Schenectady, N.Y. – Schenectady County officials joined with Metroplex and Proctors Theatre to announce today that Schenectady native John Sayles will return to his hometown on September 18th to premier his new film “Silver City.”
“John Sayles is the leading independent film writer, director and producer in the United States. We are so pleased that he has agreed to premier “Silver City” at Proctors on September 18th. This is a major coup for Schenectady and another step forward for our efforts to grow a vibrant arts and entertainment district downtown,” said Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.
“We are pleased to welcome back to Schenectady one of our most successful native sons. This man is a legend in the film industry. He is coming home because he wants to support Proctors and the efforts we are undertaking to transform the Proctor’s Block into a major regional arts and entertainment center,” said Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton.
“Silver City” is expected to be one of the hottest films to be released this fall. Written and directed by John Sayles, the movie features Chris Cooper, Richard Dreyfuss, Darryl Hannah, Maria Bello, Danny Huston, Thora Birch, Tim Roth, Kris Kristofferson, Michael Murphy, and Mary Kay Place. The film is both a political satire and a detective story that follows the travails of a candidate man running for Governor of Colorado. Newmarket Films has North American distribution rights to “Silver City.” Newmarket also handled nationwide distribution for the “Passion of the Christ” and other leading films.
Mr. Sayles has made arrangements with Newmarket Films to premier “Silver City” in Schenectady the same weekend as the movie debuts in 20 major markets. Mr. Sayles and the film’s producer Ms. Maggie Renzi will travel to Schenectady to speak at the premier.
Proctors is planning a John Sayles film festival leading up to the premier featuring a selection of Sayles’ other work including “The Return of the Secaucus 7,” “City of Hope,” “Sunshine State,” “Eight Men Out,” “Lone Star,” “Matewan,” “Passion Fish,” and others. A number of events honoring Mr. Sayles are also being planned.
Proctors CEO Philip Morris said, “Together with Metroplex, the County Legislature and Mayor Stratton, we have pulled off an arts coup for Schenectady. John Sayles is coming home to Schenectady to unveil this terrific new film and help us celebrate plans for a $22.5 million expansion of Proctors that will make downtown Schenectady a major draw as the leading entertainment venue in the Capital Region.”
Metroplex Chair Ray Gillen said, “My thanks go to the Sayles family who live in the Schenectady area for their help in pulling off this deal, particularly John’s brother Doug Sayles. Not only is the premier a major boost to downtown, the Sayles family has also been enormously helpful in supporting our efforts to attract an established cinema operator to the corner of State and Broadway. The Sayles name and extensive industry contacts have opened many doors as we pursue a proven cinema company for the Proctors Block.”
Metroplex Vice-Chair Brad Lewis said, “As a long-time supporter of both a cinema and our efforts to create an 18-hour downtown, I’m thrilled by this news. We owe a debt of gratitude to John Sayles for helping us take one more big step in shaping a downtown that has arts and entertainment for people of all ages.”
Tickets sales for the premier of “Silver City” will be handled through the Proctors Box Office. More information on John Sayles is available at www.johnsayles.com and www.johnsaylesretro.com.
Other Contact:
Kathy Jarvis, Proctors
518-382-3884 ext. 138