Cinemateca, August 21–September 6, 2009 
José Luis Pick’n’tip

The Pick

The Cyclist A middle-aged Afghani man is alarmed when his wife falls very ill in Teheran. To raise money to pay for his wife's care he undertakes an endurance contest. He attempts to ride a bicycle for five days without stopping. He circles the same city square, surrounded by onlookers. The cyclist becomes the talk of the town. Will he make it? Bets are placed. Gamblers try to sabotage his attempts. Some in the crowd cheer the cyclist on, making him their temporary hero.

The Tip Important: To provide the best viewing experience, the show times for some movies may be adjusted to accommodate their length. Be sure to check the schedule carefully. I also want to remind you of our new ticket price: 60 pesos and discount cards buy 12 shows for 550 pesos. Starting Monday, after 11am, buy your tickets in advance for any movie or show of the week. If you have a discount card, collect your pass to secure a seat; don’t take the risk of being locked out. Would you like to receive this info by email? Write to José Luis at alephamour@hotmail.com.  Thank you.



The Movies

In Search of Beethoven (2009) Monday, August 31 at 1pm Wednesday, September 2 at 7pm Documentary, biography, music, English, 139 minutes Director: Phil Grabsky Starring: Emanuel Ax, Juliet Stevenson

This is the first truly comprehensive feature length cinema documentary ever made about Beethoven, a crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music who remains one of the most acclaimed and influential composers of all time. This video features over 60 live performances.

Love Is… Monday, August 31 at 4pm San Miguel comedy, English, 98 minutes Director: Nils Macquarie Producer: Gerry Holmes Writer: Christine Foster

Love is in bloom in the enchanted colonial city of San Miguel de Allende where couples of all ages find romance. This light-hearted look at nine different relationships waves its magic through cobbled streets, past fountains and flower filled patios. Set against the backdrop of one of the international community’s favorite playgrounds, these intertwined stories offer delightful insights into the twists and turns of the timeless game of love.

The History of Mexico  Thursday, September 3 at 5pm Poetic-visual-chronological narration, English, 60 minutes Director-producer: Murray Kamelhar Cast: Cleo Stevens, Gary Whare, Lilia Trapaga, José Luis Mendoza

Through the voices of the actors and the beautiful visuals, The History of Mexico brings to life the struggles, defeats and victories of its people. The poetry, the art, the color and craft of their culture are also part of their story. A reporter for The New York Times said, “This story should be required viewing by all who enter Mexico.”



The Cyclist (1987)
Wednesday, September 2 at 5pm
Friday, September 4 at 3pm
Drama, Persian with English subtitles, 95 minutes
Director: Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Starring: Samira Makhmalbaf, Firouz Kiani, Esmail Soltanian

Nasim needs money to pay for his wife’s medical care. A friend connects Nasim to a two-bit promoter who sells tickets to watch Nasim ride a bicycle continuously for a week. Aided by his son, who feeds him as he rides, Nasim grinds out the days and shivering nights. Local officials believe Nasim may be a spy; they try to sabotage him, as do those who bet he won’t finish the week.

Living Yoga: The Life and Teachings of Swami Satchidananda Monday, August 31 at 7pm Documentary, 60 minutes Director: Shiva Kumar Starring: Swami Satchidananda, Mehmet Oz

Yoga is 5,000 years old, yet it is relatively new to Americans. This film approaches the topic of how the ancient teachings of Yoga were brought to the West, and the far-reaching effects on society of the modern Yoga movement is a story told for the first time on film in an hour-long documentary that informs, entertains and provokes self-inquiry.

Chûgoku no chôjin (1998) The Bird People in China Tuesday, September 1 at 1pm Thursday, September 4 at 2:30pm Adventure, drama, Japanese with English subtitles, 118 minutes Director: Takashi Miike Starring: Masahiro Motoki, Renji Ishibashi

A young Japanese salaryman is sent by his company to a remote Chinese village to evaluate precious jade found there, but before arriving he meets the Yakuza, sent to tail him and protect his bosses’ interest in the company. When the men finally arrive, their mission is sidetracked by their interest in a mysterious young village girl, her haunting English-language song and the secret that makes men fly like birds.

Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh (2005) Tuesday, September 1 at 4pm Thursday, September 4 at 7pm Drama, romance, Hindi with English subtitles, 120 minutes Director: Chandan Arora Starring: Rajpal Yadav, Rituparna Sengupta

Lucknow-based Mithilesh Shukla is a regular, nondescript sort of a guy. His wife Veena is beautiful, cultured and educated. She is also leggy, a good six inches taller than our hero. When Veena’s good college friend, the tall, worldly, smart Akash moves in next door, jealousy consumes Mithilesh, leading him into a quagmire of problems that threaten to rip apart his life.

Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent Van Gogh (1987)  Tuesday, September 1 at 7pm Documentary, English, 105 minutes Director: Paul Cox Starring: John Hurt, Marika Rivera

Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent Van Gogh is a captivating study of a brilliant artist. One of the top ten documentaries the year it was released, Paul Cox’s portrait of Vincent Van Gogh is a journey through the life of a tortured genius who became one of the greatest artists of all time. The story is told through letters written to his brother Theo from 1872 until 1890, eloquently read by actor John Hurt.

The Camden 28 (2007)  Friday, September 4 at 1pm Documentary, English, 83 minutes Director: Anthony Giacchino

This film explores how and why 28 individuals intentionally placed themselves at risk of arrest and imprisonment while protesting the war in Vietnam. Featuring a treasure of archival materials and current interviews with former FBI agents involved in the case and scholars such as Howard Zinn, The Camden 28 is a story about a potent form of dissent that has special relevance to our current political climate.



Kids Movies: Cartoons 
Saturdays, August 29 & September 5 at noon