Detroit Institute of Arts’ Detroit Film Theatre events sure to please cat lovers and movie buffs “Kedi” features beloved cats of Istanbul; New York Times film critic A. O. Scott gives a talk, signs books and curates a weekend of films

Updated Feb 21, 2017

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February 21, 2017 (Detroit)—Two exciting events are coming up at the Detroit Institute of Arts’ (DIA) Detroit Film Theatre (DFT) in March: the documentary “Kedi,” about cats in Istanbul, on March 17–19 and March 26; and a talk by New York Times chief film critic A. O. Scott on March 24, with a showing of movies he has selected on March 25–26.

“Kedi”  March 17, 7 p.m.; March 18, 3 and 7 p.m.; March 19, 2 p.m.; March 26, 5 p.m.

“Kedi” is a movie about the hundreds of thousands of cats that roam freely throughout Istanbul. For thousands of years cats have wandered in and out of people’s lives, becoming an essential part of the communities that make the city so rich. The cats are neither wild nor tame—some fend for themselves, scavenging food and living in abandoned buildings, while others are cared for by communities of people, pampered with the best cat food and given shelter during the cold months. They bring joy and purpose to the people they choose to adopt.

Director Ceyda Torun, who grew up in Istanbul, said: “I believe my childhood was infinitely less lonesome than it would have been if it werenʼt for cats—and I wouldnʼt be the person I am today. They were my friends and confidants and I missed their presence in all the other cities I ever lived in. This film is, in many ways, a love letter to those cats and the city, both of which are changing in ways that are unpredictable.”

Tickets are $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.

Better Living Through Criticism: An Evening with A. O. Scott  March 24, 7:30 p.m.      

In “Better Living Through Criticism,” the title of both this talk and A. O. Scott’s book on the subject, New York Times chief film critic Scott demonstrates that all people are critics. Drawing from his storied career at the Times as a starting point, Scott shows how critical thinking informs almost every aspect of artistic creation, civil action and interpersonal lives, and he makes a fascinating case for art and criticism being interdependent and inseparable. Scott will sign his book following the talk. The event is sponsored by Friends of Detroit Film Theatre.

Tickets for the talk are $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.

Scott has selected and introduces afternoon movies on March 25 and 26. “Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One” on March 25 at 3 p.m. is a 1968 experimental fiction/documentary hybrid by African American director William Greaves, who attempts to capture pure reality unhindered by the presence of cameras. Robert Altman’s 1992 “The Player” on March 26 at 2 p.m. is about a studio executive—played by Tim Robbins—who gets anonymous death threats after rejecting a script. Altman weaves elements of suspense, comedy and murder into this satire about modern Hollywood.

Tickets for the March 25 and 26 movies are $5 for the general public and free for DIA members.

Image removed.

February 21, 2017 (Detroit)—Two exciting events are coming up at the Detroit Institute of Arts’ (DIA) Detroit Film Theatre (DFT) in March: the documentary “Kedi,” about cats in Istanbul, on March 17–19 and March 26; and a talk by New York Times chief film critic A. O. Scott on March 24, with a showing of movies he has selected on March 25–26.

“Kedi”  March 17, 7 p.m.; March 18, 3 and 7 p.m.; March 19, 2 p.m.; March 26, 5 p.m.

“Kedi” is a movie about the hundreds of thousands of cats that roam freely throughout Istanbul. For thousands of years cats have wandered in and out of people’s lives, becoming an essential part of the communities that make the city so rich. The cats are neither wild nor tame—some fend for themselves, scavenging food and living in abandoned buildings, while others are cared for by communities of people, pampered with the best cat food and given shelter during the cold months. They bring joy and purpose to the people they choose to adopt.

Director Ceyda Torun, who grew up in Istanbul, said: “I believe my childhood was infinitely less lonesome than it would have been if it werenʼt for cats—and I wouldnʼt be the person I am today. They were my friends and confidants and I missed their presence in all the other cities I ever lived in. This film is, in many ways, a love letter to those cats and the city, both of which are changing in ways that are unpredictable.”

Tickets are $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.

Better Living Through Criticism: An Evening with A. O. Scott  March 24, 7:30 p.m.      

In “Better Living Through Criticism,” the title of both this talk and A. O. Scott’s book on the subject, New York Times chief film critic Scott demonstrates that all people are critics. Drawing from his storied career at the Times as a starting point, Scott shows how critical thinking informs almost every aspect of artistic creation, civil action and interpersonal lives, and he makes a fascinating case for art and criticism being interdependent and inseparable. Scott will sign his book following the talk. The event is sponsored by Friends of Detroit Film Theatre.

Tickets for the talk are $9.50 for general admission and $7.50 for members, seniors and students.

Scott has selected and introduces afternoon movies on March 25 and 26. “Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One” on March 25 at 3 p.m. is a 1968 experimental fiction/documentary hybrid by African American director William Greaves, who attempts to capture pure reality unhindered by the presence of cameras. Robert Altman’s 1992 “The Player” on March 26 at 2 p.m. is about a studio executive—played by Tim Robbins—who gets anonymous death threats after rejecting a script. Altman weaves elements of suspense, comedy and murder into this satire about modern Hollywood.

Tickets for the March 25 and 26 movies are $5 for the general public and free for DIA members.