The Cinema Lounge
On Monday, November 21 at 7:00pm please join the Cinema Lounge, the DC Film Society's monthly film discussion group. We will be online again.
TOPIC: Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg has gone from a boy wonder to an esteemed elder statesman. During his long career, Spielberg also became the most commercially successful director of all time, with hits such as Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., and Jurassic Park. He won Oscars for directing Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan, while also directing Daniel Day Lewis (Lincoln), Mark Ryalnce (Bridge of Spies), and Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) to Oscar wins. More than that, Spielberg's films often reflected an optimistic, sometimes magical, view of life. On the eve of The Fabelmans, his 33rd and most autobiographical film, we'll examine what's made his work resonate with audiences. We'll also ask how Spielberg and his films have changed with the times.
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.
Mr. Will Smith Comes to Washington
Emancipation: The Film Behind the Photo
By Cheryl Dixon, DC Film Society Member
You’ve possibly seen the shocking photo before. It’s of a horribly-scarred slave whose back is profiled. It’s a webbed, keloid-filled depiction of a “scourged back,” the result of a brutal whipping. This movie, Emancipation, focuses on the real-life story of the man known as “Peter” or “Gordon” in this historic photograph, vintage 1863. Director Antoine Fuqua’s masterpiece action-thriller Emancipation is a stirring and important film featuring Will Smith as “Peter,” the escaped, runaway slave from a Louisiana Plantation and Ben Foster as one of the patrollers seeking his capture on the thorny road to freedom. Both Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith were present in Washington, DC at the Landmark E Street Theatre at an Apple TV/NAACP preview screening on October 1, 2022. This was the first screening with an audience with Mr. Smith present during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 51st Annual Legislative Conference. While the release date has not yet been revealed, if the audience reception at the preview is any indication, audiences are ready to see this amazing, incredible story, the story behind the photo.
The black and white period film is mesmerizing, an unflinching tale of a man’s arduous journey from slavery to freedom. Much of the movie depicts the escape fraught with danger at every turn, complete with blood-thirsty hounds, patrollers on horses galloping through the Louisiana marshes, the intense heat, deep, murky, swamp waters, alligators, and a barefoot Peter running for his life with his wit, wisdom, and profound belief in God to guide him. The film early on makes it plain that Peter is a man of faith, a firm believer in God despite the harsh realities of slavery and the Civil War, the times in which he finds himself. He is separated from his loving family and all that he knows, convinced that this pursuit of freedom is well worth it.
The movie is unflinching in its portrayal of the horrors of slavery, as visceral as the scars depicted on Peter’s back. And it equally reveals the perils of any attempted escape from slavery. Peter makes the difficult decision that to remain in slavery is equally as dangerous as escaping from it, so when he gets the chance, he flees, barefoot, moving through swamp land to meet the Union Army stationed in Baton Rouge.
Following the screening was a panel discussion featuring Mr. Fuqua, Mr. Smith, and Mary Elliott, Curator of American Slavery, at the National Museum of African-American History and Culture and moderated by Politics and Culture Commentator Angela Rye. One of the questions asked of Mr. Smith was why do this film on the subject of slavery when he had once stated that he would not do one on that subject? Mr. Smith pointed out that this film was more about freedom, resilience, faith, and the “heart of a man.” He stated that Peter was already free in his mind; although his body was enslaved, his mind and his manner reflected his belief that he was a man of God with the inalienable right to human dignity. Mr. Smith further stated that he takes his pride in being an African-American, that this is his country, and that he was not into doing movies depicting vengeance, but wanted a focus on love. He liked the aspect of Peter’s enduring love for his family and of his brothers and sisters similarly-situated as a means to rise above the circumstances. Ms. Elliott And Mr. Fuqua said that they hoped audiences would learn from this story that an ordinary person can do extraordinary things persevering against the odds to achieve something great. Ms. Elliott reminded that we are the living proof of the survival of our ancestors.
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson wrapped things up:
“I had the pleasure of watching the film #Emancipation and can’t begin to tell you how powerful this is for OUR community and OUR history, It’s a story of adversity, of resilience, of love, and of triumph.
Thank you Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith for sharing your gifts!”
This was the first time that Mr. Smith had seen the film with an audience, the first time that public comments were made by the director and star about the film, and the first movie release featuring Mr. Smith since the 2022 Oscar Slap.
Out of the darkness comes the light.
The actual photo of Peter/Gordon was taken by and published in 1863. Distributed world-wide, it galvanized the anti-slavery movement by documenting the cruelty of slavery and inspired free Black men to join the Union Army.
Emancipation awaits its imminent release by Apple TV+. This important film is one to watch. Don’t miss out!
The 47th Toronto International Film Festival
By Ron Gordner, DC Film Society Member
The 47th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was held from September 8-18, 2022 showcasing a curated selection of approximately 250 films. It was closer to the usual 350 titles in and before 2019 and more than the COVID-19 pandemic related 100 mix of virtual and onsite films in 2021 and the smaller curated only 50 virtual films in 2020. This year was primarily again an onsite festival but also included a smaller amount of about 20 films with virtual screenings that could be viewed throughout Canada. A good percentage of the films were directed or co-directed by women, minorities or LGBTQ artists. TIFF2022 included mainly onsite general admission seating screenings primarily at the Bell Lightbox and Scotiabank Theatres; and assigned seating at varied level of prices at the Roy Thomson Hall, Royal Alexandra and Princess of Wales Theatres and a return to many red carpets, and industry and artist parties and other interactions. Although I did find a small number of festival goers with paper tickets, the primary ticketing was electronic and saved on phones in various ways. Virtual screening ticketing differed from onsite ticketing and packaging of various amounts or individual tickets were available. There was no large central ticketing center to pick up tickets, since most were e-tickets but the Lightbox box office served as a general place to buy or exchange tickets (when allowed) with day of screening purchasing at venue box offices also happening. Rush lines again were used. Although getting into Canada during the festival required the Arrive Canada app with proof of COVID vaccination records and Canadian flights usually required masks these rules were relaxed later and for onsite screening masks were not required. I wore a mask to my screenings and found about 30-45% of participants usually did mask. King St. for a few blocks were blocked off from most traffic the first weekend of the festival only. There were some promotional booths and swag available such as Nespresso coffee and an Air France small area with goodies, and kiosks for photos etc. but not the large amount of commercial promotional sites that existed in the pre-pandemic 2019 or earlier years. A stage with live music was available and some free outdoor screenings of old favorite films.
Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director and CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival was in charge again. Many of the films had TIFF usual world premieres and some films from earlier festivals such as Cannes, and just earlier scheduled Telluride Film and Venice Film Festivals. Although there were about 250 films this year, only several public screenings seem to have been scheduled prior to about noon on most weekdays. This allowed some time to spend at the gyms or museums or early sightseeing, but was problematic to schedule enough films from pre-purchased films packets to fit them in during one’s stay in Toronto. Earlier scheduling information and that some virtual screening would be available via different ticketing and viewing windows would have been helpful to better budget finances and time spent at TIFF this year. Since I had not been in Toronto since 2019 I found the city under heavy construction and many venues and restaurants I catered to in the past were now gone and the areas marked for construction. The U.S. dollar was strong also, since the Canadian dollar was worth about 76 American cents. Flying by Porter into the Billy Bishop City Toronto Airport also saved time instead of flying into Pearson Toronto International Airport which requires a train ride into the city and is the largest Canadian airport, so creates larger lines for Customs and other requirements.
TIFF Tribute Awards presented by Bvlgari for 2022 included those honoring actors Brendan Fraser (Whale) and the acting ensemble for My Police. The Artisan Tribute Award went to Icelandic artist and composer Hildur Guanadottir for Sarah Polley’s Women Talking, and director Sam Mendes. Sally El Hosani received the Tribute Emerging Talent award for The Swimmers. Buffy Sainte-Marie was also a Tribute Award Honoree. Lead sponsors for TIFF are Bell Media Studios, Bvlgari, and VISA, the Government of Ontario, Telefilm Canada, and the City of Toronto.
TIFF has sections or categories of films but smaller for the 250 films on display. Sections this year included the Free winner (the Audience Award winner on the last Sunday), Discovery (first and second time filmmakers), TIFF DOCS (documentaries), Contemporary World Cinema, Platform (filmmakers who challenge our notions of mainstream cinema), Primetime (TV movies), Wavelengths (avant garde cinema), and their famous Midnight Madness section (primarily horror and black comedy films screening at Midnight with usually an appreciative and rowdy crowd). Short Cuts includes short film programming and In Conversation With alare live discussions with actors and filmmakers: Damien Chazelle (La La Land; Babylon); Viola Davis and Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King); Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung (Squid Game, A Man of Reason, Hunt).
TIFF has become a major market and sales stop for films to North America. There is a small market at the Venice Festival but it is really Toronto where they are primarily sold although this year many films already came to TIFF with distributors. Some films taken by distributors at or soon after TIFF included: No Bears (Iran) bought by Janus/Sideshow [title added not in original printed catalog]; Sanctuary, Saint Omer, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, All The Beauty and Bloodshed purchased by Neon/Super; The Worst Ones via Kino Lorber; In Her Hands by Netflix; Hunt by Magnolia Picture; The Lost King by IFC Films; Walk Up from Cinema Guild; and The Kingdom Exodus by MUBI.
This list is culled from primarily films seen at TIFF or since:
MUST SEE FILMS:
Aftersun (Charlotte Wells, U.K./U.S.; 2022). A woman warmly recalls a Turkish seaside holiday she spent with her father 20 years ago. Paul Mescal stars as father Calum and Frankie Corio as his 11 year old daughter. This is currently in a few DC metro theatres.
The Banshees of Inisherin (Martin McDonagh; U.K./Ireland/U.S.; 2022). The latest film from the writer/director of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, this fictional account of people on an Irish island stars Colin Farrell as Padraic and Brendan Gleeson as Colm who were best friends, but Colm wants to make music rather than spend time with Padraic now. This film and the actors have won multiple awards and the film, writer/director, and actors may be Oscar nominated in several categories this year. It will be screening in theatres in early November in the metro DC area.
Broker (Hirokazu Kore-eda, South Korea; 2022). Japanese auteur director Kore-eda also wrote the screenplay set in Korea that deals with abandoned babies, charities, orphanages, and illegal child trafficking baby brokers.
Decision to Leave (Park Chan-wook, South Korea; 2022). Director of films Oldboy, The Handmaiden and Lady Vengeance this time a young detective investigates the death of a man from climbing a mountain involving his intriguing wife. Park won best director at this years’s Cannes Film Festival and actress Tang Wei has been multi awarded for her acting elsewhere. The film is now screening in the metro DC theatres and can later be streamed on MUBI. It is also the South Korean submission for Oscar’s Best International Feature.
The Fabelmans (Steven Spielberg, U.S,; 2022). TIFF’s People’s Choice Audience winner is a somewhat autobiographical feature relating to Spielberg’s childhood and early filming obsession and his family, including his supportive mother played by Michelle Williams which is getting Oscar buzz along with other possible nominations including Best Film and Best Director.
The Grab (Gabriella Cowperthwaite, U.S.; 2022). Awarded documentary filmmaker of Blackfish this time tackles the work of journalist Nathan Halverson and the Center for Investigative Reporting uncovering secretive company and governmental transactions involving agriculture and the watershed and water supply in varied countries including the U.S. China’s purchase of Smithfield Foods now controls 20% of the American pig market.
Inspection (Elegance Bratton, U.S,; 2022. Writer/director Bratton provides a somewhat autobiographical feature of his escaping his New Jersey homelessness and entering the Marine Corps during the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue gay policies. Jeremy Pope as the lead and the cast and director received a long-standing ovation at TIFF screenings. Gabrielle Union plays his religious rigid mother in the film.
Joyland (Saim Sadiq, Pakistan; 2022). A quiet unemployed married man lives with his working wife in an arranged marriage and with extended family, doing many house duties. He reluctantly takes on a job as a backup dancer for a transgender performer. Surprisingly, this is Pakistan’s submission for the best International film for the Oscars. It won both the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize and the Queer Palm at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
One Fine Morning (Mia Hansen-Love; France; 2022). Lea Seydoux plays Sandra, a single working mother also caring for her aged father. When she meets a former attractive friend, she must decide if she can enter an affair with a married man. It will screen at AFI’s Silver’s European Union Showcase in December.
Patrick and the Whale (Mark Fletcher; Austria; 2022). A powerful and contemplative documentary about Patrick Dykstra, whale researcher in the Caribbean trying to reconnect and interact with two different sperm whales.
Plan 75 (Chie Hayakawa, Japan/France/Philippines/Qatar; 2022). A cautionary tale dealing with the aging population in Japan. Plan 75 suggests to reward Japanese citizens over 75 who wish to be euthanized and provide relief of societal and financial burdens. This is Japan’s submission for Oscar’s Best International Feature Film.
The Triangle of Sadness (Ruben Oslund; Sweden/U.K./U.S./France/Greece; 2022). Hilarious film with situational ethics issues also that seems a combination of a seasick Love Boat episode mixed with Swept Away. From the director of Force Majeure and The Square. Woody Harrelson as the captain is not to be missed. The film is primarily in English and is currently in DC theaters.
War Sailor (Writer and director Gunnar Vikene,; Norway/Germany/Malta; 2022). An epic film about two friends and families caught up in the German Invasion of Norway in April 1940 and later. This is Norway’s submission to the Best International Feature Film for the Oscars.
The Woman King (Gina Prince-Bythewood, U.S.; 2022). A gala presentation starring Voila Davis as a head of the Agojie, all-female African military in 1823 Africa. Based on true tales of the Dahomey tribe in West Africa and Europeans and the slave trade.
VERY GOOD FILMS:
Allelujah (Richard Eyre, U.K.; 2022). Theatrical and occasional film director Eyre with writer Heidi Thomas screens an adaptation of Alan Bennett’s stage play about aged patients in nursing homes, their families and the administration and service staff. Jennifer Saunders (Ab Fab fame) has the role of head nurse Sister Gilpin and patients played by Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi. Ministry of Health financial constraints and the musical chairs or rather available beds provides the basis of an intriguing mystery.
Beyond the Wall (Vahid Jalilvand; Iran; 2022). A blind man attempting his suicide is interrupted by others including a hysterical woman fugitive who escapes and is hiding inside his building and maybe in his room. A claustrophobic allegory fused with situational ethics slowly unpeels.
The Blue Caftan (Maryam Touzani, Morocco/France/Belgium/Denmark; 2022). Mina manages the tailoring shop where her husband Halim makes very specialized clothing using an almost forgotten craft. To try to make ends meet and speed up their clients’ requests, they hire a young apprentice Youssef. The film won the FIPRESCI award at this year’s Cannes Un Certain Regard Section and is also Morocco’s Oscar submission for Best International Feature Film.
Charcoal (Carolina Markowicz, Brazil/Argentina; 2022). A thriller involving a family in the Brazilian outback who are offered money to help hide an Argentinian drug lord.
Corsage (Marie Kreutzer, Austria/France/Germany; 2022). Vicky Krieps takes on the role of famed Empress Elisabeth of Austria who rebels at her bored life and is cunning enough to placate her husband. Tied for best performance by an actress in the Cannes Un Certain Regard Section for Krieps and the film is Austria’s Oscar submission for Best International Feature Film.
Godland (Hiynur Palmason, Denmark/Iceland/France/Sweden; 2022). Lucas, a young proud and pious priest in Denmark in the late 19th century is tasked to go to Iceland and take over a parish in the vast wilderness. Lucas and his guide are often at odds and Lucas looks down on the locals if they speak only Icelandic and is an early example of colonialism. The film will screen also at the European Union Film Showcase at the AFI Silver in December.
In Her Hands (Tamana Ayazi and Marcel Mettelsiefen U.S./Afghanistan; 2022). In this documentary Zarifa Ghafari, the youngest female mayor in Afghanistan who is a staunch defender of women’s and other human rights issues deals with her town and the 19 months up to the fall of Afghanistan again to the Taliban. The film can be seen later on Netflix.
A Man of Reason (Jung Woo-sung, South Korea; 2022). Directorial debut of Korean superstar Jung Woo-sung who also plays a man who is released from prison after a ten year term that he was used as the scapegoat for his gang’s crimes. Former gang bosses are now somewhat respected urban developers with their own agendas. Where does he fit in now and maintain self preservation also for his family?
No Bears (Jafar Panahi, Iran; 2022). Recently imprisoned Panahi again smuggles out a film that addresses the government authorities in Iran. While trying to film a story about a couple trying to escape Iran made in a remote village he is caught up in local ethical and political issues.
Return to Seoul (Davy Chou, France/Germany/Belgium/Qatar; 2022). Cambodian filmmaker Chou tells the tale of Freddie, a 25 year old French woman who was adopted from South Korea as a baby tries to answer questions about her home country and birth family. The film is Cambodia’s Oscar submission for Best International Feature Film.
Subtraction (Mani Haghighi, Iran/France; 2022). A thriller and mystery where Farzaneh is convinced she has seen her husband on the street with another woman when he was elsewhere. An intriguing possible doppelganger or not? The director was in Toronto but was banned from leaving Iran for the BFI London Film Festival screening in October.
Under the Fig Trees (Erige Sehiri, Tunisia/Switzerland/France/Qatar; 2022). Sana, a 17 year old girl daydreams about her life while working with other young and older workers harvesting figs. Abdou, a boy who used to live in their village, has returned and has the attention of Sana’s sister Melek. This is Tunisia’s Oscar Submission for Best International Feature Film.
GOOD FILMS:
Alam (Firas Khoury, France/Saudi Arabia/Tunisia/Qatar/Palestine; 2022). The plight of Palestinian high school students attending Israeli schools is highlighted on the celebration of Israel’s Independence Day which is a A Day of Mourning for Palestinians.
Carmen (Benjamin Millepied, Australia/France; 2022). A modern retelling of the opera Carmen based in the Sonora Desert on the U.S./Mexican border and starring Melissa Barrera and Paul Mescal and includes Almodovar favorite Rossy de Palma.
Daughter of Rage (Laura Baumeister, Nicaragua; 2022). Eleven year old Maria lives with her single mother near a large landfill to pick and sell metal for survival and breed puppies for sale. Her mother Lilibeth must go to the city to solve some problems and leaves Maria with others. The film is about a constant fight for freedom and survival amidst poverty.
El Suplente (The Substitute (Diego Lerman, Argentina/Italy/Mexico/Spain/France; 2022). A substitute literature teacher in a rough neighborhood of Buenos Aires finds he has community duties, as well as, teaching duties to help his students in an area that has gangs and drug dealers.
A Gaza Weekend (Basil Khalil, Palestine/U.K.; 2022). A mutant virus in Israel is not in Gaza so Israelis are trying to smuggle into Gaza.... A somewhat screwball comedy approach and satire that was written far before COVID-19.
The Good Nurse (Tobias Lindholm; U.S.; 2022). Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne star in a fact based case of a nurse who was responsible for many induced deaths at several hospitals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The film has limited theatrical distribution and can be seen on Netflix.
The Happiest Man in the World (Teona Strugar Miteska, North Macedonia/Belgium.Slovenia/Denmark/Croatia/Bosnia and Herzegovina; 2022). An engrossing film that starts with a romantic dating service where matched people meet, but are there ulterior motives for some of the participants with buried pasts?
Hawa (Maimouna Doucoure, France; 2022). A whimsical tale of 15 year old Hawa, an odd Parisian teen with a sick grandmother and intent on having Michelle Obama adopt her once she meets her.
Hunt (Lee Jung-jae; South Korea; 2022). Another actor (Emmy winner from Squid Game) who is directing himself and follow actor/now director Jung Woo-sung in his first directorial feature that is full of fights, car chases and political intrigue involving assassination plots on the South Korean president.
The Lost King (Stephen Frears, U.K.; 2022). Sally Hawkins stars as the real Philippa Langley who is a scholar researcher of King Richard III and thinks he is maligned by Tudor historians and is buried somewhere like a car park. Steve Coogan plays her somewhat supportive but questioning ex-husband.
Rosie (Gail Maurice, Canada; 2022). Rosie is an orphaned head strong Indigenous little girl who Child Services delivers to her care free aunt to care for. A creative family including drag queens and others make this a dramatic and endearing tale of Montreal in the 1980s.
Wildflower (Matt Smukler, U.S.; 2022). Bea is a teenager with mentally challenged parents and well-meaning but intrusive grandparents (Jackie Weaver, Jean Smart, and Brad Garrett) and must find a way to protect her parents but still find an independence of her own.
THE OFFICIAL TIFF 2022 AWARDS:
TIFF People's Choice Award: The Fabelmans (Steven Spielberg, U.S); first runner-up: Women Talk, (Sarah Polley, U.S.); 2nd runner-up: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Rian Johnson, U.S.).
People's Choice Award For Documentary: Black Ice (Hubert Davis, Canada); first runner-up: Maya and the Wave (Stephanie Johnes; U.S.) second runner-up: 752 is not a Number (Babak Payami, Canada).
People's Choice Award For Midnight Madness: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (Eric Appel, U.S.); first runner-up: Pearl (Ti West, U.S.); second runner-up: The Blackening (Tim Story, U.S.).
Prizes of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery Section: Discovery Programme: A Gaza Weekend (Basil Khalil, Palestine/U.K.) .
NETPAC Award For Best Asian Film: Sweet As (Jub Clerc, Australia).
Amplify Voices Awards from Canada Goose: for Best International Feature: Leonor Will Never Die (Martika Ramirez Escobar, Philippines) and While We Watched (Vinay Shukla, U.K ); for Best Canadian Feature: To Kill a Tiger (Nisha Pahuja); Special Mention: Viking (Stephane Lafleur).
2022 Shawn Mendes Foundation Changemaker Award: Something You Said Last Night (Luis De Filippis, Canada/Switzerland).
Award For Best Canadian Short Film: Simo (Aziz Zoromba); honorable mention: Same Old (Lloyd Lee Choi).
Award For Best International Short Film: Snow in September (Lkhagvadulam (Dulmaa) Purev-Ochir, Mongolia); honorable mention: Airhostess – 737 (Thanasis Neofotistos, Greece).
Platform Prize: Riceboy Sleeps (Anthony Shim, Canada).
Share Her Journey Award: Nanitic (Carol Nguyen, Canada).
Check local theater listings and upcoming festivals such as AFI’s European Union Film Festival, Filmfest DC and the DC (J x J) Jewish Film Festival which may have some of these and other films in the coming months. For more information about the TIFF 2022 see the TIFF website.
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
American Film Institute Silver Theater
"The Silent Cinema Showcase" (October 28-November 23) is an annual series of newly restored silent classics, rare gems, and old favorites. Most films with have live music accompaniment by Ben Model, Andrew Simpson, Donald Sosin, Joanna Seaton, Anvil Orchestra (formerly Alloy Orchestra), Not So Silent Cinema and Silent Orchestra. A festival pass is available. See the Film Festival section for more details and film titles.
"Taiwanese Film Rediscovered" (November 7-23) is a series of seven films mostly from the 1960s. Titles are Vengeance of the Phoenix Sisters (Chen Hung-min, 1968); The Husband's Secret (Lin Tuan-Chiu, 1960); The Bride Who Has Returned from Hell (Hsin Chi, 1965); The Fantasy of the Deer Warrior (Chang Ying, 1961); Dangerous Youth (Hsin Chi, 1969); Back to Anping Harbor (Wu Fei-Jian, 1972); Six Suspects (Lin Tuan-Chiu, 1965).
"Halloween on Screen" (October 28-November 3) concludes in early November. Titles include Ghostbusters (1984); I Married a Witch (1942); The Beyond (1981) in a "composer's cut," Hocus Pocus (1993); Suspiria (1977) in a new 4K restoration; and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987).
A new late-night monthly series "AFI Silver After Dark" showcases classic horror, sci-fi, or fantasy films. The pick for November is House (1977).
"Lonely Hearts: The Films of Tsai Ming-liang" wraps up in November with The River and Vive l'Amour.
"Judy Garland Centennial" (November 18-30) is a short series of Judy Garland favorites. Titles are Meet Me in St. Louis, A Star Is Born (1954) and The Wizard of Oz.
"Steven Spielberg Favorites" (November 5-30) is four Speilberg films to watch before The Fabelmans arrives in theaters. Titles are E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial; Catch Me If You Can; Jurassic Park and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
"Special Engagements" this month: Cabaret (1972); Heat (1995); Jackie Brown; King of Comedy; Meet Me in the Bathroom; Poltergeist (1982); Reservoir Dogs; The Secret of NIMH; Thief (1981); and What Went Wrong?.
Freer Gallery of Art
On November 2 at 2:00pm is Boy (Nagisa Oshima, 1979) part of the series of Japanese classic films.
The series "New from Japan: Anime Edition" begins November 6 at 2:00pm with Poupelle of Chimney Town (Hirota Yusuke, 2020). On November 13 at 2:00pm is Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (Ayumu Watanabe, 2021); on November 18 at 7:00pm is Inu-Oh (Masaaki Yuasa, 2021).
National Gallery of Art
"Recent Films from Spain" is a new series which started in October. Films for November are Mighty Flash (Ainhoa Rodriguez, 2021 on November 5 at 2:00pm; Cosmic Chant. Nino de Elche (Leire Apellaniz and Marc Sempere Moya, 2021) on November 12 at 2:00pm; They Carry Death (Helena Giron and Samuel M. Delgado, 2022) with an introduction by Ada Vilageliu Diaz on November 13 at 2:00pm; La Ciutat a la Vora (Meritxell Colell, 2022) preceded by Tobacco Barns Light (Rocio Mesa, 2021) on November 13 at 4:00pm with an introduction by Ada Vilageliu Diaz.
A series of films by Federico Fellini begins November 19 at 2:00pm with Love in the City (1953), an anthology of six films by Italian directors. On November 20 at 2:00pm is Variety Lights (1950) and on November 26 at 2:00pm is La Strada (1954).
Special Events in November include the Washington premiere of the restored The History of the Civil War (Dziga Vertov, 1921) a documentary about the Bolsheviks with music by The Anvil Orchestra on November 6 at 2:00pm. On November 27 at 2:00pm is the documentary Thumbs Up for Mother Universe: Stories from the Life of Lonnie Holley (George King, 2021) with George King and Lonnie Holley in discussion.
National Museum of the American Indian
On November 19 at 2:00pm is Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting (Aviva Kempner and Ben West, 2022), with a discussion after the film.
Washington Jewish Community Center
On November 10 at 7:30pm is the documentary The Soldier’s Opinion (Assaf Banitt, 2022). The screening is followed by a discussion with director Assaf Banitt, screenwriter Shay Hazkani and others.
On November 17 at 7:30pm is the documentary A Tree of Life (Trish Adlesic, 2021), about the attack at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue.
Goethe Institute
On November 18 at 6:30pm is Operation Curveball (Johannes Naber, 2020).
The 30th annual "Film Neu" takes place November 10-13. See the Film Festival section for more details and film titles.
French Embassy
On November 9 at 6:30pm is The Girl Who Wore Freedom (Christian Taylor, 2020), a documentary about D-Day. After the film the director and others will take part in a Q&A. At 5:30pm there is a reception and introduction preceding the film at 6:40pm.
Bethesda Row
"Cinema Arts Bethesda" is a monthly Sunday morning film discussion series. On November 13 at 10:00am is Official Competition (Gaston Duprat and Mariano Cohn, 2021) starring Penelope Cruz.
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 November 2 at 8:00pm is "Programmer's Choice" Moonage Daydream (Brett Morgan, 2022).
On November 9 at 8:00pm is "Czech Lions" Bird Atlas (Olmo Omerzo, 2021).
On November 16 at 8:00pm is "French Cinematheque" Hold Me Tight (Mathiew Amalric, 2021).
The "Reel Israel" film this month is Plan A(Yoaz Paz, 2021) on November 22 at 8:00pm.
The "Cine Polska" film is Sonata (Bartosz Blaschke, 2021) on November 30 at 8:00pm.
Landmark's E Street Cinema
"Retro Replay" is a series of classic films shown Tuesdays at 4:00pm and 7:30pm. This month's theme is "Jeff Bridges Abides." On November 1 is The Last Picture Show (1971) in a director's cut; on November 8 is Starman (1984); on November 15 is The Fisher King (1991) in a new 4K restoration; on November 22 is The Big Lebowski (1998) in a 4K restoration; and on November 29 is True Grit (2010).
Kennedy Center
On November 9 at 7:30pm is a program "Paris at Midnight: Jazz and Surrealism in the 1920s." The Post-Classical Ensemble conducted by Angel Gil-Ordonez performs music by Eric Satie, Sidney Bechet, Maurice Ravel to film clips including Entr'acte (1924) and Zouzou (1934). After the program there is a discussion with the conductor and others. Location: Terrace Theater.
Alden Theater
On November 3 at 1:00pm is The Dead Lands from New Zealand.
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
"Sci-Fi Fest" continues in November with Forbidden Planet (1956) on November 21 at 7:00pm.
For the "Angelika Classics" series is Jurassic Park on November 7 at 7:00pm.
A "Pajama Party Series" is on Saturdays at 10:00am. On November 26 at 10:00am is Polar Express.
"Four Weeks of Christmas" starts November 30 at 7:00pm with Meet Me In St. Louis.
FILM FESTIVALS
Silent Cinema Showcase
"The Silent Cinema Showcase" (October 28-November 23) is an annual serise of newly restored silent classics, rare gems, and old favorites. Most films with have live music accompaniment by Ben Model, Andrew Simpson, Donald Sosin, Joanna Seaton, Anvil Orchestra (formerly Alloy Orchestra), Not So Silent Cinema and Silent Orchestra. Titles include Alfred Hitchcock's silent version of Blackmail (1929) with music by the Anvil Orchestra; Foolish Wives (1923) with music by Andrew Simpson; Man With a Movie Camera (1929) with music by the Anvil Orchestra; Paths to Paradise (1925) shown with the short film Dog Shy (1926) with music by Ben Model; Phantom of the Opera (1925) with music by the Anvil Orchestra; Robin Hood(1922) with music by Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton; Sherlock Holmes (1922) with music by Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton; Sky High (1922) shown with the short film Horse Shy (1928) with music by Ben Model; The Patsy (1928) in 35mm with music by Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton; The Saphead (1920) with music by Andrew Simpson; The Cardboard Lover (1928) shown in 35mm with music by Ben Model and an introduction by film historian Lara Gabrielle, author of "Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies" and Show People (1928) shown in 35mm with music by Ben Model and an introduction by film historian Lara Gabrielle, author of "Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies."
A number of shorts programs include "Buster Keaton comedy shorts" (Cops, The Blacksmith, The Frozen North and The Electric House with music by Andrew Simpson; "Cinema's First Nasty Women: Doubles/Doppelgangers"; "Cinema's First Nasty Women: Gender Adventures"; "Cinema's First Nasty Women: Queens of Destruction"; "Laurel or Hardy comedy shorts program" (films featuring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, but not together) with an introduction by Rob Stone and music by Ben Model. Titles are Putting the Pants on Philip; The Serenade; The Rent Collector; When Knights Were Cold; Detained and Moonlight and Noses; "Our Gang comedy shorts program" with music by Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton (titles are The Big Show; Derby Day; Dogs of War and Mary Queen of Tots. A festival pass is available.
Film|Neu
The 30th edition of Film|Neu, contemporary films from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, takes place November 10-13 at Landmark's E Street Cinema. The Opening Night film is Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George Bush (Andreas Dresen, 2022) and the Closing Night Film is Love, Deutchmarks and Death (Cem Kaya, 2022). Other Titles are Monte Verita (2021), Precious Ivie (2021), plus a program of short films. Locations vary and include the Goethe-Institut Washington, Austrian Cultural Forum Washington, Embassy of Switzerland, and the Edlavich Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC.
Mujeres de Cine: Traveling Spanish Film Showcase Made by Women
Spanish films made by women are shown November 3-16 at various locations. On November 3 at 7:15pm is What Went Wrong? (Liliana Torres, 2021) shown at the AFI Silver Theater. On November 5 at 2:00pm is Mighty Flash (Ainhoa Rodríguez, 2021) shown at the National Gallery of Art. On November 12 at 2:00pm is Cosmic Chant. Niño de Elche (Leire Apellaniz and Marc Sempere Moya, 2021) shown at the National Gallery of Art. On November 16 at 6:30pm is Breath (Susanna Barranco, 2021), shown at the Ambassador's Residence, Embassy of Spain. See the website for more reservations and other information.
Alexandria Film Festival
The 12th Annual Alexandria Film Festival will be held November 10-13, presenting independent films about power, passion, resiliency and recovery. More than 50 feature-length films, documentaries, animation and short films are shown at AMC's Hoffman 22 and The Lyceum. Titles are TBA. See the website for films, locations, passes and tickets.
The Virginia Film Festival
The 35th Virginia Film Festival takes place November 2-6 at various locations in Charlottesville, Virginia. Panel discussions, and workshops are part of the festival. See the website for film titles, schedule and locations.
Utopia Film Festival
The 18th annual Utopia Film Festival takes place November 18-21 in Greenbelt, Maryland. The festival seeks documentaries, features, shorts and animation which creatively explore issues challenging humanity's quest for a better world. A few titles: Be Water-Andes to Amazonia; Her Name Was Hester; Mighty Oak; Mr. Emancipation: The Walter Perry Story; State of the Unity; The Sun Rises in the East; The Wandering Jew: A Historic Tale; Sandstone. Locations are the Greenbelt Arts Center and the Greenbelt Theater. See the website for more information.
Previous Storyboards
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
Contact us: 
Membership
For members only:
E-Mailing List
Ushers
Website
Storyboard
All Else
