Japanese films all over the map
Think of it as a progressive film festival, not like in pushing artistic boundaries, more like how film fans will have to follow the Second Annual Japan Film Festival Los Angeles around town. With 22 films making either their North American or at least their L.A. premiere, the festival takes place Friday through next Thursday at the Monica 4-Plex, then moves to the Downtown Independent April 17 to 19, and winds up April 25 and 26 at the Starplex Cinema in Irvine. The opening-night feature is the animated adventure “The Sky Crawlers,” which was nominated for the Golden Lion Award at last year’s Venice Film Festival. www.jffla.org.
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Welles festival
Orson Welles is honored by the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre with several of his classic and rare films. Screening tonight is his 1962 adaptation of Kafka’s “The Trial,” starring Anthony Perkins, and the restored version of his controversial 1948 adaptation of “Macbeth.” On tap for Friday is the restored version of the 1958 film noir masterpiece “Touch of Evil” and 1948’s off-kilter thriller “The Lady From Shanghai,” with Welles’ then-wife Rita Hayworth. Saturday brings 1941’s seminal “Citizen Kane,” named by the American Film Institute as the best U.S. film of the 20th century, and 1942’s “The Magnificent Ambersons,” which, though drastically cut by RKO upon release, is a gem.
The Cinematheque’s Egyptian continues its Fetish Film Night on Friday with 1974’s “Prelude to Happiness,” an exploration of the amputee fetish. Also short clips from the late Bettie Page’s collaboration with Irving Klaw, the creator of contemporary fetish film.
The Aero is celebrating Bunny Day Sunday with a screening of the 1948 MGM musical classic “Easter Parade,” starring those couple of swells Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, as well as Ann Miller and Peter Lawford; directed by Charles Walters in glorious Technicolor. www.american cinematheque.com.
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Kitchen sink and all
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents a new 35-millimeter print of Chantal Akerman’s acclaimed 1974 drama “Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles,” Friday and Saturday evenings. Delphine Seyrig stars in the 201-minute movie shot in real time exploring the seemingly mundane chores of a Belgian mother. www.lacma.org.
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Devilish delight
The Silent Movie Theatre is going to the devil on Easter with a screening of F.W. Murnau’s 1926 German Expressionist triumph “Faust,” starring Emil Jannings. The live score will be provided by the L.A. ensemble Vaca Arkestra. www.silentmovietheatre.com.
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Only good movies
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