Frida Cinema Film Club members are invited to join us for two free screenings of the 1953 white-knuckle masterpiece The Wages Of Fear in a brand new, stunning 4K restoration!
In a squalid South American oil town, four desperate men sign on for a suicide mission to drive trucks loaded with nitroglycerin over a treacherous mountain route. As they ferry their explosive cargo to a faraway oil fire, each bump and jolt tests their courage, their friendship, and their nerves. The result is one of the greatest thrillers ever committed to celluloid, from France’s legendary master of suspense, Henri-Georges Clouzot.
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Our second January Volunteer of the Month is Alexander Canellos, who has chosen Wong Kar-Wai’s 2046 as his VOTM pick!
The film follows Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai), a writer grappling with heartbreak and longing as he navigates a series of fleeting romances in 1960s Hong Kong. His experiences inspire a futuristic, allegorical novel about a train to the year 2046, a place where passengers go to recover lost memories but from which no one ever returns. Chow’s relationships—with enigmatic women like the glamorous Bai Ling (Zhang Ziyi), the mysterious Su Li-zhen (Gong Li), and others—mirror his internal struggles with love and detachment.
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Our Wong Kar-Wai Month series continues with Chungking Express, the director’s timeless 1994 romance.
The film weaves together two distinct yet thematically linked stories of two lovelorn policemen. In the first, He Qiwu (Takeshi Kaneshiro), reeling from a breakup, becomes infatuated with a mysterious woman in a blonde wig (Brigitte Lin), who is entangled in the criminal underworld. The second story follows Cop 663 (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai), whose heartbreak over a flight attendant ex-girlfriend is softened by the quirky and free-spirited Faye (Faye Wong), a café worker who secretly transforms his life.
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Experience a double feature of Akira Kurosawa’s crime films Stray Dog and The Bad Sleep Well!
In Stray Dog, rookie cop Murakami (Toshiro Mifune) loses his pistol to a pickpocket during a sweltering Tokyo heatwave and embarks on a relentless pursuit to recover it. Teaming up with seasoned detective Sato (Takashi Shimura), Murakami uncovers a connection between the stolen gun and a series of violent crimes. As the investigation progresses, the parallels between Murakami and the desperate criminal they chase blur, reflecting the struggles of a society grappling with poverty and moral decay. Combining gritty realism with profound humanism, Stray Dog is a masterful examination of guilt, redemption, and the thin line between law and lawlessness.
The Bad Sleeps Well follows Koichi Nishi (Mifune), a seemingly loyal employee who marries his boss’s disabled daughter, Yoshiko, to infiltrate a corrupt company responsible for his father’s tragic death. As Nishi uncovers the depths of the company’s greed and malfeasance, his meticulously crafted plan begins to unravel under the weight of human frailty and unforeseen complications. With its noir-inspired aesthetic, sharp critique of postwar corporate Japan, and a chilling sense of inevitability, the film is a powerful exploration of morality, justice, and the personal cost of vengeance.
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Up next in our Wong Kar-Wai Month series is the 1988 crime drama As Tears Go By.
Set in the underworld of Hong Kong’s triads, the film follows Wah (Andy Lau), a small-time gangster torn between loyalty and love. Wah must navigate his turbulent relationship with his reckless, self-destructive protégé, Fly (Jacky Cheung), whose impulsive behavior repeatedly draws them into dangerous conflicts. Meanwhile, Wah finds solace in a tender romance with his cousin Ngor (Maggie Cheung), a woman from a quieter world who offers him a glimpse of redemption and a life beyond violence.
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Our new edition of 21st Century Cult starts with Todd Solondz’s dark 2004 satire Palindromes!
The film follows 13-year-old Aviva, a girl who desperately wants to become a mother but faces the harsh and complex realities of adulthood far too soon. After a traumatic experience leads to her running away, Aviva encounters a series of peculiar and morally ambiguous characters, each influencing her perception of herself and the world. Notably, Solondz uses multiple actors of varying ages, races, and genders to portray Aviva, emphasizing the universality and fluidity of her experiences.
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Wong Kar-Wai Month continues with Days of Being Wild, the director’s 1990 Hong Kong drama.
The film centers on the enigmatic and emotionally detached Yuddy (Leslie Cheung), a charming drifter who seduces and abandons women, leaving emotional devastation in his wake. He becomes romantically involved with the reserved Su Lizhen (Maggie Cheung) and later with the free-spirited dancer Mimi (Carina Lau), yet remains emotionally distant as he grapples with his troubled past and his search for his biological mother. Meanwhile, Lizhen finds solace in a kind-hearted policeman, Tide (Andy Lau), who harbors feelings for her. Through interwoven lives and fleeting connections, Wong crafts a lyrical exploration of love’s impermanence and the yearning for belonging.
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Our Wong Kar-Wai Month opens with Happy Together, the director’s 1997 LGBT romance!
The film follows the turbulent relationship of Ho Po-wing (Leslie Cheung) and Lai Yiu-fai (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), a gay couple from Hong Kong who travel to Argentina in hopes of repairing their fractured bond. Struggling with cycles of passion, jealousy, and heartbreak, their relationship becomes a metaphor for the broader search for identity and connection. As Lai finds solace in a quiet friendship with a co-worker, Chang (Chang Chen), and Ho drifts further into self-destructive behavior, the narrative captures their struggles against the backdrop of Argentina’s stunning landscapes.
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Witness a new 4k restoration of Il Grido, Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1957 road drama.
The film follows Aldo (Steve Cochran), a factory worker who embarks on a desolate journey after his long-term lover, Irma (Alida Valli), ends their relationship upon discovering her feelings for another man. Taking their young daughter, Rosina, with him, Aldo drifts aimlessly through the rural Po Valley, encountering various women who offer fleeting solace but fail to alleviate his profound sense of emptiness. As he struggles to reconcile his inner turmoil with the changing social landscape around him, Aldo’s journey becomes a poignant meditation on love, loss, and the human condition.
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It’s time again for our Marketing Director Bekah to spread some holiday cheer with her annual tradition: Bekah’s Cozy Christmas Classics! This year, she’s curating a double dose of holiday cheer with the unforgettable pairing of Meet Me In St. Louis and Christmas In Connecticut!
First up, let Judy Garland’s unforgettable performance in Meet Me In St. Louis sweep you away in this heartwarming musical transports you to the early 1900s, where the Smith family’s lives are filled with love, laughter, and a touch of nostalgia. With unforgettable songs like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” this film is a celebration of family, home, and the magic of the holidays.
And then after that, get ready for some romantic holiday fun with Barbara Stanwyck in the delightful holiday comedy Christmas In Connecticut! When a war hero is invited to spend Christmas at the home of a food writer, a series of charming misunderstandings lead to cozy chaos, romance, and a whole lot of holiday cheer. It’s the perfect mix of laughter, love, and Christmas spirit.
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