France/2024—directed by Alain Guiraudie | 104 min.

Jérémie (Félix Kysyl), an out-of-work baker, returns to his hometown following the death of his former boss. What begins as a simple visit takes an unexpected turn as Jérémie lingers well beyond the funeral, ingratiating himself with his late mentor’s kind widow and her hot-headed son, while forging an unlikely friendship with the eccentric local priest. 

But nothing is quite as it seems in this slyly funny and deeply unsettling thriller. Director Alain Guiraudie crafts a quietly seductive world where humor and tension collide, and human desires lead to startling twists. In French with English subtitles.

“Abetted by a brilliantly cast set of oddballs, Misericordia is a weird, darkly comic fable of desire.”–Jessica Kiang, Variety

France/Luxembourg/Netherlands/2024—directed by Wang Bing

Continuing the powerful documentary saga that began with Youth (Spring), filmmaker Wang Bing returned to the district of Zhili between 2015 and 2019 to create Youth (Hard Times)—the second chapter in his poignant exploration of a generation of Chinese youth navigating relentless factory work with little space for personal life 

The trilogy concludes with Youth (Homecoming), a deeply moving account of the Lunar New Year break, when millions of workers journey to their remote hometowns to reunite with family. This final chapter captures the emotional and symbolic culmination of their struggles, as workers Shi Wei and Fang Lingping use this rare moment of rest to marry.

The runtime for Youth (Hard Times) is 226 minutes. Youth (Homecoming) is 152 minutes. One ticket grants admission to both screenings.

In Mandarin and Chinese with English subtitles.

“Critic’s Pick! A riveting documentary.” –Nicolas Rapold, The New York Times

Australia/2024—directed by Sally Aitken | 93 min.

Wildlife rehabber and author Terry Masear has an extraordinary mission: to rescue every injured hummingbird in Los Angeles. But the journey toward healing, for both birds and humans, is rarely straightforward. In Every Little Thing, director Sally Aitken pairs Terry’s poignant story with stunning slow-motion photography, showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty and determination of these tiny, gravity-defying creatures. 

Through Terry’s efforts, viewers are introduced to the unique traits and personalities of her fragile yet mighty patients, turning their struggles into unforgettable tales of resilience. This heartfelt documentary reminds us that grace and heroism often come in the smallest forms.

“Deeply satisfying. A big celebration of tiny things and the special person who has made it all possible.” –Kate Erbland, IndieWire

Canada/2024—directed by Matthew Rankin | 89 min.

With Universal Language, Canadian director Matthew Rankin delivers a rare gem: a visionary comedy that is both profoundly humane and enchantingly inventive. Set in a frosty Winnipeg, the film follows the mystical journey of a banknote frozen in ice, touching lives in ways both whimsical and heartfelt. 

Much like Guy Maddin’s My Winnipeg(2007), the city becomes a dreamscape shaped by those who adore it—complete with French and Farsi as its official languages and a Tim Horton’s transformed into both a haven for wayfarers and an unlikely country club. 

This Canadian submission for the 97th Academy Awards® is a delicately crafted, soul-soothing work of art. In Farsi and French with English subtitles. 

“A magnificent film, one that feels warm and familiar even as we realize just how startlingly original it is.” –Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine

Italy/2024—directed by Maura Delpero | 119 min.

Experience the breathtaking Alps in Vermiglio, Maura Delpero’s stunning new drama and Italy’s official submission to the 2025 Academy Awards® for Best International Feature.

Set in a remote village during the final days of WWII, the film tells the deeply personal story of a Sicilian soldier (Giuseppe De Domenico) who deserts the army and forms a life-changing bond with Lucia (Martina Scrinzi), the eldest daughter of a provincial family. Drawing from her own family history, Delpero crafts a poignant, contemporary tale inspired by Italian neorealist classics.

In Italian with English subtitles. Don’t miss this award-winning masterpiece!

“Breathtaking. The year’s most beautiful film.” –Nick Schager, Daily Beast

The Girl From Chicago (1932) is an early sound film by the legendary African American writer, director, and producer Oscar Micheaux. The film explores Micheaux’s career-long interest in the cultural divide between urban and rural life, contrasting criminal activity in Harlem, New York, and Batesburg, Mississippi. It also features Micheaux’s lively, trademark musical numbers, including a memorable scene set in a nightclub called the Radium Club.

Micheaux’s 1937 crime drama, Underworld, delves into similar themes. It tells the story of Sol Johnson, a young college graduate who moves from the South to Chicago, where he becomes emotionally entangled with a married singer (Bee Freeman) and a cunning gangster (Alfred "Slick" Chester).Total running time: 145 minutes.

France/2024—directed by Raoul Peck | 105 min.

Ernest Cole, one of South Africa's first Black freelance photographers, captured images that shocked the world by exposing the brutal realities of apartheid. Forced into exile in 1966, Cole continued his work in the U.S., documenting life in New York City and the American South—two places that alternated between stark contrasts and unsettling parallels to the segregation of his homeland. 

At just 27, Cole cemented his legacy with the groundbreaking photobook House of Bondage, showcasing his extraordinary talent and courage. In Raoul Peck's compelling documentary, Cole’s story is brought to life through his writings and photographs, including 60,000 long-lost negatives discovered in a Swedish bank vault in 2017.

“More than a great photographer, Ernest Cole captured something essential.” –Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Right in the Eye invites audiences of all ages on an extraordinary multimedia journey through the imaginative world of Georges Méliès, the legendary filmmaker and cinematographer. Created by Jean François Alcoléa, this live production showcases twelve of Méliès’ silent films, accompanied by a spellbinding live score performed by three virtuoso musicians. 

Using an eclectic array of instruments—ranging from piano, guitar, and percussion to the theremin, aquaphone, and even plastic take-out lids—the music captures the technical brilliance and whimsical creativity that define Méliès’ cinematic legacy.

Performances:

• Friday (75 min.)
• Saturday (55 min.)

Free with museum admission.

“It is at once inventive, elegant, and moving … right to the core!” –Chronique Festival Avignon

Weekend Family Programs at the DIA are generously presented by the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation.

Senegal/1977—Directed by Ousmane Sembène | 117 min.

Ceddo (loosely translated as “the feudal class” or “outsiders”) remains one of the most important films in the brilliant career of writer and director Ousmane Sembène (1923–2007), often referred to as the father of African cinema. This 1977 epic, set during a period of religious expansion in precolonial Senegal, is now available in a new 4K restoration created in honor of Sembène’s centennial year.

On the surface, Ceddo is a riveting political thriller about the kidnapping of a powerful princess. However, the deeper themes of Sembène’s masterpiece include philosophy, political opportunism, feminism, and two electrifying leaps across the centuries. In this, his most ambitious film, Sembène succeeds in evoking the full breadth of the African experience. In Wolof with English subtitles.

“One of Sembène’s supreme masterworks. A mighty cinematic achievement.” –Richard Brody, The New Yorker

South Korea/2024—directed by Hong Sangsoo | 90 min.

A Traveler’s Needs is a delightful comedy of improbable encounters and unexpected lessons. Iris (Isabelle Huppert), a charming yet enigmatic woman, navigates life in modern Seoul by offering French lessons through an unconventional method. Initially absurd and amusing, her teaching reveals deeper insights into her past and circumstances, drawing viewers into her mysterious and captivating world.

This sweet and thoughtful film explores connection, meaning, and a surprising central beverage, while showcasing the incredible range of Isabelle Huppert. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival, A Traveler’s Needs is presented in English, French, and Korean with English subtitles. 

"Isabelle Huppert is sensational here, blending a deft sense of innocence with a hint of mischievousness." –Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com