Facets Multimedia

By Lou Carlozo | March 21, 1996
In Europe, the dubbing of foreign language films is common practice. And "the bigger (the movie) is," says Milos Stehlik, director of Facets Multimedia, a non-profit arts center in Chicago, "the more likely it will be dubbed." Although in the larger European cities, there is often a choice. In Paris, for instance, moviegoers can see most American films either dubbed or subtitled--the latter designated in movie listings as "V.O." for "version originale." Two examples of how American films got voice makeovers: - "Waiting to Exhale."
By John Petrakis | August 4, 2000
David Williams' "Thirteen" is a remarkable movie about unremarkable people. Shot in and around the mountains of Virginia, Williams' low-key effort follows one difficult year in the life of a 13-year-old black girl named Nina, as seen through the loving eyes of her aged mother, Lillian. As the film begins, it appears as if "Thirteen" is going to rely on high drama to drive its engine, as Nina runs away from home to seek solace and adventure. But with a quality of understatement that is refreshing for such a key story moment, Nina saunters home after a few days, explaining that it was cold out there.
By John Petrakis | February 23, 2001
(star)(star) 1/2 Direct from last year's Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Festival comes "Criminal Lovers," a French import that starts out as a "killers on the run" movie and gradually evolves into a Brothers Grimm -- and very grim -- fairytale. The disturbing tale revolves around a pretty and pretty-screwed-up young girl named Alice (the talented Natacha Regnier, from "Dreamlife of Angels"), who gets her kicks from controlling her dimwitted but obedient boyfriend, Luc (Jeremie Renier from "LaPromesse")
September 25, 1998
The French writer-director Benoit Jacquot makes movies about the sex lives of beautiful women. But he's no pornographer. Jacquot's films -- including "The Disenchanted" -- are serious, probing, psychologically astute, very well-acted and made with an intensity, grace and speed that recalls the '60s French New Wave. "The Disenchanted," a 1990 film (unrelated to Budd Schulberg's novel), is, like Jacquot's 1995 "A Single Girl," an examination of a brief span of personal crises in the life of a Rimbaud-loving young student in the process of leaving her lover.
By John Petrakis. Special to the Tribune | September 6, 2002
Attention, all bored cinephiles who are perpetually frustrated with the appalling lack of cutting-edge films that challenge the brain. Yes, you: you who found both "Memento" and "Mulholland Drive" to be too facile for your razor-sharp, crossword-puzzle-solving abilities. Has Facets Multimedia got a film for you. It's called "Chaos," and rarely does a film's title so aptly suggest what is transpiring in the cluttered mind of the viewer. This stylish 1999 Japanese mystery starts innocently enough, as a beautiful wife and her wealthy older husband are dining at an exclusive restaurant.
By John Petrakis. Special to the Tribune | November 19, 1999
The First Nations 6th Annual Film and Video Festival, a multimedia celebration of Native American art and culture (with special emphasis on films and tapes written, directed and produced by Native Americans), begins Friday and continues through Sunday. Co-sponsored by the Institute for Native American Development and the Red Path Theatre Company (the only Native American theater company in Chicago), the festival will play out at three venues in Chicago: the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; Facets Multimedia, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.; and The Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive.
By John Petrakis. Special to the Tribune | September 10, 1999
While many movie lovers are prone to think of Facets Multimedia merely as the best place in the city to rent or buy those obscure videos, it is also a significant player as a more traditional movie house, dedicated to art films and foreign releases. The fall season looks to be especially hardy. Facets highlights for September include "Little Sister" (Sept. 17) by Dutch director Robert Jan Westdijk, which uses the dramatic device of a highly subjective camera to unearth some rather tawdry secrets about a college student and her prying older brother, and "The Jaundiced Eye" (Sept.
By Rudy Rodriguez | September 18, 1992
Thinking about taking a trip to Spain or perhaps Latin America? Latino Film Festival director Pepe Vargas believes that film provides the opportunity for just such an excursion. The consistent goal of the eighth annual event, to be held this year from Sept. 25 through Oct. 4, is "to create an awareness about Latinos and destroy stereotypes," Vargas says. "Increased press coverage and higher attendance by filmgoers of many ethnic backgrounds is gradually making this possible." For the first time, audiences will vote to determine which films are most popular.
By Michael Wilmington, Tribune Movie Critic | May 11, 1997
`Batman and Robin," "Hercules," "Speed 2: Cruise Control" and "The Lost World" are among the huge-profile movies being released this summer. If you're within reach of a TV, a radio, a newspaper or a movie screen, you'll probably have no difficulty finding out about them. But what of the more modestly budgeted -- yet sometimes great -- films being released in the same period? Here is a list of a few major Chicago summer film events you won't hear about so easily. "Berlin Alexanderplatz.
By Kevin McKeough | October 12, 2001
Name: Catherine McBride Job: Director of marketing, Facets Multimedia Years: Six Q. Facets has 18,000 videos available for rent and 50,000 available for purchase. How many of them have you seen? A. Could I have seen 10,000 films, is that possible? I've been watching movies all my life, so I don't know. It's quite ideal for me to work here, 'cause I am addicted to films and I get to see them all for free. Q. Aside from watching movies, what are your job responsibilities?