Comedy fest kudos taking political bent
Event to fete Levinson
The USCAF will return to Aspen, Colo., Feb. 9-13 with a variety of up-and-coming comedians. The 2000 USCAF will also include an expanded film program that will feature world premieres, shorts and seminars on the comedy industry.
"This year's event will be bigger than any one we've done before," said Stu Smiley, exec director of the fest. "We now want to become the place to honor the great comedic indie films that we see can be so successful in today's marketplace."
Levinson is receiving the American Film Institute's Filmmaker Award for his work behind the camera on comedic films such as "Good Morning, Vietnam" and "Wag the Dog." Last year's recipient of the award went to writer-producer-helmer James L. Brooks.
"Barry is one of the great filmmakers of our time," Smiley said. "He comes out of a strong comedy background and has made some classics. It's exciting to have somebody who has come from comedic roots and grown beyond that."
"Celebrating" the 30th anniversary of being fired from CBS for politically controversial shows, the Smothers Brothers will reunite with their original writers, including Steve Martin, Rob Reiner and Mason Williams, in an event that is expected to revisit the political stands that eventually forced them off the air after three years.
"Its going to be great to get everybody together," Tommy Smothers said. "That show was truly an event and a classic case of taking on the First Amendment. You really don't see any of that even now in these supposed days of 'free speech.' What you see is mostly a waste with sexual B.S. and four-letter words. You don't see any political satire or social commentary except for latenight such as Dennis Miller or 'Saturday Night Live.' "
Added Smiley: "These guys took a stand against war in a very difficult time. I expect it to be an exciting event to discuss."
