This afternoon in the JL&L Performing Arts Center at Yavapai College will be featuring a film about a gifted musician that everyone knew of who lived through the 1970s.
We all lost Karen Carpenter on February 4, 1983, and 40 years later her voice can still be heard on radio stations around the world. I had the pleasure of seeing the Carpenters live, my very first concert, and I still can remember her amazing voice. That was 50 years ago, but even at a young age I knew she was special.
The documentary focuses on Karen, and the fact that she was the first in a long line of celebrities to suffer from an eating disorder. Back in the day when things like this were kept quiet amongst family and friends, in an attempt to avoid public shame and humiliation.
We hear Karen Carpenter’s personal struggle in her own voice through never before released recordings. Plus, we get to hear many legendary voices of those who knew her and were inspired by her music.
The Carpenters, Karen, along with her brother Richard, held America’s musical top spot in the 1970s with wonderful top 10 pop masterpieces, “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Close to You,” “For All We Know”, “Hurting Each Other”, “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Sing”, “Superstar”, “Top of the World”, and “Yesterday Once More”, just to name a few. It was an amazing run, with a total of 22 songs in the top 10, with three rising to number two and 15 going all the way to number one.
As all this success was going on, sadly, behind closed doors and with her drive for perfection, Karen’s suffered from low self-esteem, a disheartening love life, and a battle with anorexia nervosa, which resulted in her shocking and untimely death at the young age of only 32.
Directed by Randy Martin, and written by Randy Schmidt, the film features Carol Burnett, Belinda Carlisle, Kristin Chenoweth, Cynthia Gibb, Olivia Newton-John, Cubby O’Brien, Suzanne Somers, and Carnie Wilson.
Screening time is at 4 pm, after the short film, “I Know What You Remember”. The documentary runs 99 minutes. The filmmakers will be available after the film via Zoom to tell about the film and take questions. Following that will be a sing-along with Nanette Hofer of some of the Carpenters greatest hits.
Tickets may be purchased in person or by phone 928-776-2000 or 877-928-4253, or online at YCPAC.com or prescottfilmfestival.com
Friday, September 22
11am Workshop in Building 3-119: The Art of Comedy Film
1pm Les Cyclades (Two Tickets to Greece)-PAC 13+
Morning Joy (Short) FF
1pm Space, Hope, and Charity-CR 13+ *
No Place is Home (Short) 13+ *
Imagine What It’s Like (Short) FF * D
4pm Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection-PAC 13+ * D
The Carpenters Sing-Along led by Nanette Hofer
4pm Forever Home-CR 13+
CLONE (Short) 13+
7pm Hundreds of Beavers-PAC 13+
The Favor (Short) 13+
7pm The Secret Art of Human Flight-CR 13+
In The Dark (Short) AZ 13+
Saturday, September 23
10am Join or Die-PAC FF D
John Doe (Short) 13+
1pm Sterne unter der Stadt (Snow of Summer)-PAC 13+
My Dear Aunt Sally (Short) FF
1pm Mamma Mia! (Sing-Along) –CR 13+
Led by Nanette Hofer and YC Students
4pm The Mustangs: Americas Wild Horses-PAC 13+ AZ * D
Campwood (Short) FF
4pm De Veroodeling (The Judgement)-CR 13+
Stupid Boy (Short) 13+ #
7pm Past Lives 13+ #
Instant Noodle (Short) 13+ #
9pm Awards Party
Sunday, September 24
2pm The Last Drop-PAC
Soiree & Silent Auction in Marcusen Sculpture Garden
2pm A Revolution on Canvas-CR 13+ D
4pm Safety Last!-PAC
(with accompaniment from the Alto Motion Picture Orchestra)
Directory
PAC- Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center
CR- Community Room in Building 19
D- Documentary
FF- Family Friendly
13+ -Ages 13 and older
AZ- Arizona Film or Filmmaker
*- Filmmakers in Attendance
#- Filmmakers via Zoom
