TAMIU's Roadside Cinema Film Festival Shows 'Leningrad Cowboys Go America' April 4
"Roadside Cinema," Texas A&M International University's Spring Film Festival's trip through road movies, continues with "Leningrad Cowboys Go America." The film will be shown Thursday, April 4 at 7 p.m. in Bullock Hall 101. The showing is free and open to the public.
"Leningrad Cowboys Go America" (1989), directed by Aki Kaurismäki follows a dreadful band from Finland named Leningrad Cowboys. They travel to the U.S. and journey through small-town America on the way to Mexico. It is a surreal comedy, where the dead bass player travels with the band packed in ice, and elf shoes for all.
The film's humor is low-key and deadpan, engaging the viewer with off-the-wall humor and amusing situations. The band's music is constantly changing, creating a kind of Finnish folk fused with rock and roll and some times country.
In English and Finnish, with English subtitles, it is rated PG-13.
After the show, there will be 15 to 30 minutes of commentary and questions and answers, led by Dr. Sean M. Chadwell and Dr. William J. Nichols II, series creators and both assistant professors in the College of Arts and Humanities.
The next film, "Airbag," will be shown on Thursday, April 11. Trying to retrieve an expensive wedding ring lost during the bachelor's party leads several friends on a bizarre, amusing trip through the Spanish countryside. In Spanish with English Subtitles, this film not rated but is for mature audiences.
For more information on the "Roadside Cinema," 2002 Spring Film Festival, contact either Drs. Chadwell or Nichols by phone, 326.2471, 326.2610, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 418C, room 421B or visit the festival's website: http://www.tamiu.edu/~wnichols/road.htm.
University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu