The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Director Sayles to join film screening in Madison
Renowned independentfilm director John Sayles will present his historical movie “Matewan,” which is about the coal field wars of the 1920s in West Virginia, at the
Madison Art Cinemas Thursday, Nov. 21.
The Academy Awardnominated screenwriter and director also will do a Q&A after the remastered version of the film is shown at 7:45 p.m., according to Arnold Gorlick of
MAC. The film originally was made for 35 mm film in 1987.
“This is a rare event and opportunity to see one of America’s most iconic movie directors presenting one of film history’s most
revered historical movies; a riveting heartfelt experience from the heart and mind of a true master,” said Gorlick in an email.
Among Sayles’ 18 films are “Eight Men Out,” “The Secret Of Roan Inish” and “Lonestar.” His scripts for “Passion Fish” and “Lonestar” were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Sayles, 69, has also acted in several films and works with a regular repertory of actors that includes Chris Cooper, David Strathairn and Gordon Clapp
As for “Matewan,” it was filmed in the coal country of West Virginia and celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s work stoppage. Union organizer Joe Kenehan (Cooper), a scab named “Few Clothes” Johnson (James Earl Jones) and a sympathetic mayor
⏩ Madison Art Cinemas, 761 Boston Post Road, Madison. Thursday, 8 p.m.
and police chief heroically fight the power of a coal company and vested interests so that justice and workers’ rights need not take a back seat to exploitation and the bottom line.