(John Curran, Australia 1998, 98 min., 35mm)
Gordon (Peter Fenton), an asthmatic, smoking slacker, drifts into a stormy relationship with Cynthia (Sacha Horler), a sexually aggressive young woman with a bad case of eczema. Filmmaker and Rochester native Curran spent many years in Australia where he made his feature debut with this decidedly offbeat, and ultimately haunting story of love between two outsiders. Preceded by the equally strange and wonderful DOWN RUSTY DOWN (John Curran, Australia 1996, 15 min., 35mm) starring Noah Taylor. John Curran will introduce and talk about his work in a post-screening discussion.
(OSSOS, Pedro Costa, Portugal 1997, 96 min., Portuguese with subtitles, 35mm)
In the heartbreaking first film in Costa’s acclaimed trilogy set in the gritty Lisbon ghetto of Estrela d’Africa, a suicidal young mother’s newborn is saved by the child’s father, only to become a beggar’s prop on the street. Costa’s indelible sense of place resonates long after the film is over.
(Jacques Tourneur, US 1947, 97 min. 35mm)
In what is perhaps the definitive film noir, Robert Mitchum finds himself in an inescapable downward spiral after he meets up with his old flame (Jane Greer) and former employer (Kirk Douglas). Tourneur, one of the most poetic practitioners in genre filmmaking (Cat People, Curse of the Demon) makes great use of Mitchum’s cynical, laconic presence. As the ads proclaimed: “It’s like lightning kissing thunder when Mitchum makes love to a girl with a gun.” Members admitted free.
(Christian-Jaque, Italy/France 1952, 105 min., French with subtitles, 35mm)
“A lot of fun! They don’t make ‘em like this anymore!”-A. O. Scott, The New York Times. Heartthrob Gérard Philipe stars as the title character, a lusty peasant and expert duelist who joins Louis XV’s army and finds himself engaged to the king’s daughter after he rescues her from a band of thieves. Trouble is, Fanfan is more attracted to a gypsy fortuneteller (Gina Lollobrigida, in the role that made her an international sex symbol). Both a traditional swashbuckler and a send-up of the sword-wielding genre, this light and funny action comedy has been virtually unseen in its unedited form in the US since the 1950s. New 35mm print with newly translated subtitles!
(Kelly Reichardt, US 2006, 76 min., 35mm)
“Kelly Reichardt’s film is a triumph of modesty and seriousness that also happens to be one of the finest American films of the year.”-Manohla Dargis, The New York Times. A camping trip in Oregon’s Cascade Mountain region touches off a series of subtle emotions in two formerly close buddies, the married but somewhat restless Mark (Daniel London) and the more adventurous Kurt (Will Oldham, a.k.a. musician Bonnie “Prince” Billy). Their growing tensions lead to a quietly powerful conclusion. Writer and director Reichardt will introduce the film and answer questions immediately following this screening. Preceded by THEN A YEAR (Kelly Reichardt, US 2001, 14 min.).
Watch the trailer below.
