The Rooftop Films 2008 Summer Series

Unexpected juxtapositions and surreal short films, preceded by a performance by pianist Bruce Levingston and the world premiere of a score for piano inspired by short films from MoMA's Dali: Painting and Film exhibition.

Venue: on the roof of the Open Road Rooftop
Address: 350 Grand Street @ Essex (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
Directions: F/J/M/Z to Essex / Delancey
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Acclaimed pianist Bruce Levingston performs live music and a world premiere score by Keeril Makan
9:00PM: Films
11:30PM - 1:00AM: Open Bar After Party at Fontana’s (105 Eldridge St @ Grand) Courtesy of Radeberger beer
Tickets: $9 at going.com

Preview: See short films from this and other programs at www.IFC.com
Presented in partnership with: Premiere Commission, IFC.com, New York magazine, Open Road New York & New Design High School

Film and Music Program :
Rooftop Films and Premiere Commission present an extraordinary night of short films and live music inspired by the life and art of Salvador Dali. The evening begins with a live performance by the acclaimed concert pianist Bruce Levingston, who will be playing swirling and ethereal works. Mr. Levingston will conclude his set with the world premiere of a new score by Keeril Makan for the screening “Dali: Home Movie, 1954,” and "Menjant garotes", two short films from Dali: Painting and Film, an upcoming exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. This will be followed by a new composition by the composer that will accompany a screening of excerpts from Red Bucket Films' "Buttons."

Menjant garotes (Eating Sea Urchins) (Luis Bunuel | 1930 | Spain | 4:00)
While on location in Cadaqués to shoot scenes for L'Age d'or (1930), Buñuel made this home movie featuring Dalí's estranged father and stepmother in an intimate moment: dining alfresco on sea urchins, a local delicacy. Courtesy Filmoteca de Catalunya-ICIC

Dali: Home Movie, 1954 (Alma De Luce | 1954 | Spain | 1:47)
Color home movie footage shot by Alma De Luce in July 1954 at the Port Lligat, Spain home of Salvador Dalí. Dalí clowns around with a wooden pitchfork, mimicking the actions of his much beloved silent film comedians Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin.

Buttons (Excerpts) (Josh Safdie, Alex Kalman, Benny Safdie| 2008 | New York)
Josh, Benny and Alex roam the world with video cameras in hand, capturing loose, magical moments. They collect these instances like they are little buttons, so that is what they call them. Red Bucket's first feature film, The Pleasure of Being Robbed was selected for the 2008 Cannes Directors Fortnight.

The pianist:
Pianist Bruce Levingston is one of today's leading figures in contemporary music. Many of the country's most important composers have written works for him including Philip Glass. The New Yorker describes him as "elegant and engaging", "a poetic pianist who has a gift for inventive - and glamorous - programming". Mr. Levingston is also Artistic Director of the Premiere Commission and has sat on the board of Rooftop Films since 2006.

The composer:
Winner of the 2008 Rome Prize, Keeril Makan writes music that challenges description and thwarts assumptions about what is beautiful.

Short Films Program:
Following Mr. Levingston’s performance, Rooftop Films will present a program of new surreal short films.

Click on the films below to read descriptions, rate them, add them to your calendar, and more.