Chantal Akerman Month winds down with 1982’s Toute Une Nuit, a hypnotic, atmospheric portrait of longing and fleeting connections over the course of a single summer night in Brussels.
The film unfolds as a series of vignettes depicting strangers, lovers, and lonely individuals moving through dimly lit streets, cafés, and apartments, engaging in brief encounters—some passionate, some melancholic, some wordless. Akerman’s poetic, observational style turns these ephemeral moments into a deeply immersive and evocative cinematic experience.
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Up next in our Chantal Akerman Month series is Je Tu Il Elle, her 1974 feature film debut.
The movie follows a young woman (played by Akerman herself) as she withdraws into solitude, rearranging her sparse room, writing and rewriting letters, and engaging in mundane rituals of self-imposed confinement. Eventually, she leaves and hitches a ride with a truck driver, sharing a series of charged yet distant interactions before arriving at the home of a former lover, where the film culminates in an intense, extended love scene.
Stripped of conventional narrative structure, Je Tu Il Elle is a raw and minimalist meditation on loneliness, longing, and the fluidity of relationships, showcasing Akerman’s bold, uncompromising vision.
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At Long Last Longworth comes to an end with one of the great films from the 1930s, Ernst Lubitsch’s Trouble In Paradise!
Widely considered one of Lubitsch’s best works, Trouble In Paradise epitomizes the elegance and charm of pre-Code Hollywood with its sharp dialogue, playful innuendo, and sophisticated narrative. Fans of romance, comedy, heist capers, sparkling dialogue, clever plot twists, and a satirical look at the world of high society and criminal sophistication are bound to have a great time!
The story follows a thief named Gaston Monescu and a pickpocket named Lily that are partners in crime and love. Working for perfume company executive Mariette Colet, the two crooks decide to combine their criminal talents to rob their employer. Under the alias of Monsieur Laval, Gaston uses his position as Mariette’s personal secretary to become closer to her. However, he takes things too far when he actually falls in love with Mariette, and has to choose between her and Lily.
At Long Last Longworth is a week-long guest programming takeover by author, critic, podcaster, and certified Frida Cinema favorite Karina Longworth. We gave her a promt for four different films: one of her “all-timers” (Trouble In Paradise), her favorite flop (At Long Last Love), a movie she thinks needs to be re-examined (Arizona Dream), and a movie she loves from her childhood (The Wizard Of Oz). Before each screening, there will be an exclusive introduction pre-recorded by Ms Longworth, with the exception of At Long Last Love, which will have an in-person conversation after the screening!
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At Long Last Longworth continues with a very rare screening the 1993 film Arizona Dream!
Johnny Depp plays Axel Blackwell, a young man from New York City who is sent to Arizona to attend the wedding of his uncle Leo (Jerry Lewis), a car salesman who lives in the desert. While there, Axel finds himself tangled up in the eccentric lives of the people around him, including a passionate, somewhat unstable woman named Elaine (Faye Dunaway) and her stepdaughter, Grace (Lili Taylor), who has an unusual obsession with the idea of flying. Axel’s journey becomes a surreal exploration of freedom, longing, and the bizarre connections that people form in their lives.
Directed by Emir Kusturica and featuring an evocative soundtrack by Goran Bregović, the film strikes the perfect tone between a whimsical detachment and an almost-otherworldly feel. Set against the stark, colorful backdrop of the Arizona desert, it’s a perfect choice for those who enjoy a mix of whimsical fantasy and deep, introspective character studies.
At Long Last Longworth is a week-long guest programming takeover by author, critic, podcaster, and certified Frida Cinema favorite Karina Longworth. We gave her a promt for four different films: one of her “all-timers” (Trouble In Paradise), her favorite flop (At Long Last Love), a movie she thinks needs to be re-examined (Arizona Dream), and a movie she loves from her childhood (The Wizard Of Oz). Before each screening, there will be an exclusive introduction pre-recorded by Ms Longworth, with the exception of At Long Last Love, which will have an in-person conversation after the screening!
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At Long Last Longworth, a week-long guest programming takeover of The Frida Cinema by author, critic, and podcaster Karina Longworth kicks off by celebrating 50 years of Peter Bogdanovich’s seldom screened At Long Last Love, starring Burt Reynolds, Madeline Kahn, and Cybill Shepherd! Stick around after the screening for an in-person discussion with Karina Longworth herself!
The film follows four socialites that unexpectedly clash: heiress Brooke Carter runs into gambler Johnny Spanish at the race track while playboy Michael O. Pritchard nearly runs into stage star Kitty O’Kelly with his car. Backstage at Kitty’s show, it turns out she and Brooke are old friends who attended public school together. The foursome do the town, accompanied by Brooke’s companion Elizabeth, who throws herself at Michael’s butler and chauffeur Rodney James.
At Long Last Longworth is a week-long guest programming takeover by author, critic, podcaster, and certified Frida Cinema favorite Karina Longworth. We gave her a promt for four different films: one of her “all-timers” (Trouble In Paradise), her favorite flop (At Long Last Love), a movie she thinks needs to be re-examined (Arizona Dream), and a movie she loves from her childhood (The Wizard Of Oz). Before each screening, there will be an exclusive introduction pre-recorded by Ms Longworth, with the exception of At Long Last Love, which will have an in-person conversation after the screening!
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Jump into the fantastical world of time travel with original The Time Machine (1960), followed by the documentary The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal, following the life and times of its director! Stick around for the intermission as we discuss both films with the producer/director of the documentary, Mr Arnold Leibovit!
Experience the groundbreaking special effects and visionary storytelling of George Pal, one of the most innovative filmmakers of his time. The Time Machine — a thrilling adaptation of H.G. Wells’ timeless novel — takes you on an unforgettable adventure through time, where a daring inventor (Rod Taylor) uses his fantastic creation to travel into the far-flung future. Witness an incredible journey that bridges centuries in vivid Technicolor, and marvel at Pal’s imaginative world-building, which set the standard for future sci-fi cinema.
Then, go behind the scenes with The Fantasy Film World of George Pal, a documentary celebrating the creative genius behind such classics as War of the Worlds and The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao. Before E.T. and Star Wars, there was George Pal. The documentary covers the five-decades life and career of the Academy Award-winning producer-director whose vision and groundbreaking works continue to inspire the filmmakers of today. Presented are interviews with the stars and filmmakers whose lives he touched, along with famous movie scenes, rare footage, and original artist’s renderings.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind double feature that brings both the magic of the past and the fantasy of the future together in a way only George Pal can deliver!
This screening is a exclusive arrangement with Warner Brothers Motion Pictures. Thank you to them for making it possible!
Doors – 2:00PM
The Time Machine – 3:00PM
Intermission + Q&A – 5:00PM
The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal – 5:30PM
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The second entry into our Hallucinations series is Def By Temptation!
Joel grew up in the church but has recently started questioning his beliefs. After sensing a supernatural presence from his deceased father, Joel becomes compelled to visit his cousin in New York. But shortly after arriving, they become embroiled in a series of mysterious homicides of local men, all of whom were last seen in the company of a mysterious and beautiful woman. Beautifully photographed by Ernest Dickerson (Do The Right Thing) and starring Kadeem Hardison (I’m Gonna Get You Sucka) and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), this sole directorial effort from child actor James Bond III is a macabre, neon-tinged portrait of late 1980s Brooklyn. The movie blends supernatural horror and religious mysticism, punctuated by an electrifying hip hop and R&B soundtrack. Newly restored from the original 35mm camera negative!
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”. Plante will introduce each film with some behind-the-scenes history and critical context. With Hallucinations, The Frida Cinema wants to build a communal space for lovers of Weird Cinema. 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.
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Our second Volunteer Of The Month takes a dark detour courtesy of Maggie, who has chosen Crimson Peak, Guillermo del Toro’s 2015 gothic romance.
The film follows Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), an aspiring writer haunted by the ghostly warning to “Beware of Crimson Peak.” After a whirlwind romance, she marries the enigmatic Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and moves to his decaying ancestral mansion, Allerdale Hall, alongside his mysterious sister, Lady Lucille (Jessica Chastain). As Edith unravels the sinister history of the Sharpe family and the house itself, she discovers dark truths lurking beneath its beautiful, crumbling facade.
Combining haunting performances and atmosphere dripping with suspense, Crimson Peak is a masterful blend of romance and horror that pays homage to the classic gothic storytelling that its maker grew up obsessed with.
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Our second Volunteer of the Month is Alex Alcala, who has chosen Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread as his VOTM pick!
Set in 1950s London, the film follows renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his tightly controlled life dedicated to crafting exquisite couture for high society. Reynolds’ world is upended when he meets Alma (Vicky Krieps), a headstrong young woman who becomes his muse and lover. As their relationship deepens, a battle of wills emerges, with Alma challenging Reynolds’ rigid ways and asserting her own desires. Their dynamic becomes a haunting and unconventional love story, steeped in power struggles and mutual dependence.
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Join us as we continue or Tribute To Bud Cort series his wonderful performance in Hal Ashby’s Harold and Maude, making its annual return to The Frida Cinema.
The young Harold (Bud Cort) lives in his own world of suicide-attempts and funeral visits to avoid the misery of his current family and home environment. Harold meets an 80-year-old woman named Maude (Ruth Gordon) who also lives in her own world yet one in which she is having the time of her life. When the two opposites meet they realize that their differences don’t matter and they become best friends and love each other.
Beloved for its quirky humor and tender tone, Harold and Maude is fondly remembered as a black comedy with serious heart.
Beloved character actor Bud Cort built a career out of making the unusual unforgettable. From his odd bird performance in Brewster McCloud to his tender, offbeat turn in Harold And Maude, he gave us a lifetime of bringing humanity to the outsiders he inhabited. Join us in March 2026 as we pay tribute to his work.
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