Cinematheque Film Schedule

Italy, Spain, West Germany | 1964 | Sergio Leone

Clint Eastwood debuted as the surly, laconic, lethal “man with no name” in Sergio Leone’s first spaghetti Western, a stylish remake of Akira Kurosawa’s samurai classic Yojimbo. Eastwood’s amoral gunslinger shrewdly plays two rival gangs off against each other in a deadly feud. Music by Ennio Morricone.

Italy | 2012 | Bernardo Bertolucci

The first film in nine years (and first Italian-language film in 32 years!) from the great Italian director of The Conformist, Last Tango in Paris, and The Last Emperor tells of a lonely, pimply, geeky 14-year-old boy who wants to get some time away from his parents and peers. So during a week that he is supposed to be on a skiing trip with his school, he hides out in his family's basement. But soon...

Italy | 2012 | Bernardo Bertolucci

The first film in nine years (and first Italian-language film in 32 years!) from the great Italian director of The Conformist, Last Tango in Paris, and The Last Emperor tells of a lonely, pimply, geeky 14-year-old boy who wants to get some time away from his parents and peers. So during a week that he is supposed to be on a skiing trip with his school, he hides out in his family's basement. But soon...

Italy, Spain, West Germany | 1964 | Sergio Leone

Clint Eastwood debuted as the surly, laconic, lethal “man with no name” in Sergio Leone’s first spaghetti Western, a stylish remake of Akira Kurosawa’s samurai classic Yojimbo. Eastwood’s amoral gunslinger shrewdly plays two rival gangs off against each other in a deadly feud. Music by Ennio Morricone.

Japan | 1954 | Kenji Mizoguchi

Kinuyo Tanaka, in her 15th and final role for Mizoguchi, plays a geisha house owner in 1950s Kyoto who is distressed to realize that her doctor lover prefers her respectable daughter to herself. Cinematography by Kazuo Miyagawa.

Spain, United States | 2013 | Lydia Smith

In this inspiring and picturesque new documentary, international pilgrims aged 3 to 73 attempt the 500-mile trek along the El Camino de Santiago from southern France to the shrine of St. James in Galicia, Spain. This arduous (though scenic) journey began over a thousand years ago as a religious procession. Now hikers from all over the world walk it for a variety of personal/spiritual reasons. The film introduces us to six of them.

United States | 2012 | Leslie Zemeckis

The new documentary from the director of Behind the Burly Q relates the incredible true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton (Freaks, Chained for Life). The sisters rose to superstardom as sideshow attractions at the beginning of the 20th century and became the highest paid act in vaudeville during the 1930s and 1940s. But they were so exploited by their managers that they had to sue for their freedom. “A masterful movie, certain...

Spain, United States | 2013 | Lydia Smith

In this inspiring and picturesque new documentary, international pilgrims aged 3 to 73 attempt the 500-mile trek along the El Camino de Santiago from southern France to the shrine of St. James in Galicia, Spain. This arduous (though scenic) journey began over a thousand years ago as a religious procession. Now hikers from all over the world walk it for a variety of personal/spiritual reasons. The film introduces us to six of them.

Canada | 2013 | Denis Côté

Lesbian ex-cons Victoria and Florence resume their relationship when Vic is paroled from prison and moves to a remote small town in the Quebec woods. But the rural setting proves anything but idyllic: Vic's elderly uncle (whom she cares for) is a mute, bearded paraplegic; suspicious strangers visit their cabin; and nature itself is pregnant with menace. This droll, oddball comedy/thriller is the most acclaimed and accomplished narrative feature yet from Denis Côté (Curling, Bestiaire),...

United States | 2012 | Leslie Zemeckis

The new documentary from the director of Behind the Burly Q relates the incredible true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton (Freaks, Chained for Life). The sisters rose to superstardom as sideshow attractions at the beginning of the 20th century and became the highest paid act in vaudeville during the 1930s and 1940s. But they were so exploited by their managers that they had to sue for their freedom. “A masterful movie, certain...

France, Mexico, Spain | 2013 | Aarón Fernández Lesur

While managing his uncle’s rent-by-the-hour motel in a remote part of Veracruz, Mexico, 17-year-old Sebastián gets to know Miranda, a regular customer whose lover is always late to arrive. This languid, delicate, sensuous coming-of-age film showed in this year’s Cleveland Int’l Film Festival. “Critics' Pick…Like a mental vacation from the noise and bombast of the summer blockbuster...A delight.” –The NY Times.

France, Romania, Russia, Spain | 2013 | Manuel Martín Cuenca

In this dark, stylish, stunningly lensed romance, a refined Spanish tailor who is also a serial killer and a connoisseur of human flesh (most of the violence is offscreen) finds himself falling in love with the woman who is his next victim. “A beautifully composed character study...Both chilling and moving.” –The Hollywood Reporter.

France, Romania, Russia, Spain | 2013 | Manuel Martín Cuenca

In this dark, stylish, stunningly lensed romance, a refined Spanish tailor who is also a serial killer and a connoisseur of human flesh (most of the violence is offscreen) finds himself falling in love with the woman who is his next victim. “A beautifully composed character study...Both chilling and moving.” –The Hollywood Reporter.

US, Kenya, Somalia | 2014 | Cutler Hodierne

The first feature film produced by Cleveland’s Think Media Studios won the Directing Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Shot in East Africa with a cast of Somali non-actors, the film is a mesmerizing mix of action-thriller and art film in which a desperate young Somali fisherman reluctantly joins a band of pirates in order to support his family. Fishing Without Nets follows in the wake of A Hijacking...

Japan | 1954 | Kenji Mizoguchi

Mizoguchi’s exquisite, heartbreaking adaptation of a 17th-century puppet theater play by Chikamatsu Monzaemon (Japan’s Shakespeare) tells of two illicit lovers who flee their wrathful society, but later return to face the music. Masterfully photographed by Kazuo Miyagawa, this movie is ranked by some Japanese critics as the director’s best.

US, Kenya, Somalia | 2014 | Cutler Hodierne

The first feature film produced by Cleveland’s Think Media Studios won the Directing Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Shot in East Africa with a cast of Somali non-actors, the film is a mesmerizing mix of action-thriller and art film in which a desperate young Somali fisherman reluctantly joins a band of pirates in order to support his family. Fishing Without Nets follows in the wake of A Hijacking...

France, Mexico, Spain | 2013 | Aarón Fernández Lesur

While managing his uncle’s rent-by-the-hour motel in a remote part of Veracruz, Mexico, 17-year-old Sebastián gets to know Miranda, a regular customer whose lover is always late to arrive. This languid, delicate, sensuous coming-of-age film showed in this year’s Cleveland Int’l Film Festival. “Critics' Pick…Like a mental vacation from the noise and bombast of the summer blockbuster...A delight.” –The NY Times.

Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, United Kingdom | 2013 | Lars von Trier

Earlier this year Lars von Trier’s latest provocation Nymphomaniac—a self-proclaimed “porno epic” in two parts—was released to North American theaters (including the Cinematheque). But this four-hour movie was actually an abridged version of von Trier’s original (and intended) film, which ran five-and-a-half hours. This afternoon and evening you can see that unexpurgated director’s cut in a marathon screening divided by a dinner break. So what has been restored to this longer version? Well, since the...

Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, United Kingdom | 2013 | Lars von Trier

Earlier this year Lars von Trier’s latest provocation Nymphomaniac—a self-proclaimed “porno epic” in two parts—was released to North American theaters (including the Cinematheque). But this four-hour movie was actually an abridged version of von Trier’s original (and intended) film, which ran five-and-a-half hours. This afternoon and evening you can see that unexpurgated director’s cut in a marathon screening divided by a dinner break. So what has been restored to this longer version? Well, since the...

France, Italy | 1961 | Agnès Varda

Robert (Rob) Spadoni is a film scholar and associate professor at Case Western Reserve University, where he teaches various film courses. He has also just written a new book, A Pocket Guide to Analyzing Films (University of California Press, 2014). Tonight Rob will introduce a classic French film and sell and sign copies of his new book after the screening. Cleo from 5 to 7, a masterpiece by the only woman director associated with the...

United Kingdom | 2014 | Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard

Australian-born singer, songwriter, and composer Nick Cave spends his 20,000th day on earth with a camera crew that documents his various staged and authentic activities, all offer insights into Cave’s art and personality. “It's right up there with the best rock documentaries. That is, if you can call it a documentary.” –San Francisco Chronicle.

Canada | 2013 | Louise Archambault

Canada's official entry for last year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film is a brave, groundbreaking movie about a young French-Canadian woman with Williams syndrome who sings in a choir of mentally challenged adults. Gabrielle seeks a sexual relationship with her developmentally disabled boyfriend, a fellow choir member, but their families and social workers are not supportive. From the producers of Incendies and Monsieur Lazhar. “Charming...Hard to resist.” –The L.A. Times.

United States | 2014 | Joe Swanberg

Anna Kendrick and Lena Dunham star in the new film by indie stalwart Joe Swanberg—a clash-of-lifestyles dramedy in which a selfish, single young woman foments discord when she moves in with her married filmmaker brother, his novelist wife, and their two-year-old son. “Critics’ Pick…A quiet, serious comedy about marriage, parenthood and the everyday strains of bringing up a rambunctious toddler while struggling to sustain a creative life.” –The NY Times.

Hong Kong, Japan | 1955 | Kenji Mizoguchi

Mizoguchi’s first color film has been called “the most beautiful film ever made” (Fabiano Canosa). In 8th-century China, the Emperor’s love for a servant girl leads to tragedy. With Machiko Kyō and Masayuki Mori.

Canada | 1940-68 | Norman McLaren et al.

Though born in Scotland 100 years ago, Norman McLaren (1914-1987) was one of Canada's—and the world’s—most important and innovative animators. In a 40+ year career at the National Film Board of Canada, he won countless international awards, including an Oscar. McLaren was a pioneer in various types of animation—from painting on film and hand-drawn soundtracks to abstract film, visual music, and pixilation. All of these will be represented in the ten short films showing tonight. Program...

France | 2013 | Daniel Auteuil

French actor/director Daniel Auteuil (Jean de Florette) follows up his crowd-pleasing 2011 film The Well-Digger’s Daughter with another remake of a play (and film) by the great French writer Marcel Pagnol (1895-1974). This time Auteuil turns to Pagnol’s celebrated Marseille Trilogy (Marius, Fanny, César), one of the great achievements of 1930s French cinema. Marius, the first part (part two shows next week), introduces us to the trilogy's four main characters. César (Auteuil) is the colorful,...

France | 2013 | Daniel Auteuil

French actor/director Daniel Auteuil (Jean de Florette) follows up his crowd-pleasing 2011 film The Well-Digger’s Daughter with another remake of a play (and film) by the great French writer Marcel Pagnol (1895-1974). This time Auteuil turns to Pagnol’s celebrated Marseille Trilogy (Marius, Fanny, César), one of the great achievements of 1930s French cinema. Marius, the first part (part two shows next week), introduces us to the trilogy's four main characters. César (Auteuil) is the colorful,...

United States | 2014 | Joe Swanberg

Anna Kendrick and Lena Dunham star in the new film by indie stalwart Joe Swanberg—a clash-of-lifestyles dramedy in which a selfish, single young woman foments discord when she moves in with her married filmmaker brother, his novelist wife, and their two-year-old son. “Critics’ Pick…A quiet, serious comedy about marriage, parenthood and the everyday strains of bringing up a rambunctious toddler while struggling to sustain a creative life.” –The NY Times.

Canada | 2013 | Louise Archambault

Canada's official entry for last year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film is a brave, groundbreaking movie about a young French-Canadian woman with Williams syndrome who sings in a choir of mentally challenged adults. Gabrielle seeks a sexual relationship with her developmentally disabled boyfriend, a fellow choir member, but their families and social workers are not supportive. From the producers of Incendies and Monsieur Lazhar. “Charming...Hard to resist.” –The L.A. Times.

Japan | 1955 | Kenji Mizoguchi

Mizoguchi’s sumptuous samurai saga (one of only two films he made in color) is set in feudal 12th-century Japan, where three factions (the samurai, the clerics, and the court) vie for control. Lavish sets, elaborate costumes, lush cinematography (by Kazuo Miyagawa), and armies of extras. “Arguably Mizoguchi’s best and the best of all films.” –Ian Cameron.

United States | 1972 | Vernon Zimmerman

Playboy's 1970 Playmate of the Year Claudia Jennings plays a tough broad who barges into the rough-and-tumble world of female roller derby in this rude, raunchy, action-packed B movie, the second feature by writer/director Vernon Zimmerman. Produced by Roger Corman. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Vernon Zimmerman will not attend this screening, as previously announced.

France | 2013 | Daniel Auteuil

The second part of Daniel Auteuil's reboot of Marcel Pagnol's beloved Marseille Trilogy continues the interconnected love story of César, Marius, Fanny, and Panisse begun in Marius (see 10/18 at 8:30). To tell more would spoil the surprises—not only in this movie but also in the first installment.

United States | 1972/1982 | Vernon Zimmerman

Terrence Malick wrote the script for Vernon Zimmerman's feature-length directorial debut, a wacky road comedy (and quintessential seventies movie) in which a man (Alan Arkin) hijacks an 18-wheeler in the East, picks up a hitchhiker, and heads west across America. Along the way he has a series of funny, bizarre adventures. Filmed in 1971 but shelved by Paramount until 1982 (when it received a few festival bookings), Deadhead Miles has a great supporting cast (Hector...

United States | 1980 | Vernon Zimmerman

A lonely, anxiety-ridden film geek (Dennis Christopher) becomes a serial killer who dispatches his victims in the style and manner of his big-screen idols (Dracula, the Mummy, Norman Bates, et al.). Vernon Zimmerman's movie-savvy slasher film has become an international cult hit. With Mickey Rourke. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Vernon Zimmerman will not attend this screening, as previously announced.

France | 2013 | Daniel Auteuil

The second part of Daniel Auteuil's reboot of Marcel Pagnol's beloved Marseille Trilogy continues the interconnected love story of César, Marius, Fanny, and Panisse begun in Marius (see 10/18 at 8:30). To tell more would spoil the surprises—not only in this movie but also in the first installment.

Spain | 2011 | Ignacio Ferreras

This poignant animated film focuses on Emilio and Miguel, two elderly gentleman living in an old age home. Emilio is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, so shrewd, mischievous Miguel does what he can to keep his friend from being moved to the facility's dreaded "assisted living" floor. Based on an acclaimed graphic novel. “A genuine crowd pleaser deserving of the widest possible exposure...One of the most accomplished Spanish films, from any genre, of recent...

Iran | 2013 | Jafar Panahi, Kambuzia Partovi

The second feature film shot secretly by Iranian film master Jafar Panahi since the Iranian government banned him from making movies for 20 years is more complex and subversive than the first (2011's This Is Not a Film). Set and shot inside his beachfront villa on the Caspian Sea, Panahi's new movie follows a paranoid screenwriter (co-director Partovi) whose cloistered life with his illicit dog is disturbed by various interlopers. A mischievous, Pirandellian entertainment. “Critics’...

Spain | 2011 | Ignacio Ferreras

This poignant animated film focuses on Emilio and Miguel, two elderly gentleman living in an old age home. Emilio is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, so shrewd, mischievous Miguel does what he can to keep his friend from being moved to the facility's dreaded "assisted living" floor. Based on an acclaimed graphic novel. “A genuine crowd pleaser deserving of the widest possible exposure...One of the most accomplished Spanish films, from any genre, of recent...

Iran | 2013 | Jafar Panahi, Kambuzia Partovi

The second feature film shot secretly by Iranian film master Jafar Panahi since the Iranian government banned him from making movies for 20 years is more complex and subversive than the first (2011's This Is Not a Film). Set and shot inside his beachfront villa on the Caspian Sea, Panahi's new movie follows a paranoid screenwriter (co-director Partovi) whose cloistered life with his illicit dog is disturbed by various interlopers. A mischievous, Pirandellian entertainment. “Critics’...

Germany | 1920 | Robert Wiene

Here’s a new, color-tinted digital restoration of the granddaddy of all German Expressionist films—an eerie, nightmarish psychodrama that unfolds on artificial, abstract sets, about a carnival hypnotist (Werner Krauss) who orders a sleepwalker (Conrad Veidt) to commit a series of ghastly murders. “Undoubtedly one of the most exciting and inspired horror movies ever made.” –Time Out Film Guide.

United States | 2013 | James Franco

James Franco and Tim Blake Nelson star in Franco’s horrific, darkly humorous adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s 1973 novel, about a mentally disturbed, anti-social loner living in rural Tennessee who engages in all manner of aberrant, abhorrent human behavior. A 2013 New York Film Festival selection. “A shocking tale of backwoods lunacy and one man's descent into hell.” –The Guardian.

United States | 2013 | James Franco

James Franco and Tim Blake Nelson star in Franco’s horrific, darkly humorous adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s 1973 novel, about a mentally disturbed, anti-social loner living in rural Tennessee who engages in all manner of aberrant, abhorrent human behavior. A 2013 New York Film Festival selection. “A shocking tale of backwoods lunacy and one man's descent into hell.” –The Guardian.

Germany | 1920 | Robert Wiene

Here’s a new, color-tinted digital restoration of the granddaddy of all German Expressionist films—an eerie, nightmarish psychodrama that unfolds on artificial, abstract sets, about a carnival hypnotist (Werner Krauss) who orders a sleepwalker (Conrad Veidt) to commit a series of ghastly murders. “Undoubtedly one of the most exciting and inspired horror movies ever made.” –Time Out Film Guide.