Fake News! Journalism Goes to Hollywood returns to the Historic KiMo Theatre (423 Central Ave. NW) this Sunday, June 24, at 2pm. This monthly film and discussion series is organized by the New Mexico Humanities Council and features screenings of noteworthy Hollywood films that concentrate on journalism followed by panel discussions about the evolving role of the press in a democratic society. The post-film discussions are hosted by Alibi film editor Devin D. O’Leary. (Yup, that’s me.) This month’s film is Billy Wilder’s wildly cynical 1951 drama Ace in the Hole. Filmed right here in New Mexico, the film focuses on an unscrupulous newspaper man (played by Kirk Douglas) who talks his way into a job at an Albuquerque newspaper and stumbles across the gripping story of a man trapped in an abandoned mine—which he immediately turns into a media circus for maximum readership. After the film Gene Grant, host for KNME’s “New Mexico in Focus,” and Larry Calloway, veteran print journalist for The Associated Press and the Albuquerque Journal, will be on stage to talk about the pitfalls as well as the importance of modern-day 24/7 media coverage. Admission to this event is free and open to the public. This series, which is part of the Democracy and the Informed Citizen Initiative, continues through November. It comes to Albuquerque thanks to the generous support of the Pulitzer Prizes and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. For more info on future screenings, got to kimotickets.com and nmhum.org.
Reel World: Cine Smart Cine Smart
The New Mexico Film Office hosts its monthly Educational Speakers Series on Wednesday, June 27 from 6 to 7pm at the Joseph Montoya Building’s Bid Room (1100 St. Francis Dr. in Santa Fe). This month’s topic is “The New Mexico Film Initiative—Getting Started.” Lisa Fleming-Mitchell, production and incentive controller for the New Mexico Film Office, will show filmmakers how to take advantage of the state’s tax credit system. Where do you start, what paperwork do you need, and what can you expect to see out of it? This event is free, but you need to register beforehand to guarantee seating. Go to nmfilm.com/monthly-speaker-series.aspx for more information.
Idiot Box: Monologue On
New Mexico Women in Film has teamed with Sol Acting Academy to present Monologue Mania. At the event local actors get the opportunity to perform a two-minute monologue in front of longtime New Mexico casting director Elizabeth Gabel (No Country For Old Men, Logan, Sicario). Participants receive brief, private coaching and filming by line producer/actor Chris Ranney and get written feedback from Elizabeth Gabel. Recorded monologues will be uploaded to a private, secure location for future use. The event takes place Sunday, June 24 from noon to 4pm. Tickets are $75, and there are only 23 slots available. Sol Acting Academy is located at 5500 San Mateo Blvd. NE. For more details go to nmwif.com
