University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

CSUN’s Cinematheque Examines ‘The U.S. vs. John Lennon’

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Nov. 30, 2006) -- The public is invited to join Cal State Northridge students, faculty and staff as they explore the making of the documentary "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" on Friday, Dec. 8, as part of the university’s Cinematheque series.

A free screening of the film followed by a discussion with co-writers and co-directors David Leaf and John Scheinfeld, editor Peter Lynch and cinematographer Jim Mathers, a CSUN alumnus, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Armer Theater in Manzanita Hall on the southwest corner of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

"From a cinematic perspective, the screening of this film is a unique experience for our students. The film was shot and edited entirely in high definition video, then transferred to 35mm film for theatrical release," said Mark Schaubert, who is coordinating the event. "The cinematographer, editor and co-writers/co-directors will be on hand after the screening for a Q&A to discuss not only how this film was made, but also their long-term prognosis on shooting HD for the theatrical market."

Schaubert noted that it was an "eerie coincidence" that the series was able to present the documentary on John Lennon on the 26th anniversary of his death. Lennon was murdered by a fan on Dec. 8, 1980.

"He (Lennon) was clearly one of the most influential people of the 20th century, and now, a quarter century after his death, we’re able to look back at his life with some historical detachment," Schaubert said.

"The U.S. vs. John Lennon" deals with the years in the late 1960s and early ‘70s when the former member of the rock phenomenon, The Beatles, became involved with the antiwar movement, and battled the Nixon administration. The film is constructed largely from period footage, including previously unseen material from the archives of his widow, Yoko Ono.

Cal State Northridge’s Cinematheque is an innovative film screening program housed in the Alan and Elaine Armer Theater, a state-of-the-art, 130-seat motion picture theater. The only venue of its kind in the San Fernando Valley, the Cinematheque presents thematically designed retrospectives of classic films as well as aesthetically significant contemporary releases in conjunction with the appearance of featured guest artists for lectures and panel discussions.

For a complete list of the Cinematheque’s fall 2006 and spring 2007 offerings, visit its Web site http://www.cinematheque.csun.edu/. For more information about Cinematheque, call the Department of Cinema and Television Arts at (818) 677-3192.