Harry Knowles, Eric Kohn and Kenneth Turan, Inaugural Recipients
Without the tireless brilliance and passion of great film journalists, so many of the films audiences enjoy and experience would remain unheard and unwatched. Cinequest turns the spotlight on the heroes of original, smart, innovative and meaningful cinema; the champions who provide audiences and, thus, life blood for artists and films. These champions have been instrumental in connecting audiences with beloved movies and artists...and opportunity. Cinequest Film Festival, occurring March 4 - 16, 2014, presents the Media Legacy Award events to honor and showcase the ongoing impact media has on the life of film, art and artists.
Event Information:
Special events will include moderated conversations, award presentations and screenings of cinematic works each recipient wants to further share with you and the world.
- Eric Kohn of Indiewire - March 4, 2014, 7 pm at the California Theatre. Following the presentation at the Opening Night event, view the screening of Don McKellar's The Grand Seduction, starring Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights), Brendan Gleeson (Gangs of New York) and Liane Balaban (Supernatural).
- Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool News - March 6, 2014, 7:15 pm at the San Jose Repertory Theatre. A screening of Grand Piano, starring Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and John Cusack (Being John Malkovich), will follow the award presentation.
- Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times - March 8, 2014, 3 pm at the San Jose Repertory Theatre. The presentation will precede a screening of the critically acclaimed Fruitvale Station.
Recipient and Film Information:
ERIC KOHN: Chief film critic and senior editor for Indiewire, Eric Kohn also manages Criticwire Network, the go-to blog for intelligent and informed reviews by professional critics. Prior to Indiewire, Kohn worked with film festivals and reviewed domestic and international films for numerous entertainment publications. A recent member of the New York Film Critics Circle, Kohn believes that critics should develop an authoritative voice with their work.
HARRY KNOWLES: Harry Knowles is best known as the founder of the immensely popular website Ain't It Cool News. Knowles revolutionized the industry of film criticism, empowering the "fanboy" and the individual's ability to make their opinion heard. Epitomizing the power of film critics, Knowles' favorable review of early Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings Trilogy) films helped launch Jackson's career. An iconic figure amongst film geeks, he is also the co-founder of the Fantastic Fest, a genre-focused film festival held annually in Austin, Texas.
After our exciting discussion with Mr. Knowles, we will screen a captivatingly thrilling new film, Grand Piano, starring Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and John Cusack (Being John Malkovich). What would you do if you knew that if you played one wrong note, you would die? With the killer in his head during a sold out performance, a concert pianist learns the true meaning of stage fright. "An organized torment with multiple participants," Knowles writes, Grand Piano"is the best suspense thriller I've seen in [expletive] forever."
KENNETH TURAN: Kenneth Turan is undeniably a crucial player in connecting audiences to films that matter. As the film critic for the The Los Angeles Times and National Public Radio's"Morning Edition," he is honest and forthright in his reviews, having a powerful impact on film and filmmakers. He represents and calls attention to the sophisticated and entertaining films for which intelligent viewers hunger. More importantly, Turan describes what makes these films so great, revealing how and why we experience the wonderful highs in front of the silver screen.
Following Mr. Turan's insightful conversation, we will screen the outstanding Fruitvale Station, per his recommendation. Turan describes the film as "an incendiary portrait of a life cut short." "Director Ryan Coogler, in his debut, skillfully balances hope and despair as he explores the true tale of police-shooting victim Oscar Grant," writes Turan. Fruitvale Station won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at Sundance, as well as the Un Certain Regard Prize of the Future at Cannes.
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