Sunday, March 2, 2025
The 32nd Oscar Watch Party
Forget about the crazy world for a few hours with the Academy Awards and another edition of "And the Winner Is..."
Will Demi Moore cap her spectacular comeback with a Best Actress win for The Substance? Does Timothée Chalamet continue conquering the movie world with a Best Actor Oscar for A Complete Unknown? With Emilia Pérez tanking due to the star's tweets, can Anora ride its momentum to snag Best Picture or will it be the more traditional Hollywood epic The Brutalist? What will be the biggest surprise? To find out, don’t waste an evening staring at the TV, join the crowd coming to another edition of The Washington DC Film Society’s Oscars Watch Party “And the Winner Is…” on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 7 pm. (All proceeds go to Filmfest DC, the Film Society’s parent organization).
As always, DC Film Society Director Michael Kyrioglou has reserved our spot at the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike), where the BIG screen will be reserved for you.
Tickets are on sale now. If you don’t come, you’ll miss out on all the inside gossip from DC’s favorite film critics Tim Gordon and Travis Hopson.
And there's more! Don't miss the free posters and give-aways from the studios, not to mention the traditional Silent Auction (cash/check only) and, of course, the “Predict the Winners” Contest, where you can try to outguess the experts. If you don't go, you’ll miss all the fun!
Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for the general public. Order tickets in advance or at the door starting at 5:30 pm (cash/check only). Doors will open at 6 pm to catch the annual Red Carpet Show and the awards broadcast itself at 7 pm. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the theater staff.
The Cinema Lounge
On Monday, March 17, 2025 at 8:00pm please join the Cinema Lounge, the DC Film Society's monthly film discussion group.
TOPIC: Remembering Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman acted in hit films from five decades. While not looking like a traditional leading man, Hackman was a perfect fit for the new Hollywood in the late 60s and early 70s, starring in Bonnie and Clyde, I Never Sang For My Father, The French Connection (for which he won his first Oscar), Scarecrow and The Conversation. Hackman proved equally memorable in big blockbusters such as The Poseidon Adventure and his iconic turn as Lex Luthor in Superman: The Movie. He moved seamlessly into the 80s with Reds, Under Fire, No Way Out, and another seminal role in Hoosiers. In the 90s he won a second Oscar for Unforgiven, while also co-starring with Tom Cruise in The Firm, Denzel Washington in Crimson Tide, and Will Smith in Enemy of the State. Hackman's last bravura performance came in Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums. After his recent death at age 95, we'll discuss Hackman's incredible versatility and the everyman quality he brought to so many roles.
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 21st "New Films from Africa Film Festival" is March 14-27 with 29 films from 19 countries. The Opening Night film is No Chains No Masters (Simon Moutairou, 2024) and the Closing Night film is Where the Wind Comes From (Amel Guellaty, 2025) from Tunisia.
"AFI Silver After Dark" is a series of midnight-style movies. The film for March is Flesh for Frankenstein ( Paul Morrissey, 1973).
"Stage and Screen" presents filmed performances including stage productions from the National Theatre and concert performances. "Dr. Strangelove" presented by NTL (Sean Foley) with Steve Coogan playing four roles.
The AFI takes part in "Il Cinema Ritrovato" with two films: Slap the Monster on Page One (Marco Bellocchio, 1972) and Golden Eighties (Chantal Akerman, 1986) bith in new 4K restorations.
"Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker!" (March 28–April 24). Kentucky Fried Movie (John Landis, 1977) begins this series of the team's comedy spoofs. More in April
"Anime Expo Cinema Nights" (September 11, 2024-March 16, 2025) presents some of the most influential anime films. The series continues in March with Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (Yoshiyuki Tomino, 1988) from Japan, shown in both dubbed and subtitled versions.
"Special Engagements" for March include The Big Lebowski (Joel and Ethan Coen, 1998); The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Jacques Demy, 1964) in a new 4k restoration; the documentary Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse (Molly Bernstein and Philip Dolin, 2024) featuring Q&A with Philip Dolin; and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Philip Kaufman, 1978) presented by Count Gore de Vol.
"James Earl Jones Remembered" (January 31-April 3) is a short series showcasing Jones' versatility. Films in March are The Annihilation of Fish (Charles Burnett, 1999) in a new 4K restoration and Lion King (Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff, 1994). More in April.
"Scores by Quincy Jones" (February 1–April 17). Cactus Flower (Gene Saks, 1969); The New Centurions (Richard Fleischer, 1972). More in April.
"Monsieur Delon: The Films of Alain Delon" (Jan. 31–April 24). Films in March include La Piscine (Jacques Deray, 1969) in a new 4K restoration; Le Cercle Rouge (Jean-Pierre Melville, 1970) in a new 4K restoration; The Sicilian Clan (Henri Verneuil, 1969). More in April.
"2024: A Second Look" (January 31-March 12) features critically acclaimed 2024 released. March films are Dune Part II (Denis Villeneuve, 2024); and Emilia Perez (Jacques Audiard, 2024).
"George Pelecanos Presents: Peckinpah in the ‘70s" (January 31-April 13). Local author, producer and screenwriter George Pelecanos is back with a new series dedicated to the 1970s films celebrating the centennial of writer/director Sam Peckinpah. Films in March are Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974); and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973). Two more in April. Some films have introductions by George Pelecanos--check the website.
"29th Annual Festival of Films from Iran" (February 8-March 10) is co-presented with the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art. March films are The Secret of the Sacred Fig (Mohammad Rasoulof, 2024); and The Stranger and the Fog (Bahram Beyzai, 1974) in a new 4K restoration.
"Capital Irish Film Festival" (February 27–March 2, 2025) is co-presented with Solas Nua. Now in its 19th year, the festival brings the best of contemporary Irish cinema by filmmakers from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Closing Night film is Kathleen Is Here (Eva Birthistle, 2024) with the director and actor present for Q&A. A festival pass is available.
The AFI takes part in the Environmental Film Festival with the documentary Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature (Léo Favier, 2024). Note that some of the African films are also part of the Environmental Film Festival.
National Museum of Asian Art (Freer Gallery of Art)
On March 12 at 2:00pm is Death by Hanging (Nagisa Oshima, 1968) part of the "Japanese Classics" series of films. Shown in 35mm.
On March 2 at 3:45pm is a special Ramadan screening of the documentary Closer to God (Annette Berger and Grete Jentzen, 2018), followed by a discussion with master khyal singer Ustad Naseeruddin Saami and an iftar fast-breaking reception.
National Gallery of Art
The on-going series "Art Films and Special Screenings" presents the documentary Madan Sarwa (Etant Dupain, 2021) from Haiti on March 1 at 2:00pm with the film's director in person for discussion. On March 8 at 2:00pm is "Il Cinema Ritrovata on Tour: Sergei Parajanov," with screenings of the recently restored documentary Parajanov, The Last Spring (Mikhail Vartanov, 1992) and Shadows of Our Forgotten Ancestors (Sergei Parajanov, 1965). Cecilia Cenciarelli, co-director of Il Cinema Ritrovato and Martiros M. Vartanov from the Parajanov-Vartanov Institute will introduce the program. Other films in Il Cinema Ritrovato are at the AFI Silver and the Italian Embassy. On March 29 at 2:00pm is Little, Big, and Far (Jem Cohen, 2024), with the filmmaker in person; part of the DC Environmental Film Festival.
The three-part series "Ecocinema Beyond the Iron Curtain" begins March 2 at 2:00pm with Heat (Larisa Shepitko, 1962). On March 15 at 2:00pm is Late August at the Hotel Ozone (Jan Schmidt, 1967); and on March 22 at 2:00pm is the documentary Chernobyl: Chronicle of Difficult Weeks (Volodymyr Shevchenko, 1987), preceded by Time Passes Through the City (Almantas Grikevicius, 1966). Co-curators Masha Shpolberg and Lukasz Brasiskis will discuss the films. Also part of the DC Environmental Film Festival.
National Museum of the American Indian
On March 22 at 1:00pm is Bring Them Home (Ivan Macdonald, Ivy MacDonald, and Daniel Glick, 2024), a documentary about members of the Blackfoot Confederacy attempting to bring buffalo back to their land. Part of the Environmental Film Festival.
National Portrait Gallery
On March 22 at 12:00 noon is The Women (George Cukor, 1939) starring Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell. Location: McEvoy Auditorium.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
On March 26 at 6:00pm is Hold Back the Tide, part of the Environmental Film Festival. After the screening the film's director Emily Packer will discuss the film.
Washington Jewish Community Center
Two documentaries about women songwriters: on March 6 at 7:30pm is Janis Ian Breaking Silence (Varda Bar-Kar, 2024) with producer and co-writer Pierre Hauser present for Q&A; and on March 20 at 7:30pm is Diane Warren: Relentless (Bess Kargman, 2024).
Strathmore
On March 28 at 7:30pm is Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performing John Williams' legendary score.
The Japan Information and Culture Center
On March 6 at 6:30pm is the animated film The First Slam Dunk (Takehiko Inou, 2022).
Cinema Arts Bethesda
"Cinema Arts Bethesda" is a monthly Sunday morning film discussion series held at Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema. On March 2 at 10:00am is How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (Pat Boonnitipat, 2024) from Thailand.
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 March 5 at 8:00pm is Every Little Thing (Sally Aitken, 2024) for the "Avalon Docs" series.
On March 8 at 10:30am is Spirit: The Stallion of the Cimarron (Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook, 2002), an animated film for the Family Matinee series.
On March 12 at 8:00pm is the Czech film March to May (Martin Pavol Repka, 2024) for the "Czech Lions" series.
For "Exhibition on Screen" is Dawn of Impressionism: Paris 1874 (Ali Ray, 2025) on March 23, 25, and 29 at 10:30am.
Italian Cultural Institute
On March 5 at 5:00pm "Il Cinema Ritrovato" will open with a roundtable discussion about the love for cinema, featuring Cecelia Cenciarelli, co-director of the festival and Massimo Riva, Professor of Italian Studies at Brown University. See below for more events.
Anacostia Community Museum
On March 22 at 1:00pm is Rooted, part of the DC Environmental Film Festival.
Kennedy Center
On March 2 at 3:00pm is Patrice (Ted Passon, 2024), part of the "ReelAbilities Film Festival." On March 9 at 3:00pm is the documentary We Are Guardians (Chelsea Greene, Rob Grobman and Edivan Guajajara, 2023), part of the Environmental Film Festival. On March 16 at 3:00pm is Nine Parts (Mike Mosallam, 2025). On March 30 at 3:00pm is Sally (Cristina Costantini, 2025) a documentary about about Sally Ride. Location: The Justice Forum.
Old Greenbelt Theater
On March 3 at 1:00pm and March 6 at 8:00pm is All About Eve (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1950), part of the "Cinema Classics" series, shown on the first Monday and first Thursday of the month.
On March 10 at 8:00pm and March 15 at 1:00pm is Your Name (Makoto Shinkai, 2016), part of the "Cinema Pop!" series shown on the second Monday at 8:00pm and second Saturdays at 1:00pm.
On March 20 at 8:00pm is Dirty Dancing (Emile Ardolino, 1987) part of the "Cult Classics" series shown on the third Thursday of the month.
Hill Center
On March 4 at 6:00pm is "Epidemic Cinema: Hitchcock, the Holocaust and Other Horror." The subject of this program is Alfred Hitchcock's little-known films about the Holocaust and plagues, presented by Tom Zaniello.
Alden Theater
The foreign film for March is Wadjda (Haifaa Al-Mansour, 2012) from Saudi Arabia on March 6 at 1:00pm and March 12 at 6:30pm. The performing arts film this month is the Met Opera production of "Le Comte Ory" by Gioachino Rossini on March 20 at 1:00pm.
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
The "Angelika Classics" series shows classic films on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm. On March 3 at 7:00pm is Silence of the Lambs (Jonathan Demme, 1991).
"Sunday Epics" is a new series shown on the second Sunday of the month at 2:00pm. On March 9 at 2:00pm is Lawrence of Arabia (David Lean, 1962).
On March 24 at 7:00pm is Mamma Mia! (Phyllida Lloyd, 2008) for the series "Musical Mondays."
"Classics in Black and White" features a classic B&W film on the third Monday of each month at 4:00pm and 7:00pm. On March 17 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm is Belfast (Kenneth Branagh, 2021).
Korean Cultural Center
On March 12 at 5:30pm is KThree Sisters (Lee Seung-won); and on March 26 at 5:30pm is Life of Hae-oak (Park Jung Hwan, 2021). Check the website for RSVP information.
FILM FESTIVALS
