April 16, 2012

What: 

The Grindhouse Trailer Spectacular

Climb aboard the exploitation starship as we travel to the outer reaches of cinematic insanity! In the 1970s, distributors trying to creatively sell strange movies in oversaturated markets unwittingly created some of the most mind-blowing pieces of cinema to ever rip through a film projector. This is a lineup of the best of these trailers, presented on 35mm. All the wildest scenes, strange taglines, and oddball promotional gimmicks crammed into two minute cinematic rollercoaster rides.  (Multiple artists, 35MM, approx. 45 min.)

The Mystery of Chess Boxing

The original Ghostface Killer is on the loose! A vicious villain with an unstoppable five element technique, Ghostface is killing off all his old rivals. Meanwhile, a young student tries to learn kung fu and is taken under the wing of an old chess master. The basics of chess prove to be the same as the basics of fighting, and eventually the heroes will have to fight Ghostface Killer, who verbally insults his opponents as he annihilates them. This is the only known 35mm print of this film.  (Joseph Kuo, 1979, Hong Kong, Taiwan, 35MM, 90 min.)

When:  Saturday, April 21, 7:30 pm - Double Feature

What: 

Eight Diagram Pole Fighter

A family of fighters is ambushed by invaders in a fierce battle that leaves the family's father and four of six brothers dead. One of the remaining brothers (Gordon Liu) swears revenge, and forces his way into the Shaolin Temple to master his pole fighting skills. When his younger sister is kidnapped by the invaders, it's payback time. After numerous jaw-dropping fight scenes, there is a massive climactic battle that ranks among the greatest action scenes in movie history. This film is directed by martial arts master Lau Kar Leung (36th Chamber of Shaolin), stars Gordon Liu (36th Chamber, Kill Bill) and is an all-out kung fu masterpiece.  (Chia-Liang Liu, 1984, Hong kong, 98 min.)

The Bastard Swordsman

Every ten years, the Wu Tang has a duel with their rival clan. The chief of the Wu Tang has devoted his life to learning "The Silkworm Technique" of sword fighting, but has failed to master it. At the same time, an orphan in the clan is refused in his requests to learn martial arts until a masked stranger begins training him. Before long, all roads will converge in high-flying sword fighting excitement and surreal special effects. If you've never seen two kung fu masters fight it out inside a large flying cocoon, here's your chance!  (Chin-Ku Lu, 1983, Hong Kong, 90 min.)

Dan Halsted is the film programmer at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland Ore., and founder of the Shaolin Film Archive. He's an avid film collector, with a passion for Hong Kong cinema and 70's exploitation films. For his unorthodox film preservation efforts, he was dubbed “The Indiana Jones of Film Archivists” by the Willamette Week newspaper. 

When: Sunday, April 22, 7:30 pm - Double Feature

Trailer for Eight Diagram Pole Fighter

For more information please visit the Film Series website.

Where:  Webster University, Winifred Moore Auditorium, 470 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves, MO 63119

Cost:  $6 for general public; $5 senior citizens (60+), students from other schools, and Webster University alums;  $4 for Webster University staff and faculty unless otherwise noted.  The Film Series can only accept cash or check.

The Webster University Film Series receives funding from the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council - a state agency.

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based University providing a network of international residential campuses.  Founded in 1915, Webster University’s campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional campuses in Asia, Europe and North America.  The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.

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