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Next Stop Wonderland
Thursday, January 7
Romantic and joyful. A must-see movie. —New York Post
A nurse in her mid-thirties returns to the dating scene after receiving a
“Dear Jane” video from her boyfriend. This tribute to romantic destiny is a
refreshing, realistic tour of contemporary singlehood and a modern fairy tale
all at once. Stars Hope Davis, Alan Gelfant and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
(Brad Anderson, 1997, 96 min.)
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A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries
Sunday, January 10
This movie grows on you, lingers in the mind and may pick up a cult. —USA
Today
A glowing Merchant-Ivory production about an American expatriate family in Paris and its young daughter’s coming of age. Stars Barbara Hershey and Kris Kristofferson and Leelee Sobieski.
(James Ivory, 1997, 125 min.)
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SlamNation: The Sport of the Spoken Word
Thursday, January 14
The Woodstock of spoken word. Terrific and hilarious. —Time Out New York
A high-energy salute to the spoken word movement and its Olympics-style competitions called Slams. At the most compelling verbal slugfest of the century, you’ll see the country’s most hilarious and brash young poets.
(Paul Devlin, 1998, 92 min.)
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The Imposters
Thursday, January 21
Whiplashes the yuks out of your withered lungs. —Washington Post
An irresistible comedy from Stanley Tucci, maker of Big Night. Two hapless aspiring actors test their talents on a 1930s oceanliner. Tucci and Oliver Platt star with Steve Buscemi, Isabella Rossellini, Campbell Scott and Lili Taylor.
(1997, 102 min.)
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Special Film Screening
Metropolis
with live music by Michael Mortilla
Sunday, January 24
Fritz Lang’s visually compelling science fiction look at a future ruled by automation and repression takes on new life with a restored 35mm print of the German Expressionist classic with live musical accompaniment by Santa Barbara composer Michael Mortilla.
(1926, 87 minutes)
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I Am, From Cuban Son to Salsa
Thursday, February 4
Packed with rhythm, spirit and knowledge. —Unidentified blurb
Exploring the passionate dance music of Cuba, this comprehensive documentary features performances by Latin all-stars Tito Puente, Rubèn Blades, Willie Colon, Celia Cruz and other leading musicians.
(Rigoberto López, 1997, 107 min.)
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Touch of Evil
Sunday, February 7
The restored Touch of Evil is probably the best film you’ll see all season. —New York Daily News
Director Orson Welles’ border-crossing noir tale of corrupt cops, drugs and lust stars Welles, Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh. Restored and re-edited to chilling effect using Welles’ private notes.
(1958/re-edited 1998, 111 min.)
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Beloved
Thursday, February 11
A gripping, wildly imaginative film. —New York Times
In Toni Morrison’s harrowing, Pulitzer Prize-winning tale, past horrors are kept alive by the anguished ghost of a child who haunts an escaped slave and her daughter. Stars Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover.
(Jonathan Demme, 1998, 174 min.)
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The Chambermaid on the Titanic
Thursday, February 18
A deliciously amusing celebration of the power of romantic imagination. —Los Angeles Times
From Spanish director Bigas Luna (Jamón, Jamón), this arty soap opera portrays a married French laborer at the launch of the big ship who becomes enmeshed in a sensuous and offbeat love triangle. Stars Olivier Martinez, Aitana Sanchez-Gijón and Romane Bohringer. In French with English subtitles.
(1998, 96 minutes)
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Gadjo Dilo (The Crazy Stranger)
Sunday, February 21
A lusty, vibrant comedy. —San Francisco Chronicle
A lovesick Parisian searches for the Gypsy singer whose voice has haunted him since childhood. From the maker of Latcho Drom, this beautiful film depicts the music, joie de vivre and persecution that pervades Gypsy culture. In French and Romany with English subtitles.
(Tony Gatlif, 1998, 97 minutes)
This screening is made possible with the support of The Cultural Services of the French Embassy and Cultural Ministry of France.
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A Merry War
Thursday, February 25
A wickedly clever piece of satirical fun. —Atlantic Monthly
Richard E. Grant and Helena Bonham Carter star in this caustic mix of romantic comedy and social satire about a would-be poet and his steadfast fiancee. based on George Orwell’s 1936 novel Keep the Aspidistra Flying.
(Robert Bierman, 1997, 101 minutes)
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Western
Sunday, February 28
Warmly comic, sly and delightful. —New York Times
In this breezy road movie, a Spanish lover traverses scenic Brittany with an unlucky-at-love Russian car thief. Winner of the 1997 Cannes Grand Jury Prize.
(Manuel Poirier, 1997, 121 min.)
This screening is made possible with the support of The Cultural Services of the French Embassy and Cultural Ministry of France.
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The Eel (Unagi)
Thursday, March 4
Wholly original with moments of breathtaking beauty and eroticism. —Vogue
Imprisoned for a crime of passion, a Japanese parolee settles in a remote Buddhist village. Koji Yakusho, of Shall We Dance?, stars as a man with a second chance. Winner Palme d’Or, 1997 Cannes Film Festival.
(Shohei Imamura, 1998, 117 min.)
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Destiny
Sunday, March 7
A rip-roaring adventure about the struggle for free-speech, literacy and nationalism. —New York Times
Teachings by the philosopher Averroës ignite religious conflict in 12th century Islamic Andalucia. This film by the legendary Egyptian director Youssef Chahine is a celebration of love and tolerance. Features Gypsy music and elements of Westerns and musicals.
(1997, 135 min.)
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