June 1 - June 7, 2023

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair - Year 2

Festival | This year’s program includes 35 films from 20 countries. Archival prints, premieres of restorations, live guests and more.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:

The American Cinematheque is thrilled to present its second annual ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair,’ a weeklong festival that spotlights some of the greatest films from around the world that explore the darkest sides of humanity, as well as some of the bleakest points in human history. A harrowing, yet powerful lineup of films defined by stark imagery, unimaginable tragedies, existential fear, nihilism and shocking acts of brutality, this series features the world’s leading filmmakers who wholly embrace a cinema of despair in pursuit of unpleasant truths and raw empathy.

This year’s lineup includes 35 films of a variety of genres and time periods from 20 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Finland, France, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Soviet Union, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, USA and West Germany. Legendary Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr will attend the festival as the guest of honor, for special Q&As and introductions, beginning on Tuesday, June 6th at the Aero Theatre, with the West Coast Premiere of the new 4K restoration of WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES (2000) from Janus Films. The festival will close on Wednesday, June 7th with Tarr’s THE TURIN HORSE (2011) and a Q&A.

“Hi LA! It will be nice to see you again, after a very long time. I am curious how you are now and what is going on in the town! I hope we will have a good meeting and we will spend a good time together. See you there!” said filmmaker Béla Tarr regarding his upcoming in-person retrospective.

Tarr’s groundbreaking work serves as the inspiration for the opening night selection at the Los Feliz 3, beginning with Gus Van Sant’s GERRY (2002), the first in the director’s “Death Trilogy,” which features homage to Tarr’s style. Later that evening, the new 4K restoration of TWILIGHT (1990), directed by Hungarian auteur and regular Béla Tarr collaborator György Fehér, will make its West Coast Premiere, courtesy of Arbelos Films.

At the Aero, the festival begins with a special screening of Sydney Pollack’s 1969 depression era masterpiece, THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON’T THEY?, followed by a Q&A with actor Bruce Dern. The event is a fitting tribute to Pollack, one of the original founders of the American Cinematheque in 1984. Pollack’s grueling portrait of 1930s America is mirrored by Leo McCarey’s surprisingly bleak 1937 MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW, a film that Orson Welles famously said, “would make a stone cry.” The lineup includes another classic of American cinema with the 50th anniversary of THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE, which screens alongside Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s FOX AND HIS FRIENDS (1975), making up a double feature about some of cinema’s most infamous friendships.

Fassbinder is joined by several other arthouse masters including Kenji Mizoguchi, whose THE LIFE OF OHARU (1952) chronicles the unbearable struggles of a women’s life during the Edo period in Japan. Social injustice likewise determines the tragic fates of the protagonists in Ousmane Sembène’s groundbreaking “Borom Sarret” (1963) and BLACK GIRL (1966), two harrowing portrayals of the supposedly postcolonial world of the 1960s.

Mexican auteur Arturo Ripstein makes his Bleak Week debut (as part of the AC’s ongoing ‘The Latin American Canon of Cruelty’ series) with his 2015 BLEAK STREET, which follows two elderly prostitutes on the lam after an incident involving twin wrestlers. Similarly, Mikko Niskanen’s rediscovered 1972 5-hour Finnish masterpiece EIGHT DEADLY SHOTS examines impoverished farmers in conflict with oppressive law enforcement, resulting in brutal consequences. Bleak Week is also proud to spotlight the films of Catherine Breillat (FAT GIRL, 2001), Warwick Thornton (SAMSON AND DELILAH, 2009), Samira Makhmalbaf (BLACKBOARDS, 2000) and Tsai Ming-liang (THE RIVER, 1997), each of which depicts the modern alienation and trauma experienced by youth around the world

Elem Klimov and Larisa Shepitko make their return to Bleak Week with the annual double feature of COME AND SEE (1985) and THE ASCENT (1977), two of the most viscerally devastating films ever made. Pier Paolo Pasolini and Ingmar Bergman also return to this year’s lineup with two of their most uncompromising works—TEOREMA (1968) and CRIES AND WHISPERS (1972)—which tear apart two bourgeoise families in excruciatingly precise detail. These themes are explored further in Lucrecia Martel’s visionary debut LA CIÉNAGA (2001), in which a stagnant family begins to rot at its core during a sweltering summer.

Several other esteemed contemporary filmmakers are featured in the festival, including Austrian director Michael Haneke, who joins for a live virtual career conversation prior to the exceedingly heavy double feature of THE PIANO TEACHER (2001) and AMOUR (2012). Later, Russian filmmaker Aleksandr Sokurov joins for a virtual conversation to discuss his acclaimed MOTHER AND SON (1997) and THE SECOND CIRCLE (1990), which take on the tragic experience of losing a parent in ways that are breathtakingly beautiful yet overwhelmingly depressing. And lastly, Cristian Mungiu joins to discuss his timely work in the Palme d’Or winning 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS (2007), which follows the horrifying process of obtaining an illegal abortion during the final days of communism in Romania.

This year includes a selection of horror films that push well past the boundaries of the genre’s sense of entertainment. David Fincher’s ALIEN³ (1992) is a shockingly nihilistic installment to its franchise, setting the action on a desolate wasteland and delivering fatal trajectories for its beloved characters. French horror film BAXTER (1990) inserts the viewer into the mind of a murderous bull terrier through a journey of pure animalistic rage. In DER TODESKING (1990), Jörg Buttgereit compiles a series of existential vignettes that make up a tortured fabric of death and despair. And perhaps most shockingly, Agustí Villaronga’s infamous IN A GLASS CAGE (1986) follows a former Nazi child-killer who survives a suicide attempt, finding himself in an iron lung and at the mercy of one of his previous victims.

Finally, dark satire plays a key role in this year’s lineup with films from the US, UK and Russia. The elderly English couple at the center of Jimmy T. Murakami’s animated WHEN THE WIND BLOWS (1986) are comically oblivious to their impending demise from a nearby nuclear blast. Aleksei German’s delirious black comedy KHRUSTALYOV, MY CAR! (1998) is an absurd journey through the Stalinist Soviet Union that gradually becomes an apocalyptic nightmare. And Lindsay Anderson’s BRITANNIA HOSPITAL (1982), a savage satire about the surreal events surrounding a British hospital, pairs on a double feature with a film it inspired, Boots Riley’s equally scathing and visionary SORRY TO BOTHER YOU (2018).

Read More about THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY?
THU JUN 1, 2023

7:30 PM

THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY?

$10.00 (member) ; $15.00 (general admission)

Aero Theatre | Q&A with actor Bruce Dern. Moderated and introduced by film critic Katie Walsh.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2’

Read More about GERRY
THU JUN 1, 2023

7:00 PM

GERRY

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Q&A with filmmaker Gus Van Sant. Moderated by film critic and author Tim Grierson.

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2′

Read More about TWILIGHT
THU JUN 1, 2023

10:00 PM

TWILIGHT

$10.00 (member) ; $15.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Lyric Luedke, Programming Assistant at American Cinematheque

West Coast Premiere of New 4K Restoration, courtesy of Arbelos Films

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2’

Read More about BLACKBOARDS
FRI JUN 2, 2023

1:00 PM

BLACKBOARDS

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Cindy Flores, Programming Assistant at American Cinematheque

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2’

Read More about THE LIFE OF OHARU
FRI JUN 2, 2023

4:00 PM

THE LIFE OF OHARU

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by filmmaker and film historian Jim Hemphill

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2′

Read More about BAXTER
FRI JUN 2, 2023

7:00 PM

BAXTER

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Grant Moninger, Director of Programming & Creative at American Cinematheque

North American Premiere of new DCP by Studiocanal at VDM Lab, France

Read More about COME AND SEE / THE ASCENT
FRI JUN 2, 2023

7:30 PM

COME AND SEE / THE ASCENT

$10.00 (member) ; $15.00 (general admission)

Aero Theatre | Introduction by filmmaker Karyn Kusama

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2′

Annual Klimov / Shepitko Double Feature

Read More about ALIEN³
FRI JUN 2, 2023

10:00 PM

ALIEN³

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by film critic Katie Walsh

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2′

Read More about Michael Haneke Career Conversation with THE PIANO TEACHER / AMOUR
SAT JUN 3, 2023

12:00 PM

Michael Haneke Career Conversation with THE PIANO TEACHER / AMOUR

$15.00 (members-only)

Aero Theatre | Live virtual career conversation with Michael Haneke before the films. Moderated by film critic and author Tim Grierson. 

Read More about "Borom Sarret" / BLACK GIRL
SAT JUN 3, 2023

1:00 PM

"Borom Sarret" / BLACK GIRL

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by filmmaker Brandon David Wilson

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2′

Read More about CRIES AND WHISPERS
SAT JUN 3, 2023

4:00 PM

CRIES AND WHISPERS

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by film critic Joshua Rothkopf

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2′

Read More about BRITANNIA HOSPITAL / SORRY TO BOTHER YOU
SAT JUN 3, 2023

7:00 PM

BRITANNIA HOSPITAL / SORRY TO BOTHER YOU

$10.00 (member) ; $15.00 (general admission)

Aero Theatre | Introduction and Q&A with filmmaker Boots Riley. Moderated by film critic Amy Nicholson.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 2’

Read More about KHRUSTALYOV, MY CAR!
SAT JUN 3, 2023

7:00 PM

KHRUSTALYOV, MY CAR!

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Chris LeMaire, Senior Film Programmer at American Cinematheque

25th Anniversary Screening

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’

Read More about DER TODESKING
SAT JUN 3, 2023

10:00 PM

DER TODESKING

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Pre-recorded introduction and Q&A with filmmaker Jörg Buttgereit. Moderated by film editor, producer and sound designer Josh Ethier. Live introduction by Josh Ethier.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’

Read More about EIGHT DEADLY SHOTS
SUN JUN 4, 2023

12:00 PM

EIGHT DEADLY SHOTS

$10.00 (member) ; $15.00 (general admission)

Aero Theatre | West Coast Premiere of New 4K Restoration, courtesy of Janus Films. Introduction by film editor, producer and sound designer Josh Ethier.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’

Read More about MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW
SUN JUN 4, 2023

1:00 PM

MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by author and film editor Kristen Lopez

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’ and ‘Sunday Print Edition’

Read More about SAMSON AND DELILAH
SUN JUN 4, 2023

4:00 PM

SAMSON AND DELILAH

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Pre-recorded Q&A with filmmaker Warwick Thornton. Moderated by Imani Davis, Film Programmer at American Cinematheque.

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’

Read More about 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS
SUN JUN 4, 2023

7:00 PM

4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Pre-recorded Q&A with filmmaker Cristian Mungiu. Moderated by film critic Courtney Howard. Live introduction by Courtney Howard.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’

Read More about THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE / FOX AND HIS FRIENDS
SUN JUN 4, 2023

7:30 PM

THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE / FOX AND HIS FRIENDS

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Aero Theatre | Introduction by screenwriter Larry Karaszewski

50th anniversary of THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’

Read More about BLEAK STREET
SUN JUN 4, 2023

10:00 PM

BLEAK STREET

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Cindy Flores, Programming Assistant at American Cinematheque

Read More about LA CIÉNAGA
MON JUN 5, 2023

7:00 PM

LA CIÉNAGA

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by film critic Mark Olsen

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair — Year 2′

Read More about MOTHER AND SON / THE SECOND CIRCLE
MON JUN 5, 2023

7:30 PM

MOTHER AND SON / THE SECOND CIRCLE

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Aero Theatre | Pre-recorded Q&A with filmmaker Aleksandr Sokurov. Moderated by Chris LeMaire, Senior Film Programmer at American Cinematheque.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’

Rare 35mm prints!

Read More about Cinematic Void Presents IN A GLASS CAGE
MON JUN 5, 2023

10:00 PM

Cinematic Void Presents IN A GLASS CAGE

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Jim Branscome

Read More about TEOREMA
TUE JUN 6, 2023

7:00 PM

TEOREMA

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Outfest Director of Programming Mike Dougherty

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’ and ‘Outfest x American Cinematheque’

Read More about WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES
TUE JUN 6, 2023

7:30 PM

WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES

$15.00 (members-only)

Aero Theatre | Introduction and Q&A with filmmaker Béla Tarr. Moderated by Scott Foundas.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’ and ‘Boundless Damnation: The Films of Béla Tarr’

Read More about THE RIVER
TUE JUN 6, 2023

10:00 PM

THE RIVER

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Pre-recorded introduction by film critic Ryan Swen

Rare 35mm print!

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’

Read More about THE TURIN HORSE
WED JUN 7, 2023

7:30 PM

THE TURIN HORSE

$15.00 (members-only)

Aero Theatre | Introduction and Q&A with filmmaker Béla Tarr. Moderated by Tim Grierson.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’ and ‘Boundless Damnation: The Films of Béla Tarr’

Read More about FAT GIRL
WED JUN 7, 2023

7:00 PM

FAT GIRL

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Cindy Flores, Programming Assistant at American Cinematheque

Read More about WHEN THE WIND BLOWS
WED JUN 7, 2023

10:00 PM

WHEN THE WIND BLOWS

$8.00 (member) ; $13.00 (general admission)

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by film critic Carlos Aguilar

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year Two’