Signal 7 (1984) by Rob Nilsson, Film Screening + Q&A

Details

A historical film: the first small-format video to be blown up to 35mm for theatrical distribution around the world. World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, restored by Pacific Film Archive, 2015.

The first Direct Action Feature Film (shot in 3 days): One night in the life of aging cab drivers Marty and Speed, who have not lost the dream of making it as actors. In the driver's room, they tell truths and lies about exploits out on the streets, and plan to move to LA, where the action is. Then comes the Signal 7, a call signifying a driver in trouble. A friend and fellow driver is robbed and murdered. Dreams and lies don't mean much in the face of the truth.

> "Signal 7 is an unusual, touching, intelligent film...whose haunting theme will linger long after many more expensive films are forgotten...The high level of the performances, by unknown actors, is one of the film's greatest achievements...For all its bleakness, the film utlimately conveys hope. Marty and Speed search for meaning, wealth and a way out, and find instead friendship, humanity and themselves."

- Nina Darnton, The New York Times, May 30, 1986

> “Your film Signal 7 is one of my most favorite films ever and as far as I'm concerned, you are one of the most important American filmmakers in history, one of 3 or 4 of the most important American directors still living.”

– Andre Puca, Film teacher, Emerson College

Q&A with the Director will be live**-**streamed on our YouTube channel

Director Bio

##### Retrospectives and Honors:

##### Rob Nilsson’s work has been honored with retrospectives at prestigious venues such as the Pacific Film Archives, Chicago Institute of Art, and Anthology Film Archives in New York. His films are archived by IndieCollect at UCLA as part of the Sundance Collection.

##### Awards Include:·

##### Camera d’Or – Northern Lights (Cannes Film Festival, 1979), co-directed with John Hanson·

##### Neil Simon Award – Northern Lights screenplay (1980)·

##### Grand Prize – Heat and Sunlight (Sundance Film Festival, 1987)·

##### Green Cine DIVX Film Festival Audience Award – Security (2005)·

##### Milley Award – Achievement in the Arts (City of Mill Valley, 2006)·

##### Filmmaker of the Year – Silver Lake Film Festival (2006)·

##### Marlon Riggs Award – 9 @ Night Film Series (San Francisco Film Critics Circle, 2008)·

##### Masters Award – Golden Apricot International Film Festival, Yerevan (2009)·

##### Judges Special Citation Director – Sand (2010)·

##### Judges Citation (Director) – The Steppes (Syracuse International Film Festival, 2011)

##### Retrospectives and Special Awards·

##### Moscow International Film Festival Retrospective (2011)·

##### Moscow Press Award – Russia Abroad Film Festival (2011)·

##### Mill Valley Film Festival Award (2012)

##### Lifetime Achievement Awards·

##### Mill Valley Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award·

##### Fargo International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award·

##### St. Louis International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award·

##### Kansas City Filmmaker’s Jubilee Lifetime Achievement Award·

##### Golden Apricot International Film Festival, Yerevan, Armenia – Master’s Award·

##### Syracuse International Film Festival – Sophia Award·

##### Love is Folly Film Festival, Varna, Bulgaria – Aphrodite Award

##### Credits

Director:
• Rob Nilsson

Story:
• Rob Nilsson

Improvised by the Cast:
• Bill Ackridge as Speed
• Dan Leegant as Marty
• Johnny Tidwell as Johnny
• Herb Mills as Steve
• Don Bajema as Roger
• Phil Polakoff as Phil
• Don De Fina as Setts
• Frank Triest as Tommy
• Jack Tucker as Hank
• David Schickele as Bert
• Paul Prince as Paul
• Paul West as Pump Man
• Bob Elross as Director
• Charles Webb as Producer
• Burns Ellison as Writer
• Jules Burstein as Dr. Berfman
• Sara Morris as Mrs. Berman
• Hagit Farber as Sophie
• Michelle Marrus as Ellen