With the passing the same day on July 30, 2007 of film-makers Ingmar Bergman and Michaelangelo Antonioni it makes sense to remember that film both then AND now is largely a commercial enterprise... More

With the passing the same day on July 30, 2007 of film-makers Ingmar Bergman and Michaelangelo Antonioni it makes sense to remember that film both then AND now is largely a commercial enterprise targeted at the lowest common denominator: the masses largely interested in action--cheap thrills, empty spectacle, and stupefingly numbing cliches, one-liners, recycled gags, and loads of popcorn... http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/movies/05scot.html?_r=1&8dpc&oref=slogin http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/movies/12scor.html Although I have only been there once or twice since it opened (it used to be at the Little Theater on 19th Ave. E. near St. Joseph's), I can attest to this being the least "commercial" movie theater in Seattle, with very fine, programming, including art, foreign, "independent,"experimental, documentary, and classic film. This may one of the very few non-commercial venue for cinephiles in Seattle (Seattle Art Museum also counts, I guess)... Hence, NO preliminary 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted cheesy, flashing, adrenaline-thumping previews, commercials, or announcements, as I recall, before a screening. Where else could we have seen the haunting, psychologically resonant neo-Italian-realist*** film version of Gian-Carlo Menotti's opera "The Medium"--directed by Menotti himself and with a radiant young Anna-Maria Alberghetti--think of "Turn of the Screw," and "Umberto D." (or an Italian Fascist film from Rome's Cinecitta studio**** all rolled in one, set to a modernist Puccini? How they pulled this forgotten gem out of some obscure vault is an open question. Or a few years, an exhibition/film festival/symposium on Slovene contemporary art (attended by the Slovene ambassador)? A strikingly original, funky space, with two very comfortable screening rooms, gallery, bar/cafe, large windows that look out onto the increasingly "in" 12th Ave. scene. This one-of-a-kind non-profit venue clearly stands head and shoulders above the Landmark Theaters (excepting possibly the Harvard Exit, Seven Gables, and Egyptian) in its selection of not-often-seen, mostly non-commercial fare. What about "revisiting" films by such cultural/intellectual luminaries and film-makers who have passed away recently, such as Susan Sontag ("Brother Carl,") "Duet for Cannibals"), Arthur Miller ("Playing for Time," "Misfits"), Gian-Carlo Menotti* ("The Medium"** or "Amahl and the Night Visitors," Bergman ("Cries & Whispers," "Persona," "Scenes from a Marriage"), Antonioni ("L'avventura," "Blow-Up", etc.? (Robert Altman, despite his iconic maverick status, worked within the Hollywood studio system, as far as I know). Or "one of its own," Elia Kazan (d. 2003), controversial for his role in the blacklisting of the McCarthy era but lauded for his "Streetcar Named Desire," "On the Waterfront," "Baby Doll." Seattle being a fairly important theater city--even though theater and cinema are in many ways antithetical media--it would also be interesting, for instance, to see a program of successful Hollywood film versions of Tennessee Williams's works (John Huston's "Night of the Iguana," Kazan's "Streetcar," the little seen "Glass Menagerie" with Gertrude Lawrence in one of her rare film roles), "Summer and Smoke" with Geraldine Page repeating the role that brought her fame in a Circle in the Square revival in New York), even though the number of bowdlerized, mediocre-or-worse versions makes up the vast majority (think of Eugene O'Neill, except for "Long Day's Journey into Night," or Arthur Miller). Or opera-on-film...Bergman's "Magic Flute," the ca. 1987 "Carmen," etc. (Maybe they have already had an occasional opera on film, rarely "a mini-series" or in repertory, to my memory...). [The Big Picture in Belltown used to be adventurous ("The Station Agent," the Robert McNamara documentary, "Fog of War," the documentary on the influential architect Louis Kahn, etc.). In the past year, it has turned to VERY standard Hollywood fare ("Dreamgirls," "Casino Royale") that could seen at ANY multiplex. This is a duplication of effort--the Meridian 16, that downtown rabbit-warren downtown due for demolition in the not too distant future, usually has "first dibs" on this sort of fare]. This and the Harvard Exit are my two favorite movie theaters in Seattle. *http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/01/arts/music/01cnd-menotti.html?ex=1327986000&en=7ef65dc15876a946&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss ** http://www.amazon.com/Menotti-Medium-Powers-Alberghetti-Schippers/dp/B00006ADF9/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1/002-2763930-2716018 *** http://www.italica.rai.it/eng/cinema/cards/neorealism1.htm **** http://www.romefile.com/culture/cinecitta.php Also recommended: The Warren Report, in the old Carnegie Free Library in Ballard: http://seattle.thewarrenreport.com/default.asp
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If you want to really dig deep into the artistic culture of Seattle I would highly recommend this film theater. It is AMAZING. The architecture is so profound that you will find yourself musing over... More

If you want to really dig deep into the artistic culture of Seattle I would highly recommend this film theater. It is AMAZING. The architecture is so profound that you will find yourself musing over every detail of the building while waiting for your film to start. What is shown at this theater are films done by local and international artists. The last film I saw here was a Self done by Caveh Zahedi called "I'm a Sex Addict". It was tastefully done with humor and a little drama. I loved it! So if you want to take a glance at what independent film makers are doing than check out this little theater.
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The Northwest Film forum on Capitol Hill a true independent movie theater. The film curators work hard to bring you films that you can see no where else (not even the Varsity). The NWFF is also a... More

The Northwest Film forum on Capitol Hill a true independent movie theater. The film curators work hard to bring you films that you can see no where else (not even the Varsity). The NWFF is also a resource for filmmakers to use. The NWFF offers rental equipment and workshops for a nominal fees year around (cheaper for members). You may not see many advertisements for the movie schedule, so you may have to go to the NWFF website to see what is playing.
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The NWFF is Seattle's safehaven, meeting place, and collective for independent film. At a basic level, about one film per week, usually either not found anywhere else or an old classic, runs on one... More

The NWFF is Seattle's safehaven, meeting place, and collective for independent film. At a basic level, about one film per week, usually either not found anywhere else or an old classic, runs on one of the two screens and can be seen for either 8 dollars or 5 dollars if you're a member. The 35 dollar supporting membership not only saves you money, but goes towards funding of numerous events and projects which make the NWFF what it is. There are numerous special events such as Secret Cinema night or celebratory/fundraising events, and the Forum works closely with local filmmakers to help their projects come to fruition. Mostly, it is a place to meet likeminded film people, to discuss everything film, and to find others who might be able to help you with what you're interested in. With Quentin Tarantino as a lifetime member, they got some street cred and it's defintely worth the time to checkout, visit, or to volunteer your time.
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Film fans should check out The Northwest Film Forum on 12th ave on Capitol Hill. First off, it’s a great space to see movies. The theater is carved out of an old warehouse building complete with... More

Film fans should check out The Northwest Film Forum on 12th ave on Capitol Hill. First off, it’s a great space to see movies. The theater is carved out of an old warehouse building complete with exposed brick walls. And second, their selection of movies is definitely an alternative to the usual Hollywood fare. Actually, it’s even an alternative to the movies you might see at the Egyptian or Seven Gables. TNFF is not strictly a theater. They bill themselves as a film collective complete with workshops and rental equipment. And as such, they feature filmmakers working outside the usual distribution channels. Plus, they’ll throw in some classics long gone from the big screen. Their films usually run for about a week, so they always have something new coming up. Of course, this also means you have a short window to catch your movie of choice. I recently caught a documentary about the rock group, The Flaming Lips then missed a showing of Jack Nicholson’s Chinatown. So if you’re looking for alternative film, I’d recommend keeping an eye on their calendar (it’s online). Chances are you’ll find something you won’t see in any other theater around town. And for post-movie discussions, there are plenty of great bars and cafes in the neighborhood.
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Besides showing great films (this year they've already screened the newest Godard film and a whole festival of Ozu films), the NW Film Forum occasionally hosts other events with live music by great... More

Besides showing great films (this year they've already screened the newest Godard film and a whole festival of Ozu films), the NW Film Forum occasionally hosts other events with live music by great bands like the Climax Golden Twins and Mt Eerie, and they often have interesting art in the front lobby area.
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