Jonathan Demme Honored At Coolidge

The first full day of events began with an afternoon fundraiser for Haitain relief for Dr. Paul Farmer's Partners in Health. This event was an example of  his social activism. The screening of a sensitive and poignant documentary by Demme, The Agronomist, underscored his commitment to human rights and the plight of others. This film is the story of a Haitian radio journalist and human rights activist, Jean Dominique. Over $ 6000 was raised for Partners in Health by the screening.

Dominique was from an upper class, ruling Haitian family that has run things for their own benefit for decades. Historical footage of the history of Haiti's tumultuous past was integrated with interviews with the heroic Dominique himself and his wife/collaborator Michele Montas, a heroic person in her own right. The more contemporary footage was shot before and after Dominique's assassination in April 2003.

After a reception for Mr. Demme at a stately private home in Brookline, there was another presentation that included musician Robin Hitchcock (who performed) and Declan Quinn, a cinematographer who filmed Rachel Getting Married and the Neil Young documentary with Demme. One of Demme's early documentaries was called Subway Hitchcock that featured Robin Hitchcock in the early days as a musician. This was followed by Neil Young's Trunk Show, a  documentary of a recent concert that had its Northeastern premiere at the Coolidge. 

Music has been a major interest of Demme throughout his career and has been integrated into all of his major pictures. His work in music videos and documentaries about musicians pepper his resume. He has previously done award-winning documentaries on Talking Heads, Bruce Springsteen as well as Neil Young.

The next day started with an afternoon screening of Demme's first major commercial success, Melvin and Howard (1980), followed by a panel hosted by the distinguished film critic Elvis Mitchell.

After a reception for Mr. Demme at the Coolidge, the Colidge Award Ceremony began at 8 P.M. with screenwriter/actress Jenny Lumet as mistress of ceremonies. Lumet is Director Sydney Lumet's daughter and the granddaughter of singer Ertha Kitt.  Honoring Demme with speeches and letters interspersed with film clips and music, a group of his friends and colleagues spoke glowingly ot him as a director, artist, humanitarian and mensch. Jamaican Rap star and Demme collaborator Sister Carol sang during the program. Included were Lumet, mystery writer Walter Mosley, actor/dancer/clown Bill Irwin, playwright Beth Henley, cinematographer Tak Fujimoto, movie maven Elvis Mitchell and Roger Corman, Demme's mentor. 

Roger Corman is the auteur of exploitation films. He is the King of "B" movies. Starting out as a messenger for 20th Century Fox, he worked his way up to story analyst, then in 1953 as producer and screenwriter. He started to direct films in 1955. among others, he directed the 1960 version of The Little Shop of Horrors and Vincent Price's series of Edgar Allen Poe films. He retired from directing in 1971 but continued to produce and distribute both low-budget exploitation films distinguished art films. His films were always entertaining and never made with large budgets. He was the early mentor to not only  Demme but Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorcese, James Cameron, Joe Dante and Peter Bogdanovich. His influence on film is immeasurable.  Demme is presenting Roger Corman with a Lifetime Achievement Oscar at this year's Academy Awards.

The Coolidge Corner Theatre is one of those magical venues that transcends its location and even present time. It carries us to new places in our hearts, minds and imaginations. The celebration of Jonathan Demme's Coolidge Award is one of those events that makes this magic a reality.