DC APA Film is hosting their 11th annual film festival next week in downtown DC. From the fest kickoff happy hour to the closing night presentation, and film showings in between; most can be reached by riding the 42 bus. The film festival is October 7-16.
The venues are E Street Cinema, Goethe Institut, Freer Gallery, and National Museum of the American Indian. Opening night is October 7, 7:30pm at E Street Cinema featuring Au Revoir Taipei, described as a "whimsical romantic caper" set in Taiwan. A reception will follow Au Revoir Taipei at Asia Nine Restaurant at 915 E St NW (free for movie ticket holders).
The rest of the schedule can be found here. Many of the films are short; 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 6 minutes. Others are feature length. And some are even free! Seems like we had the summer of film festivals and apparently they are continuing into the fall. Have a great weekend.
This festival is nearly 20 years old. It features films from German, Switzerland and Austria. There are 10 movies total. Here is the entire schedule. And following, my two picks. Descriptions provided by the fest.
Let's Make MONEY This visual tone poem follows director Erwin Wagenhofer's 2005 documentary, We Feed the World, which traced the global path of food from raw material to table. In this film, Wagenhofer shows what can be done when a passionate social activist uses a vivid visual style to convey ideas that can change the world. (Austria, 2008, color, 107 min.) Saturday, January 23, 4:30pm
Sunday, January 24, 9:15pm
Pope Joan (Die Päpstin) Fascinating and moving story of Joan of Ingelheim, who rises through the ranks of the Roman clergy disguised as a man and is elected pope in the year 843. Based on Donna Woolfolk Cross's bestseller. Discussion and book signing with author Donna Cross following. (Germany/Italy/Spain, 2009, color, 140 min.) Wednesday, January 27, 6:45pm
Ticket Prices per film Festival Opening Session (Jan 22, tonight!): $25 General Admission: $10 Students and Friends of the Goethe-Institut: $8 Seniors: $7.50
The mostly art-house theater E Street Cinema is once again offering a midnight movie series. The first film in this series was Shuan of the Dead, which showed last weekend. So, if you missed that... well, it's available on DVD, pretty much anywhere where DVDs are sold. The rest of the series continues this weekend. E Street Cinema is on the corner of 11th and E NW, a block form the 42 bus. Here's the line up.
October 30 & 31 The Rocky Horror Picture Show Perhaps THE cult movie of all cult movies. This is a film adaptation of a British stage show from the early 1970s. American performances usually include audience participation. These showings at E Street will feature a live cast who'll perform scenes during the movie.
November 6 & 7 Jaws Freaking terrifying movie about a giant shark that scarred me as a young child. Way more engaging that "Saw" crap which is supposed to represent the horror genre nowadays.
November 13 & 14 The Rocky Horror Picture Show 2nd screening
November 20 & 21 Ferris Bueller's Day Off Ultimate 80s, living in excess, no-consequences, high school movie. John Hughes' Ferris is living the dream with a pretty sweet life when he decides to skip a day of school during which his life only gets better. Cubs games, sneaking into parades, driving Ferraris, Abe Froman; you name it, he somehow gets it done all in a day. Classic flick.
November 27 & 28 The Room I've never seen or heard of this movie, but it's apparently a cult classic for all the wrong reasons. This recently made (2003) movie suffers from the "so bad it's good" affliction. Bad acting, plot holes and spotty dialogue have made this a mini-Rocky Horror regarding audience participation and attendance. Ha, I like bad movies like this. Might have to sit in on this one.
December 4 & 5 Labyrinth An 80s movie that probably wasn't meant to affect me as much as it did. The puppet imagery in this movie reminds us all that all puppets are evil. No exceptions. Evil. At least evil looking. David Bowie signed on for this, so you know it has to be pretty weird right off the bat. Jim Henson + David Bowie + George Lucas = use your imagination = this movie.
An old tradition got a new life at E Street Cinemas this fall. The theater, down at 11th and E Streets NW, has shown midnight movies this fall on Friday and Saturday nights. The first was a gory, bloody horror flick, Midnight Meat Train. Hmm, not sad I missed that one. Among others shown were Pulp Fiction and Ghostbusters. There are two movies remaining. Both are cult classics including possibly, the best movie produced ever, The Big Lebowski.
December 12 + 13: Labyrinth December 19 + 20: The Big Lebowski
E Street is accessible from the 42 bus, about 3 blocks from the closest stop.
