Inside the Newseum before the invitation-only screening of Zero Dark Thirty. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Director Kathryn Bigelow zipped in and out of the well-attended Zero Dark Thirty screening Tuesday night here in Washington. While the invitation stated that there
would be the screening “and discussion” with Bigelow and writer/producer Mark Boal, Bigelow was gone by the time of the Q&A with ABC’s Martha Raddatz. A person connected with the screening, who understands Washington as well as Hollywood,
said Bigelow flew back to New York after introducing the film at the Newseum event
and “left the rest of it to Mark.” He viewed her absence as smart in light of criticism
of the film from senators John McCain and Dianne Feinstein and “for navigating an Oscar campaign.”
Initially the screening was scheduled to happen on December 4, but in late November
that date was postponed to January 8, with no explanation. In the intervening time
the film—which tracks the hunt for Osama bin Laden—collected a fair share of controversy,
much of it from Capitol Hill.
Bigelow slipped quietly into the pre-screening reception in the Newseum’s main lobby, possibly from a side entrance rather than the front door, hanging close to Boal, who also worked with her on the film The Hurt Locker, which won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director for Bigelow and Best Original Screenplay for Boal. They are also rumored to be a couple. Before the screening they were escorted to the rope line at the building entrance to pose for a swarm of photographers. There were protesters outside on the sidewalk, carrying placards decrying torture—waterboarding is shown in the film—but they were not a large group, nor very vocal.
During the screening, Boal was spotted having dinner at the Source restaurant, which
is next door, with actor Chris Pratt, who plays a Navy SEAL in the film, and others involved with the project. But no
sign of Bigelow, who reportedly was already on her way to New York. Boal returned
to the Newseum for the discussion.
Director Kathryn Bigelow Zips In and Out of “Zero Dark Thirty” Screening
She welcomed an audience of mostly media and intel wonks and then split town.
Director
Kathryn Bigelow zipped in and out of the well-attended
Zero Dark Thirty screening Tuesday night here in Washington. While the invitation stated that there
would be the screening “and discussion” with Bigelow and writer/producer
Mark Boal, Bigelow was gone by the time of the Q&A with ABC’s
Martha Raddatz. A person connected with the screening, who understands Washington as well as Hollywood,
said Bigelow flew back to New York after introducing the film at the Newseum event
and “left the rest of it to Mark.” He viewed her absence as smart in light of criticism
of the film from senators
John McCain and
Dianne Feinstein and “for navigating an Oscar campaign.”
Initially the screening was scheduled to happen on December 4, but in late November
that date was postponed to January 8, with no explanation. In the intervening time
the film—which tracks the hunt for Osama bin Laden—collected a fair share of controversy,
much of it from Capitol Hill.
Bigelow slipped quietly into the pre-screening reception in the Newseum’s main lobby, possibly from a side entrance rather than the front door, hanging close to Boal, who also worked with her on the film The Hurt Locker, which won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director for Bigelow and Best Original Screenplay for Boal. They are also rumored to be a couple. Before the screening they were escorted to the rope line at the building entrance to pose for a swarm of photographers. There were protesters outside on the sidewalk, carrying placards decrying torture—waterboarding is shown in the film—but they were not a large group, nor very vocal.
During the screening, Boal was spotted having dinner at the Source restaurant, which
is next door, with actor
Chris Pratt, who plays a Navy SEAL in the film, and others involved with the project. But no
sign of Bigelow, who reportedly was already on her way to New York. Boal returned
to the Newseum for the discussion.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Best of Washington 2023: Things to Eat, Drink, Do, and Know Right Now
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
Everything You Wanted to Know About Urban Bear Sightings but Were Afraid to Ask, Because Who Wants to Get That Close to a Bear?
Rockville Police Are Searching for Culprits of a $4,500 Pickleball Paddle Heist
Dozens of Vintage Planes Will Fly Over the National Mall This Saturday
PHOTOS: “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Queens Work It at the National Mall
Meet the NIH Detectives Cracking Medicine’s Toughest Cases
5 of DC’s Most Interesting Ideas for Revitalizing Chinatown
A “Corpse Flower” Is Currently in Bloom at the Botanic Garden
How Emma’s Torch Is Changing the Lives of Its Refugee Workers