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02/20/09 Explore the facets of reality through two special CMU International Film Festival screenings at Chatham By Amanda Kennedy, Senior Public Relations Specialist Pittsburgh, PA - (February 20, 2009) … Faces of Realism, the theme of Carnegie Mellon University’s third annual International Film Festival, seeks to explore the thin veil between the feature and documentary and between the roles of subject and director, not to mention between the creator and the audience. Chatham University and its Film and Digital Media Programs are proud to sponsor two screenings in the Mellon Hall Board Room on its Shadyside Campus in cooperation with The Humanities Center at CMU. For more information visit www.cmu.edu/faces. Faces of “Realism” Workshop with Polish Cinematographer/Producer Arthur Reinhart Friday, February 27, 5:00 p.m. Mellon Board Room at Chatham University When presenting a festival centered on the theme of realism, someone has to play devil’s advocate and say, “Realism does not exist in dramatic cinema. Everything is created. The point is to create a film world corresponding to the script world, one in which everything, from the characters and the story line, to the camera work and actors' craft, will seem real and “true” to life. Each placement of the camera, even one which seems to statically register “real” events, reflects a conscious decision. In my films, the sun often shines at the same time in the eyes of two actors standing opposite each other, creating an effect that, even if not physically possible, seems more true to life than it otherwise would.” Join devil’s advocate, Polish cinematographer and producer Arthur Reinhart as he presents these ideas for discussion, in the context of his work. Reinhart completed his studies at the National Film School in Lódz, Poland in 1988 and has been recognized internationally with such awards as the 1994 Golden Frog Award for the best Cinematography in the World, the Kodak Award for the Best Young Director of Photography and Best Director of Photography at the XVIII Polish Feature Film Festival in 1998 and again the Best Director of Photography at the same festival in 2005. He was the cinematographer of Kevin Reynold’s 2006 Tristan & Isolde. In addition to being Dorota’s Kedzierzawksa’s partner in marriage, Reinhart has produced and directed the cinematography for many of Kedzierzawksa’s films, including the Faces of Realism feature Time to Die. Arthur Reinhart will introduce “Time to Die” and conduct Q&A session on February 28, 7:30 pm at Melwood Screening Rom. Reality, Inside Reality, Inside Reality Thursday, March 5, 7:30 p.m. Sanger Lecture Room in Coolidge Hall at Chatham University In the Faces of Realism festival selection “Momma’s Man,” it is not just the main character that is returning home. Director Azazel Jacobs cast both his father Ken, a celebrated avant-garde filmmaker, and his mother, Flo, a painter, and set the majority of scenes in their real life apartment. His camera acknowledges the creativity of his upbringing while his protagonist probes further into what draws us home and captures us there when we least expect it. This was not Azazel’s first study of realism with regards to film. In his workshop, he will focus on realism with a screening of his graduation project from SUNY Purchase, which dismantles like a set of Russian dolls. The short is about a couple playing a couple in a film, played by a real couple. Reception to follow. Azazel Jacobs will introduce “Momma’s Man” and conduct Q&A session on March 6, 7:30 pm at South Side Works Cinema Faces of Realism, CMU International Film Festival schedule: http://www.cmu.edu/faces/newsletter.html About the Film and Digital Technology Program at Chatham University Chatham’s MFA program is focused on advanced project work in a range of media production areas, principally film/video, DVD and the Web. It is designed to extend and develop students’ experience and knowledge in the field of media production and their understanding of creative and critical practice within the media industries. Students in the MFA in Film and Digital Technology program are encouraged to explore the ways boundaries between previously separate forms of media production are blurring. The BFA major allows students to develop creative, conceptual and technical skills across coursework in film, art, communication and cultural studies, fostering a critical awareness of media practices and a thorough knowledge base in digital video and audio production and emerging media technologies. The major explores the creative tension between individual expression and the social and political forces that shape culture at large. About Chatham University Chatham University prepares students from around the world to develop solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. Every Chatham student – women in Chatham’s historic women’s residential college, and men and women in Chatham’s graduate programs – receives a highly individualized, experiential educational experience that is informed by Chatham’s strong institutional commitment to globalism, the environment and citizen leadership. Founded in 1869, Chatham University includes the Shadyside Campus, with Chatham Eastside and the historic 39-acre Woodland Road arboretum; and the 388-acre Eden Hall Farm Campus north of Pittsburgh. For more information call 800-837-1290 or visit www.chatham.edu. ###

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