Expansion of ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair’ Festival

The American Cinematheque is set to broaden its annual festival, ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair’, taking it beyond Los Angeles to seven cities across the United States and London. This year’s event will continue at the Aero, Egyptian, and Los Feliz 3 Theatres in Los Angeles, while also making appearances at:

• Hollywood Theatre, Portland
• Music Box Theatre, Chicago
• Texas Theatre, Dallas
• Trylon Cinema, Minneapolis
• Paris Theater, New York
• Coolidge Corner Theatre, Boston
• Prince Charles Cinema, London

The festival will feature special guests such as Robert Eggers at the Prince Charles Cinema and Todd Solondz at the Paris Theater, enhancing the cultural enrichment of the event.

Festival Schedule

Beginning June 1st in Los Angeles and Chicago, the festival will run until June 21st. The schedule is as follows:

• Los Angeles and Chicago: June 1-7
• Portland and Minneapolis: June 6-12
• New York, Boston, and Dallas: June 8-14
• London: June 15-21

Turner Classic Movies Collaboration

In a related initiative, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will feature films emblematic of ‘bleak cinema’ on June 2nd, including:

• “Make Way For Tomorrow”
• “Man of the West”
• “Cries and Whispers”
• “Breaking the Waves”
• “The Seventh Victim”

Host Dave Karger will introduce the first three films on the evening of the event.

California Day at Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival will highlight California’s significant influence in the film industry through an event dubbed California Day, scheduled for May 15. This occasion is designed as an immersive platform to showcase the state’s contributions and innovations in filmmaking.

Event Features

California Day will comprise keynote speeches, panels, and networking opportunities, aimed at emphasizing California as a central hub for creative expression and international collaboration in cinema. IndieWire will partner with The American Pavilion to lead discussions, including a notable keynote titled “The Future of Filmmaking in California: Innovation, Creativity, and Global Impact,” with more details regarding speakers to be announced soon.

Mission Statement

Julie Sisk, founder and president of The American Pavilion, remarked, “Our mission has always been to celebrate creativity and provide educational opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers by giving a platform to industry leaders and change-makers. This year, we feel it is important to honor California’s unrivaled legacy in global entertainment.”