Rivers, Africa, Premieres and James Prosek
The 21st Annual Environmental Film Festival
The 21st annual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, March 12 through 24, presents 190 documentary, narrative, animated, archival, experimental and children’s films selected to provide fresh perspectives on environmental issues facing our planet. The vital role of rivers and watersheds in the global environment is a special theme of the 2013 Festival, which features cinematic work from 50 countries and 110 Washington, D.C., United States and world premieres. Some 196 filmmakers and special guests will discuss their work at the Festival.
The Washington, D.C. premiere of acclaimed director Terrence Malick’s latest film, To the Wonder, an exploration of love featuring spectacular cinematography of the natural world, is a Festival highlight. Two World Cinema Grand Jury Prize-winning films from 2013 Sundance Film Festival: A River Changes Course, about the effects of globalization on Cambodia’s environment and people, and Jiseul, a harrowing Korean war story, also have their Washington, D.C. premieres in the Festival.
The world premiere of Hot Water, exposing the toxic effects of uranium mining in the American West, with former Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who is featured in the film, and filmmaker Elizabeth Kucinich, opens the Festival. The film, Harmony, highlighting the efforts of HRH Prince Charles to develop a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with the planet, is the winner of the Festival’s annual Polly Krakora Award for artistry in film.
Canadian filmmaker and environmental activist Rob Stewart presents his latest film, Revolution, empowering youth to save the natural world and humanity itself. The Festival’s focus on rivers encompasses films that explore the ecological importance and threats to the world’s rivers, including the Rhine, the Amazon, the Mekong, the Ganges, the Lena, the Colorado, the Willamette, the Yellowstone and our local D.C. rivers, the Potomac and the Anacostia.
Films heralding the upcoming Smithsonian exhibition, “Earth Matters: Land as Material and Metaphor in the Arts of Africa,” profile Jane Goodall and explore the struggles of farmers, fishermen, lions and bonobos in Africa today. Classic films shot by John Huston in Africa address themes that are still relevant.
An Evening with James Prosek features the film, Picture the Leviathan, about the life and work of this artist, writer and naturalist, called “the Audubon of the 21st century,” for his paintings of threatened fish. Other films examine the state of our planet’s oceans and fisheries and the new era of ocean stewardship. Yann Arthus Bertrand’s latest film, A Thirsty World, focuses on challenges to our planet’s fresh water systems in the context of climate change and population growth. The film, La Source, presented in celebration of World Water Day, tells how two brothers brought fresh water to their town in Haiti. Daughters of the Dust, the first film by an African American woman to receive general theatrical release, chronicles an African-American family’s leave-taking as they prepare to move north from their island home in South Carolina in search of a better life. The zany documentary, Lunarcy!, a Washington, D.C. premiere, looks at people who are obsessed with the moon. Jessica Woodworth’s narrative film, The Fifth Season, is a haunting poetic meditation on nature in revolt against humans. The Festival’s closing film, The Fruit Hunters, examines another obsession--those who scour the world searching for exotic fruits.
Two 3D films are among 31 films geared to children and families: Meerkats 3D, about tiny mammals that survive in the harsh Kalahari Desert, and, in IMAX, Titans of the Ice Age 3D, transporting viewers to the frozen landscapes of North America, Europe and Asia ten thousand years before modern civilization. Beijing’s battle with waste, the art of falconry, the global Transition Movement, the wild Alaska Peninsula, the downside of carbon offsets, the life and times of Adrian Cowell, the birds of Central Park, the environmental and health dangers of aluminum, foraging for mushrooms and Venice’s battle with the sea are among additional topics explored in the 2013 Festival. Selections from international Festivals, including the Matsalu Nature Film Festival in Estonia, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival and the 2012 Wildscreen Film Festival in England will also be shown. Celebrating 21 years of environmental film in Washington in 2013, the Environmental Film Festival is the preeminent showcase for films on environmental subjects in the United States. Presented in collaboration with over 100 local, national and global organizations, the Festival is one of the largest collaborative cultural events in the nation’s capital. Films are screened this year at 75 venues throughout the greater Washington area, including museums, embassies, universities, libraries and local theaters. Most films are free.
For the complete schedule, visit the Festival Web site.
Calendar of Events
FILMS
American Film Institute Silver Theater
This year's New African Films Festival runs from March 7-12. Titles include Nairobi Half Life on opening night which is also Kenya's pick for Foreign Language Oscar, Playing Warriors from Zimbabwe, After the Battle from Egypt, Otelo Burning from South Africa, Relentless from Nigeria, Swirl in Bamako from Mali, War Witch which was Canada's Oscar pick and one of the five finalists for Best Foreign Language Film, Breathe Again from South Africa, Tey from Senegal, Zabana, Algeria's Oscar pick, and The Repentant also from Algeria. See the website for dates and times.
The "Loretta Young Centennial" starts in March and continues in April. Titles in March include The Bishop's Wife, Platinum Blonde, Employee's Entrance, Grand Slam, Taxi, Suez and Man's Castle in a new 35mm print. More in April.
The AFI takes part in the Korean Film Festival with Old Boy, Young Gun in the Time, Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time and Lady Vengeance. More in April.
The AFI takes part in the Environmental Film Festival with Revolution, More Than Honey, Now Forager, Leviathan, To the Wonder and The Land of Hope.
"Quentin Tarantino Retro and the Roots of Django" looks at some of Tarantino's earlier films and also some of the Spaghetti Westerns he cited as inspiration of Django Unchained. During March you can see True Romance, From Dusk Till Dawn, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill I and Kill Bill II. Only one film remains of the "Roots of Django," The Mercenary (1968) with actor Franco Nero reuniting with director Sergio Corbucci after the success of the 1968 Django.
"Screen Valentines: Great Movie Romances" is a series of films for Valentine's month. Titles remaining in March are Before Sunrise 1995), Daniel Day-Lewis in The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988), a 25th anniversary celebration, and Once (2006).
"Reel Estate: The American Home on Film" is a series co-presented by the National Building Museum. Titles in March are Gone With the Wind, No Down Payment, A Summer Place, The More the Merrier and Strangers When We Met with more in April.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock" focuses on a selection of Hitchcock films with screenplays credited to Alma Reville. Titles in March include The First Born (1928) with music accompaniment by Andrew Simpson, Suspicion, Shadow of a Doubt and Strangers on a Train. The series concludes in April.
A series of films by Howard Hawks which began in February continues in March with Tiger Shark, The Crowd Roars, Ceiling Zero, The Road to Glory, Barbary Coast, and Come and Get It. Several of Hawks' silent films are also screened in March: Fig Leaves with music accompaniment by Ben Model, A Girl in Every Port accompanied by Andrew Simpson, and Paid to Love accompanied by Ben Model. More in April.
Special events in March include Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Wallacw Worsley, 1923) with music accompaniment by Gabriel Thibaudeau; The Terminator (James Cameron, 1984); and more shows of the previously sold out The Legend of Cool "Disco" Dan (Joseph Pattisal, 2012), a documentary on the graffiti artist.
The "Opera on Film" for March is Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca" on March 24 at 12:30pm and March 27 at 7:15pm performed by the Royal Opera House, London, England.
The "Ballet on Film" for March is "Notre Dame de Paris" on March 13 at 7:000pm and March 14 at 7:00pm performed by Milan's Teatro alla Scala Ballet, and "Ballet's Greatest Hits--YAGP Gala" on March 31 at 1:20pm.
Freer Gallery of Art
The 9th Korean Film Festival DC begins on March 1 at 7:00pm with the DC premiere of Stoker (Park Chan-wook, 2013). Stoker is also shown on March 2 at 7:00pm with director Park Chan-wood in person. On March 3 at 1:00pm is Joint Security Area (Park Chan-wook, 2000) and on March 3 at 4:30pm is Oldboy (Park Chan-wook, 2003). On March 8 at 7:00pm is Nameless Gangster (Yoon Jong-bin, 2012); on March 10 at 1:00pm is In Another Country (Hong Sang-soo, 2012); on March 15 at 7:00pm is Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (Park Chan-wook, 2002); on March 17 at 2:00pm is Lady Vengeance (Park Chan-wook, 2005); on March 22 at 7:00pm is Pieta (Kim Ki-duk, 2012) and on March 24 at 2:00pm as part of the Environmental Film Festival is Jiseul (O Muel, 2012). More in April. Also see AFI Silver Theater and Angelika Film Center for more films in the Korean Film Festival DC.
On March 9 at 3:00pm is the great silent classic film Intolerance (D.W. Griffith, 1916) with music accompaniment by Baltimore-based "Boister."
See below for a lecture on Iranian cinema.
National Gallery of Art
Two films by the Dardenne brothers Luc and Jean-Pierre will be shown with an introduction by Philip Mosley, author of The Cinema of the Dardenne Brothers: Responsible Realism. On March 2 at 2:00pm is Rosetta (1999) and The Son (2002) at 4:30pm.
"L.A. Rebellion: Creating a New Black Cinema" begins March 3 at 4:30pm with My Brother's Wedding (Charles Burnett, 1983) preceded by a short film A Little Off Mark (Robert Wheaton, 1986). On March 10 at 4:30pm is Bush Mama (Haile Gerima, 1975) preceded by Daydream Therapy (Bernard Nicholas, 1977). On March 23 at 4:30pm is Daughters of the Dust (Julie Dash, 1991) shown with the short film The Diary of an African Nun (Julie Dash, 1977). On March 30 at 2:30pm is Passing Through (Larry Clark, 1977) shown with the short film When It Rains (Charles Burnett, 1995). The series continues in April.
"American Originals Now: Su Friedrich" is a two-part program of experimental essay films. On March 31 at 4:30pm is Seeing Red (2005) shown with The Head of a Pin (2004). On March 31 at 5:30pm is Gut Renovation (2012) with Su Friedrich in person for discussion following the film.
Special events in March include a Cine-Concert on March 16 at 2:00pm Marseille sans soleil (Paul Carpita, 1961) shown with Coeur Fidele (Jean Epstein, 1923) with Alexandre Wimmer providing music accompaniment. On March 17 at 4:30pm is the Washington premiere of Brief Encounters (Gregory Crewdson, 2012), as part of the Environmental Film Festival. On March 24 at 4:30pm is The Fifth Season (Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth, 2012), also part of the Environmental Film Festival.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
On March 14 at 7:00pm is "A Meditation on Imaginary Landscapes" produced by the media arts collection Flatform with the artists in person. This is part of the Environmental Film Festival. On March 18 at 7:00pm is Sand Fishers (Samoute Andrey Diarra, 2012) about fishing in Mali, also part of the Environmental Film Festival.
National Museum of African Art
On March 15 at 7:00pm is Market Imaginary (Joanna Grabski, 2012), about Dakar's Colobane Market and its surroundings (location: Ripley Center). On March 16 at 11:00am is The Roots of Heaven (John Huston, 1958) about saving African elephants. On March 16 at 1:00pm is The African Queen (John Huston, 1951) and on March 16 at 2:45pm is White Hunter Black Heart (Clint Eastwood, 1990) (location: American History Museum Warner Brothers Theater). On March 22 at 7:00pm is Fold Crumple Crush: The Art of El Anatsui (Susan Vogel, 2011) shown in the Ripley Center. All are part of the Environmental Film Festival.
National Museum of the American Indian
On March 2 at 11:00am and March 2 at 3:00pm is Waterbuster (J. Carlos Peinado, 2006), about the Garrison Dam project in North Dakota. The film is shown most days in March, check the schedule for exact days.
As part of the Environmental Film Festival, on March 16 at 7:00pm is My Louisiana Love (Sharon Linezo Hong, 2012), with the filmmakers present for discussion.
Museum of American History
Films starring Bette Davis are shown in March. On March 8 at 6:30pm is Jezebel (William Wyler, 1938) starring Bette Davis and Henry Fonda with an introduction by Murray Horwitz. On March 9 at 1:00pm is Now Voyager (Irving Rapper, 1942) starring Bette Davis and Paul Heinried with introductions by Dwight Blocker Bowers and Murray Horwitz. On March 9 at 6:00pm is Mr. Skeffington (Vincent Sherman, 1944) starring Bette Davis and Claude Rains, with introductions by Dwight Blocker Bowers and Murray Horwitz. On March 10 at 1:00pm is Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (Robert Aldrich, 1962) starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford with introductions by Dwight Blocker Bowers and Murray Horwitz.
Renwick Gallery
On March 30 at 2:00pm is Sign Painters, a documentary about traditional sign painters who hand-lettered storefronts, murals, banners and billboards. The film has a companion book by Faythe Levine.
National Portrait Gallery
On March 21 at 5:30pm is a documentary and discussion "Seeking the Greatest Good: The Conservation Legacy of Gifford Pinchot" with V. Alaric Sample of the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, part of the Environmental Film Festival.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
On March 20 at 6:30pm is "The Films of Nam June Paik" introduced by John G. Hanhardt, senior curator of Film and Media Arts, and Michael Mansfield, associate curator.
On March 27 at 6:30pm is Glory (Ed Zwick, 1990) about an all-black regiment during the Civil War. Shown in conjunction with the exhibit "The Civil War and American Art."
On March 28 at 6:00pm is the documentary Rebel (2013) about Loreta Velazquez, a Cuban raised in New Orleans who spied for the Conferacy, or was she just a hoax? After the screening, director and producer Mari Agui Carter and scholars Virginia Sanchez Korrol, Margaret Vining, and Catherine Clinton discuss women's roles in the Civil War.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
On March 14 at 7:00pm is Unfinished Spaces (Alysa Nahmias and Benjamin Murray, 2011) about Cuba's National Art Schools project. On March 18 at 7:00pm is Margaret Mee and the Moon Flower (Malu De Martino, 2012), a documentary about the life and work of botanical illustrator Margaret Mee. Both films are part of the Environmental Film Festival.
Washington Jewish Community Center
On March 4 at 7:30pm is a special evening with Israeli writer Sayed Kashua, creator of the popular TV series "Arab Labor." An episode will be shown from the newly released Season 3 after the talk. More of Season 3 of "Arab Labor" will be shown beginning on March 13 (episodes 2-3), March 20 (episodes 4-5), March 27 (episodes 6-7) and April 3 (episodes 8-10).
On March 10 at 3:00pm is Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines, about the evolution and legacy of Wonder Woman from the 1940s to present time.
On March 12 at 7:30pm is the documentary Orchestra of Exiles (2012) with filmmaker Josh Aronson in person.
On March 9 at 2:00pm is 'Neitzsche' Ate Here, a short film based on a play by local playwright Roy Berkowitz who will be present for discussion.
Goethe Institute
The "In Focus" film series ends in March with two films. On March 4 at 6:30pm is Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Impassioned Eye (Heinz Bütler, 2003), a documentary interview of Henri Cartier-Bresson discussing his life and work. The film will be introduced by Norbert Bärlocher, Embassy of Switzerland. On March 11 at 6:30pm is the documentary William Eggleston in the Real World (Michael Almereyda, 2005) with an introduction by photographer Lucian Perkins.
The Goethe Institute takes part in the DC Independent Film Festival, see the website for films.
On March 22 at 5:30pm is Mekong, the Mother (Peter Degen, 2000) shown with Mekong with director Douglas Varchol in person. On March 26 at 6:30pm is Up the Yangtze (Young Chang, 2008).
The Goethe Institute also takes part in the Environmental Film Festival. On March 18 at 6:30pm is Peak (Hannes Lang, 2011), about the effect of global warming on the Alps. On March 19 at 6:00pm is Warm Period (Knut Karger, 2012), also about global warming. On March 19 at 7:30pm is Raising Resistance (Bettina Borgfeld and David Benet, 2011), about genetically modified soy plantations in Paraguay.
National Geographic Society
The premiere of Meerkats 3D will be on March 2 and will play on various days during March. See the website for more information.
On March 19 at 7:30pm is A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet (2012), a documentary about the environmental movement. Filmmaker Mark Kitchell will be present for discussion; part of the Environmental Film Festival.
French Embassy
As part of the Francophone 2013 Cultural Festival, on March 12 at 7:00pm is Where Do We Go Now? (Nabine Labaki, 2011). On March 16 at 10:30am, as part of the Francophonie 2013 Cultural Festival, the French Embassy will show The Day of the Crows (Jean-Christophe Dessaint, 2012), an animated film with the voices of Jean Reno, Claude Chabrol and others.
On March 20 at 7:00pm, as part of the Environmental Film Festival, is A Thirsty World (Thierry Piantanida and Baptiste Rouget-Luchaire, 2012), a documentary about water filmed in more than 20 countries.
The Japan Information and Culture Center
On March 1 at 6:30pm is the anime film Oblivion Island (Shinsuke Sato, 2009), winner of the 2010 Japan Academy Prize Award of Excellence.
The National Theatre
"Montgomery Clift: Hollywood Enigma" is the subject of the newest series of films at the National Theater. On March 25 at 6:30pm is A Place in the Sun (George Stevens, 1951), starring Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor. More in April.
National Archives
On March 2 at noon is Iron Jawed Angles (Katja von Garnier, 2004), about the women's suffrage movement.
The Archives takes part in the Environmental Film Festival. On March 21 at 7:00pm is Earth Days (2009) introduced by Denis Hayes, environmental activist and coordinator of the first Earth day. On March 22 at noon is The River (Pare Lorentz, 1937) and The Columbia (1949), featuring songs by Woody Guthrie.
West End Cinema
The West End shows films in the Human Rights Watch Film Series. One title remains in March: on March 6 at 7:00pm is Brother Number One (Annie Goldson).
On March 13 at 7:00pm is a one-time show of Harvest of Empire (Peter Getzels and Eduardo Lopez), a feature-length documentary looking at the connection between the history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the immigration crisis we face today. Based on the ground-breaking book by award-winning journalist Juan González.
The Avalon
The "Czech Lions" film for March is a comedy based on a popular TV show District League: Pepik Hnatek's Last Stand (Jan Prusinovsky, 2012) on March 13 at 8:00pm. The French Cinematheque film is The Little Room (Stéphanie Chuat and Véronique Reymond, 2010) on March 20 at 8:00pm and the March film for "Reel Israel" is an award winner from the 2013 Washington Jewish Film Festival A Bottle in the Gaza Sea (Thierry Binistri, 2010) on March 27 at 8:00pm.
The Corcoran
On March 19 at 7:00pm is Bending Sticks: The Sculpture of Patrick Dougherty (Penelope Maunsell and Kenny Dalsheimer, 2012), a documentary about the environmental artist. Part of the Environmental Film Festival.
Anacostia Community Museum
On March 14 at 11:00am is Our Nation's River: A System on the Edge (2010), a short film about the Potomac River and part of the Environmental Film Festival. On March 15 at 6:30pm is Rebels with a Cause (Nancy Kelly and Kenji Yamamoto, 2012), about California's coast, also part of the Environmental Film Festival. On March 22 at 6:30pm is Rock the Boat (Thea Lucia Mercouffer, 2011), a documentary about a boating expedition on the Los Angeles River, an act of civil disobedience.
Kennedy Center
"Nordic Cool", see below.
The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital
On March 1 at 7:00pm is the documentary Ghosts of Machu Picchu with the film's producer Owen Palmquist present for Q&A.
Alden Theater
On March 13 7:30pm is a program of Buster Keaton short films with music accompaniment by Ben Model. The films are Convict 13, The Playhouse, Hard Luck and The Electric House.
On March 20 at 10:00am is Tootsie (Sidney Pollack, 1982).
Angelika Film Center
The Angelika Film Center takes part in the Korean Film Festival during March and April. On March 6 at 7:30pm and March 7 at 7:30pm is A Werewolf Boy (Jo Sung-hee, 2012). On March 13 at 7:30pm and March 14 at 7:00pm is Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (Yoon Jong-bin, 2012). On March 20 at 7:30pm and March 21 at 7:30pm is Taste of Money (Im Sang-soo, 2012). On March 27 at 7:30pm and March 28 at 7:30pm is Helpless (Byun Young-joo, 2012). See also AFI Silver Theater and Freer Gallery of Art.
Workhouse Arts Center
On March 1 at 8:00pm is "Dinner and a Movie" with the Bollywood film Saawariywa (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, 2007) inspired by Dostoyevsky's "White Nights," with food by Aroma Indian Restaurant.
University of Maryland, Hoff Theater
On March 8 at 5:00pm is The Rose Tattoo (Daniel Mann, 1955) with Anna Magnani who won an Academy Award for the role.
Smithsonian Associates
As part of the Environmental Film Festival on March 21 at 7:00pm is Titans of the Ice Age (2013), with Q&A by film director David Clark.
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington-Rockville
On March 13 at 7:30pm is Voices from El-Sayed, about the Bedouin village with a large proportion of deaf people.
American University
"Restaurants and Road Trips" is a series of films shown at American University's Bender Library in the Mudbox. On March 22 at 6:00pm is Jiro Dreams of Sushi (David Gelb, 2011). More in April.
Busboys and Poets
At the Hyattsville location on March 6 at 6:00pm is "Women's International Day WIFVTI Short Film Showcase." See the website for a list of films.
Alliance Francais
On March 8 at 7:00pm is Un Homme qui crie (Mahamat Saleh Haroun, 2010).
George Mason University
For the Film & Media Studies Visiting Filmmakers Series on March 6 at 4:30pm is Bernardo Ruiz's Reportero. The film follows veteran reporter Sergio Haro and his colleagues at a Tijuana-based independent newsweekly as they ply their trade in one of the deadliest places in the world for the media--in Mexico more than 50 journalists have been killed or have vanished since December 2006. Bernardo Ruiz will be present for Q&A.
Library of Congress
On March 23 the Library of Congress celebrates the careers of Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine. Events include films, Q&A with Dena Kaye and a display. The exhibition "Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine: Two Kids from Brooklyn" runs through July 2013. Films are The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) at 11:00am, Hans Christian Andersen (1952) at 2:30pm, both in the Coolidge Auditorium and The Court Jester (1955) at 9:00am, Knock on Wood (1954) at 12:30pm and The Five Pennies (1959) all in the Pickford Theater.
FILM FESTIVALS
