Reader calls for Wiseman retrospective to play San Diego

A Frances O’Neill Zimmerman of La Jolla writes:

“The first ten films (from 1967 to 1976) of famed aging documentarist Frederick Wiseman are being screened in Los Angeles at Cinefamily on North Fairfax beginning August 27-31 and ending October 29. Announcement appeared today in the tronc-owned Los Angeles Times.

“Each Wiseman movie is indelibly memorable for its subject treatment and complete absence of narration. Many of these films are as powerful today as when they were first made. I don’t think they are available except in this format.

“Titles are Titicut Follies about a mental hospital, High School, Law and Order, Hospital, Basic Training, Essene about monastic life, Juvenile Court, Primate, Welfare, and Meat.

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“Apparently this is the opening of a comprehensive retrospective of 86-year-old Wiseman’s work, with 33 more documentaries to be seen over the next three years.

“How come San Diego can’t offer a similar experience to our movie-loving community? Maybe Reader writers Scott Marks and Matthew Lickona can utz their fellow movie critics to get something going down here. Isn’t this what the Digital Gym was made for?”

Did you just call for a complete career retrospective, Frances? In San Diego? Allow me a few minutes to dab away the tears of laughter streaming down my cheeks. The closest locals come to a career overview is when Reading runs its annual Hitchcoctober series. When last I checked, they’ve yet to screen Waltzes from Vienna, The Manxman, and dozens more.

Several years ago a call came in from one of the local chains asking to borrow my DVD screener of Wiseman’s Boxing Gym. It was on opening day, and with the film scheduled to hit the screen in a few hours the distributor had forgotten (or some such bullshit) to send a copy. The official print didn’t arrive until Monday, meaning those who saw the film during its first three days did so off a branded DVD that flashed my name (and email address) across the screen every ten minutes. Rodney Dangerfield got more respect in this town.

Truth be told, Mr. Wiseman bears the brunt of the blame. For years he’d done his best to keep his films off home video. While at MoPA, it was my dream to run a mini Wiseman retrospective. Many of the titles Frances mentions were available, but at a cost that would break the average arthouse. We’re talking a $300-$400 pricetag per videocassette. Instead of keeping his films alive for the public to see, Wiseman chose greed. When it came to gouging his fans, Wiseman was second only by ace pornographer Russ Meyer.

Since you were wise enough to mention the Digital Gym by name, Frances, I ran your request past proprietor Ethan van Thillo. Here’s what he had to say:

“CineFamily is an amazing model for an arthouse movie theater. They have so many retrospectives. We’re always so envious when their monthly programming calendar comes out! Their access to Hollywood talent and proximity to the industry provides them with amazing opportunities and access to attendees and special guests.

“Unfortunately Digital Gym Cinema does not have a 35mm projector, so we can’t screen a lot of these classics the way they should be screened. However, we can have our film curator look into the possibilities of screening on BlueRay or DCP.

“It’s always possible depending on rental costs for each film print, researching who owns the distribution rights, and figuring out if there’s a market for this retrospective here in San Diego. Digital Gym Cinema is always up for the challenge and always up to looking at new opportunities to bring in new audiences into our one of a kind movie theater!”

It’s not a no, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. As a friend wisely pointed out when first I hit town 16 years ago, “For a film lover, the best part of San Diego is the road to L.A.”