Dec 14, 2018
Check out what’s playing at Cinematheque in the Now Playing section and purchase advance tickets. Download a PDF copy of the January/February program guide.
This year The Canada International Comedy Film Festival is highlighting gems from the Winnipeg cinematic tradition. Every film is a doozy but some of my personal highlights are: Kubasa in a Glass (which is the funniest theatre going experience I have ever had), The First Winter (which is in my opinion the most criminally underrated feature film ever made), and the unforgettable documentary Dog Stories (which is both poignant and hilarious). I always enjoy the discoveries I make during the Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival but as a fan of Edward Burtynsky’s photography I’m anticipating Anthropocene: The Human Epoch. — Ryan Steel, Cinematheque Box Office
I am thrilled to see The Great Buster, a documentary directed by Peter Bogdanovich, on our marquee. Comedy and stunt legend Buster Keaton made an eternal imprint on comedy and filmmaking. If you see a stunt in a movie, you can probably thank Mr. Keaton. The laughs will continue with the Winnipeg Film Group’s presentation of The Canadian International Comedy Film Festival. Get ready to hold your sides and slap your knees as we show some of the wittiest, goofiest, and downright weirdest short funny films the industry has to offer. — Jessica Seburn, Cinematheque Box Office
I was excited to see that we were showing Roma in January. I am a big fan of Cuarón’s work and can’t wait to see his new film in a theatre. It seems like it will be a film with a new angle and perspective on life. In addition, The Fireflies Are Gone (La disparicion des lucioles) is a coming of age story that reminds me of the movies growing up that sparked my interest in film and I cannot wait to see this Canadian film succeed. — Thomas Hanan, Cinematheque Box Office
For the first time in years, we are offering programming on Tuesday evenings. I am very excited to have a hand in programming some of the best new film restorations available in our new ongoing series: Restoration Tuesdays. Right off the bat, we have Dennis Hopper’s long-lost The Last Movie; the bloody French proto-Home Alone Dial Code Santa Claus; and the feminist classic Wanda, now finally getting its due. In keeping with the restoration trend, we are partnering with Alliance Française du Manitoba on an extensive retrospective of Jean-Pierre Melville’s finest films to celebrate his centenary. Two films making their Oscar pushes open this winter: Alfonso Cuaron’s familial epic Roma and actor Paul Dano’s directorial debut Wildlife, and both promise to be beautiful experiences. Lastly, closing out February is the second annual Afro Prairie Film Festival – the only festival in the prairies to highlight the work of Black filmmakers and Black narratives in film. The full program and schedule will be announced soon. — David Knipe, Cinematheque Operations Manager
An embarrassment of film riches this winter at the Cinematheque: don’t miss our exclusive run of Alfonso Caurón’s (Gravity, Y Tu Mamá También) Roma – a beautiful story about his childhood in Mexico City with stunning use of ambient sound and cinematography. The WFG Premieres and International Comedy Fest reveal why Winnipeg independent filmmaking is the best in the world. Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival brings us many films which wouldn’t play if it weren’t for the Cinematheque – my three favourites are Sebastian Pilote’s lovely gem about a young rebellious girl growing up in Quebec The Fireflies are Gone; Patricia Rozema’s Mouthpiece, about a woman making the arrangements for her mother’s funeral; and the visually stunning climate change documentary Anthropocene. David and I love discovering newly restored film classics so we are now re-opening on Tuesday nights with Dennis Hopper’s legendary lost film The Last Movie and Barbara Loden’s pioneering Wanda with more to come. And all seats are $5! — Dave Barber, Senior Cinematheque Programmer
This is one of the most exciting Cinematheque programs I’ve seen in ages. I want to see everything, but if I had to pick a mere handful, you absolutely cannot miss the Jean-Pierre Melville Retrospective (easily one of the most important French directors of all time), Sébastien Pilote’s The Fireflies Are Gone (easily one of the most important Quebec directors of all time), El Toro, Danielle Sturk’s wonderful documentary (and huge sellout hit at the 2018 Gimme Some Truth festival) and the exciting, laugh-filled WFG retrospective programming during the Canadian International Comedy Film Festival. — Greg Klymkiw, Executive Director
If your little ones are feeling antsy being too cooped up this winter, dust them off and cart them down to Cinematheque for our annual Cabin Fever: Free Films for Kids series! This year we have a terrific line-up including one of my favourite kids films of recent years, Coco, a gorgeous and fantastical story of a young Mexican musician who searches for his legendary great-great grandfather in the Land of the Dead; and “Hey you guys!” we’re showing one of my all time ‘80s faves – The Goonies! I’d also highly recommend WNDX’s Experimental Films for Kids featuring some charming kid-friendly head-trips, including the world premiere of a handcrafted 16mm film made by the kids at Art City! — Jaimz Asmundson, Cinematheque Programming Director
