(USA/1982—directed by Les Blank)

Werner Herzog was already a legend by 1982 when Fitzcarraldo, his magnum opus, was finally released. The film tells the story of a visionary adventurer, played by Klaus Kinski, who is obsessed with bringing an opera house to the Amazon for a performance by Caruso. The film was shot on location over four years, including a dramatic scene where a 320-ton steamship is actually hauled over a mountain—one of many production challenges that drove Herzog to the brink of insanity.

Burden of Dreams is Les Blank’s classic behind-the-scenes documentary about Herzog’s monumental effort to complete Fitzcarraldo. As a portrait of unrelenting artistic obsession, this documentary's impact may surpass that of the film it chronicles. Newly restored in 4K resolution, Burden of Dreams returns to the big screen in the way it truly deserves. (95 minutes)

“One of the most candid and fascinating portraits ever made of a director at work.” –Vincent Canby, The New York Times

On the final day of the twelfth annual community exhibition Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos, join us for a special discussion with the artists behind the altars on display. The event will begin with a presentation by members of the Mexican Consulate, exploring the rich history of Día de Muertos and the tradition of Ofrenda altars. Following this, each artist will share the inspiration and significance of their altar and will be available to answer your questions. 

The program, lasting 90 minutes, is suitable for all ages, though some topics may be challenging for children under 10.

This program is free with museum admission. Capacity is limited and seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance start in the DIA’s Lecture Hall. Presented with live American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation.

(Iran/1974—directed by Bahram Beyzaie)

One of the most mind-bending and muscular films of the Iranian New Wave, Bahram Beyzaie’s visionary 1974 drama was banned for decades following the Iranian Revolution. A startlingly dreamlike parable, The Stranger and the Fog begins with a man named Ayat arriving at a coastal village aboard a drifting boat, unconscious and with no memory of how he arrived. Villagers revive him and though they begin to accept him, his affection for a local widow kindles powerful tensions with her deceased husband’s family. After years of peace, still more strangers descend upon the village, turning a quiet mystery into a jaw-dropping spectacle, recalling some of the boldest action sequences of Kurosawa. This visually ravishing masterwork invents its own cinema-based mythology to examine the social conditions of pre-Revolutionary Iran.

Restored by Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation, with funding by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation. In Farsi with English subtitles. (146 minutes)

(Japan/1993—directed by Shinji Somai)

When her parents separate and her father moves out of their family home, Renko (Tomoko Tabata), a bright and energetic sixth grader, is left alone with her mother, Nazuna (Junko Sakurada). As Nazuna sets out new rules for their life together, Renko, who is naturally confused yet determined to reclaim her sense of love and security, makes plans of her own, doing her best to make sure that any more changes happening in her family happen on her terms.

Since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993, Moving has been one Shinji Somai’s most beloved films worldwide, yet the mysteries of film distribution have left it unseen in the U.S. Until now. In this exquisitely poignant tale, Somai transcends the tropes of stories of children dealing with divorce, crafting instead a delicate, indelible work in which an unforgettable teenage girl encounters the unknown and refuses to succumb to it.

Winner, Best Restored Film, 2023 Venice Film Festival. In Japanese with English subtitles. (125 minutes)

“After seeing it, I had confirmation that Shinji Somai was the best filmmaker of his generation." –Hirokazu Kore-Eda, director of Shoplifters

(Spain/2023—directed by Victor Erice)

With his knockout 1973 feature The Spirit of the Beehive, Spanish director Victor Erice first burst on to the international film scene. Close Your Eyes, Erice's fourth feature film in 50 years, is a rapturously mature work of fiction that radiates the wise glow of an autobiography.

Close Your Eyes is the tale of a late-career filmmaker, Miguel, (Manolo Solo) whose creativity has stalled, and who decides to reconnect with a mysteriously disappeared actor from his past (Jose Coronado). In the process of tracking him down, Miguel must come to terms with the long arc of his life, and face the irrevocably changed techniques of his beloved art of filmmaking.

With rich performances from a cast that includes Ana Torrent (Beehive’s unforgettable child star), Close Your Eyes is a poignant, majestic work that conjures the cinema’s magical ability to touch the soul. In Spanish with English subtitles. Special Award, 2024 National Society of Film Critics. (169 minutes)

“An exquisite and elegant reckoning of cinema’s power to haunt and enchant." –Leigh Singer, Sight & Sound

Latvia/Belgium/France/2024—directed by Gints Zilbalodis | 84 minutes

A cat finds itself puzzlingly alone in an abandoned house, surrounded by untouched artworks and furniture. Venturing outside to explore, the cat encounters a variety of animals: a lemur, a golden retriever, a capybara, and an imposing stork.

By choice or circumstance, these animals soon find themselves bonding in a small boat as torrents of water rush beneath them. The water reveals and conceals the strange, vaguely familiar landscape, and the rushing waters seem to be everywhere.

This astonishing new feature animation by 29-year-old Latvian animator Gints Zilbalodis is an entrancing story for audiences of all ages and places. Its remarkable soundtrack features no dialogue; instead, the adventure unfolds entirely through images, sounds, music, and emotion. The film won the Audience Award, Jury Prize for Best Picture, and Best Original Score at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Festival. 

"Groundbreaking and transcendent. It's rare you feel like you're watching something entirely new. Flow accomplishes just that.” –Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire

(USA/2024—directed by Alexis Manya Spraic)

Songwriter and artist Allee Willis began filming her life as a child in 1950s Detroit and never stopped. Her recordings of herself, her family, and her career form the backbone of this vibrant, entertaining documentary portrait. Brilliant and tireless, Willis fed her curiosity about music by sitting outside Motown Studios on Grand Blvd and listening to recording sessions through the walls.

She soon wrote iconic songs like “September” and “Boogie Wonderland” for Earth, Wind & Fire, and the “Friends” theme “I’ll Be There for You,” all while grappling with her anxiety about fitting established gender and sexual norms. The film features friends celebrating their love for Allee, including Lily Tomlin, Paul Reubens, Mark Cuban, Cyndi Lauper, and many more. A joy from beginning to end. (97 minutes)

“A fascinating documentary honoring a creative force of nature. Energetic, colorful and invigorating.” –Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter 

USA/2024—directed by Titus Kaphar | 117 minutes

Titus Kaphar, one of the most significant contemporary painters whose work is featured at both the DIA and the Museum of Modern Art, creates images that are both multidisciplinary and rich in historical meaning. Kaphar brings this profound dynamism to his superb directorial debut, starring the extraordinary André Holland (Moonlight, Selma) as painter Tarrell Rodin.

In the film, Tarrell, a loving husband and father, faces upheaval as he prepares for a gallery show. His life is turned upside down by the unexpected return of his father (John Earl Jelks), whose past actions Tarrell cannot forgive.

As Tarrell works on his canvases, he reflects on his past, questioning if he can change the pain of his present. Kaphar's film is both provocative in its depiction of family crisis and thought-provoking about the role of Black voices in the contemporary art scene. It tackles difficult questions and avoids easy answers. The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. 

The Friday, Dec. 13 showing of Exhibiting Forgiveness will include a special in-person Q&A with Titus Kaphar following the film!

“A full experience, exceptional in its craft, with masterful performances.” –William Bibbiani, The Wrap

(USA/1996—directed by Bridgett M. Davis)

Beautiful aspiring actor Cicely (Jake-Ann Jones) has just landed her first major role, but there’s a significant hurdle: it requires a nude scene. Although her mother gained fame in ‘70s Blaxploitation films for her physical appeal, Cicely has developed a strong aversion to nudity, both in private and on camera.

With the support of her boyfriend (Ron Cephas Jones), Cicely tries to confront her fears. This journey will require revealing some personal secrets and embracing a new kind of bravery.

Naked Acts, a celebrated work of independent African American cinema from the 1990s, was included in the seminal anthology “The 50 Most Influential Black Films.” Despite its positive reception, the film had a limited release in 1996. Now, this long-overdue, sparkling restoration by the Lightbox Film Center and Milestone Films brings this independent gem back to the big screen. (87 minutes)

“Courageous and triumphant… pulls its audience into an intimate storyline that demands to be witnessed.” –Niani Scott, rogerebert.com

(France/2023—directed by Cédric Kahn)

One of the most acclaimed new films at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, The Goldman Case is a riveting courtroom drama from French director Cédric Kahn (Red Lights). The film delves into the sensational 1976 trial of Pierre Goldman, a left-wing activist who defended himself against multiple charges, including murder during an armed robbery.

Arieh Worthalter, who won the César for Best Actor, plays Goldman, a revolutionary son of Polish refugees who steadfastly maintained his innocence. His legal team, which includes Arthur Harari (co-author of Anatomy of a Fall), faced a case that became a flashpoint for his generation, raising questions of antisemitism and political bias.

Directed with energetic realism and historical precision, The Goldman Case offers a focused, dramatized portrayal of the actual event. The film is both thoughtful and galvanizing, providing insight into the law while exploring the complexities of national and religious identity in recent history. It is in French with English subtitles. (115 minutes)

“Enthralling, compelling and electrifying.” –Guy Lodge, Variety