The Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society and American Cinematheque present Pamela Tom’s 2017 documentary TYRUS, a film tribute to legendary artist Tyrus Wong, and Oscar®-nominated animated classic BAMBI (1942), celebrating its 75th year, on Sunday, June 25, at 5:30 PM at the Egyptian Theatre (6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood). One of the most celebrated Chinese-American artists of the 20th century, Wong created BAMBI’s soft water-colored backgrounds and beautiful palettes. This double feature and panel is the third in the 2017 ADG Film Society Screening Series entitled “Production Design: Legacy, Pageantry & Artistry,” sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter

The panel will include PAMELA TOM, writer and producer of TYRUS, and THEODORE THOMAS, film director, producer and son of legendary Disney animator Frank Thomas. The discussion, moderated by Production Designer and Film Society co-chair THOMAS WALSH ADG, will discuss and celebrate the life and legacy of an exceptional artist. The screening of BAMBI will precede the panel, which will be followed by TYRUS.

Oscar®-nominated BAMBI was released in 1942 during World War II and took over five years to make due to its exquisite hand-drawn artwork and attention to detail. Beloved by generations, BAMBI holds the No. 3 spot on the American Film Institute’s “10 Top 10,” honoring the 10 greatest animated films of all time. The timeless tale features an adorable young deer named Bambi who explores the wonders and challenges of the woods with his playful pal Thumper, the lovable skunk Flower, and wise Friend Owl – and ultimately fulfills his destiny as prince of the forest.

TYRUS is a heartfelt look at the artist who played a key role in the success of BAMBI with his soft water-colored backgrounds and beautiful color palettes. Tyrus Wong was an artist, art director, illustrator, painter, muralist, ceramicist and lithographer perhaps best known for his haunting landscape backgrounds. Through interviews, archival footage and never-before-seen artwork, this beautiful documentary traces Wong’s life and career from his birth in China to the studios of the Golden Age of Hollywood to the beaches of Santa Monica, where the centenarian loved to fly his colorful, handmade kites. In addition to Disney, he worked as a production illustrator for Warner Bros. and was a Hallmark greeting card designer, where some of his cards sold more than a million copies. He recently died at age 106. 

“To every generation there comes a few exceptionally gifted artists who are capable of drawing upon their own child within so to inspire all of us through their command of color, form, and visual emotion,” said Walsh. “Such an inspired soul was artist - animator - painter - illustrator - art director, Tyrus Wong.  Best known for his significant contributions to BAMBI, Wong’s settings captured the essence of the forest, while inviting the viewer to use their own imaginations to fill in the details and complete the picture.” BAMBI received praise for its ‘haunting visual style’ and Wong was named a Disney Legend.”

In honor its 75TH Anniversary, BAMBI joins the highly-coveted Walt Disney Signature Collection on Digital DC, Disney Movies Anywhere, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand. The collection release includes a variety of new bonus material including exclusive feature on Tyrus Wong. 

The Art Directors Guild Film Society 2017 Series concludes with:

  • THE DRAUGHTSMAN’S CONTRACT (1982) and PROSPERO’S BOOKS (1991): A Tribute to Director Peter Greenaway on Sunday, July 30 at the Egyptian Theatre (double feature)

Representing the Art Directors Guild are Film Society Co-Chairs Thomas A. Walsh, John Muto and John Iacovelli and Debbie Patton, ADG Director of Awards and Events. Working with them are the American Cinematheque’s Gwen Deglise, Margot Gerber and Grant Moninger. General admission: $12. American Cinematheque members: $8. Students/Seniors with valid ID: $10. All screenings start at 5:30 PM; 24-hour information is available at 323-466-FILM (3456).

 
About THE ART DIRECTORS GUILD
The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents 2,500 members who work throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers, Art Directors, Assistant Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; Set Designers and Model Makers; and Previs Artists. Established in 1937, the ADG’s ongoing activities include a Film Society, an annual Awards Banquet, a creative/technology community (World Building Institute), a bimonthly craft magazine (Perspective); and extensive technology-training programs, figure drawing and other creative workshops and year-round Gallery 800 art exhibitions. The Guild’s Online Directory/Website Resource is at www.adg.org. Connect with the Art Directors Guild on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

About AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE
Established in 1981, the American Cinematheque is a 501 C 3 non-profit viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration of the Moving Picture in all of its forms. At the Egyptian Theatre, the Cinematheque presents daily film and video programming which ranges from the classics of American and international cinema to new independent films and digital work. Exhibition of rare works, special and rare prints, etc., combined with fascinating post-screening discussions with the filmmakers who created the work, are a Cinematheque tradition that keep audiences coming back for once-in-a-lifetime cinema experiences. The American Cinematheque renovated and reopened (on Dec. 4, 1998) the historic 1922 Hollywood Egyptian Theatre. This includes a state-of-the-art 616-seat theatre housed within Sid Grauman's first grand movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard. The exotic courtyard is fully restored to its 1922 grandeur. The Egyptian was the home of the very first Hollywood movie premiere in 1922. In January 2005 the American Cinematheque expanded its programming to the 1940 Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. For more information about American Cinematheque, visit the website at http://www.americancinematheque.com>> Follow the American Cinematheque on Twitter: @sidgrauman Facebook: Egyptian TheatreAero Theatre

About THE WALT DISNEY SIGNATURE COLLECTION
The Walt Disney Signature Collection includes groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. Each release will offer special features for every member of your family plus a unique digital experience. To date, the collection includes “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Pinocchio.”

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