February 28–March 2, 2025
With special guests
Rian johnson kogonada
matt singer
dana stevenS
scott tobiaS
alison willmore
Guests scheduled to attend; subject to change.
Filmspotting Family members receive a discount on all tickets.
Fri 2.28 – MUSIC BOX
7:00PM BRICK (35mm!) - $20
Post-screening discussion with writer/director Rian Johnson.
Brendan Frye is a loner, someone who knows all the angles but has chosen to stay on the outside. When the girl he loves turns up dead, he is determined to find the "who" and "why" and plunges into the dark and dangerous social strata of rich girl Laura, intimidating Tug, drug-addled Dode, seductive Kara, and the ominous Pin. But who can he really trust? (Focus)
Why? Filmspotting co-founders Adam Kempenaar and Sam Van Hallgren were early champions of Rian Johnson’s (“The Last Jedi,” “Knives Out”) debut feature, and Rian was a notable early guest. Rian also appeared on the show’s ‘Filmspotting University’ Top 5, co-hosted an episode, and has shared his favorite film of the year on several Top 10 roundtables. Additionally, “Brick” is the namesake and inspiration for Filmspotting’s annual Golden Brick Award, going to the best overlooked/underseen film by a new or emerging filmmaker.
SAT 3.1 – SISKEL FILM CENTER
12:00PM TANGERINE - $18
Post-screening discussion led by Alison Willmore (Vulture/New York Magazine).
It’s Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend (James Ransone) hasn’t been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the sex worker and her best friend, Alexandra (Mya Taylor), embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles, (Magnolia)
Why? Filmspotting awarded the Golden Brick Award to Sean Baker’s (“Anora”) breakout film in 2015. Baker appeared on the show to discuss 2017’s “The Florida Project” and has shared his favorite film of the year on multiple Top 10 roundtables.
2:30PM PATHER PANCHALI - $18
Post-screening discussion led by Dana Stevens (Slate, Slate Culture Gabfest).
A depiction of rural Bengali life in a style inspired by Italian neorealism, this naturalistic but poetic evocation of a number of years in the life of a family introduces us to both little Apu and, just as essentially, the women who will help shape him: his independent older sister, Durga; his harried mother, Sarbajaya, who, with her husband away, must hold the family together; and his kindly and mischievous elderly “auntie,” Indir—vivid, multifaceted characters all. (Janus)
Why? Satyajit’s Ray’s classic – #35 on Sight & Sound’s most recent Greatest Films poll – was a major discovery during Filmspotting’s 2015 Marathon devoted to five films by the legendary Indian director. In 2022, co-host Josh Larsen ranked it among his Top 10 Greatest Films of All Time; co-host Adam Kempenaar ranked “The World of Apu” – the final film in the “Apu Trilogy” – among his Top 10.
5:45PM TAKE SHELTER - $18
Post-screening discussion led by Matt Singer (ScreenCrush).
When Curtis (Michael Shannon) begins having nightmares of an encroaching, apocalyptic storm, he refrains from telling his wife, Samantha (Jessica Chastain). To protect her and their six-year-old deaf daughter Hannah, Curtis starts focusing his anxiety and money into the obsessive building of a storm shelter. (Sony)
Why? Jeff Nichols’ (“The Bikeriders,” “Shotgun Stories”) film was a Golden Brick Finalist and the Golden Brick Listeners’ Choice Winner in 2011. Co-hosts Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen each ranked it among their Top 10 films of that year. Filmspotting has interviewed Nichols twice and the director contributed to the show’s Top 10 Greatest Films of All Time episode in 2012.
“I was introduced to podcasts via Filmspotting. I believe the conversation of cinema is vital to film culture and its ongoing progress. Filmspotting has played a key role in preserving and evolving this conversation in our ever-changing century. Grateful to be a part of the celebration.”
8:30PM COLUMBUS - $18
Post-screening discussion with writer/director Kogonada.
When a renowned architecture scholar falls suddenly ill during a speaking tour, his son Jin (John Cho) finds himself stranded in Columbus, Indiana - a small Midwestern city celebrated for its many significant modernist buildings. Jin strikes up a friendship with Casey (Haley Lu Richardson), a young architecture enthusiast who works at the local library. As their intimacy develops, Jin and Casey explore both the town and their conflicted emotions: Jin's estranged relationship with his father, and Casey's reluctance to leave Columbus and her mother.
Why? Filmspotting awarded Kogonada’s debut feature the Golden Brick in 2017 and has interviewed the director twice. His follow-up, “After Yang,” made both hosts’ Top 10 Films of 2022.
SUN 3.2 – MUSIC BOX
11:30AM BEFORE SUNRISE (35mm! 30th Anniversary) - $18
~Post-screening discussion led by Scott Tobias (The Reveal, The Next Picture Show).
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy star as two young people who meet and whose lives are forever changed on a train from Budapest to Paris. They may have only one night, but when soul mates find each other, anything can happen Before Sunrise. (Warner Bros.)
Why? Richard Linklater’s “Before Trilogy” is in the Filmspotting Pantheon and co-star Ethan Hawke gave one of the show’s most insightful interviews ever when he appeared to discuss his 2018 directing effort “Blaze.” Linklater also appeared on the show in 2006 (“Fast Food Nation”) and taped a congratulatory message played at Filmspotting’s 500th episode live show.