The two 1991 Oscar-winning documentaries, Debra Chasnoff's short Deadly Deception: General Electric, Nuclear Weapons and Our Environment, and Allie Light and Irving Saraf's feature In the Shadow of the Stars will be screened as part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' series "Oscar's Docs, Part Four: Academy Award-Winning Documentaries 1988–1997" on Monday, October 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Debra Chasnoff, Irving Saraf, and Allie Light will take part in post-screening discussions.
The documentary short subject Deadly Deception: General Electric, Nuclear Weapons and Our Environment is an indictment against the production of nuclear materials by the General Electric Corporation, what with, shall we say, unpleasant health and environmental side effects. During her acceptance speech, Chasnoff (right) lashed out against "the company that falsely claims it brings good things to life."
According to Mason Wiley and Damien Bona's Inside Oscar, General Electric told the Wall Street Journal that Chasnoff's speech had "no impact at all … The old rule of thumb is that you have to repeat it three to four times to the average person on the street before even a powerful point really sinks in." (Which says a lot about both General Electric and the Average Moron on the Street.)
The documentary feature In the Shadow of the Stars focuses on members of the San Francisco Opera Chorus, showing how performers playing background roles are an integral part of the operatic whole. This screening will feature a new print.
"Oscar's Docs" is a comprehensive screening series of every short subject and feature to win the Academy Award for documentary filmmaking since the category was established in 1941. The retrospective will feature the best available prints — often newly struck or restored editions from the documentary collection of the Academy Film Archive.
Tickets to each "Oscar's Docs" screenings are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. A limited number of series passes for all remaining evenings are available for $30 for the general public and $25 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. A $5 discount will be given to previous passholders.
Tickets are available for purchase online at www.oscars.org, by mail, or in person at the Academy box office at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard during regular business hours. Doors open one hour prior to the start of the event. All seating is unreserved.
The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. Free parking is available through the entrance on Homewood Avenue (one block north of Fountain Avenue).
For additional information, visit www.oscars.org or call (310) 247-3600.
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