Film

Film Critic John Powers reviews two of the most acclaimed foreign films of the past year that are just beginning to play in American theaters. A Taste of Cherry, from Iran, last year's winner at Cannes and the Japanese film Fireworks which took the top prize at the Venice film Festival.

Michael Bowen is author of a forthcoming book on Sexplotation pioneer filmmaker Doris Wishman. He is a writer based in Brookline, Mass.

Filmmaker Doris Wishman. She's considered to be a pioneer of sexploitation movies, of the "nudie" and softcore sex genre films. Between 1960 and 1978 Wisman wrote, directed and produced 24 low budget films. Her films include "Bad Girls Go to Hell," "Nude on the Moon," and "Too Much, Too Often." Revivals of her films have recently been shown in Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York. In August she will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chicago Underground Film Festival.

Film critic John Powers comments on the Academy Award winners.

This year is the 25th anniversary of Martin Scorsese's landmark film "Mean Streets." We pay tribute to the movie.

Film critic John Powers reviews "Primary Colors."

Film critic John Powers reviews "Love & Death on Long Island."

Journalist William Mann has written a new biography of actor William Haines, "Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star" (Viking). In 1930 Haines was a big box-office draw. He was also openly-gay to reporters, studio chiefs,and fellow actors. Eventually Haines was booted out of Hollywood, because he refused to give in to studio pressure to conform. He began a highly successful career as an interior designer.

Film critic John Powers reviews "The Big Lebowski" which stars Jeff Bridges.

Iranian film maker and film professor Jamsheed Akrami will discuss film making in Iran and Iran's Fajr (FAH-jer) Film Festival which took place in February. This year's festival included a juried competition for international films and was open to Iran's independent and government sponsored producers.