From Friday, November 24th to Tuesday, November 28th, Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre will present a retrospective dedicated to the early works of legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Featuring both his early career-making blockbusters, as well as his rarely seen feature directorial debut; the retrospective titled “Spielberg: The Early Years”, will present films that helped Spielberg rise to prominence and secured his place in the vanguard of leading American filmmakers.
Renowned for his unparalleled contributions to the world of cinema, Steven Spielberg is recognized as one of the greatest American filmmakers of all time, with many of his works considered among the most important films in history. With an unparalleled ability to create films that are both critically and financially success, Spielberg holds the distinction of being the highest grossing director of all time, with his films earning more than 10.5 billion dollars. As a co-founder of Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks SKG, he has also been a driving force in the development of new talent and innovative storytelling in the film industry.
With a career spanning over five decades, Spielberg’s films have earned 147 Academy Award nominations, winning 35, with two Best Director and one Best Picture win going to the influential director. A master storyteller, transcending both era and genre; Spielberg’s films are known for their ability to capture the essence of human experiences, connecting with audiences on an emotional level and drawing them into captivating narratives that resonate with audiences throughout the world.
The films included in the retrospective are his early career hits Jaws (1975), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), along with his seldom seen feature directorial debut, Duel (1971)
Film Screening Info for Spielberg: The Early Years:
JAWS
Friday, November 24th at 7:00 PM
When a great white shark swims into the town of Amity during the Fourth of July holiday and begins munching on vacationers, it sets off a battle on both land and in the sea. Based on Peter Benchley's best-selling novel, Spielberg's legendary masterpiece stars Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw as the three men who find themselves in an unforgettable battle with the giant shark. (USA, 1975, 124 mins, PG, English | Dir. Steven Spielberg)
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
Saturday, November 25th at 7:00 PM
A collaboration between George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Raiders of the Lost Ark redefined the possibilities of adventure cinema, winning four Academy Awards, and launched actor Harrison Ford to a legendary status. The year is 1936 and the intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones sets out in search of the fabled Lost Ark of the Covenant, racing a bitter rival and his Nazi cohorts to the prize. Over the course of a hair-raising adventure, Indy endures explosions, spiders, snakes, booby traps, and bad guys in his quest to save the holy relic. (USA, 1981, 115 mins, PG, English | Dir. Steven Spielberg)
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND
Sunday, November 26th at 7:00 PM
In the night skies near his Indiana home, power repairman Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) experiences something out of this world. His close encounter, and other bizarre occurrences happening around the world, set in motion an amazing chain of events that leads to contact with the benevolent aliens and their Mothership. Spectacular special effects, John Williams' outstanding score and winning performances from Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon and legendary director Francois Truffaut in the role of Lacombe makes Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters movie magic of the best kind. (USA, 1977, 138 mins, PG, English | Dir. Steven Spielberg)
DUEL
Tuesday, November 28th at 7:30 PM
Steven Spielberg’s first feature length film is a high-velocity thriller about a motorist terrorized by an evil truck. Jumpstarting the director's big-screen career, with a gripping, action-packed story. Dennis Weaver stars as the traveling salesman waging a desperate battle for survival after he is mysteriously singled out. Praised for its deft use of relentlessly mounting psychological tension, Duel features one of the most uniquely terrifying "characters" in movie history: a massive, roaring, 40-ton truck with sheer menace. (USA, 1971, 90 mins, English | Dir. Steven Spielberg)
Additional Event Information:
Location: Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave, Huntington, NY 11743
Fees per event: $15 Public | $10 Cinema Arts Centre Members
You can purchase tickets or find more information about this and other events on the Cinema Arts Centre website: www.cinemaartscentre.org.
About Cinema Arts Centre:
The Cinema Arts Centre (CAC) is Long Island’s premiere, year-round, independent and international film showcase and its leading 501(c)3 not-for-profit community cinema. Located on Long Island’s North Shore, just an hour from Manhattan, the CAC is unique in scope and programming, with three state-of-the-art theaters, including a main theater holding nearly 300 seats. Founded by Vic Skolnick, Charlotte Sky and Dylan Skolnick in 1973, the CAC has over 10,000 members and serves approximately 150,000 individuals each year. For more information, please visit https://cinemaartscentre.org.