Film Festival Features 43 Films from 18 Countries, With Dark and Powerful Narratives
The American Cinematheque is now presenting its third annual “Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair,” a weeklong film festival that delves into the darkest facets of humanity and some of history’s most harrowing moments. This year’s program features 43 films from 18 countries, including archival prints, premieres of restorations, and exclusive question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers and actors, including Chris Pine, Lynne Ramsay, Vera Drew, Bernard Rose, Michael Rooker, Kenneth Lonergan, Allen Hughes, Charlie Kaufman, Elliot Gould, and Ray Wise.
You can purchase tickets at the American Cinematheque website, membership with the Cinematheque gets you discounts on tickets and admission to certain screenings.
For the first time, the festival will be held across three venues: the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, and the Los Feliz 3 theatre in Los Feliz.
The festival’s lineup is marked by stark imagery, unimaginable tragedies, existential dread, nihilism, and shocking acts of brutality. It showcases the work of some of the world’s leading filmmakers who embrace a cinema of despair to unearth unpleasant truths and evoke raw empathy. The series is designed to challenge audiences with powerful narratives that confront the bleakest aspects of the human condition.
“Bleak Week” Year 3 started this weekend and will continue until Friday, June 3, offering a unique opportunity for film enthusiasts to experience a curated selection of global cinema that explores the profound depths of despair.
Mon Jun 3, 2024
7:00 p.m. A Time for Drunken Horses $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) Los Feliz 3
7:30 p.m. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer $10.00 (Member); $15.00 (General Admission) Egyptian Theatre | Live Virtual Q&a With Actor Michael Rooker
7:30 p.m. Manchester by the Sea $10.00 (Member); $15.00 (General Admission) Aero Theatre | Q&A With Filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan, moderated by Scott Foundas.
10:00 p.m. Dodes’Ka-Den $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) – Los Feliz 3
Tuesday, Jun 4, 2024
7:00 p.m. Ghosts… Of the Civil Dead $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) – Los Feliz 3
7:30 p.m. Menace II Society $10.00 (Member); $15.00 (General Admission) Egyptian Theatre | Q&A With Filmmaker Allen Hughes, moderated by Nelson George.
7:30 p.m. We Need to Talk About Kevin / You Were Never Really Here $15.00 (Members-Only) Aero Theatre | Q&A with Filmmaker Lynne Ramsay
10:00 PM Cinematic Void Presents Run and Kill $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) Los Feliz 3 | World Premiere of New Restoration!
Wednesday, Jun 5, 2024
7:00 p.m. Ivansxtc $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) Los Feliz 3 | Q&a With Filmmaker Bernard Rose
7:30 p.m. Ratcatcher $12.00 (Member); $17.00 (General Admission) Egyptian Theatre | Q&A With Filmmaker Lynne Ramsay, moderated by Mark Olsen.
7:30 p.m. I’m Thinking of Ending Things / Anomalisa $15.00 (Members-Only) Aero Theatre | Q&A With Filmmaker Charlie Kaufman, moderated by Tim Grierson.
10:00 p.m. Twentynine Palms Los Feliz 3 Introduction by filmmaker Elric Kane
Thursday, Jun 6, 2024
7:00 p.m. In Vanda’s Room $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) Los Feliz 3 | New Restoration!
7:30 p.m. Synecdoche, New York $15.00 (Members-Only) Egyptian Theatre | Q&a With Filmmaker Charlie Kaufman., moderated by Amy Nicholson.
7:30 p.m. Morvern Callar $15.00 (Members-Only) Aero Theatre | Q&A with Filmmaker Lynne Ramsay, moderated by Katie Walsh.
10:30 p.m. Happy Together $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Alonso Duralde
Friday, Jun 7, 2024
4:00 p.m. Ju Dou $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) Los Feliz 3 | Introduction by Ryan Swen
7:00 p.m. Miracle Mile $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) Los Feliz 3 | Q&A With Filmmaker Steve de Jarnatt, moderated by K.J. Relth-Miller.
Book Signing with Steve de Jarnatt for His New Book. Grace for Grace
7:00 p.m. Army of Shadows $10.00 (Member); $15.00 (General Admission) Egyptian Theatre | Introduction by Filmmaker and Actor Chris Pine
7:30 p.m. The Touch $10.00 (Member); $15.00 (General Admission) Aero Theatre | Q&A With Actor Elliott Gould, moderated by Larry Karaszewski.
10:00 p.m. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me $10.00 (Member); $15.00 (General Admission) Egyptian Theatre | Q&A with Actor Ray Wise, moderated by Filmmaker Vera Drew.
10:00 p.m. Lilya 4-Ever $8.00 (Member); $13.00 (General Admission) Los Feliz 3 | Pre-recorded Introduction by Courtney Howard
