Spaghetti Westerns Celebrated at Film Forum in June

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Parent Category: Film Festivals

Category: Previews

Published on Friday, 08 June 2012 11:46

Written by Magdalena Puniewska

Although Americans have undoubtedly invented and perfected the traditional Western genre of movies, therehave been many international adaptations and reconfigurations.

For example, spaghetti westerns were named after being produced by and directed by Italians and have produced a cult-like following, hailed by many fans as “the best genre of films." 

The Film Forum (W. Houston) honors this particular variety of films with a three-week Spaghetti Western Film Festival running June 1st to the 21st, 2012, with screenings by the spaghetti film originator, Sergio Leone and his rival Sergio Corbucci, among others. 

The series is truly a unique exhibition. While the Italian film industry has produced a hefty amount of these films, a series has been a difficult feat due to rights issues and the scarcity of available prints.

This year’s festival features rare 35mm prints from the Cineteca Italiana in Rome (with subtitling provided by SubTi) and other national archives, Hollywood studio archives, and private collections.

In addition to screenings, the Spaghetti Western Film Festival will feature a book signing by Alex Cox, panel discussion and appearances by prominent key figures in this underappreciated genre. 

This year’s notable screenings include:

Django
(1966)
dir. Sergio Corbucci
Horseless, dark-clad, blazingly blue-eyed Franco Nero enters dragging a coffin through the inches-thick mud of a crummy town fought over by red-hooded clansmen and a flock of bandidos. Original of 30+ official and unofficial sequels. Reservoir Dogs’ infamous ear-cutting scene was a direct reference.

Navajo Joe
(1967)
dir. Sergio Corbucci 
When outlaw Aldo Sambrell gets a tip about a train hold-up, looks like he can give up the scalp-trading business. But enter half-breed Burt Reynolds (producer Dino De Laurentis wanted Marlon Brando!), who’s really pissed off about his murdered wife. Ennio Morricone’s score was quoted in both Alexander Payne’s Election and then Quetin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.

The Hills Run Red
(1966)
dir. Carlo Lizzani
After a grueling five years in the pen, Thomas Hunter finds ex-partner Nando Gazzolo now runs the town aided by psycho Henry Silva. But mysterious Dan Duryea shows up to toss him a gun.

The Price of Power
(1969)
dir. Tonino Valerii
In Dallas, Texas, as a liberal, anti-racist president cavalcades through the town, violence breaks out, with an alleged assassin shot down during a prison transfer. 1963? JFK? No, it’s 1881 and Van Johnson’s President James A. Garfield, with Fernando Rey leading the conspirators.

All films will be screened at the Film Forum at 209 West Houston Street. Tickets are available online or at the box office. 

For more info visit: http://www.filmforum.org/movies/more/spaghetti_westerns#nowplaying

The Spaghetti Western Film Festival
June 1st - 21st, 2012

Film Forum
W. Houston

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