Now Playing & Coming Soon

The first film of our Halloween Hangover weekend is Tim Burton and Mike Johnson's Corpse Bride, celebrating its 20th anniversary with a brand new 4K restoration! In a gloomy Victorian village where arranged marriages are the norm, nervous groom-to-be Victor (Johnny Depp) accidentally proposes to the wrong bride—one who happens to be dead. Swept into the underworld by the ghostly and gorgeous Emily (Helena Bonham Carter), Victor finds himself torn between two worlds—one teeming with color, music, and life after death, and another gray and suffocating among the living. With Danny Elfman’s whimsical score and Burton’s signature gothic romanticism, this modern classic remains one of the director’s most heartfelt creations. Don’t miss the chance to see Corpse Bride it on the big screen! 

Possession is back for some Halloween Hangover encores with a 4K restoration thanks to our friends at Kino Lorber! Professional spy Mark (Sam Neill) returns to his West Berlin home to find his wife Anna (Isabelle Adjani, in a role that earned her a Best Actress win at Cannes Film Festival) insistent on a divorce. As Anna's frenzied behavior becomes ever more alarming, Mark discovers a truth far more sinister than his wildest suspicions. With its pulsating score, visceral imagery, and some of the most haunting performances ever captured on screen, Possession is cinematic delirium at its most intoxicating. Banned upon its original release in 1981, Andrzej Żuławski’s Possession is a stunningly choreographed nightmare of a marriage unraveling and one of the great WTF movies of all time. Don't miss it on the big screen!

Lived any good books lately? Cinematic Void is back at The Frida to headline Friday night of our Halloween Hangover Weekend as they present a special 30th anniversary screening of John Carpenter's In The Mouth Of Madness in a stunning brand new 4K resotration via Warner Brothers! When best-selling horror novelist Sutter Cane (Jürgen Prochnow) mysteriously vanishes, skeptical insurance investigator John Trent (Sam Neill) is sent to track him down. But as Trent digs deeper into Cane’s disappearance, he discovers a terrifying world where fiction infects reality, madness spreads like a virus, and the boundaries of existence dissolve into nightmare. A Lovecraftian and meta-cinematic mind warp, Carpenter’s cult classic is a supremely underrated descent into cosmic terror that also contains another one of his all-timer synth scores.

Our award-winning resident performance troupe K.A.O.S. returns for their celebrated all-costumed, all-choreographed, all-leg-kicking live shadowcast presentation of 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, performed on stage in front of the film! Director Jim (Don’t squeeze the…) Sharman’s cult classic stars Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon as Brad and Janet, two virginal small-town lovers whose car breaks down in the shadows of a creepy old castle, where they encounter an odd collective of “unconventional conventionalists” gathered to witness transvestite scientist’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s latest creation – a muscular man named Rocky. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including tap-dancing Columbia, rocking biker Eddie, and of course, the castle’s “Sweet Transvestite” himself, Frank-N-Furter! Adapted from the 1973 stage musical by Richard O’Brien, this glam cult classic is a cinematic experience unlike any other. Sing-along (and shout-along!) to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a classic that still packs houses almost 50 years since its release! Get your tickets now before it sells out! 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. Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes not valid.

The Frida Cinema is proud to present the new indie film from director Kenneth Cran, Granite Rapids Moon, the first narrative feature ever to shoot the majority of its footage inside the rim of the Grand Canyon! A happily married father of two, shaken by a message written in a birthday card for his daughter, abruptly leaves his family for a week-long hike through the Grand Canyon. Following his solo trek, we see his memories of an earlier trip through the Grand Canyon with a different woman. A portion of ticket sales from this event will benefit Rivers & Lands Conservancy.

Just added: There will be a bonus special short with an on-screen appearance with Robby the Robot and B9 Lost in Space Robot that will play before the film! Prepare to journey beyond the stars to Altair IV with the groundbreaking classic Forbidden Planet—newly restored in dazzling Cinemascope! A landmark of visual effects, sound, and imagination, this 1956 classic helped ignite the future of the genre setting a new standard for sci-fi influencing Star Wars, Star Trek and beyond! Experience the stunning visuals and unforgettable special effects that transformed science fiction and fantasy motion pictures from then on. Whether you're a sci-fi enthusiast or a newcomer, don't miss your chance to see this timeless adventure on the big screen--including the legendary screen debut of the iconic Robby the Robot! As an added bonus, enjoy a rare screening of 2 George Pal Academy Award-nominated stop-motion animated Puppetoon Classics before the show: Dr. Seuss The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins and Tubby the Tuba, restored from their original Technicolor negatives by producer/director Arnold Leibovit, who will also be show's MC for the evening! 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.

Celebrate 40 years of mad science and midnight movie mayhem as our Halloween Hangover Series resurrects Stuart Gordon’s cult classic Re-Animator in a brand new 4K restoration! And to make it an extra special event, we are super excited to announce that Frida Cinema favorite, Barbara Crampton, will be in joining us for a post-screening Q&A to tell us all about her experiences making the film! When brilliant but deranged medical student Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs, in a career-defining performance) discovers a serum that brings the dead back to life, his experiments spiral from groundbreaking to grotesque. Soon, morgues overflow, limbs twitch, and body parts revolt in one of the most deliriously gory and darkly hilarious horror films ever made. Re-Animator is the gold standard for splatter horror and shouldn't be missed on the big screen with a packed audience! Get your tickets while they're still available! Please note: there is an added meet-and-greet VIP option to chat with (and have one item signed) by Barbara Crampton. Doors open at 6PM for this VIP ticket, and GA doors open at 7PM. The film will begin at 7:30PM! Because of this, Frida Cinema Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes are not valid to this option!

Fifty years after Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre shocked the world and forever changed the face of global cinema and popular culture, Chain Reactions charts the film’s profound impact and lasting influence on five great artists--Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama. Through early memories, sensory experiences, and childhood trauma, the film creates a dynamic dialogue between contemporary footage and never-before-seen outtakes and delving into personal impressions triggered by distinct audiovisual formats (16mm, 35mm, VHS, digital), Chain Reactions goes to the heart of how a scruffy, no-budget independent film wormed its way into our collective nightmares and permanently altered the zeitgeist. Pair this up before or after our screenings of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre during our Halloween Hangover Weekend series for the ultimate deep dive into the 70s horror phenomenon!

The film that changed the horror genre forever is roaring back to life as we close out our Halloween Hangover Weekend with Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre—restored, remastered, and just as merciless as ever. What begins as an innocent summer road trip through rural Texas becomes a waking nightmare when a group of friends stumbles upon an isolated farmhouse—and the cannibalistic family that calls it home. Released in 1974, Hooper’s masterpiece shattered taboos and redefined the limits of on-screen terror. Filmed with documentary grit and a feverish sense of realism, it’s less of a movie and more of an unrelenting plunge into what feels like genuinely dangerous territory. Half a century later, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre remains unmatched on a visceral level. Seeing it on the big screen with a packed crowd feels like the only proper way to say goodbye to Spooky Season this year.

As a tribute to the late, great Diane Keaton, we are presenting one of her most striking and under-sung performances in Warren Beatty’s sweeping 1981 epic Reds. Told on an operatic scale, Reds chronicles the real-life romance between radical journalist John Reed (Beatty) and writer-feminist Louise Bryant (Keaton), set against the turbulence of early-20th-century revolution. While history remembers Reed as the author of Ten Days That Shook the World, it’s Keaton’s Louise who anchors the film—unwilling to live in anyone’s shadow. Shot with the grandeur of classic Hollywood and the intimacy of a love letter, Reds earned Beatty an Academy Award for Best Director and Keaton a Best Actress nomination, cementing her as more than the quirky icon of Annie Hall. Here she is--resolute and radiant forever.

He’s a master of kung fu. He’s a hero with soul. He’s got the glow. Berry Gordy’s Motown martial arts masterpiece The Last Dragon  kicks its way into our November lineup, now celebrating 40 years since its initial release! When Harlem martial artist Leroy Green (Taimak) sets out to achieve the final level of enlightenment—the legendary “Glow”—he finds himself battling street gangs, showbiz villains, and the self-proclaimed Shogun of Harlem, Sho’nuff (Julius Carry, in one of cinema’s most gloriously over-the-top performances). Along the way, he discovers that true mastery isn’t just about fighting—it’s about believing in your own power. Packed with neon-lit action and an unforgettable soundtrack featuring Stevie Wonder and DeBarge, The Last Dragon is a genre-blending cult sensation. Don't miss it!

Join us for a two-day limited run celebrating 40 years of director Mamoru Oshii's animated cult classic Angel's Egg, now with a brand new 4K restoration via our friends at GKIDS. In an underwater city, a young girl takes care of a large egg she holds carefully in her arms – a treasure that she believes is an angel's egg. One day, a boy with a gun arrives in search of a bird he saw in his dream and, at first, it seems as if feelings of sympathy are developing between the two. This film will be presented in its original Japanese language with English subtitles.

Our Classic Movie Nights series takes a delightful detour into Screwball Country with Ernst Lubitsch’s final completed film, the effervescent Cluny Brown!  Jennifer Jones is Cluny—a spirited, plumber-loving young woman whose knack for bursting social bubbles gets her sent off to service in a country manor. There, she collides with Charles Boyer’s dashing, penniless intellectual hiding from the Nazis (as one does), and the result is a whip-smart satire wrapped in romantic whimsy. Lubitsch, the master of sophisticated comedy, skewers British class structures with his trademark light touch and sly innuendo, delivering laughs with a wink and wisdom with a smile. Not quite a romance, not quite a farce, Cluny Brown is a story about people who don’t quite fit—but maybe fit each other perfectly. 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!

Join the Lavender Democrats, Roz Esposito, and The Frida Cinema for 2025's Trans Day Of Remembrance. Our program will feature a vigil of lights, singing, and a video of the Broadway-bound show Living Over The Rainbow by Roz Esposito - which is a tribute to our departed 15 year-old transgender angel, Letisha King.  When: Thursday, November 20th 7:30PM-9:30PM Where: The Frida Cinema 305 E 4th Street #100, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Tickets: $10, proceeds go to the LGBTQ Center OC For tickets, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2025tdor

He's baaaaaaaack! Our annual homage to one of the most controversial and celebrated filmmakers of the 21st century--M Night Shyamalan--is back for a third time! It's Night Of Shyamalan 3!  Join us on November 20th at 7:30PM as we present a super secret double feature of the auteur's work, showcasing his unique brand of filmmaking that has always stood out, even in the era of massive CG-filled blockbusters that we've been inundated with for the past two decades. The rise, the fall, the redemption--everything will be up for grabs at Night Of Shyamalan 3. Enter...if you dare! As always, this event is free with an RSVP through our site.

Join us for the Red Carpet Opening Night of the 2025 Sikhlens: Sikh Arts & Film Festival! Sumita Batra will host the evening, and welcome this year's audience. Bal Choda will introduce the Sikhlens film Crafting Legacy, which will screen throughout the weekend after Friday night's premiere event.  Also premiering will be Project Pakistan film Mitti and Project S film A Life Story. , after which Sikhlens is proud to present this year's Opening Night Feature film, Maa jaye.

Dress Code: Indian formal Maharaja and Maharani Attire; Western Formal; Dress to impress.

Content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

RED CARPET NIGHT HOST: SUMITA BATRA

Born in England to Sikh parents from Iran, Sumita Batra spent her youth migrating between India, England, and Iran. At 16, her family settled in the United States, working tirelessly to establish stability in their new home. When Batra’s mother opened Ziba Beauty in 1987, she became the company’s spokesperson, producing events and tradeshows that fueled growth.

Under Batra’s leadership, Ziba Beauty blossomed into chic studios in major California malls, sparking a global henna trend. As a renowned henna artist, she adorned A-List celebrities for magazine shoots and music videos. In 1998, Batra became Ziba’s CEO, partnering to distribute branded kits globally.

A prolific author and entrepreneur, Batra penned “The Art of Mehndi” in 1999 and launched Sumita Cosmetics, expanding to 22 countries before selling to her partners in 2017. Undeterred by COVID-19, Batra recently co-founded The Pro Safety Group, producing a 2021 Virtual Summit on beauty industry safety. She also works with a COVID Consortium providing testing kits worldwide, illustrating her tireless ingenuity.

OPENING NIGHT SHORT FILM SELECTION

A Life Story A short documentary featuring Dr. Jogishwar Singh, who shares the details of his Sikh life in a predominately non-Sikh community in Switzerland.

Crafting Legacy The inspiring story of Bal Chola, a boy from Southall who discovered a love for drawing at a young age. What began as a simple hobby soon grew into a lifelong passion. Through years of dedication and creativity, Bal turned his childhood interest into a successful and award-winning career in engineering. His journey is a celebration of hard work, imagination, and staying true to one’s passion. The film proudly highlights his achievements, including receiving the prestigious King’s Award, showing how a boy with a pencil and a dream became a respected figure in his field.

Mitti A heartwarming story about Jasleen and her family as they journey back to their ancestral village in Pakistan. Through old memories, emotional reunions, and heartfelt conversations, the film captures their experience of reconnecting with their roots and the land their forefathers once called home.

OPENING NIGHT FEATURE FILM

Maa Jaye is a sweeping emotional drama about Amar, an Indian-American doctor who returns to his homeland in 2001. As Amar reconnects with his disabled brother and confronts the ghosts of a divided past, director Navaniat Singh's film explores themes of identity, brotherhood, and the healing power of family across generations.

Starring: Jimmy Shergill / Manav Vij / Yograj Singh

Join us Saturday afternoon at 1PM for Sikhlens' Saturday Afternoon PDV Session.

Panthic Digital Voice (PDV), a partnership between the Sri Hemkunt Foundation and Sikhlens, empowers Sikh youth by equipping them with essential filmmaking skills. Sahej Kaur Chawla and Amrit Singh Chawla, alumni of the PDV program, will serve as the hosts for the display of PDV films crafted by  talented community children. The Sikhlens Panthic Digital Voices Program (PDV) traces its origins back to film school scholarships and has grown exponentially since its inception in 2015. Over 1,000 children, ranging in age from six to eighteen, have been trained in the art of filmmaking. This unique venture has brought to life more than 125 short films. A Q&A session will follow the screenings.

This session will be screening in Theater 2. The content, selections, and schedule are subject to change without notice.

Join us Saturday afternoon at 1PM for Sikhlens' Saturday Afternoon Shorts Block #1, presenting the following short films:

To Kill A Tiger

Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.

Amrita Kaur – A Magical Voice

From gurdwara halls in Malaysia to festival stages in New Zealand, this short documentary follows vocalist Amrita Kaur's inspiring musical journey. Through intimate interviews and lyrical footage, it explores the deep bonds of inter-generational mentorship, the commitment to daily riaz (practice), and the nuanced experience of maintaining Punjabi-Sikh identity across three continents. This tender portrait reveals how heritage is not merely preserved but reinvented, showing how faith, family, and song travel together as harmonies cross borders, resonating with hope and cultural continuity.

Everyday Activists

Everyday Activists follows Manpreet Kaur and Angad Singh, a Sikh couple merging activism and healthcare. This documentary explores how their Sikh values of Seva and compassion drive their work for social justice. Through intimate interviews, we see Manpreet’s advocacy and Angad’s medical practice tackle issues like science skepticism and authoritarianism. Their story shows how cultural identity and personal conviction can fuel the pursuit of a more equitable society.

This session will be screening in Theater 1. The content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

Join us Saturday afternoon at 2:30PM for Sikhlens’ Saturday Children's Session!  Children and their parents can enjoy a book reading and a program of animated films. Snacks will also be provided to the children.

Sandip K. Sodhi will read Proud to be a Kaur.

The films in this session include:

COSMIC DRAMA OF LIFE Ancient teachings collide with contemporary environmental crisis in this powerful animated journey through Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s revolutionary ecological wisdom. Drawing from the sacred Salok of Japji Sahib, the film brings to life the profound truth that “Air is our Guru, Water is our Father, Earth is our Mother”—a divine trinity that humanity has forgotten in its relentless pursuit of progress. Through stunning visuals, witness how these sacred elements once guided civilization before being reduced to mere resources to exploit.

As the story unfolds, we witness the cosmic betrayal of our time: how modern civilization systematically pollutes the very forces that sustain us, exploiting and desecrating what our ancestors revered as sacred. Every act of environmental destruction is recorded in the “Cosmic Cloud”—a spiritual black box that bears witness to humanity’s choices. This haunting animated tale challenges viewers to confront our collective amnesia and rediscover the reverence our planet desperately needs.

SAKA SIRHIND A decade in the making, Saka Sirhind is Sikhlens’ first full-length animated feature, produced under our new division, Sikhlens Animations. The film brings to life one of the most significant and poignant events in Sikh history — the martyrdom of the younger Sahibzade, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji (age 9) and Baba Fateh Singh Ji (age 6), the sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In 1704, in the city of Sirhind, they were bricked alive for refusing to abandon their Sikh faith and convert to Islam, an act of courage and steadfastness that continues to inspire generations.

Conceived by the late Professor Narindra Singh, founder and chairman of Sikhlens India, and realized through the artistry of  Animator Pardeep Singh Matharu, the project was revived and completed by the Sikhlens team after Professor Singh’s passing. Saka Sirhind marks the beginning of a new era in animated Sikh storytelling, with more animated and 3D films to follow each year.

Sikh & Punjabi Animation Showcase The Sikh & Punjabi Animation Showcase highlights the recent work in Sikh and Punjabi content — blending 2D and 3D animation to tell powerful stories of history, culture, and values. From Akaalgarh and Maano Billa to educational series like Jeet Singh and Beer Kaur and Lipi.

Safar The journey of two friends and their communities who were once inseparable. Choosing Kindness is a film about Sikh principles that can be related to everyday life.

This session will be screening in Theater 2. The content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

Join us Saturday afternoon at 2:35PM for Sikhlens’ Saturday Afternoon Shorts Block #2!

2:35 PM – 4:35 PM – AFTERNOON MATINEE 2 – THEATER 1

Ride by Turbanators Across the vast landscapes of Canada, a unique brotherhood roars to life on two wheels. From coast to coast, Sikh motorcycle clubs unite riders bound not just by their love of the open road, but by their unwavering commitment to serve others. These aren't your typical biker gangs—they're charitable warriors on Harleys, their turbans flowing in the wind as they partner with major organizations like Khalsa Aid, the Canadian Cancer Society, and Guru Nanak Food Bank. Every ride tells a story of community engagement; every mile raises funds for those in need.

 

 

 

Harmony of Healing Harmony of Healing follows the journey of Major General Dr. Lakhvinder Singh Vohra (retired), a renowned oncologist who saved countless lives but couldn't save those dearest to him. When his wife is diagnosed with cancer, his world shatters, leading to personal breakdown. Yet he finds strength to rebuild and embarks on a new path as a singer. Dr. Vohra's story illustrates the resilience of the human spirit and its capacity to heal and flourish even in the most challenging trials, inspiring anyone facing their own struggles.

 

 

 

Crafting Legacy Crafting Legacy tells the inspiring story of Bal Choda, a boy from Southall who discovered a love for drawing at a young age. What began as a simple hobby soon grew into a lifelong passion. Through years of dedication and creativity, Bal turned his childhood interest into a successful and award-winning career in engineering. His journey is a celebration of hard work, imagination, and staying true to one’s passion. The film proudly highlights his achievements, including receiving the prestigious King’s Award, showing how a boy with a pencil and a dream became a respected figure in his field.

 

 

 

Mitti A heartwarming story about Jasleen and her family as they journey back to their ancestral village in Pakistan. Through old memories, emotional reunions, and heartfelt conversations, the film captures their experience of reconnecting with their roots and the land their forefathers once called home.

 

 

 

 

 

Perfectly Seasoned When a Sikh restaurant owner’s niece convinces him to host a speed dating night to bring a partner into his life, an unexpected connection stirs up laughter, chaos, and a dash of romance in this heartwarming mockumentary about love, family, and second chances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Warriors Water Warriors is about water pollution in rivers of Punjab and how it’s affecting the entire population of the state. There’s a group of young people who are working to clean the rivers. They have named themselves, ‘water warriors’. This film talks about their work and the actual issue.

 

 

 

 

A Life Story A Life Story is a short documentary that features Dr. Jogishwar Singh who shares the details of his Sikh life in a predominately non-Sikh community in Switzerland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This session will be screening in Theater 1. The content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

Join us Saturday afternoon at 4PM for Sikhlens’ Saturday Late Afternoon Session #2, presenting the following short films:

Seva and Success—The Vic Sethi Story Explores the remarkable journey of Vic Sethi, a British entrepreneur whose life reflects resilience, faith, and community spirit. From escaping the 1990 invasion of Kuwait to building a successful business in the UK, Vic shares how family values, belief in oneself, and cultural roots shaped his path. His story highlights overcoming racial bias, finding strength through faith, and his commitment to giving back. Alongside personal reflections, Vic discusses his heritage and support for the Sikhlens project—offering a heartfelt portrait of a man who turned life’s challenges into meaningful impact.

India to Leicester: An Artist's Journey India to Leicester: An Artist’s Journey is a captivating portrait of Kamal Koria, the UK’s first Asian Graphic Artist, whose bold and colourful works bridge continents and cultures. From his early beginnings in India to his pioneering career in Britain, this film traces Koria’s personal and artistic journey. Inspired by the vibrant hues and everyday scenes of his childhood village, Koria’s paintings poetically preserve a world now past, celebrating the textures, traditions, and spirit of India as he remembers it. Through commercial success and contemporary creations, his art continues to shape British Asian cultural identity, resonating with audiences across the globe.

Approval Needed After a day that just can’t get any worse, a lonely traffic warden finds love and an unexpected friend at the supermarket checkout.

Raah-e-Nanak Raah-e-Nanakis a documentary that follows a journey from Sangrur, Punjab to Kaza in the Spiti Valley, exploring everyday acts of kindness inspired by Sufi and Sikh traditions. The film showcases ordinary individuals whose selfless actions positively impact their communities, highlighting how compassion transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. Through diverse landscapes and stories, it celebrates the enduring influence of Guru Nanak’s teachings on human kindness.

This session will be screening in Theater 2. The content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

Siklens' “Creative Sikhs” session shines a light on the incredible artistic talents within the Sikh community, beyond traditional careers. Filmmakers like Gurdeep Dhaliwal, Hansjeet Duggal,  Davinder Singh, Harjus Singh, Jasleen Pannu, Chef Chawla, Bal Choda, Harleen Singh, Harbinder Singh, Rhyley Pruitt, Sarah Kirby, and Kabir Sethi will share their filmmaking experiences in panel discussions. Author Sandip Sodhi will discuss her writing; Jasmeet Kaur her artwork, and Simran Sammi and Gurpreet Phokela their music. This session will be led by moderator Nikki Gill.

FILMMAKERS

GURDEEP SINGH DHALIWAL Gurdeep Singh Dhaliwal discovered his passion for writing early on, starting a little magazine in his village of Sukhpura Maur that collected writings by local schoolchildren. Although he began studying engineering, he soon ditched this path to pursue English literature and creative writing in London. During his student years, Dhaliwal frequently visited art galleries and museums across Europe, immersing himself in the arts. After finishing his studies, unlike many of his Punjabi peers, he returned to Punjab to tell the stories of his generation’s aspirations.

Although trained in the written word, Dhaliwal chose the camera as his primary tool to convey visual stories of alienated college-going youth. Capturing their musical tastes, fashion styles, and postered walls full of boredom, his work explores the minutiae of youth culture. Always drawn to the human element, Dhaliwal’s image-making centralizes the human face, even when capturing empty spaces through evocative objects like clothes, sheets, and wires.

From an early calling to give voice to children’s writings to his photographic chronicling of Punjabi youth, Gurdeep Singh Dhaliwal’s work remains committed to illuminating the lives and longings of the human spirit. His own diverse artistic journey informs his singular perspectives on both Indian and European culture. Dhaliwal continues using his lens to unveil the poetry in the everyday.

Hansjeet Duggal is an award-winning VFX supervisor, and immersive media innovator based in Hollywood. A longtime creative collaborator of Ben Affleck, Duggal has brought his visual storytelling expertise to several of Affleck’s films, including The Accountant 2, Unstoppable, The Instigators, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Greatest Love Story Never Told, Small Things Like These, and Air.

Beyond feature films, he has helped shape the visual identity of major Super Bowl campaigns for Dunkin’ Donuts over the past three years, blending cinematic craft with cultural impact.

Earlier in his career, Duggal made his mark in immersive media — his VR animated short Freiheit was selected by the prestigious Annecy International Animation Festival in France. A graduate of the American Cinema Editors Diversity Program, he continues to bridge storytelling and innovation through his work in VFX, animation, and editing.

Duggal has also edited and directed acclaimed documentaries and films for PBS, including Jutti Kasoori, The Cheez That Binds, Shades of Indigo, and Sacred Threads of Lima. Passionate about empowering the next generation of creators, he teaches filmmaking through the Sikhlens Digital Voices Program.

With a career spanning live action, animation, and immersive storytelling, Hansjeet Duggal continues to redefine how stories are seen and felt on screen.

Harbinder Singh Harbinder Singh is a Sikh model, actor, and filmmaker based in New York. With an extensive background in fashion and film, he has appeared in international campaigns, billboards, and on-screen projects that celebrate diversity and culture. As a co-writer of the Bollywood feature Love in Vietnam, Harbinder continues to expand his creative reach into global storytelling. Through his production company, Kahani Road Productions, he develops original films like Perfectly Seasoned and Manpreet, blending humor, heart, and representation to spotlight authentic South Asian experiences.

Davinder Singh Davinder Singh is an acclaimed Indo-Canadian director, actor, and producer known for impactful projects like Waleed, What’s Your Identity, and Beneath the Makeup. Waleed earned honors as the 3rd Best North Indian Film. Singh’s recent productions include Apna Farz; Basera; Patka Box; Bold Helmets; Khalsa Centre – Simran, Seva, Sangat; Deportations 700; and Benaqab Chehre on Chaupal TV. With several compelling films in the pipeline for 2024, Singh continues to garner attention for his directorial skills.

Harjus Singh Sethi Harjus Singh Sethi is a director/screenwriter who explored his Sikh heritage in his poignant Chapman MFA thesis film, All Quiet on the Homefront. Starring Waris Ahluwalia, it tells the true story of Bhagat Singh Thind and has screened at Oscar-qualifying festivals including LA Shorts.

Born in Cincinnati and raised in Ohio, Harjus’ films focus on identity and power dynamics. He continues writing and directing projects that deliver impactful narratives. Harjus currently has a feature script in the final round of Sundance Labs. He has industry experience at companies like EuropaCorp and CBS, demonstrating his dedication to the craft.

Rhyley Pruitt Rhyley Pruitt is a documentarian and video editor passionate about uncovering real stories and amplifying lived experiences. Currently pursuing a BFA in Documentary Film from Chapman University, Rhyley hopes to contribute an innovative approach to the field, bringing audiences closer to the heart of nonfiction storytelling.

Sarah Kirby Sarah Kirby is a documentary filmmaker pursuing a BFA at Chapman University. She tells character-driven stories, focusing on cinematography that captures authentic human experiences. Harleen Singh Harleen Singh is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with a passion for telling powerful, human-centered stories that inspire audiences to look beyond their limitations and pursue their highest potential. Known for her ability to explore complex themes with empathy and depth, Harleen uses film as a medium to spark dialogue, challenge perceptions, and ignite change.

Harmony of Healing marks Harleen’s fourth documentary. Her previous films have earned numerous accolades at international film festivals and have been celebrated for their thought-provoking narratives and social impact. Her acclaimed film Drawn Together: Comics, Diversity and Stereotypes was featured on PBS and showcased at over 65 film festivals worldwide, winning nine major awards.

Kabir Singh Sethi Kabir Singh Sethi is an inquisitive and creative 13 year old boy, who is a true out of the box thinker. Born and raised in Northern California as a Sikh American, Kabir has had a passion for legos from the age of 4. This passion evolved into making Stop-Motion Animation videos, beginning at the age of 9, and now mounting to over 175 short videos on his YouTube channel, Kabir The Legomaster. When he’s not working on stop motion, Kabir also enjoys tabla, playing the dhol, practicing his card tricks and basketball.

WRITER

Sandip Sodhi Sandip Sodhi is a Canadian, British born Sikh woman whose parents immigrated from Punjab, India. She is both a children's book author and an elementary school teacher in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, where she has been educating children ages 5-13 for more than 30 years. Currently serving as a Teacher-Librarian, Sodhi is deeply passionate about cultural representation and diversity in children's literature. Drawing from her own childhood in 1970s East Vancouver, where such representation was lacking, she believes children need to see themselves reflected in the books they read and has made a conscious commitment to writing books that celebrate inclusivity and diversity.

As an author, Sodhi has written five picture books that carry strong messages about unity, diversity, and positivity. Her bibliography includes "Ms. Chievus in the Classroom" (2020), "Talk to Me, What Do You See? Beauty and Joy from A – Z" (2021), and "Moments in Time – Memories of East Vancouver" (2023), while her latest publications "Proud to be a Kaur" and "Proud to be a Singh" were released in 2025 through Sikhlens Publishing with illustrations by Pardeep Singh. Her literary contributions have been recognized with The Drishti Award for Innovation and Excellence in the Arts in 2021 and The Sikh Heritage BC Community Changemakers Award in 2022.

Beyond her writing, Sodhi has created educational Sikh dolls that serve as both learning tools and toys, featuring long hair that allows children to practice braiding or tying it into a joodha (bun) and securing it with a patka (head covering). This initiative reflects her broader belief that children should have access to toys and materials that authentically represent their cultures. More information about her work can be found on Instagram @niraalicreations and on her website at www.niraalicreations.com.

MUSICIANS

Gurpreet Kaur Phokela Gurpreet Kaur Phokela is a multidisciplinary individual with a diverse background in science and the arts. She holds academic degrees in Education, Physics, Hindustani Classical Music (Sitar, Vocal), Tabla, and Industrial Relations and Personnel Management.

Gurpreet has extensive experience spanning 15 years of teaching high school Physics, Music, and Drama in India. She is an instructor of Laughter Yoga, Classical Music, Kirtan, which she taught for 19 years at SCOC, and Indian dances which she taught for the India Medical Association of Southern California. Committed to community service, she has been involved in medical camps. A Rangoli artist, Gurpreet loves playing various instruments and is an avid learner of Gurbani.

Simran Kaur Simran Kaur is a versatile singer, music teacher, and performer who has released multiple songs with major labels like Zee Music, Tseries, Speed Records, Sammi Music, and performed internationally, from India to Times Square on Turbans day.

Her song Glamour was featured on Bigg Boss in India, and she was honored by the Governor of Maharashtra for her achievements. She was also crowned Mrs. India Global USA 2023–2024 First Runner-Up.

Sammi holds a bachelor degree in Indian Classical Music and Computer Science degree from Ohio State University and has over a decade of experience in IT, currently working with the US Navy, while continuing her journey as an artist with Sammi Music. She continues to inspire audiences worldwide, follow her on YouTube and social media, or DM for bookings.

ARTIST

Jasmeet Kaur is a mixed media artist who draws inspiration from her travels and encounters with people from diverse backgrounds. With a background in Textile Design and Development, she has exhibited her work in various cities throughout the United States and the United Kingdom.

Kaur strives to continuously experiment with new concepts and thoughts, embracing challenges that present positivity and unique narratives. When she's not painting, she works on interior design projects and indulges her passion for traveling, experiences that continually inform and enrich her artistic practice.

Her work can be viewed at www.baaniart.com and on Instagram @baaniart, where she invites others to join her in exploring a colorful and stimulating art world.

FEATURED INDIVIDUALS

Bal Choda Bal Choda is a lead engineer and inventor at Aston Martin. His team at Aston Martin won The King's Award for Enterprise in Innovation. Bal received a matchbox Aston Martin DBS from his grandfather at age 7, sparking a lifelong passion. His journey is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose, deeply rooted in Sikh principles.

Bal has spent over two decades inspiring young people towards their future careers through voluntary work. Bal's story embodies hard work, resilience, and a "never give up" attitude. As a proud Sikh, Bal's journey reflects core principles of Sikhism. His innovative work at Aston Martin has led to significant recognition, including meeting HM The King for the King's Award. Bal Choda's story is one of turning childhood dreams into reality, inspiring others through his achievements and voluntary efforts.

Dr. Jasleen Kaur Pannu Dr. Jasleen Kaur Pannu is an interventional pulmonologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at The Ohio State University, where she serves as Medical Director of the Lung Cancer Early Detection Program. She pioneered the integration of AI technology for early lung cancer detection and leads a multidisciplinary clinic that has diagnosed over 100 early-stage lung cancers, transforming outcomes for patients across Ohio. Her excellence in education has earned her recognition as a Distinguished CHEST Educator for two consecutive years, and she actively mentors trainees at all levels.

As President of Women in Interventional Pulmonology (WIIP), Dr. Pannu advances national mentorship and leadership development for women in the field. Her innovative contributions to patient care have been recognized with multiple awards, including the OSUP Patient Care Innovation Award. Beyond her medical work, she is a storyteller and traveler who explores themes of resilience and cultural identity, with a deep commitment to building equitable and compassionate healthcare systems.

Chef Inderpal Singh Chawla Chef Inderpal Singh Chawla is a respected Executive Chef and global hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience, currently leading the culinary program at Market District in Dublin, Ohio. Born to Indian immigrant parents and trained under Master Chefs in both Washington, DC and Italy, his approach blends classical techniques with rich cultural heritage. His impressive career spans leadership roles at prestigious establishments including The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott International, and elite private aviation and nautical sectors.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Chef Inderpal is dedicated to culinary education and community service. As a proud Sikh and member of Sikhs in Hospitality, he mentors aspiring chefs and volunteers with Food Jonezi, leading nutrition education programs for underserved communities. His mission transcends cooking—he views culinary arts as instruments of change and bridges between cultures, serving with integrity and using food as a force for healing and human connection.

This session will be presented in Theater 1. The content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

Join us Saturday night at 7PM for Sikhlens’ Saturday Night Double Feature #2, featuring Akaal: The Unconquered + Crafting Legacy.

Akaal: The Unconquered Directed, written and produced by Gippy Grewal, Akaal: The Unconquered stars Gippy Grewal himself as the valiant Sardar Akaal Singh, alongside Nimrat Khaira as Sahej Kaur and Nikitin Dheer as the ruthless Jangi Jahan. Set in the turbulent 1840s Punjab following the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the film traces how Sardar Akaal leads his village’s resistance against the marauding forces of Jangi Jahan and his sister Khatroo, defending his homeland with fierce courage, brotherhood, and honour. Balancing epic battle sequences with sweeping visuals, the film blends action-packed spectacle with the grounded values of valor and sacrifice.

+ Bonus Film: Crafting Legacy Crafting Legacy tells the inspiring story of Bal Choda, a boy from Southall who discovered a love for drawing at a young age. What began as a simple hobby soon grew into a lifelong passion. Through years of dedication and creativity, Bal turned his childhood interest into a successful and award-winning career in engineering. His journey is a celebration of hard work, imagination, and staying true to one’s passion. The film proudly highlights his achievements, including receiving the prestigious King’s Award, showing how a boy with a pencil and a dream became a respected figure in his field.

This session will be screening in Theater 2. The content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

Join us Saturday night at 7PM for Sikhlens’ Saturday Night Double Feature, featuring Chal Mera Putt 4 + Crafting Legacy.

Chal Mera Putt 4 Directed by Janjot Singh and written by Rakesh Dhawan, Chal Mera Putt 4 continues the beloved Punjabi comedy-drama franchise with stars Amrinder Gill and Simi Chahal returning as Jinder and Savy. Set once again among a group of Punjabi immigrants struggling to make ends meet in the UK, the film follows their daily grind of odd jobs, homesickness, and camaraderie -until they stumble upon a bag containing one million pounds. What begins as a dream-come-true quickly spirals into chaos, sparking a hilarious series of misadventures that blend sharp humor with heartfelt emotion.

+ BONUS FILM: Crafting Legacy Crafting Legacy tells the inspiring story of Bal Choda, a boy from Southall who discovered a love for drawing at a young age. What began as a simple hobby soon grew into a lifelong passion. Through years of dedication and creativity, Bal turned his childhood interest into a successful and award-winning career in engineering. His journey is a celebration of hard work, imagination, and staying true to one’s passion. The film proudly highlights his achievements, including receiving the prestigious King’s Award, showing how a boy with a pencil and a dream became a respected figure in his field.

Join us Sunday afternoon at 1PM for Sikhlens' Sunday Afternoon Session #2, presenting the following short films:

I Will Meet You Yet Again: Contemporary Sikh Art I Will Meet You Yet Again: Contemporary Sikh Art captures an extraordinary exhibition at UCLA’s Fowler Museum, curated by Sonia Dhami and Syona Puliady. Through paintings, posters, tapestries, and multimedia installations, the exhibition offers a contemporary lens on Sikh culture, history, and identity. The documentary, produced by the Sikhlens Community Voices Program, features curator Sonia Dhami discussing the vision, artists, and challenges of bringing this diverse collection together. More than an art showcase, it highlights how such exhibitions create platforms for cross-cultural dialogue on heritage, resilience, and the evolving Sikh narrative.

Gift of Light Gift of Light follows Dr. Gurpal Bhullar, an orthopedic surgeon, who organizes a free three-day eye camp in a small village in Punjab. Locals are offered check-ups, treatments, and even free surgeries — transforming lives and restoring sight, one patient at a time.

Lifting Together Lifting Together is an intimate short documentary that follows the journey of national record-holding weightlifter Harmanpreet Kaur and her husband-coach Sukhwinderpal Singh Padda, a professor and former athlete. Set in Punjab, India, the film explores their shared dedication to the sport, the gender and societal challenges they face, and the unique strength of their partnership—both on and off the lifting platform. Flying High-Falcons Sikh Primary School Flying High-Falcons Sikh Primary School celebrates the 10-year journey of Falcons Primary School - the first faith school in Leicestershire. It showcases how its dedicated staff, families, and community members work together to inspire student who embody the school motto & “To be the best we can be." Hidden Gems Hidden Gems follows Naranjan Singh Khalsa, a Sikh miner, as he traverses the rugged landscapes of the western United States, particularly Nevada. The documentary explores Naranjan's interactions with local mining families renowned for their turquoise extraction. Through his journey, viewers gain insight into the dedication and craftsmanship required to bring precious gems to market, while also uncovering the rich history and cultural significance of small-scale mining in America. The film advocates for supporting local mining communities and encourages audiences to appreciate the origins of the gemstones they admire.

#kalyug (Age of Darkness)  Raj, a rising actor in Bollywood, faces controversy after a reckless tweet in today’s politically charged climate. His attempt to speak truth to power makes him an industry outlier amid rising censorship. As real-world consequences mount, he encounters a mysterious woman in his dreams who offers him an impossible choice. Torn between doing what’s right for the greater good or staying silent for personal gain, Raj must decide. His choice will impact not just his life, but countless others for generations to come.

Amritsar Junction Amritsar Junction is a film based on a Sikh family’s experiences during the Partition of India in 1947.This traumatic episode in the region’s history resulted in the expulsion of Sikhs from the Punjab, their traditional homeland and the center of their religion and culture. With the division of colonial India into the nation-states of India and Pakistan, there was extraordinary violence, torment, and bloodshed, and mass migration of refugees on both sides of the new border. The main character worked for the British-built railway system, which played a pivotal role in the refugee experience during the Partition. As Dusk Falls The promise of a bigger and better life in Canada where his older brother has already settled has long inundated the dreams of Navraj, a young Punjabi man in Chandigarh. But when his long-awaited visa finally gets approved, he realizes the cost of leaving home may be far greater than he ever anticipated. More than leaving behind his friends, he cannot bear to break the news to his beloved grandmother who adoringly depends on him. Randhawa Foundation Meet the noble Randhawa family, founders of the Randhawa Foundation, a US-registered NGO. This film shines a light on their incredible work — from organizing free medical camps for the underprivileged to running a school that educates and empowers children in their native village in India.

Pursuit of Happiness According to Guru Tegh Bahadur Jessi Kaur provides a reflection on Guru Tegh Bahadur’s legacy.

This session will be screening in Theater 2. The content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

Join us Sunday afternoon at 1PM for Sikhlens' Sunday Afternoon Session #1, presenting the following short films:

Patterns & Contrasts: Hong Kong We’re journeying to one of the most fascinating spaces and people on our planet. We're grappling with the questions the entire world is asking: Who are you? What feeds your soul? How do you adapt?

Nanak Chinta Mat Karo A man loses his job when his corrupt boss takes a bribe to replace him. Despite rejections, he never loses hope, following Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teaching: "Do not worry; the One is taking care of everything." He eventually finds new work and gets promoted. Two years later, he discovers his former boss critically ill and broke in a hospital. Choosing compassion over revenge, he pays for the boss's surgery, proving the core message: keep acting with a kind heart, and the Lord will take care of everything. Vadda Din On Christmas Eve, Emmanuel rushes to collect a cake, only to realize she mistakenly wrote the wrong delivery date. At the bakery, she meets Balpartap, a young Sikh baker who tries to help her fix the situation. What begins as a simple exchange slowly unfolds into a heartfelt conversation about faith, culture, and shared human experiences. Just as their dialogue bridges differences, they encounter something unexplainable, reminding us to leave room for wonder and magic in the everyday.

10 Minutes At a quiet train station, a father considering boarding school for his children meets an elderly woman abandoned by her son. In just ten minutes, her story of loss, resilience, and unconditional love completely changes his perspective on family. A powerful reflection on how brief encounters can transform lives, directed by multi-international award-winning filmmaker Harjot Singh. Badlaav Republic Women leaders inculcate the pursuit of knowledge and growth to kids and men in a local community in India. Becoming Mari Ji Take a six-minute poetic journey with Mariella, an Italian American woman whose evolving connection to the Sikh and Panjabi heritage and culture inspired this artistic, heartfelt, and original story. For the Sikh and Panjabi community, celebrate, resonate and connect onscreen with some of your traditions and religious principles. For others, follow the rhyme and expand your knowledge. 1 Minute 1 Minute is based on the true story of the Khanna Rail Disaster of November 26, 1998 - one of India's deadliest train accidents. At 3:13 AM near Khanna, Punjab, the Calcutta-bound Sealdah Express collided with derailed coaches of the Amritsar-bound Frontier Mail, killing 209 passengers and injuring 140 others. The film follows two passengers at Khanna Railway Station: Jarnail Singh, who missed boarding the Frontier Mail by just one minute, and Om Prakash, who came to receive family members traveling on the Sealdah Express. Tragically, there was only one minute between the Frontier Mail's derailment and the fatal collision.

Jalebi! A short rideshare trip ends up steering a young passenger's outlook on life into a new direction.

She/Her A short film about female empowerment and being comfortable in your own skin. Ghuman Gheri (Whirpool) In today’s hyperconnected world, the rise of social media, consumerism, and endless distractions has reshaped how people live and think. Ghuman Gheri takes a deep look at the Desi diaspora in the West—exploring how the pursuit of status, illusionary success, and digital validation has distanced communities from their cultural and moral foundations.

This session will be screening in Theater 1. The content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

Join us Sunday afternoon at 4:15PM for Sikhlens’ Sunday Feature Film #2: Sardaar Ji 3!

Directed by Amar Hundal, Sardaar Ji 3 stars Diljit Dosanjh as Jaggi, the legendary ghost-hunter, alongside Neeru Bajwa, Hania Aamir, and Gulshan Grover. When Jaggi and his spectral sidekick Pinky are summoned to a haunted castle in the United Kingdom to tackle a seemingly-unstoppable spirit, they uncover a dark secret that challenges all of Jaggi’s skills and beliefs as he faces his most difficult case.

This session will be screening in Theater 2. The content, selections, and schedule subject to change without notice.

Join us Sunday afternoon at 4:30PM for Sikhlens’ Sunday Feature Film #1: Mittran Challeya Truck Ni!

Mittran Challeya Truck Ni Directed by Rakesh Dhawan, Mittran Da Challeya Truck Ni follows the life of Satta (played by Amrinder Gill), a dedicated Punjabi truck driver who cherishes simplicity. Seeking a grounded partner to help steady his busy world, he meets Jindi, who by contrast is ambitious, independent and drawn to a luxurious lifestyle, creating a lively clash of values. What starts as a classic mismatch of dreams and desires blossoms into an unconventional romance, all set against the rugged, often humorous backdrop of Satta’s trucking life, and the pull between tradition and modernity.

Our final Volunteer Of The Month pick was picked by Emma, as she has chosen Orson Welles’s singular adaptation of Franz Kafka’s chilling The Trial! When bank clerk Josef K. (Anthony Perkins) is arrested on his thirtieth birthday—never told what he’s charged with, never shown his accusers—his attempt at normal life fractures into a surreal labyrinth of law offices, dark corridors, and anonymous verdicts. The law doesn’t need to explain itself, and neither does Welles’ camera—it obsesses over angles, shadows, and the hollowness of bureaucracy. With its stark black-and-white visuals, towering architecture, and a sense of dread that feels both grand and intimate, The Trial is Welles’ most personal film—a nightmare built not for a moment, but for an eternity.

The rarely screened Four Nights of a Dreamer is Robert Bresson’s great forgotten masterpiece, a stark yet haunting ode to romantic idealism and the capriciousness of love. We are presenting it in a brand new 4K restoration via our friends at Janus Films!  Adapted from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “White Nights,” Four Nights follows Jacques (Guillaume des Forêts), a lonely artist who roams bohemian Paris in search of the girl of his dreams. One night he saves a beautiful young woman, Marthe, from plunging into the Seine in despair over her rejection by an avoidant lover (Maurice Monnoyer). Jacques compassionately attempts to reunite Marthe with her beau, but his feelings for his new friend soon become less than platonic and his investment in her personal drama far from selfless.  Four Nights of a Dreamer has been called the French master’s “loveliest” work: with his signature minimalism, Bresson films the shimmering beauty of nocturnal Paris as it enfolds his characters in endless possibility—subtly capturing the wonder of unexpected connection and the mystery of fate.

Michael Powell's (of the iconic directorial duo Powell & Pressburger) deeply disturbing Peeping Tom is coming to The Frida Cinema in a brand new restoration from Rialto Pictures! Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making. When Peeping Tom premiered in 1960, British critics savaged it. The film was immediately branded “vile,” “depraved,” and “disgusting.” 55 years later, it's one of the most influential (and cleverly shot) thrillers ever made. 

Murder. Lust. Insurance. The perfect crime? Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, the film that defined film noir, is our Page To Screen pick for November! Fred MacMurray stars as Walter Neff, a slick insurance salesman whose routine pitch turns deadly when he meets Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck, all anklet and ice). Together they hatch a plan to kill her husband and collect on his policy—simple on paper, until suspicion, guilt, and one relentless claims adjuster (Edward G. Robinson) start to close in. Written by Wilder and Raymond Chandler from James M. Cain’s pulp novel, Double Indemnity is a razor-sharp descent into desire and doom, crackling with hard-boiled dialogue and the most lethal femme fatale in film history.

November's Hallucinations screening is Isao Fujisawa's lost wonder Bye Bye Love! Lost and nihilistic drifter Utamaro chances upon Giko, a femme shoplifter who immediately catches his eye. One thing leads to another: the couple soon find themselves on the lam for murder. This provides for a delightful pretext to explore notions of societal malaise, free love and gender fluidity in a rapidly evolving 1970s Japan, as both Utamaro and Giko begin to know each other on the road by way of a variety of surrealistic, psychedelic and frank sexual encounters. Hosted by Polygon’s editor-in-chief Chris Plante, Hallucinations is a monthly event that spotlights movies that challenge our expectations of story, style, and “good taste”. We invite guests to bond over films that change what we expect from the medium, the world, and themselves. So come early, stay late, make friends, and watch something strange, surprising, or just shamelessly sick.

Our In Defense Of...series for November is Chloe's pick, and she's chosen the 2011 animated classic Rango!  When Rango, a lost family pet, accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt, the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt. A love letter to Spaghetti Westerns and cinematic misfits alike, Rango dazzles with eye-popping animation that can't be missed on the big screen! 

Charlie Chaplin was already an international star when he decided to break out of the short-film format and make his first full-length feature--The Kid. The movie doesn’t merely show Chaplin at a turning point, when he proved that he was a serious film director—it remains an expressive masterwork of silent cinema. In it, he stars as his lovable Tramp character, this time raising an orphan (a remarkable young Jackie Coogan) he has rescued from the streets. Chaplin and Coogan make a miraculous pair in this nimble marriage of sentiment and slapstick, a film that is, as its opening title card states, “a picture with a smile—and perhaps, a tear.”

Just added: at the 5:30PM screening on November 29th, Creepy AF will be opening the screening with a raffle/giveaway! For every movie ticket purchased, they will supply you with one raffle coupon for a chance to win a special prize! The Addams are back—and this time, they’re raising hell! Barry Sonnenfeld’s Addams Family Values returns to The Frida, bringing America’s favorite macabre family to deliriously funny new heights. When Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) welcome a new baby, little Pubert, Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley aren’t thrilled—so they hatch a plan to “play” with their new sibling…permanently. Enter Debbie Jellinsky (a gloriously unhinged Joan Cusack), the kids’ new nanny and a gold-digging serial killer who’s set her sights on Uncle Fester. From a summer camp of WASP nightmares to candlelit gothic mansions, Addams Family Values turns family dysfunction into a dark art form.

Charlie Chaplin’s comedic masterwork—which charts a prospector’s search for fortune in the Klondike and his discovery of romance (with the beautiful Georgia Hale)—The Gold Rush--forever cemented the iconic status of Chaplin and his Little Tramp character. We are celebrating its 100th anniversary with a five film retrospective of Chaplin's work over the November 28th-3oth weekend! Shot partly on location in the Sierra Nevadas and featuring such timeless gags as the dance of the dinner rolls and the meal of boiled shoe leather, The Gold Rush is an indelible work of heartwarming hilarity. Our friends at Janus Films have granted us the rights to Chaplin’s definitive 1942 version, for which the director added new music and narration.

All good things must come to an end. Join us on Friday, November 28th for our final recurring screening of Stop Making Sense, and the last one for 2025. Over the last two years, it has been The Frida Cinema's privilege to be able to play Jonathan Demme's 1984 concert film masterpiece monthly or every other month to packed crowds, but for now we will be ending playing the film with its current regularity. Join us for one last chance to dance before we officially retire the tradition!   Stop Making Sense is an iconic concert film documenting Talking Heads at the height of their popularity, while on tour for their 1983 album “Speaking in Tongues.” The band takes the stage one by one and is joined by a cadre of guest musicians for a career-spanning, cinematic performance that features creative choreography and visuals. Featuring masterful performances by David Byrne and photography by Jordan Cronenweth (Blade Runner), Stop Making Sense is a concert experience at its most colorful and life-affirming. For those wondering, of course the film will return to our screens someday, we just don't know when! Stop Making Sense is forever!

Bust out those plastic spoons! Tommy Wiseau's enduring 2003 cult classic The Room is back at The Frida for its monthly screening! Wiseau's peerless magnum opus finds the auteur who shaped a generation taking on the arts of acting, writing, casting, directing, editing and more. What's even more remarkable: he's mastered them all. The multi-talented director stars as Johnny, a big-time banker working in gorgeously shot San Francisco. His fiancée Lisa, seemingly a happy part of a successful relationship, has wandering eyes…for Tommy's best friend Mark. Cinema has never witnessed such betrayal! An intense, sensual thriller--at least as it was intended by Wiseau--The Room is an intricately knit web of sweet secrets and bitter lies that interrogates the very form of drama itself, as well as a truly unforgettable piece of cinema.

City Lights, the most cherished film by Charlie Chaplin, is also his ultimate Little Tramp chronicle. The writer-director-star achieved new levels of grace, in both physical comedy and dramatic poignancy, with this silent tale of a lovable vagrant falling for a young blind woman who sells flowers on the street (a magical Virginia Cherrill) and mistakes him for a millionaire. Though this Depression-era smash was made after the advent of sound, Chaplin remained steadfast in his love for the expressive beauty of the pre-talkie form. The result was the epitome of his art and the crowning achievement of silent comedy.

The Frida Cinema is excited to present three of our all-time favorites from writer/director Edgar Wright: Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End aka The Cornetto Trilogy aka The Blood & Ice Cream Trilogy! Start your night at 6:00PM with Shaun of the Dead (2004), the world’s first “rom-zom-com” — a love letter to movies aboutt he undead. Then at 8:00PM we're on to Hot Fuzz (2007), where big-city cop Nicholas Angel uncovers small-town secrets and “accidents” aplenty in a gloriously over-the-top action-comedy. Finally, close out the night at 10:15PM with The World’s End (2013), an epic pub crawl that spirals into an alien apocalypse. Wright’s signature kinetic direction and the unbeatable chemistry of Pegg and Frost make this trio a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience: three films, three genres, and maybe a few pints along the way? Doors open at 5:00PM. One ticket gets you access to all three films. Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes not valid. There will be a 10 minute intermission between each movie.

Modern Times, Charlie Chaplin’s last outing as the Little Tramp, puts the iconic character to work as a giddily inept factory employee who becomes smitten with a gorgeous gamine (Paulette Goddard). With its barrage of unforgettable gags and sly commentary on class struggle during the Great Depression, Modern Times—though made almost a decade into the talkie era and containing moments of sound (even song!)—is a timeless showcase of Chaplin’s untouchable genius as a director of silent comedy.

In his controversial masterpiece The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin offers both a cutting caricature of Adolf Hitler and a sly tweaking of his own comic persona. Chaplin, in his first pure talkie, brings his sublime physicality to two roles: the cruel yet clownish “Tomainian” dictator and the kindly Jewish barber who is mistaken for him. Featuring Jack Oakie and Paulette Goddard in stellar supporting turns, The Great Dictator, boldly going after the fascist leader before the U.S.’s official entry into World War II, is an audacious amalgam of politics and slapstick that culminates in Chaplin’s famously impassioned speech.

Frida Cinema Film Club Members are invited to a special screening of Autumn Sonata this November 30th at 3:00PM! Autumn Sonata was the only collaboration between cinema’s two great Bergmans: Ingmar, the iconic director of The Seventh Seal, and Ingrid, the monumental star of Casablanca. The grand dame, playing an icy concert pianist, is matched beat for beat in ferocity by the filmmaker’s recurring lead Liv Ullmann, as her eldest daughter. Over the course of a day and a long, painful night that the two spend together after an extended separation, they finally confront the bitter discord of their relationship. This cathartic pas de deux, evocatively shot in burnished harvest colors by the great Sven Nykvist, ranks among Ingmar Bergman’s major dramatic works.

They say you can’t outsmart the farmers—but nobody told Mr. Fox. Wes Anderson’s The Fantastic Mr. Fox scampers back to The Frida just in time for Thanksgiving. George Clooney voices Mr. Fox, a dashing ex-thief turned family fox who can’t resist one last heist against the fearsome trio of farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. When his plan goes spectacularly awry, Fox and his eccentric woodland neighbors must band together to outwit their human enemies and dig their way to freedom. Adapted from Roald Dahl’s classic story, Anderson’s version is both faithful and boldly his own—every frame a diorama of autumnal wonder, every line of dialogue dry and delightful. With a pitch-perfect cast (Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe), Alexandre Desplat’s jazzy score, and stop-motion that feels alive with personality, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a triumph of craft and heart.

Coming to The Frida Cinema for one night only on December 6th, 2025! Captain America (1990): Director's Cut is now on tour! This is the kickoff of the Captain America (1990) tour. Witness Albert Pyun's Marvel classic like you've never seen it before--on the big screen! This event is presented by Yippie Video and promises to be the movie event of the year! During World War II, a brave, patriotic American Soldier undergoes experiments to become a new supersoldier, "Captain America". Racing to Germany to sabotage the rockets of Nazi baddie "Red Skull", Captain America winds up frozen until the 1990s. He reawakens to find that the Red Skull has changed identities and is now planning to kidnap the President of the United States. This is a special showing with Q&A, special guests, photo ops with a Captain America cosplayer, the official Yippie Video booth, and everyone who attends will receive a commemorative Captain America (1990) tour ticket! This is an all new cut of Captain America (1990) finally unearthed for the first time in 30 years directly from Albert Pyun's 35mm work print of the original film. Tickets are $20 in advance or at the door. Show starts at 7:00PM. For more information on all of the new Albert Pyun film restorations, visit: yippeekiyaymothervideo.com 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. Membership discounts and comp passes do not apply.

Kick off our epic fourteen film retrospective on the works of legendary director Akira Kurosawa with his 1949 crime thriller Stray Dog, now restored in a brand new 4K restoration thanks to Janus Films! A bad day gets worse for young detective Murakami when a pickpocket steals his gun on a hot, crowded bus. Desperate to right the wrong, he goes undercover, scavenging Tokyo's sweltering streets for the stray dog whose desperation has led him to a life of crime. With each step, cop and criminal’s lives become more intertwined and the investigation becomes an examination of Murakami's own dark side. Starring Toshiro Mifune, as the rookie cop, and Takashi Shimura as the seasoned detective who keeps him on the right side of the law, Stray Dog goes beyond a crime thriller, probing the squalid world of postwar Japan and the nature of the criminal mind.

Behind one of the best-selling jazz records of all time, Keith Jarrett’s 1975 Köln Concert, how it almost...

What better way would there be to end our Classic Movie Nights year than with a Technicolor sleigh ride of holiday cheer? Join us for White Christmas—a 1954 spectacle that wraps up the holiday season in a little bit of the ole showbiz razzle-dazzle. Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are war buddies turned song-and-dance men, teaming up with the talented Haynes sisters (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to save a struggling Vermont inn—and the spirit of the general who once led them through war. What follows is a mix of backstage musical and holiday heart-warmer, decked out in dazzling costumes, toe-tapping numbers, and Irving Berlin’s iconic score (yes, that “White Christmas”). Directed by Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) and drenched in the glow of early VistaVision, this is comfort cinema at its finest—a film that knows exactly when to crack a joke, when to break into song, and when to simply let the snow fall. 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!

A few years before winning multiple Oscars, filmmaker Sean Baker, like everyone else, was battling with releasing a film around the time of Covid. Our Lost Films Of Covid series is bringing back his 2021 wild ride through the backroads of Texas, Red Rocket, to the big screen. Simon Rex stars as a washed-up adult film actor returning to his Texas hometown with big talk, no plan, and a knack for burning every bridge he crosses. Just as tensions begin to ease, he becomes infatuated with a young doughnut shop worker named Strawberry. Shot on 16mm with Baker’s signature energy and empathy, Red Rocket captures the beauty and absurdity of people chasing something—anything—to keep going. Five years later, it plays like a snapshot of a country still struggling to sell The American Dream.  Thank you to our friends at Filmbot for their generous sponsorship for this amazing series.

Our Lost Films Of Covid series kicks off with Pig, one of those rare films that still found light in a time of theaters going dark. Michael Sarnoski’s elegy of grief and grace follows a reclusive truffle hunter (Nicolas Cage, in one of his most effecting performances) as he searches for his stolen pig. The tagline is simple, but the story is so much more than revenge and spectacle. Returning to the big screen, it reminds us how cinema helps us feel human again.  Whether you've seen it since its release or have been waiting to watch it, come see Pig where it belongs--up on the big screen! Thank you to our friends at Filmbot for their generous sponsorship for this amazing series.

Natalie Erika James’ haunted house film Relic was near the top of our list of movies to play in 2020, but regretfully never made it to the big screen here. As part of our Lost Films Of Covid series, we are finally able to make good on that idea! When a daughter and granddaughter return to their family home to care for an aging matriarch, they discover that the real terror isn’t what lurks in the walls—it’s what’s slipping away inside them. Anchored by powerful performances from Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin, and Bella Heathcote, Relic turns decay and dementia into a slow, aching metaphor for inheritance and love. Five years later after its initial release, it stands as one of the most affecting horror films of its era.  Thank you to our friends at Filmbot for their generous sponsorship for this amazing series.

From Chinese filmmaker Diao Yinan (Black Coal, Thin Ice), The Wild Goose Lake is a sleek, moody neo-noir that is headlining our Lost Films Of Covid series. The story follows a gangster that ends up making a mistake that causes every gun on both sides of the law to point at him. While on the run, he comes across a mysterious woman who might get him out of trouble or make things worse. The Wild Goose Lake is a fatalist love sotry that's also a portrait of outcasts looking for a way out in a city that won’t stop closing in. Back in 2020, we streamed it online at our website during lockdown. But now is finally the time to see it on the big screen.  Thank you to our friends at Filmbot for their generous sponsorship for this amazing series.

Our series on the Lost Films Of Covid is moving on to American auteur Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow, a small story with an enormous heart.  In the rough Oregon Territory of the 1820s, a skilled cook and a Chinese immigrant form an unlikely partnership — baking sweet cakes with stolen milk and daring to imagine a better life. Shot with Reichardt’s signature patience and intimacy, First Cow finds poetry in the fleeting bonds of survival. Five years after theaters went quiet, it's a reminder that history isn’t written by conquerors, but by those who share what little they have. Thank you to our friends at Filmbot for their generous sponsorship for this amazing series.

Our Lost Films Of Covid series is delving into many of the films that we wished we played on the big screen during the years of 2020 and 2021, but with The Painter And The Thief , we get to explore titles that weren't even on our radar at that time! When two of artist Barbora Kysilkova’s most valuable paintings are stolen from a gallery at Frogner in Oslo, the police are able to find the thief after a few days, but the paintings are nowhere to be found. Barbora goes to the trial in hopes of finding clues, but instead she ends up asking the thief if she can paint a portrait of him. This will be the start of a very unusual friendship. Over three years, the cinematic documentary follows the incredible story of the artist looking for her stolen paintings, while at the same time turning the thief into art. The Painter and the Thief asks whether understanding another person can ever truly heal them—or ourselves. We can't think of a better way to end our series on films of the Covid era that never got to be seen on the big screen. Thank you to our friends at Filmbot for their generous sponsorship for this amazing series.

Wolfwalkers played at our pop-up drive-in in 2020, but now with our Lost Films Of Covid series, we can bring it to you on the big screen! In a time of superstition and magic, when wolves are seen as demonic and nature an evil to be tamed, a young apprentice hunter comes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack. But when she saves a wild native girl, their friendship leads her to discover the world of the Wolfwalkers and transform her into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy. Told with exuberant motion and striking watercolor design, Wolfwalkers is both a thrilling adventure and a heartfelt allegory about empathy and freedom. Don't miss a chance to see this beautifully animated film  on the big screen! Thank you to our friends at Filmbot for their generous sponsorship for this amazing series.

Celebrate 75 years since the original release of Akira Kurosawa's 1950 masterpiece Rashomon with a new 2K restoration from Janus Films! A riveting psychological thriller that investigates the nature of truth and the meaning of justice, Rashomon is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made. Four people give different accounts of a man’s murder and the rape of his wife, which director Akira Kurosawa presents with striking imagery and an ingenious use of flashbacks. This eloquent masterwork and international sensation revolutionized film language and introduced Japanese cinema—and a commanding new star by the name of Toshiro Mifune—to the Western world.

Our December edition of Hallucinations is the Christmas classic Dial Code Santa Claus aka Deadly Games aka 3615 code Père Noël aka Hide and Freak. Before Home Alone… there was Dial Code Santa Claus, a French holiday thriller where a tech-savvy kid must defend his mansion from a psychotic man in a Santa suit. What starts as whimsical turns tense, then brutal, then full-on survival horror—all under twinkling lights and fake snow. It’s a fairy tale slasher mixed with a hyperactive 80s toy commercial from hell. ’Tis the season for tinsel, trauma, and booby traps. Hosted by Polygon’s editor-in-chief Chris Plante, Hallucinations is a monthly event that spotlights movies that challenge our expectations of story, style, and “good taste”. We invite guests to bond over films that change what we expect from the medium, the world, and themselves. So come early, stay late, make friends, and watch something strange, surprising, or just shamelessly sick.

Horror Movie Night presented by HorrorBuzz is back! And this time they're celebrating 45 years of the George C Scott masterpiece The Changeling! After a tragic event happens, composer John Russell moves to Seattle to try to overcome it and build a new and peaceful life in a lonely big house that has been uninhabited for many years. But, soon after, the obscure history of such an old mansion and his own past begin to haunt him. Horror Movie Night takes it to another level with a full night of entertainment, including a themed HMN Video Preshow, Trivia, Games, Prizes, and another outstanding horror short from HorrorBuzz’s The Screaming Room Film Festival at Midsummer Scream. Doors open and pre-show begins promptly at 7:30 pm, so arrive early! 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.

One of the greatest achievements by Akira Kurosawa, Ikiru shows the director at his most compassionate—affirming life through an explora­tion of death. We are are closing out the December portion of our retrospective on the legendary director'sw work with a brand 4K restoration of it thanks to our friends at Janus Films!  Takashi Shimura beautifully portrays Kanji Watanabe, an aging bureaucrat with stomach cancer who is impelled to find meaning in his final days. Presented in a radically conceived two­part structure and shot with a perceptive, humanistic clarity of vision, Ikiru is a multifaceted look at what it means to be alive.

See the new 4K restoration (thanks to our friends at Janus Films) of legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's 1954 film Seven Samurai on the big screen as we kick off the new year with the legendary Japanese director's magnum opus! Set in 16th-century Japan, the film stars Toshiro Mifune in his iconic role as the wild and charismatic Kikuchiyo, and Takashi Shimura as the wise and experienced leader Kambei. The samurai, each with their unique skills and backgrounds, band together to train the villagers in self-defense, forming new bonds as the impending danger draws nearer. Nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, and Best Costume Design, and winner of the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Seven Samurai remains a benchmark of world cinema, celebrated for its profound impact on the action genre, and its enduring narrative of courage and community.

Janus Films has bestowed upon us a brand new 4K restoration of Throne Of Blood, the vivid, visceral Macbeth adaptation directed by Akira Kurosawa that can't be missed on the big screen! Kurosawa sets Shakespeare’s definitive tale of ambition and duplicity in a ghostly, fog-enshrouded landscape in feudal Japan. As a hardened warrior who rises savagely to power, Toshiro Mifune gives a remarkable, animalistic performance, as does Isuzu Yamada as his ruthless wife. Throne of Blood fuses classical Western tragedy with formal elements taken from Noh theater to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.

A grand-scale adventure as only Akira Kurosawa could make one, The Hidden Fortress is coming to The Frida Cinema with a brand new 4K restoration thanks to the fine folks at Janus Films! The film stars the inimitable Toshiro Mifune as a general charged with guarding his defeated clan’s princess (a fierce Misa Uehara) as the two smuggle royal treasure across hostile territory. Accompanying them are a pair of bumbling, conniving peasants who may or may not be their friends. This rip-roaring ride is among the director’s most beloved films and was a primary influence on George Lucas’s Star Wars. The Hidden Fortress delivers Kurosawa’s trademark deft blend of wry humor, breathtaking action, and compassionate humanity.

Akira Kurosawa kicked off the 1960s with his underrated film noir piece The Bad Sleep Well, screening at The Frida Cinema as part of our ongoing retrospective on the works of the legendary Japanese director. The story is simple: a vengeful young man marries the daughter of a corrupt industrialist in order to seek justice for his father's suicide. What follows is a film that combines elements of Hamlet and noir to chilling effect in exposing the corrupt boardrooms of postwar corporate Japan.  Continuing his legendary collaboration with Toshiro Mifune, The Bad Sleep Well is a lesser-known stroke of genius in the filmmaker's canon, but great nonetheless. See it on the big screen, where it rarely plays!

The Oscars Can Suck It! Film Threat’s Award This! is the only award show where anyone can attend by simply buying a ticket. (Try getting tickets to the Oscars!) This year, Film Threat's Award This! event celebrates a diverse group of truly independent movies! The Award This! nominees were selected from over 2,000 indie films reviewed by Film Threat in 2025. The utterly unique Award This! event includes bold and diverse categories including Indie Sci-Fi, Indie Horror, Indie Comedy, Indie Action/Thriller, WTF Indie, Indie Romantic Comedy, Indie Drama, Indie LGBTQ+ Film, Music Documentary, Pop Culture Documentary, Socially-Relevant Documentary, Best Director, Best Directress, Indie Made for Less Than the Contents of an Oscar Gift Bag (Under $100K), and Indie Movie of the Year. For more info, go to: FilmThreat.com or AwardsThis.com! Please join us for this very special evening honoring the best indie films! The schedule is below: 6PM - Red Carpet Arrivals and Cocktail Party 8PM - Award This! Show 10PM - After Party (location TBA) The tickets that are available to the public are: $125 VIP Tickets (Limited Availability) (Admission to the main room, drink tickets, + a gift bag) $50 Gold Tickets (Admission to the overflow party room, drink tickets, + a gift bag) 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.

We're kicking off February with a Samurai double feature of Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo and Sanjuro, both screening with brand new 4K restorations courtesy of the incredible talents at Janus Films! Yojimbo: A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. Taking the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the ronin convinces both silk merchant Tazaemon and sake merchant Tokuemon to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men. Sanjuro: Jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a "proper" samurai on its ear. Less brazen in tone than its predecessor but equally entertaining, this classic character's return is a masterpiece in its own right.

A brand new 4K restoration of High And Low is coming to The Frida Cinema as part of fourteen film retrospective on the films of Akira Kurosawa! Thank you to Janus Films for restoring this masterpiece and allowing us to play it. The story of High And Low follows an executive of a Yokohama shoe company becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur's son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom. This highly influential domestic drama, adapted Ed McBain's detective novel King's Ransom, Kurosawa moves effortlessly from compelling race-against-time thriller to exacting social commentary, creating a diabolical treatise on contemporary Japanese society.

Akira Kurosawa's three hour epic, Red Beard, is screening at The Frida Cinema with a brand new 4K restoration via our friends at Janus Films! Red Beard chronicles the tumultuous relationship between an arrogant young doctor and a compassionate clinic director. Toshiro Mifune, in his last role for Kurosawa, gives a powerhouse performance as the dignified yet empathic director who guides his pupil to maturity, teaching the embittered intern to appreciate the lives of his destitute patients. Perfectly capturing the look and feel of 19th-century Japan, Kurosawa weaves a fascinating tapestry of time, place, and emotion.

The penultimate film in our Akira Kurosawa retrospective is his epic 1985 masterpiece, Ran, now restored in glorious 4K thanks to Rialto Pictures! A grand and visually breathtaking epic that transposes Shakespeare’s King Lear into the chaotic feudal era of 16th-century Japan of Shakespeare’s King Lear, Ran stars screen legend Tatsuya Nakadai as Hidetora Ichimonji, an aging warlord who decides to divide his vast domain among his three sons in hopes of securing peace in his final years. Instead, his decision ignites a violent power struggle, as betrayal and ambition shatter his family and plunge the region into civil war. Stripped of power and driven into madness, Hidetora becomes a ghost of his former self, wandering through the wreckage of a world he once ruled. With its masterful use of color, and meticulously staged battle sequences, Ran is both an intimate tragedy, and a large-scale historical spectacle.  In delivering his haunting and majestic summation of his lifelong explorations of power, betrayal, and the devastating consequences of human ambition, Kurosawa employs sweeping landscapes, intricate battle sequences, and vivid color symbolism to create a world teetering on the edge of chaos. About the Restoration Ran’s original 1985 production was made possible through a French-Japanese collaboration between Kadokawa and French producer Serge Silberman, with distribution later handled by companies such as Orion and Studiocanal. That international partnership was rekindled decades later when Kadokawa and Studiocanal brought on French laboratory Éclair to restore the film in 4K under Studiocanal’s supervision, using the original negative as its source. Much of the restoration was completed manually, frame by frame, with color grading approved by Masaharu Ueda, one of Ran’s three cinematographers and a longtime collaborator of Kurosawa.

The past, present, and future. One man's dreams...for every dreamer. We are concluding our fourteen film retrospective paying tribute to the great Akira Kurosawa with his surrealist masterpiece Dreams. Eight visually rich vignettes drawn from Kurosawa’s own dreams—fox weddings and vanished orchards, a soldier’s ghosts, a walk through Van Gogh’s canvases, nuclear nightmares, and a water-mill utopia—meditate on childhood, art, mortality, and humanity’s uneasy bond with nature. Dreams holds a unique place in Akira Kurosawa’s career and reputation. It’s often regarded as one of his most personal and spiritual works--a literal painting of his imagination come to life. Don't miss a chance to see it on the big screen!