antiplex

coming up at boston's independent moviehouses - the brattle, harvard film archive, mfa and coolidge

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

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

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. final showing

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 final showing

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

The Night James Brown Saved Boston by David Leaf (2007, 74 min.). On April 5, 1968the morning after the assassination of Martin Luther Kingas Americas inner cities went up in flames, trouble was also brewing in Bostons ghetto neighborhood of Roxbury, MA. As Boston mayor, Kevin White tried to determine whether to cancel the evenings James Brown concert, a call from a prominent Boston DJ pointed out, that if the concert was cancelled, Boston might see the biggest uprising since the Boston Tea Party. Rather than cancel the show, they sought the help of James Brown himself. The Night James Brown Saved Boston tells the story of that night with amazing concert moments and personal reminiscences by James Browns band members, colleagues, awe-struck concert-goers, Boston city government officials, and the pointed commentary of several distinguished observers of African-American history. Discussion follows August 17 screening. On August 20, Still Black, Still Pro one day only

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

Listening to You: The Who at the Isle of Wight by Murray Lerner (1970, 85 min.). Filmed at 2:00 am on August 30, 1970, in front of 600,000 people, Listening To You is a record of one of the finest concerts given by The Who during, arguably, their most dynamic and creative period. For the first fifty minutes, The Who blast through the mixed bag that comprised their then current set, including versions of I Can't Explain, Young Man Blues, and Magic Bus, as well as lesser-known songs like Heaven and Hell and Water. one day only

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

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. final showing