It’s summer. What better time to be watching movies in the great outdoors? Local arts org Basement Films is getting into the spirit of the season with its Open-Air Picture Show #2, an outdoor screening of films from the legendary Basement Films archive. This event, curated and projected by the 2018 Basement Films interns, takes place Friday, July 27 at 8pm. Among the weird educational/industrial/experimental shorts that have been unearthed and will now see the light of day (or at least the light of a projector lamp): “Skateboard Safety,” “The Swing That Swung Back,” “Chromophobia” and “Is It Always Right To Be Right?” To catch this event, head to the parking lot of GRAFT Gallery (1415 Fourth Street SW). Projection begins a little after 8pm. This is a “bring your own chair” event. A $5 suggested donation gets you in the door (or the parking lot, as the case may be).
Reel World: Coco With The Fridas Coco With The Fridas
Albuquerque’s Downtown Civic Plaza is sponsoring a free public movie screening this Friday, July 27. Pixar’s animated Day of the Dead musical Coco will be hosted by the 505 Fridas, a group of Albuquerque artists inspired by the life and art of Frida Kahlo (who plays an important undead role in the film). Folks are encouraged to dress like Frida and/or wear their best Day of the Dead garb. The film starts at 8pm on Civic Plaza (338 Marquette Ave. NW), but you should show up early to secure a good spot. After the movie viewers are invited to venture over to the Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) to check out our favorite heavy metal mariachi band from LA, Metalachi. (That you have to buy a ticket for, though.)
Reel World: Book ’Em Book ’Em
Historic Movie Theatres of New Mexico, the latest book from local writer and film historian Jeff Berg, just hit book store shelves courtesy of The History Press. As advertised, the book uses photographs, newspaper articles and personal reminiscences to explore over 100 years years of moviegoing in the Land of Enchantment—from the Fountain Theater in Mesilla, which holds the title of the oldest operating movie house in New Mexico, to the curious Circle Autoscope, which operated for one short year in Albuquerque. Berg is selling and signing copies of the book on Saturday, July 28 at Page 1 Books (5890 Eubank, Suite B-41). The event starts at 4pm.
Reel World: Heroes Of The Holocaust Heroes Of The Holocaust
Italian Festivals of New Mexico, The Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque, Congregation Albert and the Holocaust & Intolerance Museum of New Mexico are joining forces to present a special movie screening. The documentary My Italian Secret: The Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust tells the dramatic and compelling story of ordinary Italian citizens’ secret underground to save Jews from extermination in Nazi-occupied Italy. The film is narrated by famed Italian actress Isabella Rossellini. Doors open at 6:30pm on Tuesday, July 31 at Congregation Albert (3800 Louisiana Blvd. NE), and the film starts at 7pm. Annalisa Di Nola, whose own Italian-Jewish family experienced Nazi-occupied Rome during World War II, will provide opening and closing remarks. Admission is free, but you need to RSVP by calling 348-4518.
