Siskel & Ebert at 50: BREAKING AWAY (1979) with Thea Flaum
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Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert changed the way we watched movies forever. Their show and their style encouraged engagement and discussion about the films we watched, they used their influence to champion films of all sizes and genres, and their magnetic, approachable personalities put Chicago on the map forever as a city for film lovers. In honor of the 50th Anniversary of their groundbreaking show, DCASE and the Chicago Film Office present a FREE weekly screening series in November celebrating and revisiting some of their favorite films from their time together. Each film was hand-selected by a colleague or contemporary of Gene & Roger’s, with a focus on the “hidden gems” that they held in just as high regard as the more canonized classics of the era. We hope you’ll find a new favorite film in the bunch – or at least one that sparks some lively debate.
BREAKING AWAY (1979, dir. Peter Yates, 100min. DCP)
Wednesday, 11/12 at 7:00 P.M.
Selected by “SNEAK PREVIEWS” Producer Thea Flaum, in attendance for post-screening discussion.
This winning, Midwest-based coming-of-age tale follows four working-class teens in Bloomington, Indiana as they navigate the growing pains of impending adulthood and sign up to compete against the snooty local college kids in the famous “Little 500” bicycle track race. Featuring standout early performances from Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern and Jackie Earle Haley, this modestly-scoped but stirring and warm dramedy was so loved by Gene & Roger that they announced on-air that they’d pay back the admission of any viewer who wasn’t satisfied!
NOTE: Your RSVP does not guarantee entry. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.
For more information about the Chicago Cultural Center, including directions and accessibility resources, visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/ccc.html