<<< July  2004 >>>

Thursday, July 1 – 7:30 PM

YVES KLEIN: Pioneer of Conceptual Art, 1953-1962, Yves Klein Archives /Collections du Musée national d'art moderne/Centre Pompidou, 81 min. total. Renowned for a brilliant (if tragically brief) career of "firsts," pioneering French conceptual artist Yves Klein brings to mind electrifying blue paintings, his famous "leap into the void," Fire Paintings and notorious "anthropometries" created using nude models, as well as his interest in immaterial space. Yves Klein often asked cameramen from the Gaumont studio in Paris to shoot some of his performances and ephemeral pieces. 17 short films have been recently restored for the Yves Klein Archives by the Pompidou Centre in Paris. Our program includes: "Yves Klein Practices Judo in Japan," "Yves Klein Working on His Murals for the Gelsenkirchen Opera," "Anthropométries of the Blue Period’s Performance," "Yves Klein Producing Fire Paintings," "The Wedding of Rotraut Uecker and Yves Klein," "The Apartment Studio of Yves Klein" and more. The screening is presented on the occasion of the exhibition Yves Klein: Air Architecture presented by the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, L.A. (May 12- August 29, 2004), offering for the first time in the U.S. an opportunity to consider the conceptual artist’s architectural projects and theories. Klein’s architectural projects dominated the efforts of his final years. "Air Architecture" advanced Klein’s ideas for creating a utopia that would return direct sensation to daily life. "The conquest of space will indeed be achieved by restoring the legendary Eden, which will allow Man to be impregnated with sensibility in space." – Yves Klein. Introduction to screening by architect and curator of the exhibit, Francois Perrin.

For further information on the exhibition, visit www.MAKcenter.org or call (323) 651-1510.

July 8 – 11, 2004

Exclusive Limited Engagement!

BARAKA, 1992, Magidson Films, 96 min. If you missed our previous sold-out screenings of BARAKA, this is another chance to experience one of the most visually awesome films ever made – in eye-popping 70mm on the giant screen at the Egyptian Theatre! Inspired by the Sufi word that means "breath of life," BARAKA is a mind-expanding, spiritual journey around the globe (shot in 24 countries on 5 continents), from director/cinematographer Ron Fricke (who photographed the earlier KOYANNISQATSI) and producer Mark Magidson (the Imax film CHRONOS). Filmed entirely without dialogue in a stunning cascade of crystalline, time-lapse 70mm images, BARAKA is quite simply breathtaking. "Smashingly edited, superbly scored … speaks volumes about the planet without uttering a single word." – Suzan Ayscough, Variety

**Discussion following Saturday, July 10, 8:30 PM screening with producer Mark Magidson. Director/cinematographer Ron Fricke & composer Michael Stearns will not be able to be present for a discussion as was previously announced.

Saturday, July 10

Egyptian Theatre Historic Tours & FOREVER HOLLYWOOD

10:30 AM Behind the Scenes Tour

11:30 AM, 2:00 PM & 3:30 PM FOREVER HOLLYWOOD

Sunday, July 11

Egyptian Theatre Historic Tours & FOREVER HOLLYWOOD

10:30 AM Behind the Scenes Tour

11:30 AM, 2:00 PM & 3:30 PM FOREVER HOLLYWOOD

Wednesday, July 14 – 7:30 PM

"Big Movie Sound Effects: Behind the Scenes and Out of the Speakers"

Presented in association with the Motion Picture Sound Editors

Here's your chance to see - and hear - how those cool sounds for big science fiction movies are made. Dane A. Davis, MPSE, and Gary Rydstrom, MPSE, will present excerpts from their Oscar and Golden Reel Award-winning work as supervising sound editors/designers on THE MATRIX and JURASSIC PARK. In addition to discussing the dramatic purpose and the processes they used to create the unique aural effects, our guests will also play sequences from the films with sound effects only, in order to give a clear and rare demonstration of the craft of motion picture sound.

Program subject to change.

American Cinematheque members will be admitted free to the above event. Free member tickets available on the day of the event from the box office. Members will receive one or two tickets depending upon membership level. Non-Members may purchase tickets any time or on the day of the event.

Thursday, July 15 – 7:30 PM  This event is sold out. Any tickets that become available will be sold at the door on a first come, first served basis to those waiting in the stand by line.

L.A. Premiere!! Special Sneak Preview!!

DONNIE DARKO: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT, 2004, Newmarket Films, 133 min. Dir. Richard Kelly. Largely underrated on its initial release in 2001, DONNIE DARKO quickly became a cult classic via word-of-mouth buzz – and for very good reason. With its blend of fantasy, sci-fi and earnest "tortured teen" drama, DONNIE DARKO is perhaps the best ‘80s movie ever to be made outside of the time. Director Richard Kelly was only 25 when he made the film, in which he uses visionary imagination to explore time travel, mental illness and imaginary friends, while perfectly capturing what it felt like to be a teenage outcast at the end of the 1980s. This special director’s cut, which includes 20 extra minutes, is a true cinematic treat for old fans and first-timers alike, with plenty of surprises in store. October 2, 1988: just another ordinary day in Donnie Darko's (Jake Gyllenhaal) teen-aged existence. He's taken his medication, watched Dukakis and Bush debate and had dinner with the family. Suddenly, an outrageous accident occurs, which just misses claiming Donnie's life. As Donnie begins to explore what it means to still be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny. With Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Duval, Patrick Swayze and Noah Wylie. Featuring music by Echo and the Bunnymen, Duran Duran, INXS, Joy Division and many more. Discussion following with director Richard Kelly and other special guests (TBA).

[DONNIE DARKO: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT will be released theatrically by Newmarket Films on July 23.]

July 16 – 25, 2004

LATINO FILM FESTIVAL [This is not a presentation of the American Cinematheque. Visit http://latinofilm.org for film titles, screening times, etc.]

Tuesday, July 27 – 7:30 PM

Movies Not On Video:

CALIFORNIA SPLIT, 1974, Columbia, 108 min. Director Robert Altman’s comically bittersweet patchwork quilt of interwoven lives in Las Vegas stands as one of his most rewarding yet hard-to-see movies. Elliot Gould, as the consequences-be-damned free spirit, and George Segal, as the desperate, hard-luck loser, head a sterling cast. Gambling is examined as addiction, euphoric high and metaphor for risk-taking in all avenues of life. With Ann Prentiss, Gwen Welles, Jeff Goldblum. And remember: it’s not available on video, so see it here!

Thursday, July 29 - 7:30 PM        ALTERNATIVE SCREEN
GRAVEYARD ALIVE: A ZOMBIE NURSE IN LOVE 2003, 80 min., Canada. Dir. Elza Kephardt. In this clever cross between 1920's German Expressionism and vintage B-horror flicks, a lonely nurse is bitten by a patient/zombie and becomes a sex-kitten capable of realizing her romantic daydreams. “...a constant visual pleasure, with terrific high-contrast, black-and-white lighting schemes; compositions that are all sharp diagonals and dramatically twisting spirals; and oodles of visual references to "Night of the Living Dead," "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and virtually the entire Alfred Hitchcock library.” -- Scott Foundas, Variety

Official website.

Plus, L.A. Premiere! of Glenn Cowan’s “For F***’s Sake,” 2004, 9 min. The fantasy women in Hank’s head are starting to become a pain. They simply won’t leave him alone. A project of Alpha 60. Written by Cecil Castelucci and Glenn Cowan. Discussion following with cast and crew from "For F***'s Sake."