(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

(India/USA/2024 — directed by Anirban Dutta and Anupama Srinivasan)

In the misty, breathtaking forests of the Eastern Himalayas, moths seem to whisper secrets to us. Two curious and wonderstruck researchers embark on an expedition to uncover the mysteries of these nocturnal creatures, focusing on the elusive “hawk moth” in a remote area on the border of India and Bhutan.

At night, they use a large, brightly lit screen to attract these delicate and exquisite moths. The screen draws all species of moths, which display themselves majestically on the cloth each night for observation and photography before fluttering away at dawn.

Nocturnes is a jewel-like, deeply immersive documentary that transports viewers to this rarely seen world. It encourages us to continue exploring the amazing world around us. The film received the Special Jury Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and is in English and Hindi with English subtitles. (83 minutes)

“Critic’s Pick! A rich, unexpected experience… alluring, captivating and deeply satisfying.”

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire

(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

The ingenious "adverts" of British TV continue to dazzle and delight audiences. These commercials are annually recognized with the prestigious British Arrows awards (formerly the British Television Advertising Awards). The winners are compiled into a celebratory collection that has become a cult favorite in cinemas worldwide, including the DIA.

The compact storytelling possible in these short films—often just a minute or two long—allows creators to stretch their imaginations. The quirky inventiveness, playfulness, and power of these British ads are designed to present a product, service, or public service message with sincerity and off-center wit. Each ad is infused with a satisfying, eccentric, and distinctly British flair.

Previously a door-busting phenomenon at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, where more than 20,000 people attend sold-out shows annually, the British Arrows have now become an annual December tradition at the DIA as well. (Approximately 80 minutes)

(France/Italy/1969—directed by Jean-Pierre Melville)

Resistance fighter Lino Ventura, joined by Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, and Simone Signoret, goes underground during the German Occupation. The cost of heroism is high and often unimaginable. Master director Jean-Pierre Melville (Le Samouraï) adapted Joseph Kessel’s 1943 novel in the white heat of immediacy, realizing a dream 25 years in the making.

Melville’s film, Army of Shadows, considered one of his masterpieces, wasn’t seen in the U.S. until 2006. Despite its age, it dominated that year’s Ten Best lists, was named Best Picture by the New York Times, and won the New York Film Critics Circle’s Best Foreign Film award, 37 years after its completion. This stunning new 4K restoration may be this year’s most important cinematic revelation. In French with English subtitles. (145 minutes)

“A rare work of art that thrills the senses and the mind. A masterpiece.” –Manohla Dargis, The New York Times