Running Shorts

The Virginia Film Festival lost another alum.
Oscar-winning director, producer and actor Sydney Pollack passed away Monday afternoon at his Los Angeles home. The 73-year-old star had been diagnosed with cancer some nine months earlier.
A friend of Charlottesville’ festival, Pollack made quite an impression during his visit in 2001—and 2001 had a pretty darn good lineup that included the likes of Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands and special effects master Stan Winston.
It was Pollock, however, who captivated fans during the year of the Masquerade.
Virginia Film Festival director Richard Herskowitz wrote in his yearly wrap up that Pollack’s discussions with Walter Korte and Peter Brunette was “among the best film classes ever offered at the university.“
Pollack, who owned two Academy Awards, led a director’s workshop at the 2001 fest. A couple of his classic films also were screened.
Perhaps no movie matched the Masquerades theme better that year than Pollack’s “Tootsie.“ The 1982 comedy somehow turned Dustin Hoffman into a believable woman. It also earned an Oscar for former Albemarle County resident Jessica Lange. All told, “Tootsie” was nominated for 10 Academy Awards. Pollack was the director, and he played Hoffman’s foil, George Fields.
That seemed to be a successful formula for Pollack. He was comfortable behind and in front of the camera. Last year he played opposite George Clooney in “Michael Clayton,“ another Oscar contender that he a co-produced.
He’s even on the big screen now, playing Patrick Dempsey’s dad in “Made of Honor.“
But it was “Out of Africa” that earned Pollack’s biggest accolades. He cleaned up at the Oscars in 1985 for best picture and best director.
He was one of our best guests, too.
Sydney Pollack will be missed.