Cinematheque Film Schedule

United States | 2012 | Ben Shapiro

We begin 2013 with a special film program at the new Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Cleveland, located at the corner of Mayfield Rd. and Euclid Ave. in University Circle. The movie is a new documentary about celebrated photographer Gregory Crewdson, whose elaborately staged and lit pictures mimic film images and thus cry out for the big screen. Crewdson’s tableaux, which explore the surreal dark side of small-town American life, are realized with the help...

France | 2011 | Daniel Autueil

Moviegoers loved this new French film when we premiered it in October, so we’re bringing it back. Actor Daniel Autueil first gained fame in America in the 1986 Marcel Pagnol adaptation Jean de Florette. Now hestars in and directs his own Pagnol adaptation—a color remake of a 1940 classic by the popular Provençal writer and filmmaker. Set in sun-dappled southern France early in the 20th century, the movie focuses on a working-man and widower with...

France | 2010 | Eric Lartigau

This tense psychological thriller follows a successful Paris lawyer (Romain Duris) who takes the identity of a dead man and abandons his upper-class lifestyle in France to live the life he always wanted: as a photographer. But his fears of being exposed make him do some horrible things. Catherine Deneuve co-stars in this acclaimed film that evokes both The Talented Mr. Ripley and Antonioni’s The Passenger. “Spellbinding.” –The Hollywood Reporter.

United States | 1946 | Charles Vidor

Rita Hayworth stars in one of the sexiest film noirs ever made, a South America-set drama about a gambler (Glenn Ford) who gets involved with a rich casino owner’s alluring wife. The film’s hottest scene finds Hayworth performing a kind-of clothed strip-tease while purring “Put the Blame on Mame.”

France | 2010 | Eric Lartigau

This tense psychological thriller follows a successful Paris lawyer (Romain Duris) who takes the identity of a dead man and abandons his upper-class lifestyle in France to live the life he always wanted: as a photographer. But his fears of being exposed make him do some horrible things. Catherine Deneuve co-stars in this acclaimed film that evokes both The Talented Mr. Ripley and Antonioni’s The Passenger. “Spellbinding.” –The Hollywood Reporter.

Sweden, United Kingdom | 2012 | Malik Bendjelloul

This inspiring documentary tells the amazing story of Sixto Rodriguez, a talented Detroit folksinger and songwriter who released two failed albums in the early 1970s and then vanished from the music scene. But in apartheid-era South Africa, where his songs and anthems were hugely popular among young people, Rodriguez was a pop icon and legend—though he didn’t know it.

France | 2011 | Daniel Autueil

Moviegoers loved this new French film when we premiered it in October, so we’re bringing it back. Actor Daniel Autueil first gained fame in America in the 1986 Marcel Pagnol adaptation Jean de Florette. Now hestars in and directs his own Pagnol adaptation—a color remake of a 1940 classic by the popular Provençal writer and filmmaker. Set in sun-dappled southern France early in the 20th century, the movie focuses on a working-man and widower with...

Sweden, United Kingdom | 2012 | Malik Bendjelloul

This inspiring documentary tells the amazing story of Sixto Rodriguez, a talented Detroit folksinger and songwriter who released two failed albums in the early 1970s and then vanished from the music scene. But in apartheid-era South Africa, where his songs and anthems were hugely popular among young people, Rodriguez was a pop icon and legend—though he didn’t know it.

United States | 1946 | Charles Vidor

Rita Hayworth stars in one of the sexiest film noirs ever made, a South America-set drama about a gambler (Glenn Ford) who gets involved with a rich casino owner’s alluring wife. The film’s hottest scene finds Hayworth performing a kind-of clothed strip-tease while purring “Put the Blame on Mame.”

United States | 1940 | Howard Hawks

In one of the greatest newspaper movies ever made (and certainly the funniest), Cary Grant plays a conniving newspaper editor who will do anything to win back his star reporter (and ex-wife) before she marries a boring insurance salesman and moves away. He starts by convincing her to do one last story—on a convicted murderer scheduled for imminent execution—and soon all hell breaks loose! This breathless, hilarious screwball comedy has been called “perhaps the funniest,...

United States | 2012 | Lee Daniels

Lee Daniels’ follow-up to Precious received the longest sustained standing ovation (16 min.) at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. It’s a lurid, tawdry, sexually-charged Southern melodrama, set in the torrid heat and alligator-infested swamps of 1969 Florida, about a Miami crime reporter (Matthew McConaughey) who returns to his backwater hometown to investigate a possible bum murder rap. John Cusack (startlingly scary) is the redneck death row inmate who may be wrongly imprisoned, Nicole Kidman (superb)...

United States | 1940 | Howard Hawks

In one of the greatest newspaper movies ever made (and certainly the funniest), Cary Grant plays a conniving newspaper editor who will do anything to win back his star reporter (and ex-wife) before she marries a boring insurance salesman and moves away. He starts by convincing her to do one last story—on a convicted murderer scheduled for imminent execution—and soon all hell breaks loose! This breathless, hilarious screwball comedy has been called “perhaps the funniest,...

United States | 2012 | Lee Daniels

Lee Daniels’ follow-up to Precious received the longest sustained standing ovation (16 min.) at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. It’s a lurid, tawdry, sexually-charged Southern melodrama, set in the torrid heat and alligator-infested swamps of 1969 Florida, about a Miami crime reporter (Matthew McConaughey) who returns to his backwater hometown to investigate a possible bum murder rap. John Cusack (startlingly scary) is the redneck death row inmate who may be wrongly imprisoned, Nicole Kidman (superb)...

United States | 1949 | Raoul Walsh

James Cagney plays a brutal, psychopathic gangster with a bizarre mother fixation (he sits on her lap as they plan heists) in this operatic, explosive, unforgettable crime picture that is on the National Film Registry. With Virginia Mayo and Edmond O’Brien. “White Heat = Scarface + Psycho.” –Time Out Film Guide.

United States | 2011 | Lisa Immordino Vreeland, Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt, Frédéric Tcheng

For over 50 years Diana Vreeland (1903-1989) was one of the fashion world’s foremost figures. She was fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar, editor-in-chief of Vogue, advisor to Jackie Kennedy, and discoverer of Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick. This new film recounts her stylish and colorful life with pizzazz. “Scrumptious.” –The L.A. Times.

Italy | 1963 | Federico Fellini

Federico Fellini’s semi-autobiographical fantasy is one of the landmarks of world cinema. (It was voted the tenth best movie of all time in the 2012 Sight and Sound magazine poll.) Marcello Mastroianni plays a hugely successful Italian film director who finds himself at a creative impasse just as he is about to embark on his most elaborate project yet, which everyone expects to top all of his others. As fans, media vultures, and industry sycophants...

Italy | 1963 | Federico Fellini

Federico Fellini’s semi-autobiographical fantasy is one of the landmarks of world cinema. (It was voted the tenth best movie of all time in the 2012 Sight and Sound magazine poll.) Marcello Mastroianni plays a hugely successful Italian film director who finds himself at a creative impasse just as he is about to embark on his most elaborate project yet, which everyone expects to top all of his others. As fans, media vultures, and industry sycophants...

United States | 2011 | Lisa Immordino Vreeland, Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt, Frédéric Tcheng

For over 50 years Diana Vreeland (1903-1989) was one of the fashion world’s foremost figures. She was fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar, editor-in-chief of Vogue, advisor to Jackie Kennedy, and discoverer of Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick. This new film recounts her stylish and colorful life with pizzazz. “Scrumptious.” –The L.A. Times.

United States | 1949 | Raoul Walsh

James Cagney plays a brutal, psychopathic gangster with a bizarre mother fixation (he sits on her lap as they plan heists) in this operatic, explosive, unforgettable crime picture that is on the National Film Registry. With Virginia Mayo and Edmond O’Brien. “White Heat = Scarface + Psycho.” –Time Out Film Guide.

Germany, United States | 2011 | Julia Loktev

Gael Garcia Bernal and fiery-haired Hani Furstenberg play a globe-trotting, engaged couple who go on a backpacking trip in the remote and beautiful Caucasus Mountains. Led by a seasoned Georgian guide, the carefree lovers enjoy their wilderness trek through exotic, scenic locales until one unfortunate misstep changes everything. This tense, mesmerizing, minimalist drama evokes Herzog, Rossellini, Kelly Reichardt, and others. A 2011 New York Film Festival selection. “Original and emotionally profound.” –Entertainment Weekly.

France, Italy | 1968 | François Truffaut

Truffaut pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock (even hiring Bernard Herrmann to do the music) in this exciting, suspenseful thriller about a vengeful bride (Jeanne Moreau) who tracks down and dispatches the five men responsible for her husband’s accidental death on their wedding day. The all-star supporting cast includes Michel Bouquet, Michael Lonsdale, Charles Denner, and Jean-Claude Brialy.

France, Italy | 1968 | François Truffaut

Truffaut pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock (even hiring Bernard Herrmann to do the music) in this exciting, suspenseful thriller about a vengeful bride (Jeanne Moreau) who tracks down and dispatches the five men responsible for her husband’s accidental death on their wedding day. The all-star supporting cast includes Michel Bouquet, Michael Lonsdale, Charles Denner, and Jean-Claude Brialy.

Germany, United States | 2011 | Julia Loktev

Gael Garcia Bernal and fiery-haired Hani Furstenberg play a globe-trotting, engaged couple who go on a backpacking trip in the remote and beautiful Caucasus Mountains. Led by a seasoned Georgian guide, the carefree lovers enjoy their wilderness trek through exotic, scenic locales until one unfortunate misstep changes everything. This tense, mesmerizing, minimalist drama evokes Herzog, Rossellini, Kelly Reichardt, and others. A 2011 New York Film Festival selection. “Original and emotionally profound.” –Entertainment Weekly.

United States | 1952 | David Miller

Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, and Gloria Grahame star in this suspenseful thriller about a wealthy playwright (Crawford) who discovers that her new husband (Palance), a mediocre actor, is plotting to kill her.

Brazil, France, Germany, Portugal | 2012 | Miguel Gomes

Named one of 2012’s “top ten” films by Cahiers du Cinéma magazine, the new movie by rising Portuguese auteur Miguel Gomes (Our Beloved Month of August) is a b&w art film divided into two chapters. The chapter headings duplicate those in F.W, Murnau’s bipartite 1931 silent film Tabu—but appear in reverse order. “Paradise Lost,” which opens Gomes’ film, takes place in contemporary Lisbon where a middle-aged woman checks in on the older, slightly batty woman...

France, United States | 1993 | Tony Scott

Just before he directed Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino wrote the screenplay for this bloody, wacky, young-lovers-on-the-run movie. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette play newlyweds who flee to Hollywood with a stash of stolen cocaine—and with cops and criminals on their tail. The great supporting cast includes Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson, and Val Kilmer (as Elvis!). Tony Scott, 1944-2012.

Brazil, France, Germany, Portugal | 2012 | Miguel Gomes

Named one of 2012’s “top ten” films by Cahiers du Cinéma magazine, the new movie by rising Portuguese auteur Miguel Gomes (Our Beloved Month of August) is a b&w art film divided into two chapters. The chapter headings duplicate those in F.W, Murnau’s bipartite 1931 silent film Tabu—but appear in reverse order. “Paradise Lost,” which opens Gomes’ film, takes place in contemporary Lisbon where a middle-aged woman checks in on the older, slightly batty woman...

France, United States | 1993 | Tony Scott

Just before he directed Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino wrote the screenplay for this bloody, wacky, young-lovers-on-the-run movie. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette play newlyweds who flee to Hollywood with a stash of stolen cocaine—and with cops and criminals on their tail. The great supporting cast includes Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson, and Val Kilmer (as Elvis!). Tony Scott, 1944-2012.

United States | 1952 | David Miller

Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, and Gloria Grahame star in this suspenseful thriller about a wealthy playwright (Crawford) who discovers that her new husband (Palance), a mediocre actor, is plotting to kill her.

Italy, Spain | 1966 | Sergio Corbucci

Here’s the classic spaghetti Western that spawned one official sequel and over 30 unofficial ones (including Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained). Franco Nero plays a mysterious drifter who drags a coffin around with him as he deals with bandidos and other sleazy outlaws on the U.S.-Mexico border. Originally banned in Britain, this movie from the director of The Great Silence and The Mercenary (see 2/7 & 8)“rates alongside Leone's Dollars trilogy as one of the daddies...

Russia, United States | 2011 | Victor Ginzburg

A poor Russian poet turns powerful advertising man in this hallucinatory, surreal fantasy that captures the chaotic rush to capitalism and consumerism that seized the former Soviet Union in the 1990s after the fall of Communism. From Victor Pelevin’s 1999 cult novel. “Generation P is long and incredibly dense, but it's never boring—it’s too wild and unhinged.” –Village Voice.

Spain | 2011 | Jaume Balagueró

In the chilling and icky new horror film from the co-director of the [REC] and [REC]², the creepy concierge at a splendid Art Nouveau apartment building in Barcelona spends much of his time spying on, harassing, and even drugging and abusing a beautiful female tenant—though she does not know it. “A nifty new Euro-horror film with several wicked-cold Hitchcockian twists.” –Salon.com

Spain | 2011 | Jaume Balagueró

In the chilling and icky new horror film from the co-director of the [REC] and [REC]², the creepy concierge at a splendid Art Nouveau apartment building in Barcelona spends much of his time spying on, harassing, and even drugging and abusing a beautiful female tenant—though she does not know it. “A nifty new Euro-horror film with several wicked-cold Hitchcockian twists.” –Salon.com

Russia, United States | 2011 | Victor Ginzburg

A poor Russian poet turns powerful advertising man in this hallucinatory, surreal fantasy that captures the chaotic rush to capitalism and consumerism that seized the former Soviet Union in the 1990s after the fall of Communism. From Victor Pelevin’s 1999 cult novel. “Generation P is long and incredibly dense, but it's never boring—it’s too wild and unhinged.” –Village Voice.

United States | 1950 | Rudolph Maté

In this gripping and stylish noir classic, which was selected for the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” a man who has been poisoned (Edmond O’Brien) frantically tries to discover who wants to kill him, and why, before his time runs out. Director Maté, a former cinematographer, shot Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc and Vampyr.

France, Ireland, Italy | 2011 | Paolo Sorrentino

Sean Penn, Francis McDormand, and Judd Hirsch star in the American-set new movie by the Italian director of Il Divo. It’s an outlandish, seriocomic drama about a retired, Dublin-based rock star (Penn) who travels across the U.S. to find—and avenge—the elderly ex-Nazi who, decades before, persecuted the rocker’s late father in Auschwitz. With David Byrne, who also did the music. “Quirky, hilarious and moving, Sorrentino’s first English-lingo production is a road trip of stunning scope...

Japan | 1991 | Isao Takahata

In this subtle and lyrical animated feature by the co-founder (with Hayao Miyazaki) of Studio Ghibli, Taeko, a 27-year-old Tokyo office worker poised for a change in her life, takes a trip to her sister’s farm. As she travels and experiences the unfamiliar countryside, Taeko reminisces about the joys and sorrows of her childhood, and wonders: has she been true to the dreams of her youth?

France, Ireland, Italy | 2011 | Paolo Sorrentino

Sean Penn, Francis McDormand, and Judd Hirsch star in the American-set new movie by the Italian director of Il Divo. It’s an outlandish, seriocomic drama about a retired, Dublin-based rock star (Penn) who travels across the U.S. to find—and avenge—the elderly ex-Nazi who, decades before, persecuted the rocker’s late father in Auschwitz. With David Byrne, who also did the music. “Quirky, hilarious and moving, Sorrentino’s first English-lingo production is a road trip of stunning scope...

Japan | 1991 | Isao Takahata

In this subtle and lyrical animated feature by the co-founder (with Hayao Miyazaki) of Studio Ghibli, Taeko, a 27-year-old Tokyo office worker poised for a change in her life, takes a trip to her sister’s farm. As she travels and experiences the unfamiliar countryside, Taeko reminisces about the joys and sorrows of her childhood, and wonders: has she been true to the dreams of her youth?

United States | 1950 | Rudolph Maté

In this gripping and stylish noir classic, which was selected for the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” a man who has been poisoned (Edmond O’Brien) frantically tries to discover who wants to kill him, and why, before his time runs out. Director Maté, a former cinematographer, shot Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc and Vampyr.

USSR | 1972 | Andrei Tarkovsky

Andrei Tarkovsky’s philosophical sci-fi epic has long been regarded as the Soviet 2001: A Space Odyssey. (Tarkovsky, a Christian, reputedly made it as a response to the “atheism” of the Kubrick film.) The movie follows a psychologist who is sent to a distant space station to learn what is killing some of the cosmonauts there and causing others to see visions. The key seems to be the nearby, “sentient” planet of Solaris.