Author: David Williams

HalluCinoGeNnN: TWO FILMS FROM ANDREY ISKANOV

Posted on by David Williams

In 1976, artist and actor Andrey Iskanov was born in the climatically brutal Russian town of Khabarovsk, 20 miles north of the Chinese border. There he cut his teeth in the medical field, where his love of photography developed into an award-winning career in advertising and filmmaking. His fascination with the human body no doubt influenced the creation of HalluCinoGeNnN, a series of two of the most brain-bending pieces of psychedelic industrial horror to come from Russia’s Extreme East. This March, please join us for a mind-melting presentation of these two films: the cyberpunk freakout thriller NAILS and VISIONS OF SUFFERING, a truly soul-crushing exercise in pain and ecstasy. Only at Spectacle.

NAILS
(ГВОЗДИ)
Dir. Andrey Iskanov. 2003.
Russia. 62 min.
In Russian with English Subtitles.

MONDAY, MARCH 3 – 10 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 7 – MIDNIGHT
SUNDAY, MARCH 23 – 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, MARCH 29 – MIDNIGHT

TICKETS

Experiencing increasingly agonizing headaches and frightening voices, an unnamed hitman turns to the only relief he hasn’t tried: hammering nine inch nails straight into his skull. His fresh trepanation colorizes his black and white Siberian world, causing vivid hallucinations – as well as torturous, waking nightmares. Fighting tooth and nail for his sanity, our hero soon learns that the only way out of Hell is through.

Iskanov’s directorial debut and the first in the HalluCinoGeNnN series, NAILS is one tight-n-tense cerebral hellride. THE MATRIX for edgy self-surgery enthusiasts or TETSUO THE IRON MAN with a lobotomy.

VISIONS OF SUFFERING (FINAL DIRECTOR’S CUT)
(ГВИДЕНИЯ УЖАСОВ)
Dir. Andrey Iskanov. 2006.
Russia. 85 min.
In Russian with English Subtitles.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 – MIDNIGHT
THURSDAY, MARCH 13 – 10 PM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 – 10 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 29 – MIDNIGHT

TICKETS

A man experiencing disturbing phone calls receives a visit from a Don Quixote quoting telephone repairman. His arrival shatters the barrier between reality and nightmare – unleashing a series of vampires, succubi, and demonic forces into existence.

Film II in the HalluCinoGeNnN Series, VISIONS OF SUFFERING is the experimental art horror equivalent of becoming the victim of a gas leak while also becoming a victim of fashion inside an abandoned Hot Topic. Originally released as a 2-hour cut in 2006 and reconstituted in 2016, Iskanov’s FINAL DIRECTOR’S CUT boosts the Ick Factor into the stratosphere while  completely reimagining Hell on Earth altogether. Don’t eat beforehand.

WARNING: GRAPHIC SCENES OF UNSIMULATED SEX, VIOLENCE, AND CADAVERS THROUGHOUT! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

ANTI-VALENTINES: THE EARTH IS A SINFUL SONG

Posted on by David Williams

THE EARTH IS A SINFUL SONG
(MAA ON SYNTINEN LAULU)
aka THE LAND OF OUR ANCESTORS
Dir. Rauni Mollberg, 1973
Finland, 108 min
In Finnish with English subtitles

WARNING: GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS OF LIVE ANIMAL VIOLENCE AND DEATH

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 – 10 PM
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 – 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 – 5 PM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 – MIDNIGHT

TICKETS

AN ARCHAIC WORLD OF SEX, DEATH, VIOLENCE, AND RELIGIOUS MADNESS

Spectacle is proud to present rare screenings of EARTH IS A SINFUL SONG, virtually unknown outside its native Finland, as part of our annual ANTI-VALENTINES February program.

In the breathtaking remote wilds of northern Finland, 19-year-old Martta Mäkelä lays about naked, ignoring the harsh realities of life in her village of Siskonranta. Her world is turned upside-down when she falls in love with Oula, a wandering reindeer herder. Their erotic explorations lead to pregnancy, igniting the village’s scorn and a religious backlash. As Martta transitions from girlhood to womanhood, the story also captures a year in the life of Siskonranta and its inhabitants, highlighting the beautiful warmth of blossoming, bloody young sexuality against the earthy, unforgiving cold of 1940s postwar Lapland.

Based on the novel of the same name by controversial Finnish author Timo K. Mukka and helmed by famous television director Rauni Mollberg, EARTH IS A SINFUL SONG was produced under extreme conditions during Finland’s “darkest period of cinema.” At a time when few Finnish movies found success, it was the country’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 46th Academy Awards, and it eventually became one of the best-selling titles in Finnish film history.

Special thanks to Eira Mollberg, Timo Kinnunen, Tommi Partanen, the National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI), and the Finnish Film Archive for their blessings, provisions, and assistance.

THE BEST OF ME

Posted on by David Williams

THE BEST OF ME
Dir. Heather Landsman, 2024
United States, 89 min
In English

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6 – 10 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 – 7:30 PM w/Q&A (this event is $10)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 – MIDNIGHT

TICKETS

SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS

“Oddly enough, people get interested in a person like that. That would be the only reason why anyone would sit through dozens and dozens of hours of unedited home diaries.” – Ricardo López

In 1993, living in suburban Atlanta and working as an exterminator, young and alienated Ricardo López developed an all-consuming love for Icelandic experimental pop musician Björk. Over the next three years, López’s fixation would result in hundreds of diary entries, dozens of hours of home video footage, an assassination plot, and his eventual death by his own hand. Director Heather Landsman has crafted an eye-opening portrait of obsession taken to the edge. Landsman will be present for a post-screening Q&A following the Feb. 15th screening.

Special thanks to Sylvie Shamlian. Poster by Cris Hernandez.

SATAN KINGDOM BABYLON

Posted on by David Williams

SATAN KINGDOM BABYLON
Dirs. Marie Šprincl, Petr Šprincl. 2024.
Czech Republic. 77 min.
In English.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12– 7:30 PM w/ Q&A (this event is $10)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 – 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 – 5 PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 – 10 PM

TICKETS

Q&A TICKETS

WARNING:

This motion picture contains disturbing passages and bright flashing lights that may trigger photosensitive epileptic seizures. Scenes of racial, religious and ideological hatred are graphically depicted. If the presentation of disgusting and repulsive material upsets you, please do not watch this film. All characters in this film are…

HYPERREAL.

Whether you react with deep allegiance or profound disgust, the word “AMERICA” conjures a spectrum of feelings as diverse as its populace. However, one undeniable facet of our nation is how Fear has shaped the story for many. That uncomfortable truth is what drove Czech artists Marie and Petr Šprincl (known for their creative partnership FLESH&BRAIN) to travel across The United States, seeking to turn over every rotten log they find in order to discover and document the role Satan, Hate, War, God, Faith, and the Apocalypse have played in forging the identity of 21st Century America.

A truly provocative fusion of multimedia animation, neo-noir pseudofiction, psychosexual 4chan brain rot, supernatural mythology, and grimy tape documentary – SATAN KINGDOM BABYLON establishes itself as a fearless exercise in religion, rot and retribution. Never too shy to ask the question: can the past be a new beginning?

All the way from Czechia, please welcome filmmakers Marie and Petr Šprincl to Spectacle on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 at 7:30 PM for the WORLD PREMIERE of their latest adventure into hyperrealism – SATAN KINGDOM BABYLON!

SPIRIT RISER

Posted on by David Williams

SPIRIT RISER
Dir. Dylan Mars Greenberg. 2024.
United States. 98 min.
In English.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 – 7:30 PM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15– 7:30 PM w/ Q&A (this event is $10)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21 – 7:30 PM
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25 – 7:30 PM

TICKETS

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“A NEON FAIRY TALE BEYOND IMAGINATION!”

Flung to far corners of the nation by a dark and lonely entity, sisters Ingrid and Sydney find themselves forgetting. Forgetting their family, themselves, and their own power locked inside! As the two girls race against the odds to reunite, they are targeted and hunted down by sinister cosmic forces that will stop at nothing to see them destroyed. Can our heroes find peace in a world that wants them gone?

Quickly after its spring premiere at The Museum of the Moving Image, Dylan Mars Greenberg’s punk as fuck genre-busting horrorurreal kung-fantasy phantasmagoria known as SPIRIT RISER began taking the country by storm. This fall, the storm comes to us… GOD help us all. Join us as we Protect The S on November 15th at 7:30 PM for an extradimensional Q&A with director Dylan Mars Greenberg. Hosted by Philip Ginley!

Starring a wall-to-wall-who’s-who cast of cherished and unconventional art, music and film fixtures including: actress Lynn Lowry, sisters Kansas and Parker Love Bowling, musicians Cherie Currie and Dorian Electra – as well as appearances from directors Lloyd Kaufman, Ryan Trecartin, and Trent Harris. Narrated by Mr. Blonde himself Michael Madsen and featuring trans icon and writer Kate Bornstein as GOD.

“A surreal mindtrip with an ending that will haunt your dreams.” – James Rolfe, The Angry Video Game Nerd

“Frenzied, surreal and with wild abandon: Dylan Mars Greenberg’s fever dream, SPIRIT RISER is a banger.”  – James Merendino, director of SLC PUNK

“SPIRIT RISER is utterly fabulously WILD! A Lynchian wild-ride through a queer dreamscape of beauty and horror that must be experienced as it’s practically impossible to describe.” – Peaches Christ

“9.5/10; SPIRIT RISER is a relentlessly exhilarating underground masterwork that will light up your synapses like a Christmas tree tornado.” – Michael Talbot-Haynes, Film Threat 

“A classic in the making”  – Mary Beth McAndrews, Dread Central 

“A multidimensional mind blower… Dylan Mars Greenberg’s vision is a breath of fresh air” – Jodi Wille, director of THE SOURCE FAMILY

SOV LEGENDS: DONALD FARMER

Posted on by David Williams

Beginning in the 1970s with a series of Super 8 films before moving to the more “profitable” videotape, Donald Farmer would find success in creating hypnotically engaging gorefests (which often held surprisingly sweet romantic cores) with eye catching VHS covers for the burgeoning and ever-insatiable home video market. Over the next five decades, Farmer would diligently work to carve his name into the stone of Cinema History, becoming a household name to those invested in horror, trash, and all things video.

This November at Spectacle, please join as we write Donald Farmer’s name down in the books as one of the greatest SOV LEGENDS ever known! Showcasing a hand-picked selection of Donald’s greatest video hits including – DEMON QUEEN, CANNIBAL HOOKERS, RED LIPS, and the WORLD PREMIERE of his devilish new film WICKED WITCH on NOVEMBER 23!

demon

DEMON QUEEN
Dir. Donald Farmer. 1987.
United States. 54 min.
In English.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 – 10 PM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15– 10 PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 – MIDNIGHT

TICKETS

WARNING: SHE WILL KILL YOU!

Lucinda the Nagelesque and totally bitchin’ Demon Queen (Mary Fanaro) goes around town killing johns, pimps, pushers, and everyone in between! Come for the psychotic droning synth score and neon candy video effects, stay for cocaine off the glass coffee tables, multiple trips to the video store, and all the cigarettes you can smoke in the mall!

Donald Farmer’s first feature film – which quickly cemented him as one of SOV Cinema’s greatest minds.

cannibal

CANNIBAL HOOKERS
(aka I WILL DANCE ON YOUR GRAVE)
Dir. Donald Farmer. 1987.
United States. 67 min.
In English.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 – 10 PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 – MIDNIGHT
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 – 10 PM

TICKETS

KILLER BIMBOS FROM HELL!

Secretly, Hilary and Dee Dee hope to pledge to the super popular and extra edgy, party-hard sorority Gamma Zeta Beta. For their first test, they’re made to beat the street … but everything goes from bad to worse when they’re forced to eat some human meat!

Donald’s second feature. Shows off his tonal versatility, thematic consistency, ever enjoyable shopping trips, and his love of Jan Haflin’s synthpop hit ANGELFIRE! Later remade by Donald and co-directed by artist and friend of Spectacle Caroline Kopko. A shotgun marriage of Jean Rollin style Euro-Trash and LA California Sleaze – cannibal style.

redlips

RED LIPS
Dir. Donald Farmer. 1995.
United States. 92 min.
In English.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 – 7:30 PM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 – MIDNIGHT
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 – 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 – 7:30 PM

TICKETS

SHE’S HOMELESS, SHE’S BROKE, SHE’S HUNGRY … REAL HUNGRY!

The ever charismatic Ghetty Chasun stars as Caroline, a broke New York City punk selling her blood for money. One fateful day, Caroline’s evil doctor injects her with a potent, experimental serum that turns her into a bloodsucking vampire from Hell! During her rampage, Caroline meets Lisa (played by the legendary Michelle Bauer). Torn between her lust for blood and her new lover, Caroline does everything in her power to make sure Lisa does not become her next victim.

RED LIPS is the perfect SOV romance! drenched in trance-inducing New York noise rock sets, artistic tributes to pregnant crack smokers, and lots of gothic Gen X vampire lesbian sex. This is Donald Farmer’s masterpiece – we guarantee it.

wicked

WICKED WITCH
(aka BLOOD BITCH BABY)
Dir. Donald Farmer. 2024.
United States. 68 min.
In English.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 – 5 PM w/Q&A (this event is $10)

TICKETS

Down and out Jenny responds to a Help Wanted ad, hoping to end her financial woes. Unbeknownst to her, she’s about to begin working for one of the most notoriously bloodthirsty women to ever walk the earth… Countess Elizabeth Bathory herself! Can Jenny remove her curse before it’s too late? Or will she succumb to the dark spell of the WICKED WITCH?

Featuring a knockout cast of Donald Farmer’s regular players including Angel Nichole Bradford, Mel Heflin, and Jessa Flux as Elizabeth Bathory. Please join us on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 AT 5 PM as we virtually welcome Donald Farmer to Spectacle for the WORLD PREMIERE of his newest film! Featuring a BONUS, IN-PERSON appearance from actress Jessa Flux!

PETSCOP: ENCORE

Posted on by David Williams

PETSCOP
Dir. Tony Domenico. 2017-2019.
United States. 269 min.
In English.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 — 2 PM – 8 PM

Q&A w/ Jordan Fish, Liz Ryerson, and David Stockdale

TICKETS

In March 2017, a YouTube channel began uploading footage of a strange, long-lost pet collector game for the Sony Playstation known only as PETSCOP. Initially created as a way to chronicle his discoveries and exploration within, the narrator Paul soon unearthed a mystery far deeper and more frightening than anyone could have ever imagined. What would unfold over the next two years would completely expand the possibilities of screenlife, video games, YouTube, and the Let’s Play format as vectors for astonishing art and captivating storytelling.

After our historic initial first run, the people have asked us for one more. This November, please join us at Spectacle as we present to you an encore of the first ever public screening of the groundbreaking psychological horror series PETSCOP in its entirety. Join us after the viewing for a seminar between filmmaker Jordan Fish, internet and video game culturalist Liz Ryerson, and PETSCOP historian and YouTuber David Stockdale as we discuss the theories, meanings, and legacy of this important artifact of post-web mythology.

Our programming block is broken into three distinct Pieces. A 10 minute intermission will follow each Piece, concluding in a seminar following the Epilogue. Each attendee will receive a playbill containing important text relevant to each episode.

PIECE ONE
Episodes 1-10
90 min.

PIECE TWO
Episodes 11-16
82 min.

PIECE THREE
Episodes 17-24 + Epilogue
97 min.

“Jordan Fish is a screenwriter, filmmaker, and interactive director who loves cinema in all its forms. He’s also interested in YouTube as a node of culture, and in films that feel almost like video games, defy categorization, or otherwise push the bounds of their format. Jordan’s work has been featured in Pitchfork, Vice, Buzzfeed, and The Guardian. He is currently prepping his first feature, a paranoid thriller, for principal photography in 2025.”

“Liz Ryerson is a writer, composer, podcaster, and game designer currently based in Brooklyn. Her writing about games has appeared in publications like Vice, the New Inquiry, and Jacobin. She also currently hosts the Experimental Game Workshop at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, and occasionally teaches at the NYU Game Center.”

“David Stockdale is a YouTuber who delves into obscure and unusual media, with a particular focus on analog horror and experimental storytelling. His channel, Nightmare Masterclass, has gained attention for its lengthy investigation of PETSCOP. He’s interested in the way online platforms are reshaping narrative and culture.”

Very special thanks to Tony Domenico, Steve Macfarlane, Liz Ryerson, Jordan Fish, Sylvie Shamlian, and David Stockdale.

OPEN SECRET AT SPECTACLE

Posted on by David Williams

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 – 7:30 PM  ONE NIGHT ONLY! This event is $10

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Cinema. The Seventh Art. The ultimate lab of experimentation. After all, it’s the whole reason Spectacle even exists. On August 11th, please join us in welcoming OPEN SECRET to our screen for the first time. A series focused on relensing and recontextualising technology – society’s big “open secret” – and the images it routinely parades in front of our eyes. To those who know: enjoy.

The short films featured in this showcase include:


MONAD 3 NEW YORK
dir. Dana Dawud.
26 min.


RNG
dir. Redacted Cut
9 min.


EMERGENCY
dir. John-Robin Bold.
4 min.


ONUGODNICHESTVO PT. 1
dirs. Syryn V., Soglyadatay V.
14 min.

 

TRIPLEBUNNYDOUBLEBIND
dir. Elsie Lappoh.
5 min.


WORKTOWN
dir. Luke Hemingway.
7 min.


4013
dir. Marble Index.
10 min.


01100010011001100111
00100110100101101001
01101100011001000110
11010110011100110011
dir. Ai Dubai.
7 min.


WUNSCHZWEI(2)
dir. Xafya Lovecraft.
12 min.


PSYCHOLOGY OF JON RAFMAN
dir. KIRAC.
15 min.

THE BLOOD SICK ROAD SHOW DOUBLE FEATURE

Posted on by David Williams

Ever since their 2023 debut at Spectacle, New Yorkers far and wide have been screaming for more Blood Sick Productions! This August, please welcome the crew on tour while they take over The Burning S on Tuesday, August 13th for a double feature of two-brand new Blood Sick Signature SOVs – Brewce Longo’s occult queer horroromance COVEN OF THE BLACK CUBE and artist Kasper Meltedhair’s debut feature, the absurd and sickening BUSTED BABIES! Each screening will feature a Q&A with the crew immediately afterwards. Bring a date and your nicest, coziest barf bag.

COVEN OF THE BLACK CUBE
Dir. Brewce Longo. 2024.
United States. 97 min.
In English.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13 – 7:30 PM with filmmaker Q&A (This event is $10.)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 – 5 PM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28 – 10 PM

SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS!

REGULAR TICKETS!

“A HEAVY METAL LOVE STORY FULL OF ARSENIC AND WITCHERY!”

Vi and Gumby’s relationship is on the rocks. After a late-night encounter with the sorceress Clover, hearts are crossed and heads start to roll as the mystery of the COVEN OF THE BLACK CUBE is revealed.

A keen exhibit for Philly locales, musicians, and underground SOV talent. COVEN OF THE BLACK CUBE is totally gothic, sinister, warm, and sapphic while never skimping on the potheaded metallic blood and laughs we love from Blood Sick.

Joining us for our Q&A is director Brewce Longo, writer and actress Zoe Angeli, actress Kasper Meltedhair, plus special guest Tina Krause!

Starring Morrigan Milam, Zoe Angeli, Josh Schafer, Josh Christensen, Kasper Meltedhair, Joe Swanberg, Tina Krause, and David “The Rock” Nelson. Written by Brewce Longo, actress Zoe Angeli, and Lunchmeat VHS’ Josh Shafer.

BUSTED BABIES
Dir. Kasper Meltedhair. 2024.
United States. 87 min.
In English.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13 – 10 PM with filmmaker Q&A (This event is $10.)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 – 7:30 PM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 – 10 PM

SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS!

REGULAR TICKETS!

“A CINEMA-STACKING TALE OF BREAKABLE PROPORTIONS…WITH EXTRA IMMORTAL CHEEZE, AND GIRLS.”

The demon named ____’s reality breaks down after she trips at the BBQ Salon, busting baby glass and oozing goo on herself and her demon friends Movie Star and Character Name.

BUSTED BABIES is the demonic debut feature of outsider artist and actress Kasper Meltedhair that stumbles wildly into the intersection of hypnagogic horror, mischievous PFFR worthy dada dialogue, and Kasper’s trademark niche fetishisms – yielding one of the most perverted, brain damaged and cartoonish pieces of video art ever seen. TRASH HUMPERS via Tim and Eric’s ABSO LUTELY PRODUCTIONS.

Starring Kasper Meltedhair, Erin Caywood, Cody Brant, Josh Christensen, Brent Grant, Brewce Longo, Andy Heck Boyd, and Donald Farmer.

RENA RIFFEL: A TRUE ARTIST

Posted on by David Williams

“Cindy Sherman creates photos from movies that never were, but Rena creates the movies.” – Philippe Mora, director of COMMUNION and THE BEAST WITHIN

Avid movie enjoyers may recognize actress Rena Riffel for her role as Tiffany in the Golden Raspberry winning film STRIPTEASE. More eagle-eyed viewers may recognize her silhouette from the cover of CONTRABAND, the debut album of rock supergroup Velvet Revolver (weird flex, but good job anyway). However – we’re willing to bet money you’ve seen Rena in David Lynch’s frighteningly surreal drama MULHOLLAND DRIVE or Paul Verhoeven’s trashy masterpiece SHOWGIRLS. But did you know Rena is so much more than her good looks, charisma, and talent? Rena Riffel is, by all definitions… a true artist.

Initially drawn to visual art and performance at a young age, Rena found herself mastering modeling, acting, dancing, and music in the world of Hollywood – becoming a highly sought after multi-threat. After witnessing the ingenuity and budgetary freedom of Paul Morrissey’s TRASH, Rena knew what challenge she wanted to conquer next: filmmaking.

We are absolutely overjoyed to be showcasing two of Rena’s most cerebral films this July: a dizzying recut of her magnum opus and Spectacle classic SHOWGIRLS 2: PENNY’S FROM HEAVEN, and the darkly funny meta-satire on art and artist alike, ASTRID’S SELF PORTRAIT. Be sure you don’t miss our eye-opening Q&As with the artist on JULY 13 and 21!

SHOWGIRLS 2: PENNY’S FROM HEAVEN (THE CUT)
Dir. Rena Riffel. 2011.
United States. 100 min.
In English.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 – 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 13 – MIDNIGHT
TUESDAY, JULY 16 – 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, JULY 21 – 7:30 PM with filmmaker Q&A (This event is $10.)

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SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS!

Reprising her role from the Paul Verhoeven 1995 trashsterpiece, Rena Riffel stars as Penny in a “satirical parody project” intent on both pleasing and confusing fans of Rena’s work. A wholly unholy fusion of SHOWGIRLS’ high camp and MULHOLLAND DRIVE’S nightmarish heartache.

After originally debuting at Spectacle in 2013, we are happy to reintroduce SHOWGIRLS 2 to a completely new generation of filmgoers in a completely new way in a completely new cut, with completely new footage never seen before! For all Rena Riffel completionists!

ASTRID’S SELF PORTRAIT
Dir. Rena Riffel. 2016.
United States. 81 min.
In English.

FRIDAY, JULY 5 – MIDNIGHT
SUNDAY, JULY 14 – 7:30 PM with filmmaker Q&A (This event is $10.)
SATURDAY, JULY 20 – 7:30 PM
TUESDAY, JULY 23 – 10 PM

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SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS!

Notorious film critic and black widow Astrid von Star no longer finds joy in critique. She wants to create. ASTRID’S SELF PORTRAIT is a peek behind the curtain, following the process of forging her ultimate self-portrait in digital, aided by her hapless and only surviving husband.

ASTRID’S SELF PORTRAIT is a heart stopping, melodramatic, totally meta experimental feature equally inspired by French New Wave as it is daytime soap operas. If SHOWGIRLS 2 is Rena’s MULHOLLAND DRIVE, this is her INLAND EMPIRE.