(USA/1996—directed by Julian Schnabel)

Oscar® nominee Jeffrey Wright delivers an incandescent, breakthrough performance as Jean-Michel Basquiat, the towering Brooklyn-born artist immersed in 1980s New York’s celebrity frenzy. This remarkable 1996 debut feature by painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel has been visually reconceived for its theatrical re-release. The new monochromatic palette enhances the indelible performances of an exceptional ensemble cast, including Willem Dafoe, Benicio Del Toro, and David Bowie. Co-starring Willem Dafoe, Benicio Del Toro, Parker Posey, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Elina Löwensohn, Dennis Hopper, Courtney Love, Michael Wincott, Tatum O’Neal, and David Bowie as Andy Warhol. (107 minutes)

“Remarkable… Basquiat is the confident, poetic filmmaking debut of the painter Julian Schnabel, who was a friend of Basquiat’s.” –Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times, 1996

Germany/1924—directed by F.W. Murnau | 90 min.

The splendidly uniformed, aging doorman at a grand Berlin hotel, portrayed by the legendary Emil Jannings, is devastated by his demotion to washroom attendant. His shame is so profound that he cannot bring himself to tell his family or neighbors. He even goes so far as to steal his old uniform to wear to his daughter’s wedding.

Made during Germany’s “Golden Age” of filmmaking, F.W. Murnau’s The Last Laugh introduced innovative camera techniques that enhanced the power of visual storytelling. The film was hailed as state-of-the-art cinema during the silent era.

The unexpected ending, as suggested by the title, remains as richly satisfying as ever. The film is shown in a new 2K restoration, accompanied by an original live score performed by Little Bang Theory.

“A masterpiece of the German silent cinema… it has never looked as dazzling.” –Dave Kehr, The New York Times

Presented with a live piano score performed by David Drazin, this compilation of short films includes animation masterworks by prolific illustrator Winsor McCay (Gertie the Dinosaur, 1903), Lotte Reiniger (Dr. Dolittle and His Animals / 1928), Disney’s Laugh-O-Gram series (Alice’s Wonderland, 1923) and Władysław Starewicz’s amazing stop-motion films made with dried bugs (The Insects Christmas, 1911).

Early silent animation dived fast and deep into visions of fantasy worlds, and gave them uncanny life using ingenious techniques including hand-drawn cell images, shadow and 3D puppet stop-motion photography, multi-plane cameras for achieving painterly effects, and double-exposures that blended two real worlds into something unreal.

Animated Fantasy Shorts of the Silent Era is presented free to DIA audiences as a holiday gift, wrapped with a live piano score performed by David Drazin. For ages 10 and up. Free with museum admission.

(1939/USA - directed by Victor Fleming and King Vidor)

DIA Member Exclusive! Follow the yellow brick road to an evening of wonder and joy with a delightful Dinner and Movie event to start your Thanksgiving weekend. Indulge in a family dinner that's perfect for sharing and savoring together. After dinner, settle in for a FREE screening of the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz. Relive the enchanting journey down the yellow brick road with Dorothy, Toto, and all your favorite characters in stunning cinematic glory. Whether it's your first time experiencing this beloved tale or a cherished tradition, it's sure to be a magical evening for all ages. (102min.)

Dinner service begins at 5:45 p.m.

Screening begins at 7 p.m.

Dinner with the movie is SOLD OUT. The movie screening is free and tickets are still available to reserve in advance. No tickets sold at the door. For DIA members only.

Dinner options

Choice of main: Kansas City BBQ Fried Chicken Sliders, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Mac & Cheese
Choice of side: Southwest Corn Salad, Tater Tots, French Fries
Dessert: Cupcakes, Red Apple Lollipops

USA/1922-directed by Alan Dwan

Robin Hood is a silent adventure film produced by and starring Douglas Fairbanks, a swashbuckling adventure based on the tale of the medieval hero Robin Hood, and the first to present elements of the take-from-the-rich and give-to-the-poor legend that became familiar to audiences for decades on. Robin Hood was also the first motion picture to have a Hollywood premiere (at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre) and the most expensive film produced in its day. It remains one of the most exciting and entertaining American films of the silent era and will be even more so when the DFT presents it with a live score composed and played by David Drazin.

For ages 10 and up. (132 min.) Free with museum admission.

“The superlatives that press agents have coined during the past ten years can now be put to profitable use. They can all be wrapped up, in bundles of twelve, and all applied to Douglas Fairbanks’ Robin Hood.” -Robert Sherwood, The New York Herald, 1922

The Detroit Film Theatre will end its 50th Anniversay Season with a holiday gift for DIA visitors; a special matinee screening of Charlie Chaplin’s classic silent film The Circus, presented with a live score composed and performed by virtuoso silent film pianist David Drazin. 

Chaplin’s extraordinary blend of comedy and heart shines as his iconic Tramp stumbles into the ring of a traveling circus and soon becomes the star of the show and falling for a charming equestrian artist along the way. This perfect comedy ranks among Chaplin’s most iconic, with audacious set pieces, close brushes with a lion and a climactic tightrope walk with a company of monkeys. For all ages.

“There's an edge to The Circus that suggests a man gazing deep into the void, laughing at the darkness and urging us to do the same.” -Keith Uhlich, Time Out

Detroit Story Fest 2024 is coming to town, and we’re excited to announce Friends of Detroit Film Theatre is partnering with Back Pocket Media to bring the most unforgettable local stories to the DFT stage.

Story Fest brings to the stage everything you love about podcasts, film, and journalism: suspense, depth, humor, and unforgettable characters. It's a celebration of the city we love. The performance will feature stories from The Free Press, Michigan Public, BridgeDetroit, WDET, Chalkbeat Detroit, the Metro Times, Planet Detroit, Model D and more. Combined with live music and drinks, Detroit Story Fest will spin an unforgettable evening of curiosity and intrigue.

Detroit Story Fest is sponsored by the Knight Foundation and the Friends of the Detroit Film Theatre. Tickets are available online in advance through Story Fest.

The New York International Children’s Film Festival’s collection of Spanish-language shorts spans genres, styles, and geographic regions. A rich slice of Hispanic and Latinx storytelling that is perfect for celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. 

The program is full of fun and compelling short films, including Dulce, an exploration of the loving relationship between a mother and a daughter, and Audience Award-Winner Karol, The Vampire Queen.

For ages 8 and up. (60min.) This program is free with museum admission. Capacity is limited – seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance start.

A new addition to Detroit Dance City Festival for 2024, Dance on Screen provides a digital space for dance filmmakers to present their work. Presented in the Marvin and Betty Danto Lecture Hall, dance on screen highlights local, national, and international dance films in diverse styles of dance.

Featured films include:

• Mila Komrakova and Balazs Baranyai
• Shirel Jones
• Mehdi & Nourddine Sli, Jasmin Sisti, and Léone Salinas Muñiz
• Audrey Baran
• Julia Yezbick and Erika "Red" Stowall
• Clark Barclay, Gwen Benitez & Rebekah JoAnn Guerra
• Katherine Helen Fisher and Danah Bella
• Andrea Cerniglia and Nadia Oussenko
• Kara Madden Brems
• Jon Chapdelaine

This program is free with museum admission. Limited capacity seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance in the DIA’s Marvin & Betty Danto Lecture Hall. Ticket reservations are required from detroitdancecityfestival.com

Detroit Dance City Festival (DDCF) is an annual community building event curated by ArtLab J that celebrates dance in its various forms and disciplines. DDCF brings the work of renowned local, national, and international performing artists, choreographers, and companies to the stage in a weekend full of performances, master classes and networking events. For full festival lineup, please check out detroitdancecityfestival.com

USA/2023–directed by Jeff Zimbalist | 102 min.

The first film project with full access to Mailer’s family and archive of never-before-seen footage, outtakes, audio recordings, and interviews. How to Come Alive explores the rollercoaster life of the writer, literary outlaw, and unrepentant social provocateur Norman Mailer, whose very public life included six marriages, nine children, 11 bestsellers, four feature films, three arrests, one mayoral candidacy, and two Pulitzer Prizes.

Mailer’s ideas and writings about love, anger, politics, fear, and courage cut to the core of human nature while grasping the joys and challenges of American life. Laying himself bare on film with legendary bluster, humor and occasional self-effacement, Mailer encourages us to think adventurously and speak fearlessly.