He’s been a husband, a lover, a cuckold and a Communist. Now he just wants to be free.

The raucous sex comedy The Seduction of Mimi is coming to The Frida Cinema in a brand new 4K restoration!

The film, which brought international fame to director Lina Wertmuller (Swept Away), centers on sad sack Mimi, a Sicilian laborer whose refusal to vote for the Mafia’s candidate leads him to lose his job, his wife, and his home. At rock bottom, he revives his spirits by falling in love with the beautiful, radical Fiorella, with whom he starts a new life as a reliable husband and father. But the past comes back to haunt him, piling on comical complexities as all his energies surge into defending his honor, an obsession that has horrendous but hilarious consequences.

A blistering satire of Italy in the 1970s, The Seduction of Mimi takes aim at a corrupt government, compromised labor leaders and the Neanderthal sexual politics of men in power, with uproarious results.

“Deep wild humor… hilarious…one of the year’s ten best.”
–Time Magazine

The Frida Zinema presents: A Fundraiser for the People of Cuba!

Update: The Frida Zinema is proud to partner with Corazón for Cuba in this fundraiser event!

Earlier this year, the United States’ embargo on Cuba, which has been in place since 1960, tightened further to a “maximum pressure” approach through the blockage of oil going into the country. This has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in which nation-wide blackouts have prevented urgent access to medical care and has left families in the dark, causing food and other means of sustenance to spoil. As daily life is completely disrupted and urgent aid is needed every day, The Frida Zinema aims to offer material solidarity through a fundraisering event.

Join us on Sunday, May 31st at 1:00PM for a screening of various Revolution-era documentaries that highlight one of Revolutionary Cuba’s great achievements; its staunch advocacy for Internationalist support among the Third World. Before the screening we will be selling and auctioning off various Cuban-related items for further fundraising.

Note: all proceeds from this event, including all ticket sales and profits from any items sold will be donated to organizations that can get medical, energy, or food aid into Cuba! (Specific organizations to be announced at a later date)

This program is a venue rental engagement. The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Frida Cinema or its staff. Frida Cinema member discounts and comp passes do not apply.

Our Starring Natalie Wood series kicks off with the iconic 1955 Nicholas Ray landmark drama Rebel Without A Cause, in which she co-stars as Judy, going toe-to-toe with big fellow big screen icon James Dean. She earned herself an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the role–the first of her career.

After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. While searching for some stability, Stark forms a bond with a disturbed classmate, Plato, and falls for local girl Judy. However, Judy is the girlfriend of neighborhood tough, Buzz. When Buzz violently confronts Jim and challenges him to a drag race, the new kid’s real troubles begin.

This Summer, we are celebrating the unforgettable star power of Natalie Wood with a quartet of films that showcase the unique blend of charisma and emotional intensity that made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved screen icons. This series is co-presented by the amazing folks over at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton as part of their exhibit More Than Love: The Life & Art of Natalie Wood!

The new cringe-com film Situations is making its way to The Frida Cinema, thanks to our friends at Circle Collective. And make sure to stick around after the screening for a special Q&A with director/star Greg Vrotsos and producer Daniel Hartigan!

Three months after a breakup, photographer Nick plunges back into L.A.’s dating scene, where party culture clashes with the search for real connection. Despite flaky friends, his ex’s obsessive spreadsheet, and slim odds, Nick’s still chasing love.

Vrotsos (Orange Is The New Black, Boston Strangler), who drew inspiration from some of his own experiences, calls Situations his “love letter to Los Angeles” that pulls back the curtain on dating and relationships in a raw and relatable way.

Season 2, Episode 1 – “May the Giant Be with You”
Original Air Date: September 30, 1990

In the aftermath of the previous night’s chaos, Cooper receives a visit from an enigmatic giant who offers him three cryptic clues. Around town, Audrey’s fate remains uncertain, the Palmers continue to unravel, and the investigation shifts as new information emerges from unexpected places.

Season 2, Episode 2 – “Coma”
Original Air Date: October 6, 1990

The sheriff’s department follows up on the giant’s clues. Donna and James pursue their own suspicions, Audrey returns to a changed home life, and the people around the Palmer house struggle to move through grief that still feels raw and unresolved.

We’re trading in trench coats for tuxedos with the charming romantic classic Sabrina, coming back for some final encores at The Frida Cinema! 

Sabrina Fairchild (Audrey Hepburn) has long pined for the carefree playboy David Larrabee (William Holden), but after a transformative trip to Paris, she returns as a poised and captivating young woman who suddenly turns heads, including David’s. Concerned that his brother’s romantic entanglement could jeopardize a major business deal, the stern and work-obsessed Linus Larrabee (Humphrey Bogart) steps in to distract Sabrina…only to find himself unexpectedly falling for her.

Directed by Billy Wilder with his signature mix of wit and romantic tension, Sabrina earned multiple Academy Awards nominations and won for Best Costume Design, thanks in part to its iconic Parisian-inspired wardrobe. The film remains a high point of classic Hollywood romance, elevated by Hepburn’s radiant performance and the unlikely but compelling pairing of Bogart and Holden.

Make sure to get to the screening early, as our Marketing Director Bekah will be doing a very informative and entertaining presentation on the film before it starts!