'Wild Things' director receives retrospective at Museum of Modern Art

(Relaxnews) -

Filmmaker Spike Jonze, whose upcoming Where the Wild Things Are is an imaginative adaptation of the classic children's book by Maurice Sendak, has been chosen by New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Department of Film, for a 10-day retrospective, October 8-18.

Spike Jonze: The First 80 Years, the 39-year-old film and video director's idea for a title, will feature his innovative feature films, Being John Malkovich (1999) and Adaptation (2002), the documentary Heavy Metal in Baghdad, and short films, such as an early skateboard gem.

Selections from the dozens of breakthrough music videos that Jonze directed for artists such as Kanye West, Björk, and R.E.M. will be screened, including Weezer's "Buddy Holly," Fatboy Slim's "Praise You," which won MTV awards for Best Direction, and "Weapon of Love" featuring actor Christopher Walken dancing, which won a Grammy.

His award-winning commercials for Nike, Adidas, the Gap, Levi's, Nissan, and Ikea, will also be shown as part of MoMA's Filmmaker in Focus series. Honoring his work as a director, producer, cinematographer, writer, actor, and choreographer, the museum chose Jonze as an "intelligent and daring filmmaker."

According to MoMA, Maurice Sendak describes Jonze as, "kind of goofy, adventurous, whacked-out, but dramatically gifted." Jonze has shot a documentary, Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak, to debut October 14 on HBO television.

On October 8, Jonze will participate in an opening-night discussion, "In Cahoots," with Maurice Sendak and exhibition curator Joshua Siegel.

Some unusual merchandising tie-ins are unfolding, as might be expected for the unique film, including Ugg Shoes which will be selling "Where the Wild Things Are" boots and Urban Outfitters has created a collection of T-shirts and shadow puppets.

Author Dave Eggers wrote a novelization of the movie that will be published with a fur cover through his company, McSweeney's.

RC