The Long Beach Cinematheque is proud to present the Long Beach premiere of the new documentary SEARCHING FOR ELLIOTT SMITH, with an in-person Q&A following the film with director Gil Reyes, animator Jennifer Cuellar, and Jennifer Chiba, Elliott Smith's fiancée, on Friday, May 20th at the Art Theatre of Long Beach.
The evening will start at 8pm with a half hour set of acoustic Elliott Smith covers by Alyssandra Nighswonger, David Sinclair Robison, and Merrady. The film will begin at 8:30pm after an introduction by director Gil Reyes, and will be followed by a Q&A.
The Long Beach Cinematheque will be donating a portion of the evening's proceeds to Union Rescue Mission, dedicated to a cause championed by Elliott Smith and the filmmakers, the care of Los Angeles' population of homeless men, women and children.
Tickets are $11, and are available at the Art Theatre box office or at their website at www.arttheatrelongbeach.com.
From the filmmakers: Elliott Smith's intensely intimate songs helped popularize lo-fi, indie-rock: A traditionally underground genre until Smith's mainstream effort "Miss Misery" took Hollywood by surprise. But even after an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, he managed to fly mostly under the radar. And Smith wanted it that way. After his suicide in 2003, Smith's peers avoided the media. Granting very few print interviews and NO on-camera interviews. Until now. From his high school days as a National Merit Scholar, to his early work in the Portland rock band, 'Heatmiser', to critical acclaim... to his mysterious death at the age of 34. We learn the dark motivations behind a musical genius. And discover how psychic pain can also produce timeless art.
"A tribute to a man who through all his shortcomings had a beautiful soul, and positively impacted friend and fan alike." - Zach Jensen, LAist
About Long Beach Cinematheque:
LB Cinematheque is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the celebration of classic cinema and to providing opportunities for audiences to experience film classics on the big screen in Long Beach; by curating special events that incorporate film with live music and multimedia art; by collaborating with independent organizations and theatres in shared community events; by supporting with collaborative screenings the efforts and dreams of student filmmakers; and by welcoming guest speakers such as filmmakers and film historians to speak to audiences as part of their cinematic experience. Please support our 2011 programs by clicking here!