Killer of Sheep, 1978, 80 mins., film by Charles Burnett
Charles Burnett wrote, directed, shot and edited his first feature, Killer of Sheep, 1978. The story follows Stan who works in a slaughterhouse and struggles to make enough money to support his family. Burnett’s portrayal of a family living in Watts which “offers no solutions but presents life” was ground-breaking and drew comparisons to Italian Neorealism of the 1940’s. This seminal film was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1990 and was chosen as one of the 100 Essential Films of All Time by the National Society of Film Critics, 2007.
Director Charles Burnett
Cinema Alive:
When a movie is shown with the director present it becomes more than just a screening but Cinema Alive. Cinema Alive is a film series during ShoutOut Saugerties created by Katie Cokinos, a local filmmaker and founder of the Saugerties Film Society. This year’s slate of films are: Little White Lie, a powerful documentary about race and identity by Lacey Schwartz Delgado on October 16; short films by up and coming filmmakers from Saugerties High School and the Woodstock Day School along with a preview of the work in progress, “Voices of the Esopus Creek” (working title) by Katie Cokinos and Guy Reed on 10/19. Cinema Alive will conclude on 10/23 with the ground-breaking, seminal feature film, Killer of Sheep, by Academy Award winning director, Charles Burnett.
The filmmakers will be present to introduce their work and there will be a question and answer afterwards with the audience.
Article: Film Series Includes Striking Family Narratives by Teresa Giordano