On April 6, The Criterion Collection will host its first-ever “Criterion Collection Live!” event at The Metrograph in Manhattan. Designed to give ticketholders a peek into Criterion’s discriminating process for picking films to add to its collection, and its process of remastering them for optimal visual and audio quality, the night will also feature discussions with key players involved in the release of The Kennedy Films of Robert Drew & Associates.
Criterion president Peter Becker will be joined by the legendary documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker; Jill Drew (Robert Drew’s daughter-in-law and Drew Associates’ general manager); journalist Frank Rich; and more to discuss these groundbreaking films, especially relevant in an election year so dominated by the 24-hour news cycle. Admission includes tickets to the discussion, plus rare outtakes; an advance copy of the gift set; drink reception with the speakers; and screenings, including the alternate Richard Leacock cut of Primary (1960); Crisis (1963), documenting the tense standoff between the White House and the segregationist governor of Alabama; and the mournful Faces of November (1964), shot at Kennedy’s funeral. Tickets available at the Metrograph website. The event starts at 7 p.m.