Alexandra (Aleksandra) by Aleksandr Sokurov (2007, 92 min.). No living filmmaker has been more inspired by the Russian soul than Aleksandr Sokurov. In his viscerally powerful Alexandra, he ponders the cost of war. Mother Russia herselfa blunt, grimly humorous babushka, indelibly played by octogenarian opera diva Galina Vishnevskayapays a visit to her grandsons unit in Chechnya. She rides among the young recruits in a troop transport and later, a tank. However incongruous, her tour of inspection through this dusty, sun-bleached landscape has a terrible familiarity. Seldom has a filmmaker so directly addressed his fellow citizens.
showing through saturday
As Tears Go By (Wong gok ka moon) by Wong Kar-wai (Hong Kong, 1988, 94 min.). As gritty as any 1980s Hong Kong gangster film, As Tears Go By heralds one of the most auspicious directorial debuts in international cinema. Wong Kar-wais visually tough and romantic debut feature deftly smuggles the directors now celebrated genius into an incendiary street opera of the John Woo mold. Already stretched to breaking in a loyalty tug-of-war among triad bosses and his loose cannon partner, Wah (Andy Lau of Fulltime Killer and Days of Being Wild) finds himself saddled with his beautiful, ailing cousin, Ngor. As an escalating test of wills explodes into bloodshed, and a mob turncoat instigates a ruthless police crackdown, Wahs growing fascination with Ngor becomes his last chance for escape from a violent past and a dubious future. Balancing realism with brazen romanticism, As Tears Go By offers a tantalizing glimpse into the nascent brilliance of the most influentia
showing through saturday
Before I Forget (Avant que joublie) by Jacques Nolot (2007, 108 min.). Jacques Nolot stars in and directs one the most acclaimed French films of the past year. With extraordinary honesty, it chronicles the downward spiral a gay gigolo struggling to cope with his advancing age, poverty, loneliness, writers block, and increasing complications of HIV. When his wealthy benefactor dies after thirty years of lavish support, his inheritance is challenged by the benefactors family, leaving him destitute. Underscoring his every move is the fear of being forgotten, or worse: dying where he startedon the streets. Young hustlers, drugs, alcohol, and countless cigarettes provide momentary distractions, but ultimately, he must face his inner demons in order to be free.
one day only
Elegy of Life Rostropovich. Vishnevskaya by Aleksandr Sokurov (2006, 101 min.). A beautiful, deeply felt tribute to one of the most remarkable musical partnerships of the past century: cellist-conductor Mstislav Rostropovich and his wife, opera diva Galina Vishnevskaya. Their fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration reveals the people, artwork, social movements, and world events that shaped them as people and artists, while Sokurov documents their working methods and elicits often surprising opinions in a series of intimate interviews. Elegy of Life also recounts their run-ins with the Soviet government, especially after they gave shelter to novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Stripped of their citizenship, they were forced into exile until Gorbachev encouraged their return. A loving tribute to two great Russian artists, and a fascinating addendum to Sokurovs Alexandra.
showing through aug 30
Viva Pedro!
FLOWER OF MY SECRET at 9:30
(1995) dir Pedro Almodovar Marisa Paredes, Joaquin Cortes [103 min]
Double Feature w/LIVE FLESH
Paredes is terrific in this portrait of a successful romance writer on the verge of a breakdown. With a mostly absent military-man husband and a stagnant career weighing on her back, she’ll try anything to change her life. Prime Douglas Sirk tribute by the modern master of melodrama.
http://www.brattlefilm.org/brattlefilm/series/2008/images/julaug-almodovar-flower.jpg
final showing
Viva Pedro!
LIVE FLESH at 2:45
(1997) dir Pedro Almodovar Javier Bardem, Francesca Neri, Liberto Rabal, Angela Molina, Jose Sencho [103 min]
Double Feature w/FLOWER OF MY SECRET
When he is sent to prison, Victor (Rabal) unknowingly becomes a catalyst for a young cop (Bardem), the seasoned partner, his philandering wife, and the diplomat’s daughter who put him there. Years later he emerges, still young, to discover their lives transformed while his has grown stagnant. Haunted by anger, Victor seeks revenge. A typically tragic-comic tale of revenge, redemption, hope and the ways of fate from Almodovar.
http://www.brattlefilm.org/brattlefilm/series/2008/images/julaug-almodovar-live.jpg
final showing
A heartbreaking romantic epic, BRIDESHEAD REVISITED tells an evocative story of forbidden love and the loss of innocence set in the pre-WWII era. In the film, Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode) becomes entranced with the noble Marchmain family, first through the charming and provocative Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw), and then his sophisticated sister, Julia (Hayley Atwell). The rise and fall of Charles’ infatuations reflect the decline of a decadent era in England between the wars.
dir. Julian Jarrold, w/ Goode, Whishaw, Atwell, and Emma Thompson, 1h40m
final showing
"If you have ever experienced the crushing effect of young love, you owe it to yourself to check out this gem of a dark comedy." - Zack Haddad, Film Threat
It's the summer of 1994, and the streets of New York are pulsing with hip-hop and wafting with the sweet aroma of marijuana -- but change is in the air. The newly-inaugurated mayor, Rudy Giuliani, is beginning to implement his anti-fun initiatives against "crimes" like noisy portable radios, graffiti and public drunkenness. Set against this backdrop, Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) spends his last summer before college selling dope throughout New York City, trading it with his shrink (Ben Kingsley) for therapy, while crushing on his step-daughter (Olivia Thirlby). Famke Janssen, Mary Kate Olsen, and Met
final showing
Off the Couch Presentation Tues, Sept 9 @ 7:00 with discussion leader RACHEL SEIDEL, MD
In Woody Allen' latest, two young Americans spend a summer in Spain and meet a flamboyant artist (Javier Bardem) and his beautiful but insane ex-wife (Penelope Cruz). Vicky (Rebecca Hall) is straight-laced and about to be married. Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) is a sexually adventurous free spirit. When they all become amorously entangled, the results are both hilarious and harrowing.
dir. Woody Allen, w/ Bardem, Cruz, Johansson, and Hall
showing through aug 28
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