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Press Releases Martin Lewis kicks-off of “Mods & Rockers” Film Festival at The Egyptian Theater Film News And Views - Press Releases - Martin Lewis kicks-off of “Mods & Rockers” Film Festival at The Egyptian Theater Press Releases,,Martin Lewis kicks-off of “Mods & Rockers” Film Festival at The Egyptian Theater,recommendation,shopping,advice,simple,movies,films,film news and views,news and views,film industy,movie reviews,film news,film,news,views,television,made for tv movies,interactive entertainment,hollywood,hollywood news,celebrity news,insiders perspective,film reviewer,watch film,film trailer,new releases,new release,new release movie,new release film,movie reviewer,opinion,viewpoint,forum,discussion
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Martin Lewis kicks-off of “Mods & Rockers” Film Festival at The Egyptian Theater
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Jul 09, 2007
On Sunday, July 15 in the lovely courtyard of Grauman’s
Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, you can celebrate the official weekend opening
of the Eighth Annual “Mods & Rockers” Film Festival with a free open-air
concert, featuring rock veteran Spencer Davis (whose hits include “Gimme Some
Lovin,” “I’m A Man”), with special guest, Stephen Bishop (“It Might Be You”
theme from Tootsie), and Monterey ’67
– full costume recreations of music by The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin,
Jefferson Airplane, and Mamas And Papas.
In addition, The Ravers will perform the British Invasion Tribute Band
performing hits by The Stones, Animals and Yardbirds. The Records will also play – they perform
70’s-80’s power-pop! The day is simply
called “Rock Like An Egyptian” – and it was coined by the British-born Martin
Lewis, the founder/producer of the “Mods
& Rockers” Film Festival, which runs July 13-August 1 at The Egyptian and
Aero Theatres in conjunction with The American Cinematheque. In addition, the most popular celebration of
rock movies in the country, will kick off July 13 at The Egyptian with the West
Coast premiere of a rare Beatles documentary from 1964 called What’s Happening! The Beatles In The USA by
legendary documentary filmmakers Albert and David
Maysles, followed by their historical 1969
doc Gimme Shelter starring The
Rolling Stones. Other festival
highlights include an entire weekend saluting Stax Records – a tribute to the
late, great founder of Atlantic Records, Ahmet
Ertegun and on July 14, a tribute to the
late iconic singer/songwriter Harry
Nilsson.
I chatted with Martin
Lewis recently to find out more about the
2007 “Mods & Rockers” film festival, which includes an outdoor art
exhibition presented by www.Art1967.com called The Art Of Rockers exhibiting artworks
by Grace Slick,
Ronnie Wood,
Jimi Hendrix,
Janis Joplin,
Sebastian Krager,
and John Lennon. In fact, this year’s Fest is stronger than
ever with forty films in the three week festival – and a 40th
anniversary screening of D.A. Pennebaker’s
Monterey Pop on July 19, a digitally
restored version of the classic – preceded by rare Monterey
outtakes, and a post discussion with Pennebaker, Michelle
Phillips, Grace
Slick, Eric
Burdon, and other surprise guests! That’s a hot, hot ticket…Renaissance ‘Mods’…
<><>Martin Lewis is a twenty first century Renaissance Man, who
was a mod, and has been successful
taking multiple roles – a writer, performer, producer, comedic performer,
columnists, humorist, monologist, radio host, TV host, master of ceremonies,
talent manager, record company owner, independent film distributor, film
festival curator, political commentator, pioneering of benefit events, human
rights activist, and an award winning publicity and marketing strategist –
whew! How can anyone have time for all
this?! That’s a true ‘Renaissance’ man –
he is the creator/co-founder, producer of the wildly successful “Mods &
Rockers” Festival. I conversed with him
about the “birth” of the Film Fest, and how it’s still growing…
<>
Kat Kramer:
You’ve been so successful with this most unique Film Festival. How did it start? How was the idea ‘born”?
<>
Martin Lewis:
Here’s the thing, I first became acquainted with Filmex – the
organization that inspired The American Cinematheque when I came over from England
with The Secret Policemen’s Ball
films, which I produced. At the same
time, I was the chairman of BAFTA/LA and I started doing collaborations with
Cinematheque. The first one was a
retrospective of Peter Seller’s
films. I felt that the people at The
Cinematheque were my ‘blood brothers’ – they were “passionate” about films and
the notion of putting films on the big screen was important to them. They weren’t a social crowd – they were
dedicated to their audience. I joined
the board of trustees, and when the idea came up for “Mods & Rockers” (my
idea along with former programming head, Dennis
Bartok), it was a collaboration. I said “you know what, this is no longer just
a series or a retrospective – this is a festival.” So from day one, we wanted to make it
“festive” – a variety of activities.
<>
KK: Tell me about the “Monterey Pop”
anniversary?
<>
ML: Well I knew it was the 40th
anniversary this year of the Monterey Pop Festival (1967), I wanted to honor
it. But it got me thinking about my very
first boss and mentor, Jerry Taylor
– who was The Beatles publicist, but also the publicist for
the Monterey Pop Fest. He was always talking
about how special it was and how glorious the mood. So I decided to take a leaf from Book Of
Monterey, it was not just music – it was all the other arts – the visual arts –
a real festival in the fullest sense of the word. So in addition to the films, we have our
first ever art exhibition in the courtyard during the festival, featuring Grace
Slick and Ronnie
Wood.
<>
KK: Tell me how Art1967.com became involved?
<>
ML: The visual arts is important to me, and I was
talking with Bill Thompson, who is the manager of Grace Slick and looks after
the business interests of Jefferson Airplane, and I knew Grace was an artist so
I arranged with him to showcase her art during “Mods & Rockers,” because
she’s been an artist for twenty years, and that’s just as important to her as
her music, which impacted the culture.
We got in touch with Art1967.com, which is run by Scott
Hart – he represents Grace,
Ronnie Wood
– and the fabulous German artist, Sebastian
Krager – who is famous for his Rolling
Stones portraits. He also represents the
artwork of Janis Joplin
and Jimi Hendrix. We hatched a plan together. Let’s make the
art – that would enhance the experience for the festival goer, but also make it
completely free for everybody. You don’t
have to be going to the films (we hope you do see them, obviously – you’ll be
missing out if you don’t), but you don’t have to – you can look at the art,
listen to the music in the courtyard, and experience it for its own sake.
<>
KK: You also have a new addition next door at the
Pig N’ Whistle?
<>
ML: Well it goes along with the free outdoor
concert and art as a new way to experience these rare films – most of them not
out on DVD. The “Mods & Rockers”
clubhouse will debut this year at the landmark “Pig N’ Whistle” (open in 1926)
and we will make it our version of SoHo House, the hottest private club you can
get into. It will be open most evenings
til 2 AM. Check the website for details.
<>
KK: Tell me about your sponsors?
<>
ML: We’ve got great support from Gibson
Guitars – who are providing a lot of the equipment. We are also getting great help from Virgin
Megastores, who are spreading the word, and I hope it’s going to an exciting,
monumental three weeks!
<>
It’s clear that Martin
Lewis is bringing a genuine rock film
festival to Los Angeles. For the complete list of films, events,
special guests visit www.modsandrockers.com
<>
Katharine Kramer
is an actress, singer, and producer.
www.KatharineKramer.com
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June 5, 2020
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