Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, the two Chicago critics who taught America how to talk about movies, are getting a bronze statue in the heart of the city. The sculpture will stand at Prudential Plaza.
The monument will depict both journalists together with the signature movie balcony seats that served for years as the set of their television show. Visitors will be able to sit in them and take a photo next to the legends. The sculpture will be made by Preston Jackson, an acclaimed Illinois artist. The news was reported by Crain’s Chicago Business.
A fundraising campaign for the statue is under way, including an auction of memorabilia related to the two critics. Details are available at siskelandebertstatue.org. An unveiling date has not yet been announced.
Siskel wrote for the Chicago Tribune, and Ebert for the Chicago Sun-Times. Their joint show, in which they debated new releases and rated them with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down, helped decide the success of many films for decades. The famous “two thumbs up” became synonymous with a film recommendation in America. Roger Ebert already has a statue in front of the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, where a festival named for him is held every year.
The news coincided with the finale of the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival, the oldest competitive film festival in North America. This year’s edition ends Sunday, Oct. 25.
Sources: Newcity, Crain’s Chicago Business, Choose Chicago
Source: Polski.FM
