Film Independent at LACMA Double Bills

January 30, 2012

This and next week, Film Independent at LACMA is hosting three nights of fascinating double bills. If you are not yet a LACMA Film Club member, now would be a great time to join. From neo-noir to political conspiracies to true classics, these interesting pairings are not to be missed.

This Thursday, the films focus on ambitious Danish director and screenwriter Lars von Trier. The evening starts with Von Trier’s 1991 noir-soaked thriller set in postwar Germany—Zentropa (aka Europa).

Zentropa is followed by Von Trier's Medea, an atmospheric and intimate adaptation of the Greek myth of a woman scorned by her lover. Von Trier's version was originally made for television and was based on a screenplay by famed Danish director Carl Theodor Dreyer.

Friday’s films were just announced today! Critically acclaimed actor Gary Oldman, who recently earned his first Academy Award nomination for his role in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, will be in conversation in between screenings of two of his celebrated films. Starring alongside Sean Penn, Ed Harris, Robin Wright, and John C. Reilly, Oldman portrays an Irish mobster in the 1990 neo-noir film State of Grace, which was inspired by the real-life Hell’s Kitchen gang The Westies. Please note that State of Grace is only open to LACMA Film Club, Film Independent, New York Times Film Club, and LACMA members.

After the conversation, we will screen The Contender, in which Oldman plays Republican congressman Shelly Runyon.

Next Friday, February 10, Film Independent at LACMA continues its celebration of Paramount Pictures’ centennial with two films directed by Sidney J. Furie that feature Richard Pryor teamed with Billy Dee Williams. The first is the award-winning film Lady Sings the Blues, a Billie Holiday biopic starring Diana Ross. The 1972 film was nominated for five Academy Awards and its beautiful soundtrack hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

The celebration continues with Paramount’s 1973 action film Hit!, the story of a CIA agent seeking to avenge the death of his daughter.

Alex Capriotti