The Cinema Lounge
On Monday, June 27 at 7:00pm please join the Cinema Lounge, the DC Film Society's monthly film discussion group. We will be online again. [NOTE THE CORRECTED DATE-June 27].
TOPIC: The 80s: Film's Feel-Good Decade
E.T., Ghostbusters, Flashdance, The Terminator, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, Aliens, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Back to the Future, Dirty Dancing, Batman, Footloose, Gremlins, The Karate Kid, Rambo, Die Hard, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Princess Bride and The Naked Gun. After the more serious, director-driven films of the 70s, the 80s was when many moviegoers just wanted a good time, and they got it. The studios, now integrated into large conglomerates, looked for blockbusters that would keep audiences coming back, could be merchandised across popular culture, and, if possible, boasted killer MTV-playable songs. Youth became the key demographic, both as the target audience and also as the subject of many stories (such as in the ubiquitous John Hughes films). Directors able to deliver widely popular films such as James Cameron, Ivan Reitman, Tim Burton, and Robert Zemeckis rose to the top of the field, while influenced by the now dominant Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
Of course, not all seminal 80s films fit the same business model. Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing) and Oliver Stone (Platoon, Wall Street) challenged the "Morning in America" 80s narratives. Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ), John Sayles (Eight Men Out, Matewan), John Waters (Hairspray) and Jim Jarmusch (Stranger Than Paradise) made riskier personal films garnering critical acclaim, and a smaller but devoted group of fans.
Why do so many 80s hits remain popular 35-40 years later? What's the legacy of these films and the 80s moviemaking mindset?
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 7:00pm at Teaism in Penn Quarter, 400 8th St., NW in Washington, DC (closest Metro stop is Archives, also near Metro Center and Gallery Place). NOTE: We will meet in the downstairs area. WE ARE MEETING ONLINE THIS MONTH. 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.
Adam's Rib Remembers the Good Fella, Ray Liotta
Ray Liotta died unexpectedly last week at the age of 67. While Liotta had a long and distinguished career, he etched himself permanently into filmgoers' minds as Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's gangster masterpiece Goodfellas. Liotta brought so much to his signature role, maybe even more than he got credit for. Besides his trademark intensity, ferociousness, and charm, Liotta also showed a relatability, sometimes even a vulnerability, that kept us with him for all of Hill's dirty deeds. Goodfellas didn't launch him to stardom, but Liotta became one of film's most dependable character actors. I pay tribute to this talented and dedicated actor who left us much too soon in my new 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, and the Locarno 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
We list in-person films and events. Many other locations are still closed or online. Note that some locations require proof of vaccination and masks for entry.
American Film Institute Silver Theater
The "DC Caribbean Film Fest" (June 10-19), now in its 20th year returns to the AFI. The Opening Night film is Kafe Negro: Cuba and the Haitian Revolution (2020) preceded by the short film Patty vs. Patty (2022). Other titles include Right Near the Beach (2020); Bulado (2020) which is the Netherlands 2021 Oscar pick; and many more including restorations and some Q&As with directors, producers and film subjects. See below.
The Opening Night film for "Spanish Cinema Now" (June 3-15) is Carpoolers (Martin Cuervo, 2021) in its U.S. premiere with filmmaker Martin Cuervo present for Q&A. The Closing Night film is Official Competition (2021). Other titles are The Sacred Spirit (2021); The Grandmother (2021); Lullaby (2022); The Good Boss (2021); Piggy (2022); My Emptiness (2022); The Odd-Job Men (2021); and The Replacement (2021).
"Elaine May Retrospective" (June 24-July 14) begins with A New Leaf (1971) and Nicholas and May: Take Two (1996), a documentary about Mike Nichols and Elaien May. More in July.
The "DC Labor Filmfest" (May 1-June 2) concludes in June with Pride (2014).
"Sidney Poitier Remembered" (April 29-July 13) honors the ground-breaking actor. Titles in June are In the Heat of the Night (1967), Lilies of the Field (1963), Good-Bye My Lady (1956), Paris Blues (1961), Buck and the Preacher (1972), A Raisin in the Sun (1961), The Slender Thread (1965), and To Sir With Love (1967). More in July.
"Christopher Lee Centennial" (May 28-June 2) is a short series of some of his best films. Titles in June are The Wicker Man-Final Cut (1973) and The Devil Rides Out (1968).
"Studio Ghibli Retrospective" (April 29–July 14) is a comprehensive retrospective of all of Ghibli's feature-length films. Titles in June are Howl's Moving Castle (2004); My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999); Ocean Waves (1993); Pom Poko (1994); Spirited Away (2002); Tales from Earthsea (2006); The Cat Returns (2002) shown with Ghiblies: Episode 2 (2002); and Whisper of the Heart (1995). More in July.
"Recent Restorations" (April 29-July 14) is a series of recent digital restorations, mostly 4K. Titles in June are Blue Velvet (1986); Mr. Klein (1976); I've Heard the Mermaids Singing (1987); The Color of Pomegranates (1969); The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971); Deep Red (1975); Bronco Bullfrog (1970); A Clockword Orange (1971); Arrebato (1979); Paris Is Burning (1990); The White Sheik (1952); Nights of Cabiria (1957) and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001). More in July.
For the "Stage and Screen" series the National Theatre presents Henry V from the Donmar Warehouse in London, starring Kit Harington and directed by Max Webster.
"Special Engagements" this month: author Glenn Frankel will be present for Q&A and to sign books at a screening of Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969) on June 25 at 5:30pm. The documentary George Michael Freedom Uncut (David Austin and George Michael, 2018) is on June 22 at 7:00pm. The Indian film RRR (S.S. Rajamouli, 2022) is on June 1 at 7:15pm.
Freer Gallery of Art
The Meyer Auditorium reopens with Yasujiro Ozu's comedy Good Morning (1959), part of the series of Japanese classic films.
The series "The Daring, Innovative Films of Qiu Jiongjiong" which began online continues with A New Old Play (Qiu Jiongjiong, 2021) on June 5 at 2:00pm.
The "Korean Film Festival DC 2022" begins on June 10 at 8:00pm with Hot in Day, Cold at Night (Park Song-yeol, 2021); on June 12 at 1:00pm is Introduction (Hong Sangsoo, 2021; on June 12 at 3:00pm is In Front of Your Face (Hong Sangsoo, 2021); on June 24 at 7:00pm is Hommage (Shin Su-won, 2021); on June 25 at 2:00pm is The Book of Fish (Lee Joon-ik, 2020); on June 26 at 1:00pm is Aloners (Hong Sung-eun, 2021); and on June 26 at 3:00pm is Kim Min-young of the Report Card (Lee Jae-eun and Lim Ji-sun, 2021).
National Gallery of Art
A program of short films is shown on June 4 at 2:00pm with filmmakers Che Applewhaite and Crystal Z. Campbell in person. On June 5 at 2:00pm is This is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection (Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, 2019). Black cinema studio TNEG presents a program of three short films with filmmakers Elissa Blount Moorhead, Terence Nance, and Bradford Young in person on June 12 at 2:00pm. On June 19 at 2:00pm is a musical The Fugitive Slaves of Liberty (Med Hondo, 1979). Filmmaker Joel Zito Araujo will discuss his film My Friend Fela (2019) on June 25 at 2:00pm. On June 26 at 2:00pm is Sambizanga (Sarah Maldoror, 1972 preceded by the short film Leon G. Demas (Sarah Maldoror, 1995), introduced by Aboubakar Sanogo. All films are shown in the West Building Lecture Hall. Registration is required.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
A Laurie Anderson double feature is on June 23. At 6:00pm is the concert film Home of the Brave (Laurie Anderson, 1986), and at 7:45pm is Heart of a Dog (Laurie Anderson, 2015). Registration is required.
National Museum of the American Indian
On June 24 at 6:00pm is Bootlegger (Caroline Monnet, 2021) from Canada. The filmmaker will discuss the film after the screening.
Washington Jewish Community Center
On June 19 at 10:30am is the documentary Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America (Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler, 2021). A discussion follows the film.
Goethe Institute
On June 23 at 6:30pm is Great Freedom (Sebastian Meise, 2021), introduced by historians Richard Wetzell and Samuel Clowes Huneke and followed by discussion.
The Goethe Institute takes part in the annual EuroAsia shorts on June 16 at 6:30pm with Noctuidae (Alexandra Mauritz, 2021).
French Embassy
Films on the Green at the French Embassy is an outdoor event. Bring your own chair and blanket. On June 24 at 8:30pm is The Young Girls of Rochefort (Jacques Demy, 1967). Location: National Mall, Independence Ave SW & 15th Street.
National Archives
On June 1 at 7:00pm is Watergate: Blueprint for a Scandal, the first episode of a new CNN original series. Following the screening, John Dean and other guests will discuss the film. Registration is required.
The Avalon
On June 1 at 8:00pm is The Girl and the Spider (Ramon Zurcher and Silvan Zurcher, 2021), for the "Programmer's Choice" series.
The "Films in Focus" pick for June is Winter Journey (Anders Ostergaard and Erzsebet Racz, 2019) on June 8 at 8:00pm. Writer/Narrator Martin Goldsmith will be present for Q&A.
For "French Cinematheque" is Secret Name (Aurelia Georges, 2021) on June 15 at 8:00pm.
The "Reel Israel" pick for June is Ahed's Knee (Nadav Lapid, 2021) on June 22 at 8:00pm.
On June 29 at 8:00pm is the "Cine Polska" pick 25 Years of Innocence (Jan Holoubek, 2020).
For "Exhibition on Screen" is Pissarro Father of Impressionism (David Bickerstaff) on June 5 and 7 at 10:30am.
Landmark's E Street Cinema
"Retro Replay" is a series of classic films shown Tuesdays at 1:30pm and 7:30pm. This month's theme is "LGBTQ+ Pride Month." On June 7 is Brokeback Mountain (2005); on June 14 is To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! (1995); on June 21 is But I'm a Cheerleader (1999); and on June 28 is Maurice (1987).
Old Greenbelt Theater
On June 6 at 1:00pm is Charade (Stanley Donen, 1963) starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.
Alden Theater
On June 5 at 2:00pm is La Cage aux Folles (1978). Registration is required.
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
"Angelika Classics" are on the first Monday of each month at 7:00pm. On June 6 is Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).
"Sci-Fi Fest" films are on the third Monday of each month at 7:00pm. On June 20 is Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981).
The Studio Ghibli Festival (June 22-September 1) is on Wednesdays at 7:00pm with English subtitles; on Thursdays at 11:00am films are shown with English language dubbing. On June 22-23 is The Secret World of Arrietty (2010); on June 29-30 is Kiki's Delivery Service (1989).
Reel Affirmations XTra
On June 23 at 7:00pm is Two Eyes (Travis Fine, 2020) and on June 23 at 9:00pm is What We Know (Jordi Nunez, 2021) from Spain. Location: Landmark's E Street Cinema. (Note: the films can also be seen virtually).
FILM FESTIVALS
