FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 30, 2002
CONTACT: Marianne Lampke, Beacon Cinema Group, 508-255-4859, marianne@beaconcinema.com

HISTORIC REGENT THEATRE IN ARLINGTON ANNOUNCES DIVERSE MIX OF FILM PROGRAMMING THIS FALL


Arlington, MA -- The historic Regent Theatre in the heart of Arlington Center is pleased to announce an exciting line-up of film (and music) programming, to be launched this fall, 2002. It all begins on September 6 with an exclusive one week run of the reissued The Seven Samurai, the 1954 classic from director Akira Kurosawa. The film stars the magnificent Toshiro Mifune and the brand new 35mm print features a new translation by Japanese film scholar and translator Linda Hoaglund. This crown jewel of Japanese cinema seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, delicate human emotions, and relentless action. Seven Samurai is widely regarded as one of the most important masterpieces of international cinema, an inspired epic and a triumph of art.

On September 13, and also running for one week only, The Regent presents another exclusive area premiere, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, a new documentary about the revered rock band Wilco. Directed by first-time filmmaker and award-winning photographer Sam Jones, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is entirely shot in black and white and includes interviews, jam sessions and behind-the-scenes footage of the alt-country turned experimental rock band recording their fourth album, ÒYankee Hotel Foxtrot.Ó The album was released in April, 2002 and was instantly recognized by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best album of the year.

Those two premieres kick off two seriesÕ of classic films at The Regent.

Beginning on September 25, the theatre will showcase big screen gems Wednesdays and Sundays through December, beginning with a screening of The Godfather (1972, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino). Other titles include All About Eve (1950, starring Bette Davis), La Dolce Vita (1960, directed by Federico Fellini, starring Marcello Mastroianni), North By Northwest (1959, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant), and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford). Special film programming is presented during the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. On Wednesday, November 27 and Sunday, December 1 the Regent presents Chinatown (1974, directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jack Nicholson). That Thanksgiving weekend the theatre also hosts a Marx Brothers Weekend with Friday and Saturday screenings of Duck Soup, A Night at the Opera, and Horse Feathers. The week leading up to Christmas brings the 50th anniversary premiere reissue engagement of Singing in the Rain (featuring a new 35mm print and a restored soundtrack, December 18-25).

Every Thursday the theatre continues the theme of music in film (inspired by the Wilco film premiere and regular live music concerts also programmed this fall at the theatre). The series, entitled ÒRockinÕ the Regent,Ó begins September 26 with a new print of The Last Waltz, directed by Martin Scorsese and profiling the 1976 farewell concert of The Band. Other music-themed films include new prints of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (October 31), and Monterey Pop (November 7). Rolling StonesÕ fans can revisit the infamous Altamont Speedway concert when GIMME SHELTER is screened on October 10. In conjunction with a live performance of the band Beatle Juice, scheduled to play October 25, the theatre offers Beatle fans even more opportunity to indulge with two special screenings of A HARD DAYS NIGHT on Thursday, October 24 and Saturday, October 26. ÒRockinÕ The RegentÓ is sponsored in part by WZLX classic rock radio.

Other special engagements scheduled for this fall at The Regent include the exclusive premiere of the sumptuous and sensual Tunisian film Satin Rouge (opens October 11). Satin Rouge was directed by Raja Amari and stars Hiam Abbass, Hend El Fahem, and Maher Kamoun. The film follows the story of a widowed Tunisian seamstress who takes an unlikely journey of self-discovery while investigating a suspected liaison between her headstrong teenaged daughter and a cabaret musician. Soon she becomes drawn to an exotic nightclub netherworld of Rubenesque belly dancers and nocturnal pleasure-seekers. Also scheduled this fall is the return of the ever-popular Sing-a-Long Sound of Music (Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17). The 1965 Julie Andrews classic includes special subtitles of the lyrics for all of the songs, encouraging audience members to join in on the festivities.

Nearly a century old, the 500-seat Regent Theatre was purchased last year by real estate developer and musician Gary Adelson who has begun extensive renovation and restoration, including the recent installation of a brand-new sound system and new seating. Many other improvements are planned including the complete unveiling and preservation of the gold-leafed proscenium.

The Regent Theatre is located at 7 Medford Street in the heart of Arlington Center, just a few short miles from Cambridge and Boston. The theatre is wheelchair accessible, offers plenty of free parking across the street, and is accessible on the MBTA (buses #77, #79, #350, #80, #87). For tickets and information, call (781) 646-4TIX (4849), or visit the website at www.regenttheatre.com.