IAF cinematheque to screen Wilder’s black comedy-drama “The Front Page”

October 15, 2023 - 21:0

TEHRAN-The cinematheque of the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) in Tehran will screen “The Front Page,” directed by Billy Wilder, on Monday.

Following the screening of the movie at 5 p.m., a review session titled “The position of journalists in today's world” will be held with the presence of journalist and media specialist Saeid Arkanzadeh Yazdi, Honaronline reported.

“The Front Page” is a 1974 American black comedy-drama film starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. The screenplay by Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond is based on Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur's 1928 play of the same name, which inspired several other films and televised movies and series episodes.

The story in about the Successful Chicago newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson (Lemmon) who is hanging up his journalist's hat to marry Peggy Grant (Susan Sarandon). When his editor, the arrogant, self-important Walter Burns (Matthau), learns of Hildy's plans, he goes to great lengths to keep his star writer. They learn that the notorious (but possibly wrongfully accused) criminal, Earl Williams (Austin Pendleton), has escaped on the eve of his execution, and Hildy can't resist this one last sensational story.

Wilder won the David di Donatello Award for Best Director of a Foreign Film, and Lemmon and Matthau shared Best Foreign Actor honors with Burt Lancaster for Conversation Piece.

The film was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

Wilder and Diamond were nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium as well.

It will be the 557th program of the IAF cinematheque, which is dedicated to the screening of the famous films from Iran and the world.

The Iranian Artists Forum is situated at Artists Park on North Mousavi Street, Taleqani Street.

SS/SAB
 

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