The Silver Images Film Festival, which specializes in films and videos about aging and the aged, draws to a close this weekend with some of the better offerings from this year’s 18-day event.
Following are capsule reviews of films available for preview. Admission is free, except where noted. For more festival details, call 773-881-8491 or visit online at www.terranova.org.
“Walter Rosenblum: In Search of Pitt Street” (star)(star)1/2 (Nina Rosenblum; U.S.).
Legendary photographer Walter Rosenblum, whose rich black-and-white portraits of social realism have had a profound influence on American art and politics, gets the glowing bio treatment from his daughter, Nina, in this 60-minute documentary. Though the film is a bit too careful about presenting her dad sans flaws, director Rosenblum makes the wise decision to include as many of her father’s stunning and celebrated photos as the film will allow, including shots from D-Day, the liberation of Dachau, the Spanish Civil War, and a long series from the neighborhood in New York where he grew up. (10 a.m. Friday; Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St.)
“Poker Face” (star)(star)(star) (Eitan Aner; Israel).
The growing problem of Alzheimer’s disease is handled with maturity and restraint in this 50-minute Israeli film about a 58-year-old watchmaker and his wife. Alex and Anna have been attending a regular Friday night gathering with close friends for 16 years, where Alex has shown off his considerable skills as a poker player. But as his once-sharp mind has dulled, the game has deteriorated accordingly, and now the other players want him replaced. Anna, who knows how this banishment would injure her husband’s pride, fights to keep it from happening. (1 p.m. Friday; Chicago Cultural Center)
“The Highwaymen” (star)(star) (Julia D’Amico; U.S.).
This one-hour film makes the common mistake of assuming all you need to do to make a telling documentary is hand someone a microphone and have him ramble on about the subject at hand. As a result, this promising story about a group of African-American landscape artists who found fame with their seemingly tacky, but now cherished, paintings of the Florida countryside is not very informative, as it ignores questions of training, influence, motivation and historical perspective. Luckily for director D’Amico, the men and women who did the original paintings in the 1960s (at least those who are still around) are a lively crew. (1 p.m. Friday; Chicago Cultural Center)
“Rue du Retrait” (star)(star)(star)1/2 (Rene Feret; France).
This feature-length tale of friendship and loss is the highlight of the festival, as it examines the burgeoning relationship between a successful, if lonely, middle-aged businesswoman and a tough old woman, the survivor of a hard life, who is struggling to live her last days with a modicum of dignity despite bad health and lack of funds. At first, the businesswoman seems to be playing good Samaritan, but as the friendship evolves, it becomes evident that this is a two-way street, with each of them gaining strength and solace from the other. Based on a novel by Doris Lessing, Feret’s film does an admirable job of celebrating the twin virtues of patience and persistence. (3 p.m. Sunday; Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Admission: $8. A discussion will take place after the screening at the Gene Siskel Cafe.
