arts, books and music

NOFS Home Theater streaming new independent film each week

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With movie theaters out of commission, the New Orleans Film Society has created a way for enthusiasts to access select independent cinema from home while supporting the organization. The NOFS Home Theater is presenting a new title every week for a month, starting with “The Times of Bill Cunningham” on April 16 and ending with “Botero” on May 15. Each film will be available to stream for two weeks, and a portion of the proceeds from virtual tickets will help support NOFS. See all the featured titles and dates below:

The Times of Bill Cunningham
April 16-30
dir. Mark Bozek
Told in Bill Cunningham’s own words from a recently unearthed six-hour 1994 interview, the iconic street photographer and fashion historian chronicles his moonlighting as a milliner in France during the Korean War, his unique relationship with First Lady Jackie Kennedy, his four decades at The New York Times and his democratic view of fashion and society.

Advertiser specials

This Week at The Broad: The Second Cut is the Deepest

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Sponsored by
Do you believe in second chances? We do. This weekend, we are bringing back what we consider the best film to not get nominated for Best Picture so that you can judge for yourself. Did it deserve the slight or should it have gotten the 10th spot on the Oscar shortlist? UNCUT GEMS returns on a limited schedule this weekend.

arts, books and music

The NOLA Project offers acting workshop for students between holidays

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The NOLA Project will host a four-day workshop for students between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Winter Intensive, for ages 12 to 17, will focus on acting, writing, and stage combat. Through courses led by NOLA Project ensemble members, students will have the opportunity to brush up on technique, as well as learn new skills, in preparation for their next semester. The NOLA Project describes the workshop as “a perfect way to keep the creative juices flowing, and work with fellow theatre students, during that odd time between Christmas and New Year’s.” The Winter Intensive runs from Thursday to Sunday, Dec. 26-29, noon to 4 p.m. each day, at Lusher Charter School, 5624 Freret St. Registration for The NOLA Project Winter Intensive is available here.

arts, books and music

‘King Ester’ honors Pre-Katrina New Orleans, normalizes marginalized voices

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The New Orleans Film Festival turned 30 this year, and their diversity in films and filmmakers is a point that they stress. This year, they screened “232 visionary, thought-provoking films that represent a wealth of perspectives,” 26% of which were Louisiana-made and 56% directed by people of color. One series based in Uptown New Orleans made its debut on the NOFF big screen and online simultaneously. “King Ester”—directed by Dui Jarrod and presented by Issa Rae’s ColorCreative production company—takes the viewer into the world of a black trans woman right before natural disaster. Filmed all over New Orleans and based in Pigeon Town (P-Town), the series is described as such:
“Ester is a trans woman struggling to find her path in New Orleans during the week before Hurricane Katrina. In the face of an evacuation order, she is forced to make a choice that will impact her future forever.”

arts, books and music

New Orleans Film Fest: Screenings at Prytania, prominence for Louisiana films

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The New Orleans Film Society kicks off the 30th New Orleans Film Festival at tonight (Oct. 16) with the Opening Night Film Marriage Story. Uptown’s Prytania Theater will screen over a dozen films, including Motherless Brooklyn, directed by and starring Edward Norton, and The Long Shadow, by Louisiana director Daniel Lafrentz. Shorts from the state and big-budget films are some festival highlights coming to the neighborhood this year. Of the 6,500 submissions from 104 countries, 232 “visionary, thought-provoking films that represent a wealth of perspectives” made it into the festival.

film and television

Kristine Froeba: Saints’ Jeff Charleston Rises after Southern Charm New Orleans finale

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The star of Bravo’s Southern Charm New Orleans talks loving his new life

Former Saints player and Southern Charm New Orleans star, Jeff Charleston has a lot to say about his life, and the gist is that he’s loving every minute of it. An interview with Charleston reveals a man excited about new beginnings and a fresh start in his adopted hometown. “I cannot wait to move back to New Orleans,” said Charleston. “I just have to figure out where in the city I want to live again.” New Orleanians who don’t watch the Bravo reality series know him as No.

arts, books and music

Hollywood South: Kristine Froeba interview with Laura Cayouette

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Uptown’s “Django Unchained” and “Queen Sugar” actor Laura Cayouette on New Orleans, Pussyfooting and Hollywood South
(revised 7/23/2019)

That cheerful, tall, lanky strawberry blonde – and avid Saints fan – you see at the Superdome and walking down Magazine Street looks familiar because she is. Actress Laura Cayouette traded Hollywood for Hollywood South nine years ago and hasn’t looked back, much. “After my first Carnival season as a resident, I called my mother and told her I wanted to sue her for child abuse,” said Cayouette. “I said I wanted to file charges for them not raising me here.”

That year was the year of the Black and Gold Super Bowl. “It was the greatest Carnival in the history of the city,” said Cayouette.

film and television

Filming in Central City will slow Uptown traffic

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Yandr Productions, LLC, is producing a short-form series titled “#Freerayshawn” that will be filmed in Central City from Monday, May 20, to Friday, May 24. The scenes scheduled for Central City resemble a hostage situation managed by police forces. In order to maintain continuity control, the production crew will have permitted traffic control each day on the following blocks:

These areas will be affected from Monday to Friday:

1600 and 1700 South Rampart Street – Full closure
1900 and 2000 Euterpe Street – Full closure
1600 and 1700 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard – Traffic holds of 1-3 minutes

The city encourages Central City residents and businesses to prepare for traffic detours. Please note the production will have Orleans Parish sheriff’s deputies on-site to maintain vehicular and pedestrian traffic safety. Residents and business owners who have any concerns (scheduled deliveries, construction, accessibility needs, etc.) are encouraged to contact Ashley Bunge of the Locations Department at 504-224-2225.

Festivals

Uptown Weekend: French Film Festival, ‘Vagina Monologues’

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During the last weekend before parades take over Uptown streets, there’s still plenty to do without leaving the neighborhood. To name a few: You can take in a French movie at the Prytania or a play at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center. French Film Festival

The 22nd New Orleans French Film Festival, one of the longest running foreign language festivals in the country, showcases contemporary and classic francophone Cinema for audiences of about 4,000 at the Prytania Theatre, 5339 Prytania St., the oldest single-screen movie house operating in Louisiana. Live music and lectures will accompany a curated selection of French, French language films and a program of short films.

Je ne parle pas Française, you say? Don’t worry; all films are screened with English subtitles.

film and television

Trolley Stop featured in season premiere of ‘Gordon Ramsey’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back’

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The Trolley Stop Cafe on St. Charles Avenue will be featured in the Jan. 2 season premiere of the Fox reality TV show “Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back,” the Gambit reports. Crews were filming in the 24-hour spot in the Lower Garden District last fall. The results, likely to contain kitchen drama littered with verbal abuse, will be shown Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Fox 8.