|
Return to News
Band of Brothers dinner to cap off three-day WWII film
conference at
The National World War II Museum
April Conference to feature actors, producers,
historians and veterans
NEW ORLEANS –As the culmination of Real to Reel: World
War II in Film, Documentaries & Newsreels, a three-day
Conference exploring the relationship between our
memories and perceptions of WWII and the medium of film,
The National World War II Museum will examine the
relationship between the real men of Easy Company and
how they were portrayed on film with the April 12
presentation Band of Brothers – Translating Real Life to
Film. This special event is sponsored by HBO.
The bestselling book Band of Brothers by historian
Stephen Ambrose and the subsequent HBO Emmy-winning
miniseries follows the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne
from their days in training to the invasion of Normandy,
through the frozen forests of the Ardennes and on to
Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Along the way, the public was
given an intimate look not only into the lives and
relationships of these celebrated heroes, but a glimpse
into the darkest parts of humanity and mankind at its
best.
The program will feature actors Ron Livingston (Capt.
Lewis Nixon) and Michael Cudlitz (Sgt. Denver “Bull”
Randleman) and screenwriter John Orloff from the HBO
miniseries Band of Brothers. Historian Hugh Ambrose, who
is currently working on The Pacific, HBO's sequel to the
Emmy-winning miniseries, will serve as moderator.
The Museum’s Second International Conference on World
War II will also feature celebrated authors along with
experts and historians from the world of film presenting
and discussing documentaries, newsreels, and Hollywood
films and the impact and influence of this medium on
America’s memories and perceptions of World War II over
the years.
Presenters include Catherine Wyler, producer of Memphis
Belle and daughter of famed director William Wyler, who
will share her insights on her father’s passion for
portraying the sacrifice of American soldiers in World
War II. James Moll, filmmaker and director of Price for
Peace, Survivors of the Holocaust and Voices from the
List, will share his perspective on translating the raw
emotions of war via film.
Additional panels will focus on other unique aspects of
film from the era. USMC combat photographer and Academy
Award winner, SSgt. Norman “Norm” Hatch will screen
rarely seen footage from the brutal Battle of Tarawa.
Reality meets perception on a panel featuring Carlo
D’Este, author of Patton: A Genius for War and Benjamin
Patton, grandson of General George S. Patton. Presenter
James McBride, whose work Miracle at St. Anna is now
being made into a film by Spike Lee, will examine the
African-American perspective of the war. And renowned
historians and authors Donald L. Miller, Rick Atkinson,
Gerhard L. Weinberg and Lawrence H. Suid will also offer
their interpretations of World War II and film. Dr.
Mario Barrera and Kerry Yo Nakagawa will discuss ethnic
portrayals and WWII films.
All sessions will be held at the Marriott Convention
Center Boulevard in downtown New Orleans. A reception
will be held at the Museum to unveil the accompanying
special exhibition, Real to Reel: Hollywood and World
War II. The special exhibition highlights the role of
pre-war superstars from the battlefront to the Home
Front, the relationship between the studios and the
Office of War Information and the story of how the war
gave so many future stars their big break. The closing
Band of Brothers banquet will also be held at the
Museum.
Tickets for Saturday only, including the Band of
Brothers event are available for $149. Individual
tickets are available starting at $299 for a full
conference pass and $129 for select day passes. The
Museum’s Travel Department has also created affordable
conference and hotel combo packages. As always,
discounts are available for Museum members. Call
1-877-813-3329 x 257 for additional information. For
updates on this exciting conference or to purchase your
tickets securely online, visit
www.warfilms.org.
The National World War II Museum, was dedicated in 2000
as The National D-Day Museum and recently has been
designated by Congress as the country’s official
national World War II museum. It illuminates the
American experience during the war era and celebrates
the American spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and
sacrifice of the men and women who won World War II. The
National World War II Museum is currently undertaking a
$300 million expansion that, when complete, will create
a six-acre campus of exhibition pavilions, an advanced
format 4-D theater, dining venue, and a research and
conference center in downtown New Orleans. For more
information about The National World War II Museum, call
504-527-6012 or visit online at
www.nationalww2museum.org.
###
Return to News
|
