Film Forum Screens Cindy Kleine's ANDRE GREGORY: BEFORE AND AFTER DINNER, Now thru 4/16

Film Forum presents the U.S. theatrical premiere of ANDRÉ GREGORY: BEFORE AND AFTER DINNER, a portrait of groundbreaking director, actor, and artist André Gregory by Cindy Kleine (who is also his wife), tonight, April 3. Kleine presents a delightful, ruminative appreciation on the life and work of this beloved cultural icon and master of the theater.

A brilliant and often hilariously funny raconteur, Gregory discusses the making of MY DINNER WITH ANDRÉ (1981), written by and starring Gregory and Wallace Shawn and directed by Louis Malle. He speaks warmly of his lifelong friendship with Shawn (also collaborators on the movie VANYA ON 42ND STREET and a recent production of Ibsen's The Master Builder), and his problematic relationship with his European parents, described as "Jews who forgot to tell their children they were Jews" and, "like the insane rulers of a little Balkan country." Gregory imbues a dash of film noir as he investigates the possibility that his enigmatic father may have been an economic agent for the Nazis. André Gregory is a master storyteller, whose own life encompasses compelling passions, fears, and mysteries worthy of his theatrical mentors.

André Gregory and Wallace Shawn will team up again for two new productions of Shawn's plays. Gregory will direct The Designated Mourner and Grasses of a Thousand Colors, at The Public Theater, opening in June and October respectively. And, Jonathan Demme is currently in production on a filmed version of Ibsen's The Master Builder, adapted by Shawn and directed by Gregory, expected to be released later this year.

ANDRÉ GREGORY: BEFORE AND AFTER DINNER will have a 2-week engagement, tonight, April 3 - 16, at Film Forum, 209 West Houston Street (West of 6th Avenue), with screenings daily at 1:00, 3:15, 5:40, 7:50 and 10:00.

ANDRÉ GREGORY: BEFORE AND AFTER DINNER (2012, 108 mins.) Produced and Directed by Cindy Kleine. Editor & Co-Producer: Jonathan Oppenheim. Co-Producer: Susan Lazarus. Director of Photography: Tom Hurwitz. Music: Bruce Odland. Animation: Lisa Crafts. Featuring André Gregory and Wallace Shawn, with Larry Pine, Lisa Joyce, Emily McDonnell, George Gaynes, Allyn Ann McLerie, Nicholas and Marina Gregory. USA. A Cinema Guild Release.