See 2020 WFF Selection BALLOON for Free!

Thursday, March 25th, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

UPDATE: We have reached the free viewing limit for Balloon. This Cinematheque selection is "SOLD OUT". 

While our campus theatrical venues remain closed, the Cinematheque is continuing our series of movies you can watch at home for free with another superb international drama that was originally selected to screen at the 2020 Wisconsin Film Festival, Pema Tseden's marvelous Balloon.

BALLOON (China | 2019 | 102 min. | In Chinese and Tibetan with English subtitles | Director: Pema Tseden)

It’s the early 1980s in rural Tibet, where three generations of a shepherd family live at the crux of tradition and modernity. Balloon’s playful sensibility is evident from the start: its very first images are glimpsed through the hazy sheen of an inflated piece of latex being playing with by two brothers, unaware that the “balloon” they discovered in their parents’ bedroom is actually their last condom. Practically, this omen isn’t so funny, as China has recently instituted its one-child policy, and the family can’t afford the penalty of having another. The coincidental timing of a sudden death and an unplanned pregnancy exposes them to a profound moral dilemma between the Buddhist belief in reincarnation and China’s restrictive family planning laws. Director Pema Tseden has achieved global stature as Tibet’s most acclaimed filmmaker, but at home he is also known as an accomplished author. This novelist’s sensibility shines through in Balloon, as social and ethical pressures combine to rupture a previously content family. (Mike King). A selection of the 2019 Venice Film Festival and the 2020 Wisconsin Film Festival. 

"Beautiful, funny, and tragic… both a gorgeously intimate family drama and an idiosyncratic artistic statement flecked with humor and sorrow” (Variety).

Balloon is now available to view at home for a limited time. To receive instructions on how to view the movie, send an email to info@cinema.wisc.edu and simply remember to include the word BALLOON in the subject line. No further message is necessary.

Stay healthy and safe. We value your support for the Cinematheque and we look forward to being able to watch movies with you soon in the proper cinematic settings of 4070 Vilas Hall and the Chazen Museum of Art.

Cinematalk Podcast #34: THE MARKSMAN, with Screenwriter Danny Kravitz

Thursday, March 18th, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

Tying-in to the Cinematheque's free presentation of The Marksman, this episode of Cinematalk features the Cinematheque's Jim Healy in conversation with screenwriter Danny Kravitz, who co-wrote The Marksman with Sun Prairie, WI resident Chris Charles. A former student of film within our Department of Communication Arts and graduate of UW Madison, Danny Kravitz spoke to us from his home in Chicago, where he teaches screenwriting at Columbia College. 

Listen to this episode of Cinematalk below or subscribe through Apple Podcasts.

See Liam Neeson in THE MARKSMAN For Free!

Thursday, March 18th, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

While our campus theatrical venues remain closed, the Cinematheque is continuing our series of movies you can watch at home for free with the recently released action drama, The Marksman, starring Liam Neeson and featuring a screenplay co-written by UW Madison alum Danny Kravitz.  

THE MARKSMAN (USA | 2021 | 108 min. | Directed by Robert Lorenz) Neeson stars as Jim, an aging, widowed rancher living along the Arizona-Mexico border who is faced with losing his property. Jim’s life is thrown into further turmoil when he decides to protect Miguel (Jacob Perez), a young boy who has been pursued into the U.S. by vicious and determined cartel assassins. While Jim relies on his wits and his mysterious military past to deliver Miguel to safety in Chicago, a special bond develops between the two that provides the unexpectedly touching heart at the center of this contemporary Western and road movie. 

Beginning Thursday, March 18 through Sunday March 21st only, the Cinematheque is providing a limited number of opportunities to view The Marksman at home for free. To receive access to view the movie, send an email to info@cinema.wisc.edu and simply remember to include the word MARKSMAN in the subject line. No further message is necessary. 

On a new episode of our Cinematalk podcast, our special guest is Danny Kravitz who co-wrote the screenplay of The Marksman with Sun Prairie, WI resident Chris Charles. A former student of film within our Department of Communication Arts and graduate of UW Madison, Danny Kravitz spoke to us from his home in Chicago, where he teaches screenwriting at Columbia College. Listen to Cinematalk below or subscribe through Apple Podcasts.

Stay healthy and safe. We value your support for the Cinematheque and we look forward to being able to watch movies with you soon in the proper cinematic settings of 4070 Vilas Hall and the Chazen Museum of Art.

Cinematalk Podcast #33: THIS IS NOT A BURIAL, IT'S A RESURRECTION with Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese

Sunday, March 14th, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

As a supplement to the Cinematheque and WUD Film presentation of This is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection, this episode of Cinematalk features Programmer Mike King in discussion with writer/director Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese. 

This is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection screened to great critical acclaim at last year's Sundance and Venice Film Festivals and was also a selection of the 2020 Wisconsin Film Festival.

Listen to the episode below or subscribe to Cinematalk through Apple Podcasts.

See THIS IS NOT A BURIAL, IT'S A RESURRECTION for Free!

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

The Cinematheque has partnered with WUD Film Committee to bring you another in our series of free, view-at-home movies. Beginning at 12 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, we are offering a limited number of viewing opportunities for the acclaimed African production, This is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection. Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese's drama screened to great critical acclaim at last year's Sundance and Venice Film Festivals and was also a selection of the 2020 Wisconsin Film Festival.

This is Not a Burial will be available for screening until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 14. See below for instructions on how to access the movie for free. On Saturday, March 13 at 1 p.m., writer/director Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese will participate in a live discussion and Q&A moderated by the Cinematheque's Mike King. You can join this Zoom session here. Instructions on how to access the Q&A will also be provided to anyone requesting to view the movie. The Cinematheque will later provide the audio portion of this discussion and Q&A as an episode of our Cinematalk podcast.

THIS IS NOT A BURIAL, IT'S A RESURRECTION (Lesotho, South Africa, Italy | 2019 | 120 min. | Southern Soto with English subtitles | Director: Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese)

Manota’s not about to budge for anyone, least of all some pesky government officials who want to relocate her entire community just to make way for a dam. This tough woman has spent all of her 80 years in her remote village in the mountains of Lesotho and is resolved to stay put even after her death. Her standoff is at the center of this stunningly crafted cinematic experience, which director Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese based on the life of his grandmother. The premise may be rooted in reality, but Mosese treats it with a visionary style, heightening this fable-like tale through an exceptionally rich combination of sound and image. This first narrative feature by a native Lesotho director introduces a vital new voice in global art cinema. Special Jury Award for Visionary Filmmaking, 2020 Sundance Film Festival. (Mike King)

“Every once in a while, a movie reinvigorates one’s faith in the artistic capacity of an entire medium through pure intuition of form and mastery of intent… This Is Not A Burial, It’s A Resurrection is that rare gem of a film that falls into an unclassifiable category” (The Playlist).

“Unforgettable. Mosese’s mise-en-scène and camerawork are breathtaking” (Slant). 

To receive instructions on how to view This is Not a Burial at home, send an email to info@cinema.wisc.edu and simply remember to include the word LESOTHO in the subject line of the email. No further message is necessary.

Stay healthy and safe. We value your support for the Cinematheque and we look forward to being able to watch movies with you soon in the proper cinematic settings of 4070 Vilas Hall and the Chazen Museum of Art.

Cinematalk Podcast #32: Litza Bixler

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

As a supplement to the Cinematheque's double feature presentation of The World's End and Metropolisour special guest on this episode of Cinematalk is Litza Bixler: choreographer, filmmaker, movement director, visual artist and screenwriter. She has produced work on stage, screen, and art galleries and has been a working artist and educator since 1995. Her work in feature films includes contributions to three movies directed by Edgar Wright, Shaun of the Dead (2004), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010, and The World’s End (2013). She also served as choreographer for the 2014 jukebox musical Walking on Sunshine and the 2014 salsa dance comedy Cuban Fury starring Nick Frost, Rashida Jones, and Chris O’Dowd.

Litza Bixler talks with the Cinematheque's Jim Healy about her career journey as an artist, her contributions to the movies of Edgar Wright, the influences of Metropolis, and the collaborative process of filmmaking. 

Bixler is currently Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence in UW Madison's Division of the Arts' Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program. The program brings innovative artists to UW Madison’s campus to teach semester-long, interdepartmental courses and to publicly present their work for campus and community audiences. The program is funded through the university’s Office of the Provost. The spring 2021 Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program is presented by the UW Madison Division of the Arts and hosted by the Dance Department with Professor Li Chiao-Ping as lead faculty. Co-sponsors include the Art Department and Department of Communication Arts.

Listen to Cinematalk below or subscribe through Apple Podcasts.

March 4-7 only: See THE WORLD'S END & METROPOLIS For Free!

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

Beginning Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m. through Sunday, March 7 at 7 p.m., the UW Cinematheque, in collaboration with the UW Madison Division of the Arts Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program, will present a special free view-at-home double feature of The World’s End and Metropolis. The program was specially curated by current Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence Litza Bixler.

THE WORLD’S END (UK, 2013, 109 min., Directed by Edgar Wright) Fast approaching middle age and hoping to recapture the excitement of a legendary evening from his youth, the perpetually irresponsible and immature Gary King (Simon Pegg) rounds up four old school buddies: Andy (Nick Frost), Oliver (Martin Freeman), Steven (Paddy Considine), and Peter (Eddie Marsan). The group’s mission to re-create a debaucherous and never completed pub crawl in their small British hometown is potentially thwarted by the realization that the citizens in the village have been replaced by a mysterious, non-human species that our heroes eventually refer to as “blanks.”

Following Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007), the third feature in director Wright’s genre-blending trilogy of acclaimed comedies (each co-written with leading man Pegg) is a hilarious and action-packed sci-fi satire featuring a uniquely collective villain. In order to make the comically creepy “blanks” visually memorable, director Wright once again recruited frequent collaborator Litza Bixler to choreograph the movements of the performers.

METROPOLIS (Germany, 1927, 149 min., Directed by Fritz Lang) With this science fiction epic, Lang brought to the screen one of the most ambitious and iconic movies ever made. The story takes place in a city of the future, in which slaves toil underground for a ruling class that lives above in an urban utopia. Amidst this setting, two young idealists hope to unite the workers and bring the two worlds together while a mad scientist’s robotic creation threatens to topple Metropolis.

Lang's prescient vision of an urban world in disarray was restored to its original premiere length when over 20 minutes of footage missing for over 80 years was discovered in South America! Metropolis, in its various versions, has still remained the most iconic of all movies about futuristic cities gone to hell. This Cinematheque-at-home presentation will allow viewers to experience Lang’s complete vision. The director employs specific and rhythmic choreography of both performers and moving machine parts, a stylistic touch that has been a continual inspiration for artist Litza Bixler, who personally selected Metropolis for this presentation.

Both movies will be available for viewing beginning Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m. To receive instructions on how to view both movies for free, send an email to info@cinema.wisc.edu and simply remember to include the code BIXLER in the subject line. No further message is necessary. Both movies will be available through Sunday, March 7 at 7 p.m.

On a new episode of our Cinematalk podcast our special guest is Litza Bixler, choreographer, filmmaker, movement director, visual artist and screenwriter. She has produced work on stage, screen, and art galleries and has been a working artist and educator since 1995. Her work in feature films includes contributions to three movies directed by Edgar Wright, Shaun of the Dead (2004), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010, and The World’s End (2013). She also served as choreographer for the 2014 jukebox musical Walking on Sunshine and the 2014 salsa dance comedy Cuban Fury starring Nick Frost, Rashida Jones, and Chris O’Dowd.  Bixler is currently Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence in UW Madison’s Division of the Arts’ Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program. The program brings innovative artists to UW Madison’s campus to teach semester-long, interdepartmental courses and to publicly present their work for campus and community audiences. The program is funded through the university’s Office of the Provost. The spring 2021 Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program is presented by the UW Madison Division of the Arts and hosted by the Dance Department with Professor Li Chiao-Ping as lead faculty. Co-sponsors include the Art Department and Department of Communication Arts.

Listen to Litza Bixler on Cinematalk below, or subscribe through Apple Podcasts.

Cinematalk Podcast #31: FAUNA, with Nicolas Pereda

Thursday, February 25th, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

As a listening companion to the LACIS and Cinematheque presentation of Fauna, this episode of Cinematalk features our Mike King in discussion with the movie's writer, director, and editor, Nicolas Pereda. Pereda's work has been the subject of more than 30 retrospectives worldwide in venues such as Anthology Film Archive, Pacific Film Archive, Jeonju International Film Festival and TIFF Cinematheque.  Fauna premiered at the 2020 Toronto Film Festival, and has gone on to play the New York, San Sebastian, and Los Cabos Film Festivals. Listen to Cinematalk below or subscribe to Cinematalk through Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Fauna is presented with the support of UW Madison’s Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program (LACIS).

LACIS Presents FAUNA - See it for Free!

Thursday, February 25th, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

UPDATE: We have reached our limit of free views of Fauna. You can still listen to our podacst with Nicolas Pareda here on our blog.

Beginning February 25 at 5 p.m., the Cinematheque continues its free view-at-home series with Nicolas Pareda’s Fauna, a witty and playful new movie from Mexico that earned critical acclaim at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Fauna is presented with the support of UW Madison’s Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program (LACIS), as is our ongoing return Cinematheque-at-Home engagement of Fernanda Valadez’ Identifying Features

FAUNA (Mexico/Canada, 2020, 70 min., Spanish with English subtitles, Directed by Nicolas Pereda) In a run-down Mexican mining town, Luisa brings her boyfriend Paco home to meet her family. They’re both actors, and the visit grows increasingly (and hilariously) awkward as Luisa’s father becomes fascinated by Paco’s minor role in a television phenomenon. Fauna’s exploration of performance deepens as the film reinvents itself halfway through, reconfiguring its characters into a mystery plot set at a nearby hotel. Scenes and characters begin to repeat and revise each other’s earlier incarnations, creating a deadpan mindbender that grows more entrancing with each beguiling detour, and invites a parallel universe of interpretations (Mike King).

“Lyrical, haunting, and at times extraordinarily funny… melted and then reconstituted my movie-addled mind” (The Globe & Mail).

“Uniquely profound and sometimes hilarious, Fauna is one of Pereda’s most memorable, enjoyable, and poignant works” (The Gate).

For a limited time, the Cinematheque is offering an opportunity to view Fauna at home for free. To request a viewing of Fauna, send an email to info@cinema.wisc.edu and simply remember to place the word FAUNA in the subject line. No further message is necessary. Fauna is presented with the support of UW Madison’s Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program (LACIS).

 

On a new episode of Cinematalk, the official Cinematheque podcast, our guest is Nicolas Pereda, the writer, director, and editor of Fauna. His work has been the subject of more than 30 retrospectives worldwide in venues such as Anthology Film Archive, Pacific Film Archive, Jeonju International Film Festival and TIFF Cinematheque.  Fauna premiered at the 2020 Toronto Film Festival, and has gone on to play the New York, San Sebastian, and Los Cabos Film Festivals. Listen to Mike King talk with Nicolas Pereda here on our blog, or subscribe to Cinematalk through Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

See a Restoration of Sembene's MANDABI for Free!

Thursday, February 18th, 2021
Posted by Jim Healy

UPDATE (3/9/21): Our licensing period for Mandabi has expired. The movie is now available to watch for subscribers to the Criterion Channel.

Beginning February 18, the Cinematheque is proud to present a new restoration of Mandabi (1968), written and directed by Senegalese filmmaker and author Ousmane Sembene, a major pioneer of African cinema.

MANDABI (Senegal, 1968, 91 min., Wolof & French with English subtitles). The second feature from Sembene, one of African cinema’s foundational artists, is a deceptively simple tale of greed and corruption, as well as a devastating satire of bureaucracy. In Senegal, unemployed  Ibrahima Dieng (Makhouredia Gueye) is the recipient of a 25,000 francs money order from a nephew in Paris. Even though our hero’s attempts to cash the order are consistently thwarted by his community’s bureaucratic elite, that does not stop loan-seeking neighbors from descending upon him. While he is bounced around from one government office to another, his own family’s spending spirals out of control.

Adapting his own short novel, Sembene followed-up his feature debut Black Girl with this bitterly funny and ironic milestone. Available only in inferior viewing copies for decades, we are proud to present Mandabi in a newly restored version available for viewing-at-home for a limited time. In order to watch Mandabi at home for free, send  an email to info@cinema.wisc.edu and simply remember to include MANDABI in the subject line. No further message is necessary.

Stay healthy and safe. We value your support for the Cinematheque and we look forward to being able to watch movies with you soon in the proper cinematic settings of 4070 Vilas Hall and the Chazen Museum of Art.

 

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