THE ORDER OF MYTHS

Mardi Gras is a time to celebrate, but for many in Mobile, Alabama the holiday only highlights the racial lines drawn in the city. Director Margaret Brown leads the audience through the festival's many sides, following its mysticism and pageantry. But along the way, she reveals the cities two distinct carnivales, dividing the celebration between the races. On 

October 24th, 7 PM in Atlas 102  you can join IFS in its exploration of Fat Tuesday with director Margaret Brown. Don't miss your chance to meet the incredible director of THE ORDER OF MYTHS.

THE EXILES

"THE EXILES is a lost Los Angeles treasure about a culture that disappeared and haunting neighborhoods that are no more. That we have it with us again is little short of miraculous." Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

THE EXILES is the indie hit of 2008. This long lost documentary has not been seen in nearly 50 years. Recently revisited, Kent Mackenzie's THE EXILES has returned to screens in LA to great praise. It follows a group of Native American men and women in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles as they live the life of exiles, removed from southwest reservations. Today, the movie fascinates audiences as it did at the 1961 Venice Film Festival. Never released commercially, the film is a new treasure from a time passed and can be seen October 18th at 7 PM in the Muenzinger auditorium. Don't miss your chance to see this great movie for FREE with IFS. To hear more about THE EXILES, visit the following links to listen to author Sherman Alexie and filmmaker Charles Burnett discuss the movie on NPR:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93825629
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93825624&sc=emaf
http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=46!

"The film is receiving justifiable praise for its documentary aspects, but it's more than a historical record: Mackenzie (who passed away at 50 in 1980) was a serious filmmaker and THE EXILES is an observant, empathic, and haunting film with a street poetry all its own. Its nighttime photography is astonishingly vivid and immersive, perfectly capturing the architecture, faces, and bodies of its teeming urban setting." -Doug Cumming's Film Journey

Jacob's Rants

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” No, I’m not talking about Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I really love most everything about the Yuletide, but what I look forward to even more is the release of the IFS schedule every August. On the eve of the schedule’s release I’m like a kid anxiously waiting, continually looking up the chimney, thinking “how can PK fit all those movies in, it seems impossible.” But the reason I love it so much is because I’ve been deprived of quality arthouse film for far too long, 4 months to be exact. That’s too much time for a cinephile to go without seeing arthouse films on the big screen, and most importantly in 35mm. And what’s really great about this semester is this schedule is by far one of the best in years. The reason you ask, well, I’m a French New Wave fiend and I’m so happy that PK was able to program not 1, not 2, not just 3, but 4, count ‘em, 4 of the greatest films from the iconic film movement.

Another FREE Film

The secret is out: our second FREE film on a football day is SECRECY by Peter Galison and Robb Moss. This is a film about the secrecy in the United States Government. It discusses the issue of when secrets cause a problem in the government and when are they necessary to protect the nation. SECRECY brings to light the invisible side of government, the side you weren't supposed to see. You can watch the trailer at www.secrecyfilm.com/trailer.html.  If you dare delve into the unknown, join us on October 4th at 7 PM in Atlas 102. 

FIRST FREE FILM

Ok. We know you have all been waiting to know what the first free film will be on September, 18th. So are you ready? LE SAMOURAI. This great film by Jean-Pierre Melville follows a lonely assassin as he tries to escape police after a nightclub pianist witnesses him shooting the owner. A great french film noir, this is not one you want to miss. So please join us on the 18th at 7 PM in the Muenzinger Auditorium for our first FREE film.

Staff Picks

Here are some IFS Staff favorite Youtube Videos from the IFS Staff

RED HEROINE with the Devil Music Ensemble

On Wednesday, September 17th, the Devil Music Ensemble will preform their original live score to the silent martial arts film RED HEROINE (1929, directed by Wen Yimin). It is the only surviving episode of a 13-part series and is one of the earliest examples of silent "Kung Fu" films. The screening of the film will be a once in a lifetime experience. DME is a trio of multi talented musicians from Boston comprised of Brendon Wood, Jonah Rapino, and Tim Nylander. The group is known for its work on silent film composition. They bring to life old films with modern day music (as well as composing for more recent films). The 2008 RED HEROINE tour (sponsored by the Boston Asian Community Development Corporation) is only one of their many tours. They have ventured across the US on 6 different tours and 2 across Europe. Now they are bringing audiences the thrilling story of the woman warrior Yun Mei avenging her grandmothers death. So come out and see this unique show and enjoy some live music

Notes from the IFS desk - Aug 6, 08

Greetings,

Staff is currently putting the finishing touches on the Fall 08 IFS calendar, website, and this - our new feature - the IFS BLOG. Why a blog? Because we want to create a forum for local cinema lovers, one that we hope will expand celluloid appreciation. Also: in the past we've avoided showing films on the same day as football games because parking is a nightmare. I used to resent football and admit to never having cared for sports in general (probably from being beat up by jocks throughout my childhood). Believe me, I tried. But watching strangers toss a ball back and forth doesn't compare, for me, against the humanistic struggles and dramas that cinema can convey. But I admire the discipline of the sports fan. They pay a small fortune, devote an entire day to their thing, park miles away, take a bus in, wait in long lines, baste in the sun, and show a ton of dedication. Why should film geeks be any different? I decided to put on free shows on those days to reward the dedication of film geeks everywhere who are willing to eschew their cars for a day to bike or walk to campus to see a quality film. Will you take my challenge? If so - I'll consider making it a regular event.

Pablo Kjolseth
IFS Director