc of 2004 by the Village Voice, it screened at the Siskel a few years back but has largely been M.I.A. since then. Jonathan Rosenbaum will introduce the screening. This is a must-see. Now if someone would only bring back The Pervert's Guide to Cinema ...
• Also Saturday, Out in Television and Film presents a mixer for GLBT filmmakers at Wild Pug in Uptown. OTF has previously held events in NYC and LA. The networking party starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m.; email them for more info.
• Although this is down the pike a bit we wanted to make sure you knew: legendary documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, whom we worship, will be making a rare public appearance on Friday, February 27 at DePaul. He'll be delivering a public lecture titled simply "Making Documentary Films," illustrated with clips from his oeuvre and followed by a Q & A. It's at 7pm, 2320 N. Kenmore, Schmitt Academic Center, Rm. 154. The lecture is free but seating is limited, so come early. More info here.