None other than Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin! He’ll be doing a live commentary June 18 for his 2003 film The Saddest Music in the World, says The Talkies creator Tim Massett. Back in February, the Talkies brought John Cameron Mitchell do a live commentary for his brilliant cult musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch which I heard was a big success. I for one, will not miss this latest entry in to the series, of which I hope Massett can continue to bring filmmakers to do their very own live commentaries.

There is an event page up on facebook for maddin’s visit.

It may be cliché but what better way to ease our financial-minded woes than to gather round the silver screen to witness Baroness Lady Helen-Port Huntley’s (Isabella Rossellini) contest to end all contests: who can produce THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD?

Blowing in from the northerly diabolic region known as Winnipeg Guy Maddin’s live commentary marks The Talkies’ 5th installment. Uniquely gifted to push this nascent notion into uncharted waters Maddin, the maniac behind the expanded viewing spectacles such as Branded Upon the Brain and the beautiful essay My Winnipeg, innately understands how special the space in the cinema can be and will, on June 18th, transform The Heights Theatre into the best Talkies experience yet.

Arrive at 7p.m. on June 18th for a 35mm screening of The Saddest Music in the World starring Isabella Rossellini and Mark McKinney (Kids in the Hall). At 9:00p.m. this celluloid salvo screens again with the extra somethin’ somethin’ that only The Talkies provides: live commentary from Guy Maddin himself.

June 18th
7p.m.- THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD -screening only 7/advance & 8/door

9p.m. THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD with GUY MADDIN- 18.50/advance & 22.00/door

The Depression Special- Both shows for 20.00

FOR TICKETS HEAD TO THE TALKIES WEB SITE

Guy Maddin’s 2008 film, My Winnipeg, was one of my favorites of last year (narrowly missing my top 10), and it served as my introduction to his work. His only other film I’ve seen is the 1988 Tales From the Gimli Hospital, though I have his Brand Upon the Brain  sitting on my shelf right now. Maddin is a brilliant and very funny surrealist obsessed with bringing back old school film techniques. Believe me nobody makes films like he does. He also write occasionally for Film Comment which is very cool. His live commentaries and productions are quite famous in film circles (apparently he provided live narration and music for My Winnipeg at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival and people loved it) so he is a great candidate for The Talkies. Should be amazing. I will have more updates on this as Mr. Massett sends it my way so stay tuned.

Check out some of these interviews of Guy Maddin

And check out the trailer for Saddest Music in the World

Tags: Canadian film, Commentary, Guy Maddin, Saddest Music in the World, The Talkies

This post was written by Erik McClanahan, Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.