Aug 13, 2019
Check out what’s playing at Cinematheque in the Now Playing section and purchase advance tickets. Download a PDF copy of the September / October program guide.
Sunset, László Nemes’ sophomore effort, maintains the POV style of his Oscar-winning masterpiece Son of Saul and is a chilling, complex and nerve-jangling experience. Did you know that the greatest Soviet war films were directed by Ukrainians? Sergei Bondarchuk’s stunning 1966 adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace is no exception. The new restoration is a must see. If you’ve seen it, see it again. Fredrik Gertten is one of the world’s greatest living documentary filmmakers. See Push to see why. Finally, do yourself a favour and see George Mihalka’s original 1981 classic of Canadian tax-shelter horror – My Bloody Valentine. It’s as darkly funny as it is terrifying (and gory). — Greg Klymkiw, Executive Director
I missed The Souvenir at Gimli Film Fest so I’m really excited to check it out. But the real star of the fall for me is being able to see the entirety of War and Peace. I hope to see all my fellow movieheads along the way for this four part behemoth! — Ryan Steel, Cinematheque Box Office and Projection
Block off your social calendar this fall for a cinematic feast – Sergei Bondarchuk’s unforgettable epic masterpiece War and Peace; A guest visit from Moncton-born experimental artist and filmmaker Amanda Dawn Christie and her doc about mysterious shortwave transmissions, Spectres of Shortwave; Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir – Grand jury prize winner at Sundance; Son of Saul director László Nemes’ chilling, beautifully photographed Sunset; stories and performances from pioneers of the 1960s Laurel Canyon music scene in Echo in The Canyon. I also highly recommend Marie-Helene Cousineau & Madeline Ivalu’s Restless River, featuring a sterling performance from Iqaluit actress Malaya Qauniq Chapman. — Dave Barber, Senior Cinematheque Programmer
In October we’ll be having a spooktacular time showcasing Aurora Gorealis, a selection of Canadian horror features paired with local shorts. I am very excited for The Gate which will be the start of our initiative to once again showcase 35mm prints. This initiative will build upon the ideas showcased in our Restoration Tuesdays screenings on showcasing the preservation of film history through the use of 35mm projection. — Eric Peterson, Cinematheque Head Projectionist
I was so excited to see we were getting Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love because I did not think I would get the chance to see it in a theatre. Leonard Cohen is a legend, and getting a glimpse into his inspirational love is exciting. I also cannot wait for The World Before Your Feet. It is such an interesting idea to walk every part of New York – a city celebrated for its cultural diversity. I know it’s going to be an insightful and moving experience. — Thomas Hanan, Cinematheque Box Office
I’m a big fan of epic cinema, so I was ecstatic to program the new restoration of War and Peace! The Souvenir and Sunset were a couple of my favourite selections from this summer’s Gimli Film Fest and I’m relishing the opportunity to see them again. I’ve been catching up with The Souvenir director Joanna Hogg’s older films this year and her beautifully-calculated mise en scéne floors me every time. What fun it’s been to co-program our Aurora Gorealis series with Jaimz. We were kids in a candy shop: tracking down maple-flavoured cinematic treats to share with you all. I’m particularly pleased about The Gate on 35mm! — David Knipe, Cinematheque Manager of Operations & Special Programming
Much like the two protagonists in Olivia Wilde’s fresh coming-of-age comedy, I missed out on life – and seeing Booksmart when it came and went from theatres – so I’m happy that we’re bringing it back for a limited run. David and I felt like kids playing in a sandbox programming Aurora Gorealis, our look back at classic Canuck Horror. The Gate remains one of my all-time favourite maple-horror flavours and I’m overjoyed that I’ll be able to mentally replace my worn-out VHS memory with our pristine 35mm screening courtesy of the AGFA! — Jaimz Asmundson, Cinematheque Programming Director
