Author: Newsroom
Sat. Jun 8 – Fri. Jun 14, 2024
Los Feliz 3 and Egyptian Theatre
Co-presented by AAFCA
The American Cinematheque is honored to pay tribute to the late, great Richard Roundtree, an actor whose on-screen presence has rarely been rivaled and whose influence is forever etched into the tapestry of the American film industry. Considered “the first Black action hero,” Roundtree’s immense stardom in the 1970s opened doors for many Black stars to follow. In perhaps his most iconic role as the lead detective in Gordon Parks’ SHAFT (1971), a film often cited as an inventor of the blaxploitation genre, Roundtree’s performance ushered in a decade of genre films that allowed Black actors to star as leads in stories they chose, thus ‘reclaiming power over image.’
Other films include: ONCE UPON A TIME… WHEN WE WERE COLORED, Q: THE WINGED SERPENT, SHAFT’S BIG SCORE!, THELMA
SHAFT
Sat. Jun 8, 2024 | 7:00pm
Los Feliz 3
Co-presented by AAFCA
Richard Roundtree: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’
TICKETS
ONCE UPON A TIME… WHEN WE WERE COLORED
Tue. Jun 11, 2024 | 7:00pm
Los Feliz 3
Co-presented by AAFCA
‘Richard Roundtree: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’
TICKETS
Q: THE WINGED SERPENT
Wed. Jun 12, 2024 | 7:00pm
Los Feliz 3
Co-presented by AAFCA
‘Richard Roundtree: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’
TICKETS
SHAFT’S BIG SCORE!
Thu. Jun 13, 2024 | 7:00pm
Los Feliz 3
Co-presented by AAFCA
‘Richard Roundtree: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’
TICKETS
THELMA + Q&A with filmmaker Josh Margolin and actors June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Clark Gregg and Nicole Byer
Fri. Jun 14, 2024 | 7:00pm
Egyptian Theatre
Free Screening! LA Premiere!
’Richard Roundtree: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’
The feature directorial debut of Josh Margolin THELMA is a poignant action-comedy that gives veteran Oscar-nominee June Squibb (NEBRASKA) her first leading role and features the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree (SHAFT). Squibb, who did most of her own stunts in the film, plays Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (THE WHITE LOTUS’ Fred Hechinger) and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles, accompanied by an aging friend (Roundtree) and his motorized scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her.
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Written and Directed by Josh Margolin
Starring June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Malcolm McDowell
The feature directorial debut of Josh Margolin, THELMA is a poignant action-comedy that gives veteran Oscar® nominee June Squibb (NEBRASKA) her first leading role and features the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree (SHAFT). Squibb, who did most of her own stunts in the film, plays Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (The White Lotus’ Fred Hechinger) and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles, accompanied by an aging friend (Roundtree) and his motorized scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her. Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, and Malcolm McDowell also star.
Inspired by a real-life experience of Margolin’s own grandmother, THELMA puts a clever spin on movies like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, shining the spotlight on an elderly grandmother as an unlikely action hero. With infectious humor, Margolin employs the familiar tropes of the action genre in hilarious, age-appropriate ways to tackle aging with agency. In the first leading film role of her 70-year career, Squibb portrays the strong-willed Thelma with grit and determination, demonstrating that she is more than capable of taking care of business – despite what her daughter Gail (Posey), son-in-law Alan (Gregg), or grandson Danny might believe.
97 minutes