Summer’s finally here at The Frida Cinema! With temperatures on the rise, there’s never been a better time to seek a refuge from the heat at Orange County’s only non-profit arthouse theater. This month’s got plenty of Pride programming, as well as the return of ongoing series and the introduction of one new one. Our Arthouse 101 series is making its curtain call with one final trip around the world, this time to the highly underrated Taiwanese New Wave movement, featuring Vive L’Amour and Millennium Mambo. Both screenings are completely free for all, courtesy of the city of Santa Ana.
June also welcomes our “Steamy Summer” series, highlighting erotic thrillers from Brian De Palma’s Body Double to the Wachowskis’ directorial debut, Bound, whose hotness can only be matched by California weather. Our theme for this year’s Pride, Be Gay, Do Crime, honors the movement’s radical roots, features groundbreaking films from throughout cinematic history such as Rope, Dog Day Afternoon, Female Trouble, and The Living End. Perennial queer classic and inimitable punk rock odyssey, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, also makes a triumphant return to The Frida this month. Looking for more music on your movie screen? Almost Famous, handpicked by one of our two Volunteers of the Month for June, RJ Salazar Lopez, has you covered.
Almost Famous is a poignant coming-of-age journey through the reawakening rock scene of the early 1970s. Featuring one of Cameron Crowe’s most acclaimed screenplays, based on his own experiences as a teenage writer for Rolling Stone, the film follows the 15-year-old William, whose love of music lands him the opportunity to interview rising band Stillwater. Despite objections from his widowed mother, William embarks on the band’s eye-opening tour across the country.
How did you find out about The Frida Cinema?
I wanted to watch Fallen Angels by Wong Kar Wai and so I looked up where I could watch it, and I saw there was a showing at The Frida.
What made you want to volunteer here?
I didn’t really have much to do outside of school, so I decided to start volunteering.
Tell us a little bit about Almost Famous.
I watched the movie about three years ago. During quarantine, I got really interested in 20th century music and rock history. I came across Almost Famous and it really solidified my love for music and my drive to pursue it further. I have a lot of admiration for Cameron Crowe and how he chose to show the ugly side of rock and roll but overall made a film to celebrate music and the people that love it.
What were your other choices for Volunteer Pick of the Month?
Dazed and Confused and SLC Punk.
What is your favorite Frida memory?
If you could program any movie here, what would you pick?
Almost Famous screens starting Monday, May 10th.
Monday, May 10th – 7:15pm
Tuesday, May 11th – 7:15pm
Tickets