Charles Laneâs “Sidewalk Stories” was released in November, 1989 by Island Pictures to wide acclaim. Itâs filmmaker, Charles Lane, was courted by Hollywood, where he made one film (“True Identity”) and co-starred in another (“Posse”) then disappeared.
“Sidewalk Stories” aired once on PBS, but was never re-released or distributed on VHS or DVD. It is considered a âlostâ classic.
Until now.
Reelblack, Philly’s #1 promoter of African-American Film, closes its 11th Season with a special 25th Anniversary screening of the indie classic “Sidewalk Stories.”
Recently restored from the original negative, writer/director/star Charles Lane will be on hand for a post-film discussion with Reelblack founder Mike D. and independent filmmaker Rel Dowdell.
Preceded by: A Long Walk (2014/15 min/ DVD/ dir Chinonye Chukwu): A father humiliates his son by parading him through the neighborhood in women’s clothing in front of all the other kids on a summer day. The impact of that decision ripples through his family and best friend’s lives for years to come. (Filmmaker in person).
Admission $10 Adults/ $8 Students and Seniors/ $5 Reelblack and IHouse Members
Preorder tix now at http://www.ticketfly.com/
Synopsis:
On a wintry Greenwich Village street, portrait artist Charles Lane (the writer/director himself) battles a bullying, giant fellow artist, strokes attractive businesswoman Sandye Wilsonâs cheek a little more than needed to get those proportions right, then gets stuck with adorable tot Nicole Alysia when her gambler dad gets knifed â all in black and white silence… and without the use of a single inter-title. An homage to Chaplinâs The Kid (and other movies) set in a then-tough Village environment (Lane squats in a wreck slated for demolition) and clearly capturing the plight of the homeless, Sidewalk Stories retains a magical sense of the fable, until a final, startling switch to… Winner of the Prix du Public at the Cannes Film Festival, Sidewalk Stories became a hit independent film around the world, but then disappeared: itâs never been on DVD or home video. Approx. 97 min. DCP, restored by Cineteca di Bologna at LâImmagine Ritrovata and released by Carlotta Films US.
Trailer:
Reelblack TV Interview w/ Mr. Lane:
