Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields have been wowing brainy indie-rock types for more than 15 years with their cerebral mix of pop-history sweepings. In 1999, they released 69 Love Songs, a sprawling three-disc set that attempts to cover the scope of 20th century music in its 69 songs. And yes, that number is no accident: Frontman Stephin Merritt writes about sex as much as he does love. This decade-in-the-making documentary tracks the band onstage, backstage, and offstage, providing a wide-open view of the often-elusive Merritt. The Cleveland Cinematheque hosts a screening at the Capitol Theatre at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 11.
Jour de Fête
French funnyman Jacques Tati's debut feature from 1949 stars the director as a mailman inspired by the U.S. Postal Service. What — he's going to deliver my magazines a week late? The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 12, and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, November 14.
Kings of Pastry
Documentary about a cake-making competition in France. Sorta like that one Food Network show, but with people who sound like Pepe Le Pew. Cleveland Museum of Art's Morley Lecture Hall. At 7 p.m. Friday, November 12, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, November 14.
Orlando
Nope, it isn't a biopic about Orlando Bloom. It isn't a documentary about Florida's pop-music capital either. It's Tilda Swinton's breakout role in a 1992 costume drama. The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 5:15 p.m. Saturday, November 13, and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, November 14.
Our Beloved Month of August
Portuguese filmmaker can't scrape together enough money to make the movie he wanted, so he picks up the cast and crew, heads to some small towns, and builds a new movie out of what he finds there. The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 9:05 p.m. Saturday, November 13, and 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 15.
Restrepo
Documentary about a group of U.S. soldiers stationed at one of the most dangerous spots in Afghanistan. A sad, brutally honest, and tragic look at war. The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 7:10 p.m. Saturday, November 13, and 8:25 p.m. Sunday, November 14.
16mm Shorts From the 48th Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival
The title pretty much tells you everything you need to know about this 80-minute program. We'll add that it features work by nine filmmakers. The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 9:15 p.m. Friday, November 12.
Tamara Drewe
The ubiquitous Gemma Arterton (Clash of the Titans, Prince of Persia) plays a writer who returns to her small, CGI-free hometown. Opens Friday at the Cedar Lee Theatre.
