Up next in our Andrei Tarkovsky Retrospective is The Sacrifice, his final film.
Set in the days leading up to a nuclear war, the film centers on Alexander, a retired actor living on an isolated Swedish estate with his family. When he learns that the world is on the brink of destruction, Alexander makes an extreme, desperate vow to sacrifice everything—his family, his possessions, and his life—in the hopes of averting catastrophe. As the tension between personal sacrifice and global annihilation escalates, Tarkovsky crafts a poignant, spiritual journey that examines the complexities of selflessness, redemption, and the burden of human responsibility.
Released after Tarkovsky’s exile from the Soviet Union, The Sacrifice was his swan song, marked by a sense of personal reflection and an urgent exploration of moral and spiritual themes. Despite being filmed under difficult circumstances, it was met with critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prix at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival and becoming a testament to Tarkovsky’s unyielding artistic vision. As his final cinematic statement, The Sacrifice offers a powerful, evocative conclusion to Tarkovsky’s exploration of faith, art, and the eternal struggle between destruction and redemption.
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Encoring as part of our Andrei Tarkovsky Retrospective is Andrei Rublev, one of the director’s most celebrated and historically significant works. Set in 15th-century Russia, the film follows the life of Andrei Rublev, a monk and icon painter, as he grapples with the brutality of the world around him, the spiritual toll of his calling, and the complexities of artistic creation.
Upon its release, Andrei Rublev faced heavy censorship in the Soviet Union, and it was initially banned for its perceived bleak portrayal of Russian history and spirituality. However, it eventually garnered international acclaim, receiving the FIPRESCI Prize at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival and securing its place as one of the greatest films ever made.
Andrei Rublev remains a cornerstone of both Tarkovsky’s career and Russian cinema, offering a profound exploration of the intersection between art, faith, and the human condition.
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The third film in our Andrei Tarkovsky Retrospective is Ivan’s Childhood, Tarkovsky’s stunning feature debut.
Set during World War II, the film follows Ivan, a young boy who has been orphaned by the war and becomes a scout for the Soviet army. As he navigates the horrors of war, his childhood innocence clashes with the brutality surrounding him, creating a haunting portrait of loss, survival, and the effects of violence on the human soul.
Tarkovsky’s masterful use of imagery—particularly his iconic dream sequences—imbues the film with a surreal, almost poetic quality, making Ivan’s Childhood a deeply emotional and visually striking meditation on the impact of war on the psyche. With this remarkable debut, Tarkovsky established the thematic depth and visual precision that would define his career, making Ivan’s Childhood an unforgettable exploration of memory, trauma, and the fragility of innocence.
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Up next in our Andrei Tarkovsky Retrospective is Stalker, the director’s gripping philosophical journey into the unknown.
Set in a desolate, mysterious landscape known only as “The Zone,” Stalker follows three men—a writer, a scientist, and the titular guide—who venture into this dangerous, otherworldly place in search of a room that supposedly grants the deepest desires of its visitors.
With its existential questions and eerie atmosphere, Stalker is a masterpiece of science fiction and philosophical cinema, offering a powerful meditation on the human condition and our unyielding search for meaning.
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Up first in our Andrei Tarkovsky Retrospective is Mirror, his 1975 masterpiece, now celebrating its 50th anniversary with a brand new restoration.
A deeply personal and nonlinear exploration of memory, identity, and the passage of time, Mirror weaves together fragmented glimpses of a man’s life through the eyes of his mother, wife, and son. Using a rich tapestry of dreamlike imagery, archival footage, and poetic voiceovers, Tarkovsky crafts a meditative and emotionally charged reflection on the scars of the past, the shifting nature of personal history, and the ineffable connections between generations.
With its non-traditional narrative structure and evocative visuals, Mirror stands as a haunting testament to Tarkovsky’s unparalleled ability to explore the inner landscapes of the human spirit.
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Join us on May 3rd as we screen Tinsman Road, the second film from writer/director Robbie Banfitch (The Outwaters). And stick around after the screening for a Q&A with the director!
Shot fully on gritty 4:3 Mini-DV, Banfitch’s sophomore feature takes us on a raw, emotionally-winding voyage into the wilderness of death and sorrow. The story centers on a young man as he navigates the serpentine mystery surrounding his missing sister and their family home.
Starring Robbie Banfitch, his real-life mother Leslie Ann Banfitch, Salem Belladonna, Heather Middleton, Nancy Bujnowski, Noelle Faccone, David Fekety and Keith Bixby.
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Our 4/20 Weekend keeps on groovin with Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2021 coming-of-age dramedy Licorice Pizza!
The story follows Gary Valentine and Alana Kane, two young people growing up, running around, and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley in 1973.
Licorice Pizza was hailed as one of the best films of 2021. It earned a number of nominations and awards, including three Academy Award nominations (Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Original Screenplay). Critics praised its direction, screenplay, and the performances of its leads, Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman. The film’s blend of humor, charm, awesome soundtrack, and tender moments stood out and was exactly what film fans wanted post-Pandemic lockdown.
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Our day of Mechagodzilla movies continues as Creature Bazaar presents the 1975 sequel Terror Of Mechagodzilla, celebrating its 50th anniversary!
A submarine expedition to salvage the remains of Mechagodzilla is thwarted by a massive dinosaur named Titanosaurus. An Interpol investigation leads biologist Ichinose to uncover the work of Dr. Mafune and his mysterious daughter Katsura. Aligned with the Black Hole Aliens, Katsura’s life becomes entwined with the resurrected machine.
Edit: this screening was originally planned to play on 16mm film, but will be running digitally now. Apologies for any inconveniences this might cause!
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Altered Innocence invades The Frida Cinema for an early sneak peek screening of their new movie Queens Of Drama!
An outrageous lesbian pop musical satire inspired by the pop frenzy of the early 2000s, Queens Of Drama charts the rise and fall of new star Mimi Madamour and her passionate, rage-fueled love affair with punk icon Billie Kohler. Over the course of half a century we follow these drama queens as they top the charts and set sail on the course of mad queer love.
Featuring an iconic cast, including Asia Argento and Alma Jodorowsky, and containing hit songs like ‘Don’t Touch’ by Yelle and ‘Fisted to the Heart’, this film vividly dissects the turbulence of toxic relationships—whether between fans and their idols or within passionate queer love affairs. Director Alexis Langlois brings his trademark glittercore pop-punk aesthetic to create a vibrant, unforgettable spectacle of music and passion.
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Hot off of its Academy Award for International Feature Film, Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here is finally making its way to The Frida Cinema!
Starring the incomparable Fernanda Torres (also nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars), the story is set in 1971, when Brazil’s military dictatorship has reached its height. The Paiva family — Rubens, Eunice, and their five children — live in a beachside house in Rio, open to all their friends. One day, Rubens is taken for questioning and does not return.
Thank you to our friends at Sony Picture Classics for letting us play this wonderful film.
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