Événement

CFF: SIEGMUND LUBIN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

THE CINEDELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL presents

Sunday, April 21, 2013, 7:00 PM
SIEGMUND LUBIN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Joseph P. Eckhardt, author of the Lubin biography THE KING OF THE MOVIES, hosts a career overview of Philadelphia's moviemaking pioneer. Secret Cinema will project 16mm Lubin films accompanied by original live scores from local musicians Jesse Kudler, Monique Canniere, Keith Birthday, and Birdie Busch & Carl Cheeseman.

In 1897, an immigrant optician named Siegmund Lubin began experimenting with a new photographic technology called Life Motion Pictures. With a crude camera he built himself, he outraged his neighbors by filming circus, vaudeville and burlesque acts in his backyard on North 15th Street. From these humble beginnings, Lubin went on to create one of the worlds' largest and most successful film production, distribution, and exhibition enterprises. His studios in Philadelphia made the city a major hub of film production in the first decade of the twentieth century. Branching out, Lubin built a motion picture empire with studios in Florida, Arizona, and California. As he amassed a fortune and achieved worldwide fame and celebrity, Lubin bestowed upon himself the title of "King of the Movies." His reign was short lived, however. By 1916, Lubin's empire had collapsed, forcing him to declare bankruptcy and return to his optical shop. He died in 1923, impoverished and nearly forgotten.

A feature-length documentary about the life and career of Siegmund Lubin, entitled "The King of the Movies" is currently being developed.
To watch the trailer and learn more about Lubin:
http://www.jewishfilm.org/fiscal_sponsorship_lubin.htm

This program is in celebration of both Lubin's 161st birthday and the 90th anniversary of his passing.

16mm projections by Secret Cinema:
http://www.thesecretcinema.com

Jesse Kudler (Philadelphia Sound Forum)
http://www.white-flag.org

Monique Canniere (Divine Hand Ensemble)
http://www.moniquecanniere.com

Keith Birthday (Norwegian Arms)
http://norwegianarms.bandcamp.com

Birdie Busch
http://birdiebuschmusic.com

Advance tix are $10, no refunds or exchanges.

The Cinedelphia Film Festival is a Philly-centric celebration of Philly film running from April 4-27, 2013.
http://www.cinedelphiafilmfestival.com