DIRECTOR Michael Cimino, hot after 1978's successful "The Deer Hunter," thought he had the deal of a lifetime with his next project, a western epic called "Heaven's Gate." He had final cut. But, oh no, he didn't. United Artists had final word. The movie, which went 400 percent overbudget, to a then-unprecedented $44 million, broke the back of United Artists. It died at the box office. The panicked studio recut it and released it again. No luck.
The fact remains that "Heaven's Gate," a gorgeously photographed (by Vilmos Zsigmond) melodrama starring Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken and Isabelle Huppert, never deserved this rep. In fact, many critics (of the European persuasion) have dubbed it a masterpiece. The original three-hour 45-minute version, now restored, is back. You can see it for yourself at the American Film Institute's Silver Theatre. It screens Friday at 1 and Saturday at 1 and 7:30. Visit www.AFI.com/silverfor more details and tickets. Or call 301-495-6700 for recorded information.
JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
The Washington Jewish Film Festival opens Thursday with 36 films (features, documentaries and shorts) from 14 countries at six venues. The 10-day festival opens with "Lost Embrace," the official Argentine submission for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars. Daniel Burman's film, which won the Silver Bear at this year's Berlin film festival, is about a young Argentine (Daniel Hendler) who dreams of being "European" and leaving Buenos Aires. The $20 admission includes the 6:45 screening and post-movie reception at the D.C. Jewish Community Center's Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater, 1529 16th St. NW. For tickets, call 800-494-8497 or visit www.boxofficetickets.com. For information about the festival, visit www.wjff.org or call 202-777-3248.
-- Desson Thomson
