Cinematheque Film Schedule

United States | 2018 | Julie Simone

This uplifting new documentary is a foot-stomping celebration of old-time American music and bluegrass. Filmed in the Appalachian Mountains at the annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax, VA, Fiddlin’ extols the healing power of music by capturing people of different generations jamming together. It was the Closing Night film at the 2018 Chagrin Documentary Film Festival. DCP. 92 min.

United States | 1919 | D.W. Griffith

After an absence of 32 years, internationally known silent film accompanist Dennis James returns to the Cinematheque! James, whom Stephen Salmons, founding artistic director of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, calls “without doubt the greatest practitioner of the art of solo silent film accompaniment” and “a national treasure," will provide live electronic keyboard accompaniment to a century-old classic by the influential D.W. Griffith. Much quieter and more low key than other Griffith triumphs (Intolerance,...

China, United Kingdom, United States | 2019 | Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino’s all-star love letter to 1969 Los Angeles focuses on an aging TV Western star (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime friend and stunt double (Brad Pitt) whose lives intersect with both Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and members of the “Manson family.” With Margaret Qualley, Al Pacino, and Bruce Dern. Shot on film, the movie will be shown from film—perhaps for the first time in Cleveland. 161 min. (the original cut).

United States | 2018 | Rian Brown, Geoff Pingree

In 2006, novelist Toni Morrison guest-curated an exhibition at the Louvre, “The Foreigner’s Home,” that dealt with cultural and social displacement. As part of the show, Morrison engaged in public conversations with visual artists about the idea of “foreignness.” This recent movie by two Oberlin filmmakers combines video footage of that historic show in Paris with new footage of Morrison shot in the U.S. Archival film clips, photographs, music, and animation further amplify the film’s...

United States | 1979/2019 | Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Coppola’s new, definitive version of his hallucinatory Vietnam War masterpiece is a half hour longer than the film’s original cut—but 15-20 minutes shorter than 2001’s Apocalypse Now Redux. The movie’s picture and sound have also been digitally restored and enhanced, resulting in what The Hollywood Reporter calls “an overwhelming sensory experience” that must be seen in a theater. Inspired by Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the film follows a U.S. Army captain (Martin Sheen)...

France | 1976 | Agnès Varda

Rebecca DeRoo, author of Agnès Varda between Film, Photography, and Art (University of California Press, 2017), will introduce one of her favorite films by the late French New Wave director of Cléo from 5 to 7, The Gleaners & I, and Faces Places. Daguerréotypes is Varda’s personal portrait of the shopkeepers and habitués of Paris’ Rue Daguerre, the filmmaker’s longtime neighborhood. Shot over 40 years ago, the work endures today as a loving look at...

Argentina | 2019 | Lucio Castro

This dreamy, time-jumping, erotic drama begins in Barcelona, where a vacationing Argentine poet hooks up with a Spanish TV director also on holiday—only to learn that the two of them may have met before, and may in fact be destined for each other. “Evokes Andrew Haigh’s fine Weekend as well as a kind of gay spin on Richard Linklater’s Before films.” –L.A .Times. “The best gay film of the year.” –IndieWire. Adults only! Cleveland premiere....

United Kingdom | 1964 | Richard Lester

This whimsical look at a few days in the life of John, Paul, George, and Ringo (the Beatles) circa 1964 is a funny, inventive, madcap delight as well as one of the most influential music movies ever made. Great songs, too! DCP. 87 min.

Austria, Hungary, United Kingdom | 2019 | David Michôd

Robert Pattinson, Timothée Chalamet, and Lily-Rose Depp star in the spectacular new film from the Aussie director of Animal Kingdom and The Rover. The King is a grand, lavish historical drama, set during the 15th century, about family, friendship, war, and power; it’s inspired by Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2 and Henry V. (Falstaff is played by Joel Edgerton, who co-wrote the screenplay with Michôd.) “Majestic…All hail.” –Hollywood Reporter. Cleveland premiere. DCP. 133...

United States | 1982 | George T. Nierenberg

This rousing celebration of American gospel music captures Thomas A. Dorsey and Willie Mae Ford Smith (the “father” and “mother” of black gospel music) when they were alive and active, as well as a few of their notable disciples (the Barrett Sisters, the O’Neal Twins, et al.) in stirring performances. “One of the most joyful movies I’ve ever seen!” –Roger Ebert. Cleveland revival premiere. DCP. 101 min.

United States | 1982 | George T. Nierenberg

This rousing celebration of American gospel music captures Thomas A. Dorsey and Willie Mae Ford Smith (the “father” and “mother” of black gospel music) when they were alive and active, as well as a few of their notable disciples (the Barrett Sisters, the O’Neal Twins, et al.) in stirring performances. “One of the most joyful movies I’ve ever seen!” –Roger Ebert. Cleveland revival premiere. DCP. 101 min.

Argentina | 2019 | Lucio Castro

This dreamy, time-jumping, erotic drama begins in Barcelona, where a vacationing Argentine poet hooks up with a Spanish TV director also on holiday—only to learn that the two of them may have met before, and may in fact be destined for each other. “Evokes Andrew Haigh’s fine Weekend as well as a kind of gay spin on Richard Linklater’s Before films.” –L.A .Times. “The best gay film of the year.” –IndieWire. Adults only! Cleveland premiere....

Austria, Hungary, United Kingdom | 2019 | David Michôd

Robert Pattinson, Timothée Chalamet, and Lily-Rose Depp star in the spectacular new film from the Aussie director of Animal Kingdom and The Rover. The King is a grand, lavish historical drama, set during the 15th century, about family, friendship, war, and power; it’s inspired by Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2 and Henry V. (Falstaff is played by Joel Edgerton, who co-wrote the screenplay with Michôd.) “Majestic…All hail.” –Hollywood Reporter. Cleveland premiere. DCP. 133...

Israel | 2007 | Eran Kolirin

Sasson Gabay, who won the 2007 European Film Award for Best Actor for his wry performance in this delightful Israeli comedy (he also starred in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical based on the movie and is currently on tour with the production, which plays at Playhouse Square 11/5-24), will appear in person at this screening of the original movie. Gabay will answer audience questions after the show, and so will his son, Adam, who also...

France | 1951 | Jacqueline Audry

This long-neglected “landmark of lesbian representation” (Judith Mayne) was directed by a groundbreaking French female filmmaker and stars Simone Simon (Cat People) and Edwige Feuillère. Set in a 19th-century boarding school for girls, the film focuses on the house’s two mistresses, who compete for the affection and love of their students in a dangerous game of attraction, seduction, and manipulation. Olivia will be introduced at 6:30 by Grace An, Associate Professor of French and Cinema...

United States | 2019 | Matt Tyburski

Peter Sarsgaard, Rashida Jones, and Austin Pendleton star in this new indie drama about a NYC “house tuner” who diagnoses the discordant ambient noises—from wind to humming electrical appliances—that adversely affect his clients’ moods. But one particularly difficult case stumps him, prompting him to discover that the mysteries of the soul may be even greater than the mysteries of sound. “A quietly moving portrait of a harmony-obsessed man learning to embrace the dissonances of human...

United States | 1971 | Peter Fonda

Peter Fonda followed Easy Rider by starring in (and directing, for the first time) this lyrical, low-key Western that co-stars Warren Oates and Verna Bloom. Fonda plays a man who returns to his abandoned wife and homestead after drifting around the American Southwest for seven years. Though his spouse won’t take him back, she does agree to give him work. Largely panned and virtually unreleased in 1971, Fonda’s “feminist,” “hippie” oater (of which he was...

United States | 1981 | Kathryn Bigelow, Monty Montgomery

Decades before he became president of the Cleveland Institute of Art, Grafton Nunes was a film producer who oversaw The Loveless, the first feature by female trailblazer (and future Oscar winner) Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker). Nunes introduces and discusses a brand new restoration of that film (co-directed by Monty Montgomery) which also boasted the screen debut of Willem Dafoe. The Loveless is a motorcycle movie set during the 1950s, about bikers who wreak havoc...

United States | 2018 | Stuart Swezey

This new documentary relates the untold story of a series of 1980s guerrilla punk and industrial desert happenings in Southern California that are now recognized as the inspiration for Burning Man, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. Includes interviews and rare performance footage of Sonic Youth, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, Redd Kross, Einstürzende Neubauten, Survival Research Laboratories, Savage Republic, Swans, et al. “Like some bizarre ritual at the end of the world." –L.A. Weekly. Cleveland premiere. DCP. 93 min.

United States | |

Released a year before America’s Bicentennial, Robert Altman’s exuberant, music-filled classic celebrates the people and spirit of our nation through a look at the lives and loves of 24 interconnected characters involved in showbiz and politics in Nashville. The all-star cast includes Keith Carradine, Karen Black, Lily Tomlin, Ned Beatty, Shelley Duvall, Ronee Blakley, and Jeff Goldblum, to name just a few. “The funniest epic vision of America ever to reach the screen.” –Pauline Kael....

United States | 2019 | Matt Tyburski

Peter Sarsgaard, Rashida Jones, and Austin Pendleton star in this new indie drama about a NYC “house tuner” who diagnoses the discordant ambient noises—from wind to humming electrical appliances—that adversely affect his clients’ moods. But one particularly difficult case stumps him, prompting him to discover that the mysteries of the soul may be even greater than the mysteries of sound. “A quietly moving portrait of a harmony-obsessed man learning to embrace the dissonances of human...

United States | 2018 | Stuart Swezey

This new documentary relates the untold story of a series of 1980s guerrilla punk and industrial desert happenings in Southern California that are now recognized as the inspiration for Burning Man, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. Includes interviews and rare performance footage of Sonic Youth, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, Redd Kross, Einstürzende Neubauten, Survival Research Laboratories, Savage Republic, Swans, et al. “Like some bizarre ritual at the end of the world." –L.A. Weekly. Cleveland premiere. DCP. 93 min.

United States | 2019 | Julia Reichert, Steven Bognar

Many have heard the song “Nine to Five” by the great Dolly Parton or seen the 1980 blockbuster of the same name starring Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda. Yet few realize that these two icons of popular culture grew out of a social movement that spanned over 25 years and had a profound impact on women and the American workforce. This illuminating documentary—the latest work in progress by three-time Oscar-nominated Ohio filmmaker Julia Reichert—tells...

Croatia, France, Iran, Qatar, Serbia | 2018 | Ognjen Glavonić

This taut suspense thriller that recalls The Wages of Fear and Sorcerer is set during NATO’s 1999 bombing of Serbia. A truck driver hired for a dangerous mission must navigate a treacherous path across his war-torn country—from Kosovo to Belgrade—to deliver mysterious cargo. “One of the year’s best films.” –RogerEbert.com. Cleveland premiere. Subtitles. DCP. 98 min.

Japan, United Kingdom | 2019 | Takashi Miike

In the unbridled, anarchic new comedy thriller by Japan’s outré and prolific master of genre movies, Takashi Miike, a boxer hooks up with a Tokyo call girl who’s involved in the local drug trade. Pretty soon the two of them are outrunning and dodging yakuza, corrupt cops, and a ruthless female assassin. “A blast.” –Variety. Cleveland premiere. Subtitles. DCP. 108 min.

France, Italy | 1976 | Joseph Losey

Alain Delon and Jeanne Moreau star in one of the most successful movie revivals of 2019! (Virtually all shows during its initial two-week NYC run in September sold out!) Set in 1942 during the Nazi occupation of Paris, the film focuses on Catholic art dealer Robert Klein, who makes a comfortable living by buying paintings and sculptures at bargain prices from Jews desperate to flee France. But when he hears of another Robert Klein in...

Japan | 1962 | Akira Kurosawa

In Kurosawa’s comic sequel to Yojimbo (shown in April), Toshiro Mifune’s shrewd, shambling samurai helps a group of idealistic young warriors root out corruption in their clan. Often hailed as Kurosawa’s funniest film, Sanjuro also contains a terrifically exciting climactic showdown and a groundbreaking special effect that stills startles today. With Tatsuya Nakadai and Takashi Shimura. “[Yojimbo’s] equal and one of Kurosawa’s greatest achievements.” –Danny Peary, Guide for the Film Fanatic. Scope print! Subtitles. 96...

Japan, United Kingdom | 2019 | Takashi Miike

In the unbridled, anarchic new comedy thriller by Japan’s outré and prolific master of genre movies, Takashi Miike, a boxer hooks up with a Tokyo call girl who’s involved in the local drug trade. Pretty soon the two of them are outrunning and dodging yakuza, corrupt cops, and a ruthless female assassin. “A blast.” –Variety. Cleveland premiere. Subtitles. DCP. 108 min.

France, Italy | 1976 | Joseph Losey

Alain Delon and Jeanne Moreau star in one of the most successful movie revivals of 2019! (Virtually all shows during its initial two-week NYC run in September sold out!) Set in 1942 during the Nazi occupation of Paris, the film focuses on Catholic art dealer Robert Klein, who makes a comfortable living by buying paintings and sculptures at bargain prices from Jews desperate to flee France. But when he hears of another Robert Klein in...

Jamaica, United States | 2006/2019 | Perry Henzell

The only other film directed by the maker of the 1973 reggae classic The Harder They Come was just released theatrically earlier this year, 13 years after playing a few film festivals. Set in Jamaica (like its famous predecessor), the movie charts the relationship between a white NYC woman who has come to the island to produce a shampoo commercial and the black man she hires to drive her around the scenic countryside in search...

Croatia, France, Iran, Qatar, Serbia | 2018 | Ognjen Glavonić

This taut suspense thriller that recalls The Wages of Fear and Sorcerer is set during NATO’s 1999 bombing of Serbia. A truck driver hired for a dangerous mission must navigate a treacherous path across his war-torn country—from Kosovo to Belgrade—to deliver mysterious cargo. “One of the year’s best films.” –RogerEbert.com. Cleveland premiere. Subtitles. DCP. 98 min.

United States | 2006 | Julia Reichert, Steven Bognar

This epic, Emmy-winning TV documentary relates the stories of five children and their families at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as they battle pediatric cancer. From the trauma of diagnosis to the physical toll of treatment, the film (which was shot over six years) documents the stresses that can tear a family apart, as well as the courage of children facing the possibility of death with honesty, dignity, and humor. Shot over six years, the movie puts...

United States | 1957 | Allen Reisner

In one of the strangest and most heart-tugging Christmas movies ever made, a Scottish couple and their six children face a series of hardships while establishing a frontier homestead in the Wisconsin wilderness circa 1860. Once seen, this unique classic is never forgotten. With Cameron Mitchell, Glynis Johns, and Patty McCormack. DVD. 103 min.

Bulgaria, France, Germany | 2018 | Milko Lazarov

The Closing Night film at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival and Bulgaria’s official entry for the 2020 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, this new drama (stunningly shot on spectacular landscapes) focuses on a yurt-dwelling older couple, Nanook and Sedna, who lead a traditional life in the often frozen, northern Siberian wilderness. Aware of modern civilization but uninterested in embracing it (it spells doom for their ancient way of life), Nanook and Sedna do...

United States | 2019 | Mikhanovsky (Kirill Mikhanovsky)

A medical transport driver shuttles a bunch of rowdy Russian émigré seniors to a funeral amid a rash of temporary road closures. This funny, freewheeling, Wisconsin-made indie comedy—a portrait of American dreams and disenchantments—was “Sundance 2019's great discovery,” according to the film magazine Cinemascope. It subsequently garnered rave reviews around the world. "My absolute favorite [at Sundance]…[A] glorious comedy of chaos, solidarity and unsung heroism." –Jon Frosh, Hollywood Reporter. Cleveland premiere. Subtitles. 111 min.