Calendar
Hamilton
Director in attendance!
Jun 12 - Jun 13, 2010
(Matt Porterfield, USA, 2006, 16mm, 65 min)
In his debut documentary/fiction hybrid, director Matt Porterfield simply watches and listens, allowing for a story to emerge by its own means. The plot covers two summer days in the life of a young family. Lena and Joe, 17 and 20 years old, have recently become parents by accident, and live with the rest of their family in the suburbs of Baltimore. Porterfield is not looking to develop the plot, but rather to transmit in a sensorial way the peculiarities of this neighborhood and family.
Bass Ackwards
Jun 12 - Jun 17, 2010
(Linas Phillips, USA, 2010, DigiBeta, 103 min)
Rejected by his girlfriend and given the boot from his friend's couch, Linas (a fictional version played by Phillips) is working as a pooper-scooper and llama feeder and sleeping on the floor at work. When given an odd-looking 1976 VW bus, he sets out across the country.Bass Ackwards premiered at this year's Sundance, and we’re now pleased to give it the theatrical homecoming it deserves.
"Shows more understanding of and sensitivity to the flesh and blood reality of daily life in today’s America than last year’s graduating class of the television academy of the plastic arts will ever come close to...Both [Field Guide to November Days] and Bass Ackwards are evidence of a New American Underground that is giving voice to a generation that has, for too long, been judged dispensable and inarticulate. " -Seattle PostGlobe
NY Export: Opus Jazz
Seattle Premiere Special introduction by Peter Boal (Artistic Director of Pacific NW Ballet) on June 14 at 7pm
Jun 12 - Jun 14, 2010
(Henry Joost, Jody Lee Lipes, USA, 2010, DigiBeta, 60 min)
In NY Export: Opus Jazz, the New York City Ballet takes dancing to the streets. The film is a scripted adaptation of a 1958 "ballet in sneakers" by Jerome Robbins, a companion piece to his legendary West Side Story,that tells an abstract tale of disaffected urban youth.
Field Guide to November Days
Director in attendance!
Jun 14, 2010
(Nick Peterson, USA, 2010, Beta-SP, 80 min)
The second feature from Portland filmmaker Nick Peterson (Yellow), Field Guide to November Days was made entirely with bikes instead of any motorized transport. Everyone working on the film biked to set and everything (including furniture) was pulled by bike (except for one trip to the coast!).
"A true breakthrough in a new aesthetics that has its roots in the architectural language of Michelangelo Antonioni...Both this and “Bass Ackwards” are evidence of a New American Underground that is giving voice to a generation that has, for too long, been judged dispensable and inarticulate." -Seattle PostGlobe
Argentina Futbol Club
Jun 15 - Jun 16, 2010
(Juan Pablo Roubio & Gavin P. Sullivan, Argentina, 2010, Digital, 83 min)
Singing. Shouting. Hysteria. Argentina lives for futbol. The battle between Boca Juniors and River Plate is not just about sports; it is an ever-enduring struggle for identity. In Buenos Aires, historic tensions swell not only between legendary clubs Boca and River but among their intense followers. For these futbol fanatics, the game symbolizes strength, unity, and power in a society beset by stark social and economic divisions. Through a journalistic lens, this film provides an intimate look into Argentina and its beloved sport to reveal an unparalleled passion that reverberates far beyond the pitch.
Auto-Morphosis
Director in attendance!
Jun 17, 2010
(Harrod Blank, USA, 2007, Beta-SP, 76 min)
Auto-Morphosis is an inspiring, often hilarious tour of the world's wildest art cars and their larger-than-life creators, who transformed their automobiles into works of mind-bending art. In this wild-wheeled documentary, director Harrod Blank wows us with some of the most amazing cars—and most amazing art—you’ve ever seen.
The Oath
Jun 18 - Jun 24, 2010
(Laura Poitras, USA, 2010, 35mm, 96 min)
Academy Award-nominated Laura Poitras (My Country, My Country) provides a spectacular view of the inner-workings of the Al-Qaeda leadership, and a strong political statement. Her images and talent for exact observation make the case for an understanding of people that seems to have been lost in the war against terror.
"3 1/2 stars: Makes spare use of images to convey a great deal" —Seattle Times
Trash Humpers
Director in attendance opening night (at both 7 and 9pm shows)!
Jun 18 - Jun 24, 2010
(Harmony Korine, 2009, USA, 35mm, 78 min)
Enfant terrible Harmony Korine (Gummo,1997; Julien Donkey-Boy, 1999) brings an ode to vandalism with his latest film, Trash Humpers. The title is to be taken literally: the protagonists get their kicks by screwing trash cans. Korine, who plays one of the leading roles, shows the creative beauty of destruction.
"Funny from the get-go...[A] gloriously desultory slap in the face of public taste" —Seattle Weekly
Daddy Longlegs
Directors In Attendance Opening Weekend! *Please note updated show times
Jun 25 - Jul 01, 2010
(Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, USA, 2009, 35mm, 98 min)
Joshua and Benny Safdie’s latest collaboration is a realistic fairytale about a divorced dad who never gets enough time with his boys. Daddy Longlegs is an ode to excuses and responsibilities, to growing up and staying young-at-heart, to fatherhood and childhood and to making time last forever.
"a funny, fantastic, genuinely alarming quasi-autobiographical cheapster" —Seattle Weekly
"The more I think about it, the more I like it." —SIFFblog
"Is there a sadder instance of everyday poetry than the sight of a half-eaten hotdog strewn on a lawn, strangely worthy of your attention?" —Jay Kuehner
9500 Liberty
Jun 25 - Jun 27, 2010
(Eric Byler & Annabel Park, USA, 2009, DigiBeta, 80 min)
Pre-dating the recent Arizona immigration law by three years, in 2007 Manassas, Virginia served as the flashpoint of an exceptionally contentious battle between longtime residents of the community and the growing population of new residents: immigrants.
"Excellent…If a viewer is unaware of the year the documentary was shot, 2007 (near the twilight of Bush’s presidency), he/she will easily think it was made mere minutes ago” —The Stranger
1st Annual Poster Sale
Most posters $1 for Film Forum members, $2 for everyone else
Jun 26, 2010
Movie lovers and memorabilia collectors delight! The Film Forum is having it's first-ever movie poster sale this summer. Stop by on June 26 to browse our collection of posters from films we've shown over the past several years. If you had your eye on that Red Riding Trilogy art, or always wanted to get your hands on a La Dolce Vita reproduction, now's your chance!
Bold Native
Jun 29, 2010
(Denis Henry Hennelly, 2010, USA)
From abolitionists to welfarists, Bold Native takes on the issue of modern animal use and exploitation from several angles within the context of a road movie adventure story.
Lambchop - Live at XX Merge
Jun 30 - Jul 01, 2010
(Merge Records, USA 2009, DVD, 47 min)
Lambchop has been on the Merge label since 1993, releasing a string of widely varied but consistently brilliant records. But the live Lambchop experience has been somewhat elusive in the U.S. For Merge's 20th anniversary, Lambchop performed live and the show was captured in this great concert video.
Punishment Park
New 35mm Print!
Jul 02 - Jul 08, 2010
(Peter Watkins, USA, 1971, 35mm, 88 min)
Part dystopian nightmare, part prism through which the profound tensions and frustrations in American society in the late 1960s are made manifest, the film remains a fascinating reflection of a fractured America.
"A dystopian critique intended for the peace-movement years but possibly even more relevant today." —Seattle Weekly
"Punishment Park will no doubt leave you thinking about the Vietnam War, Richard Nixon, and what it means to truly have independence." —Seattlest
Women Without Men
Seattle Premiere Sponsored by the Henry Art Gallery
Special introduction before the 7pm screening on July 9 by Henry Art Gallery Associate Curator Sara Krajewski
Jul 09 - Jul 15, 2010
(Shirin Neshat, Iran, 2009, 35mm, 95 min)
New York–based visual artist Shirin Neshat’s feature film debut is an adaptation of the novel by exiled Iranian writer Shahmush Parsipur. Set in Iran during its infamous 1953 CIA-backed coup, the film follows four women from different social classes as they take refuge in a metaphorical orchard.
"Neshat is one of the more amazing artists in the world, and typically she makes video installations and photographs, but this is her first feature film. Do see it." —The Stranger
D-Tour
Seattle Premiere Director Jim Granato in attendance Friday-Sunday *Please note musician Pat Spurgeon can no longer attend but will be Skyped in for Q&A
Jul 09 - Jul 11, 2010
(Jim Granato, 2009, USA, DigiBeta, 99 min)
Pat Spurgeon is founder, drummer and (with his cartoonish afro) most recognizable member of the Oakland–based indie rock band Rogue Wave. He's charismatic, funny, big-hearted…and has only one kidney, which is failing. Despite battling ongoing kidney issues, Pat wants to gig—it’s all he’s ever wanted—so the band hits the road on what they dub their D(ialysis) Tour.
"I can’t imagine anyone not being touched by this very poignant film." -Another Rainy Saturday
"The movie ends up affecting you in ways you will never expect, and if you see it with friends will inspire much talk about perseverance, health care, and loving one another than you might expect." —KEXP
Bike Polo Fundraiser
$10 Suggested Donation 2pm-4pm
Jul 10, 2010
Please join us for a sneak preview of the beginnings of our Bike Polo documentary. In addition there will be bike polo demonstrations (1 on 1 knife fights), beer and live music. Your donation of a suggested $10 will help support the making of our documentary by funding a camera crew and Team Smile (The Seattle Bike Polo Team), the current world champions, travel to the North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships in Madison, WI and onto the World Championship in Berlin.