Martin
UW Cinematheque 821 University Ave., UW Vilas Hall, Room 4070, Madison, Wisconsin
media release: USA | 1977 | DCP | 96 min.
Director: George A. Romero; Cast: John Amplas, Elayne Nadeau, Lincoln Maazel
Made between his landmark zombie movies Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, horror master Romero’s modern-day take on vampire mythology stars a terrific John Amplas as Martin, a shy, sensitive young man who believes himself to be a vampire. Sent to live with his superstitious uncle in Braddock, Pennsylvania, Martin tries to fit in and stay out of trouble while continuing his bloodthirsty ways. Trouble arises when Martin falls for a lonely, depressed housewife (Elayne Nadeau). Atmospheric, suspenseful, and touching, Martin features several of Romero’s most brilliantly composed and edited set-pieces and was his personal favorite of all his films. After the screening, a discussion with Braddock resident Tony Buba, Martin’s sound recordist and a frequent Romero collaborator.
Admission free for all screenings, seating limited. No admission 15 minutes after scheduled start times. Please visit our website for a complete listing of programs and descriptions.
Tony Buba in Person:
Through the support of the Wisconsin Center for Film & Theater Research, the Cinematheque is proud to welcome veteran filmmaker and teacher Tony Buba on September 22-23. Buba has for 50 years been the resident cinematic chronicler of the once mighty steeltown, Braddock, PA. After making a series of short documentaries and featurettes about Braddock and its denizens, Buba emerged in 1989 with Lightning Over Braddock, a brilliantly creative feature-length essay film. Mixing humor, music, and a great deal of heart, Buba’s magnum opus has been compared to the work of Errol Morris and Michael Moore, and earned the praise of Werner Herzog. Buba will join us in person to present Lightning Over Braddock and his latest short work, Mon Valley Trilogy. Plus, a screening of the 1977 horror movie Martin, directed by George Romero, a fellow Pennsylvanian whose regular behind-the-scenes teams included sound recordist Tony Buba and his editor brother, the late Pasquale “Pat” Buba.