WILD RIVER

WILD RIVER is Elia Kazan's most neglected film and, in the eyes of many critics, his best. Montgomery Clift plays a New Deal administrator sent to rural Tennessee to evict a stubborn matriarch (Jo Van Fleet) whose homestead stands in the way of TVA progress. The film's fascinating ambivalence stems from the way that Clift's liberal politics are upstaged by the old woman's flinty integrity and her daughter-in-law's (Lee Remick) full-blooded passion. This newly struck print showcases the film's breathtaking widescreen-and-color visuals, which combine sweeping Fordian lyricism with gritty Depression-era realism à la Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. (MR) Screened in 2010 as part of Elia Kazan's American Century. 35mm screenings generously supported by Mimi and Scott Manzler.

Dialogue: Monday, November 2, 6:00 p.m. screening presented by Karina Longworth, creator and host of You Must Remember This podcast.

25 For 25

To celebrate 25 years on State Street, the 25 For 25 series revisits standout titles from our State Street history, spotlighting films that have lit up our screens since 2001 and reflecting on the Siskel Film Center’s programming legacy. Each selection connects to a past Siskel program, highlighting the Siskel Film Center’s long-standing commitment to diverse and innovative curation.

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu