A KENNEDY CATCHES WAVE
Director profiles surfer, stumps for big brother
Judging from the body of work by Rory Kennedy, a documentary about surfing legend Laird Hamilton would seem an unlikely project for the filmmaker and member of the nation’s famed political family.
“Yes, I know it seems a bit incongruous. It certainly was a far cry from Vietnam or the hills of Appalachia or making a film about my mother,” said Kennedy with a laugh, referring to her previous efforts, including the Oscar- nominated “Last Days in Vietnam” as well as “American Hollow” and “Ethel.”
Beyond Hamilton’s one- of- a- kind abilities on a surfboard — including shots of him navigating 100- foot waves in “Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton” ( opening Friday at Landmark’s Century Centre) — Kennedy hoped that audiences would connect with various aspects of Hamilton’s personality: his lifelong connection to the ocean, his still being a kid at heart, and his fearlessness, often bordering on foolishness.
Though she knew the famed surfer casually as a neighbor in California, “I really wasn’t interested in making a surf film” at first, said Kennedy. “I love surf films and grew up watching them, but I didn’t necessarily want to make one. But in meeting Laird and getting to know him — and realize what an intriguing, true character that he is — I realized his life story is a great one.”
Coming from a family that cherishes sports was an advantage to her in undertaking the movie. And “I also was very fortunate to grow up around a number of people who had achieved great things in sports — like Billie Jean King, Muhammad Ali, Rafer Johnson and people who had climbed Mount Everest,” she said.
Kennedy proudly gave a shout- out to her older brother, Chris Kennedy, and his campaign for Illinois governor. When she hits town this weekend for the film’s opening, she revealed her children and husband will join her to campaign for her brother, whose campaign she has supported financially.
“Chris is a huge leader in our family. I know he loves Chicago and the whole state of Illinois and will fight for the state,” said Kennedy, who added she hopes her brother, “along with other governors on the national stage will help change the course this country is on — for the next five, 10 and 20 years.” NOTE: Kennedy will appear in person after the 7 p. m. showing of “Take Every Wave” on Friday and Saturday, with brother Chris scheduled to moderate the Friday Q& A.
Chicago gig for Stewart was ‘ game- changing’
A visit to Chicago turned into a joyful new opportunity for Sir Patrick Stewart.
“The biggest impact on my life that Chicago ever had was when I came up there [ in 2013] to co- host with Renee Fleming a fundraiser for both Lyric Opera and the Second City comedy group,” the actor said during a recent phone chat. “As a result of that I met with the guy who runs the group called Improvised Shakespeare Company.
“Because of that I’ve become kind of an irregular member of the group, which is a great honor, because it can take several years before you qualify for that. So whenever I’m in the same town as where they are performing — whether it’s Chicago or New York or Los Angeles — they’ve given me a wonderful deal! I just turn up half an hour before the show and just go on. It’s that relaxed.
“It has been a really game- changing experience for me, because it put me right back to having to work on basic principles of what stage performance is. ”
The noted Shakespearean actor — and “Star Trek” and “X- Men” icon — is being honored with a career achievement award by the Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 25.
Of the roles he’s played, “Trek’s” Jean- Luc Picard in particular is close to his heart — and the hearts of his fans. The other day, he said, “a flight attendant squatted down by my seat and told me how watching ‘ Star Trek’ had helped him get through a very difficult childhood that included illness and all sorts of terrible things. …
“You know, when you’re in show business, so much of it is our love of performing and acting. Yet, when someone tells you the work you’re involved in creating had that kind of impact — that is extremely meaningful to me as a human being.”