News & Press

After dancing in their seats at their TIFF reunion last week, the Talking Heads came to the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre in Santa Monica to bring down more houses, Tuesday night’s sellout seeing tickets priced as high as $32. While Oscar winner Spike Lee moderated the band’s get-together in Toronto, their prior being 21 years ago, 11x Oscar nominee Paul Thomas Anderson got his nerd out with the post-punk band.

Richard Shepard’s latest project, a documentary titled “Film Geek,” will premiere on Sept. 22 at the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles. Ahead of the doc’s debut, Shepard spoke with Variety’s Executive Vice President of Global Content Steven Gaydos to detail the films that spoke to him the most during his high school years.

Beyond Fest is almost here. The biggest genre film festival in the United States returns on September 26 for over two weeks of world premieres and special screenings. Now, just a few weeks from its killer start, Beyond Fest has released their full lineup which includes a whopping 55 films. Included in that are three North American, seven US, and 18 West Coast premieres.

This week, the American Cinematheque and the Hola Mexico Film Festival will co-host Ripstein and Paz Alicia Garciadiego, his longtime screenwriter and wife, in Los Angeles for a seven-day retrospective in honor of the director’s career (beginning Sept. 14 at the Aero Theatre and Los Feliz 3). It’s the first time the Mexican master will enjoy such a celebration in the entertainment capital of the world.

The American Cinematheque is launching a series in celebration of the centennial of the birth of Ousmane Sembène, frequently referred to as the father of African cinema. The series launches tonight with a 4K restoration of the 1977 film “Ceddo,” an ambitious historical epic about the resistance of common people to the ruling class.

On Saturday, Sept. 2, the American Cinematheque will put on a four-film marathon tribute to actor Paul Reubens, who died July 30 at the age of 70. The series will include Danny DeVito’s 1996 “Matilda,” Tim Burton’s 1985 “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” Randal Kleiser’s 1988 “Big Top Pee-wee,” and Kinka Usher’s 1999 “Mystery Men.”

A hundred and one years ago, Hollywood rolled out the red carpet for the very first movie premiere. Men, dressed as Egyptian sentries, patrolled the roof of the theater, carrying rifles that were probably fake — but, given this was a Sid Grauman-staged event, you never know. Everybody who was anybody in L.A. attended, including Charlie Chaplin, who spoke, albeit reluctantly and concisely.

“I pray you that we go on with the picture!” Chaplin said, practically running off the stage right after uttering those few words.

For those of you in Los Angeles, the American Cinematheque is programming a really cool series called “Friend of the Fest” where Cory will be repping Cinephile Summer and introducing a screening of one of our favorite late summer movies, Sam Raimi’s 1990 classic, Darkman this Saturday August 26th. So if you are in LA, grab tickets for that.

As part of the American Cinematheque’s ongoing tribute to late writer Cormac McCarthy, who died in June at age 89, there will be a 35 mm screening tonight of “The Counselor.” Directed by Ridley Scott, the movie was the first original screenplay by the celebrated author to be produced. It was also a notorious flop, despite a cast that included Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt.

The 1988 debut feature from director and co-writer Fran Rubel Kuzui, “Tokyo Pop” brims with an infectious energy and warmth, featuring a charming lead performance by Carrie Hamilton. She plays Wendy, an aspiring rock ’n’ roll singer who impulsively heads to Tokyo after receiving a postcard from a friend. Struggling to get her life together, she meets Hiro (Yutaka Tadokoro, who later performed under the name Diamond Yukai) and after joining his band they find fame together, though she comes to fear they are just a passing novelty act.

A new 4K restoration of the film opens Friday for a limited run at the American Cinematheque’s Los Feliz Theatre. Director Kuzui is scheduled to attend the first night’s screening for a Q&A.

Earlier this week I took my own advice and went to see one of the films recommended here last week, the 70mm presentation of Luis Valdez’s “Zoot Suit” at the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre. And I’m so glad I did, as the movie is a genuinely unique and immersive hybrid of cinema and theater, and this was the ideal way to experience it.

“Ruby in Paradise” and “Ulee’s Gold,” along with Nunez’s 1984 masterpiece “A Flash of Green,” will be screened at the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles on July 8 and 9 as part of a long overdue tribute to Nunez, who will appear in person along with actors from his films including Ashley Judd, Ed Harris, Todd Field, and Lori Singer, the star of Nunez’s new film “Rachel Hendrix.” That film, in which Singer’s character struggles to let others into her life following the death of her husband, will have its L.A. premiere at the retrospective.

Last week, Tarr returned to the city for a rare retrospective of his work organized by the American Cinematheque. The series included a screening of his 7½-hour 1994 masterwork “Sátántangó,” which follows several characters surviving the aftermath of the collapse of communism. It quickly sold out.

The four-day celebration, a cinephile’s dream titled “Boundless Damnation” (Tarr’s enthusiasts have their own wavelength), now gives way to a week-long run of the new 4K restoration of 2000’s “Werckmeister Harmonies,” co-directed with his former romantic partner and longtime editor Ágnes Hranitzky.

The American Cinematheque’s schedule for June screenings is even more exciting than normal, and that’s really saying something. After the triumphant return of Bleak Week, the Cinematheque is pleased to announce the inaugural retrospective of filmmaker Abel Ferrara in Los Angeles. Taking place over a week at the Aero Theatre and Los Feliz 3, the residency will showcase 17 of Ferrara’s films, accompanied by rare in-person Q&As, live scores, and a concert featuring Ferrara and his band Flyz, along with Joe Delia and Paul Hipp.

Helen Mirren will receive the 37th American Cinematheque Award and Kevin Goetz and Screen Engine will be honored with the 2023 Power of Cinema Award.

American Cinematheque Board chair Rick Nicita said in his initial announcement, “Helen Mirren has won the Oscar, Tony and Emmy triple crown of acting, and is an unparalleled icon among actors. She has portrayed characters from queens to seductresses with a singular skill that has never lost its freshness or appeal.”

The American Cinematheque has zeroed in on a recipient for its 37th prize: Helen Mirren.

The actress (and dame) is set to be feted on Nov. 4 during a ceremony that will also honor Kevin Goetz and Screen Engine with the Power of Cinema Award presented by Hill Valley. The American Cinematheque ceremony serves as the annual fundraiser for the nonprofit and helps buoy year-round programming at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz and Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

The American Cinematheque said Monday that Oscar, Emmy and Tony winner Helen Mirren will receive the 2023 American Cinematheque Award, which will be bestowed November 4 at the Beverly Hilton during the nonprofit organization’s annual gala tribute.

The American Cinematheque has announced the launch of the Proof Film Festival, which is dedicated solely to proof-of-concept short films. The festival aims to provide a platform for up-and-coming filmmakers to showcase their innovative works and help them gain access to professional development opportunities and mentorship workshops. The festival will take place in Los Angeles from October 20-22, and four juried awards will be presented, along with one audience choice award.

Bleak Week just got a whole lot bleaker.

The American Cinematheque in Los Angeles has set the second edition of its “Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair” series, and this year’s guest of honor will be none other than Béla Tarr, Hungarian master of plumbing the nadirs of the human experience from his last feature “The Turin Horse” to his beloved epic “Sátántangó,” about a farming village in crisis. IndieWire can announce that Tarr will make a rare appearance in the U.S. beginning June 6 at the Aero Theatre for a series of Q&As.

The American Cinematheque announced its new upcoming film festival, the PROOF film festival, which will celebrate cinema’s next generation, by showcasing the best proof-of-concept films. The Los Angeles festival will take place Oct. 20-22. Submissions are now open here.

The American Cinematheque on Tuesday announced the opening of submissions for the Proof Film Festival, one of the first-ever film festivals dedicated solely to proof-of-concept short films, which will take place in Los Angeles this year from October 20-22.

American Cinematheque chairman Rick Nicita praised the four executives by saying that “each brings a unique perspective and appreciation of film culture and exhibition.”

Longworth has also partnered with The American Cinematheque, who will program weekly screenings on Tuesday nights at the Los Feliz 3 in Los Angeles of a select film highlighted in that week’s episode.

American Cinematheque will celebrate Brendan Fraser with “Fraser-Thon,” a marathon featuring four of his most beloved films at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Calif. Fraser will participate in the evening’s in-person event with an introduction and Q&A (along with a surprise guest).

Roger Deakins, a celebrated cinematographer known for his work with the Coen brothers, Martin Scorsese and more, will receive a career achievement award at the American Cinematheque’s second annual Tribute to the Crafts.

The American Cinematheque brought them together to watch and comment on clips from a handful of their collaborations over the years, starting when Williams agreed to compose music for the definitely-not-a-teen filmmaker’s feature debut, the 1974 chase movie The Sugarland Express

The surprising exchange — surprising most of all to Spielberg, who said, ‘I just found out that he’s not (retiring)’ — occurred at the end of a 50-year-encompassing conversation sponsored by the American Cinematheque.

There’s seeing a movie with a live audience, and then there’s the probably once-in-a-lifetime experience that was the Chinese Theatre screening of “RRR,” which had director-writer S.S. Rajamouli, composer-songwriter M.M. Keeravani and dual leads N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan coming together in America for the first time

American Cinematheque announced Monday its honorees for its second edition of Tribute to the Crafts, taking place on Thursday, February 9 at the Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.

Two bona fide Hollywood legends, director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams, will mark their 50th year of collaboration by making a rare joint public appearance at a tribute hosted by the American Cinematheque.

Beyond Fest, the popular dark genre film festival based in Los Angeles, is back and it’s larger and weirder than ever. Celebrating a decade of dark genre cinema, this year’s slate has 63 full length features including ten world premieres and three US premieres, plus 25 West Coast debut screenings. Running now thru October 11th, the event shares a partnership with the American Cinematheque, and will pop up at locales throughout L.A. – from the IMAX theater at the TCL Chinese to the Hollywood Legion Theatre to the Aero and the Los Feliz 3.

31 free Beyond Fest screenings at the Shudder Theatre at the Los Feliz 3, including World Premieres, U.S. Premieres, West Coast Premieres and live conversations with filmmakers.

RSVPs for all free events will be available on their website starting at 9am the day of the show. First come, first served. There will be standby lines for all shows.

Beyond Fest today unveiled the lineup for its tenth anniversary edition, returning to Los Angeles from September 27th – October 11th, following the sold-out fest of 2021.

This year’s installment of the United States’ biggest genre festival opens with two free screenings of Parker Finn’s anticipated Paramount horror Smile, closing out with the World Premiere of Halloween Ends, the conclusion to the iconic horror franchise from Universal Pictures, Trancas International, Miramax and Blumhouse.

It can be argued that Peter Greenaway is today’s feature filmmaker with the most wide-ranging musical imagination. His best-known films — “The Draughtsman’s Contract,” “A Zed & Two Noughts,” “Drowning by Numbers,” “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover” and “Prospero’s Books” — were celebrated in the 1980s and early ’90s for their gripping visual imagination, erudite literate texts and provocative subject matter.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

I started seeing 70mm film festivals pop up all over the country this summer. The Somerville Theatre near Boston had its 70mm and widescreen festival in June. While that was happening, the Music Box Theatre’s 70mm fest went on in Chicago. Last month, the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles had a month-long, Ultra Cinematheque 70 Fest series at the Aero Theatre. And New York’s Museum of the Moving Image currently has a 70mm program underway.

On March 8, 1991, Mario Van Peebles’ feature directorial debut “New Jack City” premiered at the Mann Village Theatre in Westwood. On Saturday, a little more than 30 years later, Van Peebles walked the red carpet outside the very same cinema — now renamed the Regency Village Theatre — for a special screening of his classic crime thriller, hosted by the American Cinematheque.

Though the American Cinematheque‘s Tribute to the Crafts event on Monday night was thrown for a fraction of the budget of the Academy Awards, the producers of the Oscars should take note, as this awards show was a success by any measure.

Longtime Variety reporter Dave McNary was remembered as a consummate journalist who deeply loved covering the movie business during American Cinematheque’s Tribute to the Crafts, held Monday night at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre.

The American Cinematheque has launched “Women on the Go,” a new series programmed by Imani Davis that runs through Sunday, March 20, and celebrates women, travel and risk-taking. Among the films screening are Eric Rohmer’s “The Green Ray,” Chantal Akerman’s “Les Rendez-vous d’Anna,” Agnès Varda’s “Vagabond” and a 35mm screening of Wong Kar-Wai’s “My Blueberry Nights.”

The American Cinematheque recently hosted a tribute to legendary filmmaker Kenneth Branagh. The tribute featured screenings of four films that are featured in his latest film Belfast, a semi-autobiographical love letter to his hometown, and culminated in a Belfast screening followed by a Q&A with writer and director Kenneth Branagh.

The Aero Theatre at 1328 Montana Avenue is the Westside home of The American Cinematheque. The American Cinematheque was founded by renowned director Sydney Pollack and the creators behind The Filmex Los Angeles Film Festival after Pollack took a trip to Paris in 1984 and experienced the Cinémathèque Française.

The longtime collaborators and close friends reunited Sunday for an American Cinematheque virtual tribute to talk acting, creative process and preparation: “You always surprise me.”

Are you searching for a respite from the Chicago cold this winter? Look no further. This January, Cinematic Void, the Los Angeles cult film series based at the American Cinematheque, has expanded its popular “January Giallo” film program by partnering with the Music Box Theatre’s Music Box of Horrors to bring moviegoers a weekly escape into the stylish subgenre.

The American Cinematheque announced today the honorees for the inaugural Tribute to the Crafts, which will take place in-person on Jan. 26, at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Calif.

In the ever-growing list of awards shows, American Cinematheque is throwing its clout behind a new one they call Tribute to the Crafts, an in-person celebration of the artisans behind the scenes who don’t get nearly the attention during the season that their above-the-line colleagues seem to.

Often we refer to the concept of family as the ties that bind, and for good reason. Because sometimes, our family can be the very thing in our lives that is either holding us down or they can keep us connected to some type of trauma that continues to haunt our very existence. That’s the primary theme that ripples throughout Scott Cooper’s Antlers, a harrowing, gut-punch creature feature that is shockingly bleak at times and features brilliant performances from Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, and the precocious Jeremy T. Thomas, who is at the center of Antler’s mystery and is so heartbreakingly great in this.

“A core tenet from the outset was that we just want to be cool with the audience,” says Beyond Fest co-founder and programmer Christian Parkes.

Currently in the midst of its ninth edition in Los Angeles, one massive way Beyond Fest has remained “cool” with its audience is through hosting 31 free screenings.

Tom Skerritt, who fans remember from films like “Alien” and “Top Gun,” chatted about his new film “East of the Mountains.”