Calendar of Events
FILMS
American Film Institute Silver Theater
The 30th Latin American Film Festival (September 12-October 2) shows films from Latin American countries plus Spain and Portugal. A few titles: The Sharks from Uruguay, Midnight Family from Mexico, both award-winners at Sundance; the political thriler Rojo from Argentina; Too Late to Die Young from Chile, winner of the Best Director award at the Locarno Film Festival; biopic Marighella from Brazil; Jose from Guatemala and lots more.
"Looney Tunes in 35mm" (July 27-September 8) presents seven separate programs of Warner Brothers Looney Tunes in 35mm. See Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester and Tweety, Speedy Conzales, Pepe Le Pew, The Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote in classics such as What's Opera Doc and One Froggy Evening as well as more obscure cartoons. Three last shows September 1, 7 and 8.
"United Artists Centennial" (May 10-September 8) is a months-long retrospective of films from United Artists. Titles in September are Rocky, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Invation of the Body Snatchers (1978), Live and Let Die, Last Tango in Paris, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, Annie Hall, Raging Bull, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker and an uncut version of Heaven's Gate.
"Denzel Washington: AFI Life Achievement Award Retrospective" (July 21-September 3). Titles in September are Flight and Fences.
"The New Hollywood" (July 19-September 9) is a series of films made by a new generation of directors such as Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, making both small budget films and blockbusters. Titles in September include The Godfather II, Dog Day Afternoon, Close Encounters of the Third Kind (director's cut), Days of Heaven, Alien, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Shampoo, California Split, Night Moves, Taxi Driver in a 4K restoration, and Mikey and Nicky in a 4K restoration.
Special Events in September include Grease Sing Along.
Freer Gallery of Art
A series of Japanese classic films continues at the Freer. On September 4 at 2:00pm is Pitfall (Hiroshi Teshigahara, 1962) which was Teshigahara's debut film.
On September 20 at 7:00pm is The Ito Sisters (Antonia Grace Glenn, 2017), an award-winning documentary about three Japanese American sisters, interviewed in their 80s and 90s recounting their life in the US in the early 20th century. Filmmaker Antonia Grace Glenn will be present for discussion.
"Thai Buddhist Ghost Stories" (September 27-October 25) begins with Nang Nak (Nonzee Nimbutr, 1999), based on a famous Thai legend on September 27 at 7:00pm. On September 29 at 2:00pm is Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Apichatpong Weerasethakul, 2010). Two more in October.
National Gallery of Art
"Essential Cinema: Jonas Mekas" (August 3-September 1) looks at films by the founder of the Anthology Film Archives. Two programs remain in September: on September 1 at 12:00 noon is Notes on an American Film Director at Work: Martin Scorsese (2005) and on September 1 at 2:00pm is Out-Takes from the Life of a Happy Man (2012).
"Barbara Hammer: Boundless" (September 7-22) is a program of short films from the career of artist and filmmaker Barbara Hammer (1939-2019). On September 7 at 2:00pm is "The Beginning: Early Short Films 1968-1980." On September 7 at 4:00pm is "The Middle: Short Films from the 1980s." On September 8 at 4:00pm is "Hammer Time: Collaboration and Community" with Jennifer Lange, KJ Mohr, Lynne Sachs and Deborah Stratman in person for discussion. On September 22 at 4:00pm is "The Never Ending," including Sanctus, A Horse Is Not a Metaphor and Evidentiary Bodies.
"Serious Games: Documentary Art Between Fact and Fiction" (September 7-28) looks at documentaries by German filmmakers focusing on the subject of war and conflict. On September 7 at 12:00 noon is Lessons of Darkness (Werner Herzog, 1992); on September 14 at 12:30pm is Again/Noch Einmal (Mario Pfeifer, 2018) followed by a discussion with Mario Pfeifer, Lutz Koepnick, Nora M. Alter and Zach Feldman. On Sember 28 at 1:00pm is November (Hito Steyert, 2004) followed by Free Fall (Hito Steyerl, 2010). One more in September at the Goethe Institute.
Special Events in September include the Washington premiere of the restored Hyenas (Djibril Diop Mambety, 1992) on September 1 at 4:30pm. On September 14 at 3:30pm is the world premiere of Black Artists' Group: Creation Equals Movement (Bryan Dematteis, 2019), followed by Sweet Willie Rollbar's Orientation (1972) and a discussion with Bryan Dematteis, George Sams, and Brent Hayes Edwards. On September 15 at 4:00pm is The Net (Lutz Dammbeck, 2003) with filmmaker Lutz Dammbeck in person for discussion. On September 21 at 2:00pm is Personal Problems (Ishmael Reed and Bill Bunn, 1980) with Ismael Reed in person. On September 28 at 3:30pm is the Washington premiere of Degas: Passion for Perfection (David Bickerstaff, 2018) with producer Phil Grabsky in person.
Museum of American History
The Warner Brothers Theater shows some Hitchcock films in September: North by Northwest, Psycho, Dial M For Murder in 3D, and The Birds. Also Footloose, Grease, School of Rock, The Breakfast Club, Mean Girls and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Washington Jewish Community Center
The newly renovated JCC starts its new film program on September 20 with The Tobacoonist (Nikolaus Leytner, 2018) which was the Closing Night film at the recent Washington Jewish Film Festival. Also showing during September is Tel Aviv on Fire (Sameh Zoabi, 2018). See the website for dates, times and tickets.
Goethe Institute
Landmark's West End Cinema hosts a film series "Wunderbar Films: German Cinema 101." Films are shown once a month and are divided into four categories: contemporary German film, films of the German Democratic Republic (DEFA Studio), films of the Weimar Republic (1920s), and New German Cinema (1970s). On September 9 at 6:30pm is Aguirre, the Wrath of God (Werner Herzog, 1972). Peter Rollberg from George Washington University will introduce the film, followed by a discussion.
"Serious Games: Documentary Art between Fact and Fiction” is a series of documentary films by German filmmakers and artists focusing on the subject of war and conflict. Films are shown at the National Gallery of Art and the Goethe Institute. On September 11 at 6:30pm is War at a Distance Harun Farocki, 2003). On September 16 at 6:30pm is a program of experimental short films and documentaries by Lutz Dammbeck, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker. More at the National Gallery of Art.
Strathmore
On September 19 at 8:00pm the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra accompanies The Empire Strikes Back (Irvin Kershner, 1979).
French Embassy
"So French, so Fashion!" (September 10-October 22) is a series to celeb rate Paris Fall 2019 Fashion Week. On September 10 at 7:00pm is Karl Lagerfeld Sketches His Life (Loïc Prigent, 2013) and The Balmain Style (Loïc Prigent, 2014), both documentaries. On September 24 at 7:00pm is Coco Before Chanel (Anne Fontaine, 2009) starring Audrey Tautou. Two more in October.
On September 17 at 7:00pm is The War Is Over (Alain Resnais, 1966), starring Yves Montand as a professional revolutionary. Part of the "Filming Spain's Exile in Our Hearts" film series.
The Japan Information and Culture Center
On September 18 at 6:30pm is Drowning Love (Yuki Yamato, 2016), based on the comedy "Oboreru Knife" by George Asakura.
The Textile Museum at GWU
On September 19 at noon is a program of two short films Unravel (2012), about how unwanted clothes are recycled into yarn in India and Occupation: Mill Worker (1997) about the four-year lockout of mill workers in Mumbai.
On September 19 at 5:00pm is The Man in the White Suit (Alexander Mackendrick, 1951) starring Alec Guinness as an inventor of cloth that doesn't stain or wrinkle. Both programs are presented in conjunction with the exhibit "Fast Fashion/Slow Art."
National Archives
On September 20 at 12:00 noon is "Suffragettes in the Silent Cinema and Silent Feminists: America's First Women Directors," a program of two short films The Silent Feminists (Anthony Slide and Geoffrey Goodman, 1993) and Suffragettes in the Silent Cinema (Kay Sloan, 2003). Presented in conjunction with the exhibit Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote.
Bethesda Row
"Cinema Arts Bethesda" is a monthly Sunday morning film discussion series. On September 22 at 10:00am is Shoelaces (Jacob Goldwasser, 2018) from Israel.
Breakfast is at 9:30am, the film is at 10:00am and discussion follows, moderated by Adam Spector, host of the DC Film Society's Cinema Lounge and author of the column "Adam's Rib." A season pass is available.
Italian Cultural Institute
On September 19 at 6:00pm is Euforia (Valeria Golino, 2018), starring Riccardo Scamarcio and Valerio Mastandrea as brothers.
Library of Congress
The Mary Pickford Theater
at the Library of Congress continues its series of films showcasing the Library's collection and including newly preserved films. On September 19 at 7:00pm is Downstairs (Monta Bell, 1932), starring John Gilbert. A short Laurel and Hardy comedy Towed in a Hole (Hal Roach, 1932) precedes the feature.
"Capital Classics" at Landmark's West End Cinema
Classic films are shown at the West End Cinema on Wednesdays at 1:30pm, 4:30pm and 7:30pm. On September 4 is Before Sunset (Richard Linklater, 2004); on September 11 is Bird (Clint Eastwood, 1942); on September 18 is Bonnie and Clyde (Arthur Penn, 1967). More TBA.
Atlas Performing Arts Film Series
On September 16 at 7:00pm is The Interpreters (Andres Caballero and Sofian Khan, 2018), about local interpreters in Iraq and Afghanistan. A panel discussion with the directors follows the screening.
Hill Center
"Evil and the Anti-Hero" is a three-part series of films in which anti-heroes confront the unjust status quo. On September 27 at 7:00pm is Bad Day at Black Rock (John Sturges, 1955) starring Spencer Tracy. A discussion with series curator Tom Zaniello follows. More in October and December.
Alden Theater
On September 11 at 12:30pm is a kids film TBA and on September 25 at 1:00pm is a film TBA.
Smithsonian Associates
Three classic musicals are shown to celebrate the Smithsonian's Year of Music and Year of the Woman. On September 9 at 1:00pm is Thoroughly Modern Millie (George Roy Hill, 1967) starring Julie Andrews; on September 16 at 1:00pm is Funny Girl (William Wyler, 1968) starring Barbra Streisand and on September 23 at 1:00pm is Dreamgirls (Bill Condon, 2006) starring Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson.
Reel Affirmations XTra
On September 19 at 7:00pm is Gay Chorus Deep South (David Charles Rodrigues, 2019), a documentary about the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and their tour through the South performing in churches, community centers and concert halls. Location: Landmark's E Street Cinema.
George Mason University
On September 6 at 3:00pm is a presentation of student films. Open to the public (Harris Theater).
FILM FESTIVALS
