Featuring an introduction from special guest Ed Siskel!
“RUSHMORE is an almost indefinable genre of its own. A comedy with a menacing edge? An ironic romance? Hard to call. Anderson, the director and co-writer, and Wilson, co-writer, have a vision like no one else's.” - Desson Thomson, Washington Post
“One of the freshest, richest, most original films to come out of Hollywood in a very long time.” - Dave Kehr, New York Daily News
“A true original: a film that stands apart from the crowd, goes its own way and all but dares you not to like it.” - Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
The dazzling sophomore film from Wes Anderson is equal parts coming-of-age story, French New Wave homage, and screwball comedy. Tenth grader Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) is Rushmore Academy’s most extracurricular student—and its least scholarly. He faces expulsion and enters into unlikely friendships with both a lovely first-grade teacher (Olivia Williams) and a melancholy self-made millionaire (Bill Murray, in an award-winning performance). Set to a soundtrack of classic British Invasion tunes, RUSHMORE defies categorization, capturing the pain and exuberance of adolescence with wit, emotional depth, and cinematic panache. (Criterion)
Festivals, Awards & Nominations
Nominee - Best Supporting Actor (Bill Murray), Most Promising Actor (Jason Schwartzman), Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Winner - Best Director, Best Supporting Male (Bill Murray), Film Independent Spirit Awards
ED SISKEL / RUSHMORE
“Growing up, I loved talking about movies with my Uncle Gene,” explained former Chicago Corporation Counsel Ed Siskel, “so I am thrilled to share Rushmore —one of my all time favorites — with the GSFC community. Wes Anderson’s sophomore (and occasionally sophomoric) film is a visually striking, wild ride that not only introduced the world to Jason Schwartzman, but thankfully revived the career of Chicago’s beloved Bill Murray.”
Ed Siskel joined Grosvenor Holdings, LLC as Chief Legal Officer in 2019. Prior to that, he served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. In that position, he was Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s senior legal advisor and supervised the City’s 450-person Law Department, which represents the City in all litigation, prosecutes municipal code violations, and handles transactional and regulatory matters.
Before serving as Corporation Counsel, Mr. Siskel was a partner with the Washington D.C. law firm WilmerHale and held a series of senior positions in the federal government. From 2010 to 2014, Mr. Siskel served in President Obama’s White House Counsel’s Office, including as Deputy White House Counsel, where he managed the Executive Branch’s response to Congressional and other investigations, and counseled senior White House officials. From 2009 to 2010, Mr. Siskel served as Associate Deputy Attorney General, where he handled a range of criminal justice policy and enforcement matters. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Siskel was an Assistant United States Attorney in Chicago where he prosecuted violent crime, financial fraud and public corruption cases.
Mr. Siskel received his law degree from The University of Chicago and his bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University. After graduating from law school, Mr. Siskel served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Dorothy Nelson.
Updated COVID-19 Protocols
Dear Friends,
We care deeply about the well-being and safety of our audiences and staff. With the recent rise of COVID-19 cases, we are updating our health and safety procedures to require proof of full vaccination* or a negative result on a COVID PCR test for all screenings and events at the Film Center.
We know it can be hard to enjoy a movie without knowing the status of the folks sitting close to you. Our hope is that these new procedures will allow you to relax and view our films in the way they’re meant to be seen--with your undivided attention to the screen.
Beginning on Friday, September 10, you will need a valid photo ID and one of the following items to gain entry to the Film Center:
- Physical vaccination card
- A legible photo, copy, or scan of your card; an image on your phone will be acceptable provided that it is legible
- Proof of a negative result on a COVID PCR test conducted within 72 hours of the film or event start time
*Full vaccination means any vaccine for COVID-19 which has received full or emergency use approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO). Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series or a single dose from a one-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use by the FDA or WHO.
You will need to show proof of vaccination status or a negative PCR test result as you enter the theater.
Children under 12 will not be permitted in the theater, since they are not yet eligible to receive a vaccine.
In addition, the Film Center will continue to implement the following safety protocols:
- In accordance with the Governor's recent Executive Order, all patrons and staff will be required to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth at all times while in the theater
- Staggered showtimes and ample time between shows to mitigate crowds
- Ticket pre-orders for films encouraged to reduce lines and guarantee seats
- Hand sanitizer and disposable face masks available for patrons
- Only 80% of our tickets will be available for sale
- No eating or drinking will be permitted in the theater; no concessions will be sold
The Film Center reserves the right to require patrons who do not follow these procedures to leave the theater immediately.
As always, if you are feeling unwell for any reason, please stay home and stream films instead of joining us at the theater. We are happy to refund or exchange your ticket for another time. In addition, please understand that while these updated procedures are intended to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19, there is nonetheless inherent risk to exposure in any indoor space where others are present. Those entering the theater do so at their own risk to such exposure.
If you have already purchased a ticket for a screening on Friday, September 10 (or beyond) but are unable to comply with these new procedures, please contact us at filmcenter@saic.edu for a refund.
We appreciate your cooperation and support as we continue to navigate the ever-changing COVID landscape.
See you at the movies!
--Your Friends at the Film Center