Retrospective Donn A. Pennebaker & Chris Hegedus

Retrospective Donn A. Pennebaker & Chris Hegedus

Since the early seventies Pennebaker Hegedus Films is producing documentary films. The independent film company, settled in New York City, is managed by producer Frazer Pennebaker and filmmakers D.A. (Donn Alan) Pennebaker und Chris Hegedus. One of their latest political films „The War Room“ was nominated Best Documentary Feature for an Academy Award, and received the D.W. Griffith Award for Best Documentary by the National Board of Review. Hegedus’ and Pennebaker’s intimate, narrative style of filmmaking, which follows the drama inherent in real events, has recorded some of the best known public figures and personalities of our times as e.g. the Kennedys, Jane Fonda, Franz-Josef Strauß, John DeLorean, Bob Dylan, Bill Clinton, Marius Müller-Westernhagen many more. Their unobtrusive fly-on-the-wall-style, working as a two-person crew using handheld cameras and available light, allows them to observe without interrupting. They do not direct, nor interview for information, They prefer that the protagonist determine what will happen, not the filmmaker. The result is a candid protrait of real characters in action and confrontation.

(read more...)

Opening Night Retrospective Pennebaker - Hegedus 

Saturday, June 7th, 21:00 hrs, 

Interview with the directors, followed by a reception of the Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen and  ..
The War Room 
Documentary, 92 min, USA 1993

Sunday, June 8th, 19:30 hrs, 

The behind-the-scenes view of the Clinton presidential campaign features George Stephanopoulos and James  ..
Primary 
Documentary, 50 min, USA 1960

Monday, June 9th, 19:00 hrs, 

The documentary follows closely Senators John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey competing to run for the  ..
Hier Strauß 
Documentary, 40 min, USA/Germany 1965

Monday, June 9th, 19:00 hrs, 

This Direct Cinema-Portrait shows the highly individual German politician Franz-Josef Strauß in the  ..
Shake - Otis at Monterey 
Documentary, 20 min, USA 1986

Wednesday, June 11th, 19:00 hrs, 

Otis Reddings’ moving performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, just three months before he was  ..
Jimi Plays Monterey 
Documentary, 50 min, USA 1986

Wednesday, June 11th, 19:00 hrs, 

Jimi Hendrix’ set at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 captured in full. When Hendrix was booked for  ..
The Chair 
Documentary, 60 min, USA 1962

Thursday, June 12th, 19:00 hrs, 

The famous Direct Cinema-film documents the last days of Paul Crumb, a black man on death row in a Chicago  ..
The Music Tells You 
Documentary, 60 min, USA 1992

Friday, June 13th, 19:00 hrs, 

The on-the-road film for Columbia Records, follows jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis and his trio on Tour.
Victoria - Happy Come Home 
Documentary, 30 min, USA 1987

Friday, June 13th, 19:00 hrs, 

The unique musical portrait accompanies American singer/songwriter Victoria Williams back home to the  ..
Town Bloody Hall 
Documentary, 90 min, USA 1979

Saturday, June 14th, 10:00 hrs, 

Working together for the first time with Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus edited footage he shot in 1971 at a  ..
Company - Original Cast Album 
Documentary, 60 min, USA 1970

Sunday, June 15th, 18:45 hrs, 

The documentary observes the rehearsals and recording sessions of Stephen Sondheim’s famous musical. It is  ..
Depeche Mode 101 
Documentary, 120 min, USA 1989

Monday, June 16th, 19:00 hrs, 

The film captures the adventures of the British Electro-Pop-Band and a coach of fans during their U.S.-tour  ..
Keine Zeit - Westernhagen Affentour 1995 
Documentary, 102 min, Germany 1996

Wednesday, June 18th, 19:00 hrs, 

In 1995 Pennebaker and Hegedus were invited to Germany to film one of its most popular rock stars, Marius  ..