The Cinema Lounge
On Monday, June 17, 2024 at 8:00pm please join the Cinema Lounge, the DC Film Society's monthly film discussion group.
TOPIC: Is the Summer Movie Season in Trouble?
A recent BBC article carried the headline "After Furiosa flops, Hollywood could be facing a biblically disastrous summer." Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga made headlines with its soft $25.5 million opening weekend, topping the weakest Memorial Day weekend at the box office since 1995 (excluding the pandemic-hindered 2020 and 2021 weekends). Mad Max diehards were disappointed by that result, and certain box office pundits suggested the sky may be falling in Hollywood, as it’s one of several splashy May releases that didn’t set the domestic box office ablaze." Furiosa, The Fall Guy and others did disappointing business despite heavy publicity and good reviews. Some blame the 2023 strikes disrupted the release schedule well into this year and 2025. Others blame the films themselves. But is the situation really that bad or is this a needless panic after a bump in the road? With Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and A Quiet Place: Day One on the way, what does the future hold?
Please RSVP to atspector@hotmail.com and you'll get the Zoom link 1-2 days before the discussion.
The Cinema Lounge, a film discussion group, meets the third Monday of every month (unless otherwise noted) at 8:00pm online via Zoom. You do not need to be a member of the Washington DC Film Society to attend. Cinema Lounge is moderated by Adam Spector, author of the DC Film Society's Adam's Rib column.
We Need to Hear From YOU
We are always looking for film-related material for the Storyboard. Our enthusiastic and well-traveled members have written about their trips to the Cannes Film Festival, Karlovy Vary Film Festival, London Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival, the Berlin Film Festival, the Palm Springs Film Festival, the Reykjavik Film Festival, the Munich Film Festival, the Virginia Film Festival, the Locarno Film Festival, The Nitrate Picture Show, and the Chicago Critics Film Festival. We also heard about what it's like being an extra in the movies. Have you gone to an interesting film festival? Have a favorite place to see movies that we aren't covering in the Calendar of Events? Seen a movie that blew you away? Read a film-related book? Gone to a film seminar? Interviewed a director? Taken notes at a Q&A? Read an article about something that didn't make our local news media? Send your contributions to Storyboard and share your stories with the membership. And we sincerely thank all our contributors for this issue of Storyboard.
Calendar of Events
FILMS
American Film Institute Silver Theater
"Spanish Cinema Now!" May 31-June 6) is an annual festival of new films from Spain. Titles in June are Foremost by Nightshow (2023); Jokes and Cigarettes (2023); Mamifera (2024); One Night with Adela (2023); Something Is About to Happen (2023); The Rye Horn (2023); Amor (2023); The Rim (2024); and Under Therapy (2023).
"The 2024 DC Caribbean FilmFest" (June 7-12), celebrating its 22nd year, is shown for Caribbean Heritage Month. The Opening Night film is Doubles (2023) from Trinidad/Tobago with a filmmaker Q&A. Other titles are Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall (2023), a music documentary from Jamaica; Bob Marley: One Love (2024); Croma Kid (2023) from Dominican Republic; Dancing the Stumble (2023), a dance documentary from Trinidad/Tobago; Deep Blue (2023) from Trinidad/Tobago with a filmmaker Q&A; Kanaval (2023); Kidnapping Inc. (2024) from Haiti; Misbehavior (2020) from Grenada; Musica! (2023); Once Upon a Time in the Caribbean (2023) from Puerto Rico; Pressure (1976); This Unexpected Love (2024) with a filmmaker Q&A; When Morning Comes (2022) with a filmmaker Q&A; Who in Da Mornin (2023) with a filmmaker Q&A. A festival pass is available.
"AFI Silver Classic Film Weekend" (June 13-16) is a weekend of films from the pre-Code (Hays Code) era which lasted from the late 1920s to 1934. Festival guests, including film historians Richard Koszarski, Steven C. Smith, Farran Smith Nehme, Katie Gee Salisbury and David Stenn, will introduce each film. Titles include Blonde Crazy (1931); Forgotten Faces (1928); a restored version of The Greeks Had a Word For Them (1932); Pavement Butterfly (1929); Laughter in Hell (1933) and many more. Most films are introduced by film historians and many are preceded by a short film or cartoon. Stars include Anna May Wong, Clara Bow, Jean Harlow, Josephine Baker and lots more. See the website for passes, tickets, and other film titles.
"Tales of Cinema: The World of Hong Sangsoo" (May 5-July 10) offers a portion of Korean filmmaker Hong Sangsoo's 31 films with more showing at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art and the National Gallery of Art. Titles in June are On the Beach at Night Alone (2017); Woman on the Beach (2006); and Yourself and Yours (2016). More in July.
"Kinuyo Tanaka Classics" (May 18-July 11) focuses on Tanaka's acting performances, with her directorial work already shown at the National Gallery of Art and the National Museum of Asian Art. Films in June are Army (1944) shown in 35mm; Equinox Flower (1968); The Ballad of Narayama (1958); The Munekata Sisters (1950); Ugetsu (1953); and Utamaro and His Five Women (1946) shown in 35mm. More in July.
"Mondo Morricone" (May 3–July 11) To follow up the documentary Ennio (Giuseppe Tornatore, 2021) are 35 films (out of more than 500) scored by Ennio Morricone (1928-2020). Titles include Spaghetti Westerns, Hollywood films and comedies. June films are A Quiet Place in the Country (1966); Danger: Diabolik (1968); Days of Heaven (1978); Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971); Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970); Once Upon a Time in the West (1968); Revolver (1973); Sacco and Vanzetti (1971); Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975); The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970); The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971); The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion (1970); The Mission (1986); The Thing (1982); The Untouchables (1987); The Working Class Goes to Heaven (1973); Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970); and What Have You Done to Solange? (1972). More in July.
"AFI Silver After Dark" is a new series of midnight-style movies. The film for June is The Mask (1994) starring Jim Carrey.
"2024 Recent Restorations" (May 3–July 2). A range of recent digital restorations, some in 4K. Titles in June are Bed and Board (1970) from France; Black God, White Devil (1964) from Brazil; Coup de Torchon (1981) from France; Destry Rides Again (1939); Girls Town (1996); Go Fish (1994); Hello, It's Me (1965) from USSR; Household Saints (1993); the documentary I Went to the Dance (1989); Love on the Run (1979) from France; Not a Pretty Picture (1976); Record of a Tenement Gentleman (1947) from Japan; Stolen Kisses (1968) from France; The World's Greatest Sinner (1963); West Indies: The Fugitive Slaves of Liberty; The 400 Blows (1959) from France; and the documentary The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2003). More in July.
"Special Engagements" for June include The Blues Brothers (1980) with an introduction by author Daniel de Vise whose book "The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic," will be available for sale and signing. Other titles include the documentary The Right to Read (2023); the documentary The Times of Harvey Milk (1984); a new 4k restoration of the anime film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004); and The "Best of the 48 Hour Film Project."
"Columbia Pictures" Part II (May 3-July 11) continues from Part I. Titles in June are A Man for All Seasons (1966); Barabbas (1961); Buck and the Preacher (1972); Dr. Strangelove (1964); Georgy Girl (1966); In Cold Blood (1967); Jason and the Argonauts (1963); The Guns of Navarone (1961); The Professionals (1966). More in July.
Freer Gallery of Art
On June 12 at 2:00pm is Fires on the Plains (Kon Ichikawa, 1959), part of the "Japanese Classics" series of films.
"Tales of Cinema: The World of Hong Sangsoo" is a series of films by Korean director Hong Sangsoo, shown at the Freer and the AFI Silver Theater. On June 2 at 1:30pm is Nobody's Daughter Haewon (2013); on June 2 at 3:30pm is Our Sunhi (2013); on June 7 at 7:00pm is Like You Know It All (2009); on June 9 at 1:30pm is The Day He Arrives (2011); on June 9 at 3:30pm is Oki's Movie (2010); on June 14 at 7:00pm is The Power of Kangwon Province (1998); on June 16 at 2:00pm is Hill of Freedom (2014); on June 16 at 3:30pm is The Day After (2017); on June 28 at 7:00pm is Hahaha (2010; on June 30 at 2:00pm is In Our Day (2023); and on June 30 at 4:00pm is In Water (2023). A few more at the AFI.
National Gallery of Art
The series "Art Films and Special Screenings" on June 15 at 1:00pm is Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat (Johan Grimonprez, 2024) followed by a discussion with director Johan Grimonprez and producer Remi Grellety. On June 16 at 2:00pm is OR119 (Peggy Ahwesh and Jacqueline Goss, 2023) preceded by two short films and followed by a discussion with artists Peggy Ahwesh and Jacqueline Goss. On June 22 at 2:00pm is Searching for Augusta Savage (Charlotte Mangin and Sandra Rattley) shown with the documentary A Study of Negro Artists (Jules V.D. Bucher, 1935). Filmmakers Charlotte Mangin and Sandra Rattley will discuss the film after the screening.
"We Have Always Been Here 2024" (June 2-23) is a series of four programs by award-winning LGBTQ+ artists. On June 2 at 2:00pm is Orlando, My Political Biography (Paul B. Preciado); on June 8 at 2:00pm is "Warhol's World and LGBTQ+ Identity: Films by Warren Sonbert," a set of eight short films. On June 9 at 2:00pm is "The Bad and the Beautiful and Other Shorts by Warren Sonbert," a program of six short films. Both the June 8 and June 9 programs feature a post-screening discussion with guest curator and Sonbert archivist Jon Gartenberg. On June 23 at 2:00pm is Anhell69 (Theo Montoya, 2022).
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
On June 21 at 4:00pm is the short film Listen to the Universe, followed by a discussion with Kimberly Arcand and Elizabeth Landau.
Museum of American History
On June 18 at 7:00pm is COPA 71, about the 1971 Women's Soccer World Cup, followed by a discussion with co-directors and writers Rachel Ramsay and James Erksine. Location: The Warner Bros. Theater.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
On June 12 at 11:00am is
a "Student Documentary Showcase," 15 student films created for the National History Day competition.
On June 14 at 2:30pm is Paint Me a Road Out of Here followed by a panel discussion.
On June 14 at 7:00pm is Luther: Never Too Much, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.
On June 16 at 2:00pm is Daughters, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers.
National Portrait Gallery
On June 6 at 5:00pm is A Feminist Lens: The Art and Activism of Photographer Joan Roth preceded by a discussion with Rabbi Sally Priesand and photographer Joan Roth.
Washington Jewish Community Center
On June 6 at 7:00pm is the short sci-fi film The Last Drop (Adam Joel, 2023). On June 13 at 7:00pm is the award-winning Mephisto (István Szabo, 1981) from Hungary. On June 17 at 7:00pm is The Big Payback (Erika Alexander and Whitney Dow, 2023), a documentary about reparations for Black Americans, followed by a panel discussion with film subject Robin Rue Simmons and reparations activist Nkechi Taifa.
Goethe Institute
On June 15 at 6:30pm is The Pasta Detectives (Neele Leana Vollmar, 3014) part of the "Kids Kino" series. On June 20 at 6:15pm is a preview of Babylon Berlin Season 4, Episode 1 (Henk Handloegten, Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borrie), based on the novel Goldstein by Volker Kutscher.
French Embassy
"Films on the Green" is back, with three French films in June, all shown at outdoor locations. On June 4 at 8:30pm is Marinette (Virginie Verrier, 2023). Location: Sylvan Theater. On June 13 at 8:45pm is The Golden Ball (Cheik Doukouré, 1994) from France/Guinea. Location: Anacostia Park Field 7. On June 25 at 8:45pm is The Odyssey (Jérôme Salle, 2016). Location: The National Mall.
National Archives
On June 15 at 2:00pm is Apollo Thirteen: Survival (Peter Middleton, 2024) with an introduction by the filmmaker. Part of the DC/DOX Film Festival.
Cinema Arts Bethesda
"Cinema Arts Bethesda" is a monthly Sunday morning film discussion series held at Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema. On June 2 at 10:00am is The Monk and the Gun (Pawo Choyning Dorji, 2023), from Bhutan.
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.
The Avalon
On June 5 at 8:00pm is Carol Doda Topless at the Condor (Marlo McKenzie, 2023), part of "Avalon Docs."
The "Programmer's Choice" film for June is The End We Start From (Mahalia Belo, 2023) on June 12 at 8:00pm.
On June 19 at 8:00pm is Little Girl Blue (Mona Achache, 2023), for the "French Cinematheque" series.
On June 26 at 8:00pm is Karaoke (Moshe Rosenthal, 2022), part of "Reel Israel."
"Exhibition on Screen" features My National Gallery London (Phil Grabsky, 2024) on June 9, 11 and 15 at 10:30am.
National Theater Live presents Nye (Rufus Norris) about the UK politician Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan. Michael Sheen plays Nye.
Italian Cultural Institute
The Italian Embassy is one of the locations for the "EuroAsia Shorts" film festsival. See the EuroAsia website for details.
Library of Congress
The Mary Pickford Theater shows classic films and restored films. On June 13 at 7:00pm is The Bride Came C.O.D. (William Keighley, 1941) starring James Cagney and Bette Davis, preceded by the cartoon Rhapsody in Rivets (1941).
Thursday, June 13, 2024 7:00 p.m.
Kennedy Center
On June 7 at 8:30pm is Dreamgirls (2006); on June 14 at 8:30pm is a series of short dance films or dance documentaries, all directed, choreographed or featuring Asians in dance; on June 21 at 8:30pm is the animated film Elemental (2023); on June 28 at 8:30pm is the animated film Ratatouille (2007). All are shown outside on the REACH Video Wall.
Old Greenbelt Theater
In the "Cinema Classics" series is Topper (Norman Z. McLeod, 1937 on June 3 at 1:00pm and June 6 at 8:00pm.
On June 20 at 8:00pm is Napoleon Dynamite (Jared Hess, 2004), part of the "Cult Classics" series.
The Old Greenbelt is also one of the locations for the Nepal American International Film Festival June 2023. Titles TBA.
On June 24 at 7:00pm is In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-Wai, 2000) in the "Films in Focus" series.
Hill Center
On June 9 at 5:00pm is "Two Shorts and a Doc," a program of filmmaking in DC. The first short is Men at Work viewing DC warf workers from above. John Philip Sousa focuses on the man, the place and the music. On the Waterfront with Arthur Cotton Moore is a biopic of the architect who rebuilt the Georgetown waterfront.
Alden Theater
The foreign film for June is the Romanian film Graduation (Cristian Mungiu, 2016) shown on June 6 at 1:00pm and June 12 at 6:30pm. The performing arts film this month is Swan Lake on June 13 at 1:00pm, winner of Olivier and Tony awards.
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
The "Angelika Classics" series shows classic films on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm. On June 3 at 7:00pm is Easy Rider (Dennis Hopper, 1969) starring Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda.
"Classics in Black and White" features a classic B&W film on the third Monday of each month at 7:00pm. OnJune 17 at 7:00pm is Metropolis (Fritz Lang, 1927).
"Dinner With..." is a series of films on fourth Mondays at 7:00pm. On June 24 at 7:00pm is Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks, 1974 starring Gene Wilder.
A Harry Potter series (March 30-October 26) is on Saturdays at 11:00am. On June 29 at 11:00am is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mike Newell, 2005).
Celebrate Pride Month on Tuesdays at 7:00pm with four films, all from the 1990s. On June 4 at 7:00pm is But I'm a Cheerleader (1999); on June 11 at 7:00pm is My Own Private Idaho (1991); On June 18 at 7:00pm is The Watermelon Woman (1996); and on June 25 at 7:00pm is Paris is Burning (1990).
"Studio Ghibli" (June 19-Sept. 5) shows anime films on Wednesdays at 7:00pm with English subtitles and Thursdays at 12:00pm with English dubbed. On June 19 at 7:00pm and June 20 at 12:00pm is Kiki's Delivery Service (1989). On June 26 at 7:00pm and June 27 at 12:00pm is Ponyo (2008). More in in July, August, and September.
FILM FESTIVALS
