2012 FALL CINEMA SERIES
September 5: THE ARTIST
Michel Hazanavicius, 2011, France
The Cinema Series opens with the 2011 Best Picture winner The Artist. George Valentine, a highly successful silent movie actor, finds himself struggling as the movie industry develops talking pictures until a rising star comes to the rescue. Winner of five Oscars, this neo-silent film is a delightful homage to Hollywood in the 1920s.
September 12: VERTIGO
Alfred Hitchcock, 1958, USA
When an acrophobic detective, played by Jimmy Stewart, is asked to trail his friend’s wife and explain her strange behaviors, he quickly begins to fall for her…both literally and figuratively. Set in San Francisco and starring icy Hitchcock blonde Kim Novak, Vertigo is a crowning achievement on one of Hollywood’s most legendary directorial careers.
September 19: A SEPARATION
Asghar Farhadi, 2011, Iran
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film of 2011, this riveting Iranian drama explores a middle-class couple faced with the difficult decision to stay in Iran for their Alzheimer’s ridden father or leave for the benefit of their 11-year-old daughter.
September 26: HE WHO GETS SLAPPED
Victor Sjöström, 1924, USA
Originally based on a Russian play, this compelling silent drama tells the story of an inventor plagued by misfortune and betrayal. Lon Chaney is remarkable in the principal role as he spirals downward into a circus performer whose act centers on personal humiliation. Sjöström has created a true masterwork of early cinema with themes as resonant now as they were in 1924. The show will feature live musical accompaniment by Los Angeles composer and musician Rick Friend.
October 3: PAN'S LABYRINTH
Guillermo del Toro, 2006, Spain/Mexico
Set in 1944 fascist Spain, this fantasy drama tells the story of young girl who when faced with familial difficulties escapes into a dangerous world of fantasy, myth, and fairytale. Directed by Guillermo del Torro, the film features exquisite cinematography, impeccable design, and breathtaking computer-generated imagery. Winner of 3 Academy Awards, including best cinematography and art direction.
October 10: A CLOCKWORK ORANGE
Stanley Kubrick, 1971, UK
Based on Anthony Burgess’ 1962 novel, this 1971 artistic adaptation explores the life of a charismatic, but sociopathic delinquent and his small group of equally dangerous friends. Directed by Stanly Kubrick, this deeply ironic sci-fi drama has retained notoriety for its disturbing imagery and thought provoking political and social commentary. Nominated for 4 Academy Awards, including best picture and best director.
October 17: HOLIDAY
George Cukor, 1938, USA
This rarely screened classic reteamed Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant after their smash success Bringing Up Baby. When free thinking Johnny (Grant) thinks he’s fallen for a rich heiress, his world is shaken by the heiress’s black sheep sister (Hepburn). Cukor has fashioned an extremely stylish comedy that features some of the best moments of Grant & Hepburn’s careers.
October 24: MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
Sean Durkin, 2011, USA
After escaping the clutches of an abusive cult, Martha struggles to keep her past hidden to her family and friends as she attempts to assimilate back into her old life. Unable to rid herself of haunting memories, she rapidly unravels as she begins to fear that the cult leaders could still be pursuing her. This 2011 sleeper received international critical acclaim for director Sean Durkin and its stunning performance by lead actress Elizabeth Olsen.
October 31: THE EXORCIST
William Friedkin, 1973, USA
When a 12 year-old girl named Regan becomes possessed by the devil, her mother struggles to make sense of her daughter’s sudden change in behavior. After weeks of evaluation and misdiagnoses, she soon realizes that what’s at work is something much more dangerous and sinister. This disturbing horror classic was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including best picture, directer, and actress. Guest presenter Eric Thompson will join us for a special Halloween pre-show at 6pm including a costume contest, trivia, and prizes.
November 7: BARTON FINK
Joel Coen, 1991, USA
Set in 1941, an idealistic playwright, Barton Fink, finds himself with a severe case of writer’s block once he’s hired to write for a Hollywood movie studio. When a bizarre series of events soon follow, Fink finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation. Directed by the Coen brothers, this surreal Hollywood satire is full of the dark humor that’s made them famous. Nominated for three Oscars.
November 14: HAIR
Milos Forman, 1979, USA
When young Midwesterner Claude heads to New York, he quickly becomes captivated with a group of singing, peace-loving, hippie youth until the Vietnam War draft threatens to strip away everything he has come to value. Celebrating flower power and the vibrant sub-culture of the 1960s, Hair is the stylized musical feature that Czech director Milos Forman chose to follow his first American-produced triumph, the highly realist One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
November 28: "Cinema Language" with Vivien Hillgrove
Join us for a special multimedia master class with award-winning film & sound editor Vivien Hillgrove. Hillgrove has more than 42 years of experience in both feature films and documentaries. She has worked both inside and outside of Hollywood with film credits that include Henry & June, Amadeus, Blue Velvet, The Right Stuff, The Mosquito Coast, and The Unbearable Lightness of Being among others. Tonight’s talk will focus on the secrets of cinema language with anecdotes and examples from her long career in the business. Interview at 6pm. Presentation at 7pm.
December 5: CHINATOWN
Roman Polanski, 1974, USA
In Roman Polanski’s 1974 neo-noir crime drama, a private detective J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is hired to spy on the husband of a beautiful femme fatale (Faye Dunaway). What seems to be a standard case of adultery leads him to uncover a sinister murder scheme and the crooked dealings of the Los Angeles waterworks. Nominated for 11 Oscars, Chinatown is one of the great triumphs of film history.
December 12: HAROLD & MAUDE
Hal Ashby, 1971, USA
The Cinema Series celebrates its 100th screening with the 1971 cult classic Harold & Maude. Marked with a memorable Cat Stevens score, the film follows the exploits of a teenager obsessed with death who learns about life from his 80-year-old mentor. Produced during an era of unprecedented directorial freedom, Hal Ashby crafted a remarkable dark comedy that exemplifies the best of 1970s cinema.