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Jan. 12-15: Le Havre, Buster Keaton, Visiting Filmmaker & More!

01/10/12  |  Posted by Cinematheque  |  Posted in Cinematheque

LE HAVRE blends humor and heart. LE HAVRE , Aki Kaurismäki's first feature in five years, finds Finland's droll master of working-class comedy forsaking his familiar turf for the titular port city in northern France. There a poor, aging, but happy bohemian working as a shoeshine man decides to hide a young African boy, an illegal immigrant on his way to London, from the French authorities. Working with a superb French and Finnish cast, Kaurismäki crafts a warm, funny, humanistic parable of contemporary Europe, as well as a loving tribute to classic French cinema (Melville, Renoir, Carné, Guédiguian). Entertainment Weekly gives LE HAVRE an "A" grade, calling it "a perfect, deadpan, impishly optimistic fairy tale." It recently won France's prestigious Prix Louis Delluc for Best Film of 2011. (The award, named for a famous French film critic, has been given since 1936 and is decided by a panel of film professionals and reviewers.) It is also Finland's submission for this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film (with an excellent chance of being nominated) and has a 98% "fresh" rating on RottenTomatoes.com ! LE HAVRE docks here on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Don't miss it! Filmmaker Patrick Wang to appear in person Thursday with his movie IN THE FAMILY In Patrick Wang's new film IN THE FAMILY , a gay man (Wang) is devastated when his partner dies suddenly and the dead man's biological six-year-old child, whom both men were raising, goes to live with the dead man's sister, as specified in the will. The forlorn lover struggles to make peace with the family and the situation. This first-time film by writer/director Wang (who will answer audience questions after Thursday night's showing, the movie's Midwest premiere) was rejected by 30 film festivals before finally opening in NYC. There The NY Times called it "one of the most accomplished and undersold directorial debuts this year." It is now one of five movies nominated for the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. Set and shot in Tennessee by an Asian American, IN THE FAMILY is far from a stereotypical Southern melodrama. Mr. Wang's propensity for long, meditative takes and fascination with family dynamics echo the work of Japan's great Yasujiro Ozu. Variety hails this 169-min. film as "a beautifully written and performed plea for understanding...will move many viewers with its dignity and restraint." Filmmaker Magazine calls it "the most surprising and astounding DIY American narrative of the year." The film also shows on Saturday night, but Patrick Wang will not be present at that screening. Here's the trailer. Gerard Depardieu, Gisele Casadesus star in MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE In Jean Becker's new French film MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE , Gérard Depardieu plays a kind-hearted but illiterate laborer who learns about life and books from a small, well-read elderly woman whom he meets on a park bench one day. The woman, Margueritte, is played by celebrated 97-year-old Comédie Française star Gisèle Casadesus, cousin of pianist Robert Casadesus. Variety calls this delightful movie "French feel-good filmmaking to the max." Spend an evening or afternoon with Margueritte on Friday or Sunday. Print this email and present it at the box office and see this movie for only $7 ($5 if you're a Cinematheque member). It's our Deal of the Week! (Limit two discount admissions per print-out) Buster Keaton in SEVEN CHANCES says, "Get me to the church on time!" In the hilarious silent comedy SEVEN CHANCES , unlucky-in-love Buster Keaton has until 7 pm that day to get married and inherit a fortune. He frantically dodges brides-and boulders-in this breathless silent comedy that contains some of Keaton's best gags and most amazing stunts. SEVEN CHANCES will be preceded at showtime by two fantastical French shorts by Georges Méliès, subject of Martin Scorsese's HUGO: The Vanishing Lady (1896) and The Dream of an Opium Fiend (1908). Be amazed on Saturday or Sunday. MELANCHOLIA coming in February One of the most acclaimed films of last year, Lars von Trier's MELANCHOLIA , will fill the To Be Announced slot on Sunday, February 12, at 3:30 pm. (The movie will show a second time on Monday, February 13, at 6:45 pm.) Just yesterday MELANCHOLIA was named "Best Film of 2011" by the National Society of Film Critics. They also awarded the film's star, Kirsten Dunst, "Best Actress." Mark your calendars! John Ewing on the radio this week Cinematheque director John Ewing will discuss the Cinematheque's new film series "Artists of the Silent Screen" on the region's two public radio stations this week. On Wednesday he will be on Here and Now (noon show) and All Things Considered on WKSU 89.7 FM. And on Thursday at 12:30 pm he will be on Around Noon on WCPN 90.3 FM. (IN THE FAMILY's Patrick Wang will also be interviewed in another segment on the same show.) Tune in, or listen online after the fact! FILMS THIS WEEK Midwest premiere of acclaimed new indie drama! Filmmaker in person Thursday! IN THE FAMILY Thu., Jan. 12, at 6:45 pm Sat., Jan. 14, at 8:30 pm Gerard Depardieu in charming French comedy MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITE Fri., Jan. 13, at 7:30 pm Sun., Jan. 15, at 4:30 pm Aki Kaurismaki's funny, humanistic LE HAVRE Fri., Jan. 13, at 9:15 pm Sat., Jan. 14, at 6:35 pm Sun., Jan. 15, at 7:50 pm Buster Keaton's SEVEN CHANCES Sat., Jan. 14, at 5:15 pm Sun., Jan. 15, at 6:30 pm FILMS NEXT WEEK THE SPIDERS Thu., Jan. 19, at 7:00 pm THE CONQUEST Fri., Jan. 20, at 7:30 pm Sat., Jan. 21, at 9:05 pm THE MIRROR Fri., Jan. 20, at 9:35 pm Sun., Jan. 22, at 6:30 pm QUEEN KELLY Sat., Jan. 21, at 5:15 pm Sun., Jan. 22, at 8:35 pm PIANOMANIA Sat., Jan. 21, at 7:10 pm Sun., Jan. 22, at 4:15 pm The Cinematheque The Cleveland Institute of Art 11141 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106 Phone: (216) 421-7450 http://cia.edu/cinematheque

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