Press Release

Contact: ..........................................................................March 8 , 2005
Susan Clayton
Press Coordinator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lifetime Achievement Award to be given to the
late brother of Albert Maysles, David too

Opening Night - 8:00pm, Friday, April 1, 2005

Chicago, IL - - The Chicago International Documentary Festival (CIDF) will pay tribute to celebrated filmmakers and brothers, David (1928-1987) and Albert Maysles, by awarding them the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award during the Opening Night Gala on Friday, April 1, 2005 at the Doc Films- Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall (1212 E. 59th Street). The gala will feature a cocktail reception with live entertainment starting at 6pm, followed by the award presentation and film screening at 8pm. Tickets are $50 per person to attend the reception and screening or $20 per person for the screening alone.

Earlier releases acknowledged that the 78 year old Albert would receive the Festival’s initial decoration of the award. Now the CIDF is proud to announce that David will be honored this first year as well. The CIDF Lifetime Achievement Award was conceived to honor filmmakers who have made significant contributions to the genre of documentary filmmaking, therefore Albert’s and David’s works will be rewarded.

Since the 1960’s the Maysles have been inspirational leaders in non-fiction films, as they were among the first to capture the drama of human life as it unfolded before their camera: without scripts, sets, or narration. Specifically, the brothers played important roles in the development of cinema verité, designing highly portable cameras and sound equipment that offer filmmakers minimal interference while documenting their subjects.

Before teaming up with his brother Albert in 1957, David worked as a production assistant on two Marilyn Monroe features. In 1962, the brothers formed their own production company and went on to make many documentary films for the silver screen as well as for television.

Their best-known documentaries are SALESMAN (1969), an intimate portrait of four door-to-door Bible salesmen from Boston. Released with a great success theatrically and regarded as the classic American documentary, the film was honored by the Library of Congress for its historical, cultural and aesthetic significance and GIMME SHELTER (1970), a disturbing, controversial chronicle of a Rolling Stones concert during which four people were killed by the Hell's Angels hired by the band to keep fans off the stage. The Maysles captured one of those brutal murders on film, repeatedly showing it throughout the documentary.

In 1974, David was nominated for an Academy Award for VALLEY CURTAIN, the first of three documentaries looking at the life and work of idiosyncratic outdoor artist Christo. He continued working until his death on January 3, 1987; in addition to his documentary VLADIMIR HOROWITZ: THE LAST ROMANTIC, which was released the same year, another project, BEATLES: THE FIRST U.S. VISIT, was released posthumously in 1991.

Established in 2003, the CIDF is a thought-provoking 10-day film event, dedicated to the celebration and cultivation of the documentary film. The eclectic programming is designed to extend appreciation of the art of documentary film and its unique power to inspire and communicate a world of ideas and cultures. Each edition presents an array of extraordinary programs, showcasing the work of brilliant filmmakers and providing a venue for established and emerging artists of film. This year over $50,000 in unrestricted cash plus other prizes will be awarded by a jury.

Tickets may be purchased daily from noon - 6:00 pm. at the CIDF Main Box Office, c/o The Society for Arts (1112 Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622), or charged by phone at (866) 466-ARTS and online at www.chicagodocfestival.org. Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover are accepted and all charges are subject to a nominal handling charge. For up-to-date and detailed Festival information, visit www.chicagodocfestival.org or call (773) 486-9612.
Presented by the Society for Arts, the CIDF is a non-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that depends on contributions from individuals, businesses and government to make the program possible.

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