Zurek’s doc one of many worthy screenings & events

“Mind is a Quicksand” producers: Jessie Ewing, Kim Lile, Sharon Zurek

SHARON ZUREK’S COMPELLING DOC, “A Mind in Quicksand — Life with Huntington’s,” produced by her Black Cat Productions, will screen April 9 prior to its national PBS airing throughout May, designated as Huntington Disease Awareness Month.

Zurek directed and edited the 60-minute doc, a moving personal story of how 42 year old Kim Lile was diagnosed with HD, an incurable degenerative disorder, and the raw human struggle to cope with a future of diminishing capabilities.

Lile and Zurek had been Columbia College classmates years back and reunited in 2007 at a mutual friend’s party when Lile was in the throes of trying to deal with the disease.
Lile contacted Zurek and along with Lile’s photojournalist friend, Jessie Ewing.

“Quicksand” fully got underway when Chicago Filmmakers provided funding and was completed in 2012.

The screening is a fundraiser for the Huntington’s Disease Society of Chicago.  At Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash; doors open at 6 p.m., screening at 6:30. Free and open to all.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND is “One on One Pitch/Consultations” with media goddess Laurie Sheer, April 10-11, who will give writers and filmmakers a 30-minute personal $35 for 30 minute consultation to discuss their idea for a screenplay, film project, novel, play or web series.

“Bring a one-pager, a logline, the first three pages of your script, play or novel,” advises Linda Frothingham, whose ChicagoHollywood.com, is hosting the event.

Friday, April 10, noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. At the Public House, 1301 N. State.  Save $5 with a “Reeldeal” promo. To register, click here.

THIS IS THE END” is Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s demonic comedy about brotherhood, earthly destruction and copious bodily fluids that gets an April 14 Cinema Slapdown at Columbia College Film Row Cinema.

Featuring Associate Professor David (“We’re gonna party like it’s 666!”) Tarleton versus Improv Artist Rebecca (“Emma Watson should have swung that axe at her agent!”) Sohn. Referee’d by Associate Professor Ron Falzone.

At 1104 S. Wabash, 7 p.m.  Free and open to all.

EXTREMELY RARE INDUSTRIAL FILMS, produced by Kartemquin for their paying clients, between 1976 and 1990, comprise the April 24 program, “Kartemquin Members’ Work for Hire,” at the U of C Logan Theatre.

“In many cases, these films that Gordon Quinn and his U of C co-founders produced enabled them to raise money for their special social issue projects and pay the rent,” notes Tim Horsburgh, Kartemquin director of communications and distribution.

Kartemquin associate Judy Hoffman and artistic director Gordon Quinn will present the films at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th  St., 7 p.m.  Free and open to all.

This is first of a four-part program presented by South Side Projections:

“The Streets and the Classroom: Educational and Industrial Films in an Era of Massive Social Change.”

Sidebar: Chicago was famous as “the 16mm film capital of the world” for its production industrial films, aka “trips through the factory,” when America was the leader in manufacturing, by the more than 50 active production companies of the time.