Film Screening and Talk Honors First Novel of UA Alumnus and Author William March

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On Wednesday, Nov. 8 renowned New York filmmaker Robert Clem will screen his film “Company K,” based on the classic World War I novel by William March, at Gorgas Library at The University of Alabama.

Clem will speak briefly on his role as a director and filmmaker and will show clips from his documentary on William March before showing the 2004 feature-length film “Company K” (online go to www.companykthefilm.com).

The talk and screening event begins at 6:30 p.m. in 205 Gorgas Library on campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

Clem’s production company Waterfront Pictures (http://www.waterfrontpix.com/) has produced four feature-length documentaries: the IDA-award winning “Big Jim Folsom: The Two Faces of Populism” (1997) and three documentary films forming a trilogy about the experience of American combatants in World War I — the award-winning “War Birds: Diary of An Unknown Aviator,” “Lafayette Escadrille” and William March/“Company K.”

The latter film includes some elements of the dramatic feature “Company K” and is focused on the life of author William March, a decorated veteran of World War I whose harrowing story forms the basis for “Company K.”

This lecture and screening is of special importance because William March’s personal papers are housed at the Hoole Library. A small exhibition from the collection of artifacts and documents which relate to March’s experience in World War I will be on display in the Hoole lobby.

William March, an Alabama native and UA alumnus, wrote several books including the well-known thriller “The Bad Seed,” which was adapted for both stage and screen in the 1950s. The film was screened as part of a celebration of William March in 2001 by the Hoole Library.

The novel “Company K” was re-issued by the UA Press with an introduction by Dr. Phillip Beidler, UA English professor. Beidler will introduce Clem and comment briefly on the importance of March’s novel.

Filmmaker Clem is a former fellow of Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute, a graduate of Harvard Law School and NYU Film School as well as an award-winning independent filmmaker and producer. His works have been distributed around the world.

In 1991 he founded Radio Action Theater and collaborated with composer Donald Stark to produce radio dramas featuring a distinguished group of actors including Eli Wallach, Ossie Davis, Betty Buckley, Campbell Scott, Hope Davis, Michael O’Keefe, David Strathairn, Lois Smith, Jeffery Wright, Will Patton, Jeffery DeMunn and Stacy Keach.

Clem has produced, written and directed films appearing on public television, the Arts & Entertainment Network, the Discovery Channel, the Learning Channel and networks abroad. His 1997 PBS film “Big Jim Folsom” won the International Documentary Association/ABCNews VideoSource Award. “Big Jim Folsom” is being developed as a feature entitled “Strange Angels.”

Clem’s play “Fever” was performed as part of the New York International Fringe Festival in 2001. “Fever” has since been developed into a screenplay to be filmed in New York in 2006.

In addition, Clem wrote, directed and edited the award-winning documentary “War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator,” which is currently being developed as a feature film.

This will be a unique opportunity to meet and talk to a filmmaker, and to learn more about an Alabama native son’s career and experiences in the trenches during WWI.

Web site: www.companykthefilm.com