Linklater blasts into his past for animated film
‘Apollo 10 ½ ’an affectionate ode to childhood in Texas
Bike rides, kickball,
Jiffy Pop, Jell-O and other well-remembered details crowd Richard Linklater’s “Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood,” an affectionate ode to his childhood growing up outside Houston in the late 1960s.
NASA and the moon mission are just next door, as are other scientific marvels (Astroturf!). But the sense of wonder that permeates “Apollo 10 ½” is felt just as strongly in the neighborhood streets where kids roam with skinned knees. “A FreeRange Childhood” was Linklater’s original subtitle.
Time flows through Linklater’s films. Its passing paced “Boyhood” and punctuated the “Before” trilogy. He has plunged in the 1970s (“Dazed and Confused”) and the 1980s (“Everybody Wants Some!”), and made movies long enough to see his films become indelibly associated with the 1990s.
“It’s never too late to look back on another era and go, ‘Wow, how did we get from there to here?’ ” Linklater, 61, said recently from his home outside Austin, Texas. “That is our relation, isn’t it? It’s our present selves and our past selves, and the past worlds we lived in.”
“Apollo 10 ½ ,” now on Netflix, marks Linklater’s third animated film, after “Waking Life” and “A Scanner Darkly.” And while the writer-director’s films have always moved with their own leisurely, philosophical rhythm, “Apollo 10 ½,” especially, radiates a glowing nostalgia for a bygone time — of childhood amid halcyon days of space-age possibility and, as its narrator (Jack Black) describes, “the height of the prankcall era.”
“I wanted to go back to that time and say what it was like at that moment,” says Linklater. “We fall into hero myths and big stories. Correct me if I’m wrong, but when was the last time the world was focused and united around a human accomplishment?”
This interview with Linklater has been edited for clarity and length.
Q: What made you want to write this film? Making “Boyhood” prompted something? A:
I just realized by systematically going through where “Boyhood” took me: “Wait, that was a pretty interesting moment to have been alive, to be a kid.” I think that era only gets bigger over time. At the time, you sort of take it for granted. “Oh yeah, this is going to go on forever.” You extrapolate out the success, and it puts us on Mars by the end of the century. When that didn’t happen, it makes that time even bigger. The idea hit me for the movie as: what an interesting time to be a kid. The wonder of that meets the wonder of being a kid.
Q: Paul Thomas Anderson’s ’70s-set “Licorice Pizza” was motivated in part by capturing a time when a sense of mystery was more ubiquitous. It seems those pre-internet decades seem more and more attractive. A:
There’s a little nostalgia gene in all of us. I don’t think nostalgia is the proper word, even. It’s a kind of a cultural curiosity. What was it like to be alive then? Kids are fascinated by ancient history. Then you get a little older and your immediate history becomes really relevant once your own interests grow. I don’t trust anyone who’s not interested in history. It’s easy to be nostalgic for a time before you knew much, and that’s what this definitely fits into. Before you really know how the world works. In “Apollo 10 ½ ,”I intentionally sort of have it both ways. It’s an adult narrator who’s pointing out ironies and abuses more from an adult critique standpoint, in a goodnatured way. I couldn’t have approached it any other way. It would be a disservice to the complexity of the time to get too much into his head and not have a bigger critique. A lot of that I discovered over the years. It amazed me to find out that there was a backlash about the resources being spent (for Apollo 11) — a legit conversation for a society to always been having.
Q: To have been a skeptic of the moon mission in retrospect doesn’t look so good. A:
No, kind of like being a (Ralph) Nader voter. You’ve got to watch what side of history you may be on. You can’t bring your political ax to every single thing.
Q: Do you personally fight against nostalgia or embrace it? A:
I’ve been able to make some period pieces, which I think are, by definition, nostalgic, even if it’s a time you didn’t live in. You mentioned “Licorice Pizza.” Paul was, what, 2 or 3 years old when that takes place? Where does that fit on the nostalgia thing? It’s a time he doesn’t likely remember, but knows it’s interesting culturally, so he picks that year carefully. I picked 1937 (“Me and Orson Welles”). That’s nostalgic, but what for? We’re pre-war, there’s a lot of misery on the horizon. But art is always in the air. Nostalgia is a double-edged sword. I think you can look at the past as long as you do it honestly, without rose-colored glasses. It’s always dangerous to say, “That was a better time for everybody,” which of course was never true. As much as I love the Apollo program, it sort of breaks your heart to look at it and go, “That was also a part of a very exclusionary culture.” Where’s the women astronauts? Where’s anyone of color? They were working behind the scenes. Going back to any time is fraught.
Q: Still, your movie is foremost a celebration of a more carefree way of living that now seems obsolete. A:
My dad tells the story, “We would just let you out in the morning.” If a parent needed a kid, you would just put your head out the door and go, “Hey, Tommy, come home.” The world closed in on everybody. Everybody got scared. You know, the media scare tactics worked. “There was a child abduction today in St. Louis.” So that’s it, no more unsupervised kid play. You might get turned in if you’re a parent who let your kid run a block away. There’s something good about that free-range play that I think could come back if neighborhoods would just get together and say, “Hey, we’re all going to do this, and it’s going to be cool, and nothing bad is going to happen.” Come on. What are the odds?
OPENING Then There is the Woman:
Art by the women who are part of the Journey Home program, a reentry program for women inside and outside of the county jail. Opens April 10. Through June 5. St. John’s Lutheran Church Fine Arts Gallery, 330 Ferry St., Easton. 610-905-1767.
ONGOING
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF DREXEL UNIVERSITY, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. 215-2991000. Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss: Explore newly discovered life forms, thermal vents, deep-sea research submersibles, and shipwrecks including the Titanic. Through July 24. Invisible World of Water: Explores two phenomena of water, snow crystals and diatoms, that are invisible to the naked eye, yet have inspired artists, scientists, and amateur naturalists alike for centuries. Through April
17. ansp.org.
ALLENTOWN ART MUSEUM, 31 N. Fifth St., Allentown. 610-432-4333. Eclectic Collecting: Curiosities from the Vault: From gemstones and seventeenth-century German tankards to ancient Pompeian oil jars, this exhibition celebrates wonderful and unusual artworks that don’t often make it on display. Through Sept. 18. allentownartmuseum.org.
ART SCHNECK OPTICAL COMPANY, 720 Harrison St., Emmaus. 610-9654066. Gina DeNave: Through May 31.
ARTHAUS, 645 Hamilton St., Allentown. 610-8414866. Similar But Different: Michael Lebson celebrates the beauty of uniqueness within people, nature, technology, and other vital themes of our time through paintings, mixed media, NFTs, and collaborations. Through May 1.
ARTHAUS AT THE MEZZ, MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE, 12 N. 7th St., Allentown. 610-841-4866. Personal Color Codex: Paintings by Anthony Smith and Michael Freeman. Through April 23.
ARTSQUEST CENTER, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. 610-332-1300. Floating Blue: Thomas Pickarski exhibit centers on what is called “The Blue Hour” occurring during the last stages of twilight when the sunlight is indirect, casting a blue shade on to the frozen peaks in the artic regions. Through May 15. bananafactory.org.
BANANA FACTORY, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem. 610-332-1300. Abecynnia:
Illustrations by William Harris for his upcoming novel that follows the story of two sisters as they embark on an intergalactic adventure to save their kingdom. Through May 22. My Mind is an Escape Room: Chronicles Kailey Atkinson’s experience with mental and physical illness, as well as body image struggles and societal issues through a body of mixed media collage work created from 2019 to the present. Through May 15. bananafactory.org.
BERKS HISTORY CENTER, 940 Centre Ave., Reading. 610-375-4375. A Snapshot in Time: The Photography Collection of Dr. William A. Haman: Showcase of Haman’s unique glass plate negatives and glass lantern slides, each developed into a crystal-clear image that offers a glimpse into the daily lives of diverse people in Berks County and beyond during the late 1800s. berkshistory.org.
BETHLEHEM TOWN HALL ROTUNDA GALLERY, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem. Bethlehem Area School District Student Art Exhibition: Students from kindergarten through high school. Through May 12. bfac-lv.com.
GOGGLEWORKS CENTER FOR THE ART, 201 N. Second St., Reading. 610-374-4600. Tell Me A Story: Marilyn J. Fox abstract paintings based on natural occurrences such as weather patterns and migratory birds, to music, friendship, and an intuitive process. Through April 27. goggleworks.org.
JEFFREY GROVE, 184 Main St., Emmaus. 610-9674600. Deborah Garlicki: Through May 31.
KALMBACH MEMORIAL PARK COMMUNITY CENTER, 200 Cotton St., Macungie. 610-965-1140. Jeanne Stock and Howard Ellsworth: Through May 31.
KETTLE CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 570-629-3061. Capturing the Music in Nature: Exhibit by Nancy Embich. Through April 30. mcconservation.org.
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY MAIN ART GALLERY, ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER, 420 E. Packer Ave., Bethlehem. 610-758-3615. Young, Gifted and Black: Young, Gifted and Black: The Lumpkin-Boccuzzi Family Collection of Contemporary Art: Works in a variety of mediums by emerging artists of African descent, alongside works by established artists who have paved the way for the younger generation. The exhibit is accompanied by the book “Young, Gifted and Black: A New Generation of Artists,” featuring over 100 artworks from the Lumpkin-Boccuzzi Family Collection in all media that explore representation, race, and the history of art. Through May 27. luag.lehigh. edu.
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, DUBOIS GALLERY, MAGINNES HALL, 9 W. Packer Ave., Bethlehem. 610-758-6880. Gloria Naylor: Other Places: The exhibition will feature primary source materials from the Naylor archive, as well as creative response and community engagement from a range of perspectives. Through May 27. Hear Me Roar: Women Photographers Part I: A series of exhibitions focusing on individual women photographers represented in its collection in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first class of undergraduate women at Lehigh University. Through May 27. luag.lehigh. edu.
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, FAIRCHILD-MARTINDALE STUDY GALLERY, 8 E. Packer Ave., Bethlehem. 610-758-6880. Hear Me Roar: Women Photographers Part IV: A series of exhibitions focusing on individual women photographers represented in its collection in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first class of undergraduate women at Lehigh University. Through May 27. luag.lehigh. edu.
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, SIEGEL GALLERY, IACOCCA HALL, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem. 610-758-6880. Hear Me Roar: Women Photographers Part III: In honor of the 50th anniversary of the first class of undergraduate women at Lehigh, LUAG presents a series of exhibitions focusing on individual women photographers represented in its collection. Through May 27. luag.lehigh.edu.
LIBERTY BELL MUSEUM, ZION’S CHURCH, 622 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. 610-435-4232. Shepherds of Liberty: Chronicles the history of Zion Reformed/ UCC (Liberty Bell)‘s pastors. libertybellmuseum.org.
LOWER MACUNGIE LIBRARY, 3450 Brookside Road, Macungie. 610-9666864. Betty Allender: Through April 30.
LUTHER CREST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, 800 Hausman Road, Whitehall Township. 610-391-8202. Abraham Darlington: Through April 30.
MADELON POWERS
GALLERY, EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg. 570422-3694. Student Exhibit: Works from the Student
Art Association include a range of media including digital illustrations, graphic design, product design, 3D modeling, traditional drawing and painting, and sculpture. Through April 13.
MERCER MUSEUM, 84 S. Pine St., Doylestown. 215-345-0210. Found, Gifted, Saved! The Mercer Museum Collects Local History: Artifacts collected by the Bucks County Historical Society between the years of 2000 and 2021. Through April 10. mercermuseum.org.
MICHENER ART MUSEUM, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown. 215-340-9800. Keith Harding: A Radiant Legacy: A private collection of more than 100 works, the show contains unique and notable pieces, including two rare Subway drawings, complete suites of many of the artist’s icon print series and Medusa Head (the largest print in the artist’s oeuvre). March 12-July 31. Through July 31. michenerartmuseum.org.
MORAVIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 214 E. Center St., Nazareth. 610-759-5070. Charting the Unknown:
Early Moravian Maps: Exhibition explores surveying techniques, the conflicts between indigenous communities and Europeans, and the Moravian contributions to surveying, early cartography, and town planning through archival documents, historic maps, and objects from the collection of the Moravian Historical Society. Through Dec. 29. moravianhistory.org.
NATIONAL CANAL MUSEUM, 2750 Hugh Moore Park, Easton. 610-9233548 x 224. Beyond Rosie & Rivets: Industrial Women of the D&L Corridor: The National Canal Museum tells the stories of industrial women from our past & present. Through May 22. canals.org.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL HISTORY, 602 E. Second St., Bethlehem. 610-694-6644. The Works of a Mechanical Genius:
The Legacy of John Fritz: Explore the early decades of the Bethlehem Iron Company and examine John Fritz’s impact on work, technology, defense, and the rapid cultural changes experienced during the 20th Century. Through Oct. 15. nmih.org.
NEW ARTS PROGRAM,
173 W. Main St., Kutztown. 610-683-6440. Out of Fashion: Sculptor, photographer, installation by Betty Beaumont. Closing reception, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 24. newartsprogram.org.
NEW HOPE ARTS CENTER, 2 Stockton Ave., New Hope. 215-862-9606. Members Salon Exhibition:
A multi-medium salon exhibition featuring over
140 artist members in oil, watercolor, photography, bronze, ceramics, mixed media, wood, more. Through May 1. newhopearts.org.
NURTURE NATURE CENTER, 518 Northampton St., Easton. 610-253-4432. Climate Conversations:
A collaboration of eight mid-career female artists from the Midwest and East Coast strangers to each other until the formed a book discussion group over Zoom to wait out the pandemic and offer each other insight and support. Through June 30. nurturenaturecenter.org.
PENNYPACKER MILLS, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville. 610-2879349. Stereographing America: A 3D History of Stereocards: Discover the evolution of 3-D devices from the original Wheatstone stereoscope, fly past the Brewster stereoscopic design, and move on to the popular Holmes hand-held model to learn how modern 3-D technologies have become household commodities. Through Jan. 31. montcopa.org.
READING PUBLIC MUSEUM, 500 Museum Road, Reading. 610-371-5850. Dinosaur Explorer:
Examines how environmental, biological, and behavioral circumstances influenced dinosaur daily life, and asks: where do we see similarities in our world today? Through May 8. Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science: Multiple, interactive displays created by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) for the purpose of educating visitors on environmental practices that foster sustainability within Indigenous communities. Through April 24. readingpublicmuseum.org.
RONALD K. DE LONG GALLERY, 2809 Saucon Valley Road, Center Valley. Penn State Lehigh Valley Student Art Exhibition:
Drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, metalwork, sculpture, graphic design. Artist reception, noon-1:30 p.m. April 12. Through May 7.
SIGAL MUSEUM, 342 Northampton St., Easton. 610-253-1222. Another American’s Autobiography: Selections from the Petrucci Family Foundation’s Collection of African American Art.: Selected works explore American patriotism and identity as it relates to the Black American experience and addresses the challenges of Black patriotism and the circumstances that complicate the relationship between Black Americans and this country. Through July 10. sigalmuseum.org.
SOUTH BETHLEHEM GREENWAY, Bethlehem. Thinking Through Drawing:
South Bethlehem Greenway: Think through the many forms and functions of drawing, exploring examples from the Lehigh University Museum collection and the community with works by Natalie Alper, Keith Haring, Jose Clemente Orozco, Yingyi Cao, Maurice Prendergast, George Segal, Anita Weschler, more. Self-guided tour begins at either South New Street, or Trone Street, walking the length of the Greenway. Through Aug. 31. luag.lehigh. edu.
STONY RUN WINERY, 150 Independent Road, Breinigsville. 610-398-7231. Exhibit:
Edith Roeder, Valarie Schramak and Betty Allender. Reception, 5-8 p.m. April 13. Through June 4.
STOVER MILL GALLERY, 852 River Road, Erwinna. 215-766-3892. Side by Side:
A Celebration of Work from Our Studio: Emily and George Thompson highlight their different painting styles and techniques ranging from traditional to contemporary. Through May 1.
STUDIO B FINE ART GALLERY, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown. 484-332-2757. Flora and Fauna:
Exhibit on the theme of Earth, the ecosystem, and all life on it. Through April 17. studiobbb.org.
THE ART ESTABLISHMENT, 945 Broadway, Bethlehem. 610-807-9201. Sweet Distress:
Works on paper and playable art guitars by Doug Boehm and new works by Anthony Smith, Jr. on display through April 30. Through April 30. theartestablishmentstudios.com.
THE BANANA FACTORY, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem. 610-332-1300. Heroes:
A project of artworks, educational and public programming and outreach events that feature the experimental work of Bart Cooper. The installment invites viewers and attendees to examine heroes in popular culture. Toying the line between the real and fictional worlds, Cooper uses mixed media methods to create portraits of powerful black women, matching them up to suitable Marvel characters to highlight the connection between Americas favorite comic characters, and the countrys history of powerful, gritty, brave black women leaders. Through May 22. bananafactory.org.
THE GALLERY AT RAUCH BUSINESS CENTER, LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, 621 Taylor St., Bethlehem. 610758-6880. Hear Me Roar:
Women Photographers Part II: A series of exhibitions focusing on individual women photographers represented in its collection in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first class of undergraduate women at Lehigh. Through May 27. luag.lehigh.edu.
GALLERY840, 840 Hamilton St., Allentown. 484-866-2972. Coming Alive:
Theme in the subjects of new life, spring, sunrises, and bursts of color. Through April 23. gallery840.net.