Subtitles, anyone?
It’s subtitles galore this week as the Danish Film Festival, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Cinema Italian Style IV and New Chinese Cinema arrive.
The second annual Danish Film Festival: LA kicks off tonight at the American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre with a special screening of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1928 milestone, “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” starring Maria Falconetti in a heartbreaking turn as the brave French saint. The film, which centers on the last 24 hours of her life, is noted for Dreyer’s extraordinary close-ups of Falconetti’s expressive face. Danish composer Jesper Kyd has penned a new score -- a mix of live elements and electronics.
Beginning Friday, the festival moves to the Sunset 5, with a retrospective of films starring contemporary actor Mads Mikkelsen (“Casino Royale,” “After the Wedding”) including “Prague” and “The Green Butchers.” On Sunday is the classic 1966 drama “Hunger,” directed by Henning Carlsen, who will appear after the screening; the award-winning documentary “Monastery” will be shown Tuesday.
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is pairing with CalArts to present New Chinese Cinema: The Unofficial Stories of Tang Tang, Piggy, Little Moth and Others, which begins Friday at the Billy Wilder Theater. The 10-film festival includes the premieres of Jia Zhangke’s “Still Life” and “Dong” tonight and closes with Ann Hui’s “The Postmodern Life of My Aunt” on Oct. 26.
The ArcLight plays host to the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, which begins Sunday and continues through Oct. 14. The mission of the festival is to “showcase and nurture existing and emerging creative Latino talent while serving as a springboard and catalyst for the promotion of Latin films and filmmakers.” Among the offerings are “A Casa de Alice” from Brazil, “Adrift in Manhattan” from the U.S., “Angel” from Puerto Rico and “El Camino de los Ingleses” from Spain.
The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian commences its Cinema Italian Style IV celebration of contemporary Italian cinema Wednesday with Daniele Luchetti’s perceptive dramedy “My Brother Is an Only Child,” which was a critical and commercial hit earlier this year in Italy. Set during the 1960s and ‘70s, the film revolves around two brothers (Elio Germano and Riccardo Scamarcio) who are politically polar opposites -- one is a communist; the other, a fascist -- and just happen to be in love with the same woman. Luchetti and Scamarcio will appear at the screening.
Elsewhere: The Cinematheque presents a “slight return” of this summer’s Mods & Rockers festival with a screening Saturday at the Aero of Albert and David Maysles’ 1970 documentary “Gimme Shelter” and a preview Sunday of “Control,” a biographical drama about Ian Curtis, the Joy Division singer who ended his life at the age of 23. Sam Riley stars.
“Dreams to Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding” has its world theatrical premiere Monday at the Egyptian. The 2007 documentary about the singer includes full-length performances, including his last stage appearance before his death in a plane crash 40 years ago, as well as interviews with his co-workers, wife and others. Also included is “Stax Revue,” from 1967, which features Redding, Sam & Dave and Booker T. & the MGs.
Scheduled for Tuesday is the world premiere of “American Landing: Jimi Hendrix at Monterey,” which features previously unreleased performances and the late rocker’s electrifying complete set at the Monterey Pop Festival 40 years ago.
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Screenings
Danish Film Festival: L.A.
7:30 tonight, Egyptian Theatre; Friday through next Thursday, Laemmle’s Sunset 5, www.dkfilmfestla.com
New Chinese Cinema
7:30 tonight, Billy Wilder Theater; runs through Oct. 26, www.cinema.ucla.edu
Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival
6:30 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 14, ArcLight Hollywood, www.latinofilm.org
Cinema Italian Style IV
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Egyptian Theatre; runs through Oct. 21, www.cinemaitalianstyle.org
Mods & Rockers
(Slight Return)
7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aero Theatre; 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Egyptian Theatre, www.americancinematheque.com
Only good movies
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