The Cinema Lounge
On Monday, September 16, 2024 at 8:00pm please join the Cinema Lounge, the DC Film Society's monthly film discussion group.
TOPIC: Preview/Review
It's our annual look back at the best and worst of the summer movies, and what to expect from the upcoming fall/winter season. After a disappointing start, Inside Out 2, Twisters and Deadpool & Wolverine got audiences back. Are we looking forward to the rest of what 2024 has to offer? Will the aftershocks writers' and actors' strike continue to linger, with some films pushed to 2025?
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
The 35th "AFI Latin American Film Festival 2024" (September 19-October 10) features award-winning films from Latin American countries plus Spain and Portugal. Some will have in-person conversations with filmmakers and Embassy-hosted parties. The Opening Night film is La Cocina (2024) from Mexico, with filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios in person for Q&A. The Closing Night film is Pimpinero: Blood and Oil (Andrés Baiz, 2024) from Colombia.
"Special Engagements" for September include The Babadook (2014) in a 10th anniversary showing which includes a recorded Q&A with writer/director Jennifer Kent.
"AFI Silver After Dark" is a series of midnight-style movies. The film for September is Foxy Brown (1974) starring Pam Grier.
"MGM 100" (July 12–September 19) celebrates the centennial of Metro-Goldyn Mayer with classics and underappreciated gems. Films in September are 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) in 70mm; An American in Paris (1951); Blow-Up (1966); Ivanhoe (1952) starring a young Elizabeth Taylor; Dr. Zhivago (1965); Fame (1980); Some Came Running (1958); The Bad and the Beautiful (1952); Get Carter (1971); Lolita (1962); Point Blank (1967); Shaft (1971); Soylent Green (1973); The Cincinnati Kid (1965); The Passenger (1975); Village of the Damned (1960); and Zabriskie Point (1970).
"Shall We Dance: The Films of Fred Astaire: (July 21-September 15). Fred Astaire (1899-1987) revolutionized the movie musical as a choreographer, dancer, musician and actor. Films in September are Ghost Story (1981); On the Beach (1959); and Yolanda and the Thief (1945) in 35mm.
"Anime Expo Cinema Nights" (September 11, 2024-March 16, 2025) presents some of the most influential anime films. The series begins with Ninja Scroll (1993), including an 11 minute new recorded interview with director Yoshiaki Kawajiri.
"Columbia Pictures" Part III (July 12-September 19) continues from Parts I and II. September films are Ghostbusters (1984); Stand By Me (1986); The Karate Kid (1984); Ishtar (1987); Kramer vs. Kramer (1979); Modern Romance (1981); and Tootsie (1982).
"Oh My Godzilla!" (July 13-September 17). Starting with the original Godzilla (1954) which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, this series evolves through the Atomic Age, monster brawls, and introduces us to new monsters such as Mothra, King Ghidorah and many more. September films are King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962); Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995); and GMK: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001).
"AFI Life Achievement Award: Nicole Kidman" (July 12–September 18). September films are Rabbit Hole (2010); The Paperboy (2012); Destroyer (2018); Lion (2016); Margot at the Wedding (2007) in 35mm; Paddington (2014)and Birth (2004) in 35mm.
"Stanley Donen Centennial" (July 12–September 19). A perfect complement to the series on Fred Astaire, Donen directed Hollywood musicals (many with Gene Kelly), romances and thrillers. Films in September are Movie Movie (1978); Arabesque (1966); and Two for the Road (1967).
Freer Gallery of Art
On September 11 at 2:00pm is Woman in the Dunes (Hiroshi Teshigahara, 1964) part of the "Japanese Classics" series of films.
"Meet the Filmmaker: Reha Erdem" is a short series of three films by Turkish filmmaker Reha Erdem. On September 13 at 7:00pm is Big Big World (2016); on September 14 at 2:00pm is Times and Winds (2006); and on September 15 at 2:00pm is Neandria (2023) with the filmmaker in person.
For Silent Movie Day on September 29 at 4:00pm is a 4K restoration of The Dragon Painter (William Worthington, 1919) starring the great Sessue Hayakawa. Live piano accompaniment by Makia Matsumura.
National Gallery of Art
The series "Art Films and Special Screenings" presents a number of films in September. On September 8 at 3:00pm is the documentary 1874, The Birth of Impressionism (2024) with director Julien Johan and producer Stéphane Millière present for discussion. Note that this film has more showings throughout the year. On September 14 at 2:00pm is :100 Years of Robert Frank," a program of two of Frank's films Pull My Daisy (1959) and Me and My Brother (1968). On September 21 at 2:00pm is Pictures of Ghosts (Kleber Mendonça Filho, 2023) from Brazil.
The National Gallery takes part in Silent Movie Day with Coeur fidele (Jean Epstein, 1923) with music accompaniment by Andrew Simpson, shown September 29 at 2:00pm.
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
On September 19 at 6:30pm is T.REX, about a dinosaur excavation in North Dakota. [Note: This event is currently listed as sold out].
Washington Jewish Community Center
On September 8 at 6:00pm is the documentary We Will Dance Again (Yariv Mozer, 2024), a glimpse through the eyes of individuals who endured the October 7 attack at the Nova music festival. The film's director will participate in a Q&A.
On September 15 at 6:00pm, September 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30pm is
the documentary Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round (Ilana Trachtman, 2024), about the first organized interracial civil rights protest in U.S. history.
On September 24, 25, and 26 at 7:30pm is a 25th anniversary screening of Aviva Kempner's documentary Life and Times of Hank Greenberg (1998). Panel discussions follow each screening with the film's director and others. Note: each panel's composition is different. See the website for names.
Goethe Institute
On September 12 at 6:00pm is Wings of Desire (Wim Wenders, 1987); on September 19 at 6:00pm is Run Lola Run (Tom Tykwer, 1998); and on September 26 at 6:00pm is White Ribbon (Michael Haneke, 2009).
The Japan Information and Culture Center
On September 12 at 6:30pm is The Lone Ume Tree (Kotaro Wajima, 2021).
On September 8 at 3:00pm is the anime film Children of the Sea (Ayumu Watanabe, 2019). Location: The Kennedy Center's Justice Forum.
Cinema Arts Bethesda
"Cinema Arts Bethesda" is a monthly Sunday morning film discussion series held at Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema. On September 15 at 10:00am is All Shall Be Well (Ray Yeung, 2024) from Hong Kong.
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
The "Summer Film Series" wraps up September 1 at 10:30am with Beach Blanket Bingo (1965).
For the "Films in Focus" series is the documentary How to Come Alive With Norman Mailer (Jeff Zimbalist, 2023) on September 4 at 8:00pm, followed by Q&A with Mailer's eldest son Michael Mailer and film critic David Sterritt.
On September 11 at 8:00pm is Suppressed (Tomas Maxin, 2023) part of the "Czech Lions" series.
On September 18 at 8:00pm is the "French Cinematheque" pick for this month The Nature of Love (Monia Chokri, 2023).
"Reel Israel" presents a hit from Jewish festivals Matchmaking (Erez Tadmor, 2022) on September 25 at 8:00pm.
The filmed play "Prima Facie" (2022) from National Theater Live is on September 15 and 17 at 10:30am.
Anacostia Community Museum
On September 7 at 12:00 noon is the documentary Duke Ellington’s Washington: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of a Neighborhood (2000) followed by a discussion and Q&A.
Kennedy Center
On September 8 at 3:00pm is the anime film Children of the Sea ((Ayumu Watanabe, 2019); on September 15 at 3:00pm is Babes (Pamela Adlon, 2024); on September 20 at 8:00pm is the animated film Coco (Lee Unkrich, 2017) shown outdoors; on September 22 at 3:00pm is the documentary Jamala: Songs of Freedom (Beth Mendelson, 2024); on September 29 at 3:00pm is Renegades (2024), a new PBS series on historical figures with disabilities. All are at the Kennedy Center's Justice Forum except where noted.
Old Greenbelt Theater
In the "Cinema Classics" series is Born Yesterday (George Cukor, 1950) starring Judy Holliday on September 2 at 1:00pm and September 5 at 8:00pm.
On September 19 at 8:00pm is Lost in Translation (Sophia Coppola, 2003), part of the "Cult Classics" series.
On September 15 at 7:00pm is Join or Die (Pete and Rebecca Davis, 2023) a documentary about the work of Robert Putnam.
On September 30 at 7:00pm is Imitation of Life (Douglas Sirk, 1959) starring Lana Turner, part of the "Film in Focus" series.
Hill Center
"Epidemics on Film: The Past is the Future" is a two-part series by Tom Zaniello, professor of film studies and author of Epidemic Films To Die For: A Chronicle of the Covid-19 Plague Years, which will be published in October. The first part is on September 24 at 6:00pm and begins with basics of epidemics as dramatized in films, both classics and documentaries. The film for Part I is Cooked: Survival by Zipcode (Judith Helfand, 2019), about the extreme heat in Chicago in 1995. The second part is on October 15 with film titles TBA.
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
The "Angelika Classics" series shows classic films on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm. On September 9 at 7:00pm is Enter the Dragon (1973).
"Classics in Black and White" features a classic B&W film on the third Monday of each month at 7:00pm. On September 16 at 7:00pm is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939).
A Harry Potter series (March 30-October 26) is on Saturdays at 11:00am. On September 28 at 11:00am is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part I (2010).
"Dinner With" is on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00pm. On September 23 at 7:00pm is Bonnie and Clyde (1967).
"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 September 4 at 7:00pm and September 5 at 12:00pm is My Neighbor Totoro (1988).
"Batman Day" shows films September 21 and 25. Titles are Batman (1989); Batman: Mast of the Phantasm (1993); Batman Forever (1995); and Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024).
Films from South Asia are scheduled. The Greatest of All Time (Venkat Prabhu, 2024) is shown in September. See the website for more.
FILM FESTIVALS
