The official blog of Laemmle Theatres
We’re very pleased to open THE HUNT July 12 at the Royal and Playhouse and July 19 at the Town Center. The terrific Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen won the Best Actor award for this role at the Cannes Film Festival last year. The New York Times just published this rather funny short interview with him.
Fill the Void by first time writer/director Rama Burshtein has been playing at Laemmle for a while now. And there’s a simple reason for that – it’s an exquisite piece of filmmaking.
The movie is foremost a loving portrayal and homage to haredi culture in Israel (ultra-religious Jews). Burshtein brings her hasidic community to life in rich, warm tones. Everything, specially interior space, is suffused in a welcoming, other-worldly light, as if she and talented cinematographer Asaf Sudry had uncovered a place where heaven and earth meet.
With such clear affection for her subject (Burshtein is deeply religious herself), you might think the film is one long sop to Ultra-Orthodox Judaism. You’d be wrong. In fact, Burshtein illuminates this world with nary a comment. The role of women, for instance, comes into clear focus, including the many aspects that would normally scandalize a modern, liberal audience – persistent segregation, cumbersome modesty rules, arranged marriages, etc. But Burshtein neither endorses such practices nor critiques them. This approach holds true for the film as a whole. Judgment is put to the side; in its place, the director gifts us with a profound sense of grace and acceptance.
If that’s not all, Burshtein has a knowingly deft and gentle touch when it comes to interpersonal relations. Though not lacking in passion or conviction, her characters bring us into the story with remarkable subtlety and restraint. It’s one of those films that you can see three times (and I have!) and discover it anew each time; an unseen gesture, a motivation not previously considered, an underlying theme freshly revealed. Still, despite repeat viewing, Fill the Void stubbornly defies pat summations, preserving a delicious sense of ambiguity up until (literally) the very last instant.
The sublime performance of Hadas Yaron, who won Best Actress at the Awards of the Israeli Film Academy for her lead role as the younger sister Shira, is emblematic of the cast as whole. It’s hard to imagine anyone not being moved by her performance, especially in the final scenes.
Sometimes a film shines such an intense, brilliant light upon its subject that all we can do as an audience is open our mouths in grateful wonder and appreciation. Fill the Void is such a film. You may see it (for the first or third time) at the Royal or Town Center 5 through July 11.
– Marc Horwitz
THE GIRLS IN THE BAND director Judy Chaikin will participate in Q&A’s after the 11 AM screenings at the Playhouse on Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28.
Film Title: A Hijacking
This taut Danish thriller by director Tobias Lindholm, about Somali pirates commandeering a merchant vessel in the Indian Ocean, keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. What’s more, it manages to do so without any of the testosterone-laden heroics of its mainstream, bid-budget counterparts.
Like best-in-breed horror films (recall the original Halloween), Tobias wisely knows the ever-present threat of violence is often more riveting and palpably effective then the mayhem itself. That’s not to say the film doesn’t have its moments, however.
Then there’s the smart juxtaposition of the various worlds colliding – the blue collar ethos of the sailors, the crisp, sanitized, yet pressure-filled realm of the modern corporation, and the raw energy and engineered chaos brought to bear by the Somali pirates. How Lindholm harnesses these seemingly disparate cultural forces — depicting how they are obviously different and yet how they are also surprisingly alike — is the fulcrum upon which A Hijacking emerges as a complex and inspired piece of filmmaking.
A Hijacking is currently playing at the Royal, Playhouse 7, and Town Center 5.
– Marc Horwitz
A film recommendation from Bob Laemmle.
The Attack is a fascinating drama that examines the Israeli/Palestinian situation from the vantage point of Lebanese Director Ziad Doueiri. Raising hosts of questions but resisting clear-cut answers, the filmmaker applies a deft and even-handed approach to his subject. Under Doueiri’s supervision, the acting is superb and believable to the point that it almost feels like you’re watching a documentary.
The story of how The Attack was made and distributed is nearly as compelling as the movie itself. Shot on location in both Israel and the Palestinian territories, the producers had to navigate and overcome complex political, bureaucratic and security issues. What’s more, the controversial nature of the film has led to a revolving door of financial backers.
While screening successfully to Arab audiences via the festival circuit, it’s unfortunate that the film will likely not be released in the Palestinian territories or most other Arab countries. However, it will play in Israel and tracking its performance there should prove interesting.
Of course, movie-goers around the world including Laemmle audiences here in L.A., should consider themselves fortunate indeed to be able to reap the benefit of Doueiri’s talent, passion, and commitment. Filmmakers like him and Tobias Lindholm (who’s equally riveting Danish thriller A Hijacking is also currently running) are just two present-moment examples of the incredible work being done by filmmakers across the globe. We are truly in a golden age of world cinema. Let’s be sure not to miss it!
The Attack is currently playing at our Royal and Playhouse 7 locations. It will be opening at the Town Center 5 on July 3. Click here for more details.
– Bob Laemmle
Meet the people behind the terrific new documentary THE GIRLS IN THE BAND this weekend. Here’s the schedule. All screenings begin at 11 AM:
On Saturday, June 22, there will be a Q&A with one of the subjects of the film, Roz Cron, at the TOWN CENTER 5.
On Saturday, June 22, there will be a Q&A with Director Judy Chaikin at the PLAYHOUSE 7.
On Sunday, June 23, there will be a Q&A with Director Judy Chaikin and Executive Producer Mike Greene at the MONICA 4.
THE GIRLS IN THE BAND producer Nancy Kissock will participate in a Q&A after the 11 AM screening at the Monica in Santa Monica this Saturday, June 15.
Director Judy Chaikin will participate in a Q&A after the 11 AM screening at the Playhouse 7 in Pasadena on Saturday, June 15.
Director Judy Chaikin and Producer Mike Greene will participate in a Q&A after the 11 AM screening at the Monica in Santa Monica on Sunday, June 16.
Producer Nancy Kissock will participate in a Q&A after the 11 AM screening at the Town Center in Encino on Sunday, June 16.
For a limited time, help out ‘ol planet earth by purchasing our tasty Climate Ride Concession Specials at a sweet price!
CLIF Bars go for $2. O.N.E. Coconut Water (16.9 oz) for $3 and our Climate Ride Combo featuring CLIF Bar, Coconut Water, and small popcorn for only $7. You may swap out a small bottled water or fountain drink if you don’t fancy the coconut water. Though we’re not sure why you would; we can’t get enough of the (admittedly) trendy beverage!
Proceeds from the specials support CLIMATE RIDE CALIFORNIA, a 5-day, 320 mile group cycling adventure through Northern California. The ride (May 19-23) benefits a variety of environmental causes focusing on renewable energy and sustainable transit.
This really is a fantastic and worthwhile cause. We should all be taking steps to help the planet after all, and shifting our attention towards renewable energy is a fundamental part of this.
With this in mind, if you want to go the extra mile, you might also want to do some research to ensure that your home energy comes from a renewable source. Not sure where to start? If you are reading from Texas, researching electric companies in dallas can make it easier for you to compare your options.
Who knows, you might even discover that switching to a more environmentally conscious energy supplier could save you some money on your electricity bills.
So, that being said, how exactly can purchasing tasty snacks help the environment?
Well, when you purchase a –
• CLIF BAR, we give $1 to Climate Ride California
• O.N.E. Coconut Water, we give $2.
• Climate Ride Combo, we give $3.
So eat up, drink up and do some good! Enjoy.