February 9
The 28th Oscar Party: "And the Winner Is...
Celebrate the Oscars at the Washington, DC Film Society’s 28th annual “And the Winner Is…” Oscar Night party. You’ll get a whole lot more than just viewing the show: We present the 92nd Academy Awards LIVE ON THE BIG SCREEN, Sunday, February 9, 2020 at the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA. Ticket sales at 6:00 p.m. Doors open and the Red Carpet pre-show at 6:30 p.m. Oscars broadcast at 8:00 p.m.
While the Oscars will be hostless again this year, our ever-popular DC film critics Tim Gordon and Travis Hopson return to the Drafthouse to give you the skinny on who’s up, who’s down, who’s in, and who’s out, as you decide your picks in the “Predict The Winners” contest and place your bids in the Silent Auction (cash/check only). Not to mention the door prizes and promotional goodies from the movie studios! Affordable food and drink available for purchase.
This year’s Oscar nominations continue to reflect a lack of diversity, but there’s still cause for celebration. Here’s double for the trouble: Cynthia Erivo received two first-time nominations for Leading Actress and Original Song, “Stand Up,” Harriet; Scarlett Johansson received two first-time nominations for Leading Actress, Marriage Story, and Supporting Actress, Jojo Rabbit; and South Korean comedy film Parasite received two nominations for Best Picture and International Feature.
Who will win? For Best Picture, will it be The Irishman, 1917, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood? Or will Parasite emerge from behind? What about Directing for these films: Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes, Quentin Tarantino, and Bong Joon Ho, respectively? Will Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix emerge victorious as the Supporting Actor in Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood and Leading Actor in Joker and Renee Zellweger claim the Leading Actress prize for Judy? While there are clear front winners predicted, the Oscars can surprise us. Come join us, cast your vote, and join in the spirited debate!
See the Oscar Party page for tickets and updates.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire: Q&A with Director Céline Sciamma and Actresses
By Ron Gordner, DC Film Society Member
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (France, 2019) was first shown at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in May 2019 and won a Cannes award for best screenplay and the Queer Palm for best
LGBTQ film. It has garnered many more film festival and critics society awards also and was nominated for best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Golden Globe Awards along with another French film Les Misérables directed by Ladj Ly which was surprisingly chosen by France as their submission for the Academy Award Best International Feature this year. The film was also screened at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival in September 2019 with the director and stars Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel present for a Question and Answer short discussion after the screening which received a standing ovation. In 18th century Brittany, France a young painter, Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is commissioned to do the portrait of the beautiful young Héloïse (Adèle Haenel). The painting will serve as a wedding gift but the painter is not aware of these circumstances. The painter must observe and interact with her subject by day, but then paint her portrait at night. As the two women become closer as they share her last intimate moments of freedom before her impending wedding. The warm and beautiful cinematography and slow burn of their intimate friendship are excellently captured in this film which also involves the life of a young maid.
TIFF Moderator: Can you discuss where the idea of the film came to you and the period setting?
Céline Sciamma: The idea was not to make a love story but a film about love. I also wanted to work with Adèle again after our first film together about 12 years ago. This is my fourth film. I also wanted to depict an artist, but a painter was not the first career that came to my mind. I also wanted to talk about cinema and, as it happened in the second half of the 18th century, there were a lot of painters in France and Brittany including some women artists. There were a number of women artists at this time and many throughout history. They were not always just the model or muse for painters.
TIFF Moderator: I want to mention how amazing the actresses are in this film (applause). It is especially well acted in the earlier part of the movie when there are quiet moments or silence. Can you talk about how you prepared for acting in the film and creating your characters? Also the process of working together in the scenes.
Adèle Haenel: Thank you for your comments. Well, Noémie and I had never met before the film, so we had no history. We met on the set in costume and I think it is the best way to meet and develop your characters. The film is about love and friendship and how collaboration is so important. I was attracted to the script and role. I already had worked with Céline who is good on detail and works in a relaxed atmosphere.
Noémie Merlant: I was stressed really for a little while. I rehearsed how to do paintings with a professional for some time, Hélène Delmaire, who painted all the paintings (applause). I observed her and tried to capture how she painted but also her gaze and looked at her painting as it progressed. So we created our relationship of characters and their intimacy like the paintings also. I only knew about Adèle from watching her other movies and I could see the intensity she brought to her acting. She is also intense in her life but we found our collaboration
and acting to be joyful. It was joyful even the very dramatic scenes.
Adèle Haenel: As Noémie mentioned we also tried to surprise each other at times with our acting which became
really joyful.
Audience Question: For Adèle, in the last sequence of the film, what is going on in your mind or how did you process what to show on your face at that last closeup?
Adèle Haenel: Nothing really. (laughter). It is difficult to describe, you are just in the scene. If someone doesn’t know
how to ski, at some point you just try to go down the hill. So, I guess you just do it.
Céline Sciamma: I just want to add that it is a shot-reverse shot. At first, you’re looking at Héloïse and Marianne looking at Héloïse. But, at some point, it’s about you; as the audience looking at Adèle performing. It’s cinema and allows you in and to react.
Audience Question: It is good there are more women-told and women-directed stories, can you comment on that?
Adèle Haenel: It is time for women to be stronger in films and LBGTQ and other love stories. With the Me2 etc., more attention and interest is being paid to Feminism and movies. We need more women-focused stories. And about relationships, not domination.
Audience Question: Congratulations to everyone on the composition. I noticed central framing was used often and want to ask the director about the aesthetic choices in making the movie throughout?
Céline Sciamma: Yes it is very frontal framing. We experimented a bit. We did close shots, and the choreography of placing the two characters within the frame and the dynamics of capturing those moments. It also was done to make the frames somewhat similar to paintings.
Audience Question: Is there a favorite scene for each of you, or one that touched you?
Adèle Haenel: I like the sex scene (laughter). It had a bit of fear of transgression but also intimacy and not a cliché.
It is both sensual and a bit voyeuristic at the same time.
Céline Sciamma: The scene that always gets me is when they both look first at the painting and interact. It is the first big dynamic scene together.
Noémie Merlant: My favorite scene is when the dress appears to be burning and the chorus is singing.
Adèle Haenel: I could have been really burnt.
Céline Sciamma: There is no stunt in that scene. It was a small fire and we had experts there and that is the end of this anecdote.
Audience Question: The scene at the fire is similar to one I saw in another film, Girlhood, that used the Rihanna song in a beach scene.
Céline Sciamma: Well I did set it up a bit like a musical, it is a new part for the characters, a step in their relationship since they are leaving and a sense of community moment.
Audience Question: How did you create the environment on the set and for the history and actors?
Céline Sciamma: We tried to make the set almost a character itself. You need to be hyper prepared and rehearsed to start the filming.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire opens mid-February in the DC area.
Calendar of Events
FILMS
American Film Institute Silver Theater
The AFI takes part in the 24th "New Films from Iran" (January 21-February 6). On February 4 at 7:00pm is Gholam (Mitra Tabrizian, 2018) and on February 6 at 7:00pm is Just 6.5 (Saeed Roustayi, 2019). See the Freer for additional screenings.
"And Life Goes On: An Abbas Kiarostami Retrospective" (February 8-26) is a complete retrospective of the director's work, some of which is shown at the Freer and the National Gallery of Art. Titles include Where Is the Friend's House? (1987) with an introduction and book event with film critic Godfrey Cheshire, author of "Conversations with Kiarostami" (February 8 show only); And Life Goes On; Through the Olive Trees; Taste of Cherry; The Wind Will Carry Us; Certified Copy and Like Someone in Love. See other titles at the Freer and National Gallery of Art.
"The Capital Irish Film Festival" (February 27-March 1), now in its 14th year, celebrates Irish identity, culture, and artistry. The Opening Night film is A Bump Along the Way followed by a reception. Other titles in February include The Dig; Cumar, A Galway Rhapsody; Dark Lies the Island; Extra Ordinary; A Girl from Mogadishu; Katie; Sea Fever, Seamus Heaney and the Music of What Happens; a program of short films; and Ireland's Oscar pick for 2019 Gaza. Four more in March.
"2019: A Second Look" (January 25-March 26) is an annual review of critically acclaimed 2019 releases. Titles in February are Ad Astra, Amazing Grace, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Dark Waters, Dolemite Is My Name, For Sama, I Lost My Body, The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, Judy, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Motherless Brooklyn, The Nightingale, Synonyms, Toni Morrison-The Pieces I Am, Transit, Uncut Gems, Us, Where's My Roy Cohn and The Pear Tree. More in March.
Special Engagements in February include The Game Changers (Louis Psihoyos, 2018) on Febrary 23 at 5:30pm about athletes and food myths. A panel discussion follows.
"CatVideoFest 2020" has two shows on February 22 and 23 at 1:30pm.
Freer Gallery of Art
A series of Japanese classic films continues at the Freer. On February 5 at 2:00pm is Kuroneko (Kaneto Shindo, 1968).
"An Abbas Kiarostami Retrospective" is a complete retrospective of the director's films, showing at the AFI, the Freer and the National Gallery of Art. On February 9 at 1:30pm is Homework (1989); on February 9 at 3:30pm is Close-Up (1990); on February 16 at 1:30pm is Shirin (2008); on February 16 at 3:30pm is Ten; on February 23 at 1:00pm is 24 Frames (2017); and on February 23 at 3:30pm is Like Someone in Love (2012).
The 24th "New Films From Iran" film festival has just one film left in February. On February 2 at 2:00pm is Just 6.5 (Saeed Roustaya, 2019). Also see the AFI for more dates.
"An Armenian Odyssey" is shown at the Freer and the National Gallery of Art. On February 29 at 1:00pm is The Color of Pomegranates (Sergei Parajanov, 1969) preceded by the short film Kiev Frescoes (Sergei Parajanov, 1966). On Februay 29 at 3:30pm is Kevork Mourad's Four Acts for Syria (Kevork Mourad, 2019) followed by Hakob Hovnatanyan (Sergei Parajanov, 1967) and Arabesques on the Pirosmani Theme (Sergei Parajanov, 1985). More in March.
Special Events in February include Sholay (G.P. Shippy, 1975) on February 15 at 2:00pm, from India. The great Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan stars. The film has a ranking of #1 in the BFI's poll of Top Ten Indian Films of All Time. A discussion follows with Sunny Jain, musician and leader of the band Red Baraat.
National Gallery of Art
While the National Gallery of Art's East Building Auditorium is being renovated films are shown in the West Building Lecture Hall and other locations.
Special events in February are Renzo Piano-The Architect of Light (Carlos Saura, 2018), about the Italian architect on February 1 at noon. "Screening Race in American Nontheatrical Film" is a program of 16mm short films from the 1940s through the 1970s on February 15 at 2:00pm with speakers Allyson Nadia Field and Marsha Gordon present to present the films. On February 22 at 2:00pm is Learning from Buffalo (Rima Yarnazaki, 2018) with the filmmaker in person. On February 22 at 4:00pm is The World Must Be Measured by Eye (Rima Yarnazaki, 2019), about artist Ellen Altfest, with the filmmaker in person. All are in the West Building Lecture Hall.
"Checkerboard Films on the American Arts: Recent Releases" (January 7-February 25) is a five-part series of recent projects from Checkerboard Film Foundation. On February 4 at 12:30pm is Eric Fischl: The Process of Painting (Edgar Howard, 2012) followed by "Carrie Mae Weems: Speaking of Art," Wald, 2016). All are in the West Bulding Lecture Hall.
"Displaced: Immigration Stories" (January 19-March 22) is a series of films by and about immigrants. On February 1 at 2:00pm is The Wild Frontier (Nicolas Klotz and Elisabeth Perceval, 2017), about the tent jungle in Calais, France. On February 9 at 4:00pm is Logbook Serbistan (Zelimir Zilnik, 2015) preceded by the short film Inventory (Zelimir Zilnik, 1975). One more in March. All are at the West Building Lecture Hall.
"African Legacy: Francophone Films 1955 to 2019" (February 8-March 21) focuses on films from French-speaking Africa and the African Diaspora. Some films are shown at the Embassy of France. On February 8 at 2:30pm is the restored Muna Moto (Jean-Pierre Dikongue-Pipa, 1975) from Cameroon; shown at the West Building Lecture Hall. On February 16 at 4:00pm is La Femme au couteau (Timite Bassori, 1969), shown in the West Building Lecture Hall and introduced by Aboubakar Sanogo. On February 18 at 7:00pm is The Return of an Adventurer (Moustapha Alassane, 1966) from Niger, preceded by Afrique sur Seine (Paulin Soumanou Vieyra and Mamadou Sarr, 1955) and Samba le grand (Moustapha Alassane, 1977). All are short films, are shown at the Embassy of France and introduced by Aboubakar Sanogo. On February 23 at 4:00pm is La Noir de... (Ousmane Sembene, 1966) preceded by Borom Sarret (Ousman Sembene, 1963), shown at the West Building Lecture Hall. More in March.
"An Armenian Odyssey" (February 29-March 14) begins February 29 at 1:00pm with The Color of Pomegranates (Sergei Parajanov, 1969) preceded by the short film Kiev Frescoes (Sergei Parajanov, 1966), shown at the Freer Gallery of Art. On Februay 29 at 3:30pm is Kevork Mourad's Four Acts for Syria (Kevork Mourad, 2019) followed by Hakob Hovnatanyan (Sergei Parajanov, 1967) and Arabesques on the Pirosmani Theme (Sergei Parajanov, 1985). All are shown at the Freer Gallery of Art. More in March.
National Museum of African Art
"Africa in Reel Time" is a series of films about the role of youth in fostering change and the complexities of leadership in the advent of independence. On February 14 at 6:00pm is Two Weeks in Lagos (Kathryn Fasegha, 2019) from Nigeria and on February 22 at 1:30pm is the documentary Mama Africa: Miriam Makeba (Mika Kaurismaki, 2011). More in March and April.
National Museum of the American Indian
On February 20 at 7:00pm is Restless River (Marie-Helene Cousineau and Madeline Ivalu, 2019) from Canada, with the director in attendance. This is the opening night film of the Mother Tongue Film Festival. There is a reception at 6:00pm.
Museum of American History
On February 2 at 3:30pm is Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993) starring Bill Murray at the Warner Bros. Theater at the Museum of American History.
Washington Jewish Community Center
The newly renovated JCC has begun its new film program with first-run films, mini-festivals and other one-time screenings. In February film titles are Echo (Amikam Kovner and Assaf Snir, 2018) from Israel; Mamboniks (Lex Gillespie, 2019) a documentary about fans of the dance from Cuba; Standing Up, Falling Down (Matt Ratne, 2019) and Russia's Oscar pick for 2019 Beanpole (Kantemir Balagov, 2019). See the website for dates and times.
Goethe Institute
On February 15 at 6:30pm is the documentary Ursula Mamlok: Movements (Anne Berrini), about the composer Ursula Mamlok. The screening is followed by a Q&A with Miro Magliore of New Chamber Ballet. Note the new Goethe Institute address: 1377 R Street, NW #300.
Strathmore
See Film Related Music for a film music concert.
National Geographic Society
The 2020 Banff Mountain Film Festival begins January 27 at 7:00pm and continues through February 8. Films shown highlight adventure, exploration and the outdoors.
French Embassy
"Vies d'Artistes" is a series of four films about artists. On February 11 at 7:00pm is Séraphine (Martin Provost, 2008) about the painter Séraphine Louis (1864 to 1942) starring Yolande Moreau as Séraphine. On February 25 at 7:00pm is Sagan (Dianne Kurys, 2008), about the author Françoise Sagan starring Sylvie Testud as Sagan.
On February 18 at 7:00pm is a program of three short films as part of the National Gallery's "African Legacy: Francophone Films 1955 to 2019." The films are The Return of an Adventurer (Moustapha Alassane, 1966) from Niger, preceded by Afrique sur Seine (Paulin Soumanou Vieyra and Mamadou Sarr, 1955) and Samba le grand (Moustapha Alassane, 1977). Featuring an introduction by Aboubakar Sanogo.
The Japan Information and Culture Center
On February 13 at 6:30pm is My Love Story (Hayato Kawai, 2015), a live-action adapation of a popular manga.
On February 28 at 6:30pm is the anime film The Wonderland (Keiichi Hara, 2019).
The Textile Museum at GWU
On February 27 at 5:30pm is Bill Cunningham New York (Richard Press, 2010), a documentary about the fashion photographer.
National Archives
The Archives' 16th Annual Showcase of Academy Award-Nominated Films takes place February 5-9. All five Oscar-nominated feature documentaries and shown, along with the Short Live Action nominees, Short Animinated nominees, and Documentary Shorts. On February 5 at 7:00pm is The Cave (Firas Fayyad, 2019); on February 6 at 7:00pm is American Factory (Steven Bognar, 2019); on February 7 at 7:00pm is The Edge of Democracy (Petra Costa, 2019); on February 8 at noon are the Live Action Short films; on February 8 at 3:30pm are the Live Action Animinated Short films; on February 8 at 7:00pm is For Sama (Waad Al Kataeb, 2019); on February 9 at 11:00am are the Documentary Short films; on February 9 at 4:00pm is Honeyland (Tamara Kotevska, 2019).
On February 12 at 7:00pm is an episode of the documentary series Race for the White House “Obama v. McCain”. A panel discussion will follow.
Bethesda Row
"Cinema Arts Bethesda" is a monthly Sunday morning film discussion series. On February 9 at 10:00am is What Will People Say (Iram Haq, 2018) from Norway. The film won numerous awards and is about an immigrant Pakistani family in Norway.
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.
National Museum of Natural History
Some films from the Mother Tongue Film Festival are shown at this location.
The Avalon
On February 5 at 8:00pm is the documentary Honeyland (Tamara Kotevska, 2019), from Macedonia. Part of the "Avalon Docs" series and one of the five nominees for Best Documentary Feature.
On February 12 at 8:00pm is Women on the Run (Martin Horsky, 2019), part of the "Czech Lions" series.
On February 19 at 8:00pm is France's Oscar pick Les Miserables (Ladj Ly, 2019), part of the "French Cinematheque" series.
On February 26 at 8:00pm is Born in Jerusalem and Still Alive (Yosi Atia and David Ofed, 2019), for this month's "Reel Israel" film.
Two animated films are shown in February. On February 1 at 10:00am is The Missing Link (Chris Butler, 2019) and on February 29 at 10:00am is Frozen 2 (Chris Buck, 2019).
On February 6 at 8:00pm is the opera "Leonore," presented by Opera Lafayette with a post-screening discussion. Not a regular Avalon event.
Italian Cultural Institute
See Film Related Music for a film music concert.
New York University Abramson Family Auditorium
On February 3 at 7:00pm is The Silver Branch (Katrina Costello and John Brown, 2019), a philosophical documentary about the life of farmer/poet Patrick McCormack who fights to keep a wilderness from development. Part of the Capital Irish Film Festival.
On February 5 at 7:00pm is the Season 2 premiere of the documentary series Wrong Man (Joe Berlinger), followed by a panel discussion with Q&A. Reception at 6:00pm.
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 February 18 at 7:00pm is Bright Road (Gerald Mayer, 1953), starring Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte, the first non-musical film made by a major studio with a predominately black cast.
"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 February 5 is Roger and Me (Michael Moore, 1989); on February 12 is Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1943); on February 19 is The Road Warrior (George Miller, 1981); and on February 26 is Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (George Miller, 1985).
Kennedy Center
On February 23 at 7:00pm is Deaf Jam (Judy Lieff, 2011), a documentary about a deaf teen who entered a spoken word slam. A discussion follows the film.
Atlas Performing Arts Film Series
On February 15 at 2:00pm is the OLA Film Festival, a showcase and competition of amateur and student filmmakers.
On February 22 at 2:15pm is BackBurner Dreams in which director Brenda Hayes challenged three women of color to remember dreams they had put on the "back burner." Discussion follows the film.
On February 22 at 7:00pm is the documentary The Blood is at the Doorstep (Erik Ljung, 2017).
On February 23 at 4:00pm is The Lost World (Harry Hoyt, 1925) with Andrew Simpson accompanying this classic silent film.
On February 29 at 5:00pm is Awaken, Brown Eyes (Dominic Anthony Green), a collection of four short films. A discussion follows.
Sixth and I Synagogue
See Talks With Actors below.
Alden Theater
On February 12 at 12:30pm is a kids film Shrek (Andrew Adamson, 2001). This month's foreign language film is Black Orpheus (Mario Camus, 1958) from Brazil) on February 26 at 1:00pm.
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
"Wizarding World" is a series of Harry Potter movies, one per month from February through November. On February 15 at 10:00am is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Chris Columbus, 2001).
On February 19 at 7:30pm is Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg, 1981), part of the "Cult Classics" series.
On February 1 at 11:00am and February 3 at 7:00pm is the anime film The Wonderland (Keiichi Hara, 2019).
Angelika Popup
"Wizarding World" is a series of Harry Potter movies, one per month from February through November. On February 15 at 10:00am is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Chris Columbus, 2001).
On February 19 at 7:30pm is Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg, 1981), part of the "Cult Classics" series.
On February 1 at 11:00am and February 3 at 7:00pm is the anime film The Wonderland (Keiichi Hara, 2019).
North Virginia Community College-Alexandria
On February 22 at 7:00pm is First Person Plural (Eric Tretbar, 2019) with the filmmaker in person for Q&A.
Smithsonian Associates
See Film-Related Lectures below.
Reel Affirmations XTra
On February 27 at 7:00pm is Unsettled: Seeking Refuge in America (Tom Shepard, 2019), a documentary about LGBT refugees who have fled persecution in their home countries. Location: Landmark's E Street Cinema.
FILM FESTIVALS
