June 1 - June 7, 2024

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair - Year 3

Festival | This year’s program includes 43 films, from 18 countries, archival prints, premieres of restorations, in-person guests and for the first time it will take place across three venues

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:

The American Cinematheque is thrilled to present its third 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. Now for the first time, the festival will take place at three venues: Aero Theatre, Egyptian Theatre and Los Feliz 3. 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.

Read More about THE MIDDLEMAN
SAT JUN 1, 2024

1:00 PM

THE MIDDLEMAN

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

Los Feliz 3 | ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about MERRILY WE GO TO HELL
SAT JUN 1, 2024

2:00 PM

MERRILY WE GO TO HELL

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

Egyptian Theatre | Introduction by Imani Davis, Film Programmer at American Cinematheque

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about DESTROYER
SAT JUN 1, 2024

4:00 PM

DESTROYER

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

Los Feliz 3 | Q&A with filmmaker Karyn Kusama and screenwriters Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi. Moderated by Jim Hemphill, filmmaker and film historian.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK
SAT JUN 1, 2024

5:00 PM

THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK

$15.00 (members-only)

Egyptian Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Jerry Schatzberg and actor Al Pacino. Moderated by filmmaker Bernard Rose

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Dark Poetry: Two Films by Jerry Schatzberg and Al Pacino’

Read More about ROME, OPEN CITY
SAT JUN 1, 2024

5:00 PM

ROME, OPEN CITY

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

Aero Theatre | ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Rare imported print Courtesy of Cinecittà

Read More about TESTAMENT
SAT JUN 1, 2024

7:00 PM

TESTAMENT

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

Los Feliz 3 | Q&A with filmmaker Lynne Littman. Moderated by film critic and author Tim Grierson. 

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ 

Read More about PAISAN / GERMANY, YEAR ZERO
SAT JUN 1, 2024

7:30 PM

PAISAN / GERMANY, YEAR ZERO

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

Aero Theatre | ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Rare imported print Courtesy of Cinecittà

Read More about SE7EN
SAT JUN 1, 2024

9:00 PM

SE7EN

$12.00 (member) ; $17.00 (general admission)

Egyptian Theatre | Introduction by film critic Joshua Rothkopf

New 4K Restoration!

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about KILLED THE FAMILY AND WENT TO THE MOVIES
SAT JUN 1, 2024

10:00 PM

KILLED THE FAMILY AND WENT TO THE MOVIES

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

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Cindy Flores, Film Programmer at American Cinematheque

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about COME AND SEE
SUN JUN 2, 2024

1:00 PM

COME AND SEE

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

Egyptian Theatre | ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about LADIES IN RETIREMENT
SUN JUN 2, 2024

1:00 PM

LADIES IN RETIREMENT

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

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

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Sunday Print Edition’

Read More about HARD TO BE A GOD
SUN JUN 2, 2024

3:00 PM

HARD TO BE A GOD

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

Aero Theatre | Introduction by Josh Ethier, Film Editor, Producer and Sound Designer

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3′

Read More about UNFORGIVEN
SUN JUN 2, 2024

4:00 PM

UNFORGIVEN

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

Egyptian Theatre | Introduction by filmmaker Brandon Wilson

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about "Me" / WORLD OF TOMORROW
SUN JUN 2, 2024

4:00 PM

"Me" / WORLD OF TOMORROW

$15.00 (members-only)

Los Feliz 3 | Q&A with filmmaker Don Hertzfeldt. Moderated by film critic Carlos Aguilar.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about MARGARET: EXTENDED CUT
SUN JUN 2, 2024

7:00 PM

MARGARET: EXTENDED CUT

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

Egyptian Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Kenneth Lonergan: An American Cinematheque Tribute’

Read More about NATURAL ENEMIES
SUN JUN 2, 2024

7:00 PM

NATURAL ENEMIES

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

Los Feliz 3 | Q&A with filmmaker Jeff Kanew. Moderated by Bret Berg, American Genre Film Archive. 

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about SCARECROW
SUN JUN 2, 2024

7:30 PM

SCARECROW

$15.00 (members-only)

Aero Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Jerry Schatzberg and actor Al Pacino. Moderated by filmmaker Bernard Rose.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Dark Poetry: Two Films by Jerry Schatzberg and Al Pacino’

Read More about THE DEVIL
SUN JUN 2, 2024

10:00 PM

THE DEVIL

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

Los Feliz 3 | ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about A TIME FOR DRUNKEN HORSES
MON JUN 3, 2024

7:00 PM

A TIME FOR DRUNKEN HORSES

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

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Afra Nariman, Programming Assistant at American Cinematheque

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER
MON JUN 3, 2024

7:30 PM

HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER

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

Egyptian Theatre | Q&A with actor Michael Rooker. Moderated by Christian Parkes, Beyond Fest.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ 

Read More about MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MON JUN 3, 2024

7:30 PM

MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

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

Aero Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan. Moderated by Scott Foundas. 

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Kenneth Lonergan: An American Cinematheque Tribute’

Read More about DODES'KA—DEN
MON JUN 3, 2024

10:00 PM

DODES'KA—DEN

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

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Stephanie Lopez, Programming Assistant at American Cinematheque

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about GHOSTS... OF THE CIVIL DEAD
TUE JUN 4, 2024

7:00 PM

GHOSTS... OF THE CIVIL DEAD

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

Los Feliz 3 | ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about MENACE II SOCIETY
TUE JUN 4, 2024

7:30 PM

MENACE II SOCIETY

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

Egyptian Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Allen Hughes. Moderated by author Nelson George.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN / YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE
TUE JUN 4, 2024

7:30 PM

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN / YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE

$15.00 (members-only)

Aero Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Lynne Ramsay

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Lynne Ramsay: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’

Read More about Cinematic Void Presents RUN AND KILL
TUE JUN 4, 2024

10:00 PM

Cinematic Void Presents RUN AND KILL

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

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Jim Branscome, Cinematic Void

World Premiere of New Restoration!

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Cinematic Void’

Read More about IVANSXTC
WED JUN 5, 2024

7:00 PM

IVANSXTC

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

Los Feliz 3 | Q&A with filmmaker Bernard Rose. Moderated by Grant Moninger, Artistic Director, American Cinematheque. 

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about RATCATCHER
WED JUN 5, 2024

7:30 PM

RATCATCHER

$12.00 (member) ; $17.00 (general admission)

Egyptian Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Lynne Ramsay. Moderated by film critic Mark Olsen. 

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Lynne Ramsay: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’

Read More about I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS / ANOMALISA
WED JUN 5, 2024

7:30 PM

I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS / ANOMALISA

$15.00 (members-only)

Aero Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Charlie Kaufman. Moderated by film critic and author Tim Grierson. 

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Charlie Kaufman: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’

Read More about TWENTYNINE PALMS
WED JUN 5, 2024

10:00 PM

TWENTYNINE PALMS

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

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by filmmaker Elric Kane

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about IN VANDA’S ROOM
THU JUN 6, 2024

7:00 PM

IN VANDA’S ROOM

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

Los Feliz 3 | New Restoration!

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK
THU JUN 6, 2024

7:30 PM

SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK

$15.00 (members-only)

Egyptian Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Charlie Kaufman. Moderated by film critic Amy Nicholson. 

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Charlie Kaufman: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’

Read More about MORVERN CALLAR
THU JUN 6, 2024

7:30 PM

MORVERN CALLAR

$15.00 (members-only)

Aero Theatre | Q&A with filmmaker Lynne Ramsay. Moderated by film critic Katie Walsh. 

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’ and ‘Lynne Ramsay: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’

Read More about HAPPY TOGETHER
THU JUN 6, 2024

10:30 PM

HAPPY TOGETHER

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

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by author and film critic Alonso Duralde

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3′

Read More about JU DOU
FRI JUN 7, 2024

4:00 PM

JU DOU

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

Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by film critic Ryan Swen

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about MIRACLE MILE
FRI JUN 7, 2024

7:00 PM

MIRACLE MILE

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

Los Feliz 3 | Q&A with filmmaker Steve De Jarnatt. Moderated by K.J. Relth-Miller.

Book signing with Steve De Jarnatt for his new book, Grace for Grace

Read More about THE TOUCH
FRI JUN 7, 2024

7:30 PM

THE TOUCH

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

Aero Theatre | Q&A with actor Elliott Gould. Moderated by filmmaker Larry Karaszewski.

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME
FRI JUN 7, 2024

10:00 PM

TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME

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

Egyptian Theatre | Q&A with actor Ray Wise. Moderated by Vera Drew. 

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’

Read More about LILYA 4—EVER
FRI JUN 7, 2024

10:00 PM

LILYA 4—EVER

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

Los Feliz 3 | Pre-recorded introduction by film critic Courtney Howard

‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair – Year 3’