Salma Hayek will appear at the Film Society of Lincoln Center for an informal chat in the Amphitheater about her latest project, the animated feature Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, on which she served as a producer and lent her voice.
Based on the book of the title (which has sold over 100 million copies in 40 languages since its publication in 1923), the film, opening August 7, intersperses Gibran’s elegant poetry with stunning animated sequences by Tomm Moore (Song of the Sea), Nina Paley (Sita Sings the Blues), Bill Plympton (Guide Dog), and a host of other award-winning animators from around the world. Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet is set in a Mediterranean seaside village where Kamila (Hayek) cleans house for the exiled artist and poet Mustafa (Liam Neeson), but the more difficult job is keeping her free-spirited young daughter, Almitra (Quvenzhané Wallis), out of trouble. The trio embark on a journey meant to end with Mustafa’s return home—but first they must evade the authorities who fear that Mustafa’s words will incite rebellion.
Hayek is well known for her work in front of the camera with roles in Dogma, Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Savages, Wild Wild West, and Frida (which earned her an Oscar nomination) and small-screen appearances on 30 Rock and Ugly Betty. Hayek also works extensively behind the camera, where she has served as both director and producer (and as executive-producer of Ugly Betty). In 2003, Hayek produced and directed the Showtime film The Maldonado Miracle, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Children/Youth/Family Special. Hayek will talk about her work both as an actress and a filmmaker.
Free tickets will be distributed at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center box office (144 West 65th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam) on a first-come, first-served basis starting one hour prior to the talks. Limit one ticket per person, subject to availability.
America’s pre-eminent film presentation organization, The Film Society of Lincoln Center was founded in 1969 to celebrate American and international cinema, to recognize and support new filmmakers, and to enhance awareness, accessibility and understanding of the art among a broad and diverse film going audience.
The Film Society is best known for two world-class international festivals—the New York Film Festival (the most famous and prestigious in the country), and New Directors/New Films (celebrating new cinematic artists). It runs two state-of-the-art year round cinemas, the Walter Reade Theater (268 seats) and the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (90 seats, 150 seats and the 75-seat Amphitheater), and publishes the country’s most respected cinematic journal, Film Comment. Each year the organization presents its annual Gala Tribute honoring legendary stars and industry leaders of our generation at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. At various times of the year the Film Society partners with Hollywood studios to present premieres and special live appearances.
Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the Film Society of Lincoln Center theaters are situated along 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave, half a block away from the 66th Street stop on the 1 train and six blocks from the Columbus Circle (A, B, C, D, 1 trains) and 72nd Street (1, 2, 3 trains) stations. The M5, M7, M10, M11, M66 and M104 bus lines all stop within one block of Lincoln Center.