Smile, It's Your Close Up 2: New York's Documentaries
A nonfiction film series co-programmed by Jessica Green and Edo Choi of the Cinema at the Maysles Documentary Center and the Museum of the City of New York, zooms in on key moments, individuals, and communities to pose the question, “what makes New York New York?” Each program includes an introduction or conversation with filmmakers or other notable guests.
August 2017 – July 2018
1220 5th Avenue at 103rd Street
Right to the City
Tuesday, August 1st, 6:30pm
In this program Metropolitan Avenue (1985), co-presented by POV, is followed by a Q&A with Miriam Greenberg and Penny Lewis, editors of "The City Is the Factory”, director Christine Noschese, Metropolitan Avenue subjects Marie Leanza and Dianne Jackson, former POV Executive Producer and creator Marc N. Weiss, and moderated by MDC cinema director Jessica Green. On 16mm!
Abacus
Thursday, October 19th, 6:30pm
This program includes Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (2016) about the incredible saga of the Sung family, Chinese immigrants and owners of the Abacus Federal Savings Bank in Chinatown, followed by Q&A with Jill Sung, Vera Sung and Chanterelle Sung, and Don Lee, Chinatown community activist.
Warhol's Factory Workers
Wednesday, December 6th, 6:30pm
In this double bill, we present two of the foundational works of the 1960s underground on glorious 16mm, Flaming Creatures (1963), and Camp (1965). Speakers include Claire Henry, Associate Curator of the Andy Warhol Film Project and Tom Kalin, Professor of Film, Columbia University School of the Arts.
Back to School with Frederick Wiseman
Sunday, February 11th, 1:00pm
Frederick Wiseman's High School II (1994) preceded by an introductory discussion with Deborah Meier, the founder of the Central Park East, the subject of High School II, educators Nancy Mann and Marian Mogulescu, and former students Jason Warwin and Zawadi Powell. Speakers also include and Kaliris Salas-Ramirez and K.A. Dilday of the Central Park East 1 Parents Association. On 16mm!
Fania All-Stars
Wednesday, April 11th, 6:30pm
Fania All-Stars: Live In Africa (1974), co-presented by Fania, with conversation to follow with Fania All-Stars: Live In Africa director Leon Gast (When We Were Kings) and musician, music journalist, and historian Aurora Flores.
Bronx Gothic
Tuesday, June 19th, 8:00pm
From director Andrew Rossi comes Bronx Gothic (2017) about Okwui Okpokwasili's lauded one-woman show by the same name. Introduction by Andrew Rossi to precede the screening. Screening to take place outdoors on museum's terrace overlooking Central Park Conservatory Garden.
Under the Influence of the Maysles Brothers
Wednesday, July 11th, 8:00pm
1960s "Mad Men" era New York City through the lens of the Maysles Brothers. Films included are IBM: A Self Portrait (1964), Cut Piece (1968), With Love From Truman (1966) and Meet Marlon Brando (1966). Screening to take place outdoors on museum's terrace overlooking Central Park Conservatory Garden.
