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Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in 'A Star Is Born' at the Fall KCET Cinema Series on September 25

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Q&A immediately following with editor Jay Cassidy.

“Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die” is a bold yet worthy line sung in the opening of a fresh new take on (and fourth remake of) the 1976 film classic, “A Star is Born.” The film stars four-time Oscar® nominee Bradley Cooper (“American Sniper,” “American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook”) and multiple award-winning, Oscar-nominated music super star Lady Gaga, in her first leading role in a major motion picture. Cooper helms the drama, marking his directorial debut. The cast also includes Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle and Sam Elliott.

While cynics will surely write off the film as self-congratulatory Hollywood fare, an 8-minute standing ovation at its Venice Film Festival world premiere and a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes suggest otherwise. Like any true romance, the authenticity depends on believable chemistry between the two lovers…which in this case is explosive. Not since “Walk the Line” has such raw vulnerability been shown on screen between the stereotypical damaged man and steely ingénue who shows up in his life at the right moment. Add to that the dedication of singing live (no lip syncing here, all audio was recorded on set) and the film is on track as a major Oscar contender. It helps that this is not just a rags to riches story but a love between two flawed individuals and a cautionary look that pulls back the curtain of a meteoric rise to fame. To quote the electrifying trailer (not hyperbole… hearing Gaga’s voice build inevitably leads to involuntary goosebumps), “It takes a lot to change, it takes a lot to try.” Here’s to a film that aims to be a remake done right, and show that some stories can be just as effective in the retelling.

Much like their characters, Cooper says he and Gaga “relied on each other in every single way. I knew every time we did a musical number, I had this undeniable force in her, and I knew there was no one else who could’ve played the part. Her talent, her work ethic honed from years of performing…as a storyteller, you’re just so thankful you cast the right person, but we were truly in this together, and that’s the way we approached every scene and every song: as partners.”

“A Star Is Born” will be released in theaters on October 5 by Warner Bros. Pictures. A Q&A session will immediately follow the screening with editor Jay Cassidy as well as host and Deadline film critic Pete Hammond, who can also be seen in KCET’s Must See Movies. The fall season of the KCET Cinema Series is generously sponsored by Deadline.com. The season began on August 14 and runs through October 9. Season passes are available online via Eventbriteand individual admissions are available at the door for $30 each.

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