News

My Tale Of Two Cities playing at Penn Hills Cinemas

2008-12-01T08:36:41Z

Due to popular demand, "My Tale of Two Cities" will play at the Penn Hills Cinemas starting Monday, December 1, running through Saturday, December 6, at 7:15 p.m. On Monday Dec. 1st, filmmaker Carl Kurlander will be there to introduce the film and discuss it afterwards.

Penn Hills Cinemas is in the Penn Hills Shopping Center. From the East End, go one past the first Monroeville exit to the "Penn Hills" exit, get off and turn right. Phone 412.243.1831 They are closed on Wednesday Dec. 3rd. Tickets are just $5.00. Please help us spread the word.

On November 28, Pittsburghers everywhere were invited to a special red carpet screening of "My Tale of Two Cities", a funny and heartfelt valentine to Pittsburgh. A sold out Byham Theater audience of 1250 people laughed, cried and gave a standing ovation to this "comeback story" about coming home and one of America's great cities reinventing itself for a new age.

If you are unable to see it in a theater, a limited number of DVDS of "My Tale of Two Cities" are available for the holidays at http://www.wqed.org/genl/shop/history.shtml#tale or by calling 1-800-274-1307. The film is also at Kards Unlimited on Walnut Street in Shadyside.

If you would like to arrange for a screening of "My Tale of Two Cities" in your neighborhood (regionally or at venues around the country), please contact mytaleoftwocities@gmail.com.

Check out the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and USA Today articles on "My Tale Of Two Cities".

We thank you and hope you enjoy this film that proves "it's never too late to come back" and that the whole world really is "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."

To find out more about Steeltown's Youth and Media Initiative being done in association with the Holy Family Institute which the Nov. 28th Byham screening benefited, please go to www.steeltown.org and www.hfi-pgh.org.

November 28th Red-Carpet Screening of "My Tale of Two Cities" at The Byham Theater

2008-11-26T00:31:29Z

Check out the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and USA Today articles on “My Tale Of Two Cities”.

On November 28, Pittsburghers everywhere were invited to a special red carpet screening of “My Tale of Two Cities”, a funny and heartfelt valentine to Pittsburgh, about coming home and one of America’s great cities reinventing itself for a new age. We are touched and humbled by the overwhelming response which SOLD OUT The Byham Theater.

If you were unable to get tickets to see the movie, a limited number of DVDS of “My Tale of Two Cities” are available at http://www.wqed.org/genl/shop/history.shtml#tale or by calling 1-800-274-1307.

If you would like to arrange for a screening of “My Tale of Two Cities” in your neighborhood (regionally or at venues around the country), please contact mytaleoftwocities@gmail.com.

We thank you and hope you enjoy this film that proves “it’s never too late to come back” and that the whole world really is “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

To find out more about Steeltown’s Youth and Media Initiative being done in association with the Holy Family Institute which the Nov. 28th Byham screening benefitted, please go to www.steeltown.org and www.hfi-pgh.org.

Please click below to view the trailer.

It can also be viewed on Youtube.com at the following url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Uwu-rNSmI

Schedule of Events for 'Homecoming Screening November 28th at Byham Theater.

2008-10-02T19:24:48Z

On November 28th at The Byham Theater, as part of “Pittsburgh’s Homecoming Weekend” celebrating the city’s 250th birthday, Pittsburghers everywhere are invited for a special Thanksgiving weekend red-carpet screening of “My Tale of Two Cities”, a funny and poignant “comeback” story about coming home and one of America’s great cities reinventing itself for a new age. Join Mister Rogers Neighborhood’s Mr. McFeely, Franco Harris and other members of the cast, as we blow out the candles for Pittsburgh’s 250th birthday and sing the city’s unofficial theme song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

5:30-6:30 Fifth Avenue Place. VIP “Cast” Reception where some of the cast members will be on hand and special out-takes from the movie will be screened.

7:00 p.m. Screening at The Byham.

9:00 p.m. Fifth Avenue Place. Pittsburgh Homecoming Party. Celebrate coming home with traditional Pittsburgh cuisine and music by Donora and former Rusted Root band member Jim Dispirito, Carol Lee Espy and Friends.

The evening will benefit the “Youth and Media Program” of Steeltown Entertainment Project and Holy Family Institute which has been restoring hope and transforming the lives of young people in the Pittsburgh region for over one hundred years.

For more information on the event please email homecoming@steeltown.org or visit www.steeltown.org.

Pittsburgh Homecoming Screening of MTOTC Set For November 28th!

2008-08-26T14:03:38Z

On November 28th at The Byham Theater, as part of "Pittsburgh's Homecoming Weekend" celebrating the city's 250th birthday, Pittsburghers everywhere are invited to come home for a special Thanksgiving weekend red-carpet screening of "My Tale of Two Cities", a poignant and funny bent valentine to our city about "coming home" and Pittsburgh reinventing itself for a new age.

]]> The evening will benefit the Steeltown Entertainment Project's "Youth and Media" initiative with the Holy Family Institute which has been restoring hope and transforming the lives of young people in the Pittsburgh region for over one hundred years. Join Mister Rogers Neighborhood's Mr. McFeely, Franco Harris and other members of the cast, as we blow out the candles for Pittsburgh's 250th birthday and sing the city's unofficial theme song "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

Special "Pittsburgh Homecoming" screening of "My Tale of Two Cities" at the Byham Theater November 28th

2008-08-03T18:32:52Z

On November 28th at The Byham Theater, as part of "Pittsburgh's Homecoming Weekend" celebrating the city's 250th birthday, there will be a special red-carpet screening of "My Tale of Two Cities." Pittsburghers everywhere are invited to come home for this special Thanksgiving weekend event and join Mr. McFeely and the cast in singing "Won't You Be My Neighhbor?". Email homecoming@steeltown.org for information on tickets to the event.

"My Tale of Two Cities" featured on "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer"

2008-04-25T20:33:36Z

Clips from "My Tale of Two Cities" were shown on "News Hour with Jim Lehrer" as part of a story on the "Greening of Pittsburgh." The film's theme of a city coming back and reinventing itself feels very timely in an election year in which the whole country seems to be asking itself how America is going to reinvent itself for a new age. For more info, go to www.newshour.org

"My Tale of Two Cities" screens for "Neighbors" in California

2008-04-20T09:04:13Z

It might sound crazy to try to lure folks to Wine Country with Iron City Beer, Isaly's Chipped Ham, and a movie about Pittsburgh, but "My Tale of Two Cities" got some serious festival buzz to the point that the Sonoma Index Tribune wrote: "Although it is the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, Pittsburgh garnered a lot of attention this weekend. Filmmaker Carl Kurlander's documentary, "My Tale of Two Cities," looks at the metamorphosis Pittsburgh underwent from the city he remembered as a boy to the city he returned to 30 years later..." For more information, please go to our "Discuss" section...

]]> "My Tale of Two Cities" deals with both a city and one of its native son's in mid-life crisis as it chronicles Carl Kurlander's decision to leave his life as a Hollywood screenwriter ("St. Elmo's Fire") and television writer/producer ("Saved By The Bell") behind and move back to his hometown of Pittsburgh which was, like so many cities these days, trying to reinvent itself for a new age. This often funny and sometimes brutally honest film seemed to strike a resonant chord with current and former Pittsburghers as well as many non-Pittsburghers who were in attendance for the film's two festival screenings. Many of those in attendance commented after the premiere that they were particularly moved by how Kurlander's own personal struggle with whether he made the right decision moving back to Pittsburgh, mirrored many of their own concerns regarding a sense of home, place, and community in today's world.

Following both screenings of the film, Kurlander and members of his production staff conducted a Q&A session in which Carl addressed questions regarding the genesis of the documentary and his own feelings concerning Pittsburgh's future. A poignant moment during the Q&A came when a young girl asked Carl whether he thought his film would 'help' in the today's fragmented and disconnected world.

Following up on the theme of brining Pittsburghers together; Steeltown Entertainment Project hosted a Pittsburgh themed reunion party at local Sonoma establishment, Steiner's Tavern following the April 11th screening. This party afforded current Pittsburghers, expatriates, and anyone else who attended the chance to experience, the food, sounds, and stories of the 'Burgh.'

Those who attended the party enjoyed Pittsburgh themed food and drink such as Isley's chipped ham, Heinz condiments, sweets from Betsy Ann Chocolate, Eat 'n Park Smiley Cookies, baked goods from Jenny Lee Bakery, snacks from local vendors Popcorn-n-That, Pittsburgh pretzels, and Iron City and IC Light beer from Pittsburgh Brewing Company. The party had a decidedly hometown atmosphere as guests got to enjoy watching the Pittsburgh Penguins second playoff game, and also enjoyed the opportunity to share stories and reminisce about the hometown they all care so much about.

The climax of the Pittsburgh themed weekend in Sonoma came on Saturday night as the film festival paid tribute to actor/director and former Pittsburgh native, Michael Keaton. During the tribute, clips were played from some of Keaton's most memorable films including "Beetlejuice," "Batman," and "Jackie Brown." Keaton who began his career in Pittsburgh on the set of "Mister Roger's Neighborhood" was presented with a clip reel of his work from that show was also given a "This Is Your Life" style tribute by David Newell, who played the show's speedy deliveryman character, Mr. McFeely. The night was capped off with Keaton being presented with a Pittsburgh themed gift basket and a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey jersey by VisitPittsburgh representative Tinsy Lipchak.

In all, the Pittsburgh invasion of wine country during last week was an unabashed success, providing an opportunity for those who take pride in their Pittsburgh roots to enjoy great food, great drink, and the company of their old and new 'neighbors.'

To learn more about the film, "My Tale of Two Cities" click here.

To read an article from the Sonoma News chronicling the Pittsburgh themed events surrounding the Sonoma Film Festival click here.

The following are links to related stories promoting "My Tale of Two Cities" and the events surrounding the 2008 Sonoma Film Festival:

Wine Country Tastes Pittsburgh
http://www.popcitymedia.com/inthenews/winectypgh0416.aspx
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/04/11/entertainment/doc47ffabef19527544559593.txt

Break a Leg
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08101/872594-326.stm (Scroll down)

Hollywood invades Sonoma
http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/2008/04/10/news/doc47febd5937c1b368500828.txt

Rockin' and Rollin' at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival
http://gil-mansergh.petaluma360.com/default.asp?item=2187593

Michael Keaton to be honored at Sonoma Valley Film Festival
http://www.sonomasun.com/pub/a/2776?full=1

Pittsburgh Diaspora at Sonoma Valley Film Festival
http://pqblog.pittsburghquarterly.com/pqblog/2008/03/pittsburgh-dias.html

Sonoma Film Festival to Honor Keaton and Premiere Kurlander's 'Two Cities'
http://enewsletters.pghtech.org/Council/PghTech.aspx

"Wine Country" to Become "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood"
http://burghdiaspora.blogspot.com/2008/04/blog-release-intopittsburgh-diaspora.html

Pittsburgh's Film Diaspora
http://burghdiaspora.blogspot.com/2008/04/pittsburghs-film-diaspora.html

Islay's in Sonoma
http://burghdiaspora.blogspot.com/2008/04/islays-in-sonoma.html

Olympus Advisory member Carl Kurlander 's film, "My Tale of Two Cities," has been invited to screen at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival in April!
http://www.olympus.cs.cmu.edu/news/index.html

DON'T MISS THE "PITTSBURGHERS PARTY"!
http://www.sonomafilmfest.org/pages/08program-My_Tale_of_Two_Cities