Fame
"You've got big dreams... You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying. In sweat."
We're kicking off September with an endearing back-to-school classic that that captures the dreams, anxieties, ambitions, victories and "hot lunch jams" of those perilous educational years, Sir Alan Parker's iconic musical FAME.
Set against the gritty backdrop of New York City's legendary LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (which has since come to be more commonly known as, "the FAME school") in the 70s, the film chronicles the high school journey, from audition through graduation, of several ambitious and talented teenagers who must prove their mettle at the prestigious - not to mention highly competitive - school. Often raw and unflinching in its portrayal of teen life, the students must navigate through heartbreak, school work, adolescence and adult challenges if they want to steer the course and realize their dreams.
Featuring knockout performances from an eclectic and diverse cast, the film memorably won Oscars for both Best Score and Best Song ("Fame," which was performed by the late Irena Cara, who also appeared in the film as 'Coco'), spawned a long-running TV show, a stage musical, and a remake in 2008. With Eddie Barth, Lee Curreri, Paul McCrane, Debbie Allen, Barry Miller, Richard Belzer, Gene Anthony Ray, and Anne Meara.
"A jubilant, hugely entertaining movie by a man whose principal directing experience has been the making of commercials, and so it is happier, sexier and a little bit livelier than life." (New York Times)
"A genuine treasure, moving and entertaining." (Roger Ebert)
Thur, Sept 4 • Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm
Rio Theatre
1660 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC
