Shakespeare on Film

Featuring Guest Alfred Molina Hosted by John Nein, Sundance Film Festival Senior Programmer
Thursday, Mar 23, 2017 | 7:30pm Mark Taper Auditorium-Central Library

Lost & Found at the Movies is the Library Foundation’s series celebrating the art of cinema and the vitality of film culture. Eclectic in theme and varying in form, this onstage magazine explores how we lose ourselves and find ourselves at the movies.

In closing out the America’s Shakespeare: The Bard Goes West exhibit, Lost & Found celebrates the rich history of Shakespeare on film and the evolving relationship between the Elizabethan era’s great playwright and the 20th century’s great art form.

It’s a story that begins, ironically, in the silent era with literally hundreds of films adapted from or inspired by Shakespeare despite the nascent cinema form’s inability to even employ Shakespeare’s words! Though most have been lost to time, many treasures still exist.

We’re joined by Alfred Molina, whose passion for Shakespeare can be traced back to his childhood in London and as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. As part of the company, Molina appeared in several productions, including Troilus and Cressida and King Lear. He has subsequently appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of As You Like It, and Julie Taymor’s The Tempest. We explore the challenges and nuances of approaching Shakespeare as a performer.

We also unearth quirky stories of Shakespeare Gone Hollywood, from the bard’s run-ins with the Production Code (which took issue with Max Reinhardt’s fairy costumes) to a rare glimpse of Zeffirelli’s star-crossed lovers hitting…Beverly Hills.

And we round out the fun with a quirky snippet of Shakespearean cinema live-dubbed by the inimitable Improvised Shakespeare Company.

LFLA Member reception to follow.

Lost & Found at the Movies is generously supported by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

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John Nein

John Nein

John Nein is a senior programmer at the Sundance Film Festival and deals primarily with US and international feature films. He also plans the festival’s panels and runs the Institute’s film preservation initiative. John grew up in Europe and the United States, studied history at Carleton College and earned his MFA from UCLA’s Film Directing program, where he made several award-winning shorts and lobbied tirelessly for better coffee in the vending machines.

Alfred Molina

Alfred Molina is an accomplished London-born actor whose diverse and distinguished gallery of performances has led to a lengthy and triumphant career. Some of his most unforgettable performances include portraying hedonistic Mexican muralist Diego Rivera in the rave reviewed multi-award nominated film “Frida” (2002) opposite Salma Hayek and directed by Julie Taymor (SAG Awards nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role), Jewish milkman Teyve in the 2004 Broadway revival of the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” (Tony nominated for Best Actor), deranged drug dealer Rahad Jackson in the critically acclaimed film “Boogie Nights” (1997) for director Paul Thomas Anderson and comic book villain Doc Ock in the blockbuster hit sequel “Spider-Man 2” (2004) opposite Tobey Maguire for director Sam Raimi.
Molina started his career with an education at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London and quickly gained membership into England’s prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company. He performed in classics like “Troilus and Cressida” and new original works like “Frozen Assets” and “Dingo.”  In 1979, he won acclaim and the Plays and Players Award as Most Promising New Actor as The Maniac in “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” at London’s Half Moon Theatre.
Other credits include “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), Brian Gilbert’s “Not Without my Daughter” (1991), “Enchanted April” (1992), and the comic western “Maverick” (1994), Woody Allen’s “Celebrity” (1998), Stanley Tucci’s “The Impostors” (1998). In 1999 Molina re-teamed with director Paul Thomas Anderson for his epic ensemble drama “Magnolia”, and Lasse Hallström’s Oscar-nominated romantic comedy “Chocolat” (2000).
After wrapping on the Ryan Murphy produced FX series “Feud” opposite Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon, Molina recently revisited his theater roots with a role in Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama “A Long Day’s Journey into Night” for the Geffen Playhouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does Lost & Found at the Movies cost to attend?

    Lost & Found at the Movies is free to attend.

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    While priority notification is given to LFLA Members, non-Members are welcome to attend if space allows. However, the complimentary reception following the program is limited to Members.

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    Unless otherwise noted, Lost & Found at the Movies is held at the downtown Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium.

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  • Where do I purchase the speaker’s book?

    Occasionally a guest on Lost & Found at the Movies is touring with a book. Books are made available for purchase at programs or can be purchased while making your online reservation. In order to participate in the book signing, you must purchase at least one book.