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The superb LA COCINA on Inside the Arthouse and opening Friday at the Monica Film Center.

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The latest episode of Inside the Arthouse features La Cocina filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios. The drama takes us behind the scenes at a Times Square restaurant, illuminating the lives of the people who prepare and serve our meals while chasing the American Dream. The ensemble cast, which includes two-time Academy Award-nominee Rooney Mara, delivers stunning performances in this beautifully shot film.

Laemmle Theatres opens La Cocina this Friday at the Monica Film Center. Writer-director Alonso Ruizpalacios will participate in Q&A’s after the 7 PM screening at the Monica Film Center on Friday, November 1st and the 4 PM screening on Saturday, November 2. He will introduce the 7 PM screening on Saturday, November 2. Producer Ivan Orlic and actor Eduardo Olmos will participate in a Q&A after the 1 PM screening on Saturday, November 2.

“A chaotic symphony of nearly two dozen characters, this black-and-white indie confection (garnished with sparing touches of color) mixes biting social critique with stylistic bravura.” ~ Peter Debruge, Variety
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“There’s a surging life force felt in every scene of Alonso Ruizpalacios’ superbly acted La Cocina — at times ebullient but more often on edge, if not careening dangerously toward disaster or violence.” ~ David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

“La Cocina Mexican writer/director Alonzo Ruizpalacios’ searing black-and-white slice of nightmare, is a monumental work of righteous anger.” ~ Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com

“La Cocina is a phenomenal showcase for Briones, who gives one of the most mesmerizingly multi-faceted performances of the year.” ~ Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“La Cocina goes further than recasting the American dream as a nightmare and the much sought-after visa as a ticket to infinite exploitation.” ~ William Repass, Slant Magazine

THE EYE OF THE SALAMANDER Opens Friday.

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THE EYE OF THE SALAMANDER

THE EYE OF THE SALAMANDER Opens Friday.

Opening at the Laemmle Glendale on Friday, November 1

Q&A with Writer/Director Pavel Nikolajev and Producer Olga Polevaya on Saturday, November 2 following primetime showing

An Aztec pyramid figurine found in the ancient city of Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico stores a dark secret, which is discovered by professor Hiscock, a non-traditional hero, who will learn quantum teleportation the hard way, facing primal folklore fears and his alter ego in the gruesome catacombs of uncharted realm.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

“I had a vision to create a film about instant teleportation via an ancient artifact for quite some time and was finally able to finish the script when my son was born, and I had a parental break. Weirdly, COVID that followed helped in creating the creature costume when everybody was locked in and I had plenty of time to do it right. 

For filming, we tried using the style / look & feel of the classic ’80s/’90s Sci-Fi/Thriller films which I’m a big fan of, so most of the effects are practical with minimal CGI! The same technique I used in my previous film HEADSOME. Everything else was just good old exhausting indie filmmaking!” 

-Pavel Nikolajev

Autumn Reel Talk Screenings in Full Swing: CHASING ‘CHASING AMY,’ ALBANY ROAD, and BOGART: LIFE COMES IN FLASHES Upcoming.

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Laemmle Theatres is the proud host to veteran film critic Stephen Farber’s popular REEL TALK WITH STEPHEN FARBER screening series  at the Royal. It provides a terrific opportunity to see a variety of outstanding films from the U.S. and around the world, including many top awards contenders, and then meet the filmmakers for provocative and revealing discussions led by Stephen.

Upcoming titles include: October 28: CHASING ‘CHASING AMY,’ a documentary award-winner at several film festivals with 95% positive reviews; guest speaker: filmmaker Sav Rodgers. November 4: ALBANY ROAD, starring Renee Elise Goldsberry, Tony-winning co-star of Hamilton, and Lynn Whitfield.  Guest speaker: writer-director Christine Swanson. November 14: BOGART: LIFE COMES IN FLASHES with guest speakers director Kathryn Ferguson and Stephen Bogart, the son of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

Recent Reel Talk guests and titles have included: CONCLAVE; Adam Elliot, writer-director of MEMOIR OF A SNAIL; Josh Margolin, writer-director of THELMA; Keith Kupferer, Katherine Mallen Kupferer, Tara Mallen, Kelly O’Sullivan & Alex Thompson, stars and filmmakers of GHOSTLIGHT; Eric Bana and Robert Connolly, star and writer-director of FORCE OF NATURE: THE DRY 2; Ian McShane, star and producer of AMERICAN STAR; Matteo Garrone, Seydou Sarr, and Moustapha Fall, director and stars of the Oscar-nominated IO CAPITANO; and Maggie Contreras, director of MAESTRA.

Featuring a haunting, stunning lead performance, HIGH TIDE opens October 25.

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High Tide begins with Lourenço, a Brazilian immigrant whose visa is about to expire. He finds himself heartbroken and adrift when his American boyfriend unexpectedly leaves him alone in Provincetown with fleeting promises of his return. Enveloped by the beauty and magic of the seaside community, he grows distressed by the day as his once-hopeful future has dimmed into an emotional and physical state of limbo. When he meets Maurice, they form an unexpected connection. Together, they begin to find acceptance while they struggle to reconcile their uncertain futures. Marco Pigossi plays Lourenço, James Bland plays Maurice, and Mya Taylor, Marisa Tomei and Bill Irwin co-star. Tomei also served as an executive producer. We open High Tide on October 25 at the Royal and NoHo.
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The 7:10 PM screenings of High Tide at the NoHo on October 25 and 26 and the 4 PM screening at the Royal on October 27 will feature in-person Q&A’s with the stars and filmmakers. Details here.
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“A haunting lead performance from Marco Pigossi, steeped in melancholy and raw pain but also in moments of openness, optimism and even joy, helps make High Tide an affecting portrait of untethered gay men seeking meaningful connections.” ~ David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter
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“Pigossi delivers a stunning performance that practically heat-welds together the film’s disparate parts, making it feel whole despite the flaws in its construction.” ~ Siddhant Adlakha, Variety

“High Tide is a movie that dares you not to be obsessed with — and attracted to — its leading man.” ~ Ryan Lattanzio, indieWire

“A soulful study of a person who fears he’s become a permanent guest in someone else’s home.” ~ Stephen Saito, Moveable Fest

“The film is a sexy reminder that even when we believe our circumstances can’t improve, someone can always come along to change our perspective on what we value and hold close to our hearts. Pigossi and Bland’s chemistry is worth the watch.” ~ Matthew Creith, Edge Media Network

“Just as importantly, it finds an understated resonance in every small detail, from shots of a face shifting in emotion to a figure being left behind in the distance.” ~ Chase Hutchinson, The Stranger

HIGH TIDE Q&A schedule.

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Q&A’s for HIGH TIDE:
10/25 – In-Person Q&A at the NoHo with Actor/Executive Producer Marco Pigossi and Actor James Bland of HIGH TIDE following the 7:10 pm performance.
 
10/26- In-Person Q&A at the NoHo with Writer/Director/Producer Marco Calvani, and Actor/Executive Producer Marco Pigossi of HIGH TIDE following the 7:10 pm performance.
 
10/27- In-Person Q&A at the Royal with Writer/Director/Producer Marco Calvani, and Actor/Executive Producer Marco Pigossi of HIGH TIDE following the 4:00 pm performance.

UNION Q&A schedule.

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Union Q&A schedule:

Royal 10/23: co-director Brett Story, producer Samantha Curley, and subject Chris Smalls;

Monica Film Center 10/25, 7:20 PM show: co-directors Steve Maing and Brett Story, producer Samantha Curley, and subject Chris Smalls with Adam Conover moderating;

Monica Film Center 10/26, 4:20 PM show: co-director Steve Maing, producer Samantha Curley, subject Chris Smalls, and UTLA president Cecily Myart-Cruz;

Glendale 10/26, 7:20 PM show: co-director Steve Maing, producer Samantha Curley, and subject Chris Smalls;

Glendale 10/27 noon show: co-director Steve Maing, producer Samantha Curley, and subject Chris Smalls.

NURSE UNSEEN Q&A schedule at the Laemmle Glendale.

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NURSE UNSEEN Q&A schedule

Friday 10/11
1:30 PM
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue and producer Carlo Velayo
7:10 PM
Presented by SoCal Filipinos & FilAm Creative
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue and producer Carlo Velayo, and cast members: Jollene Levid, Nora Levid, Gertrude Tan, Joyette Jagolino, Shantell Pambuan, Tiffany Olega, Allison Mayol

Saturday 10/12
1:30 PM
Presented by The Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine (CYFAM)
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue, producer Carlo Velayo, and Alex Argame, CYFAM Community Engagment Co-Chair, RN, Medical Student.
Moderated by CYFAM’s Antonio Moya
7:10 PM
Presented by SEIU 121RN
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue, producers Carlo Velayo and Joe Arciaga
Moderated by SEIU 121RN representative

Sunday 10/13
1:30 PM
Presented by FANHS OCIE
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue and producer Carlo Velayo
Moderated by Erin Manalo-Pedro, FANHS OCIE
7:10 PM
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue and producer Carlo Velayo

Monday 10/14
1:30 PM
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue and cast member Tiffany Olega
7:10 PM
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue and cast members: Tiffany Olega and Allison Mayol

Tuesday 10/15
7:10 PM
Presented by Adventist Health Glendale
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue and cast member Tiffany Olega
Moderated by Carey Li, Dir. of Process Improvement, Adventist Health Glendale
Wednesday 10/16
1:30 PM
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue
7:10 PM
Q&A with director/producer/lead editor Michele Josue

STOLEN TIME Q&A schedule.

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Stolen Time Q&A schedule:
(1) Thursday 10/17, Royal, 7:20pm
(2) Friday 10/18, Glendale, 7:30pm
  • Moderator: Laura Nix
  • Panelists: Melissa & filmmaker Helene Klodawsky
(3) Saturday 10/19, Glendale, 7:30pm
  • Moderator: Lydia Storie (Caring Across Generations)
  • Panelists: Astrid Zuniga from (United Domestic Workers), Melissa & Helene
(4) Sunday 10/20, Glendale, 12:45pm
  • Moderator: Astrid Zuniga (United Domestic Workers)
  • Panelists: Rachel Tate (Vice President, Ombudsman Services at WISE & Healthy Aging), & Melissa