CRISPIN
HELLION GLOVER'S
WHAT IS IT?
Limited Engagement December 8 - 10
at American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre
Showtimes: 8:00 PM daily
WHAT IS IT? premiered at the 2005
Sundance Film Festival and won Best Narrative Film at the 2005 Ann Arbor
Film Festival. In the same year Mr. Glover was awarded the prestigious
Maverick Award from the Method Fest which was presented to him by
esteemed film director Werner Herzog. The film also won the Midnight
Extreme Award at the Sitges Film Festival Spain 2006
WHAT IS IT?,
2005, Volcanic Eruptions , 72 min. Veteran actor Crispin Hellion
Glover, who has appeared in over 30 films as an actor, including
RIVER'S EDGE, CHARLIE'S ANGELS, THE DOORS, WILLARD, DEAD MAN, BACK TO
THE FUTURE, WHAT'S EATING GLIBERT GRAPE, WILD AT HEART, THE PEOPLE VS.
LARRY FLYNT the upcoming BEOWULF, THE WIZARD OF GORE, and EPIC MOVE
brings his debut feature film as a director, WHAT IS IT? to the
Egyptian Theatre for an exclusive 3-day Los Angeles engagement. Known
for creating many memorable, incredibly quirky characters onscreen as an
actor, Glover's first effort as a director will not disappoint fans of
his offbeat sensibilities and eccentric taste. Featuring a cast largely
comprised of actors with Down's Syndrome, the film is not about Down's
Syndrome. Glover describes it as "Being the adventures of a
young man whose principal interests are snails, salt, a pipe and how to
get home, as tormented by an hubristic racist inner psyche." He
also explains that the film is his psychological reaction to corporate
controls of expression limiting the exploration of taboo. In addition to
writing and directing WHAT IS IT?, Glover also appears in the film as an
actor in the role of "Dueling Demi-God Auteur and The young man's
inner psyche." Fairuza Balk voices one of the snails. WHAT
IS IT? is part one of a trilogy. Parts two, IT IS FINE EVERYTHING IS
FINE...! is currently in post-production. On part two, Glover
collaborated with Utah writer-actor Steven C. Stewart, who also appears
in WHAT IS IT? Stewart passed away from complications from
cerebral palsy in 2001.The soundtrack makes use of Wagner and Bartok
excerpts to ironic effect, as well as tracks by late Church of Satan
high priest Anton LaVey, Charles Manson and a country track by Klassic
Klan recording artist Johnny Rebel.
"Scenes with naked women in elephant masks, Shirley Temple, Glover
being lowered deus-ex-machina style into a Maxfield Parrish scene...It's
like Fellini on psychedelics -- wildly creative but completely
twisted." -- Jane Ganahl, San Francisco Examiner
"It's unlike anything I've ever
seen before...the unrestrained id of an artist at full frenzy, unafraid
to mount onscreen what others would judiciously edit out. Glover's film
is like that the fever dream of a crazy person."
--Dennis Dermody, Paper Magazine
“ABSOLUTELY the most uncompromising and original thing I've seen.
People try to compare it to the likes of surrealist hero Luis Buñuel
and trailblazer Werner Herzog, but I say Glover has transcended even
them.” --Kelly O. The Seattle Stranger Weekly
Known for his many memorable onscreen
characters, Crispin Glover's first effort as a director will not
disappoint fans of his offbeat sensibilities. Although featuring a cast
largely comprised of actors with Down Syndrome, the film is not about
Down Syndrome. And what the film is - as its title suggests - is almost
indescribable. WHAT IS IT? premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival
and won Best Narrative Film at the 2005 Ann Arbor Film Festival. In the
same year Mr. Glover was awarded the prestigious Maverick Award from the
Method Fest, presented to him by Werner Herzog. The film also won the
Midnight Extreme Award at the Sitges Film Festival Spain 2006. "Scenes
with naked women in elephant masks, Shirley Temple, Glover being lowered
deus-ex-machina style into a Maxfield Parrish scene...It's like Fellini
on psychedelics -- wildly creative but completely twisted." --
Jane Ganahl, San Francisco Examiner.
WHAT IS IT?,
2005, Volcanic Eruptions Productions, 72 min. Crispin Glover describes
his feature directorial debut as "Being the adventures of a
young man whose principal interests are snails, salt, a pipe and how to
get home, as tormented by an hubristic racist inner psyche." He
also explains that the film is his psychological reaction to corporate
controls of expression limiting the exploration of taboo. In addition to
writing and directing, Glover also appears in the film as an actor in
the role of "Dueling Demi-God Auteur and The Young Man's Inner
Psyche." Fairuza Balk voices one of the snails. Special Ticket
price: Cinematheque Members $12; Students $15; General Admission $18. Preceding
each screening is a live presentation of his "Big Slide Show"
which features illustration and commentary from eight of his books.
Following a post-screening discussion, there will be a signing of his
books Rat Catching, Oak Mot, and What It Is, And How It
Is Done.
Special Ticket price: Cinematheque Members $12; Students $15;
General Admission $18.
Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.466.FILM
For more info, go to www.americancinematheque.com
<http://www.americancinematheque.com/>
Advance Tickets: www.fandango.com <http://www.fandango.com/>