Film Seminars | Discussions | Intros

Few classics of Indian cinema are as exhilarating as Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 hit SHOLAY, a delirious four-course meal of action, musical numbers, Indian cinema’s most iconic actors and jaw-dropping widescreen 70mm cinematography. Riffing off Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns, Akira Kurosawa’s Samurai films, and classic westerns, the film follows two ne’er-do-wells asked to rid a village of a notorious bandit. (New 4K Restoration of the Original Cut)

While on vacation in Poland, a British tourist (Charli xcx) breaks away from her doting boyfriend (Will Madden), reuniting instead with an old friend (Lena Góra) in this idiosyncratic postcard romance of serendipity and synchronicity.

Fearlessly ambitious, scathingly funny and thoroughly original, this satirical tale of a telemarketer in alternate-present Oakland loudly heralds the arrival of a fresh filmmaking talent in writer-director-musician Boots Riley.

When an aimless young punk accidentally stumbles into the intense world of vehicular repossession, he gets caught up in the search for a 1964 Chevy Malibu which may or may not be carrying the corpses of several extraterrestrials in its trunk.

May the 4th be with you. Always. The Rebels scatter after the Empire attacks their base on the ice planet Hoth. Han Solo and Princess Leia are pursued by Imperials, while Luke trains with Jedi Master Yoda. But when Luke battles Darth Vader, he learns the shocking truth of his past. Iconic score from John Williams + May 4th = an otherworldly edition of Music City Mondays.

Part of Staff Picks and programmed by Jessie, who says: “Grab your best friend — time to fall in love with PRETTY WOMAN all over again! In true Vivian fashion it would be ‘a big mistake, HUGE’ to miss on the big screen."

“May the Giant Be with You” — A wounded Agent Cooper has a vision of a giant who gives him several clues about the murder of Laura Palmer. Shelly and Pete recover from the mill fire, but Josie and Catherine are missing.

Rico’s summer is a wild mix of chasing girls and hustling homemade cocktails on Orchard Beach in The Bronx — but it’s only a matter of time before his rowdy, carefree days come spiraling down. Using his hometown as a canvas, writer-director Joel Alfonso Vargas immerses us in the beating heart of his lively Dominican American community, collaborating with street-cast actors to bring authenticity and fresh humor to his engrossing debut feature.

In the wake of the 2023 shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Ketch Secor, lead singer of the popular country-bluegrass band Old Crow Medicine Show felt compelled to write an op-ed in the New York Times titled, “Country Music Can Lead America Out of Its Obsession with Guns.” This caught the attention of Ketch’s friend, public radio journalist David Greene — and the two set out to kickstart productive and open dialogue about gun rights and gun violence in America.

“Coma” — Albert determines that neither Leo nor Jacques killed Laura, but he is unable to find any leads into who shot Cooper. Cooper says they must find the third man, who he believes to be Bob, the gray-haired man.
“The Man Behind the Glass” — Ronette is attacked in her hospital bed by an unseen person. Jean Renault, brother of Jacques and Bernard, plans to blackmail Ben Horne for the release of Audrey. Donna meets with Harold Smith, a shut-in who had befriended Laura.

In the far future, a brutal warrior trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements in John Boorman’s psychedelic counterculture satire.

Held captive in a specialized medical facility, a young woman with unique abilities seeks a chance to escape her obsessed captor in director Panos Cosmatos’ (MANDY) majorly trippy feature film debut.

“Demons” — James saves the girls from a tormented Harold. Cooper brings Audrey home. Bobby and Shelly learn that their insurance plans have backfired. Donna tries to convince Truman that Harold Smith has Laura's secret diary.
“Lonely Souls” — Cooper and the One-Armed Man inspect guests at the Great Northern. Hawk finds Harold Smith dead — with a mysterious suicide note and the diary torn to shreds. Leo speaks to Bobby about "new shoes."

How the Belcourt Was Saved traces how grassroots organizers, staff, artists, and audiences helped transform the theater after 1999 into Nashville’s nonprofit film center and a leading American arthouse. This seminar explores the theater’s recovery, mission, and place in the city’s cultural and cinematic history.

Set in the post-Depression Tennessee Valley and concerning an idealistic young TVA administrator sent to clear land to be flooded by a new dam, Elia Kazan's film is a masterful recreation of a unique period in Tennessee history. WILD RIVER opened our Visions of the South series in 2011 — which we called “a survey of 20th century film depicting life in the southeastern United States from the inside and out” — and the first such mega-series of its kind.

On Sunday, March 15, 2020, the emergence of a worldwide pandemic forced the long-term closure of the Belcourt for the foreseeable future. The film that we were scheduled to open on the following Friday was Kelly Reichardt’s FIRST COW. Evoking an authentically hardscrabble early 19th century way of life, two westward travellers in the Oregon Territory start a successful business selling “oily cakes” (scones), but its longevity is reliant upon the clandestine participation of a nearby wealthy landowner’s prized milking cow.

“Drive with a Dead Girl” — Donna and James wonder why Maddy left so suddenly. Norma's mother arrives with the news that she's married a new man, Ernie Niles. Cooper tells Leland they arrested Ben Horne for Laura's murder.
“Arbitrary Law” — Albert returns to examine Maddy. Cooper asks for 24 hours to finish his case. James and Donna reaffirm their love. Andy accidentally leads Donna and Cooper back to Mrs. Tremond's house.

Part of Staff Picks and programmed by Coley, who says: “BABA BOOEY! Produced by comedy guru Ivan Reitman (GHOSTBUSTERS) and directed by Betty Thomas (CAN’T HARDLY WAIT), this biopic based on Howard Stern’s #1 New York Times best seller of the same name follows his meteoric rise from Boston University to WNBC in New York City. After conquering radio, TV and print, this film cemented Stern as the self-proclaimed “King of All Media.” Howard Stern is a national treasure and the greatest entertainer who ever lived.”

“Slaves and Masters” — The police look for James in the Marsh murder. Bobby and Shelly tell Truman that Leo escaped — and Bobby reveals that he saw Hank shoot Leo the night the mill burned. Albert returns to Twin Peaks with information on Windom Earle.
“Beyond Life and Death” — Agent Cooper follows Windom Earle and Annie into the depths of the Black Lodge. Big Ed and Norma get a shock when Nadine suffers head trauma. Andrew and Pete unlock Eckhardt's final box and Audrey stages an act of civil disobedience.

A feature-length documentary exploring Ralphie May — the comedian America couldn’t contain — and the personal and cultural crises that ultimately consumed him. Post-screening discussion with Lahna Turner, co-director of the film and wife of the late Ralphie May