LA Area! Argento, Rollin, Soavi and More!
Kimberly
-- Thursday, August 17 - 7:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Charlton Heston In Person!! Brand New 35 mm. Print!
PLANET OF THE APES, 1968, 20th Century Fox, 119 min. Dir. Franklin
Schaffner. One of the greatest modern sci-fi films, a combination of
apocalyptic action and evolutionary parable. Astronaut Charlton Heston finds
himself stranded on a strangely-familiar world; dominated by a race of
highly-intelligent gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans. Featuring
amazingly-realistic monkey make-up by John Chambers, and a superb script by
Rod Serling and Michael Wilson, based on Pierre Boulle's acclaimed novel.
Discussion following with actor Charlton Heston.
Thursday, August 17 - 10:15 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
U.S. Theatrical Premiere!
POSSESSED (BESAT), 1999, Zentropa/Trust Film Sales, 99 min. Dir. Anders
Ronnow-Klarlund. A Danish scientist (Ole Lemmeke) studying Ebola-type
plagues receives startling evidence that evil may in fact be a virus, in
this fast-moving nailbiter from Lars von Trier's Zentropa Productions,
mixing supernatural horror, astrological and science-fiction motifs - and
culminating in a truly frightening climax. With Udo Kier (THE KINGDOM) as a
fanatical renegade priest out to stop the satanic virus at any cost. Actor
Udo Kier will introduce the screening.
Friday, August 18 - 7:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
U.S. Premiere! Lost Japanese Horror Classic!!
HELL (JIGOKU), 1960, Kokusai Hoei, 100 min. Dir. Nobuo Nakagawa. This
horrifically surreal vision of the underworld resembles Disneyland designed
by the Marquis de Sade. Shigeru Amachi stars as a theology student led
astray by nihilistic pal Yoichi Numata; their reckless pranks lead to the
hit-and-run driving death of a drunken yakuza and the eventual poisoning of
a group of party guests - after which is everyone is sent straight to Hell!
The last half-hour of the film, featuring grotesque ogres, burning wheels of
fire and mist-filled rivers of the damned, must be seen to be believed. The
programming staff of the Cinematheque highly recommends this one which may
not be familiar to American audiences. Print Courtesy the Japan Foundation.
Friday, August 18 - 9:15 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
L.A. Theatrical Premiere!
FUDOH: THE NEW GENERATIONS, 1996, GaGa Communications, 100 min. An insanely
perverse live-action manga, starring Shosuke Tanihara as Ricki Fudoh, an
18-year old yakuza who controls a gang of grade-school assassins and
gorgeous teenage strippers capable of killing in unheard-of ways. When Fudoh
's own father decides to have him eliminated, an all-out war erupts
featuring some of the most astounding action this side of a John Woo flick.
FUDOH is the break-out film from one of Japan's most explosively talented
young directors, Takashi Miike. Warning: FUDOH features scenes of graphic
violence and sexual situations. No one under 18 will be admitted.
Friday, August 18 - 11:30 PM
*DARK WATERS has been moved to Aug. 25
Saturday, August 19 - 5:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Director Joseph Newman In Person!! Rare I.B. Technicolor Print!
THIS ISLAND EARTH, 1955, Universal, 86 min. Scientists Rex Reason and Faith
Domergue are kidnapped and transported through space to help save a dying
planet, Metaluna, in this sublime classic of metaphysical 50's sci-fi - seen
here in a stunning, original dye-transfer print. Don't miss this rare chance
to hear one of Hollywood's living legends, Joseph Newman (711 OCEAN DRIVE)
share his memories of directing THIS ISLAND EARTH (he may also share his
memories of working at the Egyptian Theatre the day it opened in 1922 .!)
Discussion following with director Joseph Newman.
Saturday, August 19 - 7:30 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Italian Horror Maestros Michele Soavi & Dario Argento - Double Header!!
STAGEFRIGHT (DELIRIA), 1987, Italy, 95 min. The debut feature from director
Michele Soavi (CEMETERY MAN), a former assistant to Argento and now regarded
as one of the heavyweights in Italian horror. An escaped psychotic killer
ravages the ranks of a theatrical troupe, all the time hiding his face
beneath the giant owls' head mask formerly belonging to the murdered lead
actor. A bravura rollercoaster of suspense that asks: will heroine Barbara
Cupisti be able to turn the tables? Or will she succumb to the carnage
herself? "The best Italian horror film of the 1980's" - Quentin Tarantino.
OPERA, 1987, MGM/UA, 100 min. One of director Dario Argento's greatest
masterpieces, OPERA is a tour-de-force of deliriously cinematic set-pieces
surrounding the murderous production of an operatic version of "Macbeth."
(The script was inspired by Argento's own attempt to mount "Rigoletto"!)
Argento's camera moves like a thing possessed: swooping, gliding, tracking
a bullet through a peephole, and in one mindbending shot, whirling around
the opera house on raven's wings. *The Church was the previously announced
film in this time slot. A complete print of it could not be found so opera
will screen in its place.
Saturday, August 19 - 11:15 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
BURN, WITCH, BURN (aka NIGHT OF THE EAGLE), 1962, MGM/UA, 90 min. Dir.
Sidney Hayers. Professor Peter Wyngarde, a fervent debunker of all things
supernatural, discovers that his scholastic success is due to voodoo spells
cast by wife Janet Blair. When he forces her to give up her talismans and
spells, the demonic forces of darkness descend, in this much-underrated
horror classic that rivals THE INNOCENTS and CURSE OF THE DEMON in
intelligent, hair-raising chills. Adapted by screenwriters Charles Beaumont
and Richard Matheson from Fritz Leiber's novel Conjure Wife.
Sunday, August 20 - 5:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Lost 60's Psychedelic Horror Classic! Brand New 35 mm. Print!!
A QUIET PLACE IN THE COUNTRY, 1968, MGM/UA, 106 min. Avant-garde painter
Franco Nero suffers from paranoid dreams brought on by the noise and
pollution of urban life -- so he coaxes his mercenary agent (and lover)
Vanessa Redgrave to rent him a dilapidated rural villa where he can finally
get some work done. But Nero's personal demons pursue him as he finds the
house haunted by the vengeful ghost of a girl killed at the close of WWII.
Director Elio Petri (THE 10TH VICTIM) creates a terrifyingly funny,
surrealistic tour-de-force that is a kinetic visual feast of bizarre images
and juxtapositions.
Sunday, August 20 - 7:15 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Hong Kong Fantasy Master Tsui Hark - Double-Feature!!
ZU, WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN, 1982, Tai Seng, 94 min. Dir. Tsui
Hark. One of the ultimate sword-and-sorcery extravaganzas. A disaffected
warrior under the tutelage of two monks is drawn into a harrowing struggle
amongst sorcerers and demons for world domination. Can he rescue the
beautiful princess and prevent the re-emergence of the godlike Blood
Monster?! Starring Adam Cheng, Yuen Biao, Brigitte Lin and Sammo Hung, with
incredible fight choreography by experts Hung, Corey Yuen, and Ching
Siu-Tung (from THE CHINESE GHOST STORY trilogy.)
WE'RE GOING TO EAT YOU (DIYU WE MEN), 1980, Hong Kong, 90 min. Director Tsui
Hark melds kung-fu pyrotechnics with THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE in this
jawdropping, edge-of-your-seat horror-comedy. In turn-of-the-century China,
a suave, swellheaded police agent pursues a nefarious criminal across the
river into a forgotten backwater village where all the inhabitants just
happen to be cannibals! Supremely entertaining and ultra-rare.
Wednesday, August 23 - 7:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
THE MASTERS OF TIME (LES MAÎTRES DU TEMPS), 1982, Roissy Films, 78 min. An
8-year old boy is marooned on an alien planet dominated by swarms of giant
bees, and an aging astronaut and two telepathic gnomes are forced to come to
his rescue, in French animator René Laloux's marvelous follow-up to his
classic FANTASTIC PLANET. Unreleased in the U.S., MASTERS was designed by
noted graphic artist Moebius. A deliriously rare treat for animation and
sci-fi buffs. Production Designer Moebius will appear for a discussion
following the screening.
Wednesday, August 23 - 8:45 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Tribute to British Horror Legend Michael Reeves
A documentary about Michael Reeves "The Blood of the Beast: Michael Reeves
(25 min.) has been added to this program. It will start at 9:00 PM and
everything else will follow.
THE WITCHFINDER GENERAL (aka THE CONQUEROR WORM), 1968, MGM/UA, 98 min.
Although he made only four features before his tragic death from a drug
overdose at age 25, British director Michael Reeves left an indelible mark
on gothic horror with his brooding tales of madness and hysteria. THE
WITCHFINDER GENERAL stars Vincent Price as real-life witch-hunter Matthew
Hopkins, dedicated to ridding England of suspected satanists, and instead
falling prey to his own horrifying, repressive methods. Co-starring Ian
Ogilvy and Hilary Dwyer.
THE SORCERERS, 1967, Allied Artists (Warner Classics), 87 min. Dir. Michael
Reeves. Boris Karloff stars as Dr. Marcus Monsarrat, an elderly doctor who
possesses a secret device that allows him to impose his consciousness, BEING
JOHN MALKOVICH-style, on other people and live vicariously through them. Ian
Ogilvy co-stars as the swinging teenager taken over by Karloff's mind, in
Reeves' disturbing psycho-thriller.
Discussion between films with producer Philip Waddilove (WITCHFINDER
GENERAL).
Friday, August 25 - 7:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Clive Barker In Person!!
HELLRAISER, 1987, Swank, 94 min. Director/writer Clive Barker's astonishing
fusion of supernatural horror and otherworldly fantasy stars Andrew Robinson
and Clare Higgins as an unsuspecting British couple who come face to face
with magical puzzle-boxes, skeletal ex-lovers and the Cenobites, a
sado-masochistic race of pin-headed demons. "A return to the cutting edge of
horror . inventively gruesome." - Phil Hardy. Discussion following with
director Clive Barker and actress Ashley Laurence.
Friday, August 25 - 9:30 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
U.S. Theatrical Premiere!
THE ARCANE ENCHANTER, 1996, RAI Trade, 98 min. Gorgeous, atmospheric Italian
horror in the tradition of Mario Bava and Riccardo Freda, from the acclaimed
director of ZEDER, Pupi Avati. In 18th-century Bologna, a young novice,
Giacomo, is banished for sexual misconduct; he finds employment as
apprentice to an infamous necromancer known as the Arcane Enchanter. As
master and pupil begin to practice ancient, hermetic rituals and attempt to
contact the dead, Giacomo becomes aware of a terrifying evil waiting to
engulf them. Starring Carlo Cecchi, Stefano Dionisi.
Friday, August 25 - 11:30 PM (*Castle of Blood will play on Sun, Sept. 10 @
7:30 PM)
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
L.A. Theatrical Premiere! Director Mariano Baino In Person!
DARK WATERS, 1994, Italy/Yugoslavia, 93 min. Something strange is going on
in an isolated convent on a forgotten island in the Black Sea, and British
Louise Salter, whose late father subsidized the religious order, is bent on
unraveling the nightmarish mystery. Just who do these nuns worship - God or
Satan? Or perhaps a mixture of both?? Director Mariano Baino conjures up a
supernatural world of half-glimpsed madness, painting a waking nightmare
from the same vibrant pallette that Bava, Argento, Soavi and Avati have
drawn from. Primitive, real-life locations jack the goosebumps up that extra
notch.
Saturday, August 26 - 5:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Director Alex Proyas In Person!!
DARK CITY, 1998, New Line, 100 min. One of the most spectacularly visual
sci-fi/fantasies of the past decade. Trapped in a city of never-ending
night, suspected serial killer Rufus Sewell and Jennifer Connelly try to
evade the omnipotent, space-shifting aliens who control their existence.
Director and co-writer Alex Proyas' breathtaking vision of paranoia run amok
combines elements of German Expressionism, 1940's film noir, and
21st-century cinema wizardry into a non-stop thrill-ride of epic dimensions.
A film that demands to be seen on the big screen.
We are very excited that director Alex Proyas will be traveling from his
home in Australia to join us for this screening!
Saturday, August 26 - 7:30 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Ultra-Rare Lesbian Vampire Double-Header!!
CAGED VIRGINS (REQUIEM POUR UN VAMPIRE), 1971, Harry Novak, 88 min. One of
the very few Jean Rollin pictures that actually saw American release, CAGED
VIRGINS is a lyrically obsessive erotic poem of sex and death. Bankrobbing
waifs Marie-Pierre Castel and Mirielle Dargent flee through the haunted
French countryside at last finding refuge in the crumbling castle of an
undead count and his vampire minions. Stunningly beautiful with a bewitching
catalogue of images influenced by silent film, surrealist painting, comic
strips and a disturbingly provincial Catholicism.
VAMPYRES - DAUGHTERS OF DRACULA, 1974, U.K./Spain, 84 min. Dir. Josef
Larraz. Arguably one of the most perversely erotic, intoxicating horror
films ever made. Lesbian murder victims Marianne Morris and Anulka return
from the dead as hitchhiking vampires, luring lonely motorists to their doom
as they pass the pair's creepy country estate. Plus short, "Le Ciel de Sang"
(The Sky of Blood), 1972, 3 min. A stark B&W tale of an 18th century female
vampire directed by the Cinematheque's own Chris D., recalling equal parts
Hammer and Rollin, with a Buñuelian shock ending.
Saturday, August 26 - 11:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
BERNIE, 1996, Canal +, 87 min. A hopelessly-insane man-child, Bernie,
releases himself from a mental hospital, determined to find the parents who
dumped him in a garbage chute as a baby, in French director/actor Albert
Dupontel's hilariously grotesque comedy - a kind of Frank
Hennenlotter-meets-Paul Bartel gore-and-laugh fest. After Bernie discovers
his father living in a homeless camp, he and Dad annihilate a household of
uppercrust bourgeoisie trying to "liberate" his mother. Together, the three
create a savage, tasteless parody of a normal loving family. With Claude
Perron, Roland Blanche.
Sunday, August 27 - 5:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Richard Matheson In Person!!
THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, 1957, Universal, 81 min. Dir. Jack Arnold.
Based on his novel and screenplay, writer Richard Matheson's landmark sci-fi
story stars Grant Williams as a man who begins to shrink uncontrollably
after he's exposed to nuclear fallout. As he grows smaller and smaller,
everyday objects - and animals -- take on a terrifying dimension. A stunning
re-imagining of the world we live in, from the author of I Am Legend and
countless film & television programs including HOUSE OF USHER, THE RAVEN,
DUEL, and "The Twilight Zone."
Discussion following with author Richard Matheson.
Sunday, August 27 - 7:30 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Richard Matheson In Person!!
SOMEWHERE IN TIME, 1980, Universal, 104 min. Dir. Jeannot Szwarc.
Christopher Reeve stars as a forlorn playwright who falls in love with the
painting of a woman who died years before - then literally wills himself
back in time to meet her. Jane Seymour co-stars in this lovely, intoxicating
fantasy, one of the most ridiculously romantic films ever made - based on
screenwriter Richard Matheson's own novel, Bid Time Return.
Author/screenwriter Richard Matheson scheduled to introduce screenings.
Friday, September 8 - 7:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Nathan Juran In Person!!
THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, 1958, Columbia, 87 min. Director Nathan Juran's
marvelous fantasy follows the adventures of Sinbad (Kerwin Mathews) as he
battles a phenomenal gallery of giant cyclops, two-headed birds, dragons and
swordfighting skeletons, to save beautiful princess Kathryn Grant. Featuring
one of Bernard Herrmann's most memorable scores and astounding stop-motion
animation by the legendary Ray Harryhausen. Discussion following with
director Nathan Juran.
Friday, September 8 - 9:30 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN, 1958, Allied Artists (Warner Bros.), 66 min.
Dir. Nathan Juran (aka Nathan Hertz.) The absurdly surreal, over-the-top
pinnacle of 1950's sci-fi matinee thrillers. A rich alcoholic housewife
(played by drive-in icon Allison Hayes) encounters a giant alien in the
desert and then grows to mammoth proportions from his radioactive touch. To
complicate matters, her oily husband Harry (William Hudson) is two-timing
her with voluptuous barfly Yvette Vickers, and Hayes uses her newfound size
to even the score! Much like fellow Allied Artists alumni Roger Corman,
director Juran makes every shot and every dollar count, and keeps the action
moving at all costs.
Saturday, September 9 - 6:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
Nathan Juran In Person!!
FIRST MEN IN THE MOON, 1964, Columbia, 103 min. Dir. Nathan Juran. In Juran'
s extremely entertaining adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel, turn-of the
century British inventor Lionel Jeffries enlists Edward Judd and fiancee
Martha Hyer in his scheme to reach the moon using anti-gravity paint. Once
the trio hits the lunar landscape, they're captured by a weird subterranean
insect race, the Selenites, and we're treated to some of Ray Harryhausen's
most enjoyable special effects. An infectious blend of Victorian sci-fi,
sweet humor and high adventure.
Discussion following with director Nathan Juran.
Saturday, September 9 - 8:45 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS, 1958, Ivy Films, 70 min. Dir. Nathan Juran (aka
Nathan Hertz.) Atomic scientist John Agar's body is usurped by an evil
superbrain from space and proceeds to aim for world domination with his
death-ray vision! The new Agar also possesses an uncontrollable libido that
fiancee Joyce Meadows somehow fails to appreciate. Meanwhile, a good
superbrain tracks the evil one to Earth, hiding inside Meadows' German
Shepherd (!), in a plot to foil the insane monster. What are you waiting
for??
20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH, 1957, Columbia, 82 min. An American spaceship
returning from Venus crashlands off of Sicily with two passengers on board -
pilot William Hopper, and a miniature reptile, who soon grows to monstrous
proportions in Earth's atmosphere. Director Nathan Juran's first
collaboration with F/X wizard Ray Harryhausen features a
surprisingly-sympathetic monster, and an astounding climactic battle at the
Roman Colosseum.
Actors John Agar and Robert Fuller will speak between the films.
Sunday, September 10 - 5:00 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
JACK THE GIANT KILLER, 1962, MGM/UA, 94 min. Juran's most underrated fantasy
film, JACK THE GIANT KILLER follows the adventures of a young farmer (Kerwin
Mathews) who slays a marauding giant - and incurs the wrath of a sorcerer
(Torin Thatcher) bent on controlling England. Juran skillfully blends
SINBAD-style adventure with a surprisingly-dark touch - including a truly
terrifying attack at sea by hordes of glowing witches, and a sweet-faced
young princess (Judi Meredith) who is transformed into her lusciously-wicked
mirror image by the sorcerer!
Sunday, September 10 - 7:30 PM
FANTASY/SCI-FI FEST
CASTLE OF BLOOD (LA DANZA MACABRA), 1964, Italy, 85 min. Alongside BLACK
SUNDAY and THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK this is Barbara Steele's shining hour
and director Antonio Margheriti's masterpiece, a gruesome, spine-tingling
and perversely beautiful hymn to love from beyond the grave. A visiting
American journalist (George Riviere) is challenged by Edgar Allan Poe and
friend Lord Blackwood to stay overnight in the latter's haunted castle. What
he finds there is a unrequited love for tragic ghost Elizabeth (Steele) and
a host of undead murder victims thirsty for his blood.
"Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must
lead"-Charles Bukowski