Calendar of Events
FILMS
American Film Institute Silver Theater
"Totally Awesome 80s," the popular series of films from the 1980s, returns for another edition. Titles in July include Explorers, Withnail and I, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, Fright Night, Night of the Comet, Commando, First Blood, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Return to Oz, Dreamchild, Manhunter, The Keep and The Thief. More in August and September.
"The Films of Stanley Kubrick" includes 2001: A Space Odyssey, Killer's Kiss, The Killing, Paths of Glory and Spartacus. More in August and September.
"70mm Spectacular" offers a rare chance to see 70mm prints projected on 70mm projectors. July's titles are 2001: A Space Odyssey, Vertigo, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, West Side Story and Spartacus.
Jean Harlow, who started her career appearing in Laurel and Hardy short films, was known for her brash sex appeal. This series commemorates the 75th anniversary of her passing in 1937. See the platinum blonde bombshell in Red Dust, Bombshell, The Public Enemy, The Beast of the City, China Seas, Red-Headed Woman, Dinner at Height, Riffraff, The Girl from Missouri, Libeled Lady and Wife vs. Secretary.
"Spy Cinema" is a selection of films from more than 80 years. In July you can see North by Northwest, Mata Hari, Dishonored, The 39 Steps, Notorious, I Was a Spy, Night Train to Munich, The Ipcress File, Secret Agent, The Bourne Identity and a double feature of The Spy in Black with Contraband both made by the British team Michael Powell and Emric Pressburger and both starring Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson.
"James Bond 50th Anniversary" ties into the "Spy Cinema" series and features some of the best films from the Bond franchise. In July you can see Dr. No, From Russia With Love and Casino Royale (2006). More in August and September.
The AFI Silver hosts the "Science in the Cinema" series, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and featuring medical- or science-related themes. See below for titles.
Special events in July include La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet (Frederick Wiseman, 2009) with Brigitte Lefevre, the Artist Director of the Paris Opera Ballet present to discuss the film on July 6 at 7:15pm.
The opera on film for July is "La Traviata" and "Boris Gudonov" and the ballet on film for July is "Raymonda" with the Bolshoi Ballet and "The Sleeping Beauty" (The Royal Ballet).
Freer Gallery of Art
The 17th Annual "Made in Hong Kong Film Festival" which began in late June continues through July and August. On July 1 at 2:00pm is A Simple Life (Ann Hui, 2011); on July 13 at 7:00pm and July 15 at 2:00pm is Life without Principle (Johnnie To, 2011); on July 20 at 7:00pm and July 22 at 2:00pm is Once a Gangster (Felix Chong, 2010); and on July 27 at 7:00pm and July 29 a 2:00pm is Lover's Discourse (Derek Tsang and Jimmy Wan, 2010). More in August.
This month's "Indian Visions" film is Alms of a Blind Horse (Gurvinder Singh, 2011).
National Gallery of Art
"New American Architecture and Design: Saluting Checkerboard Film Foundation" documents the artistic process. On July 6 at 12:30pm is "Landmarks in Twenty-First Century American Architecture I" and on July 7 at 12:30pm is "Landmarks in Twenty-First Century American Architecture II."
"Peter Greenaway on Painting" looks at two of Greenaway's films. On July 7 at 4:00pm is Rembrandt's "J'Accuse" (2008) and on July 8 at 4:30pm is Nightwatching (2007).
"From Vault to Screen: Recent Preservation" features work from international film archives and film institutes. On July 15 at 4:30pm is La Danseuse Orchidee (Leonce Perret, 1928) with Phil Carli accompanying on piano. On July 28 at 1:30pm is Whistle Down the Wind (Bryan Forbes, 1961) preceded by two puppet-animation commercials from the 1950s. On July 28 at 4:00pm is The Battle of Algiers (Gillo Pontecorvo, 1966). More in August.
"American Originals Now" is a series focusing on screenings of American artists, most of whom are present to discuss their work. Mark Street will be present on July 21 at 2:00pm for a program of short films including Hidden in Plain Sight (2008), Sweep (1998), Happy? (2000) and others. On July 21 at 4:00pm is a work in progress, Hasta Nunca (2012) preceded by Buenos Aires Balcony (2011).
Art films and other special events in July include Umbrellas (Albert Maysles and Henry Corra, 1994) on July 1 at 4:30pm. A new 35mm print of Celine and Julie Go Boating (Jacques Rivette, 1974) is shown on July 14 at 12:30pm. Miro: The Phosphorescent Trails of Snails (Cesc Mulet, 2009) is on July 12, 13, 19, and 20 at 12:30pm. On July 14 at 4:30pm is Souvenir (Michael Shamberg, 1999). On July 22 at 4:30pm is On the Bowery (Lionel Rogosin, 1956) preceded by two short films Broadway by Day and Astor Place (1997). Annette Insdorf, author of Philip Kaufman introduces and discusses The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) on July 29 at 4:30pm.
National Museum of the American Indian
"DocuPeru" is a selection of short films from Peru, shown daily (with exceptions at 12:30pm. My Louisiana Love (Sharon Linezo Hong, 2012) is shown daily at 3:30pm (exceptions apply). See the website for exact dates.
Museum of American History
"The Classic Film Festival" in the new Warner Theater presents three classic films in July. On July 14 at 2:00pm is The Jazz Singer (Alan Crosland, 1927) preceded by a discussion at 1:00pm with NPR film commentator Murray Horwitz. On July 14 at 7:00pm is Broadway Melody (Harry Beaumont, 1929) preceded by a discussion at 6:00pm by Murray Horwitz. On July 15 at 2:00pm is Don Juan (Alan Crosland, 1926) starring John Barrymore and Mary Astor with Murray Horwitz doing a pre-screening discussion at 1:00pm.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
On July 21 is a double feature of dance films--at 1:00pm is Black Swan (Darren Aronofsky, 2010) and at 4:00pm is Saturday Night Fever (John Badham, 1977). On July 26 at 6:30pm is The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960), starring Jack Lemon and Shirley MacLaine.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
A five-part French-inspired film series concludes with Séraphine (Martin Provost, 2008) based on the life of French painter Séraphine de Senlis, to be shown at the Embassy of France. Presented in conjunction with the exhibit Royalists to Romantics. See below.
On July 2 at 6:30pm is "A Conversation with Shabana Azmi." See below.
Washington Jewish Community Center
On July 23 at 7:00pm is The Rabbi's Cat, a film, fundraiser and reception held at the French Embassy, see below.
Goethe Institute
A film series "Pina and Beyond: Contemporary Dance in Film" which began in June continues in July. On July 2 at 6:30pm is Pina Bausch (Anne Linsel, 2006) shown with Cafe Muller (Pina Bausch, 1985). On July 9 at 6:30pm is The Complaint of an Empress (Pina Bausch, 1990) and on July 16 at 6:30pm is Pina (Wim Wenders, 2011).
French Embassy
On July 9 at 7:00pm is Séraphine (Martin Provost, 2008), winner of seven Césars and other awards.
On July 23 at 7:00pm is The Rabbi's Cat (Joann Sfar and Antoine Delesvaux, 2011), an animated feature set in Algiers in the 1920s and based on a graphic novel. Presented in conjunction with the Washington Jewish Film Festival, this is a fund-raiser with a dessert reception.
The Japan Information and Culture Center
On July 18 at 6:30pm is Haru's Journey (Masahiro Kobayashi, 2010) filmed in the Tohoku region of Japan before the earthquake. On July 25 at 6:30pm is an anime film Children Who Chase Lost Voices (Makoto Shinkai, 2011).
The National Theatre
Films starring Humphrey Bogart are shown in July and August. On July 2 is Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1941; on July 9 is The Big Sleep (Howard Hawks, 1946); on July 16 is The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (John Huston, 1948); on July 23 is The Maltese Falcon (John Huston, 1941) and on July 30 is Key Largo (John Huston, 1948). All films begin at 6:30pm. More in August.
National Institutes of Health
"Science in the Cinema" is a series designed to promote public understanding of science, health, and medicine. Films with a medical science theme are screened, and an expert on the subject provides a commentary and leads an audience question-and-answer period. Films are shown at the AFI Silver Theater and all have captions. On July 11 at 7:00pm is Gattaca (Andrew Niccol, 1997) with the theme of genetic engineering. On July 18 at 7:00pm is Academy Award nominee Elling (Petter Naess, 2001) from Norway with the theme of mental health. On July 25 at 7:00pm is Door to Door (Steven Schachter, 2002) with the theme of cerebral palsy. More in August.
Arlington Arts and Artisphere
On July 7 at 8:00pm is a double feature The Whisperer in Darkness (Sean Branney, 2011) shown with The Call of Cthulhu (Andrew Leman, 2005), both based on stories by H.P. Lovecraft.
On July 28 at 2:30pm is Annie (John Huston, 1982) with Albert Finney and Carol Burnett.
On July 28 at 8:00pm is Wet Hot American Summer (David Wain, 2001).
Screen on the Green
Classic films are shown on a giant screen on the National Mall between 7th and 12th Streets at dusk (around 8:30pm-9:00pm). Bring a blanket to sit on. On July 16 is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. On July 25 is It Happened One Night (1934) with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. On July 30 is From Here to Eternity (1953) with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr. One more in August.
The National Building Museum
On July 17 at 6:30pm is The Bungalows of Rockaway (2010), a documentary about a working-class beach resort. Filmmaker Jennifer Callahan will be present to discuss the film.
National Archives
On July 12 at noon is Journey to America (Charles Guggenheim, 1989), a documentary chronicling the great migration to the New World from 1890-1920. Presented in conjunction with the exhibit "Attachments: Faces and Stories from America's Gates."
As part of the series "1940: American Goes to the Movies" is They Drive By Night (Raoul Walsh, 1940) with Humphrey Bogart, George Raft, Ann Sheridan and Ida Lupino.
Interamerican Development Bank
On July 20 at 6:30pm is Pescador (Sebastian Cordero, 2011) with the director present to introduce and discuss the film.
The Avalon
This month's Greek film, Red Sky (Laya Yourgou, 2011), is on July 5 at 8:00pm. The "Czech Lions" film for July is Empties (Jan Sverak, 2007) on July 11 at 8:00pm. The French Cinematheque film is The Fairy (Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy, 2011) on July 18 at 8:00pm. "Reel Israel" is Mabul (Guy Nattiv, 2010) on July 25 at 8:00pm.
Italian Cultural Institute
On July 11 at 6:00pm is Amarcord (Federico Fellini, 1973).
Wolf Trap
On July 7 at 8:15pm is "The Music of John Williams," composer of music for countless hit films including E.T., Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Harry Potter. Steven Reineke will conduct the Washington Chorus.
On July 14 at 8:30pm is The Wizard of Oz (1939) with conductor Emil de Cou.
Atlas Performing Arts
"Gay 101" is a series of Thursday films. On July 5 is Can't Stop the Music; on July 12 is Hairspray; on July 19 is Some Like It Hot; and on July 26 is The Birdcage. All are at 8:00pm.
"Kung Fu Fridays" films are at 7:00pm and 9:30pm. On July 6 is Enter the Dragon and The 36th Camber of the Shaolin. On July 13 is Kung Fu Hustle and The Last Dragon. On July 20 is Five Deadly Venoms and Kid With the Golden Arm; and on July 27 is Fearless and The Rebel.
The "Roald Dahl Family Series" is on Saturdays at 10:00am and 4:00pm. On July 6 is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. On July 14 is Matilda; on July 21 is The Witches and on July 28 is a film TBA.
Smithsonian Associates
This screening of Singin' in the Rain on July 13 at 6:30pm will feature two special guests: Patricia Kelly (wife of Gene Kelly, star of the film) and Rita Moreno who plays a starlet in the film. Both will introduce and discuss the film. Shown in the new Warner Brothers Theater.
Reel Affirmations XTra
Reel Affirmations Xtra is a once-a-month screening held at The Carnegie Institute of Science, 1530 P Street NW. On July 13 at 7:00pm and 9:00pm is Beauty (Oliver Hermanus, 2011) from South Africa.
Busboys and Poets
On July 6 at 8:30pm is the documentary Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World shown at the 5th and K location. On July 15 at 5:00pm is Fresh with post-film discussion, held at the Hyattsville location.
Library of Congress
On July 16 at noon is An Article of Hope, a documentary about Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut. The film's director, Dan Cohen, will be present for discussion.
FILM FESTIVALS