For Immediate Release Contact: Carol O’Sullivan

Dec. 21, 2009 412-681-5449

Pittsburgh Filmmakers Announces

January 2010 Programming

(Pittsburgh, PA) – The following are descriptions of Pittsburgh Filmmakers Film Exhibition program for January 2010. The films are screened at Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Avenue (Downtown), the Melwood Screening Room, 477 Melwood Avenue (in North Oakland) and the Regent Square Theater, 1035 S. Braddock Avenue (in Edgewood). For admission prices and current showtimes call 412-682-4111. All titles and dates are subject to change, due to film availability.

The Harris Theater – 809 Liberty Ave.

Thru Jan 7: Bronson

Set in 1974, this is the true story of a 20-year-old who robbed a post office and got a seven-year sentence. He ended up spending 30 years in solitary, and an uncanny metamorphosis into alter ego Charles Bronson. Less a biopic than an explosion of cinematic style, it features a stunning performance by Tom Hardy. (Nicolas Winding Refn; 2009; UK; 92 min)

Jan 8 - 17: The Beaches of Agnes – back by request!

This charming portrait was one of the best-reviewed films in Pittsburgh last month, and is on the “short-list” of Oscar nominees for Best Doc. A touching reflection on art, life and the movies, Beaches is a richly cinematic self-portrait of filmmaker Agnes Varda. With subtitles. (Agnes Varda; France; 2009; 110 min)

Jan 18 – 21: The Mirror

Through a series of flashbacks, historical footage, and original poetry, a dying man remembers his childhood during World War II, adolescence, and a painful divorce in his family. The late Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky’s beautiful, intelligent films are legendary and The Mirror was reportedly a source of inspiration for Lars Van Trier’s Antichrist (opening January 22). In fact, in the credits he dedicates his film to Tarkovsky. With subtitles. (Andrei Tarkovsky; Soviet Union; 1975; 108 min)

Opens Jan. 22: Antichrist

From the controversial writer/director of Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, and Dogville comes the most talked about film this year. Antichrist is the shockingly dark, psychological story of a grieving couple – played by Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg (named best actress at Cannes) – who retreat to their cabin in the woods, cryptically named Eden. Once there, he begins having ominous visions and she descends into madness and violence. Von Trier’s striking imagery, gorgeously captured by cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle (Slumdog Millionaire) makes it impossible to look away from the screen. Undeniably cinematic, but be warned, this is not for the faint of heart. In English. (Lars Von Trier; Denmark/Germany; 2009; 104 min)

Regent Square Theater – 1035 South Braddock Ave.

Jan. 1- 13: 35 Shots of Rum

“…reminds viewers how rarely movies capture the easy-going love embodied in a functional family.” – Variety.   Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and interesting filmmakers working today, Claire Denis (Beau Travail) explores the issue of letting go in her new film. Set in a Paris suburb, a widowed metro conductor (played by the fabulous Alex Descas) is approaching retirement. He lives with his beautiful grown daughter – the object of a neighbor’s romantic interest. The film, full of quiet emotions,  evokes Eric Rohmer as it follows an ensemble of characters in a roundelay of relationships. Winner of audience favorite awards at a variety of international film festivals. With subtitles. (Claire Denis; France; 2009; 100 min)

Opens Jan. 15: Broken Embraces For his 17^th feature film, Pedro Almodovar again places his muse, Penelope Cruz, at the heart of the story. The maestro brings his signature visual brilliance to his newest tale of deception, jealousy and betrayal. The labyrinthine plot begins with Harry Caine (Lluis Homar, Bad Education) a blind screenwriter and former movie director whose real name – which he dropped after losing his sight in a car crash – is Mateo Blanco. We then journey between the past and present, learning stories from differing viewpoints. While there are references to previous Almodóvar films, cinematic homages abound including Kiss of Death, Voyage to Italy, The Third Man and of course, the original Kane. A superb soundtrack by Alberto Iglesias tracks by Uffie and Cat Power. With subtitles. (Pedro Almodovar; Spain; 2009; 127 min)

Sunday Night Series: American Comedies

Our summer comedy series left everyone wanting more, so here are five – all 35 mm prints – to warm your funny bone this winter.

Jan. 3: The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T

Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Geisel), preeminent author of children’s books, had several made into films, but they all pale in comparison to this one – a highly subversive, Technicolor masterpiece. In it, a young boy is forced to take piano lessons from the evil Dr. Terwilliker , whose mad scheme is to imprison 500 kids for a massive piano recital, all playing a monstrous, double-decker piano with 5,000 keys. Made at the height of the Cold War, elements of brain-washing, oppression and Atomic age paranoia lend the film an allegorical heft. Don’t miss it this time! (Roy Rowland; US; 1953; 89 min)

Jan. 10: Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Few films capture the psyche of the 80s youth culture better then this one. It’s the highs and lows of life as a teenager, including that humiliating job at the food court. Features a screenplay by Cameron Crowe, and who knew Sean Penn could be so funny! (Amy Heckerling; 1982; 90 min)

Jan. 17: The Seven Year Itch

When a professional book reader (Tom Ewell) sends his family to Maine during a sweltering New York summer, his imagination goes into overdrive when a delightfully unconventional, voluptuous blonde (Marilyn Monroe) moves in upstairs. "You read too many books," she coos. Look for Marilyn standing over the subway grate in her white dress. (Billy Wilder; 1954; 105 min)

Jan. 24: Groundhog Day

Bill Murray was never more delightfully rude than in this clever film that’s still fresh and funny. Murray plays Pittsburgh weatherman, Phil Connors, who inexplicably keeps waking up in the same day at a B&B in Punxsutawney. The Brits loved this film and awarded the original screenplay their version of an Academy Award. (Harold Ramis; 1993; 101 min)

Jan. 31: The Graduate

Out of print for many years, this classic is finally in distribution again. It’s hard to say what’s more memorable: the evocative Simon and Garfunkel score, Mrs. Robinson’s seduction of the much younger Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), or that one-word prescription for financial and professional happiness: “plastics!” (Mike Nichols; 1967; 106 min)

Melwood Screening Room – 477 Melwood Ave.

Jan. 12: Film Kitchen

The monthly series highlights regional, independent film and video work. This month features Ben Hernstrom and others. Reception at 7:00; films at 8:00. Admission: $5.

Jan. 21: Rosemary’s Baby

One reason this classic creeper from director Roman Polanski holds up so well is his slow reveal of its horror elements. During her pregnancy the young bride (Mia Farrow) is made aware that the people around her are not what they seem. John Cassavetes plays her husband and Ruth Gordon is priceless as the seemingly normal next-door neighbor. (Roman Polanski; USA; 1968; 136 min) Co-presented with PittArts; with reception.

Jan. 29 – Feb. 2: Until the Light Takes Us

This is the story of Norwegian black-metal – well-known to dedicated followers – a musical subculture infamous as much for a series of murders and church arsons as it is for its unique musical and visual aesthetics. Light features verité style camerawork, exclusive interviews with the musicians, and a wealth of rare, seldom seen footage from the earliest days. The filmmakers (one of whom – Aaron Aites – is a former Pittsburgher) moved to Norway for two years to shoot this controversial story. And they have not shied away from the grisly details. Features music from: Gylve "Fenriz" Nagell, Varg Vikernes, Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg, Kjetil "Frost" Haraldstad, Ivar Bjornson, Abbath and Demonaz Doom Occulta, Kris "Garm" Rygg, Bjarne Melgaard, and a cameo by director Harmony Korine. (Audrey Ewell and Aaron Aites; 2008; Norway; 93 min)

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