October here at The Frida Cinema is spookier than ever, as we break out all the haunted traditions for our favorite month. Splattering the screens will be some of our absolute Halloween favorites, such as the titular John Carpenter film from 1978 (presented both digitally as well as on 16mm film) and Friedkin’s The Exorcist to also close out our Friedkin Weekends series. Our arthouse audiences will find solace in our series, Sight & Sound & Screams, which showcases horror movies included on the Sight and Sound list of the greatest movies of all time. This will include favorites such as Possession and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Amidst all the horror, we do have a bit of respite for the crowds not as inclined for the shrieks and freaks. One such refuge can be found in Katia Oliden’s Volunteer of the Month pick, Cassavetes’ Love Streams.
What is considered as the last film by Cassavetes by most (although technically falling as the penultimate behind a film he attempted to salvage in the midst of filming and failure), Love Streams follows a recently divorced Sarah Lawson (Gena Rowlands), who finds herself in tumultuous emotional states. Such leads her to visit her brother, Robert Harmon (John Cassavetes), who lives an eccentric, playboy lifestyle. Sarah’s emotional states worsen as she does all she can to recoup the love for life and others that she once had.
How did you find out about The Frida Cinema?
I believe that it was through some of my friends, although I had never actually visited until long after I had learned of it.
What made you want to volunteer here?
I guess I just wanted to surround myself with others who were as passionate about the same things as me. I would say it’s rare to come across people who have genuine love for cinema, not just a casual interest or hollow knowledge.
Tell us a little bit about Love Streams.
It’s one of the two movies that have made me cry uncontrollably. I think it is a very tender demonstration about how humans are so desperate for love.
What were your other choices for Volunteer Pick of the Month?
They were Landscape in the Mist and A City of Sadness.
What is your favorite Frida memory?
Well, I love just about every conversation I’ve had with everyone there, with staff or customers. Hearing people talk about what they love about a movie, or any work of art, brings me so much joy. There are conversations that stick with me for days and weeks. If I have to be more specific, it’s probably getting to see Millennium Mambo [here] twice, because I had never watched it on the big screen.
If you could program any movie here, what would you pick?
Probably anything by Jonas Mekas or [Ingmar] Bergman. Or After Yang the only other movie besides Love Streams that has made me bawl.
Love Streams screens starting Friday, October 27th.
Friday, Oct 27th – 4pm
Saturday, Oct 28th – 2:30pm
Sunday, Oct 29th – 12:30pm
Tickets