Updated to include brief video clip, AFI podcast
By RAY KELLY
AFI Fest 2016 honored the 75th anniversary of Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane on November 13 with a special screening at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
Following the showing, an enthusiastic Scott Mantz of Access Hollywood led a Master Class featuring Welles colleague and friend Peter Bogdanovich and the late filmmaker’s youngest daughter, Beatrice Welles.
“The event went great,” Mantz said. “For starters, I’ve seen Citizen Kane on the big screen a bunch of times, but not like this. The print was so sharp. And the Q&A afterwards with Beatrice Welles and Peter Bogdanovich was amazing! Both told great stories and were in great spirits. I wish it could have gone on for hours. The crowd really enjoyed it.”
Commenters on social media echoed his sentiments.
“Citizen Kane was amazing to watch on the big screen, and only reinforced my belief that watching a movie in the cinema is better than at home,” Veronica Light noted on Instagram. “Following the movie was a panel with Peter Bogdanovich and Orson’s daughter, Beatrice, moderated by Scott Mantz. Hearing their insight into the movie and their stories of Mr Welles himself was amazing, and really humanized someone who I saw as being more myth than man (the same way the movie humanizes Mr Kane).”
Welles’ last driver, Freddie Gillette, attended the screening and had an emotional reunion with Beatrice Welles, who marked her birthday at the event. The two had not seen each other in 30 years.
The AFI screening was tied to the 75th anniversary Warner Home Video release of Citizen Kane by Warner Home Video on Tuesday.
Below is a brief video clip, the podcast of the AFI Master Class and several photos taken at the event.
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